Orphan Black is one of the most original shows of the past decade. It has a devoted following last seen around a show like X-Files and it also has the potential to become as prominent a pop-culture staple. The show follows a number of clones, all played by Tatiana Maslany, born to different women via in vitro fertilization in the same year and without knowledge of one another. The mystery takes on many layers and combines what people are most afraid of about these family technologies. On the eve of the second season premiere, we decided to take a look back at the clones and break it down.
Sarah Manning is the first clone and our way into the show. She’s a tough and awesome chick trying to make it alone in the world. She stumbles from time to time morally, considering she opened the series as a con woman. Her goodness shows through, however, as the mystery unfolds and she keeps the clones together in a real way and continually interested in finding out the truth about who they are. She’s like your spunky best friend or sister who never gives up. And she rocks a killer wardrobe and has great taste in music, to boot.
Sarah quickly gets linked up with Elizabeth “Beth” Childs. Beth is a police detective and whip-smart. She has a lot to lose in the investigation, considering she uses her police connections to gain access to information useful to the clones that they wouldn’t otherwise have. She loosens up a little as the series unfolds and we love seeing her progression.
Alison Hendrix, a soccer mom amongst other things, may in fact be the most dynamic character in the bunch. She has a fun side and an uptight side, and the two combine to make her the funniest character. She’s a martial arts expert who can make a mean birthday cake and she continually makes us laugh. She’s more attractive than she makes herself out to be and we’d love to see her really let loose this season.
Cosima Niehaus is your know-it-all friend who lends you their notes come exam time. She’s a graduate student studying evolutionary developmental biology and one of the most useful sources of information for the clones. Although we don’t know a ton about her personal life, she’s dynamic, interesting, and very complex. Cosima is definitely a huge plus to have in your corner.
Helena is arguably the most intense and scary clone. She’s less a fully formed person and more of a shell of a being, carrying intense religious messages and is a stone cold killer. Although we don’t know much about her, she’s the stuff of nightmares…but not totally unsympathetic. She’s an enigma, like that girl at school you’re interested in but afraid to talk to.
We have a feeling that more clones will come to light this season and our current favorites will become even more complex and complicated. The show comes back April 19th…are you ready? Tweet us thoughts about #OrphanBlack @YAmzine!
