When street-wise hustler Sarah witnesses a woman, Beth, who
looks exactly like her commit suicide, she quickly steals her identity as a way
to get her money. What seemed like an easy way to solve all her problems turns
out to be the beginning of problems to come when she realises she and Beth are
clones. In fact they are two of several clones that are born raised across the
world, some of which Beth had previously been in contact with and the clones
are now being hunted down.
Tatiana Maslany is a revelation as one of the best actresses
on TV. With her portrayal of not one or two but several characters, all of
which are multi-layered and have unique personalities. Each clone is very well
written with many complexities, even if Maslany only got to play one of the
characters she still would’ve been commended for her acting. There are five
main clones Maslany plays:
Sarah – A con
woman and the only clone to have a biological child. She’s the protagonist, her
character develops the most as we see start off using her conning skills
pretending to be the now dead Beth for her selfish means and continues to use
her skills to help her sister clones and others. She’s an example of a
character going from zero to hero.
Alison – A suburban
‘soccer mom’, who cares about appearances to fit in her stepford-like community.
However her relationship to her clone sisters brings out her wild side. Of the
main clones she is the most fun to watch.
Cosima – A
dreadlocked scientist with a laid-back personality, she could’ve easily have
drawn comparisons as the sweet-pretty-smart-girl we usually get from Joss
Whedon shows (e.g. Willow from Buffy, Fred from Angel, Kaylee from Firefly) but
it’s Maslany’s performance and development that keeps her unique. She is easily
the most likeable character of the show.
Helena – A
Ukranian assassin raised through extreme abuse and manipulation, believing
herself to be the original and the other clones have to die. However her
mysterious connection to Sarah sends her on a redemptive journey. She is by far
the most complex of all the characters in the show.
Rachel – A ‘pro
clone’, raised knowing what she is and the purpose of the clones. She has many
dimensions that are difficult to decipher beyond her sophisticated, icy
exterior.
In addition to the main five, there are several other clones
we get to see Maslany perform: Beth,
a police officer whose suicide sends Sarah into the conspiracy; Katja, a pink-haired German contact of
Beth; MK, a Finnish ingenious hacker
also another former contact of Beth; Tony,
a transsexual clone formerly called Antoinette; Krystal, a valley girl with Nancy Drew-style intellect.
It’s not just Maslany’s performance as each clone individually
that impresses, it’s also the interactions the clones have with each other,
it’s amazing how they all have unique relationships there is genuine chemistry between
them all. She is aided by the best split-screen effects ever, as the clones touch each
others, pass objects around and even dance together and you can’t see a dodgy effect
or a body-double’s face anywhere.
Other cast also stand out include: Jordan Gavaris as Felix, Sarah’s artist and prostitute
foster brother; Maria Doyle Kennedy as Mrs
S, Sarah and Felix’s foster mother; Kevin Hanchard as Arthur, Beth’s police partner; Kristian Brunn as Donnie, Alison’s husband; Évelyne
Brochu as Delphine, a French
scientist and Cosima’s love interest.
The show delves into themes of identity and nature vs.
nurture, as well as family and loyalty. It also has a fair mix of genres
besides being science fiction, it’s
also a mystery, drama, action plus bits
of comedy, horror and romance too. The genres can be emphasised with each clone
and their stories; e.g. Sarah – Drama – with her conflict with various
characters; Cosima – Science Fiction – with her research and
discoveries regarding the cloning and genetics; Alison – Dark Comedy –
almost every scene with her and Donnie is like a messed up family sitcom.
The storyline is told with a serialised format flowing from the
first episode to the finale. While each episode stands out perfectly fine from
each other, they require you to watch in order to make sense. The episodes all
titled using quotes from specific works of Charles Darwin, Sir Francis Bacon,
Dwight Eisenhower, Donna Haraway and Ella Wheeler Wilcox, which helps add to
the science, biology, philosophy, politics, feminism and poetry used throughout
the show.
Overall this is an amazing show that fairly mixes genres and
uniquely written characters for various audiences to enjoy and relate to. It
deserves every award it receives.
