Orphan Black

[Witchie]

Sarah has always lived the life of an orphan outsider. But a clone is never alone.

Sarah hopes that cleaning out a dead woman’s bank account will solve all her problems. Instead, her problems multiply – and so does she. Experience a whole new side of BBC AMERICA with the channel’s next original scripted series, “Orphan Black,” the exciting and ambitious new addition to the Supernatural Saturday programming block. “Orphan Black” features rising star Tatiana Maslany (“Cas & Dylan,” “Picture Day”) in the lead role of Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account. But instead of solving her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her. Orphan Black premieres Saturday, March 30, 9:00pm ET/PT, as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday.

This suspenseful, sexy thriller also stars Jordan Gavaris (“Degrassi”), Dylan Bruce (“As The World Turns”) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (“Downton Abbey”). Orphan Black is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (“Being Erica”), Graeme Manson (“Flashpoint”), and John Fawcett (“Spartacus”). The drama is co-created by Manson and Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director.

Let's discuss!


This show has sucked me in and I'm so happy it's done the same for others in the British TV thread. Tatiana deserves all the kudos for injecting all individual quirks into all of these characters. There are times I forget she's all of them.

[robneville]

Said this in the British TV thread, by the time it was winding down this had become one of the best shows I'd seen in years. It's not the premise, it's the execution.

It could have derailed in so many ways, been silly or stupid or cheap but every episode just kept building with all these great little moments of either story or character.
And all of that is due to the intelligence of the people behind the camera and in front of it. Smart choices being made by everyone from writing, directing,music art direction, etc to Maslany's jaw-dropping level of control and concentration in keeping all her characters believably different.

For a first season with not a single dud of an episode it's going to be a tough act to follow. I don't know if they can top it, I'll just be happy if they can keep the quality up.

[Spinderella]

Now I'm intrigued! So, this has already aired in the UK, right?

I wonder if I can find it streaming anywhere like Hulu or Netflix or something?

[kostgard]

Jun 15, 2013 16:13:23 GMT -4 Spinderella said:

Now I'm intrigued! So, this has already aired in the UK, right?

I wonder if I can find it streaming anywhere like Hulu or Netflix or something?

If you have Comcast, it is playing On Demand (I don't know if that depends on your cable package or not, but I would guess if you get BBC America, it would be on demand for you).

It hasn't hit Netflix or Hulu yet, but these British shows do a good job of making it to Netflix sooner or later.

I've only watched the first episode and loved it. I'm just waiting for a time when I can sit down and actually pay attention to all the episodes.

[iClaudia]

Jun 15, 2013 15:56:39 GMT -4 robneville said:

Said this in the British TV thread, by the time it was winding down this had become one of the best shows I'd seen in years. It's not the premise, it's the execution.

I agree. I watched about half a season of "Ringer" and after watching "Orphan Black" (I got through the whole season in a couple of days), it occurred to me that "Orphan Black" is what a multiple-identity show should be. It really does pull it off in ways that other shows haven't managed to get right. The twists are actually surprising in addition to being compelling and Tatiana Maslany is just amazing. You really just completely forget that there is one actress playing all of the characters.

[Martini Girl]

I'm so glad others are discovering this show! And I'm thrilled the show got some recognition at the Critics Choice Awards. Maybe there's hope for the Emmys!

[biondetta]

I regularly forgot it was the same actress playing the roles. In part, because they did a great job with hair/makeup/wardrobe so that she really did end up looking that little bit different.

As much as I wanted more episodes, I do think that the shorter season often does ultimately work better, in that things don't get stretched out longer than necessary. Each episode had something big happen, but also gave you some satisfaction in feeling like the story really was progressing. I also like that they didn't go overboard in the fantasy element of it all. It's all surprisingly believable.

[MrsCatHead]

Yah! Finally gets its own thread!

Loved this show. Fee is my favorite and has some of the best lines.

"You cannot hide in minimalist furniture!"

[Witchie]

Fee is the best. I love his relationship with Sarah, but it's his burgeoning friendship with Alison that is the real treat. His advice and support during the intervention was great. "Fetch me something gay."

Paul interests me because there's definitely more there than a fucking gorgeous bod. Delphine annoys me because I don't really trust her. She's a scientist and Cosima is the scientific motherload. Sometimes I get the feeling she likes Cosima, but she definitely sees her as an experiment. Donnie interests me only as far as I want to know when he was recruited. Hopefully Alison will handle him with the nail gun next time & not the glue gun.

[Augustus]

I loved it when Alison basically lost it and tied Donnie to the chair for an interrogation. And then Aynsley, who would have expected that to happen. Yeah, at times I did find myself forgetting one actress portrayed so many characters, so lots of credit to the makers and her! They instilled such distinctive characteristics in each one of them to make them believable for the viewers, not to mention the script has some great zingy lines.

I have to agree, I think it is better to follow the Brit TV making template, I'd rather have fewer eps that are very well made, than one very long drawn out series, just so they can milk it for it's worth. Alas it also means we've got to wait...

ETA I converted a friend of mine. She wasn't really taken by ep.1, but after she saw the second and the third, she pretty much watched S1 in 2 days.