What I’m Watching: Orphan Black (Series Finale)

Orphan Black: Season 5, Episode 10 “To Right the Wrongs of Many”

I remember when I almost accidentally missed the premiere of this show because I wasn’t too aware of BBC America, but I did manage to catch it four and a half years ago when I moved back to New York. I’m so glad I did. Seasons one and two were all about the clones figuring out who they are, season three was about the Castor clones and how they turned out very differently, and seasons four and five were about figuring out how the clones will continue to exist and what purpose they were meant to serve. I wasn’t sure if this show would be able to provide a satisfying finale since it’s covered so much ground, but I think that it did. I’m always all for flashbacks to pivotal moments from years earlier, and Mrs. S talking to Sarah as she was about to have an abortion was extremely powerful as it transitioned directly into Sarah helping Helena as she was giving birth. Something about Sarah saying to Helena “Look at me, just keeping looking at me” really resonated, since they have the same face but they’re such different people. I’m not sure we’ll ever see a performance like the one Tatiana Maslany gave on this show ever again, though I’m so curious to see what she does next. It was also good to have Art back, knocking out and tying up his partner and then hilariously reacting to Virginia forcing him to serve as midwife. Ultimately, all the clones had to do was take out the two remaining threats to them – Virginia, stabbed in the neck by Helena, and Westmoreland, whose face was crushed by Sarah – and that was all that was left for them to be happy. Seeing the family unit reunited as Sarah prepared to sell her house was great, with everyone having a partner of some sort and highlighted by Art showing up and giving Helena a hug. It’s great to see everyone turn out so happy, and what better gift for Felix to give from Rachel than a list of the 274 Lida clones still out there. The notion that Cosima and Delphine are traveling the world to help cure all the clones that look like Cosima is wonderful, and what a great ending for them too. Finishing with Helena describing the title of the show as an untranslatable Ukrainian expression was perfect. What a great series – I’ll continue to recommend this to anyone and everyone I know.

Series finale: B+
Series grade: A-
Season MVP: Tatiana Maslany
Season grade: B+
Series MVP: Tatiana Maslany
Best Season: Season 1
Best Episode: Conditions of Existence