*SPOILERS*
Orphan Black may have found that stride that I was talking about in last week’s review because Variation Under Nature is by far the best episode of the series to this point and may have at last fully set its cloned hooks into me.
Talk about things blowing up in your face: this week, since Sarah is no professional killer, her weak attempt to bury the dead Russian clone has come back to haunt her big time. Not only has the body been found because it was buried in a quarry that was about to be dug up for land development, but Sarah/Beth and her partner are called in to investigate the homicide. Hijinks ensue.
Variation Under Nature certainly trims the character fat and really focuses on what rocks about this show. Hey look! It’s Plot Device Paul! Oh, bye Plot Device Paul. Thanks for the quick sexy time. Early in the episode we’re treated to a full on round table clone discussion between Sarah, Alison and Cosima that not only showcases the nuances of Tatiana Maslany’s performances but is gripping TV as answers are teased and tantalized but never fully revealed. Felix is also given some wonderfully flamboyant scenes, most notably when recruited as a last second babysitter for Alison’s kids.
Art continues to blackmail Sarah for the $75K and that leads her to have to show just how much ingenuity and cleverness she has, while faking her way through her first day on the job (not to mention covering her tracks) after an unexpected reinstatement. Art is a tough character to pin down because his motivations are never very clear and his decisions don’t always make sense (and in the blackmail case are downright illegal). It’s unclear if it’s bad writing or actual character facets that have yet to be revealed, but something tells me it’s probably the latter.
Everything comes to a head in the excellent climax as Art and Sarah/Beth track down the clone assassin and Sarah/Beth comes face to face with – you guessed it – another clone. This one has a think accent (German?), long curly bleached hair and some major psychological issues. Their confrontation is visceral, edge of your seat stuff and one of the best Orphan Black has produced.
Orphan Black is certainly gaining confidence with each new episode and the mystery continues to become more intriguing with each tidbit and new clone that’s introduced. You have to forgive some of the weak side characters and poor b-plots to really appreciate it, but when an episode like Variation Under Nature sheds all the dead weight and lets loose the show truly lives up to its potential.
The Good:
Auntie Felix-LOL. The Clone Club! The awesome screech sound effect cues for the clone assassin. Sarah’s ingenuity.
The Bad:
Art’s general inconsistency. Not a whole lot else.
The Verdict:
Thrilling from start to finish this is the episode that may just finally sell any undecided audience members on this show.
★★★★★