Orphan Black Season 5

Orphan Black is one of those shows that I know I'll keep coming back to watch years after it's ended. This show is one of those rare ones that's touched me so deeply on a personal level and resonates with me more than most television I've watched does. 

Orphan Black tells the story of Sarah Manning, a drifter, who witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. She picks up the woman’s handbag and runs. In doing this she is must solve the mystery of how they can look the same and along the way she is confronted with even more mysteries.

I began watching the show after seeing it popping up in my Tumblr feed constantly and then having it show up in my Netflix suggestions and having nothing else to watch at the time decided to give it a go and from episode 1 I was hooked. I ended up binge watching the first 3 seasons very quickly in time to watch the fourth season as it went to air. 

I think the core reason that Orphan Black has found such a fond place in my heart is because of the themes and issues it deals with. Science plays a big part in the show and that is something I have always had an interest in. And the best thing is the show's scientific accuracy. Cosima Herter the shows science consultant never put a step wrong in guiding the writers to be accurate. Never while watching the show did I ever think that aspects of the show couldn't happen in real life and at times the science shown on the show was so interesting to me that I would look up terms and do some real work investigating to learn more. 

The other thing that Orphan Black does better than most shows is putting women at the center. Focus is heavily placed on women's autonomy over their own bodies, how their sexuality and circumstances don't have to define them as people and the idea that family doesn't have to be made up in the conventional way most people may see it. This show is driven by so many amazing women whether they're in front of the camera or behind it. But easily the one person who stood out the most for me personally was Tatiana Maslany who portrays all of the clones. Watching her do what she does on Orphan Black will never cease to surprise me. The way that she is able to have incredible on screen chemistry with herself is absolutely mind blowing and astounding.  

The show's fifth and final season was an amazing and beautiful send off. The pace of the show changed slightly from previous seasons, taking a closer focus on each of the main clones (Sarah, Cosima, Helena, Alison and Rachel). I really enjoyed this alternate style of storytelling as it allowed the show to delve deeper into these characters we've been journeying with for 5 seasons and the writers were able to show us more backstory which was very rewarding. 

The season gradually built up it's momentum over the course of its 10 episodes and came to a head in the series finale in a very satisfying fashion. What I enjoyed most about the series finale was the amount of time spent with the clones after the fighting was over and the battle was won. This extended epilogue was the perfect way to say good bye to the clones who fans of the show have come to love so dearly. It never felt rushed and the story didn't end perfectly with a neat bow wrapped around it. Sarah was still dealing with her grief and insecurities right up until the screen faded to black and I just love how believable and real that storytelling was.

Orphan Black is most definitely the weird little show that could. Tatiana Maslany's 2016 Emmy win for the show will go down as one of the greatest underdog wins in my book. I can't wait to see her take over Hollywood!! The best thing about the show is that it has resonated with so many people all over the world and created one of the most amazing fan bases I've ever been a part of, Clone Club. People have created tremendous art work. Others have formed friendships and found love through the show and some have felt more at peace with their sexuality and who they are because of the show and that is just so profound and incredible.  

If you haven't seen or even heard about Orphan Black before I highly suggest you check it out. Go down to the shops and buy the DVD/Blu-Rays, put it at the front of your Netflix queue. Orphan Black is just so progressive & relevant to what's happening in our world today and it will open your mind and get you thinking. I'm going to miss having it on my telly :')

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