Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
After an intense and thrilling first season, Orphan Black: Echoes has concluded its exciting introduction into the franchise family.
Coming from a beloved cult classic, the odds were stacked against this incredible series.
Orphan Black: Echoes brought a more straightforward and cleaner story than its parent show.
And while fans are still reticent to jump on board, those who have do not regret their decision.
We met very well-developed characters and reintroduced ourselves to fan-favorite franchise characters.
More than anything, audiences got an experience they will never forget about what it means to be human.
Orphan Black: Echoes delivered a wild ride of science fiction proportions and ensured the first season ended with a bang—a literal bang.
When It Comes To Storytelling, Orphan Black: Echoes Delivers A Cleaner Plot Than Its Parent Series
The story of Orphan Black: Echoes took a very different approach to its plot than Orphan Black’s.
In the first season of the original series, the focus was on figuring out why there were clones and keeping Kira safe.
While some of those themes were still present, Orphan Black: Echoes was more proactive with its pace.
Rather than jumping from clone to clone to give each their own arc, this series ensured everyone’s plots were as closely connected as possible.
In that sense, I think AMC‘s Orphan Black: Echoes is a better show.
The stakes were much more obvious, and any pertinent plot points were clearly defined and easy to follow.
While the show lacked camp, its distinct focus on heart lent a great deal of grounding to Orphan Black: Echoes.
However, things will likely be headed for a clone-tastic storyline should the series receive another season.
By introducing multiple clones of different people, Orphan Black: Echoes expands its world organically and moves the story to more significant stakes.
And bigger is always better when it comes to a second season.
Kira Can’t Kick Her Connection To Clones For As Long As The Franchise Exists
If there is a second season, that could mean a world of trouble for Kira. Who knew Rhona was going to suck so hard?
To be fair, someone was always likely to find out about the printing, so blackmail was inevitable.
Still, it sucks for Lucas, but maybe it’ll mean he’ll get far away from the Quakers.
Orphan Black: Echoes may try to bring back the extreme religious zealots that Orphan Black enjoyed incorporating.
With Eleanor (Rya Kihlstedt) and Lucas by Kira’s side, she may turn herself in, but that won’t fix her problem.
Darros was only the tip of the iceberg. Once governments discover the printing machine, there will be a whole world of genetic catastrophes.
So, one way or another, Kira’s ordinary life is long gone, and she may even end up on the run. Like mother, like daughter.
Although, she might want to stick around since Darros has a scan of her.
It’s a compliment when you consider what Paul Darros’ plan is.
Paul Darros Was Trying To Serve Antagonist, But All He Gave Was Annoying
We’ve always known Paul was a nut job from his first appearance, but I was surprised he was so ruthless.
He wasn’t the most complex villain. If anything, he was an amalgamation of multiple villain tropes.
The whole soft-spoken billionaire villain who does things for the greater good has been done. Have you ever heard of Lex Luther?
So, if I were to fault Orphan Black: Echoes for anything, it would be for a lackluster villain.
He never inspired even a tenth of the intimidation of Rachel Duncan from Orphan Black.
However, I’ll give the writers one thing. Paul’s plan was actually kind of refreshing and exciting.
He’s made an orphanage of super-geniuses. While that might sound good on paper, it’s as if Paul hasn’t been paying attention all season.
Does he really think none of his printouts will be curious about where they came from? And where there is one renegade clone, there are many more.
Paul is digging his own grave by creating twelve young proteges that could turn on him.
In the end, though, Paul does not need to worry about the clones. He does not even need to be concerned with Kira.
No, if Orphan Black: Echoes receives another season, Darros will need to watch his back for Lucy.
Hopefully, Orphan Black: Echoes Isn’t Done With Audiences The Same Way Lucy Isn’t Done With Darros
I don’t know about you, but I jumped forward, eyes wide and mouth open, when Paul shot Jules in the head at point-blank range.
That absolutely floored me. I was as stunned as Lucy, with a facial expression to match.
That was genuinely unexpected and fantastic plotting. Anything that incites emotions in viewers is always a good idea.
After watching Jules’ (Amanda Fix) journey, her death felt like losing a friend.
If Lucy felt even a fracture of the anger that the scene evoked in me, Paul is a dead man.
We’re about to see Krysten Ritter dip back into her Jessica Jones days. With Jack and Charlie gone, Lucy has nothing left to lose.
While Kira may have created the printing machine, Paul has been responsible for every bad thing that has happened.
She’ll likely go full Rambo if she manages to make it out of Darros’ compound. God only knows how Kira and Eleanor will react to the news of Jules.
More importantly, there’s no getting around that lost shot of the Jules clone. What was that wig?
It looks like Orphan Black: Echoes has access to the many wigs used in Orphan Black. I’m hoping they get a better one, should the series return. That wig was rough.
All in all, Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 was amazing.
Sure, one or two episodes saw a lull, but overall, the show was phenomenal.
Hopefully, the “Printout Posse” minus one can continue their exciting story and take it to even greater heights.
Whatever the case, I will always be happy I got to experience the sensational storytelling of Orphan Black: Echoes.
Were you as floored as me when Darros shot Jules?
What direction will the show go in if it gets renewed?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review your next favorite series!