Orphan Black – From Dancing Mice to Psychopaths

By: Alex Steele

Where do I start? Simply put, the Season Four finale of “Orphan Black” delivered everything we love about this show was amplified in this episode. From humor, to horror, to romance, heartbreak and ultimate twists and turns the creative team and entire ensemble gave the audience one dynamic piece of television art. Titled From Dancing Mice to Psychopaths, one of my favorite titles to date, the episode opens on a flashback. It’s a flashback so many of us have been wanting to see that will answer so many of our burning questions. It’s Delphine (Evelyn Brochu), she’s taking that ill-fated walk to her car when we see a nervous looking Krystal hidden behind a car watching. As the scene is replayed and Delphine turns to face the shooter the audience discovers its Neolution’s top henchman, Detective Duko (Gord Rand). He doesn’t hesitate in shooting her and when he is poised to finish the job, gun ready to take the head shot, Krystal’s phone goes off and saves the day. When he then hears a screech of tire wheels, he flees and Krystal takes the opportunity to check on our beloved French Doctor. A dark van shows up. Out hops Dr. Van Lier (Scott Wentworth), who with the help of his team start to treat Delphine, all while a shocked and confused Krystal is ushered away by the shady doctor. And with that, after the credits finish, we arrive back in real time. That’s when things get crazy.

Evie Cho (Jessalyn Wanlim) fronts the board following the media firestorm last week, attempting to make one last plea. It doesn’t go well; they’ve written up a contract and a firing her, there is no way she is getting out of this. That is no truer than when she refuses to sign and Dr. Van Lier, as chillingly and as cold-hearted as anyone could be, stimulates the bot in her cheek killing her right then and there. Krystal, first seen in real time, enjoying a morning mimosa with one of her BFF’s she’s still trying to work out all that is Neolution. With a little bit of support and encouragement she calls Felix, (Jordan Gavaris) but this time refuses to give up any information before she’s told everything. Krystal is endearing and hilarious in the most naïve of ways with Tatiana completely and utterly inhabiting this character, the story and the person to all lengths. Agreeing to Krystal’s terms, Felix invites her to the Rabbit Hole and when his attempts to stall fail the meeting we’ve all been waiting to see occurs. Krystal finally comes face to face with Sarah and the reaction is laugh out loud worthy. Krystal can’t even begin to believe the “clone” part, especially when Sarah and she couldn’t be more different. The shade from both sestras is intoxicating with Tatiana and her improv background taking hold. She reveals her information – everything from Dr. Van Lier saving Delphine to the fact Detective Duko was the one that shot Delphine – and is still as naïve as to the true nature of the situation. But before letting her return to life as it was, she has one more assignment – to play a TMZ reporter and expose Dr. Van Lier for the liar he is. And she does. Again, stitch-inducing funny. Not to mention when it is revealed it was actually Sarah playing Krystal the price of the scene is increased, ten-fold.

Speaking of Sarah, this week she is somewhat holding down the fort while Cosima is off attempting to develop a cure for them all. That and she’s trying to figure out what Rachel’s scheming, if anything. But before things turn dire, the Clone Club are given some much needed good news – Cosima and Susan have been successful in developing a cure. It worked. The science came through. And the relief is heard and witnessed as both Sarah and Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy) rejoice. Cosima, herself, is undeniably overwhelmed. She’s excited, but it’s evident that she’s exhausted. The illness is progressing much quicker than earlier in the season. Tatiana Maslany has presented Cosima beautifully this season, portraying the progression of this illness in such a true light, that we’ve witnessed her strength fade and her resolve waiver. She misses them, as they do her, and as they all share a tender moment the skype conversation cuts out. Cosima is locked out of her system, everything goes dark. This can’t be good. We know when anything goes dark of “Orphan Black” to watch our backs. But it doesn’t take long for Sarah to realise that Rachel and/or Susan are behind this, not to mention when Cosima overhears Susan (Rosemary Dunsmore) talking to Rachel about restarting the cloning process the evidence is right there. Cosima, understandably hurt and betrayed, confronts Susan about the fact that this was her plan all along and Susan does nothing to deny it. In fact, she does a swift job of distracting Cosima, which leads to our science monkey to be locked away in Rachel’s old room. Goodness gracious, remind me never to mess with the Duncan’s.

Rachel this week is reconnecting with old flames – none other than Ferdinand (James Frain). But not before getting an update from dear old mummy dearest regarding the success she and Cosima had in developing a cure. The dynamic Rachel and Ferdinand share is so weird yet so intriguing, that at times the audience wants to look away but just can’t. Initially reluctant to return to their old ways – sexually that is – Rachel eventually gives in. Or should I say takes control. We all know what Ferdinand likes and just as things seems to be heating up, good old Ira (Ari Millen) and his perfect timing interrupt. It’s time for Rachel to meet with the board. Delivering a highly impassioned speech, unwavering in her desire to restart human cloning the board seems cautious to give her the go ahead. But when they hear the next part of her proposal – combining Evie’s bot technology with cloning – they seem sold. And let’s be real people, whose going to question someone like Rachel? The coat, the cane, the way in which she carries herself – it’s all enough to make anyone shake in their boots. Elsewhere, Sarah’s “Krystal” has worked a charm, tricking Dr. Van Lier into a meet up in which Mrs. S holds him at gun point and Sarah demands answers. Of course, he’s willing to give them up, maybe to easily, and reveals Rachel’s true plan. Sarah and Siobhan are both horrified and irritated that once again they gave Rachel the benefit of the doubt. Not to mention, they pretty much helped her achieve all she has up to this point. If I was them, I’d be pretty annoyed myself.

On the back of her success at the board, Rachel is on her way back to the island with one goal in mind, to apprehend the cure. Close on her tail though is Sarah, who after taking Ira hostage, commandeers a helicopter for herself and by herself, in the hopes of saving Cosima. The goodbye between Sarah and Mrs. S is tinged with sadness and fear of the unknown, but we all have faith that if there were anyone to take down Rachel it would be the forces of the Clone Club. Speaking of Rachel, she’s arrived back at the island – which seems somewhat deserted – and is weirdly greeted by the bearded man from her visions. If that wasn’t weird enough, he urges her to stay strong before confronting her mother. What follows is a heated exchange between mother and daughter, word combat laced with regret, resentment and deep seeded anger that radiates from both women. The emotiveness is brutal and as Rachel, Tatiana Maslany delivers another knock-out punch. Or should I say stab because when Susan goes too far with the insults, Rachel snaps; like hold-nothing-back snaps. She stabs her mother right in the stomach. Witness to all of this is Charlotte and Cosima, who after being broken out of her lab cell by the young girl, are in the middle of making a break for it when they witness the altercation. Seeing it though is enough for Cosima to usher the young girl out and head for the boat. Unfortunately, with her ever-progressing illness Cosima doesn’t last too long and they get lost. Taking a seat beside a tree, they stay huddled up. It’s safe to say that Tatiana Maslany is flawless and knows these clones inside out. There is not one better than the other because she gives them each their own sense of self, humanity and uniqueness it’s hard not to revel in them all individually and collectively.

As another season draws to a close, Sarah has arrived on the island to rescue Cosima, but when she notes the blood trail leading from the kitchen it isn’t a good sign. As she follows it, she discovers a bloodied and wounded Susan attempting to patch up her own wound. She drops her gun and goes to help Susan when she informs Sarah that Rachel has well and truly lost it. Really? Are we surprised? Not really, but maybe a little. It is safe to say that Rachel has been the clone the audience has always been rooting for; the one whose evolution has twisted and turned so any times. She’s become someone we love to hate. But when she appears and bashes Sarah over the head with her cane, we understand just what Susan meant. What follows is a fairly horrific sequence in which Rachel brutally unleashes all that pent up jealously and resentment she has toward her fellow clone. She beats Sarah, fiercely and unrelenting in her strikes. Sarah gives her some back, but is unable to get the upper hand, especially when Rachel grabs the knife a stabs Sarah deep in the thigh. Sarah does her best to get away and with the help of Susan, eventually does but not before Rachel fires off a coupe of bullets her way.

Meanwhile, Cosima and Charlotte have safely arrived at camp thanks to the bearded guy (the one Rachel has been seeing in her visions and the one Delphine is stationed at) barely clinging to life. But when a certain blonde doctor emerges from the flames, “Orphan Black” delivers one of the most highly-anticipated reunions in its history. As Delphine runs to Cosima, and holds her face against hers, the weight of the world finally is too much for Cosima. Falling into her embrace, the feelings of anguish and guilt that have plagued Cosima dissipate. Tatiana and Evelyn bring a heavenly quality to this relationship, a purity so representative of that one true love. With Delphine jumping straight into doctor mode, this love is again in the forefront; she dismisses her peers and encourages Cosima to keep breathing as she hurriedly undresses. Cosima looks on in shock, unable to truly understand if that moment is real or fantasy. Delphine, half naked, gets into bed with Cosima with the goal of keeping her warm and then the first exchange between the two occur, expressed from the pit of their hearts.

“I think I’m dying.” – Cosima

“No. No you’re not… I won’t let you.” – Delphine

Back with Sarah, she has managed to get herself to the shoreline of the island (and might I add the bottom of a huge cliff) where she sits, huddled and shivering. She calls Siobhan and a vulnerable Sarah is probably the most heart-wrenching of them all. Tatiana Maslany plays it so well. When she states, “Mum, I need your help” our hearts break. Whenever she calls Mrs. S “mum,” we know it’s serious. But that is all she gets to say because, unfortunately, Rachel has covered her bases. She has had Ferdinand look over Mrs S. and Kira. God damn it Rachel, how are you that manipulative? And bad? And intelligent? She knows it, too. The last scene we witness is a cocky looking Rachel enjoying her success. “Mr. Westmorlen will now meet with you,” Dr. Van Lier states and it seems to me that Season Five is gearing up for one hell of a clone war. Not to mention, with Sarah and Cosima both clinging to life, what’s next for the Clone Club?

Other key points:

• Helena is still pregnant and is currently housing Donnie and Alison in her makeshift tent.
• Felix, Art and Ira are all nowhere to be seen at the close of the episode.
• Delphine urges Cosima not to mention the cure to anyone, the camp isn’t safe.