Orphan Black - Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis - Review: "One Clone Down"

   Orphan Black continued its intense third season last night with an all new episode, "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis", written by Aubrey Nealon and directed by John Fawcett.
   It was a very exciting episode, I found the pace particularly good and totally exciting. The addition of the male clones really gave a new rhythm to the show. "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis" was really enjoyable, so well balanced with each sisters having their own stories being developed and explored. From Sarah having her family day while it lasted, to Helena and Dr Coady getting closer, "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis" was an exciting and interesting new chapter for each clones.
   And of course, that ending ! Oh my God ! The last 10 minutes of the episode were so thrilling and frightening. I was really shocked when Rudy shot his own brother : Seth. We just started to get to know him, he was super weird which made him quite interesting. I was a bit sad to see him go but at least, Cal stayed alive. I will miss you Seth.

   But let’s get back to the beginning of the episode. Sarah’s day actually started very well. Cal was back and they were enjoying a regular day as a family. They spent some quality time and it was so good to watch them all play together, enjoying their time together. I loved the song too (Go! by Plumetree). For once, Sarah could enjoy some normal time, she totally needed and deserved it especially, regarding what was coming for her.
   Sarah received a call from Art ! I was really happy to see him again. I love his relationship with Sarah, they really have such a great chemistry and a real nice dynamic. Waching them working together again felt so good. Sarah was Beth Childs again for 10 minutes, it was a really nice call back to the first season.  So, Rudy and Seth assaulted a woman, just like they did on Crystal from last week video tapes and Art called Sarah because he recognized them, for looking just like Marc. This way Sarah learnt Rudy was out of Dyad, and that meant troubles.

   Rudy and Seth received the visit from their monitor : Paul, aka Hot Paul. Though he wasn’t shirtless, damn Dylan Bruce looked really hot in that outfit. I really appreciated to get to see more of the male clone’s relationship with Paul. It was very formal and military, I loved Rudy’s arrogance and how Seth reacted to it.  And then, it got weird when Paul started to test them. Honestly I had no idea what the hell was happening. Apparently, Rudy passed it but Seth failed the test, still I have no idea what it meant.
   Anyways, Paul came with a bigger news : Rudy and Seth were to be extracted and sent back to base. Their mission was aborted, even if it wasn't finished. They revealed they were after the original sample, just like the sisters are… But they didn't specify which original though. Rudy wanted to finish his mission but Paul just told him to go back.
   Of course, those stubborn clones didn’t go just yet and they wanted to finish it. They thought Sarah, as she was working with Dyad, would know where the original sample was so they went to Felix’s and waited for her. Watching Rudy getting into Felix's got me really scared.

   Sarah was having an important talk with Mrs S and Felix. I've always loved the dynamic of this trio. It was really a great scene. Mrs S and Sarah argued on what Mrs S did but she proved she had a point. She did what she had to protect her family and she gave Sarah a solid advice : run. Of course, it’s not something we want to see happen as viewers, it’d be bad for the story to have Sarah running away from everything. And her sisters are her family too but Kira is so young and innocent, and defenseless.
   So, Sarah went home with Kira only to find Rudy was hiding and he took her hostage. That scene was pretty terryfing. I didn’t think Rudy would kill her but still, watching Sarah so helpless to protect her own daughter, to watch her being in danger really stressed me. Once again, Tatiana Maslany totally killed it that scene. Sarah couldn’t do anything to save Kira without risking her life too. Rudy wanted the original sample, its location but Sarah had no idea where it was. Sarah and Kira were only saved because of Seth’ sickness. Just like Cosima, and Katia and some other Leda clones were sick, apparently, some of the males clones had their own sickness too, or maybe it was just Seth.

   Seth had those weird flashes and headaches. Maybe that was why he failed the test. Anyways, he was supposed to keep watch while Rudy was taking care of Sarah and Kira, when Cal came in, warned by Paul something was off. I knew someone was going to die on "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis", so when Cal showed up, I got really scared for his life. Psycho Seth was having one of his episode, so anything could happen. Cal’s death would have been so devastating to Sarah and Kira. Luckily, the writers had a great twist. Rudy came down and shot his own sick brother. Wow. And he let Cal live. I was so shocked when Rudy pulled the trigger. He had such a great relationship with Seth, they were the only two male clones who shared something and he just killed him so coldly. Clearly, they are very different from the sisters. Rudy always seemed a bit crazy but I’ve enver expected to be so cold and heartless with his own brother.

   So, after watching her daughter’s life being put in real danger one more time because of her, Sarah decided it was time to send Kira off, with her father. That goodbye scene was so heartbreaking. Sarah took a really painful decision, but it was the right call. She couldn’t let Kira stay with her, with everything happening because of Project Castor and Dyad. She made Sarah vulnerable and weak, and sooner or later Kira’d end up dead or really hurt. Now, let’s hope Cal will be strong and smart enough to stay hidden and to keep his daughter safe. Because Kira means a lot for everyone. Castor and Dyad wants her as she’s the child of a clone and the sisters want her to be safe and happy as she’s their future.

   While Sarah was dealing with Rudy and Seth, Helena got to meet a new clone: Miller, always in his uniform. The military was putting Helena under a stress test, they were water boarding her. Poor Helena, she is always suffering and/or being tested. Doctor Coady stopped the test when she learnt Helena was pregnant. I’m not sure yet how I feel about Helena’s pregnancy. I hope it won’t hurt her health, but what she will do with a baby…
   Anyways, Helena was then submitted to the same test as Rudy and Seth and she had the same comprehension that I had. What the hell with the mangoes, I wanted to see and why not eat one of those mangoes too.
   Finally, Doctor Coady revealed to Helena that it was Sarah who gave her up. That lying bitch, it was Mrs S’s decision… and it wasn’t really a decision, she kinda had to do it. Still, I don’t think it will have much impact on Helena. She has that special bond with Sarah, they’re twin sisters and clones. Plus, Sarah already shot her and left her to die. I don’t think anything could break Helena’s love and bond to Sarah and her sisters. It’s her family.

   I really liked Sarah and Helena’s stories with Project Castor, but I was also very happy that Cosima and Allison had different and separate stories going on. Cosima and her new BFF Scott, spent lot of
time together. I’m really starting to like Scott better, he’s way more interesting outside of the science lab and now he’s in on all the secrets. His meeting with Felix was hilarious. Felix made me laugh so loud and Scott’s smile was super cute and geeky.
   And Felix gave Scott a clone club phone, wow, they’re really trusting him. I may be a little weird, but I wouldn’t trust him so quickly. I don’t think he’s bad, but I think Scott can be easily turned by bad people. I don’t want him to tell Dyad or Castor everything about the book and the phones… Cosima and Scott’s meeting with Dr Lekkie’s replacement was surprisingly fun. Loved how Cosima played with Scott and how direct they both were. So, apparently the originals, both from Leda and Castor are really missing… It’s a little to convenient to believe it but I’m confident Cosima and Scott will keep on looking for them. Afterall, those originals are the key to everything.

   And finally, Allison got a really interesting and surprising idea in "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis". After her former drug dealer told her he was going off to college, she had the marvelous idea to take over his business. Allison Hendrix is becoming the new Nancy Botwin ? Great idea ! I can’t wait to see Allison and Donnie as drug dealers in their little suburbs, while Alison running for school trustee. It’s going to be hilarious, even better than last year with the play.
   I’m so happy Allison and Donnie are solid as a couple again and they’re willing to do anything to keep their family.At first, I wasn't a big fan of Donnie and I thought having Allison without him would be really better and more interesting but ever since he killed Leekie, Donnie has become a great character. Their new couple dynamic, more honest is really enjoyable.

   "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis" was an extraordinary episode of Orphan Black. This third season is really on an amazing start. So much has really happened in so little time, now Seth is dead, Kira and Cal are gone and Sarah is ready to do anything to get Helena back. I can really feel something big is coming, everything is slowly starting to fall into places. I’m really thrilled about his new season.
   What did you think of "Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis" ? How shock were you by Seth’s death ? Do you think Sarah took the right decision about her daughter ? Hit the comments !

Clones notes : 
- So Marc is back, still married and he really doesn’t want anything to do with his brothers anymore. Burning his tattoo was a huge move… And ouch, it was painful to watch
- Felix and Mrs’s scene was really sweet. Felix is such an adorable character, always calming and reasoning everyone. He really cares for his people
- Cosima is starting to get more spiritual weeks after weeks. Can’t wait to see more of it
- Why Rudy and Seth collected the girl’s hair ? They’re after the original, so she clearly wasn’t a clone.
- The scorpion was back ! Official favorite TV pet : )
- "Fist me" Oh Donnie...

About the Author - Romain Ossust

I'm a 28 TV addict. Here is a non exhaustive list of my favorite shows : 12 Monkeys, Ab Fab, 24, Alias, American Horror Story, Banhsee, Bates Motel, Black Sails, Carnivale, Daredevil, Daria, Dead Like Me, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, ER, Fargo, Fringe, Game of Thrones, Girls, Grey’s, Hannibal, Homeland, HIMYM, HTGAWM, Looking, Lost, Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Medium, OUAT, OUAT Wonderland, Orange is the New Black, Orphan Black, Pan Am, Penny Dreadful, Person of Interest, Power, Pushing Daisies, Raising Hope, Rectify, Reign, Scandal, Sex & The City, Six Feet Under, Sleepy Hollow, Spartacus, The 100, The Affair, The Americans, The Big C, The Fall, The Killing, The Leftovers, The Missing, The Strain, The Tudors, The Walking Dead, Transparent, True Blood, True Detective, Tyrant, Ugly Betty, United States of Tara, Utopia, V, Veronica Mars, Weeds.
For SpoilerTV, I'm reviewing The Walking Dead, Banshee, American Horror Story, Bates Motel, Girls, & Orphan Black

Recent Reviews (All Reviews)