Orphan Black Review: Guillotines Decide (Season 5 Episode 8)

There are two more bodies in the Orphan Black body count, and it feels like a piece of the show is going to be missing for the last two episodes. Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 8 “Guillotines Decide” is a mix of heavy and lighthearted moments that are sure to set the tone for the final moments.

First, we finally have the Neolution business model laid out in English. One arm of Neolution will cater to the upper crust of society. Their job is to provide directed modification and enhancements through gene therapies so that people can live forever, grow a tail, develop whatever enhancements they might deem “cool.”

The other half, the half the Koady has been working towards, deals with those who can’t afford the price tag of these gene therapies and enhancements, and that involves sterilization. In short, that Season 3 plot with the Castor clones is now making a lot more sense. So does her need for Mark’s semen sample in Season 5 Episode 7 “Gag or Throttle.”

While this plan has been laid out in its many dark and twisted shades, it seems like we can all breathe at least a little, because things are looking up!

For one thing, Felix is having an art show. We’ve seen Felix painting different clones since he first found out that Sarah’s a clone. This episode puts all the paintings on display and lets Felix have a sense of accomplishment that he deserves.

As a character, Felix has been along for the ride most of the time, and seeing him have something that’s his own to be proud of is a great note to hit at this stage in the final season.

The art show also makes good use of the “clone swaps” that have become a staple of the show ever since Sarah stepped in Beth’s shoes at the start of Season 1. This is actually an ironic use of the whole “clones will be clones” trope that’s been carried throughout the entire series. While usually one of the clones has to take on the characteristics of another, this time they get to be seen by all and act like themselves.

The public clone swap parallels nicely with the final piece of the Neolution blackmail puzzle that Mrs. S has been working on. It also reveals her second source: Ferdinand and Rachel. Rachel’s shadow files detailing the dark money trails of Neolution are the key to stopping Neolution once and for all.

These final pieces mean that the Ledas are starting to see the first glimmers of hope in this endless Neolution tunnel. They have a cure that could work for all the Ledas, they could take down Neolution, and they can finally be free. This leads to some smiles and tears, and it all starts to feel like it may be alright.

But that feeling is premature, because the plan to have the Neolution Board kill Ferdinand goes south, and some agents find Helena.

Helena’s attempt to flee the convent once she realizes Gracie’s betrayal is circumvented by the Neolutionist partner that Art was introduced to in Season 5 Episode 1 “The Few Who Dare.” It’s rather unsettling to see her again, but not entirely unexpected. I didn’t really think that Rachel calling off the Neolution dogs would make a difference in the big picture, especially not after Rachel staged her own little rebellion last week by plucking out her bionic eye camera.

It was heartbreaking to see Gracie beg for her life. I can sympathize with her wanting to help Mark and see him be cured, but in the end, she really is just a pawn in this entire conspiracy. Yes, while it’s sad, I also assume that the writers are working towards an endgame with Mark and Koady and Gracie’s death may serve to push Mark over the edge and maybe help overthrow P.T. Westmoreland.

What was really heartbreaking, is the final scene of this episode: Mrs. S’s death.

This is a hard scene to watch because Mrs. S has always been a protector. She’s constantly putting Kira and the Leda clones first, and she’s usually a few steps ahead of whoever they are fighting against, even when her opinion clashes with Sarah’s and that kind of unclouded judgment is something that will be missed.

I’ve personally, always thought that the Leda clones benefited from her experience, and would be lost without her.

I had the idea that we were probably saying goodbye to Mrs. S when Rachel ended her warning call to Siobhan with “Goodbye Siobhan,” which came after watching a montage of S writing a letter, loading a series, of guns, and arranging a bouquet of flowers for Felix. Despite this morose imagery, I was still hoping that her standoff with Ferdinand would end without her death.

Still, if Siobhan had to die, then I am at least glad she took Ferdinand down with her.

That doesn’t stop the tears from springing to my eyes as she looks at the photo of Sarah and Felix as she bleeds out, and I will probably cry whenever I see a photo of a chicken for a good long time.

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!

Marie Avgeropoulos Talks Octavia and the Bunker in ‘The 100’ Season 5 [Video]