Orphan Black – The Stigmata of Progress

By: Alex Steele

Titled The Stigmata of Progress, the episode opens on Rachel (Tatiana Maslany) as she is undergoing eye tests. Remember how she was so accurately shot in the eye with a pencil? Well now, she is the proud (reluctant) vessel for one of Neolution’s bionic eyes. Out of all the body modification options, I have to say the bionic eye has me the most intrigued. Not only do we reunite with Rachel, but Charlotte (the little girl Sarah met way back when). She is close watching the procedure take place. I must say, her ongoing commentary adds a subtle sense of humor to the whole situation. But wait, there is one more person we know as familiar – a face that has become synonymous with the word enemy – Castor Clone. If you were like me, you were running through the names of the other Castor team and wasn’t able to identify this one. Well, that is because we haven’t met him before. This is Ira (Ari Millen); a Castor Clone adopted by the Duncan’s when he was young. Regimented, cold and emotionless, meeting Ira makes this story so interesting now.

Elsewhere, Kira (Skylar Wexler) and the shop assistant at the Rabbit Hole are playing a medieval board game while Sarah, Cosima, Scott (Josh Vokey) and Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy) try to solve the “worm in the cheek” dilemma. After examining the worm, identifying that it has penetrated, Cosima and Scott can’t do much more. Sarah is understandably pissed while Cosima is evidently struggling with her illness. Anyone else concerned that Cosima is gradually getting closer to the end?

Back with Rachel, who is now onto the physical rehabilitation aspect of her program, continues to the sarcastic, insipid individual we know and love. And when Professor Duncan arrives back, their reunion is nothing close to happy. Speaking of reunions, Sarah is fed up with the lack of progress regarding her current worm situation and states she must find “Dizzy” – MK’s buddy from last week. Before she can do that, she must tell Felix (Jordan Gavaris) what is happening.

As Sarah heads over to Felix’s home, Cosima updates Alison and Donnie (Kristian Bruun) on the new worm development. Thankfully, Alison is clear yet when they heard Cosima reference “neolution” both she and Donnie share a knowing look. Cosima needs a prototype to run tests on and you can tell Alison and Donnie have an idea. This idea; however, involves the exhumation of Dr. Leekie’s (Matt Frewer) body from their garage. Meanwhile, Sarah arrives at Felix’s to find a scantily-clad, blonde Southern beauty going through his cupboards. Strangely, this individual thinks Sarah is a drug dealer. When Felix arrives, he offers a little clarification stating, “Sarah, meet Adele – my biological sister.” They have the same Dad and he was an American. Woah!

Tatiana Maslany and Jordan Gavaris are consistently powerful scene partners, but this new direction of their characters’ stories has allowed a deeper and darker emotional exploration. The tension between the two could be cut with a knife. Sarah is heartbroken. It is subtle, but a brilliant nuance from Tatiana while Felix continues to push her away.

Helena finds herself once again playing Alison when Detectives show up on the Hendrix’s doorstep. As the real Alison is preoccupied with digging up dead bodies, Helena jumps into action. Tatiana playing Helena playing Alison is one of the greatest crossovers this show has developed. At times Helena is so Helena, but then at others Tatiana changes her face in the slightest of ways and Helena is now Alison. It is a testament to the commitment Tatiana has to this work, her genuine devotion to producing intricate and distinct characters. Helena successfully survives an interrogation from the Detectives (they are investigating the murder of the garage staff) all while finally sharing the news of her twins with Sestra Sarah. This also gives Alison time to continue her digging expedition to retrieve Dr. Leekie. And once achieved, Donnie and Alison call Cosima who is evidently struggling with how to break this news to her. After a fumble here and there, they catch Cosima up on all things “Donnie shot Dr. Leekie.” With a little disbelief, but then some forthright encouragement, Cosima has all she needs to begin “Operation Cheek Worm Bot.”

Speaking of Cosima, she is tasked with babysitting Kira while Mrs. S and Sarah are out working leads. If anyone is going to understand Kira, it is Cosima, so when she finds Kira a little zoned out the intrigue grows. Snapping out of her trance, Kira lets Cosima know she was dreaming; that Cosima and her sisters were burning Sarah alive. She says that they had to because Sarah was changing. This admission doesn’t shock Cosima and she doesn’t judge Kira or even question it. Some part of her, I think, believes this little girl can see what’s going to happen. Since leaving Felix’s home, Sarah has spoken to Dizzy who offered up a name “Alfonso Martinez.” With just a name and nothing much else, Sarah goes to the person she knows can help her out – Art (Kevin Hanchard). Anyone else predict a possible Sarah/Art relationship developing? There’s an understanding and mutual support there that both Tatiana and Kevin give such simple power. Catching up Art, he offers to run the name for her and help in any way he can. And he does, finding an address where Alfonso Martinez was last recorded as visiting – a dental clinic that specializes in implants. Coincidence much?

Mrs. S is waiting alone when she tries her trusted friend Benjamin again, but he hasn’t shown up and she’s concerned. No sooner had she finished the call does a figure emerge from the shadows; an individual with a somewhat familiar accent. Well, Hello Ferdinand. Him showing up, is this a good thing or a bad thing? With gun in hand, she ensures he doesn’t get any closer. He’s heard that they have a particular problem with “bots” and fortunately he knows a thing or two about how to get them out. Interrupting the conversation; however, is a call from Art. Sarah hasn’t checked in and he’s concerned. At this exact time, Sarah is seen lying on the dentist chair as her “Nurse Friend” prepares for the procedure. If you weren’t afraid of dentists before this episode, you will be now. With the help of some dental tool to keep Sarah’s mouth open, the nurse injects something into her cheek and then sticks a needle into the worm itself. With our breaths hitched in our chest, the shady Nurse encourages Sarah not to move as one movement will release tetrodotoxin into her brain. Um, right. These Neolutionists aren’t playing. Not only that this Nurse lied as she’s a part of the Neolution movement. She has played Sarah like a fiddle. Luckily, within moments, they are joined by an individual who brutally slays the Nurse and saves Sarah’s life. Who you ask? None other than Ferdinand! And he has a message for Sarah, from Rachel…Susan Duncan is alive.

Other Key Notes:

• Kira has some sixth sense thing going on at the moment. This season it has hit a new level. A dark level. Scary.
• Art is onto Detective Duko
• Charlotte and Rachel are working together against Susan Duncan.
• Charlotte is coughing blood. Does this mean she has the same illness that Cosima is fighting?