It has been a long time. I more or less ended my walkabout (a couple quick appearances during that period duly noted) a few days ago. For now, I am back.
This track comes from the ending scene of the Season 2 finale for Orphan Black, a BBC sci-fi thriller that may not have quite made the ratings, but was certainly critically acclaimed and had a devoted fan-base. The series touches on eugenics, the role of nature and nurture in how we end up, the ethics and consequences of disturbing nature for profit, and lays out some possible future consequences (which depending on how the story arc unfolds over five seasons could be dystopian or could offer tentative hope). Tatiana Maslany is the lead actor and she plays multiple characters who share only a face (and a genetic code) in common – otherwise possessing different personalities, nationalities, backgrounds, etc. Some of these clones band together and fight shadowy corporate system against rather long odds. Anyway, not many actors could pull this particular performance off. Doesn’t hurt to have a good supporting cast and show runners.
I’d been DVR’ing the episodes for several years up until the finale last year. Depending on one’s location, there are plenty of streaming opportunities. I finished viewing the series recently during my walkabout. We’ll say it holds up quite nicely on a reviewing. That does not often happen.
Anyway, the series does hit on some themes that have interested me for a while, makes for an entertaining view, and the soundtrack is fun. I’ll try to post up a few more tunes when I have the chance.
Here’s a teaser of the series for those who may not have ever seen it. Just a calm moment in what had been a very stormy season 2.
Same track as in the main post.
Welcome back! As soon as you mentioned “Clone Club,” I knew it would be music from “Orphan Black.” I approve!
I am celebrating this diary and Tatiana Maslani being nominated again for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series with the image I posted when she won her Emmy Award two years ago.
Of course, my comment wouldn’t be complete without a drink. Spirit Cocktails has six recipes for the series. Here’s the shortest video, Orphan Black Cosima’s Hypothosis [sic] Cocktail.
I’ll post a recipe a day from this series as long as the diary is on the rec list.
By all means, please do.
And folks – realize we do have some choices in what we recommend as diaries. What appears in the rec list is what the public takes to be what this particular community values. Choose wisely.
Here’s the next “Orphan Black” cocktail from Spirit Cocktails: Orphan Black Rachel’s Disposition Cocktail.
Seems fitting. I could imagine Helena’s ought to be quite a bit of fun.
“I could imagine Helena’s ought to be quite a bit of fun.” Here it is so you can judge for yourself: Orphan Black Helena’s Mission Cocktail.
Since this diary has fallen off the rec list, this is the last recipe I plan on posting this week. I’ll save the other three recipes for another occasion.
I may want to revisit this series at some point. I barely scratched the surface of the soundtrack. For those with Amazon Prime, the series is currently available for streaming. I’d like to think Orphan Black deserved the critical acclaim it received and that the themes it explores are ones that are ones near and dear to the hearts of many here. Perhaps I am wrong on that last point, but I’d like to hold out some hope.
This song has been covered a few times over the years. Here’s the version that appeared in Orphan Black
Some more electronica from early in the series.
From a scene late in Season Five. Just in case one wants more context, here’s a clip from where this track appeared:
Season 4 offered some punk-ish soundtrack moments:
Both from season 4, episode 4. Both would have fit in fairly well in the aftermath of 1977.
Those responsible for curating the soundtrack were pretty adept at finding tunes that not only fit a particular scene, but which were just obscure enough that many may never have heard these artists otherwise. This one is vaguely reminiscent of something Depeche Mode might have tried closer to their heyday. There was a cohort of electronica artists deeply inspired by 1980s minimal synth and other dangers that made some headway about a decade ago. Still seems to be an interest in this stuff – somewhat retro but with contemporary influences and production values mixed in.
Some of the background music in a scene where one of the non-aware clones, Crystal, is training after a series of unfortunate events. Crystal was quite a character, to say the least, and much sharper than she probably would have appeared to most in that particular universe.
Haven’t quite decided next week, but likely will have something to do with electronic music, and especially covers that barely resemble the original track (something I tend to find especially delicious). In the meantime, I thank everyone who supported Neon Vincent in my absence (or general absence – we all know I popped in a couple times). Also, thanks for the recs for these diaries. I think those of us who have posted vids on them – lately primarily me and Neon – are communicating a set of values that dovetail with a generally liberal or progressive worldview (equality, liberation, empowerment – basic human rights themes). I sincerely hope that those are what matter here. Each time I go on a walkabout, I return to find out if they still do. I am back again, and will find out I suppose.
One of the clones played by Tatiana Maslany, Helena, had this fascinating back story that I won’t go into here, but in her native Ukraine, she grew up on western bubblegum pop – and enjoys singing badly.
Moments like those lightened what were often tense moments throughout the series.