Ep 1. Nature Under Constraint And Vexed

Sarah Manning returns in the second season of Orphan Black with a bang. In 'Nature Under Constraint And Vexed,' the show picks up right where it left off in the first season, with Sarah on the run from Neolutionists who are on her trail. The stakes are higher for Sarah and her clones as they battle to stay alive in a world where the science that created them is now becoming a great danger.

The season premiere is full of twists and turns, as Sarah, who is still grappling with the revelation that she's not alone, finds herself in startling situations. The episode does an excellent job of tantalizing fans, drawing them back into the intrigue and mystery that won them over last season.

As the episode opens, we see Sarah frantically running through the streets of Toronto, Canada, dodging Neolutionists at every turn. Her efforts to evade her pursuers are complicated by the fact that she is unaware of the whereabouts of her daughter Kira. Sarah quickly realizes that she must reunite with her loved ones, and she starts reaching out to the other clones in hopes of getting answers.

The various locations used in this episode are fitting for the show's gritty tone, as well as the dark themes of the story. From Sarah's gritty hideout to Cosima's pristine lab, each location has its vibes, which add to the overall feel of the episode. Fans enjoy how each set is meticulously designed to fit the personas of all the clones. The Orphan Black team does an excellent job of crafting a world that is both immersive and believable.

One of the most interesting aspects of Orphan Black's season premiere is the increased focus on Cosima, the intellectual clone who has spent much of the first season playing catch-up. Cosima's character arc takes a darker turn in this episode, as she becomes increasingly overwhelmed by the implications of the Neolutionists' work and her own diagnosis. Her vulnerability, which Tatiana Maslany breathes life into, creates a moving storyline that adds to the already strong narrative.

Another essential aspect of 'Nature Under Constraint And Vexed' is the portrayal of the relationships between the clones. Despite their similarities, each of the characters has different motivations, desires, and goals, making their interactions both compelling and fundamentally human. Sarah's inner struggle leads her to ally with unexpected individuals, while others find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. These carefully crafted character relationships facilitate the plot's complexities, keeping viewers engaged throughout the episode.

The showrunners of Orphan Black have done an excellent job of escalating the stakes in season two. The first episode sets up a series of tense conflicts, from Cosima's life-or-death race to find a cure for herself to Sarah's quest to reunite with her daughter. Like the best science fiction shows, Orphan Black takes its viewers on an action-packed journey, with not a dull moment. The episode's pace is breakneck, but the story never feels rushed, no loose ends. It treats its audience with the intelligence that it exhibits.

'Nature Under Constraint and Vexed' is a fantastic kick-off for the second season of Orphan Black. It's an engrossing entry that manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, and leaves them eagerly anticipating what is still to come. The episode's tight pacing, finely-wrought character beats, and the complex world building will be likely to satisfy fans and bring in new ones.