Orphan Black – Transgressive Border Crossing

By: Alex Steele

Four seasons in and “Orphan Black” is still as juicy, twisted and soul-crushing as it ever was. Between unanswered questions regarding Delphine (Evelyn Brochu), Helena’s pregnancy and MK’s entry into the clone world, we’ve been given overlapping stories shrouded in emotion and Science. It must also be said that Tatiana Maslany and those behind the scenes have and continue to do a masterful job of creating such uniquely individual characters. We’re left dumbfounded that our favorite suburban housewife and genius Science monkey are played by the same actress; that Tatiana Maslany seamlessly moves from one to another, encouraging a love for each of them so different from the other.

This week’s episode Transgressive Border Crossing opens in Iceland where Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy), Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany), Kendall Malone (Alison Steadman) and Kira (Skyler Wexler) have been laying low since last season. On the back of MK’s call last week, Sarah is frantically packing their things with Mrs. S unable to get a word in edge ways. Even with resistance from Kendall and Mrs. S, Sarah continues to pack. Luckily so, because when Kira eerily whispers “They’re coming,” the reality of Neolution hits them hard. With that, Mrs. S jumps straight into the role we all love her in – the protector – as she burns down the house so they aren’t able to find anything (Note that Kira’s monkey was left behind. Is that something we should remember for the future?)

Back home, the Clone Club, Felix (Jordan Gavaris) is spray painting naked, Alison partaking in Dancercise (Holy Dinah!) and Cosima is seen lying, staring aimlessly off into space. They all simultaneously receive text messages leaving them all somewhat shocked. Cut to a street shot of a beaten down comic book store Rabbit Hole Comics where a truck pulls up. As the driver opens the back, Mrs. S steps out, gun cocked, in his face. But when the familiar face of Benjamin (Julian Richings) shows up we all breathe a sigh of relief as he transports both Kira and Kendall to the safe house. Mrs. S and Sarah make their way inside the comic book store, where they greeted by the attendant who encourages them to look at the stuff “downstairs.” And here is revealed their new hideout, decked out lab equipment – pot plant and all. In what stands as the first of many emotional scenes, Cosima runs into Sarah’s arms evidently relieved to have her back and safe. This moment serves to deliver a subtle nuance from Maslany as the physicality of Cosima is what communicates her current emotional status. She seems weaker, vulnerable and somewhat broken as she falls into the embrace of Sarah, while Sarah remains stoic – “Welcome home, Sestra.”

From one reunion to another, the sisters kick off a Skype date with Alison who is still busily working away with all things suburbia not to mention still housing a pregnant Helena. Sarah catches the others up. MK knew Beth and she wears a sheep mask, a fact that Cosima finds hilarious (Dolly the Sheep). While the sisters talk, Mrs. S checks in with Scott (Josh Vokey) to see if there is any news of Delphine, also noting that Cosima is looking weaker. Throughout this episode, Mrs. S stands as the supportive rock. She has a genuine concern for all the clones, the welfare of all those involves is infectious. Maria Doyle Kennedy plays the mother duck so damn well that it makes the audience envious, wanting someone in their corner just like her. After discovering that Beth did not mention MK to either of them, Sarah meets up with Art (Note, they are sitting in the same booth that he and Beth sat). He hands her the file of the last case Beth worked, (Remember the removed cheek, bio-mod penis?) but with no leads they decide to scope out Beth’s apartment.

Elsewhere, Alison shows up at Felix’ loft uninvited and is welcomed with a bare booty, apron wearing Fe painting penises all over his wall. He’s been off the grid and she’s there to snap him out of it. Giving him some very vague encouragement, “You’ve got to tell them what you’ve been up to,” we’re left wondering what exactly he’s been doing. When Sarah and Art (Kevin Hanchard) arrive at Beth’s apartment they come across quite a few pieces of evidence leading to Neolution – Dr. Leekie’s book, the camera used to spy on Paul and footage of the pregnant girl from last week. Leaving Art to continue watching the footage, Sarah finally visits Felix (tension) and enlists his help with getting into Neolution. She is able to get some evidence from a club goer who thinks she is MK while things with Felix continue to spiral out of control, especially when he admits to searching for his biological family.

Back down the “Rabbit Hole,” Cosima and Scott are busy taking Kendall through numerous tests to check her status and to hopefully find the right gene therapy needed to make Cosima better. Extremely hurt by a comment of Kendall’s about how Neolution will murder them all, Cosima walks away. It is very rare that we see scenes between Mrs. S and the other clones, but in this week’s episode she was the comforting ear who Cosima needed. With the most heartfelt term of endearment – “chicken” – Cosima is rendered vulnerable and pleads with Mrs. S to tell her that Delphine is alive. Tatiana Maslany as Sarah and company is completely unrecognizable as she inhabits Cosima and all her pain regarding Delphine. Admitting that she could feel Delphine knew something the last time they were together, Cosima shatters our hearts with one tearful, gut-wrenching line, “I just miss her so much.”

The closing minutes of the episode see, what can be assumed is the first of many, an exchange between Sarah and MK. When she arrives at the rendezvous spot set by MK, Sarah is walked through some instructions to ensure safety and no one is listening. The OCD tendencies of MK, I have to say, are some of the most endearing qualities about this new clone. As they begin to talk and MK enlightens Sarah as to her relationship with Beth, we are given another chilling flashback. After she had left wearing that blonde wig, Beth returns obviously shaken and in real time we see her holding a gun, hands bloodied. Shocked out of her state by a hidden MK, this starts an exchange between the two clones so emotionally shocking I was left breathless. Beth has been dark, and not being able to reach her MK believed showing up was her last option. Avoiding MK as much as she can when they are both in the same apartment, Beth locks herself away. It is so viscerally obvious how devoted both clones are to one another; I believe that MK feels somewhat indebted to Beth for keeping her safe. But is that work, the fight to keep her sestras safe, what drove Beth to take her own life? Exiting the bathroom and strongly stating that “we’re done” to MK, Beth goes to leave. And once again, Tatiana Maslany transforms into someone we can all relate to. The child-like nature of MK shines through when she begs Beth not to leave her; she needs Beth (Side Note: recapping this part of the episode is leaving me covered in goosebumps and with a lump in my throat, evidence that this goodbye is so beautifully orchestrated). As they embrace, Beth tells MK to watch the others for me. Even when her life is falling to pieces and she inevitably has planned what happens next, Beth continued to always put her sisters first.

After missing the opportunity to meet MK in person, Sarah is joined in the laundry mat by the ever creepy paramedics from last week. She’s captured and searched, but they let her go. Obviously, she wasn’t who they were looking for. This doesn’t stop her from freaking out. Arriving home in search of a torch, Mrs. S helps Sarah with her endeavor. Unfortunately, though, it reveals that Sarah has been infected with the “maggot bot.” It’s in her cheek. Holy neolution crazy, batman.

Other key points:

• Helena and Donnie play husband and wife. Helena is pregnant with IDENTICAL twins. This has to mean something right?
• All 3 seasons have happened in 6 months? WTF?
• Does Kendall Malone’s leukaemia diagnosis mean something bad?
• Any Delphine? She’s “disappeared” – theories people?