Orphan Black: Season 3/ Episode 5 “Scarred by Many Past Frustrations” – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

As Cosima goes on her first date, post-Delphine and Mrs. S is introduced to Gracie, Sara and Helena try to work out their issues so that they can possibly escape.

Review (with Spoilers) – Below

Characters & Story (with Commentary)

Topic 1: Introducing Shay – Cosima

Cosima goes on her first Sapphire date and it is with a girl named Shay (Ksenia Solo). Someone is who is a bit earthy, a little bohemian looking, and is into holistic healing. Something Cosima has no problems with, just as Shay has no problems with Cosima being a hard science type of girl, and they hit it off nicely. To the point, it seems Cosima may have found a new boo.

Topic 2: All I Want To Do Is Drink and Dance My Life Away – Felix, Mrs. S, and Gracie

Gracie shows up at Art’s door and while, at first, he was going to take her to a shelter, as soon as he learns she isn’t pregnant he strangely decides Mrs. S would be the best place to go. Which it ultimately ends up being and not just for Gracie, but Mrs. S as well. For with Gracie sharing some similarities to Mrs. S past, it allows her to open up about her dead husband and it leads to the two ladies bonding. As for Felix? Well, as always he is taking care of the people who Sarah brings into their lives and helps Gracie, albeit carefully, live the type of life she has been dying to have. One filled with dancing, alcohol, and laughter. Though with her collapsing, and her eyes nastily red, it does lead you to wonder what is going on?

Though, before we jump to the conclusion that maybe she is still pregnant, it seems many of the girls that the Castor clones messed with are starting to fall ill. With the collective sign of their sickness being a reddening of the eye.

Topic 3: We’re Even Now Sestra – Helena & Sarah

Despite it seeming otherwise, it seems Dr. Coady got through to Helena and led her to believe she was sold out for Sarah’s freedom. An issue which leads to Sarah’s arrival not being welcomed and, ultimately, Sarah being used so that Helena can actually escape. Though, in truth, it is mostly Pupok which leads to Helena being distant and betraying Sarah. For Helena did have the time to free Sarah, and perhaps leave her on her own, and Helena did have second thoughts about leaving Sarah behind, but Pupok seemingly has no love for Sarah and was the push Helena needed to possibly leave her behind and go off into the desert alone.

Praise

Is it wrong to say this is the ideal cast for me? For while I do enjoy Allison to a certain degree, things just seemed to flow better with her being absent. Like, even with Cosima’s storyline having nothing to do with DYAD or Sarah’s rescues, it still seemed like she was fully connected to everyone and wasn’t like fake eyelashes barely clinging on – like Allison’s story feels at times.

Also, I quite liked Mrs. S opening up about her husband and seeing Gracie have a little bit of fun. If only because it allowed us to see Felix for a little bit, keep Art slightly active in the episode, and perhaps gave Felix a new pet project. Since, with Cosima having a date now, he needs a new one to keep him busy.

Criticism

At this point, we are nearly half way through and it just really seems no one has really stepped into the shoes Rachel wore when she was last season’s villain. For while Dr. Coady, and Paul, have their place, nothing about them is fearsome. Even the Castor clones. As crazy as some of them are, no one comes off compelling. They are simply bad guys because they oppose, and have captured, Sarah and Helena. That’s it. They don’t have interesting personalities, aren’t working on something evil, and overall seem to be struggling far worse than Dyad. Making them the type of villains you would feel sympathy for if they didn’t bore you to tears.