Orange Is The New Black Season 3 Episodes 1-9 Reviews: Bed Bugs Make Poor Bedfellows

After a long wait, we're finally reunited with the ladies of Litchfield. In season 3, OITNB continues it's tradition of providing lots of laughs with some heart tugging moments thrown in for good measure. So far this season our favorite prisoners have survived a bedbug infestation, the prison changing hands, and some personal crises. Who knows what else is in store before the end of the season.

Piper- is reunited with Alex (who was returned to prison for violating her parole). We know something Alex does not. Piper is the one responsible for her re-incarceration. Piper tells her uptight New England parents that she has a "girlfriend". Piper and her brother, along with help from other inmates, start selling used underwear over the internet. While that is disgusting IMHO, it appears to be quite the money making venture. Piper is tempted by a new inmate.
Alex- returns to Litchfield but is having a bit of a breakdown. She still believes the drug lord they put away will kill her while in prison. She and Piper have hate sex but eventually get back together. Those two kids cant quit each other. Alex suspects a new transfer named Lolly (Lori Petty) of being the hit man (or in thsi case hit woman).
Crazy Eyes/Suzanne- continues to be one of my absolute favorites. She has visions of Vee in her sleep. We're pretty sure Vee is dead (or at least she looked dead when we last saw her on the side of the road) but we're not sure what the prisoners know. Tastey is finally able to get Suzanne to accept Vee's death is a very powerful scene. I smell an Emmy. In other news, Suzanne begins writing erotic sci fi fiction which the other prisoner's gobble up. Crazy Eyes has finally found her calling.
Red- when Red's family visits they finally tell her the truth (their business is gone). She calls it quits with her husband. Healy asks her to translate since he and his mail order bride are still having problems. Red and Healy forge a friendship which looks like it might lead elsewhere.
Black Cindy- has also become one of my favorites. She has the best lines on the show. I especially enjoyed her quest to become Jewish so she could eat kosher meals and her bathroom underwear dance during the bedbug plague. We need much more Black Cindy please.
Nicky- is still trying to get rid of the drug stash from last year. She works out a plan with the prison electrician to get it out. He double crosses her though and she's sent down the hill to max. Red and Morello are very upset at her departure.
Black Cindy- continues to be one of my most favorite characters. She has the best lines. When a bedbug infestation occurs and new uniforms dont arrive in them, the prisoners are forced to wear only their underwear. Black Cindy takes it all in stride.
Stella- is a new arrival at the prison (Ruby Rose). She has an Australian accent and is covered with tattoos. She is hot, hot, hot. I see trouble for Piper and Alex's relationship.
Big Boo- we see some of her heart breaking back story. He father didnt want her to visit her dying mother in the hospital because of how she looked. She's butch for God's sake. How is she supposed to change that? She would look even stupider in a dress. Boo tries to follow in Pennsatucky's footsteps and scam a church group into giving her money. In the end she refuses to be something she's not so no collections will be taken up for her.
Pennsatucky- is still enjoy her new chompers (although she doesnt seem to understand the need to brush them). She and Boo form a friendship. She also gets close to one of the new guards (Charlie) who has more on his mind than friendship.
Poussey- is lonely and in need of a girlfriend. She finally admits that she has a drinking problem thanks to Tastey's help.
Daya- tries to decide what to do with the baby. Her mother comes up with a scheme to get money from Pornstache's mother (since they still believe it's his child). She agrees to raise the baby. Bennett visits Daya's family outside of prison. He apparently gets cold feet and takes off. No one knows where he is. Daya finally tells Porn's mom the truth. Now who's going to take care of the baby?
Leanne- we see some of her back story. Who would have guessed that she was... wait for it... she's Amish. Nope I didnt see that coming.
Chang- We previously didnt know anything about Chang. Now we see how she ended up in prison. So sad-- the poor girl never had a chance.
Norma- gets a back story. She joined a new age cult and married it's crazy guru (who treated her less than ideal). She has a bad stuttering problem so that's why she doesnt speak. Norma gets quite a following when the prisoners decide she has magical healing powers.
Caputo- continues to try to do right by the prisoners even though he has very limited resources. The prison, which is on the slate for closure, is bought by a corporation which has lots of ideas about change and doesnt care one iota about the welfare of the prisoners. A new corporate guy pretends to be Caputo's friend but he is a jerk.
Berdie- a new guard/counselor who genuinely tries to help the prisoners.

Amen, Amen and Amen!

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Im still enjoying learning more about the ladies (even though Piper is no longer a central character). Chang, Norma and Leanne's stories were especially interesting. And I have grown to LOVE Black Cindy!