Orphan Black
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| The first rule of Clone Club is "Never tell anyone about Clone Club." |
Orphan Black, co-produced by BBC America and Space, is a great new show that stands head and shoulders above a myriad of cookie-cutter dramas. A sci-fi show, mixed with compelling characters and a shadowy antagonist, that delivers where other shows fall short. This ain't your parents' Logan's Run.
The premise of the show is high-concept. A young street hustler, Sara (Tatiana Maslany), watches a woman commit suicide at the train station. Sara sees an opportunity to profit from the woman's misfortune. Because the woman looks exactly like Sara. But the woman Sara decides to impersonate happens to be a detective. And this is where the fun starts. Impersonating a cop sounds simple enough, until you realize that you know nothing about law enforcement. Like how to wear your gun. And where to put your spare clips of ammunition.
As Sara begins her long con, she is thrown into a world of human cloning. Mainly, a world of illegal human cloning where all of the subject look exactly like Sara. And this is where Maslany delivers, as she potrays the various versions of herself. Like the soccer mom, the cop, the PhD candidate, street hustler, and the psychopath. This is good television. Television that is smart, but not too smart.
Maslany is supported by Jordan Gavaris, who plays her step-brother Felix, a male prostitute. And Gavaris' performance is only slightly less than Maslany's, as both actors exhibit a range of accents that has seldom been depicted at this level. These two actors steal scenes. Gavaris chews scenery, but in a believable performance. He has a lot of fun in this role - and it shows.
Also supporting Maslany and Gavaris are excellent performances from Dylan Bruce, Kevin Hanchard, Michael Mando, and Maria Doyle Kennedy. And the great Matt Frewer as Dr. Leekie.
Orphan Black is created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett. These two combine to write one of the most original shows that has been produced in recent years. While the premise of human cloning is a bit far-fetched, the writing stands out, as this show is very believable. The characters are well developed. And fun. It is rare that the writing and acting come together this well.
The first season is a 10-episode order, and by the season finale, the viewer is begging for more. Luckily, Orphan Black has been picked up for a second season, scheduled to premiere in April 2014 on BBC America.
This show is the best show I have seen this year. And that includes some serious competition, like Broadchurch and Top of the Lake. Maslany's portrayal of the titular character's clones is incredible, and deserving of any and all awards she may be nominated for or receive. This is a show that is paced perfectly, and will keep you pressing 'Play'. The closest comparison I can make is to Firefly, not because of any similarities, but because I haven't been this engaged in a show in a long time. Definitely a "must watch."
And, yes, I just broke the first rule of Clone Club.
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