Science Fiction’s Most Memorable Moments Of 2013 – Joelle & David’s Picks

The moments we'll never forget, from Continuum, Doctor Who, and more.

By David Wharton | Updated

This article is more than 2 years old

HelenaDanceHelena Cuts Off Olivier’s Tail (Orphan Black)
Sarah calls on her crazy murderous clone Helena to help her rescue Paul from the basement of a transhumanist nightclub (seriously, how could anyone not dig this show?) with a knife-waving Olivier. Sarah gets captured in her attempt to rescue him and Helena, chock full of spunky madness, saves everyone’s asses. This is why clones are handy, people. While Dr. Leekie and others experimented with clones, Olivier developed his own augmentation. He
screams in pain and defeat when Helena slices off his disgusting little tail.

As I watched this scene, I couldn’t help thinking of Lorena Bobbitt (sorry, guys, but I think the association was intended here). Helena has been abused emotionally, physically (and genetically) for her entire life, symbolically bent over and forced to do other people’s
bidding since she was cloned into existence. The reversal of her bending Olivier over and slicing off what resembles a devil’s tail is particularly resonant. She wants not just to maim Olivier, but to emasculate him, and because everything about Helena is bass-ackward, the appendage she slices off happens to be on the backside. And if that scene isn’t enough, the follow-up scene of Helena dancing in the transhumanist nightclub while holding Olivier’s tail perfectly sums up everything. This chick is CRAZY, but she belongs in that club with the other augmented people. Helena will always dance alone, and the tail is better than a partner — it’s a partner, but a trophy. – Joelle


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