Orphan Black S2 Ep1: Nature Under Constraint and Vexed
Hitting the ground running
Orphan Black returned for its second season with a pacy and confident premiere that showcased the abilities of its star Tatiana Maslany.
You can read the full review on the Metro website here.
Sarah gets up close and personal with Rachel (Image: BBC America)
Orphan Black season 2 previews
Everything you need to know about what’s happened so far
Ten mysteries that remain unanswered
Orphan Black season 1 reviews
1.4 Effects of External Conditions
1.6 Variations Under Domestication
1.7 & 1.8 Parts Developed in an Unusual Manner & Entangled Bank
1.9 & 1.10 Unconscious Selection & Endless Forms Most Beautiful
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Tatiana Maslany is still great; perhaps even better than she was in season 1. But I still find myself admiring Orphan Black rather than loving it, and I’m honestly not sure I care what side everyone’s on any more.
I do think the central conceit about the cloning programme is the least original part of the show, but I’m okay with it given the platform it provides for Maslany. The show has always been about her rather than the sci-fi element, and it’s much the better for it. (And Felix too – nice chaps he was almost wearing …)
I do love sci-fi, but the sci-fi element here just isn’t very good. As I think I said last year, it’s a bit like a CBBC show decided to do a late night version – it’s a bit too cheesy. I like the conspiracy element but for me both Leekie’s crew and the Proletheans are just the wrong side of silly.
I agree, CJ, that the Neolutionists and Proletheans haven’t been well drawn yet, but equally I’m happy to give them time to develop more fully this season, which I suspect will happen as a result of Cosima’s strand and whatever they choose to do with Mad Ukrainian Shakira.
And I’m broadly okay with the sci-fi element of it – it’s not the strongest or most original concept ever, but it’s also not the series’ central conceit, serving partly as a framing device for the conspiracy strand and mostly as the blue touch paper for the fun that is Multi-Maslany.
Overall, the show remains multiple shades of fun. 🙂