Review: Nature Under Constraint and Vexed (Orphan Black)

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"Nature Under Constraint and Vexed has me hooked for the rest of the season, not that that's a surprise, and kept me at the edge of my seat." 

"Season Two has certainly started off with a bang, and if this episode shows anything, fans are in for another amazing season."

I don't know why I even bother to review episodes for this show at this point because you should know that it'll be a solid 5. But anyway.

THIS SHOW. IF YOU'RE NOT WATCHING IT, GO WATCH IT NOW. TRUST ME.

I've waited so long for Season 2, and I can safely say that it started off with a bang. The show continues to be intense, and the cast, crew, and writing continues to make the show the awesomeness that it is. It's so rare to find a show that is almost close to being perfect, but for me, Orphan Black is definitely one of those.

First, let's talk about Tatiana Maslany because you can't discuss OB without talking about Tat. She continues to get so into the roles, and I still sometimes forget that she plays half the cast of characters. She's so incredibly talented, and that continues to shine through. You can just feel how scared and furious she is as Sarah. You can feel how much she just wants normalcy as Alison. You continue to love Cosima and continue to root for her. You continue to potentially have a love-hate relationship over Rachel because you hate her but she's also such an amazing character.  But even on top of that, Tatiana pulls off Sarah pretending to be Cosima. Basically, she perfectly captured a British person trying to pull off an American accent/Cosima's accent. It's so rare for actors and actresses to perfect even one accent on screen, but Tatiana constantly proves how amazing, talented, and dedicated she is as an actress.

The other actors and actresses were amazing too. Jordan Gavaris continues to shine as Felix, and I can't help but continue to laugh at his jokes and fall in love with him. Speaking of characters I love, Dylan Bruce's Paul remains mysterious, and it's so hard to tell which side he's really on! Evelyne Brochu plays the two-faced Delphine well, and I can't wait to see how her story arc with Cosima plays out. And I can't forget to mention Kevin Hanchard's performance as Detective Art Bell. It's so clear that he's conflicted about Sarah and how to handle her, and I really hope they both learn to trust one another.

The episode was fast-paced and heart-racing--Orphan Black's signature style. But as intense as the show is, there's also so much character development and exploration in the show, and Nature Under Constraint and Vexed is no exception. Oftentimes, shows are either intense or character driven and development focused; Orphan Black manages to strike that perfect balance, which is why so many people love the show!

We see what makes Sarah tick right alongside the Dyad Institute. They know how to push her buttons, and it's so great to see her flaws, especially when it's her love for her daughter that makes her such a complex character. We see how far she would go to save Kira, as any mother would. It is so refreshing to be able to see a character on screen that is physically strong, mentally and physically brave, incredibly driven, but also very human--she's also a mother, and the writers perfectly capture how being a mother is a part of who she is and influences the decisions she makes. 

The other clones are also slowly starting to develop and grow increasingly complex. Alison joins the community theater, Cosima is still struggling to figure out exactly what she wants to do while also trying to figure out who she is and who she can trust, and Rachel seems infinitely more complex than we've already seen.

Felix continues to provide comic relief, and it's a great way to take a break from the intensity of the show. But Felix is also the rock and logic of the Clone Club. He's the "normal" one under their circumstances. He's the one that tries to reason with the others, and he's always looking out for the clones. He cares deeply about them and will do what he can to help them win their fight against the Dyad, Leekie, and Rachel. He calms them down and makes them think through their actions and plans, and he reminds them that though they are scientific miracles, they're also human. In this episode, Felix shines through, trying to reason with the girls when Sarah wants to execute a highly risky plan. His interactions with Alison are still a highlight of the show, and his banter with Cosima is irreplaceable. 

And just the plot of this episode itself. It connects so much of what happened in Season One to the current situation, while also setting up and putting plots into motion for the rest of Season Two. It's so rare to find a show in which I cannot find a flaw in each episode, but I think Orphan Black may be very close to being that show. Nature Under Constraint and Vexed has me hooked for the rest of the season, not that that's a surprise, and kept me at the edge of my seat. They leave so many hints, while also dropping so many misleading hints that it's hard for me to guess what's going to happen next. And they always find the perfect way to end the episode--with me wanting to find out what happens next. I just can't wait for each episode!

Nature Under Constraint and Vexed continues to highlight the reasons why so many people have come to love Orphan Black. It continues to hit that balance between intensity, suspense, and character. The cast continues to shine and create complex characters, making it hard to decipher and predict what each character will do next. Season Two has certainly started off with a bang, and if this episode shows anything, fans are in for another amazing season.

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