The second season of “Orphan Black” (premiering on BBC America, Sat. April 19 at 9:00 p.m.) is just around the corner, and the network is taunting us with a photo and, yes, episode synopses. Spoiler alert — I've included the synopses at the bottom of the page, and if you don't want to know anything about the new faces joining the show, be careful not to stare too long at the attached picture or read the descriptions. I've tried to post WARNING everywhere I can, but, again, use caution. Just in case you've forgotten anything from season one, though, there's a helpful synopsis below. You will be more than ready for season two!
The show picks up where we left off, with Sarah (the super fabulous Tatiana Maslany) racing to find her missing daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler). The pursuit brings her head-to-head with ruthless pro-clone, Rachel Duncan (Maslany).
This season also rejoins Sarah”s clone sisters Alison Hendrix (Maslany) and Cosima Neihaus (Maslany) as they struggle to keep their clone world a secret and pick up the pieces of their broken lives – all while dealing with the harsh reality that no one around them can be trusted.
As the mysterious world of “Orphan Black” widens, new layers of the conspiracy are peeled back. Season one introduced Sarah, whose life changed dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looked just like her. Sarah learned that, not only were she and the woman clones, but there were others just like them, and dangerous factions at work set on capturing them all. She forged an alliance with fellow clones Alison and Cosima.
This season the trio”s bond remains strong, but they”ve all made choices that have dire consequences. Sarah immediately sets off fighting for survival and risking everything to find Kira and her foster mother, Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy). Unsure who to trust, Sarah starts an all-out war against immense forces.
A member of the Dyad group of companies, clone Rachel Duncan, has been tasked with negotiating the allegiance of Sarah and the other clones. She”ll stop at nothing to complete her mission, using those who love Sarah as leverage, including confidant Paul Dierden (Dylan Bruce). But Sarah is willing to risk everything and employs scorched earth tactics.
Alison signed a deal with the Dyad Institute -– but at what cost? The death of her friend Aynsley and the constant suspicion she”s being watched are taking a toll on her sanity. She finds a shoulder to lean on in Sarah”s feisty foster brother Felix (Jordan Gavaris), who is happy to finally be needed.
Cosima, sick with a mysterious illness, isn”t faring any better. Unfortunately, their enemies might be her only hope, and Cosima must work with Dyad Institute scientist and lover, Delphine, to find a cure.
(WARNING: Don't want to know about the new characters? Skip the paragraph below)
Joining this season are Michiel Huisman (“Nashville”) as Cal, a rugged and resourceful outdoorsman with a sixth sense about people and situations, Peter Outerbridge (“Nikita”) as Johanssen, a mercurial modern-day cowboy and leader of a new breed of religious extremists and Ari Millen (“Nikita”) as Mark, a loyal follower of Johannsen and his religious teachings. Guest starring are Patrick J. Adams (“Suits”) as Jesse, a down to earth guy with guts to match his good nature, and Michelle Forbes (“True Blood”) as Marion Bowles, a powerful new player at the Dyad Institute with a birds-eye view of the war between Sarah and Rachel.
In the photo — from left to right
(WARNING: The character synopses reveal some plot and alliances you may suspect but, hey, still. Proceed at your own risk!)
Dr. Leekie (Matt Frewer) is one complicated villain – an idealist who long ago crossed a deep ethical divide. As Director of the Dyad Institute, he plays God above the clones, but how powerful is he really? Big science vs. big business makes him and Rachel Duncan uneasy bedfellows vying for control of the experiment. While Leekie may ruthlessly lie and manipulate the clones, he has a closet full of secrets about their origins.
Paul (Dylan Bruce) is a man in the middle, torn between his affection for Sarah and the Dyad Institute”s two-pronged leverage of threat and reward; he is being blackmailed with confidential information about his past – his killing of six marines during an incident while serving in Afghanistan. The truth is, he”d likely be dead by now if he didn”t have access to Sarah. This makes him very valuable to Rachel. But how far can Paul be pushed?
(Seated below) Kira (Skyler Wexler) is Sarah”s daughter and the only child ever born to a clone. She exhibits a highly advanced intellect, an acute situational awareness and an uncanny ability to heal quickly – making her invaluable to the Dyad Institute. But Kira is fiercely protected by her family and when she goes missing, a frantic search is forged to find her.
Rachel (Tatiana Maslany) is ruthless corporate efficiency personified. She”s a clone raised self-aware of her genetic identity, occupying an elite position with the Dyad group of companies. Rachel is known to get what she wants, and what she wants is Sarah and her daughter Kira – a biological goldmine – under Dyad control and, more importantly, under her heel. But Rachel may have met her match in Sarah, who not only rivals Rachel”s will, but is entirely unpredictable.
Delphine (Evelyne Brochu) remains Cosima”s femme fatale – both a beautiful confidant and a dangerous conundrum. On the one hand, she”s an objective scientist who must view the experiment as a whole and, on the other, her heart lies subjectively with Cosima. Where will her allegiance ultimately fall?
Cosima (Tatiana Maslany), a scientist sick with a mysterious illness, is fighting for her survival. She”s working with Dyad scientist and lover, Delphine, to find a cure before it”s too late. But while she may not be able to trust those around her, including Delphine, the channel into the Dyad Institute grants her access to the secrets of the clone conspiracy. Cosima knows better than anyone that knowledge is power, and it will take every ounce of her bravery and intellect to save her clone sisters.
Cal Morrison (Michiel Huisman) is a resourceful individualist who walked away from a lucrative tech career when he saw his work co-opted by corporate interests. Now living comfortably off the grid, his hard-won peace is pulled out from under him when old flame, Sarah Manning, crashes into his life, bringing her troubles with her.
Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) has been through clone hell and back, discovering a well of strength and purpose she never knew she had. Sarah remains the center of this mystery – an outsider and reckless rebel going up against powerful forces. After her daughter goes missing she sets off on a wild race to locate her and possibly get closer to the truth of who she is.
Felix (Jordan Gavaris), everybody”s BFF is in for a rocky ride. As Sarah”s lifelong wingman and one of the only people she trusts, he”s constantly caught in the crosshairs of her life. He often feels left behind by Sarah and forges a supportive relationship with Alison. But Felix (aka Fee) has his own life to live too. Clone troubles give way to a stream of unsavory characters, which push his loyalty to the limit and lead him to make new allegiances. But ultimately, Fee will become the glue that holds clone club together.
Alison (Tatiana Maslany) has made a deal with the Dyad Institute to maintain her status quo life, but the sands are shifting beneath her feet. Under the impression that her friend and neighbor Aynsley was her monitor, she stood idly by while Aynsley was strangled to death by a garbage disposal. Now, feeling somewhat responsible, Alison begins to discover a series of disturbing truths – all of which set her on a downward spiral, adrift on a sea of chardonnay.
Donnie (Kristian Bruun) continues to serve as monitor for his wife, Alison (unbeknownst to her). He reports directly to Dr. Leekie, but poor Donnie has no idea about the true nature of the Dyad Institute”s experiment. Alison appeared suspicious towards Donnie in the past, and with her focus shifted to Aynsley (now deceased), Donnie took it as a sign that he”s in the clear. But will Alison”s suspicions stop there? And when their relationship is tested, will Donnie play the role of monitor or devoted husband?
Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy) is clearly more than just Sarah and Felix”s protective foster mother. But where has she gone? What is her agenda? And how deep do her ties to the clone”s creation really run? Mrs. S is a force of nature and has an important story to tell, but can they believe a word of it? Family dynamics are difficult indeed when they rest on a bed of secrets.
(Seated below) Art (Kevin Hanchard) is a good cop in an impossible position, one that”s going to land him in very hot water. But he”s resourceful, tough and beginning to understand what Sarah is up against. Art could be a valuable ally to clone club…if he can just wrap his head around what it really is.
Henrik Johannsen (Peter Outerbridge), a mercurial modern-day cowboy, is one of the shadowy religious extremists ideologically opposed to the clones. But Johanssen is a new breed of zealot. He leads a flock of followers that have broken away from the old world Prolethean brotherhood. Under his messianic vision, the age old divide between science and religion has merged, forming a new and formidable threat.
EPISODE SYNOPSES
(WARNING: These are definitely spoiler-iffic)
EPISODE ONE – NATURE UNDER CONSTRAINT AND VEXED
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 9:00PM ET/PT
In the season premiere, Sarah is out of options, on the run, and pursued by deadly adversaries. Desperate to find her daughter Kira, Sarah suspects ruthless pro-clone Rachel is behind her daughter”s disappearance and sparks an all out war against her. Alison and Donnie attend the funeral of her fallen friend, Aynsley, causing Alison to sink into guilt and despair. Cosima is faced with a perplexing decision that may have dire consequences.
EPISODE TWO – GOVERNED BY SOUND REASON AND TRUE RELIGION
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 9:00pm ET/PT
While Alison struggles with Aynsley”s death and Cosima grapples with the worsening symptoms of her mysterious sickness, Sarah enlists Art”s help to find Kira and is shocked when she learns where the trail leads.
EPISODE THREE – MINGLING ITS OWN NATURE WITH IT
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 9:00PM ET/PT
After hitting the road with Felix, Sarah is forced to turn to a ghost from her past – an old flame named, Cal Morison. When their brief respite is brutally shattered, Sarah realizes that no matter how far she runs, it will never be far enough.
EPISODE FOUR – GOVERNED AS IT WERE BY CHANCE
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 9:00PM ET/PT
Sarah comes home to look for answers. With Cosima”s help, she digs into the origins of the clone experiment. The hunt takes her right into the belly of the beast, but getting out again could cost her more than she knows.
Are you desperate for “Orphan Black” to return?