When Orphan Black is on its game, there are very few shows that can touch it. Whereas last week was a bit of a misfire, this week throws us right back into the thick of things with gusto, brilliantly setting up what should be a satisfying and exciting season finale.
Orphan Black is a show that consistently takes risks, and it’s always been able to craft engaging and exciting storylines out of those risks. However, this episode is a bit of a misstep; it’s still enjoyable at times, but it falters in a wide variety of places.
Orphan Black has always been able to brilliantly strike a balance between comedy and drama, and this week is no exception. “Knowledge of Causes, and Secret Motion of Things” ramps up the laughs and the thrills as it moves into the final arc of the season, one that is sure to go out in true Orphan Black style.
It’s a Helena-Sarah road trip! They have a very twisted and dark relationship, but it’s also hilarious and affectionate and enjoyable to watch. Whether it’s Helena singing “Sugar Sugar” or Sarah breaking down laughing, we’re reminded of the bond these two share, the bond that endures even amidst all the shit that’s occurring around them.
“Knowledge itself is power.”
This is the English translation of “Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est”, and, as always, the title is a fitting one for not only the episode, but the show as a whole. Last year, our clones were in search of knowledge, of some idea of who they were and what their places were in the world; this year, we start to see the search for knowledge in regards to larger corporations and larger groups like the Dyad Institute and the Proletheans, respectively.
“The spirit of man is in fact a thing variable and full of perturbation, and governed as it were by chance.” –Francis Bacon
As much as organizations like the Dyad Institute or people like the Proletheans seem to have a “master plan”, they are in fact governed by the spirit of man, their own desires and perspectives that play a role in the idea of chance. Chance is a dangerous thing, and when your personal goals are intermingled with what you believe to be your destiny, chance can tear down any foundation you’ve built up.
The title of this episode, a Francis Bacon quote from Novum Organum, refers to the fact that “human understanding is like a false mirror, which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it”. Essentially, he’s saying that our view of science, of the world, of nature, is stunted by our tunnel vision, our focus on “human understanding” as the limit to our knowledge.
Trust is hard to come by in this Orphan Black universe, and misplaced trust is ubiquitous. That idea extends into tonight’s “Governed By Sound Reason and True Religion”, an exciting episode that–although it tones the proceedings down a bit following the premiere–is still very enjoyable to watch unfold.
I decided to give Orphan Black a try last year due to the positive reviews of the series, but I never expected it to turn out this good. Even after the fantastic first season, there were questions: would the show be able to maintain the level of quality in its second season, or were those 10 episodes a one-off, albeit entertaining, story? Well, it looks like this show is back to prove itself, and man, does it.
Here we go with the second installment in my 2013 End of Year series; check out the “Top 20 Film Performances of 2013” here: https://polarbearstv.com/2014/01/17/the-top-20-film-performances-of-2013/
*Note: this list is unranked.
BRYAN CRANSTON, “BREAKING BAD”: Cranston’s final run as Walter White is as perfect as everything that came beforehand. While the first half of season 5 reflected his time on top, the second half showed us someone trying to hold onto a crumbling empire and a crumbling family, and Cranston handles this perfectly.
MICHAEL CUDLITZ, “SOUTHLAND”: In the criminally underrated TNT drama, Michael Cudlitz gives a virtuoso performance as cop John Cooper; the cast is strong, but Cudlitz is the anchor. His performance is absolutely heartbreaking, and it’s a shame we can’t see more.
HUGH DANCY, “HANNIBAL”: Dancy plays Will Graham, a gifted criminal profiler who comes across a cannibalistic psychologist in Hannibal Lecter. The relationship is a marvel to watch, and Dancy gets increasingly better as Graham’s psyche starts to shatter.
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