Orphan Black Episode 210 Recap : “By Means Which Have Never Yet Been Tried”

Hey Sestras! Welcome to the recap of the season finale of Orphan Black, the show that just succeeded in mashing my mind grapes into brain wine.

We open with scenes of Sarah being stripped down and examined in a dark room. She is barraged with personal questions, from when she started menstruating to when she lost her virginity.

When did I lose my virginity? Ask your mom.

When did I lose my virginity? Ask your mom.

While she is being poked and prodded, we flash back to Mrs. S’s house in the aftermath of Kira’s abduction. Mrs. S tells Sarah to stay strong, but Sarah leaves to give herself up to Dyad. Back in the black room, we see Sarah surrendering unconditionally to Dyad.

Because I banged your mom, get it?

Because I banged your mom, get it? But srsly, she’s a lovely woman, say hi for me.

Sarah sits in a Dyad interrogation room, where she meets Dr. Nealon. He gives her a contract to sign, although considering she’s handcuffed to a chair, none of this seems entirely consensual. Sarah says she’ll cooperate with whatever they want, she just wants to see Kira.

My name is Dr. Nealon, and I'll be co-opting your body today.

My name is Dr. Nealon, and I’ll be co-opting your body today.

Get in line, motherfucker

Get in line, motherfucker

Over in Kira’s pastel bedroom of nightmares, a nurse is trying to get a cheek swab. Kira gives her the sample, but steals the nurse’s cell phone. Cheeky monkey.

She's only 8, and already she's mastered passive aggressive side eye.

She’s only 8, and already she’s mastered passive aggressive side eye.

Back in the lab, Scotty and Cosima are pissed because a bunch of Dyad suits are jacking their research and Kira’s bone marrow. They tell Cosima that Delphine is no longer her doctor, and that Dr. Nealon will be taking over. This is all on Rachel’s orders, apparently.

But no one knows my body, erm, my biology better than Delphine!

But no one knows my body, erm, my biology better than Delphine!

Speaking of Rachel, she fires a distraught Delphine from the clone project and gives her a one-way ticket to Frankfurt. Delphine is upset because Rachel used her, and just to be a total bitch about it, Rachel forbids her from saying goodbye to Cosima.

A coach ticket with two layovers?! You're a monster!

A coach ticket with two layovers?! You’re a monster!

Rachel tells her that Sarah’s procedure is imminent (oh shit) and that none of this is personal, it’s just business. Note: “it’s not personal, it’s business” is the douchebag catchphrase to end all catchphrases.

It's not personal, it's just resting bitch face.

It’s not personal, it’s just resting bitch face.

In the lab, Scotty is furious that they’ve taken Delphine away, as she’s the expert on all things Cosima. Cosima then gets an email from Delphine telling her that it’s all up to her now (also, Delphine’s email is Eskimo Pie? That is so fucking cute).

And by "up to you" I mean it's your turn to initiate frozen dessert role-play. Come at me, Klondike bar.

And by “up to you” I mean it’s your turn to initiate frozen dessert role-play. Come at me, Klondike bar.

Cosima tells them that she is ready and willing to collaborate with all things Dyad, but she wants to know if she can see Kira. Once the Dyad guys leave, Cosima shows Scotty the email, which contains Rachel’s schedule. They see that Sarah is getting surgery and they need to stop it.

So you're saying that by the transitive power of myself screaming, combined with yourself screaming, this would lead to a hypothetical scenario in which both test groups would be screaming for an iced cream?

So you’re saying that by the transitive power of myself screaming, combined with yourself screaming, this would lead to a hypothetical scenario in which both test groups would be screaming for an iced cream?

Dr. Nealon, still with Sarah, tells her that they want to harvest her eggs. If she signs the contract, she’ll get to see Kira. With no alternate choice in sight, Sarah signs off on the procedure.

I'm gonna hunt those eggs like it's Easter Sunday.

I’m gonna hunt those eggs like it’s Easter Sunday.

Kira is having a tea party with her toy octopus while Sarah watches her through a window. She then watches as Rachel enters the room and talks to Kira. Rachel tells Kira that her mother wasn’t very nice and laid hands on her.

And not the fun kind hands that make you tingly in your bathing suit area.

And not the fun kind hands that make you tingly in your bathing suit area.

She also tells Kira that Sarah ran away, just like she ran away from Kira all those years ago. Rachel stares right at Sarah in the mirror and says that even mothers have to do what they’re told. Guys, Rachel is so creepy in this episode I can’t even.

I'm so into myself I'm about to make out with this mirror.

I’m so into myself I’m about to make out with this mirror.

Back at Mrs. S’s house, Mrs. S is on the phone demanding car bombs and action. There’s a knock on the door and it’s Cal and his beard. Cal tells her that he’s Kira’s father and he’s here to help.

Would you like to buy a subscribtion to Vibe magazine?

Would you like to buy a subscribtion to Vibe magazine?

This is an Essence household, thank you very much.

This is an Essence household, thank you very much.

Mrs. S is pissed that Felix didn’t tell her about Cal, but he’s like, “biiiiitch, glass houses.” Through the power of the internet and Kira’s crayon drawings, Cal has figured out the whole clone conspiracy.

Can you order whiskey for delivery?

Can you order whiskey for delivery? Domino’s isn’t cooperating

Before they can dig into it, Felix gets a call from Art. Helena showed up on his doorstep and is now eating his cereal with her bare hands. Helena also says “hi sestra brother” into the phone and it’s pretty adorable. Felix rushes over to babysit Helena, and to maybe get a handful of those Golden Grahams.

And bring over some peanut butter and Nutella, this weed is just starting to kick in.

And bring over some peanut butter and Nutella, this weed is just starting to kick in.

Sarah is led through the Dyad corridors, where she encounters Duncan, who is also rocking prisoner scrubs. He tells Sarah not to despair, but it kind of seems like despairing is in order here.

Meet me at the greenhouse, Red's got a tunnel!

Meet me at the greenhouse, Red’s got a tunnel!

Felix gets to Art’s place, where Helena regales him with the story of Jesse the truck driver and their bar fight of love. Art asks Helena if she knows anything about the ranch, and Felix asks her if she burned it down.

Gilly, did you burn down the fish farm?

Gilly, did you burn down the fish farm?

What?

What?

GILLY!

GILLY!

Sorry!

Sorry!

Helena smiles and says no, which is her way of saying “obviously I did it, and I’d do it again.” Helena also tells them that after her heartbreak, she became roommates with a very good girl who had a crisis of faith.

We then cut to Gracie and Belt Buckle on the lam, where he assures her they can start fresh. Gracie wonders if she is sinner because she hopes her dad is dead, but he tells her he had it coming. She says that God will have to deal with both of them and the baby.

I spy, with my little eye, something impregnated by their father.

I spy, with my little eye, something impregnated by their father.

Back at Mrs. S’s house, Cal has drawn out a massive diagram of Dyad and all its ancillary shell corporations. Apparently they have dozens of SuperPACS and research groups all working on securing genetic patents. Mrs. S is like, “duh, I know” but Cal mansplains that she can’t internet like he can. You better check yourself Cal; Mrs. S has car bombs on speed dial.

If you get red sharpie on my table I will murder you in your sleep.

If you get red sharpie on my table I will murder you in your sleep.

Basically, Cal is communicating with the person that tried to hack him. They open a chat window, where Cal asks for Mystery Person’s help. MP tells him to ask Siobhan about Castor, and Siobhan tells him that she has people on the inside too.

I'll help you...into an early grave, bitches! XOXO, A

I’ll help you…into an early grave, bitches! XOXO, A

Cut to Mrs. S in an abandoned building, where she is met by Paul and a hummer full of military men. She asks is Paul is still ready to be a double agent and offers him a cup of tea.

Army Ranger Ken Doll

Army Ranger Ken Doll

Duncan watches Rachel’s childhood videos in the screening room while Rachel brings him tea. She wants to know why her father isn’t decoding all the data for Dyad, and he tells her that he’ll unlock it when they cure Cosima.

Uniforms and tea...is this what British prison is like?

Uniforms and tea…is this what British prison is like?

She demands the cipher key, but he refuses to give it to her. He asks if she remembers how much he loved her, and she tells him that she doesn’t: that’s why she keeps watching the tapes. Duncan starts choking and dying, having poisoned himself with his own tea bag.

Pooping is hard

Pooping is hard

Rachel cries and demands that he doesn’t leave her again, and he tells her that she doesn’t deserve him anymore. Despite Rachel being such an unsympathetic character, it is still a heartbreaking scene. All the acting awards for Tatiana Maslany, please.

If you don't give me the key I will unhinge my jaw and swallow you whole!

If you don’t give me the key I will unhinge my jaw and swallow you whole!

Back in the abandoned building, Paul and Cal meet. Mrs. S is like, “I don’t know how Sarah does it” which is pretty funny considering she banged a guy in a public restroom just a few episodes ago. Game runs in the family. With Cal is Marion Bowles, Rachel’s boss. Mrs. S gives Marion information on Castor in exchange for her help in rescuing Sarah and Kira.

So I understand you're one of Sarah's many side pieces, yes?

So I understand you’re one of Sarah’s many side pieces, yes?

Back at Dyad, Cosima visits with Kira. Cosima suggests they do a science experiment together, and Kira is all over it, as she is a genius baby. Cosima has Kira try to punch a hole in some paper with a pencil, and talks to her about force, acceleration, etc.

I want you to pretend that this picture is the patriarchy, and that pencil is a righteous sword of lady justice.

I want you to pretend that this picture is the patriarchy, and that pencil is a righteous sword of lady justice.

While she does this, we cut back to the lab, where Cosima and Scotty are rigging some sort of contraption based on the science she is teaching Kira. If physics were this exciting in high school, maybe I would have paid more attention.

I don't know Cosima, now doesn't seem like the best time to build a bong.

I don’t know Cosima, now doesn’t seem like the best time to build a bong.

Cosima is getting sicker and sicker, and makes Scotty promise he’ll help Sarah. Scotty has swiped a Dyad passkey and assures Cosima he’ll get the device to her. Cosima has Kira draw a picture of what she learned, and they hug and are really sweet together.

Science, bitch!

Science, bitch!

Sarah gets strapped to a gurney and is taken into an OR. Dr. Nealon walks in and tells Sarah that instead of harvesting her eggs, he’ll be taking one of her ovaries out for research. He assures her she’ll still be able to have babies; in fact, he’s counting on it. Scotty, disguised as one of the nurses, sneaks in and tells Sarah he’ll get her out.

Also, since this procedure is out of network, you'll be responsible for 80% of the cost.

Also, since this procedure is out of network, you’ll be responsible for 80% of the cost.

Son of a bitch!

Son of a bitch!

Rachel walks in and asks for a moment alone with her sister. She shows her the drawing that Kira made, which has a fire extinguisher on it. Sarah calls Rachel a psycho, and Rachel demands that Sarah give her the cipher key.

That fire extinguisher isn't even drawn to scale, GO BACK TO RISD, KIRA!

That fire extinguisher isn’t even drawn to scale, GO BACK TO RISD, KIRA!

Sarah has no idea where the cipher key is, but Rachel refuses to accept that. She takes the vials of Kira’s bone marrow and smashes them on the ground. What a dick move.

You it's bad when Rachel's perfect hair get disheveled.

You it’s bad when Rachel’s perfect hair get disheveled.

Rachel goes to leave, just as Sarah eyes a note on the extinguisher that says “squeeze.” Sarah squeezes the handle and shoots a pencil right into Rachel’s eye! YOU GUYS, SHE BLINDED HER WITH SCIENCE!

It's poetry in motion/ And when she turned her eye to me...

It’s poetry in motion/
And when she turned her eye to me…

Pages: 1 2See entire article on one page

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!

Chelsea

Chelsea Steiner was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, where she works as a screenwriter/blogger/sex educator. She's the writer/director of Thank You Come Again, a queer sex positive web series based on her experiences working the Pleasure Chest, which you can follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She’s obsessed with dachshunds, Buffy, 90's dance parties, and roller derby. She loves the word "Jewess" and wishes more people used it to describe her. Follow her ramblings on Twitter and her cute puppy pics on Instagram.

Chelsea has written 46 articles for us.

11 Comments

  1. The captions under Cosima and Alison meeting Cal made me laugh so hard that I startled my cat from across the room. A+

  2. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the male clones – I totally did not see that twist coming – but really hope it doesn’t become too much of a focus because part of the reason I love Orphan Black is that it’s a show driven predominantly by well developed, nuanced female characters.

    So many questions! I’m already excited for series 3. Also, the clone dance party was possibly the greatest moment so far on a show full of great moments.

  3. “This is an Essence household, thank you very much.” Liiiiiiiterally spit out some lentils.

    Such a good recap, SUCH A GOOD EPISODE. I’m so impatient though, that as soon as I finished watching it I googled “orphan black season 3 theories” because like WHAT THE FUCK

  4. I too am worried that the show might veer from is staunchly feminist structure by introducing male clones, but I’ll wait to pass any judgement till I see.

    Also, can’t wait till Helena burns down the Canadian army.

  5. That clone dance scene <3 Though, I was worried for Cosima there, when she took off her nose-tube-thingies and then when she put her hand to her chest during the dancing. I for sure thought she'd collapse and that would just have been awful. Thankfully, she didn't, and we get to have her for s3. Also, I loved how they all danced differently. And Helena, biting her dress xD

    Can't wait to see what Rachel's new eye accessory will look like. Will she have a muted color, something elegant? Or classic black? Or go wild and have something colorful or patterned or bedazzled? Only time will tell.

    The male clones. I'm intrigued. When we saw the guy doing pull-ups, and Sarah said she knew him, I got excited cause I was sure it was Felix. Or well, a Felix-clone. Alas :/ But, I'm thinking if this guy's cast to play clones? I'm assuming he's good. (But man, Felix-clones would've been so much fun! Oh well. There's always that video Jordan Gavaris posted to his youtube account. Better than nothing xD)

    Oh oh, also, I read that Tatiana Maslany improved some – if not all? – of that interrogation scene. Like, they had questions written down, but she came up with the answers. So she came up with the tearful 'yes'. So basically, she gets to make character history decisions? :D And that scene whith Rachel and Paul? Maybe it's been said already, but they improved that scene, I hear. And the hand thing? That was TMas decision, and Dylan Bruce didn't know /that/ part. Ah, the fun it must be to be an actor on that show xD But yeah. Random improv here and there, I guess, then. ^^

    I'm afraid if I go on, I'll write way too much. But awesome recap, as always :)

  6. This recap kind of made the episode.

    WHY ARE THEY SO MEAN TO HELENA??

    I am scared to get my hopes up re:male clones, but so far this show has done an amazing job of telling stories about complex, bad-ass women, and I’m pretty sure that representation is important to the people behind the scenes. Based on how creepy Belt Buckle is as well as the fact that Project Castor has that militant look, I’m thinking the male clones will serve a much more antagonistic role. I definitely get the sense that they are more there as a foil to clone club than to have a story of their own.

    Also, that dance party.

  7. That twist at the end! HOLY SHIT! I’m so excited for the third season! I also doubt that Castor clones are going to be the main focus since Belt Buckle hasn’t really been developed enough for a “plot spin-off”. I was actually expecting Paul to be a clone because his character is more fleshed-out.

    And I agree – that dancing scene was amazing for the sheer brilliance of Tatiana’s acting ability.

    p.s. I appreciate you changing the spelling to “sestra”. I notice that people everywhere else still spell it “seestra” and it instantly drops my head to the desk because no.

  8. Two notes: 1) Sarah doesn’t tell Cosima *they* can’t *figure it out* without her, she says “I can’t do this without you”. There’s much deeper meaning about how close they are and their emotional ties.

    Secondly, when Cosima hallucinates Delphine, the hallucination says “I’ll never leave you”. That’s just me being naively hopeful.

Comments are closed.