We at Hypable watch a lot of television, and we pride ourselves on that fact to bring you the most comprehensive coverage, but no singular writer watches everything. Selina didn’t know much about Teen Wolf, Karen made some humorous guesses about Game of Thrones and now I am here to explain how little I actually know about Orphan Black.
After weeks of advertising, one night, as Doctor Who ended, a new show began that has taken the United Kingdom, United States, and most importantly, Tumblr, by storm. Orphan Black is certainly a great show in some people’s eyes. It’s dramatic and its story lines are surely compelling, however I just haven’t been able to get hooked into it. However, that isn’t to say I don’t know some stuff about it thanks to the internet (and other Hypable writers). I’ll be making both educated guesses, and complete shots in the dark. Maybe, after writing, I will give the show a shot and see how right or wrong I am.
Unlike shows like Game of Thrones where there are many books and so much complicated back-story to explain, Orphan Black just has one season under its belt. Therefore, there’s not a lot for me to go off of and learn from Tumblr and other pop culture outlets (Hypable included).
The plot is a murder mystery/suspenseful show.
This doesn’t seem like much of a stretch for me to assume, based on a few pieces of evidence: it airs right after Doctor Who, it’s an hour long, and I’ve never seen a gif set of the characters laughing like they’re having a grand ol’ time.
The clones didn’t realize they were clones until the show begins with a murder of one of the clones that sets the main character-clone off on a search for other clones. Are they all over the world or contained to just one area of the United Kingdom? It seems very coincidental that they’d all live within a convent traveling distance from each other.
A compelling aspect of this show, for me, is the fact they all do seem so different. They all have their own personalities and they have vastly different appearances. One’s a soccer mom, one is a scientist, one looks like a crackhead, one has got that ‘punk’ look down, one has dreadlocks, the list goes on.
These are a few of the most recognizable clones, according to me.
The soccer mom. She’s uptight – and funny, seeing as how she just insulted a clone, who looks exactly like her.
The punk-ish one, with an attitude and a lot of eye liner.
My deduction skills: the crackhead I referenced above is Helena.
The characters are all played by Tatiana Maslany.
Tatiana had a massive undertaking, wearing so many hats to portray different characters – I think there’s nine different clones right now? This leads me to believe she the only cast member. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else in any gifs with her. Except for one guy she (I use ‘she,’ meaning Tatiana, because I have no idea what character she’s playing at that moment) appears to make out with in a kitchen. You probably know what I’m talking about more than I do. What must it be like to be on set with her when she’s trying to get into characters? Impressive, to say the least.
Really dramatic stuff happens on this show – and, oh look! Someone who’s not a clone, in the background.
These clones seem scared of each other, and paranoid. I think it is because one – or someone – wants to kill them all. Does the government know about these women? And, while I’m pondering, do these women have that kind of twin-connection thing where they can sometimes intuitively know what the other is thinking?
This is what I do know…
I know this show has been well-received with critical acclaim, but no major award love. Tatiana Maslany won the TCA Award Individual Achievement in Drama this year, and there’s no doubt she deserves it. Orphan Black does seem like it/she should’ve been nominated for an Emmy also, but oh well, maybe next year.
What Orphan Black fans wish would happen.
The show has been renewed for a second season, but no premiere date has been set. Fans can see Tatiana Maslany on this side of the pond in the upcoming season of Parks and Rec.
I feel like I’m writing with a blindfold on.