Now that we are safe from potential spoilers of the end of Season 3 of Orphan Black, the potential loss of Delphine feels particularly sad.
Season 3 brought the certain death of Paul, who at times was definitely against the sisters but at times, tried to help out Sarah in particular (thinking for awhile that she was Beth Childs). The producers made sure to us all that Paul was definitely dead.
Delphine was told by Doctor Nealon that she would not live out the night. And Delphine took that very seriously, trying to make amends to Shay and, of course, one final kiss with Cosima.
Being shot once in the stomach could spell death for a character. But when you are shot in the final episode of a season and you aren't truly blown apart, there is a door hanging open.
Co-creator John Fawcett doesn't think the door is that open. This is what he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:
"I know this will be upsetting to many fans but the story in our minds has always been a tragic love story. Listen, I didn't want to say one way or the other. For us, I believe this is a horrible thing that had to happen. And I know that it's hard and I know that it's emotional and I know there are going to be a lot of people out there going “WHY?!?” But trust me, this was a necessary move to make. And it's necessary in Cosima's story and it's necessary going forward in subsequent seasons — in season 4 and season 5."
What is unsaid in that interview and the fact that Delphine wasn't there for a big chunk of Season 3 is that Evelyne Brochu is a rather busy actress. Brochu stars in the CBC drama "X Company" and that show has been renewed for Season 2. The actress is also in high demand in films, having done films such as "Cafe de Flore"; "Inch'Allah"; and "Tom at the Farm."
We had to wonder when Delphine starts out in the first episode of Season 3 and announces that is leaving for awhile. Delphine tries to play it cool in the scene where she says goodbye to Cosima but her anguish and tears after the door is shut brought tears to us as viewers.
Despite some odd turns and initial distrust, Delphine keeps referring back to the idea of vowing to protect all the sisters, not just Cosima. Clearly, this is done as a sacrifice to her romantic feelings for Cosima.
Later in Season 3, Delphine says to Cosima that "she is French" and understands Cosima taking on a lover. We also see Delphine threaten Shay with a razor blade when she thinks Shay turned against Cosima and his sisters over the copy of "The Island of Doctor Moreau."
Here are some particular reasons why the (potential) loss of Delphine is so sad.
- Delphine ran plenty of interference against those who want to bring harm to the sisters. Whatever you might have thought of Cophine (Cosima and Delphine) or Coshay (Cosima and Shay), Delphine was fighting the good fight and she is an ally you don't want to lose.
- Cosima and Delphine were an amazing ideal couple: go back to Season 1 to see that magic. Even Fawcett admitted that "You can still feel those embers burning between Cosima and Delphine." Could Cosima and Shay have that magic? Coshay fans see the potential. However, true intimacy comes from sharing secrets, and we all that Cosima can't share a lot with Shay about her background. Delphine knows Cosima's secrets and still loves her.
- Delphine brought a French Canadian sensibility to a Canadian TV show in a Canadian TV industry that is mostly separate based on language. Delphine speaks English just fine but with a Quebecois accent. We even see that element come up as part of her character that shows up in among other things, denying jealousy, as we noted earlier. Between Delphine and Megan Draper from "Mad Men," Evelyne Brochu and Jessica Paré gave English Canadians and "Americans" a flavor of Quebecois, a joie de vivre from French Canada, rarely seen on the screen by those audiences.
Ksenia Solo is a lovely actress in portraying Shay and we wish nothing but the best for Shay and Cosima in future seasons. Perhaps the two can develop a trust about Cosima's path and health issues. But it won't be like Cosima and Delphine.
With Brochu's schedule, there may be limited room to show Delphine in flashbacks or memories or even a dream sequence. But if that doesn't work out, we will have Seasons 1-3 and some great memories.
photos credit: Orphan Black
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