Jean and Kathy get together for a look back at their experiences of the series Orphan Black. We have had such a lovely time getting to know each other through our shared love for this show and its characters. Did the show live up to Kathy’s expectations? What’s it like not to binge watch this show? How do we introduce this show to others?

This may not be goodbye forever. We have a couple ideas for some fun one-off shows to do for Orphan Black fans. And after we recorded this, AMC announced they have a new Orphan Black series in development.

Orphan Black Series Wrap-Up

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

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Show Notes & Links

Protest by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, source of the Season 5 episode titles. Read this poem, it’s short and it’s great.

Orphan Black Science Recap on the website The Mary Sue. Thank you, Nina Nesseth and Casey Griffin for breaking down all the crazy science in every episode.

A special parting gift to our listeners: Jean and Kathy Watch Orphan Black’s First Episode: a commentary track we recorded together. Cue this up and watch the episode with us! It will be like you are sitting right there on the couch.

It is as perfect a series ending as we have ever watched and we enjoyed every minute. We also reflect a bit on our journey.

Kathy: “This is the podcast that really got me podcasting.”
Jean: “Same here. Who knew? I had no idea. Just like our sestras didn’t know what would happen next, when Sarah stepped off that train.”

We’ll do a proper wrap up as the last installment of SestraCast, but we’ll need a little time to compose ourselves.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 10

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

All the episodes titles in Season 5 come from the poem Protest by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

The few who dare, must speak and speak again
To right the wrongs of many.

The tagline of this watch/rewatch podcast is that “we make sure not to spoil any storylines beyond the episode we are currently discussing.” We are down to the last two episodes of this show we love, but we keep our promises. Spoiler alert: we are getting a bit emotional about the whole thing.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 9

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Photo: “Helena and behbee Helena”, via Tatiana Maslany’s Twitter account

Lisa MacIsaac of Madison Violet, YouTube video of the singer who performs in the funeral scene

The Parting Glass performed by Celtic Woman, YouTube, the song from the funeral scene

The antepenultimate episode of the series, i.e. the third last. We talk about how it’s nearly impossible to avoid spoilers, and how that has affected Kathy’s experience watching the series. Felix’s Gallery Opening is the Clone Dance Party equivalent of this season, and we enjoy every fun detail, giving us strength for the very emotionally challenging parts.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 8

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Orphan Black: Closer Look with James Frain (YouTube/BBC America) aka Ferdinand

An eye-opening episode. We learn about Rachel’s childhood as the “pro clone,” which means we get a flashback with the long-gone Dr. Leekie (Matt Frewer). And Alison’s back, with a new haircut and a new laid-back attitude. We also ask the question: martini or not? Rachel pours the spirits liberally, but not one drop of vermouth.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 7

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Orphan Black Science Recap (The Mary Sue)

The Masked Singer podcast, Kathy’s new podcast

Krystal is back! It’s another mid-season fun episode, a breather as we hurtle down the path to the series finale. Krystal takes charge, in her quest to unmask Big Cosmetics’ evil plan. (Check out Kathy’s Krystal voice!) Plus, stuff goes down on the Island of Dr. Westmorland.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 6

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Orphan Black Science Recap (The Mary Sue)

Blue Zones (Wikipedia)

Much is revealed on The Island Of Doctor Westmorland. Cosima and Delphine attend a special dinner party at the Big House, for which they must dress appropriately, Victorian-style. Says Cosima: “Frock that!” We learn what makes Kira’s regenerative DNA special, and what Neolution plans to do with our favorite little girl. Will the sestras be able to protect her?

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 5

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Orphan Black Science Recap (The Mary Sue)

Mrs. S. and Sarah go on a mother-daughter road trip to find a Neolution scientist held hostage in a psychiatric ward, and they display some excellent con artist skills along the way. Adele is admitted to Clone Club, and will be paired up with her brother on another assignment to Switzerland to research Neolution patents, even though Felix hates fondue. We are all ready for Kira’s stint as a Dyad lab rat to end.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 4

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Remember “Variations Under Domestication” from Season 1? (Hint: glue gun.) This is the bookend. Alison and Donnie’s journey together has come so far. Bonus: Highland dancing in full Scottish regalia. Yes, really.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 3

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

BBCAmerica Closer Look, Kristian Bruun talks about his mad skillz in mandolin and Highland Dancing, and we learn everyone on set cried filming the final scene

“The Weirdest People Get One,” NSFW Reddit discussion on what did Felix mean when Donnie’s “fruitbowl” was on display

Helena escapes (again) and she's on the lam (again). Cosima finally meets the legendary P.T. Westmorland, who offers her the chance to do great science in his laboratories. Sarah, Siobhan, and Felix concoct the perfect plan to abscond with Kira before Rachel can commence her experiments. But Kira and MK will not play along, preferring to control their own destinies, which leads to heartbreak.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 2

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Jean and Kathy continue their holiday tradition of picking fun and useful gifts for the sestras. Links to all our choices are below!

Season 5 picks up where we were left cliff-hanging, on the Island of Doctor Westmoreland, as we are now calling it. Rachel emerges triumphant as the new face of Neolution leadership, while Delphine tells Cosima to keep pursuing the science (however crazy it may seem). Back on the home front, Art gets a new partner, and we come up with a new rule: assume everyone is a Neolution co-conspirator. It’s just easier that way.

Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 1

Jean MacDonald and Kathy Campbell

Show Notes & Links

Protest, a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the source of Season 5 episode titles

Secret Sestra Santa

Kathy’s gifts
Sarah: SimpliSafe Security System
Helena: Pregnancy pillow; Life straw personal water filter
Rachel: Cutting board for one-handed use
Krystal: Field Notes Heartbeat edition
Kira: Complete portable artist set, including supplies and easel; Minecraft Guide Collection (4 books)

Jean’s gifts
Alison: 4 Person Deluxe Survival Kit Deluxe
Felix: Undercover Disguise Methods for Investigators: Quick-ChangeTechniques for Both Men and Women
Cosima: Galaxy Print Long Underwear; T-shirt: “Families Belong Together”
MK: The Incomparable Robot Embroidered Hoodie
(We recommend an Incomparable Hoodie for everyone!)