Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
Once again, audiences got more than they bargained for in Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 5, with just as many questions answered as new ones to drive viewers into a theory frenzy.
In total honesty, it seemed the episode was headed in a slow direction, and while the first half did, it turned things up a few hundred notches halfway through.
Orphan Black: Echoes has done a fantastic job of serving up appetizers of action and drama, and now it seems the series is ready to start dishing out the main course.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
The episode title, “Do I Know You?” hits so much harder after viewing.
Once you know, there’s no unhearing or unfeeling what those words mean.
Orphan Black Is a Series That Brings Audiences to a Future That Still Feels Like Home
Related: Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 1 Review: A Beautiful Bird in a Cage
Even though Orphan Black: Echoes is a show that proudly totes its science fiction premise, the series is far more.
At its core, the show is about what makes a person human rather than what might make them property.
The series has done well at keeping audiences captivated with a story that has an endless well of possibilities.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
And while Orphan Black: Echoes has toed the line between comedy, drama, and thriller, it’s kept its balance.
However, this episode had a relatively slow start compared to the high energy of the first four episodes.
The initial part of “Do I Know You?” had an unnerving decline in pace to serve Kira’s backstory.
It was essential to solidify what had brought Kira to where she now is, but it also meant sacrificing momentum.
But once viewers get past the cheesy meet-cute of Kira and Eleanor, the series delivers something unexpected.
It seamlessly moves into a heavy-hearted drama that uses Kira’s intense grief to help audiences relate.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
If there is one thing the Orphan Black franchise knows how to get right, it’s balancing science and soul.
Whether It’s Lucy or Eleanor, She’s Still the Heart of Orphan Black: Echoes
At first, watching the original Lucy, aka Eleanor, was strange as she met and fell in love with Kira.
Related: Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Jules
There was an automatic feeling of loyalty to reject this “not Lucy” character.
However, once a different actress played her older self, it became much easier to accept this version.
It was constantly hinted that there was a close connection between Kira and Lucy’s original self, but this was unexpected.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
Having Eleanor printed as her younger self was a great way for the writers to throw off viewers.
In retrospect, it’s a little strange that none of the characters made references to who Lucy really was.
Looking back, it’s as if each character spoke very carefully to Kira about the printout.
And rather than a continuity error, that only adds to how delicate and precious the experiment was.
It’s great that Lucy and viewers now know why her memory is how it is and who the baby in the photo was.
However, this also opens up a whole host of possibilities for how Krysten Ritter can use this new information to portray Lucy.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
Will she feel a motherly bond with Lucas, and what will happen to Jack and Charlie now?
Love Can Make a Person Capable of Anything, and Kira is No Exception
It was always clear from the start that whatever Kira’s intentions were, they were based on love.
Related: Jonathan Glatzer to Develop Silicon Valley ‘Dark Comedy’ For AMC
Knowing now that Eleanor was the love of her life makes the character even more relatable.
Scientists using their research and expertise to fix their personal struggles is nothing new.
It’s a concept that’s been used in countless movies and television shows, but Orphan Black: Echoes has redefined the parameters.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
Kira’s strength lies in her conviction and beliefs.
This is why it would take no less than losing the love of her life, played by Rya Kihlstedt (Superman & Lois), to change her stance on cloning.
As Kira herself said, it’s highly illegal, and the trauma of her childhood could never bring her to do it.
This heart-wrenching episode was a testament to how far any person is willing to go for a loved one.
More to the point, it makes sense now why Kira would dabble in an otherwise taboo topic.
However, the cutest part of the episode had to be watching Kira explain Lucy’s tattoo to her.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
Unbelievably adorable.
Orphan Black: Echoes Likes to Play Loose With the Bad Guys, but Paul Darros Isn’t Fooling Anyone
What wasn’t so cute was how Kira dropped the bomb at the end that she wasn’t responsible for Jules.
Related: Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Pegasus Girl
And since her assistant Josh was the only one who knew about the pivotal part of the printing machine, we think it’s safe to say that Paul Darros got to him.
Now, the real question of the series comes down to why Jules was printed in the first place.
The “how” has been made clear, but what relevance could a younger Eleanor Miller make for someone like Darros?
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
As Kira said, Paul is a tech billionaire trying to buy his way into the humanitarian industry.
Jules has shown she is a science prodigy, engineering drugs with side effects that can serve a medical purpose.
It’s possible that with proper guidance and training, Jules could usher in multiple medical advancements.
And with Eleanor so young, there would be more than enough time to develop a cure so she doesn’t have to die.
Whatever the case, we know Paul Darros, played by James Hiroyuki Liao (Barry), is far from an altruistic humanitarian.
If nothing else, we can all be thankful to have gotten a break from Tom and his exhaustive douchery.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
I’ll be completely honest.
Due to the slow start, I really thought I wasn’t going to like this episode.
Related: Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 4 Review: It’s All Coming Back
But by the end, I was a sobbing mess and any show that inspires that much emotion is a solid hit.
The writing, acting, and overall production of Orphan Black: Echoes sets a new standard for science fiction.
(Sophie Giraud/AMC)
AMC has solidified itself as a mainstay for quality programming with stories full of exceptional characters portrayed by equally talented actors.
Were you surprised that Lucy was printed from the late love of Kira’s life?
What are your theories on why Jules was printed?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join us again when we review the next episode of Orphan Black: Echoes!
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