"Orphan Black" Continues to Astonish

Despite being now four seasons into Orphan Black, I often still forget at times that Tatiana Maslany is playing all of the many sestras. It never fails to astonish, particularly this week when she played Sarah, Krystal, Rachel, Sarah as Krystal, Cosima, and Helena.

What's more amazing to me is that Maslany imbues each sestra with her own physicality and quirks. Watch Maslany's mouth when she's playing Krystal Goderitch (who I'm very glad has stuck around after her first and quite memorable appearance) to see what I mean: Maslany manages to scrunch up her mouth and move it in a way that none of the other clones do, while as steely Rachel, Maslany's neck alone manages emotes more than some actors. Her Alison is all jangled nerves and fluttering eyelids; her Helena is feral, wide-eyed and savage.

But as much as I love Orphan Black (especially this season, which has been stellar after last season's disappointing run), I’m glad that the show now has an end date and can plan accordingly for a fifth and final season to wrap up its ongoing story arcs… Returning to the past (and exploring Beth's backstory) has creatively revitalized Orphan Black, and I want it to go out strong with Season 5. All good things, as they say, must come to an end. Even the sestras.