Orphan Black

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Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 533 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 462 out of 533
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 533
  3. Negative: 52 out of 533
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  1. Broyax
    May 26, 2023
    1
    Par certains côtés, cette série a un ton relativement réaliste : elle est fort bien réalisée et son ambiance policière thriller comploteuse (mais que-quoi-qui sont-ils, qu’allons-nous faire, ma famille de clones et moi ?!…) semble intéressante…

    En vérité, on y croirait presque à ces conneries clo(w)nesques si par ailleurs tout le reste ne ressemblait pas hélas à une putain de «    Par certains côtés, cette série a un ton relativement réaliste : elle est fort bien réalisée et son ambiance policière thriller comploteuse (mais que-quoi-qui sont-ils, qu’allons-nous faire, ma famille de clones et moi ?!…) semble intéressante…

    En vérité, on y croirait presque à ces conneries clo(w)nesques si par ailleurs tout le reste ne ressemblait pas hélas à une putain de « situation comedy » à deux balles, une série branchouille mékouillekikoolol avec par exemple ce personnage tout droit sorti de la cage aux folles !

    Orphan Black malgré la belle Tatiana Maslany est décidément trop neuneu, trop superficiel et caricatural pour être crédible plus de deux épisodes et demi, voire un peu plus, peut-être. Mais j’ai perdu le compte depuis le temps où j’ai tenté de visionner cette… série de merde !    … Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 3, 2022
    8
    Tatiana Maslany is a class act in this show taking on multiple characters that each feel fleshed out. The question or fear of having a doppelganger exist somewhere in the world is given a terrifying answer. Instantly gripped by the grim pilot and pivoted by the charismatic Sarah you attach to her and others quickly, rooting for them on their quest for answers.
  3. AWESOM-0
    Jun 1, 2020
    8
    Orphan Black is a good show and Tatiana Maslany is great! There are great performances from the other cast as well and overall the show is well written and well done. If season 1 is the setup they did a good job and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops.
  4. JLuis_001
    Nov 21, 2018
    7
    It was actually pretty good. Tatiana Maslany is amazing in the show and I found it very interesting although with some pacing issues and plot problems.

    But I do recommend it .
  5. mellonhead
    Dec 31, 2017
    9
    An entertaining and exciting show. Season one is one of its best, mostly because it's not confusing yet The story is off to a strong start, the acting is great, the characters are good (though Helena and Alison get a lot better), the action is good, and there are good bits of humor. All are a reliable recipe for a solid start.
    GRADE: A-
  6. macksfield
    Mar 25, 2017
    0
    Tatiana is quite talented. Fyi...I've only watched the first series. Writers are creative and the show keeps your interest. Lots of action and interesting story line. However, the writers and producer spent lots of time painting Christians as whack-os. You know "extreme bible believers". They also attempt to make it seem normal for men trying to have sex with men. And then there's theTatiana is quite talented. Fyi...I've only watched the first series. Writers are creative and the show keeps your interest. Lots of action and interesting story line. However, the writers and producer spent lots of time painting Christians as whack-os. You know "extreme bible believers". They also attempt to make it seem normal for men trying to have sex with men. And then there's the whole feminine man and masculine woman thing going on. Its like these writers sit in a room and work to take every normal aspect of life and turn it upside down. Its a shame, lots of talent, interesting plot but so many negatives directed towards what the majority of the population considers norm.… Expand
  7. Kemersonb
    Feb 7, 2017
    0
    As a gay man i find the homo sex scenes offensive. This show is representing gays in a negative way and it should be cancelled. Dont waste your time watching.
  8. Dzimas
    Oct 29, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There are many reasons to like this series from the engaging plot to Tatiana's cute butt, which is much on display in the first two episodes of the opening season. It's kind of like Stepford Wives meet The Cloning of Joana May, although aimed more at teenagers than an older audience. The other worldly plot breaks down too quickly into domestic melodrama and Tatiana keeps her clothes on through the remainder of the season. The Neolution story is little more than a campy hook, or should I say a tail, with a just as campy religious counter force meant to play both sides of the cloning debate.

    Caught in the middle of this nightmare is the fetching Sarah Manning, who apparently had escaped detection before encountering a doppleganger on a train platform one evening, and deciding to assume her identity. The first four episodes move at a very brisk pace as the writers lay out the characters, but then bogs down in the middle episodes as it seems they decide to play their scenario for laughs after the rather grisly beginning. Tatiana Maslany comes across as a young Holly Hunter in her role as the "suburban **** Allison. Not to worry though it all comes together in the suspenseful closing episodes.

    I don't know if it is enough to keep me going though, as Sarah's most engaging "sibling" was probably Helena, and she seemed to come to a rather ignominious end. However, there are enough dark forces at work to bring her back. One can only imagine all the tangents this story will take in succeeding seasons, as Cosima appears to have cracked the code, but I suspect whatever center it has will long be lost.    … Expand
  9. JungleWise
    Oct 26, 2016
    9
    Maslany is engaging. Pure acting genius. Can't wait to see who's behind "Rachel's Eye". The lesbian thing seems tired and forced. Sure do miss Gramma, she was a hoot.
  10. marc5477
    Oct 25, 2016
    5
    Interesting but flawed premise betrayed by very poor character development. The show is all about science, specifically biology and chemistry, but as is typical with bad writing, to create some form of drama, every scientist is evil, delusional, or a total f*up. You know... because like most of hollywood drivel, smart people are actually the dummies of society. And I dont mean just the badInteresting but flawed premise betrayed by very poor character development. The show is all about science, specifically biology and chemistry, but as is typical with bad writing, to create some form of drama, every scientist is evil, delusional, or a total f*up. You know... because like most of hollywood drivel, smart people are actually the dummies of society. And I dont mean just the bad guy scientists, even the good ones make monumental mistakes every season meanwhile all the uneducated normal people who didnt spend a day using their brain are apparently brilliant and can do no wrong. It is insulting and I am tired of it. Minus 3 points for that insulting portrayal.

    The idea of this show is that human clones were made by curious scientists but the experiment got hijacked by the government and other organization for profit or weapons or whatever. Although they do a good job with the science as the show plays out, the glaring problem is that none of the organization have any good reason for anything they do. All of the things that drive them can be done without the clones or with new ones and it would be practically trivial to repeat the clone experiment as many times as they want. To force engagement from the clones, they were (as you might already guess), given health problems... yea its cheesy. But lets suspend our brains for a minute.

    For the most part, the actor for the female clone does a good job playing so many parts, in fact she is impressive even if some of the characters are not very strong and despite a few minor hiccups here and there. For instance, there were a scene where an English accent was mixed up with Australian but honestly I thought it made for a good laugh. The show does not always take itself seriously which help relax some of the blunders and plot holes.

    Give it a shot but be warned if you are a nerd or science geek you will notice the insulting tone. Everyone else wont care and will likely enjoy the show.    … Expand
  11. kismetric
    May 1, 2016
    10
    This is a well-written series that leaves you wanting more after each episode. Tatiana Maslany does an impressive job performing the many roles of the clone sisters. Definitely worth watching!
  12. RickBell
    Apr 16, 2016
    1
    Disappointed with the season 4 premiers. Boring rehash of old stories and lack of imagination. Guess they ran out of ideas. No one wants more detail of old episodes they already watched. So stupid. These folks have been spoiled by the attention the first three seasons afforded them and they're getting lazy now.
  13. JustShai
    Apr 3, 2016
    9
    Well written, well acted, brilliant and absorbing Sci-Fi-Drama-Thriller series out of Canada made for the BBC. Kudos to Tatiana Maslany for her spectacular chameleon-like qualities as lead actress playing multiple characters and the special effects/ editing crew for making it look all so believable. I have waited years to see such a smart, cutting edge, earth- based near future sci-fiWell written, well acted, brilliant and absorbing Sci-Fi-Drama-Thriller series out of Canada made for the BBC. Kudos to Tatiana Maslany for her spectacular chameleon-like qualities as lead actress playing multiple characters and the special effects/ editing crew for making it look all so believable. I have waited years to see such a smart, cutting edge, earth- based near future sci-fi series like this which is not only science based but full of moral and ethical arguments. As a plus we get good cops, bad guys you love to hate..secret societies, body hackers, evil geniuses , blonde assassins and a really cute kid! Perfect for binge- watching on Netflix.… Expand
  14. depo
    Jan 22, 2016
    9
    This show keeps getting better and better, not in the commercial way that tries to please everyone. Featuring an incredibly talented Tatiana Maslany, at times funny, at times macabre, with great thrills, action and an intriguing plot that holds it all together. All the good ingredients you would expect in an intelligent tv serie today! Highly recommended.
  15. sendintheclowns
    Sep 4, 2015
    9
    A delight to watch. The skill and energy of the star is the cream topping on a must-watch show. Light weight plot and screenwriting actually works best to not distract from the lead's performance.
  16. Ihavenoopinion5
    Aug 2, 2015
    4
    Season one was great. Season two was okay. Season three was a mess. Graeme keeps using the term slow burn which means he has no clue what to do with a character or storyline. Shay? Why is she on the show? There is no chemistry between her and Cosima. Yuk! There has been no storyline where she is concerned and the little time she has had on screen was useless. The writers have lostSeason one was great. Season two was okay. Season three was a mess. Graeme keeps using the term slow burn which means he has no clue what to do with a character or storyline. Shay? Why is she on the show? There is no chemistry between her and Cosima. Yuk! There has been no storyline where she is concerned and the little time she has had on screen was useless. The writers have lost focus with this show. We don't see Art anymore and Felix has little or nothing witty to say. No more zingers for him. Ahh, Delphine, Delphine! Why hurt the only one who tried to help the sisters from the beginning? They really messed up with the hot romance between Cosima and Delphine. A lot of people are disappointed that they shot Delphine. If she is gone next season so am I. Evelyne Brochu is talented. You can't give us a powerhouse like her and then take her away from us. I hope the creators are listening to the fans and do the right thing.… Expand
  17. viny
    Jul 27, 2015
    10
    Amazing TV show. Quite difficult to understand in the first episodes but yeah... Tatiana Maslany has done such a great job... Unbelievable that she could play all those caracters. I have been quite amazed when she was playing a character that was supposed to play another character because we know that it is not completely the second character (it soudns complicated and it is !). I love theAmazing TV show. Quite difficult to understand in the first episodes but yeah... Tatiana Maslany has done such a great job... Unbelievable that she could play all those caracters. I have been quite amazed when she was playing a character that was supposed to play another character because we know that it is not completely the second character (it soudns complicated and it is !). I love the mystery around each characters. Bluffing.I would recommend it to everybody!… Expand
  18. Nonac
    Jul 22, 2015
    7
    A perfect first season. A very good second season. And a ''comme-ci comme-ca'' third season.
    One of the most anticipated and best ideas of the last years that after this season 3 turns into a ''normal'' series. I dont know, maybe they are doing it for the money/fame , i dont know the reason but WHY to complex it even more? you had such a wonderful idea and you are trying to destroy it.    A perfect first season. A very good second season. And a ''comme-ci comme-ca'' third season.
    One of the most anticipated and best ideas of the last years that after this season 3 turns into a ''normal'' series. I dont know, maybe they are doing it for the money/fame , i dont know the reason but WHY to complex it even more? you had such a wonderful idea and you are trying to destroy it.
    Hope it gets betters.

    -Nonac    … Expand
  19. Anna2015
    Jun 19, 2015
    10
    A fantastic tv show! Would defiantly recommend to all my friends. Can not wait for the next episodes I have just watched all of the three seasons in a binge watchathon.
  20. Desert_Rat
    May 31, 2015
    10
    Tatiana Maslany is awesome! She captures the nuances of the identical sisters brilliantly. And moreover she portrays the subtle difference when one sister is imitating another. The story takes amazing twists and turns so you're never sure what's going to happen next. Sometimes you're not sure what just happened until it becomes clear later in the episode or in the next episodes. A welcomeTatiana Maslany is awesome! She captures the nuances of the identical sisters brilliantly. And moreover she portrays the subtle difference when one sister is imitating another. The story takes amazing twists and turns so you're never sure what's going to happen next. Sometimes you're not sure what just happened until it becomes clear later in the episode or in the next episodes. A welcome contrast to most TV where you can see what's coming a mile away. This show is up there with the best TV ever.… Expand
  21. Raven25
    May 3, 2015
    0
    A typical example of the 'new standard' which conflates artistic merit with discussion about 'social issues'. The issues discussed are completely one sided radical feminist ones. The straight male characters are portrayed as one dimensional wallflowers or incompetent buffoons while women are portrayed as strong, independent leaders with complex lives and issues. I have no problem withA typical example of the 'new standard' which conflates artistic merit with discussion about 'social issues'. The issues discussed are completely one sided radical feminist ones. The straight male characters are portrayed as one dimensional wallflowers or incompetent buffoons while women are portrayed as strong, independent leaders with complex lives and issues. I have no problem with feminist TV shows (see my review of Masters of Sex season 2), just completely unbalanced debates which shove a political agenda down everyone's throats like this one.

    The plot is transparent and is clearly being used as a vehicle to drive what should have stayed a (poorly conceived and unbalanced) gender studies essay. To anyone who is not already a radical feminist - don't bother with this show. It is preaching to the converted. To anyone who still believes that exploring social issues does not enhance a work's artistic merit - this is a waste of time as it is all that it does.

    To those who I haven't convinced - take for example relatively undisputed works full of artistic merit - William Shakespeare's plays, Rembrandt's paintings, JS Bach's music - conducting a feminist analysis of these may tell you an awful lot about women's roles and status 500 years ago. But it will tell you nothing about how beautiful the works are as pieces of art.

    In conclusion, this TV show only derives appeal to a limited (and rather already brainwashed) audience for reasons only to do with discussion of social issues. As I do not award points for that (and if I did, I wouldn't award many as they are badly discussed), and this show has no other artistic redeeming qualities, I award it zero score.    … Expand
  22. Chimpsonson70
    Apr 20, 2015
    10
    This is by far the best series on television, Internet, anywhere - probably the best series ever made. Outstanding on every level - writing, acting, character development - such depth. Really explores the range of the human experience through such an inventive, and fully realized premise. A great artistic achievement, and again, ridiculously under appreciated by U.S. critics (the EmmysThis is by far the best series on television, Internet, anywhere - probably the best series ever made. Outstanding on every level - writing, acting, character development - such depth. Really explores the range of the human experience through such an inventive, and fully realized premise. A great artistic achievement, and again, ridiculously under appreciated by U.S. critics (the Emmys - what a joke).… Expand
  23. HamsterPrincess
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    Brilliant show with fantastic Tatiana Maslany. Waiting for new season now! Alison, Cosima, Sarah, Helena, Rachel, Paul, Felix, Kira and Cal are all coming back.
  24. RadiantRadmila
    Mar 4, 2015
    10
    A single actress is making this one of the best shows I've ever seen. Tatiana Maslany is brilliant and her portrayals of all these characters is amazing! Highly recommended. I watched all of here movies after seeing her here and she is really an amazing actress. Emmy should be ashamed not to give her the award, but it's just politics. Emmy has no credibility with artistic scores for a longA single actress is making this one of the best shows I've ever seen. Tatiana Maslany is brilliant and her portrayals of all these characters is amazing! Highly recommended. I watched all of here movies after seeing her here and she is really an amazing actress. Emmy should be ashamed not to give her the award, but it's just politics. Emmy has no credibility with artistic scores for a long time now.… Expand
  25. thetvreviewman
    Nov 4, 2014
    9
    Orphan Black continues to offer some great science fiction plots while mixing in comedy, romance, and an amazing multi role performance from Tatiana Maslany.
  26. vinkl
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    The main actress is truly amazing! I love watching her perform. I am looking forward to Season 3 and hoping it doesn't disappoint. 8/10

    Cosima...I love you! =]
  27. dredstimpson
    Sep 15, 2014
    10
    Best show I've seen in a long time. It takes a couple of episodes to get going, but the payoff is enormous. the themes are broad and controversial. We as a society have no idea what is happening in the background of our lives. This is a taste.
  28. chr
    Aug 26, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Tried to bing this show, because of the lack of alternatives (lying now for a week in bed) and also because it was highly recommended.

    First of all why is the show trying to pretend that all of this is happening in the US? When obviously EVERY thing around cries UK and almost every actor is speaking with a British accent?

    Second: Why are there so many story gaps and errors? For instance in Ep4 S01 Sarah is forced to stay at the station because... the writer said so and she convinces Alison to go to a extremely important meeting with her daughter Kiera - right? Then five minutes later, she left the station and went to meet with a psycho... and she apparently has time for that? What?

    OK I could imagine that the target group (I guess teenager euro-boys) would omit those facts and watch it just for entertainments sake. I would too when Mrs. Maslany could ever pull a believable performance, the writers would write actual good dialogue and not 'lines for actors to speak', which by the way are so obvious.... well then and only then I could imagine to watch it as a guilty pleasure. But like it is now? Oh no..... no chance! I rather watch The Room for the rest of my life.

    Ah well I went just a little to far. Sorry.

    It's just a mediocre show for someone who never saw The Wire or even Sherlock (the first one plays in the actual US and the second one is not ashamed of being shot in the UK) and is not used to quality. And I do accept that. BUT please do someone, something about this fan boy ratings around the net. I can not believe that THIS is my first review on MetaCritic.    … Expand
  29. RickyPann
    Jul 7, 2014
    10
    Interesting take on an old theme with a fresh approach. Well written sci-fi drama with numerous clever less predictable subplots common in the Genre.Explores,female empowerment and corporate military conspiracies of ethical genetics. Meaty characters, great acting, well shot and constructed.. Impressive, clever and entertaining .
  30. sophiedebry
    Jun 10, 2014
    9
    I've discovered this series last year, and i'm not disappointed!
    Tatiana Maslany is incredible, and plays the part of the different clones very well. I also like her brother in the series Jordan Gavaris even if there are too much gay stereotypes...
    It's interesting to see how relationships evolve over time between the sisters. I always try to guess what is going to happen but it's    I've discovered this series last year, and i'm not disappointed!
    Tatiana Maslany is incredible, and plays the part of the different clones very well. I also like her brother in the series Jordan Gavaris even if there are too much gay stereotypes...
    It's interesting to see how relationships evolve over time between the sisters.
    I always try to guess what is going to happen but it's sometimes twisting!
    I look forward to see the next episode!    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best TV Season of 2013
20
#20 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
14
#14 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jeff Jensen
    May 15, 2013
    100
    Slowly, a smartly constructed epic is taking shape.
    Read full review
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Apr 1, 2013
    80
    [A] gritty, visceral, and emotionally engaging thriller.
    Read full review
  3. RedEye
    Reviewed by: Curt Wagner
    Apr 1, 2013
    88
    As Sarah makes one shocking discovery after another, Orphan Black weaves an increasingly intricate, suspenseful tale.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »