Orphan Black Review: Gag or Throttle (Season 5 Episode 7)

Just when I start to think Rachel couldn’t sink any lower, she starts to redeem herself! Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 7 “Gag or Throttle” is all about Rachel.

What really makes this episode interesting is that it’s not just about Rachel as the menacing head of Dyad — it’s also about a disturbing “My Body, My Choice” narrative that delves into what it’s like for someone not to belong to themselves.

This episode of Orphan Black explores what it was like for Rachel growing up a self-aware clone and makes me feel a bit of sympathy towards her.

When Rachel was introduced at the end of Season 1, we were told that she was raised knowing what she was, but never saw how that affected her growing up. In this episode, we get to see exactly how that upbringing conditioned Rachel and shaped who she is today.

“Gag or Throttle” is also the first episode where we’ve seen the same clone at three different stages of her life. We get to see the child version of Rachel, and then we get to see Rachel as a young woman. Through all this, we watch her process and accept the exams and the experiments that are done to and on her, and it is eye-opening.

The storyline comes with its own downside, but it marks a turning point for Rachel because she’s finally reached a point where she’s ready to say “ENOUGH!”

In addition to the flashes to Rachel’s past, we get to see a few glimpses of Rachel’s first meeting with P.T., and we hear a promise made to her that the patent on her genes, originally presented in the Season 1 finale, would no longer apply. He even has her sign some legal documents that would give her autonomy.

Very quickly, that goes out the window when Rachel sees her number on her medical records. Despite the promises made to her, Rachel still isn’t a person. She’s a clone, a lab rat, and that’s all she will ever be to Neolution.

All of these promises that have been made to her over the years don’t hold water, and that realization starts a very distressing journey for Rachel. It’s a journey that the stone-cold pro-clone doesn’t seem emotionally ready to handle.

This stings enough, but just when you think you’ve figured Rachel out, another layer of the “My Body, My Choice” theme is added to the mix.

Rachel discovers the ultimate betrayal — that she’s been used as a spy for P.T. Westmoreland, with the help of her bionic eye.

Not only does Rachel not have her autonomy after being fed a bunch of lies about being “like a daughter” to P.T., but now she’s discovered that a part of her body has been working against her.

Rachel has always been a clone that sits on the outskirts of what Sarah and her crew are doing. She’s had a different upbringing and a different mindset throughout the entire series. She believes that she is special. Everyone around her has perpetuated that belief, and seeing her unravel at this moment is emotional to watch.

Ultimately, the way this delusion is shattered turns Rachel towards Sarah and the rest of Ledas, and — although I never thought I would say it — I couldn’t be happier to see Rachel work in favor of her sestras.

Rachel’s shift in allegiances doesn’t have a triumphant fireworks display, change-the-color-of-your-uniform tone to it. It’s full of sadness, regret, and maybe a bit of longing. It’s bittersweet to watch, but I think this is what Rachel needed.

She’s grown up in this corporation and tried to find a way to make her own choices. At every turn, she hits roadblocks from those who “own” her.

While I’m happy to see Rachel betray P.T. Westmoreland, her fate at the end of the episode is unclear. I had the feeling that Rachel would do something to her eye soon after she discovered the tablet with the live feed.

Prior to this episode, I fully expected Rachel to be a Leda clone that would be sacrificed in the finale. I didn’t expect any impending death to be by her own hand.

The final scene is gruesome, but it still has a heartbreaking note to it.

Also, on some level, I find myself cheering Rachel on. I’d been doing that since she put on her eye patch, but after seeing her euthanize a clone, I knew she had more of a defiant spirit in her. While the scene was uncomfortable for me to watch, I also felt a little underscoring of “you don’t own me” and “take that P.T.” in her actions.

Stray Thoughts

• Holy moly! Alison is back and her hair is purple. I’m honestly kind of digging this relaxed Alison. Alison is also a clone that was sort of a product of her environment and the community. Seeing her back and free like this is quite the tone shift for her, but it may be just what we need in these final three episodes.
• So now all the Leda clones know who P.T. Westmoreland really is! Who wants to bet this doesn’t end well for him and the potential angry mob in Revival?
• Awww, it’s a Cosima and Scott reunion! These two have been apart for way too long!
• What the heck does Koady want with Mark’s ejaculate? Wasn’t she using that to sterilize women?
• Also, Mark’s back and so is Grace. I am really hoping this ends well! I was pulling for them when they escaped the Neolution cult.
• Speaking of Castor clones, does anyone buy that Ira is dead? I honestly think he and Mud might be forming a resistance somewhere in the woods. Until proven otherwise, or the series finally comes to an end, I’m going with “if you don’t see the body, then the character isn’t dead.”

What did you think of this episode of Orphan Black? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 10/9c on BBC America.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!