Orphan Black, a gripping science fiction thriller that burst onto our screens, captivated audiences with its complex characters, intricate plot twists, and thought-provoking exploration of identity and ethics. The show’s genius lies not only in its narrative complexity but also in its masterful use of diverse locations to enhance the storytelling. From gritty city streets to clandestine laboratories, the settings in Orphan Black are more than just backdrops; they’re integral components of the show’s atmosphere and thematic resonance. One particular location that stands out is the sterile, often menacing environment of an office building. But which season of Orphan Black was it that truly delved into the heart of corporate machinations, leveraging an office building to amplify the drama and conspiracy? This article aims to crack that code, identifying the specific season where the hum of fluorescent lights and the click of keyboards became synonymous with danger and revelation.
The Office Building Setting in Orphan Black
Before diving into specifics, let’s consider the inherent significance of an office building as a setting within a show like Orphan Black. Office buildings, in their essence, represent order, structure, and often, control. They are the heart of corporate power, the domain of bureaucracy, and the stage for complex hierarchies. These structures embody a specific kind of anonymity, housing countless individuals each playing their part in a larger machine. The humdrum routine of office life can mask sinister secrets, and the gleaming glass and steel can conceal morally ambiguous actions.
In the context of a sci-fi thriller about clones and corporate conspiracies, the office building becomes a particularly potent symbol. It speaks to the impersonal nature of the organizations pulling the strings, the dehumanizing effects of scientific ambition, and the clandestine operations conducted behind closed doors. The contrast between the sterile, controlled environment of the office and the chaotic, vulnerable lives of the clones further heightens the tension, making the setting a crucial element in the overall narrative.
Identifying the Relevant Season
So, which season of Orphan Black prominently featured scenes set within the confines of an office building? While elements of corporate influence are present throughout the series, Season Two takes the spotlight when considering a prominent office setting. Season Two introduces us to the Dyad Institute’s headquarters, a high-rise structure, modern and sleek that holds the secrets to Sarah’s origins and the machinations of Leekie and Dr. Coady.
Other seasons did touch upon similar environments, but none quite captured the same level of prominence or thematic relevance as the office building scenes within Season Two and parts of Season Three.
Key Scenes in the Office Building
Within the stark walls of the Dyad Institute in season two, several pivotal scenes unfolded, shaping the course of the narrative and revealing critical aspects of the characters involved.
Rachel Duncan’s Reign
Rachel Duncan, the ice-cold clone raised within the Dyad Institute, wielded her power from the upper echelons of the office building. The scenes showcasing Rachel’s interactions with Leekie and her subordinates highlighted her calculated ruthlessness and her unwavering loyalty to the corporation. Her office building became a symbol of her dominion, a fortress from which she orchestrated her plans and exerted control over the other clones.
Sarah’s Infiltration
Sarah Manning, ever resourceful and defiant, found herself infiltrating the Dyad office building in pursuit of answers and a way to protect her clone sisters and Kira. These scenes were fraught with tension, as Sarah navigated the labyrinthine corridors, evading security and piecing together the puzzle of her origins. The office building became a battleground, where Sarah confronted the corporate forces seeking to exploit and control her.
Science Meets Subterfuge
Remember the scenes when Cosima’s intellect was put to the test within those office building labs? We saw her struggle with her health while trying to unlock the secrets behind the Leda clones’ DNA. The lab setting, juxtaposed with the corporate offices, created a contrast between scientific inquiry and corporate control, highlighting the ethical dilemmas at the heart of the cloning project.
These are but a few examples, and the series does sprinkle similar settings throughout, however these scenes underscore the importance of this location.
Thematic Significance of the Office Setting
The office building in Orphan Black serves as a potent symbol for several key themes explored within the show. The most prominent of these is corporate control. The Dyad Institute, with its headquarters in a towering office building, represents the insidious reach of corporations into the lives of individuals. The clones are not treated as autonomous beings but as commodities to be exploited for scientific gain, their identities and autonomy sacrificed at the altar of corporate ambition.
Furthermore, the office building reinforces the theme of surveillance. The sterile, impersonal environment lends itself to a sense of constant monitoring, where every action is observed and every conversation is recorded. The clones, constantly under the watchful eye of the Dyad Institute, are denied privacy and freedom, their lives dictated by the unseen forces within the office building.
Anonymity is another key theme amplified by the office building setting. The endless cubicles, the identical desks, and the generic corporate culture contribute to a sense of dehumanization, where individuals are reduced to mere cogs in a larger machine. The clones, in their struggle for individuality and recognition, fight against the anonymity imposed upon them by the corporation. The office building becomes a symbol of this struggle, a place where identities are suppressed and individuality is challenged.
Conclusion
While corporate entities and their machinations appear throughout the series, Season Two and parts of Season Three of Orphan Black is where the sterile environment of an office building truly comes to the forefront. It serves as a powerful symbol of corporate control, surveillance, and the dehumanizing effects of scientific ambition.
The office building becomes more than just a location; it becomes a character in its own right, shaping the plot, influencing the characters, and reinforcing the thematic core of the show. Orphan Black‘s clever use of locations, from the gritty streets of Toronto to the sterile corridors of the Dyad Institute, elevated the narrative, creating a captivating and thought-provoking experience for viewers. The Orphan Black team was able to create something that resonates so strongly with the audience, because they made the mundane and sterile an important tool for plot.
The inclusion of the office building was not an accident. It served as a constant reminder to audiences of the power dynamics at play and how corporations and governments try to control the populace. This setting choice made the show more realistic and grounded in reality, even when the overall story and plot elements were out of this world.
