Orphan Black continued its explosive third season last night with "Formalized, Complex and Costly" and once again, it was a great episode. But hmmm did we lose another clone ? It's the second episode in row ending with the death of a male clone, Seth last week and now Mark. I'm not sure I want to see episode 4... No I'm kidding, of course I want to see it but damn…
I was so surprised by Mark’s death. Even though, his death wasn’t shown on screen there’s no way Gracie’s mother missed him. IMO, it was a fearless move from the writers, Mark was the first male clone introducted, even if at the time we had no idea he was a clone. Still, we knew him better than Rudy or Miller and he had a special relationship with the other clones, Castor and Leda. I really thought all the male clones would play a big part in this season, guess I was wrong.
Art had a major part in "Formalized, Complex and Costly" and it was excellent. I’ve never been a big fan of Art, but I’ve always loved his special relationship with Sarah. I was so glad they mentioned Beth and Art revealed he was in love with her. I didn’t really see it coming, but it was obvious after he said it. It was the main reason he was helping Sarah and her sisters.
At first, Art didn’t really help. I loved it so much at the beginning of the episode when he interrupted Sarah and Felix as they were trying to make Seth’s body disappear. Felix has been truly hilarious since the season premieres in each of his scenes. His line about the body and the bag of weed going up in smoke was so funny.
Anyways, Art came with some lead on Mark. He found the mid wife from Gracie’s farm and Sarah and him paid her a not so friendly visit. She quickly told Sarah about the pregnancies, Helena’s and Gracie’s. I’m still unsure about how I feel for those pregnancies. I'm very intrigued to see where it will go, but they are both not ready to be mothers so I'm scared for those babies.
Gracie had a rough time in "Formalized, Complex and Costly". First, things weren’t that good with Mark. He was clearly preoccupied by something he didn’t want to tell her. Their honeymoon wasn’t over just yet, they did have sex for the first time and it was really sweet. Mark was quite touching in those scenes, it showed how different he was from his brothers. He was more human and caring.
So, Mark decided to tell Gracie part of the truth. He hadn’t defected from the army, he came to Gracie’s farm to get back what was stolen : the original samples ! Now, the army was after him, as were the Proletheans. He didn’t tell her he was a clone though, but Sarah did.
Sarah meeting with Gracie in the dinner felt a bit weird and convenient at first, but the scene was absolutely fantastic. Sarah was badass, I loved how she reacted to Gracie and Mark’s marriage and mostly how she told Gracie about Mark. Poor Gracie, that fear and disgust on her face. She had no idea she married a clone, another abomination. That revelation shook up her world, luckily for her, she found her mother back… And she was ready to have her revenge on Mark.
While Sarah was with Art chasing Mark, Cosima and Scott took care of Rudy’s body… Well his brain actually. She understood the Castor clones were suffering from a flaw, just like her, but a neurological one. Scott and her had to study Rudy’s brain to understand the sickness. It was hilarious to watch them do it in Felix’s bathroom. It was really gore, and yet Felix and Scott were so adorable and funny. I also liked Cosima's comment about what we are, are we just a brain or is there something more ? Can't wait to see the spiritual side of Cosima.
Cosima quickly discovered the male clones sickness was very dangerous, acting faster than her's and way more deadly. That explained why the Castor clones are more ruthless, they can die of their sickness in one single day. But, Cosima made a better and bigger revelation. Studying the Castor DNA, Cosima and Scott discovered the Castor and Leda were actually siblings. Mark and Rudy are our sisters’s brothers. Wow… It actually made total sense, the originals were siblings and Tatiana Maslany and Ari Millen have some resemblances. I don’t know if it means one original sample can cure both clones, but the implication of them being brothers and sisters will be huge. It can bring everyone together to fight....
Sarah was shocked to learn Mark and Rudy were her brothers, but it came handy as Mark was attacking her. Mark was also shocked with that information and he let Sarah lived, so the bond between the sisters and brothers was already starting. I can't wait to see how the other clones will react with that in formations, especially Rudy and Helena. And so, Mark chose to flee from Sarah, still trying to get the sample and protect his wife but alas, he was found by Gracie’s mother, and her gun. I’m still so shocked she shoot him twice and killed him. Those Proletheans are crazy.
Helena got to meet Rudy, “the ugliest Mark yet” (that was hilarious) while still being captive at the Castor base.. The have stopped the test on her, for now. Rudy’s meeting was great, and now Seth is gone, Rudy and Helena might have the funniest clones relationship. I also loved Helena little attention to “Dirty Paul”. Nothing special happened to Helena in "Formalized, Complex and Costly", but she got some excellent lines.
The most interesting part of the base camp was Rudy coming back with Paul to Dr Coady / Mother. I’m really starting to like her character more and more. She's a bit of Mrs S and Dr Lekkie. Her scene with Paul was excellent. We learn the army was apparently willing to shut them down, if they can’t find the original and cure the clones. I also like to see how Paul how implicated in all that. He served with the clones, he cares for them, he’s not that bad.
The best part of the base scenes was Mother and Rudy’s scene. I was surprised to see how close they actually were. It was actually touching to see Rudy so fragile in his mother’s arms. It was also great to see how different the male clones are from the sisters. Only Rachel knew she was a clone and she had a special relationship with her parents, but the males clones apparently all had Mother.
Rachel came back this week in "Formalized, Complex and Costly". It was great to see her Again, and she was actually improving. She wasn’t lying down. She was still having phrasing problems, and it was really sad when she understood she was finished, Delphine remplaced her, she was finished... But I’m confident she’ll get better and she'll be an asset again. The woman is a lion.
And another lion in"Formalized, Complex and Costly" was Allison, as usual. I must say I’m particularly fond of her new jobs, and her relationship with Donnie. I’m just missing to see their children more but they’re the best couple. They spent their time campaigning for school trustee, while selling home made soaps as a cover for the drug business. Genius and hilarious. I was really surprising to see that being a drug dealer was actually an asset for become the next school trustee. The suburbs are weird.
Marci, Allie’s opponent as school trustee, decided to make an offer to Allie and Donnie, a wonderful house, in another school district. Donnie seemed to love it. But, Marci, you can’t buy Allison Hendrix. Allison has set her mind on being the new school trustee and she won’t stop until she is. Even though, being that good as a drug dealer won’t go unnoticed very long by the other drug dealers in town. Anyways, I was so proud and touched by Allison's speech to Marci. That woman has so much determination.
"Formalized, Complex and Costly" was a spectacular episode of Orphan Black. I’m really enjoying this new season, each episodes are full of surprises and twists. The male clones are dropping like flies, I've never expected that. Does this mean some new male clones are coming ? Otherwise, I don’t really understand why make the Castor and Leda related, if there are no more Castor clones. Only Rudy and Miller, and Miller is still a mystery, he barely got 3 lines since he was introduced. I really appreciated the dynamic with four clones on each side. We’ll see what will happen in the next episodes !
What did you think of "Formalized, Complex and Costly" ? Were you surprised and shocked once again to lose a clone ? Who do you think is next or are we safe for next week ? What did you think of the revelation about Leda and Castor being siblings ? Hit the comments !
Clones notes :
- Delphine ?! Where is she ? I know sh's busy running Dyad and all but still... I miss her
- Allison "Go sell a house" was so good.
- Dead body via Skype was quite funny too. The whole Sarah/Felix/Cosima/Scott dynamic was excellent.
- No scorpion this week... Too bad
Thanks again Romain!
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't believe how loaded this episode was! So many great moments and I especially liked both the metaphysical dissecting Seth's brain scene, Art and Sarah having a heart to heart, and Sarah confronting Mark....
I hope Mark isn't dead. We didn't see the body after the gun shot and I thought maybe I saw a bloody Castor clone in next weeks promo covered in blood--so maybe he survived it.
As to your question about why make them related, one: I think it makes Sarah's job in particular much harder, because she has to justify hurting her brother(s) for her sister (so change in perception of reality--a trope of a good psychological thriller. It's also an interesting juxtaposition to Tony to, where ever he is? Two: medically speaking, they may need each other to save each other--it could go both ways and provide good-sticky plots. Three: It adds another layer onto identity and how men and woman in a family dynamic can change each other--I think this is more true for the Castor Clones, especially Rudy, because they seem to think they can control and manipulate woman an a overly masculine/misogynistic way, yet look at how Rudy caves into "mommy" and look at how Gracie turns on Mark for lying to her...
I don't think we only have the two left, even if Mark dies. I think they could keep popping up as we go along (They might have done it this way not to overwhelm us and to give the first four a solid introduction), but then again, it might be about game changing us again by eliminating this story line for the sake of yet another...who the heck knows where this will go next?
I also love the Rachel scene, because I am curious if she will be permanently defected and/or if she will seek revenge or if this leads her to change as a person?! She really is right in line with the Castor clones, especially Rudy in terms of her own pathological tendencies--so I'm curious if there is a more direct connection between her and them there....(I still wonder if Cosima was actually Ethan Duncan's daughter and somehow Rachel was switched out with her?)
So much to love this season so far!! Can't wait for next week's!!! XD
I miss Delphine too, Romain! Thanks for another great review. There was indeed a hell of a lot going on. I don't really have an opinion on Art having been in love with Beth, although it does explain why he has helped Sarah to the extent he has. And I think too much time is spent on the whole Prolethean storyline over the Sestras, but this show is exceptionally strong in so many areas.
ReplyDeleteI also don't have anything invested in the Caster clones so I don't care if Mark is dead. I'm such a terrible fan, I just want more of the Leda clones. Poor Tatiana, her fans are so demanding!
Now, if we could just have Delphine back. She really adds something to the show, even when she's not with Cosima. I just love her energy in her interactions with the other characters. I'm especially rooting for Felix to totally sass her out after breaking Cosima's heart!
I actually am glad we are getting under the skin of the Prolethean story line, since now we are beginning to learn there is a greater purpose to their organization. DYAD had really over shadowed them in the first season and I find that both sides are equally important, let alone where exactly the military fits in, since Dogma can exist in any given belief system, including scientific extremest; - and works like Frankenstein and His Dark Materials home in on the crux of nature vs nurture and where morality and ethics fit in, because it is about actions, motivations, and purpose in any case along with human limitations.
ReplyDeleteEven the theme of mother hood is personified this season and who is one of the most iconic mothers of them all? The Virgin Mary, so it makes sense to play up the Prolethean story line a bit, at least to start since Mark and Gracie were the through line to the introduction of the Castor clones...
I also like the Castor Clones, especially Mark, because he was trying to defect and I think he genuinely cared for Gracie. I find myself intrigued how one minute they are super tough and in-your-face manipulative and then in other moments they almost morph into sensitive adolescents. I find that they really open the story up and add great layers back onto the story so far. Adding them and making the related made everything so much more complex. I love when psychological thrillers are willing to go to insane and uncomfortable places!
Nice review! I.. actually like the Castor clones and their relationship. Hoping to see more of them cos damn they got killed so easily. Alison is my favorite!! Tatiana Maslany looked so different as Alison *__* how did she do that??!!
ReplyDeleteYou wrote some pretty interesting stuff!
ReplyDeleteOne of the big differences between Castor and Leda, besides the gender, is the way they were aware about themselves for a long time. one of the many ways you can see it is the fact that every castor clone is inferior to the military, they are a solid four and it doesn't seem to have gone wrong with clones spread all over the world like on Leda. So considering this with all the somewhat-negative criticism towards the Castor storyline - I dont think they are holding the cards for new castor clones to come, the vibe I get is that they are folding back. Well, at least that's my take on that :)
That Rachel storyline is amazing in my opinion. It makes me put all the hate towards her aside and just wish she feels well. So interesting where it is going. How much she would reming the old Rachel at the end of the recovery process, Physically and mentally? Another great job by Tat, which topped any other actress I have ever admired for her talent and skills.
"ne of the big differences between Castor and Leda, besides the gender, is the way they were aware about themselves for a long time. one of the many ways you can see it is the fact that every castor clone is inferior to the military, they are a solid four and it doesn't seem to have gone wrong with clones spread all over the world like on Leda."
ReplyDeleteTrue and perfectly stated!! -But I do think they also strongly reflect Rachel (and maybe certain aspects of Beth Childs) since she is also a self aware clone and she seemed to have more psychological issues, such as order disorder and seemingly some kind of memory loss, which is why I'm on the fence about if they are completely eliminating the Castor story line, as there could be a missing connection there.
I could also see them write it as though the Castor clones are all gone, but then, "BAM!", in season 4 another one pops up at random...I think there has to be more than 4 of them...
She is a bloody good actress.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure there are more than 4. The mother told Helena she never wanted kids and then became more she can count. I don't think 4 is already more she can count.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's what I am thinking too (it just seems unlikely), but , Dr. Coady could of been referring to the past and not necessarily the present. I suppose.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope there will be news clones :)
ReplyDeleteTatiana is THE BEST :)