"Orange Is The New Black" is part of NetFlix's original programming (along with "House of Cards" and "Hemlock Grove"). All 13 episodes were releases simultaneously. I think NetFlix hit a home run with this one. I'm LOVING it! The show (based on Piper Kerman's memoir about her real life stay in prison) is at times quirky, endearing and cringe worthy. It is definitely no "Oz" though (thank goodness). As one prison counselor puts it "women fight with gossip".
The story follows a cute blond yuppy (Piper Chapman). She has a wonderful life with a loving fiancé (Larrry portrayed by Jason Biggs), family and in-laws. She makes artisanal beauty products with her best friend Polly and sells them at Barneys. Years ago she carried some drug money for her then girlfriend and now must do her time in the Litchfield NY federal pen. Prison is obviously a big adjustment. First of all, no one knows what Barrneys or artisanal lotions are.
There is a large cast of characters in "Orange". Each episode focuses on the present day goings on in the prison and flashes back to one prisoner's past (so you see how they got there).
I also like the way the show deals with sexuality. Some women are gay, some are not and some as just gay while in prison. Its not a big horrifying experience (as a number of other shows depict it) when Crazy Eyes tries to court Chapman. She brings her flowers and tries to hold her hand. Chapman keeps trying to tell her she already has a fiancé (which doesn't slow Crazy Eyes down much).
The main characters so far are:
I also like the way the show deals with sexuality. Some women are gay, some are not and some as just gay while in prison. Its not a big horrifying experience (as a number of other shows depict it) when Crazy Eyes tries to court Chapman. She brings her flowers and tries to hold her hand. Chapman keeps trying to tell her she already has a fiancé (which doesn't slow Crazy Eyes down much).
The main characters so far are:
- Chapman (Piper)- apparently you can only use last names (or nicknames) in prison. She's the main character around which all action revolves. Taylor Shilling does an excellent job of portraying every emotion possible. Give that woman lots of awards.
- Red (Galina Reznikov)- an older Russian woman. We're not sure what she's in for yet but she runs the kitchen. If she doesn't like you, you don't eat (or may be served something really gross). Red is portrayed by Kate Mulgrew of Star Trek fame. It took me two episodes to recognize who she was.
- Vause (Alex)- Chapman's ex girlfriend and the reason she's in jail in the first place. Uh can say uncomfortable. What are the odds of that happening in real life? The character is portrayed by Laura Prepon from "That 70s Show".
- Miss Claudette- were not sure what's she's in for yet but she runs a very tight ship and does not suffer fools; portrayed by Michelle Hurst.
- Crazy Eyes- is determined to make Chapman (who she refers to as Dandelion) her girlfriend whether she likes it or not; delightfully portrayed by Uzo Aduba. Give that woman lots of awards too!
- Nichols (Nicky)- she shows Chapman the ropes; portrayed by Natasha Lyonne
- Big Boo (Carrie Black)- don't turn your back on her; portrayed by Lea DeLaria
- Diaz (Daya)- as they enter the prison she is slapped by a woman who turns out to be her mother; develops a relationshp with a guard; portrayed by Dascha Polanco.
- Pornstache (George Mendez)- a guard, he thinks all the inmates want to have sex with him. Yeah right. So far he's just been a perv and not crossed the line with anyone. Lets hope it stays that way; portrayed by Pablo Schreiber.
- Sam Healy- a case worker who helps Chapman. Seems to be a good person but he is obsessed with lesbians; portrayed by Michael Harney.
- John Bennett- a prison guard who develops a secret relationship with Diaz; portrayed by Matt McGorry.
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