We got some much needed insight into the world of Alison and Donnie — as well as Cosima — in the recent Orphan Black episode, “Community of Dreadful Fear and Hate.” We are continuing to see the complexities of each character and learn more about their personal narratives.
But instead of rehashing what happened on Saturday’s episode, just for fun, let’s take a look at which of the Leda clones would make the best candidate to head up a biotech startup.
Cosima
Of course Cosima is the easy pick for a biotech entrepreneur because she’s got the brains and the science background. Technically, it would seem that all of the Leda clones should have the same potential, considering they are genetically identical. But Cosima has the specific education and the urge to be very particularly inquisitive, which would potentially set her apart — not only from the other clones, but from a scientist to a business woman.
But, as she has displayed with her breakup with Delphine, she might not be able to totally let grudges and resentment go when it comes to Dyad and ultimately figuring out their origin. This personal attachment and the following loss could be considered a testament to emotional authenticity, or it could indicate her inability to separate personal life from work — a predicament many men and women come across in business.
Alison
I’m probably one of the few people who is privy to the fact that Alison’s mom, first revealed in this weekend’s episode and played by Sheila McCarthy, is Polly from the 1987 film I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing. It was an obscure film that I love because it showcases how eccentric imagination and solitude can get the best of us in the most innocent sense. Her role in Orphan Black is practically the opposite type of character, which is slightly ironic, considering a show centered around clones who have been previously isolated by the biological operation, there could be some overlap in theme. But I was pleased by her appearance, even if she is now a cruel, critical and judgmental “mother.”
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
But maybe the Type A characteristics Alison has displayed are a reflection of how she was raised. She has managed to start her own “company” selling soaps (prescription pills) to suburban women in her community while simultaneously orchestrating a campaign for school board of trustee.
If anyone out of the Leda clones is capable of setting personal drama aside (perhaps more of a reflection of denial) and sticking to a business plan, it’s Alison. I might not trust her, and if I saw the back end of things as a member of her community, I wouldn’t necessarily like her, but she’d be my vote for the one who’d get the most initial investment for a startup. Should we be concerned that her recent venture is illegal? Sure. But maybe we can set that aside in terms of evaluating what it means to have entrepreneurial initiative.
Sarah
If the leather and black eyeliner gives us any indication, she’s pretty tough – or at least appears to be. We all know at this point that Sarah isn’t taking no for an answer. She’s not backing down. And she’s not going to let anyone betray her without repercussions. Sounds like a fierce startup founder, perhaps?
But we also can assume that she isn’t necessarily interested in personal growth, financially. She isn’t the type to be involved with big business (she despises Dyad, even while generally cooperating). She seems more like someone who could be the brains behind some strategy and negotiating rather than the face of a startup. Or she could be the type of person to single-handedly take down a startup with misdirected intentions that are out of integrity.
I’d say the chances of her starting a company or corporation are quite slim.
Helena
Nope. Not going to happen. If an investor handed over a chunk of change to Helena, I’d questions his or her judgement.
The Leda clones should probably stick to what they’re doing for now — not a good time to look for startup funding, I’d say. Focus on figuring out how you were created and who you need to prevent from killing you next.
But if someone were going to do it, I’d say Alison is our best bet. And Donnie would be a good support system, at least for comic relief when things get stressful.
