Do I Know You? – The episode opens 20 years ago in 2030 with young Kira Manning (August Winter) in class. A classmate vows to convince Professor Eleanor Miller (Rya Kihlstedt) to have drinks with them tonight for $20. When Kira doesn’t respond, the classmate reminds her that she would love to be Miller’s TA. Kira says Miller is brilliant. Later, an assistant (Subhash Santosh) regrets his decision to choose Miller at MIT over Kramer at Stanford. He says the Alzheimer’s drug is ineffective when Eleanor enters the room. Kira shows her the difference in the patient’s pupils from one week ago and today. Eleanor says the patient remembers the object but cannot identify it. She compliments Kiara before leaving.

Kira informs Miller of her decision to accept a postdoc position in Gideon Frankfurt’s (Paul Bates) bioengineering lab. She stresses the need to focus on her work and not be distracted by what is going on between them. Eleanor suggests it is a misunderstanding before wishing her luck.

6 Months Later – Kira reminds Eleanor that she denied anything was going on between them. Eleanor admits to lying because she knew. At a swimming pool, Kira says her mother is a product of illegal cloning. Eleanor attributes her Alzheimer’s research to her mother. Kira and Eleanor kiss.

6 Months Later – Kira speaks on 3D printing of human organs. Eleanor tells Kira that she is very proud of her. Gabe (Dana Abraham) says Paul Darros (James Hiroyuki Liao) is impressed with her work. Eleanor informs Kira of Darros’ new foundation. Kira questions if Darros truly cares about people. Eleanor suggests it doesn’t matter as long as he does some good.

Kira and Eleanor move into an apartment together. Eleanor wants a baby but Kira is undecided.

2 Years Later – Kira tells Eleanor that the print started beating. Eleanor expresses how proud she is of Kira’s success in printing a heart. Later, an IVF doctor (Tara Bastikar) informs Eleanor that her eggs are viable but uterine polyps may complicate her ability to carry a baby to term. The doctor suggests a surrogacy to carry the baby for them. Kira agrees to carry their baby. Later, the women play with a baby.

2050 – Darros and Kira are at an Additive Foundation event. He tells the attendees that Kra’s foundation will make bio-printed organs readily available to those who need them. Darros asks Kira if it would be possible to develop a complete bio-printed organism. She reminds him that human cloning is illegal.

Lucas Manning (Jaeden Noel) leaves for college. Eleanor weeps. Kira embraces her. Later, Eleanor becomes confused while walking to the swimming pool. She takes the same route multiple times before returning home. She tells Kira what happened before explaining how she gets periodically confused. Kira assures her it could be anything. Eleanor says her mother developed early-onset Alzheimer’s when she was about her age. Kira insists on a consult. Eleanor stresses her desire to protect Lucas to ensure it doesn’t mess up his life like it did hers.

Eleanor undergoes a series of tests. She tells Kira that she has requested some time off from work. Kira asks about her Alzheimer’s drug. Eleanor admits it is not working before reminding her that it is virtually ineffective in early-onset cases. She urges Kira to get prepared, in three months, she may not remember her name.

Kira informs Josh Tartakovich (Izad Etemadi) of her plan to create bio-printed neurons for a transplant. He warns that the process will not work for something as delicate as neurons. She says they will alter to process to make it work.

While talking to Eleanor, Kira mentions Lucas. Eleanor cannot remember him. Later, the anesthesiologist (Shuyi Jia) prepares Eleanor for the procedure. Kira is at Eleanor’s bedside when she wakes up. She asks her a series of questions which she answers correctly. At home, Eleanor asks when the last time she spoke to Lucas. Kira claims it has been several weeks. Eleanor says after Kira told her that she took a postdoc position with Gideon, she canceled her appointments and went swimming. The women kiss. The next morning, Kira finds Eleanor not breathing. She pulls her lifeless body into her arms. Sitting alone, she ignores Lucas’ call.

Kira tells Darros that she will create a bio-printed human but only if she destroys the machine afterward. Darros assures her that it is only “scientific exploration” before accepting her proposal.

Kira stresses the need to keep the specs out of the schematics to maintain control of the machine. Later, she places the bird print on a table and walks away when it starts to move. As she pulls back the cover, the bird takes flight.

Josh warns Kira that Eleanor’s print may still get sick. Later, Kira watches as the human print rises from the pink liquid gasping for breath. She is there when Eleanor/Lucy (Krysten Ritter) wakes up on the sofa. Kira asks Lucy if she recognizes young Lucas (Riley Klassen) in a photo. Lucy asks who is the baby. We see a replay of what happened in the intro of the pilot episode.

Kira tells Eleanor/Lucy about their past. Lucy asks to meet Lucas. Kira suggests he would not understand. Lucy asks about the scar on her anterior forearm. Kira says it is from “To Paula in Late Spring” by W.S. Merwin. She recites the first line of the poem – “Let me imagine that we will come again when we want to and it will be spring.” Lucy explains how she felt not knowing her true identity. Kira vows to take care of her. Eleanor asks about Jules (Amanda Fix). Kira denies any knowledge of creating Jules when the episode ends.

 

Orphan Black Echoes Review

The screenplay misses the mark by a mile. The vital aspects of human bio-printing that could have made the show interesting are skimmed over. The scenes in which the technology is shown are brief and nonspecific. In one scene, Josh and Kira talk about the schematics but no specifics.

The show rushed through Eleanor’s death. It would have been nice to see how Lucas dealt with her death, not knowing about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The excessive time jumps omit events like Kira’s pregnancy, labor, and birth. In one scene, Kira agrees to carry their baby. In the next scene, Lucas is a toddler. This all could change in future episodes.

The episode deserves a 4.8. Get more Orphan Black Echoes recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to discuss the latest celebrity news, movies, and TV series.