Orphan Black - Variable and Full of Perturbation - Review: "Not Your Typical Identity Crisis"

   Last Sunday, Orphan Black continued to prove why it’s one of the best show on air and why Tatiana Maslany, its lead actress, deserves every awards available. Once again, Orphan Black delivered us a wonderful and yet expected surprise : a new clone ! We all love watching Tatiana as Sarah, Allison, Cosima, Helena and Rachel (sometimes Beth or Katja too) but we all wanted Tatiana Maslany to play another character. In “Variable and Full of Perturbation”, we got to meet with Tony (born as Antoinette), a transgender clone.

   It was a brilliant decision from the producers to add a transgender character to their universe, especially a transgender clone. Orphan Black has a good panel of the LGBT world with Felix, Cosima and Delphine. John Fawcett and his team always have a very real and natural way to write gay and lesbian characters into their universe. Adding a transgender character is a bold move, it’s not usually seen on TV and Tatiana Maslany delivered an amazing and mind blowing performance. Honestly, I was so focused on the episode, I couldn’t move from my chair watching it. Tatiana Maslany really pulled it off, with her voice and the way she moved as Tony. I still can’t believe she is actually playing all those characters. She is more than extraordinary.
   We got to meet Tony in the opening scene and then, he was the major part of the episode when Art found him, since he had a message from Beth. Tony first got to meet with Felix and I instantly loved how those two reacted and how their relationship was starting. Clearly, Tony has some common points with Sarah, they both have the same attitude.
   Art and Felix wanted to know Beth’s message but Tony wasn’t willing to tell it before knowing what was going on. So, Felix had no choice but to call Sarah and get her to his apartment to tell Tony who he really is. It was a first¸ since Sarah, that a clone learnt what he really is in front of us. The scene was very good, very emotional and Tony had a good reaction. It’s really interesting to analyze the identity crisis transgender people can suffer through a clone point of view, and vice versa. Being a clone and feeling like your body doesn’t reflect your mind is an unique way to analyze and to think about what makes our identity, what defines who you are and the differences between nature and nurture.
   Because Dyad was coming after Tony, he had to take a bus and left. I was a bit sad he went out so quickly but I hope he will be back soon. He really brings something new to the clone club and I really want to see him interact with Allison and especially Helena. (I miss her this week).

   The other part of the episode centered on Allison, who just got home from rehab and Donnie, who was feeling very down after accidentally (and in a very funny way) killed Professor Leekie. I loved Allison and Donnie dynamics in this episode, once again Tatiana Maslany really did a wonderful job. (I can’t believe she is playing Allison and Tony, they’re so different).
   Their scenes were very funny as usual with Allison. I loved the parts where she threw the vodka on Donnie and her reaction to Donnie’s revelation he murdered Leekie. I laughed out loud. Stupid Donnie used her gun, I hope it won’t get her into problems with Dyad.
   I was glad Allison and Donnie both opened up and shared their secrets. Their relationship can really grow stronger and the clone club sure needs any allies they can have. Donnie’s feelings seem sincere so I’m not afraid… But he can be used against Allison. We will see what they’ll do with Leekie’s body…. And how Rachel will react when she finds out.

   Speaking of Rachel, she had a rough time this week. After letting go her mentor, she was missing her new monitor Paul, probably got in some Helena’s dramas. Rachel continued Leekie’s project with Delphine and used her for Cosima. She needs to keep being closer to her, and find the cure for the clones.
   Rachel also met with her father again. Since she arranged the meeting with Mrs S and Sarah. As Ethan has the key to the genome, Dyad and Rachel can leave Sarah and the other clones alone and use Ethan for their projects. It seems too good to be true.
   Anyways, Professor Duncan talked with his daughter and Rachel was cold and calm as usual. But, we also saw flashes of mad Rachel throwing everything away in her office. It was so great to watch both scenes. It really gave more insight on Rachel. She's so mysterious. Rachel is such a control freak and she is so jealous of Sarah. Sarah is supposed to be a failure, yet she the one clone who can reproduce while Rachel is supposed to be the success, yet she is failing and will probably be sick and die… Like Cosima.

   Cosima is not dead yet but at the end of the episode, it didn’t look very good for her. #saveCosima !
   But the girl actually had some fun in this episode. After keeping Delphine out, Cosima finally revealed to Scott she was the clone. His reaction was cool and very positive, I didn’t expect less from him. He seems like such a good guy. Cosima needs more friends, Delphine is cool but it always feels like she is playing a double game.
   So, Cosima got to play with Scott and his friends at the lab and finally got reunited with Delphine. They’re a nice couple, they really work together. Tatiana Maslany and Evelyn Brochu have a real chemistry and they have created something with Cosima and Delphine, despite Delphine’s troubled loyalty, they share sincere feelings and a real love. It was so cute when she said “Je t’aime”, after they had fun playing with helium and changing their voices. Cosima’s answer was perfect, threatening Delphine to destroy her if she betrays the clone club again.
   When Cosima finally got the chance to meet her “maker” as she stated, Professor Duncan, so they could work on a cure for her sickness, Cosima got really sick and convulsed on the floor. Oh My God ! I’m really scared for Cosima. The season finale is coming, a new clone appeared so maybe John Fawcett are actually considering getting rid of one of the clone ! … No ! Not Cosima. Do you think Ethan will find a cure in time ? It's so ironic and tragic, Cosima finally got to meet Professor Duncan, she was closer than ever to a cure and her condition got worst.

Clones notes : 
• The kiss ! Felix and Tony kiss was so weird, fun and sexy in the same time.
• The reunion of the foster family ! At last, it’s the eighth episode of the season and finally Mrs S, Sarah, Felix and Kira were reunited. It was nice to watch them all, even if it was short.
• Kira is getting weirder by the episodes, now she reads mathematics and physics…. She is special
• Beth’s message was about Paul ? Paul being the ghost ? I don’t really got it.
• Green phone ! Tony has one so I’m very confident he will be back !

   So, what did you think of “Variable and Full of Perturbation” ? What’s your mind on Tony ? Hit the comments !

About the Author - Romain Ossust

I'm a 28 TV addict. Here is a non exhaustive list of my favorite shows : Orphan Black, True Blood, Dexter, Weeds, Person of Interest, Criminal Minds, 24, Ab Fab, Carnivale, Lost, The Americans, Hannibal, American Horror Story, Once Upon A Time, Bates Motel, Desperate Housewives, Glee, Ugly Betty, Scandal, Looking, Sleepy Hollow, Fargo, The Walking Dead, Raising Hope, Orange is the New Black, Grey’s Anatomy, HIMYM, Girls, Game of Thrones, The Fall, Black Sails, True Detective, ... For SpoilerTV, I'm reviewing The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Looking, Sleepy Hollow, The Americans, True Blood & Orphan Black

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