Orange is the New Black

[Rachel333]

Anyone else watching this? It's the latest Netflix original. I've been binge-watching it this weekend and it is so good. Huge female cast, diverse characters, and a trans actress playing a trans woman. (Lots of lesbian content too if you're into that.) It's gotten great reviews so far--[link=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/orange-is-the-new-black_b_3574249.html]here's[/link] one--and I really can't recommend it enough. I've been surprised at just how much I've been enjoying it.

[NDC22]

I just finished binge watching it and pissed that it a year before season 2 drops. Really good. I actually am starting to read the book today. Love the different characters, and even more that they do flashbacks to show how each woman ended up there. Love "Red"!

What did you think about the season end?

[NDC22]

PS. I just started reading the book and it is a quick and easy read.

[Rachel333]

Still watching--just two episodes left! I love the little Jesus-y girl.

Immediate edit: I was actually almost done with episode 12 and I saw the last minute right after I wrote that. Whoa!

[NDC22]

I do too. She is just crazy cray. I love when crazy eyes had visting time with her white parents and was all normal.

[previously]

Did Piper Kerman write the book? I read her (very old, pretty flippant) website the other day and her writing annoyed me, but I could use a quick vacation read.

[NDC22]

Did Piper Kerman write the book? I read her (very old, pretty flippant) website the other day and her writing annoyed me, but I could use a quick vacation read.

Yep. Actually, I'm halfway through it and I think I'm done. It is very flippant towards the middle, just not very interesting once she gets into a regular routine at prision. The Netflix series is amazing and really is nothing like the book.

Book could be

1 I am a blonde wasp, engaged to a faithful Jewish boy

2. I'm really smart, I went to a famous school

3. I'm a blonde wasp

4. I'm really smart

5. I kindof was crazy in my 20's and rebelled against my wasp family by having a short-lived lesbian relationship with an international drug dealer (but I only devote a tiny bit of the book to it). Hey, but I'm a well-educated blonde wasp

6. I'm in prision. Everyone loves me. Everyone. I'm blonde. I'm a wasp. I'm really smart. Everyone loves me.

7. The end.

In other words, not loving the book. But I will totally watch the series again because it was that good

[previously]

Something about writing about the number of copies of "Middlemarch" that she received irritated me, but NDC22 pretty much nails it. I need a book to read before Friday!

[duplessis3]

I'm watching it too - I'm loving how they aren't just having it revolve around the white lady's story.

[herebedragons]

If its anywhere as near as good as House of Cards, I'll give it a try! Netflix has been doing a good job with their original series.

[NDC22]

If its anywhere as near as good as House of Cards, I'll give it a try! Netflix has been doing a good job with their original series.

I thought it was. Very different. I wasn't really into it until the 2nd eposide. I read today thar Jodi Foster directed I think it was the 3rd eposide which revolved around the former fire fighter (don't want to spoil it).

But that ending, wow. 12 months before season 2. Arggggh!!!!

The book is nothing like the show. The real story (book) is boring thus far. The show.....Amazing. I hope they do a flash back for Crazy Eyes Susan next season.

Herebedragons, if you are a binge watcher wait until you have a good 12 hours at a time to watch, because you will want too.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

[Rachel333]

Love Crazy Eyes. I love how they flesh her out and make her sympathetic, too. The characterization on this show is so good. I've probably been overly effusive about this show, but it really might be my new favorite. I'm so glad it's getting a second season even if it is an entire year away.

The finale was fairly shocking. I actually gasped when

Healy ignored Piper. I guess she was going to crack sometime. I assume she'll be getting more time for that?

[AuntCloud]

Love, love, love the show. Funny how my all-time favourites (this, Scrubs and M*A*S*H) are all set in institutions.

What an amazing cast and superb writing, not a single glitchy-kitchy moment, no "I've seen it coming for miles" fabricated drama. Nicky Nichols is my favourite, followed by Red and Crazy Eyes, with a soft spot for Big Boo and Sophia. I can't wait to hear Suzanne's story. She doesn't seem to fit in with the black group, nor with the white group or any group at all.

So glad this show is not an anthropological foray of a white WASP into the heart of darkness, observing the natives. I'm not sure I want to read the book after your synopsis, since a huge theme of the show is showing Piper in her manipulative, know-it-all, condescending glory - and her actually realizing this in episode 12.

I'm 10 minutes into the final episode - can we fast-forward to July 2014 so we can get Season 2 already?

One last thing - I'm not sure if they'e made the CO's and prison admin over-the-top nasty and vindictive with two decent fellows who seem to cause even more trouble than the nasty ones, or if it's an accurate description.

As for the nice ones causing more damage than good - Bennett getting Daya pregnant and being all aghast when Daya tells him she will get this framed on Pornstache, and Fischer, whose mannerism is scarily similar to mine, trying to be tough with Miss Claudette after her appeal fell through and getting her sent to maximum security.

[Lillybee]

I thought that crazy eyes was acting cray-cray because it was her way to survive.

[niagarahauls]

I just finished binge watching this series lat night. I was up until 2am. So the general consensus is the book is not very good? I was going to pick it up to tide me over until next year. Maybe I will find a copy at the second hand book store.

[AuntCloud]

I think the book is to the series what the Kathy Reichs books are to "Bones": they set the scene and some of the main characters, but the series takes off on its own. Reichs' books are a lot slower than the series - no solving a murder mystery in 45 minutes plus footage of Hodgins making puppy-dog eyes at Angela, the resident intern bumbling around and Booth and Bones banter, but they have a much more realistic setting and more rounded characters. They don't add anything to the series but read as a completely different story with some similar names and characters.

[duplessis3]

Based on not reading the books but reading some interviews with Piper - if they did follow the book, it would have been White Girl Goes to Prison and Changes (for the better.)

The acting is just freaking out of this world.

[Stephanie66]

I watched this series in three days. How have I never seen Taylor Schilling before? She is fantastic!

I also want more backstories on the other characters. What happened with Red? I know there is a body in her freezer, but what happened? And I am REALLY curious about Suzanne!

And wow on the ending. Sure, she *might* get extra time, but how would they prove she did it? No one can say anything without getting in serious trouble. Can't wait for season two.

[duplessis3]

I can't wait either. I like the subtle signs of possible autism spectrum with Suzanne. And I want to see more of her interacting with her parents.

[AuntCloud]

Neither Suzanne or Sophia are truly within their "clique". The main players there are Taystee, Poussay, Jenae and Black Cindy, Sophia is on the fringe - notice how she is always so much more restrained and composed than the others, and Suzanne is not with any other group at all. Interesting observation about a suspected ASD, I wonder how that pans out.

I wish we had more backstories on the Latina group - Gloria looks like a worthy rival to Red.

I was seething at the lack of support for

Taystee after her release. Was expecting her back in the following episode.

Will Miss Claudette be back?

[Lillybee]

Miss Claudette had better be back. I found her one of the most interesting characters.

[duplessis3]

I wonder how Miss Claudette would come back - and WHY did she do it?

Taystee was heartbreaking. Going back to jail just to have a clean place to sleep.

>

[Rachel333]

I wonder how Miss Claudette would come back - and WHY did she do it?

Taystee was heartbreaking. Going back to jail just to have a clean place to sleep.

>

I'm glad they put that in there, though, because I think that's actually a really common problem. Very sad.

Also, I really like the character so I was happy to see her again just for that reason.

[ThisOlGirl]

Fucking Pornstache! Hate him! I'm hoping he gets his, and in a big way (and soon). The only thing I'm confused about is in Alex's flashbacks, there's always this drug dealer guy hanging around (like when she went to meet her dad). Is that Pornstache? If so, have he and Alex acknowledged each other in prison?

[Margaery]

This show is fantastic! Jenji Kohan is a phenomenal creator. I agree about Tasytee, sad to see how that ended up but I absolutely love her character. I also love that Pornstache is a disgusting creep of a man, but when he was Demitri on Weeds he was sooooo sexy. I know that sounds awful if you've only seen him on this show though! I think it's really interesting the similarities between this show and Weeds too, the main character in both is mostly an unlikable and destructive mess, while the other characters really make the show worth watching.