‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ Recap – ‘The Paradox of Joyce’

8/12/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Keeley Hawes and Jordan Gavaris as Dr. Kira Manning and Felix in Episode 108 of ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ – ‘The Paradox of Joyce’. (Photo Courtesy of Sophie Giraud/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular belief that society holds to regarding what we should do when a bully has us against the wall, is to fight back. Because we learn in our youth that socking a bully in the nose, is a great way to teach them a lesson and gain the upper hand. The kind that will garner respect, and anything else we want. But there is one particular problem with that belief. In that, it really only applies and works when we’re kids. Because in the adult world, bullies don’t always respond kindly to a punch. In fact, if they have the determination and the resources, it only infuriates them further and pushes them harder to exert control. But… that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fight back. Since a good right cross can buy us time to think, as evidenced by the next episode of Orphan Black: Echoes on AMC, AMC+, and BBC America.

Because ‘The Paradox of Joyce’ was indeed a moment to breathe for the Eleanor Miller Clone Club. For Darros was indeed wounded deeply by the sucker punch the trio inflicted upon him, and that prompted them to all reunite at the facility run by Craig to figure out next moves and well… downtime prompted all three of them, to chase after answers. For they deserved to know more about how they came to exist and what lie ahead and what information would bring down Darros, so no one else would suffer such a wild fate and that meant some splitting up took place. Wherein Lucy decided to seek out her ex to try and figure out what that tiny little, Apple Watch-esque device had upon it, information wise, and that led to quite the interesting set of surprises for her.

In that, the device was basically impenetrable from a security standpoint. Because an attempt to open it brought about nothing but problems, making it clear that garnering answers there was going to be rough. But what was more important about this journey, was that Lucy found herself at a crossroads. For she struggled to find balance with keeping her love happy and moving their plans forward while saving the day for the other versions of herself and well, as Craig correctly pointed out… this has been her problem for some time now. In that, she must choose which party and cause she’s loyal to after spending years hiding away from the world, and that is no easy call. But she must choose, so in a way, downtime here allowed for clarity and truth to come to Lucy’s mind.

Jonathan Whittaker and Amanda Fix as Craig and Jules in Episode 108 of ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ – ‘The Paradox of Joyce’. (Photo Courtesy of Sophie Giraud/AMC.)

As for the others, well they searched for answers. To better understand how Darros was able to get a scan of Eleanor’s body at age sixteen. Since that could be used to expose him. But instead, that quest went nowhere. Because it meant spending time with an absent-minded mother, who instead offered up a terrifying glimpse for Eleanor regarding her future and that in turn, prompted her to make quite the decision. In that… perhaps the focus of what lie ahead should be split into two priorities: bringing down Darros and perfecting Kira’s neuron technology. Because once this mess was over and Darros was exposed… the sun would still rise and they would go on and all face early onset Alzheimer’s down the line, and well, Eleanor realized that perhaps… she could at least save the younger versions of herself from such a fate.

Which was why she opened up dialogue with Kira, who, did survive that scary run in with Emily by helping her escape Darros’ grasp. Which was another blow to the little man with the big dreams, and once Kira was settled, she and Eleanor agreed to work together to solve the fundamental flaw in all of the print out’s minds to see if all three could find a future. All of which spoke to how productive downtime from a counter strike can be, in fact, it even helped Kira find focus and make amends as best she could to Felix and her son. But alas, eventually, the bully will wipe the blood form their nose and their lips and strike back, and that happened here in some wild and scary ways. In part, because Darros shut down the lab and put Kira’s future at utter risk because of the power he yields, and he of course… gave the order to re-take control of the Clone Club, and it turned out… Xander wasn’t planning on being a hero after all by leaving the complex.

No instead, he was so indoctrinated by Darros’ utter nonsense and desires, that he demanded that Jules get him high once again. So, he could try and replicate what they failed to do; remember the original’s core memories. And his desperation was so great, that he shot Craig. Which led to another juicy cliffhanger, and a bittersweet ending to a powerful episode. One that truly spoke to the gravity of what could lie ahead for a person that was indeed a full-on clone of another and that brought about some powerful moments and some amazing growth from the characters. But truly, dark clouds are indeed gathering on the horizon. For Darros is angry, and he even made a security detail change in the hopes of executing the dastardly plan he is assembling, one that will undoubtedly come to light soon… as we barrel toward the conclusion of season one of this brilliant show. Until next time.

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