Ep 2. Governed By Sound Reason And True Religion

As the second episode of the second season of Orphan Black, "Governed By Sound Reason And True Religion" continues to explore the complex world that Sarah Manning has found herself in. The episode begins with Sarah and her daughter, Kira, on the run once again, trying to evade the dangerous doppelgänger Helena. Meanwhile, Sarah's sister, Alison, deals with drama in her personal life as she runs for school trustee. Over in Europe, Cosima works to uncover more about the clones' genetic code with the help of her former lab partner, Delphine. And finally, Rachel Duncan, the clone who has aligned herself with their creators, the Neolutionists, continues to pursue her own agenda in regards to the clones' futures.

One of the main themes of "Governed By Sound Reason And True Religion" is the idea of control, as different characters struggle with their own sense of agency and influence over their lives. This is especially evident in Sarah's storyline, as she tries to keep her daughter safe while also dealing with the constant threat of Helena. She is forced to rely on her wits and resourcefulness as she tries to outsmart her deranged clone sister, all while grappling with her own guilt and uncertainty about her place in the clone conspiracy.

Alison, on the other hand, is dealing with more mundane but no less stressful issues as she runs for school trustee. She finds herself at odds with another candidate, Marci, who seems determined to undermine her at every turn. Meanwhile, Alison's marriage continues to disintegrate as her husband Donnie struggles to keep up with the demands of running their drug business. In many ways, Alison's struggles are emblematic of the way that everyday people often feel powerless in the face of larger forces beyond their control.

Cosima's storyline, by contrast, is all about scientific discovery and intellectual pursuit. She travels to London in order to meet with a genetics expert named Dr. Leekie, hoping to learn more about the elusive "original" clone whose DNA seems to be the key to understanding their origins. Along the way, she reconnects with Delphine, her former lover and lab partner, and the two of them work together to try and crack the code that will unlock the secrets of their genetic identity. For Cosima, the quest for knowledge is a way of asserting some measure of control over the fate that has been dealt to her.

Finally, there is Rachel, the mysterious and calculating clone who seems to be in cahoots with the Neolutionists. She continues to push her agenda, even as she finds herself at odds with her own people. Her interactions with her adoptive father, Dr. Leekie, give us a sense of the power dynamics at play within the larger conspiracy, and hint at the possibility of even darker forces lurking in the shadows.

Overall, "Governed By Sound Reason And True Religion" is an engaging and complex episode that further develops the show's richly layered world. While the themes of control and power are present throughout, the episode also deftly balances more emotional storylines (such as Sarah's struggle to protect her daughter) with more cerebral ones (like Cosima's quest for scientific understanding). By the end of the episode, we are left with a sense of anticipation and unease, as the various characters continue to navigate a world that is fraught with danger and uncertainty.