Orange Is The New Black Episodes 3-8 Recaps: The BEST New Show on Television (Well Its Really Not on TV Is It?)

"It's just like the Hamptons, only fucking horrible" - Nichols describing prison to Piper

I hereby declare "Orange Is The New Black" the best new show of the year (and I obviously watch a lot of television). Why do I like it so much? It tells the stories of women we don't typically see on television. It humanizes a group of people that we often like to think of as sub-human. The women's sexually is dealt with in a very matter of fact way (whatever you are is whatever you are). The story of Sophia, a transgendered woman, is both heartbreaking and inspirational. No one is a saint and no one is a sinner. Everyone is a little of both. And the show is quirky as hell.

If you have no idea what I'm raving about, "Orange Is The New Black" is part of NetFlix's original programming (along with "House of Cards" and "Hemlock Grove"). The show is based on Piper Kerman's memoir about her real life stay in prison. It follows a cute blond yuppy (Piper Chapman). She has a wonderful life with a loving fiance Larry and a caring family. 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 present day prison and flashes back to one inmate's past (so you see how they got there). Below aresome characters I didnt mention in my earlier review:

Sophia Burset- a transgendered woman; portrayed by Laverne Cox. She better be getting lots of awards for this role or I will start a riot.

The nun (sorry I cant remember her name)- in prison for protesting at a nuclear weapons march; she provides spiritual guidance to the inmates.

Taystee Jefferson- is kinda like the prison clown; she has been in institutions most of her life; she's not sure how to act and what to do on the outside; portrayed by Danielle Brooks.

Morello (Lorna)- drives the prison van and was in a relationship with Nichols; she has a fiance on the outside; portrayed by Yael Stone.

Pennsyltucky (Tiffany Doggett)- a Southerner who says she has a direct line to God but always causing trouble; at first I thought her character was a little over the top but the more I watch, the more I think she's actually brilliant; portrayed by Taryn Manning.