Orphan Black, ‘The Weight of This Combination’ Plot Summary:
Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) finds out that Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy) has traded Helena away to Topside in exchange for Sarah and Kira (Skylar Wexler) safety. Meanwhile, Delphine (Evelyne Brochu) is now in charge of Dyad trying to keep things in order while Rachel is in critical condition.
It’s official, Clone Club has returned! The BBC phenomenon (that doesn’t involve a time traveling blue box) is back for its clone infested third season. Last month I wasn’t even aware of Orphan Black; that is until someone recommended it to me and I spent the better part of a month binge watching the first two seasons. Luckily the third season started right when I finished the second or I may have gone through some sort of withdrawal.
The third season premiere picks up almost immediately after the events of the season two finale. Mrs. S made a deal with Paul and the people behind Project Castor to give up Helena in exchange for Sarah and Kira’s safety. They are not just safe from Dyad, but they are also working with them now that Rachel is out of the picture (for now) and Delphine has been given the reigns. Cosima is still sick, but now has Professor Duncan’s research to aid in her recovery. Allison and Donnie’s relationship is now stronger than ever, thanks in part to the strange bond they now north share after killing two people and disposing one of the bodies (Dr. Leekie’s) underneath their garage.
The biggest twist to happen to the series thus far was the inclusion of the male clones of Project Castor. Not only are there male clones as well, but also the audience has been aware of one of them since the beginning of season 2. Ari Millen has been given the incredibly difficult task of playing multiple clones this season. It’s tough to follow the amazing work that Tatiana Maslany has done thus far, but he seems like a talented enough actor to pull it off. Plus it shouldn’t be too difficult because the male clones of Project Castor are less diverse and are more like soldiers.
The episode focused on the fallout of the season two finale and set the stage for what was to come in the third season. Sarah finds out that Mrs. S was responsible for Topside taking Helena, and the only way to save her sestra is by working with Dyad. When a Topside investigator visits Dyad, Delphine recruits Sarah to pose as Rachel so that everything seems normal. When Sarah first says no, Delphine than asks Allison to help, but not to pose as Rachel. Thus providing one of the most confusing, yet unintentionally hilarious scenes in the series history. Sarah (posing as Rachel) joins the Topside investigator who is interrogating Allison (pretending to be Sarah). The culmination of which is Sarah slapping Allison across the face. It was a very well acted scene that truly shows how talented Maslany really is. We also learned about “Helsinki,” which is a Dyad protocol to kill off clones. Luckily Sarah and Delphine were able to stop it before Allison was killed. Allison had the least amount of screen time, but it looks like she is going to run for local office in her town. Hopefully she doesn’t kill anyone in the process.
Other important scenes showed Helena captured and the audience got to know a few of the Castor clones. I’m not yet sold on the male clone concept of the show. Are they going to just be antagonist or are they going to become a central focus of the show moving forward. Only time will tell as it looks like at the very least the rest of this season will put it’s attention on Ari Millen and the many clones he is set to play. Overall, “The Weight of This Combination” was a great way to kick start the third season of Orphan Black and an even better hour of television.
Rating: 8/10
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Al Mannarino is the managing editor for Pop-Break. He is also host of the News Over Brews Podcast, Loot Care Unboxed, Backstage Break, and the producer of Behind the Brews. He graduated Rowan University with a degree in Radio/TV/Film & History and is currently a Promotions Assistant for Clear Channel Media + Entertainment. When he isn’t writing he is either trying to build his own TARDIS or taking a nap. Follow him on Twitter: @almannarino
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