Last summer, Netflix released the first season of it's newest show, "Orange Is the New Black," to little (if any) fanfare. Granted, the release was still met with some interest since it was the site's second major series launch of the year after "House of Cards" in February. When "Orange Is the New Black" premiered in July, there was talk, which only intensified throughout the summer. The show caught fire as more and more fans flocked to Netflix to check out this interesting, thought-provoking, hysterical yet poignant, and suspenseful dramedy revolving around a women's prison. Was it the formula for a surefire hit? Of course not. But "OITNB" was the only show people could talk about, even when Emmy season rolled by and the show was not even eligible (because of its premiere in July, the first season will be eligible for this season's Emmys, and the second cycle will compete for the Emmys in 2015). And throughout the winter, it seemed anyone who hadn't gotten in on the "Orange" action was catching up, and thanks to Netflix's release pattern, that was entirely possible since all 13 episodes were made available right away. The revolutionary way of watching TV, plus an intriguing premise, outstanding performances, killer smart writing, outstanding direction, and water-cooler moments had everyone singing the praises of the show. As a new year rang, fans were ravenous for me, and last Friday, they got just that as Netflix premiered the entire second season of "Orange Is the New Black."
There is a common belief in the world of television of a sophomore slump, where a show that shined in its first season will decline in quality in its second season. It is plagued many great shows, and while there are few exceptions (recent examples include "Grey's Anatomy" and "New Girl"), it is possible for a show to see no downward dip. Luckily, for "OITNB" fans, this second season doesn't slow down or pale in comparison to the great first season. In fact, if possible, it improves.
Of course this is all a gut reaction. Unlike TV shows that unfold one episode a week, users could, if they wanted to, watch all episodes of season two of "OITNB" in a row, starting early Friday morning and finishing by dinner time the same day. But since most of us aren't hermits, and sitting in front of the television for thirteen hours straight is exhausting, it takes even the most dedicated of fans a couple of days. Personally, I binged six episodes on Friday, three on Saturday, none on Sunday (although I was wishing the whole day I could), and the final four episodes on Monday. I wanted to get the season done as soon as possible and soak it all in, but with hour-long episodes and the one-liners flying all around, it's easy to miss so much, which is why I plan on re-watching the season one more time during the end of summer or early fall. And you won't find me complaining. Why? Because I could watch this season again right now.
Sometimes, flying through thirteen episodes can seem like a chore and there can be so much happening that you get yourself confused. I can say that I experienced that when I watched season two of "House of Cards" is one week this past February. You won't find that with the new season of "OITNB." Even with a large ensemble, every story is perfectly fleshed out and receives as much time as it should. You are bound to have strong feelings on each character, no matter how small their story. The flashbacks that the show uses to inform audiences about inmates' former and free lives are anticipated for answers. Season long arcs do not disappoint in the least. If you're like me, you'll be laughing out loud, gasping for air, and jumping and clapping (more on that later) by season's end.
For the purpose of not spoiling viewers who haven't made it through the whole season like yours truly, I've broken up the reviews by episode. This post contains reviews for episodes 1-3, with reviews for 4-13 coming later this week and into next week.
Episode 1 (Thirsty Bird): The show takes a huge risk by placing the focus of its season premiere solely on two of the major players, but because this is Netflix and viewers don't have to wait a week to see everyone else, it's not a huge disadvantage. Actually, it works out well in the viewer's favor. The premiere picks up with an intense opening that sees Piper being pulled out of solitary and dragged out to a bus. Fans of season one remember the intense cliffhanger with Piper beating up Jesus-loving and deranged assailant Pennsatucky, yet the premiere is in no rush to answer the question that's been on our minds in the off-season: What happened to Pennsatucky? (With Taryn Manning, the actress playing Pennsatucky, upped to series regular status, we were 99% sure she survived.) The suspensefulness of the opening scene basically stays the entire episode, as even viewers are left to wonder why Piper is being placed on a plane and sent to a new, much less friendly prison. Once we see Alex at the new prison, things become a little more clear. Alex's former drug boss has been captured, and Piper and Alex are set to testify against him. The end of the episode, which finds Piper (against her wishes) testifying that she'd never met the man while Alex goes against her word and testifies that she knows the man, eventually working out a plea bargain that has her free to go, while Piper remains incarcerated. It's equally heartbreaking and anger-inducing as Alex, who'd told Piper she would lie on the stand, instead ends up a free woman despite being the one more deserving of jail time. It's easy to hate Alex, as stated from the beginning of season one, but even as Piper grew to love Alex last season, there is still reason to hate her, so when Piper screams at Alex as she walks away a free woman at the end of the episode, we share her pain. One final note: Taylor Schilling does an outstanding job in this episode, with highlights including the previously mentioned final scene and her revisiting of the Pennsatucky attack while talking to a plane passenger. This should be her Emmy tape for next year, just a heads up.
Episode 2 (Looks Blue, Tastes Red): After spending an episode with strictly Piper and Alex, we get almost a "Side B" season premiere as we revisit all of the other prisoners. Here, we get some of the answers we'd been searching for. Pennsatucky survived the attack, but was also placed in solitary, and this episode sees her release. Healy, who had seen the girls arguing before the fight broke out, pleads with Pennsatucky to keep quiet about what she saw, and she strikes a deal for a new set of teeth, since her already seriously messed up teeth were even further messed up (aka completely knocked out) in her beatdown from Piper. Her mouth is hard to look at, so it's good that she's got a brand new mouthful of pearly whites by episode's end. We see what has happened to Red now that she has lost not only her position as head of the kitchen, but the respect of her prison family, including Gina who she indirectly burned with a grease fire last season. She seemingly finds a new family with the elderly prison inmates. The majority of the episode revolves around a mock job interview that Taystee is competing in, and here we see some of her background story. Taystee was an orphan who got that name from a woman she meets named Vee, who becomes a mother figure to Taystee. Vee is also a drug dealer, which is important to the story, but what we really get from these flashbacks is that Taystee was taken in by a unique kind of family of her own after being up for adoption as a child. By episode's end, we don't know what it is exactly that landed Taystee in prison, but we do get a sight that really kickstarts the whole season: Vee, Taystee's "mother," has landed herself in prison with her "daughter."
Episode 3 (Hugs Can Be Deceiving): The breakout star of season one of "OITNB" was undoubtedly Suzanne aka Crazy Eyes, so fans were ravenous for a flashback episode for Piper's one-time prison wife. It doesn't disappoint. From an early age, we can tell Suzanne is different, and it's a heartbreaking story that shows Suzanne's self-doubt and fear of being included has haunted her her whole life. In mirroring flashbacks, we see Suzanne freeze at her high school graduation before she is due to sing a song, and then we flash forward (but still backward?) to the season one Christmas pageant where Suzanne freezes up. The result? An upset Suzanne stumbles outside to see Piper beating up Pennsatucky, then tackles Piper over and screams about Piper being her "mommy." It appears Suzanne's mental issues are far more severe than just being crazy for the sake of laughs, but it's a genius twist on the behalf of the writers. Suzanne's self-doubt works as a tool for Vee, who takes Suzanne, who is largely ignored by the other girls (specifically, Taystee, Watson, Poussey, and Black Cindy), under her wing. Vee uses Suzanne's lack of confidence to make her a minion. It's the beginnings of bad things from Vee. This episode also saw the arrival of Brook Soso, who really is there to show us that Piper is not taking any "ish" anymore. Her episode-ending confrontation with Soso ("I'm a lone wolf, and a vicious one. Don't make me rip your throat out") is a promise that Piper has changed for good, and for the better.
These first three episodes are among my favorites of the season, largely because "Thirsty Bird" is unlike any episode of "OITNB" we've seen so far, and Taystee and Crazy Eyes are among my favorite characters, so I've been dying for their flashback episodes. More episodic reviews coming later this week...
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