The current state of television is insane. There are too many good options out there to keep up with them all. I already have a rather large list of TV shows and every time I need to add one, I get simultaneously excited and afraid. And I've now added two shows in the past three weeks and am likely to add another one when I watch The Vikings. Thus is the life of a dedicated television viewer.
Orphan Black is an exciting, thrilling, unpredictable roller coaster of a show. The very nature of its genre means there are going to be some contrivances, some duds, and some predictable "twists." Nonetheless, Orphan Black has a wonderful performance - performances? - from Tatiana Maslany.
Maslany plays the main character, and I'd venture to say the third, fourth, and fifth most important characters on this show. Never has a show been carried by one person as much as Orphan Black. It is ridiculous how much she makes this show. The only other interesting character who comes close is Felix, played by Jordan Gavaris. That's it. The rest of the characters are either badly acted or underwritten. But it doesn't matter. Because Maslany is in 90% of the scenes, and every scene she's in, she's magic.
She plays four completely unique, different characters who look the exact same. When watching the show, you'll find yourself pulling for one of her characters more than the other. You get lost in the characters. You forgot it's being played by one person. There aren't enough words to adequately praise her performance to the level that she deserves.
The show is good at writing characters into bad situations and getting them out of it in realistic and plausible ways. The show suffers a bit because some episodes force action and it seems forced instead of natural. And some characters do less than smart things at the behest of the plot needs. But those situations are few and far between.
The show has a major weakness and that is supporting players. Dylan Bruce plays Sarah/Beth's (played by Maslany) boyfriend and he's just a bland pretty boy with little personality. He's just so wooden and they have a good explanation for it, but it didn't make his character more interesting. Sarah/Beth's cop partner, Art, is played by Kevin Hanchard. Hanchard has one note and that is cliche, angry cop. Dude is angry in 100% of his scenes. Part of that is the writing, but he can't be intense every single scene. There's also an underdeveloped romance that's only partially convincing for one of Maslany's characters.
Gavaris though plays Felix as super flamboyant gay guy. But he has actual human traits and develops solid rapport with Maslany. Their friendship is one of the more well-developed relationships on this show. Another bright spot is Michael Mando, who plays Sarah's ex. He's pretty much comic relief, but he's hilarious and kind of sad.
I'm going to have to make this a short review, because Orphan Black is a lot of plot and to try to continue, I'd have to spoil, which I would not want to do for newcomers. With an incredible lead performance and some exciting adventures, Orphan Black is both unique and a must-see TV show. If you're willing to add it to your ever growing list of TV shows, of course.
Playlist
1. "3005" - Childish Gambino
2. "Nature Boy" - Wild Beasts
3. "Balmain Jeans" - Kid Cudi feat. Ralphael Saadiq
4. "Let Go" - RAC feat. Kele & MNDR
5. "There He Go" - Schoolboy Q
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