Harnessing Momentum: The Rise and Fall of Orphan Black: Echoes

A show’s momentum can make the difference between life and death in the fickle world of television. That was demonstrated recently, when AMC cancelled its sci-fi spinoff Orphan Black: Echoes after just one season. While the Krysten Ritter-led show (which would eventually become the final iteration of the Orphan Black universe) failed to replicate the buzz and cultural importance of its predecessor, it stands as a tragic tale of momentum’s importance around the edges of entertainment.

The Unwavering Power of Legacy

With Tatiana Maslany leading the cast of the thrilling sci-fi series Orphan Black, which premiered in 2013, viewers were quickly hooked on the story of clones and remained with it for all five seasons, right up to its 2017 ending. And the show was not just a success with audiences; it was critically acclaimed, with high viewers’ ratings and reviews, making any follow-up series a difficult act to follow.

A New Chapter with Orphan Black: Echoes

AMC hoped to revive the franchise when it premiered the sixth season, Orphan Black: Echoes, in June 2024, catapulting it into 2052 and the era of the climate crisis. It introduced new characters, like Ritter, alongside Amanda Fix and Keeley Hawes, in a bid not only to mix old elements with new ones, but also to bring new aesthetics and techniques to this changing audience, one year away from the 2053 in which the series was set. Similar to the first series that aired on BBC America, Echoes disappointed the wider audience and the critics. It received a shocking audience review score of 47 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Momentum Dilemma

As IGN’s review of Echoes tells it: ‘Once the series hits its fourth episode, it starts to pick up steam, and the backend of the season is much stronger.’ The importance of momentum can’t be overstated when it comes to a TV show’s ability to survive. To build momentum, the programme must catch the audience’s attention early on, and keep it through the course of the series. For Echoes, that momentum came too late.

Analyzing the Momentum of Viewer Engagement

The cancellation of Orphan Black: Echoes carries a lesson about the pressure points of modern entertainment: how shows need to capture viewers’ interest and pay them back for their investment, and how quickly those who don’t measure up can fall by the wayside. The sense that the series couldn’t quite get off the ground, then sustain its momentum, pointed to how hard it is to preserve the core appeal of a hit while pushing a second series in a bold new direction.

The Critical Role of Critical Acclaim and Audience Perception

Although Echoes ultimately received some positive reviews, the mixed reception revealed a schism between critics and the audience in what they expect from a spin-off to an established series. This critical divide may well be an insurmountable hurdle in the quest for longevity on TV, casting a shadow of doubt over a show’s prospects for success from the relative safety of launching platforms. Build momentum to maintain the forward drive essential for a satisfying and sustained TV viewing experience.

Conclusion: The Momentum Behind a Show’s Lifeline

Orphan Black: Echoes tells a story about the fraught work of carrying forward momentum for a successful franchise. It’s a reminder of the stakes of pleasing viewers.

Understanding Momentum in Television

Television producers tend to use the term ‘momentum’ to describe how much interest and attachment a show is able to generate over the course of its run: viewers’ anticipation and excitement, continuity over time from one episode to the next, and buzz about the show outside of its airing. Good shows design stories that will build in ways that keep viewers hanging on for more. This kind of momentum is especially important for shows that suffer from low ratings and cross-platform viewing. It requires the delicate combination of pleasing long-term fans and attracting new viewers. In theory this is simple; in practice, it’s not.

How can this journey from anticipation to cancellation help the industry realise that momentum is often so critical? Understanding and capitalising on it from the start – honouring what came before and envisioning a path forward – should be an important lesson given that both viewer expectations and media consumption patterns continue to evolve. At a time when viewer expectations and media consumption patterns are always shifting, Orphan Black: Echoes offers creators and networks insight into the wild ride of television storytelling.