Orphan Black Review: “History Yet to be Written”

Orphan Black ends on the Mother of all Twists. Can they keep the fourth season going on this unexpected development, or will we look back and see a shark-jumping moment? That history remains to be written.

Title: “History Yet to be Written”

Cast and Crew
Director: John Fawcett
Writer: John Fawcett et al.

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning/ Cosima Niehaus / Alison Hendrix / Helena / Rachel Duncan / Krystal Goderitch
Jordan Gavaris as Felix Dawkins
Maria Doyle Kennedy as Siobhan Sadler
Kristian Bruun as Donnie Hendrix
Evelyne Brochu as Delphine Cormier
Ksenia Solo as Shay Davydov
Josh Vokey as Scott
Zoé De Grand Maison as Grace Johanssen
Ari Milen as Mark / Rudy
Tom McCamus as Dr. Nealon
Kyra Harper as Dr. Virginia Coady
James Frain as Ferdinand
Amanda Brugel as Marci Coates
Terra Hazelton as Sarah Stubbs
Dylan Bru Kevin Hanchard as Art Bell
Andrew Gillies as Ethan Duncan
Alison Steadman as Kendall Malone
Cynthia Galant as Charlotte Bowles
Christy Bruce as Dr. Susan Duncan

Premise

Allison wins the election as the sisters defeat several of their adversaries and families reunite.

Unfortunately, yet another conspiracy has been looming in the background, and they seem better-organized than the previous ones.

High Points

The series continues to make Herculean demands on Tatiana Maslaney, and she delivers. Helena and Krystal, in particular, make their mark, as we feel increasing sympathy for Rachel.

Low Points

They effectively explained last week’s seemingly remarkable coincidence effectively, but I suspect they shouldn’t even try to account for how, even with Siobhan’s connections and Art Bell’s assistance, they got Kendall Malone to North America. An awful lot had to happen between

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6

Effects: 6/6 The shocking revelations includes low-level, but serviceable physical effects, and the conclusion boasts a perfect little clone dinner party.

Story: 5/6 The story was choppier than usual and the dialogue less impressive, but the episode did answer a number of questions. An expository-heavy scene took care of last week’s low point, while a very complicated plot ties up loose ends before we learn that…

Acting: 6/6 The actors had to struggle with some heavy and slightly clichéd writing this week, but the performances do not falter.

Emotional Response: 5/6 Kira and Sarah reunite.

Production: 6/6

Overall: 5/6

In total, “History Yet to be Written” receives 36/42

Lingering Questions

Is the new twist planned or butt-pulled?

Under the law, is Sarah guilty of sexually assaulting Ferdinand a few episodes back? (Not because it was violent, but because he thought he was with someone else).

Some people have definitely died; others received ambiguous deaths. Which of those will be returning?

Who fired that shot in the underground garage? Someone we know? Or some newer threat?

And, of course, what was that thing in Nealon’s mouth?

2 replies on “Orphan Black Review: “History Yet to be Written””

  1. On the “Mother of all Twists” (I see what you did there!) the show certainly continues to tangle the web of just who is working for who – especially given the identity of the other clone with Rachel in the final scenes and how her presence there may have come to be. I can only hope they’ve been working to a coherent plan for how all the factions fit together and what people’s alliances really are over the last few seasons, because after coming this far I’d hate it to end up meandering aimlessly around trying to explain things like the last few seasons of “Lost”.

    • Not all of the factions have to fit, of course, but, yes, I hope the backstory at least makes sense!

      Yes, that other clone with Rachel:

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