We get a really close look at just who is responsible for the cloning experiment and a much more detailed exploration of how their operation works. Meanwhile, we also learn more about Helena and see the repercussions of the police finally catching up to certain pieces of information they should’ve had a while back.

In ‘Parts Developed in an Unusual Manner’, Sarah finds herself needing to find out answers quickly when Paul goes missing. Helena’s back on the hunt for the others, though, and is hoping to use Sarah to get some information (even if she’s unwilling to kill her because of the “connection” she feels they have).

The police are also catching up with the conspiracy much more swiftly now that Sarah’s no longer posing as Beth and slowing down investigations. They begin to double check work that has previously been done and start encountering unexplained DNA matches that link back to Sarah Manning.

The episode ends with Sarah giving up her personal details to Helena so that she’ll help save Paul from Olivier (who runs a club for people with transgenic eccentricities – he himself having, of all things, a small tail). While all this is going on, Cosima is trying to get closer to Delphine and Dr Aldous Leekie, who is right at the centre of the conspiracy with his research centre, The Dyad Institute, known for pushing the limits of scientific experimentation. We don’t get to see much of Alison in the first of these two episodes, but her crumbling marriage and increasing paranoia make for a great story in ‘Entangled Bank’.

There are some great moments throughout the pair of episodes, but the best is probably when Sarah decides to tell the truth to Mrs S about how she is a clone. The two of them coming closer together has been one of the most rewarding relationships on Orphan Black and this development is played really effectively. As soon as Paul learned the truth, it was clear that others would need to get the same knowledge too. Art is getting closer and closer to working it out now, which should be really interesting to watch.

Helena remains a fascinating and complex presence throughout, and she’s certainly much more captivating to watch than any of the recently introduced villains. Many will question why Kira is so comfortable with running off with her into the night, as it’s a fairly baffling thing to do (especially considering the repeated warnings of Mrs S). Kira is just a child, though, so her decisions don’t necessarily have to make sense.

The surprising conclusion to ‘Entangled Bank’ sees Kira hit by a car after Helena is unable to harm her or even successfully kidnap her. It’s certain she’ll survive, but we’re bound to learn something interesting soon about how Sarah is the only one of the clones to have had a child.

These episodes are both strong but it’s hard not to wonder what Orphan Black will lose by revealing so much about its central mysteries. A lot of what makes the show so enjoyable is how it focusses on the smaller details and subtle elements that other narratives might skim over.

Hopefully, the revelations in this double bill will only lead to further compelling mysteries, watching Sarah and the other clones work to solve intricate puzzles is what’s really appealing about this drama. The shady villains and weird science are fun, but there’s much more to Orphan Black than that.

Aired at 9pm / 9.45pm on Friday 18 October 2013 on BBC Three.

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