Orange is the New Black

[lilith]

I've just finished the season and I really enjoyed it. The back stories made it for me - Pennsatucky especially, and the background on the relationship between Daya and her mother. They made two really unlikable characters more nuanced and relatable.

I'm almost positive Bennett set up the DEA raid - the fact that Cesar's girlfriend used the exact same words "it's some white boy" when she opened the door to Bennett as when she opened the door to the DEA was a big clue.

I really really hope Nikki comes back for at least a few more episodes - she's one of my favourites.

[Mela99]

I've just finished the season and I really enjoyed it. The back stories made it for me - Pennsatucky especially, and the background on the relationship between Daya and her mother. They made two really unlikable characters more nuanced and relatable.

I'm almost positive Bennett set up the DEA raid - the fact that Cesar's girlfriend used the exact same words "it's some white boy" when she opened the door to Bennett as when she opened the door to the DEA was a big clue.

I really really hope Nikki comes back for at least a few more episodes - she's one of my favourites.

Agree with this. He probably felt like it was the only thing he could do to protect his child . . but he still deserves a wild horse kick to the nuts.

Pornstache and his mom just gave me the absolute creeps.

[GiggleOfGirls]

Oh man. I loved the back stories. The present time was pretty meh, but I agree with what many have said already about Suzanne and Pennsatucky/Boo and watching their characters develop more. I'm so glad Taystee is a "mom" now!

Pornstache's mom is almost as creepy as he is. Not quite, but the way she interacted with him just seemed all kinds of wrong.

Red has always been one of my favorite characters and I think it's neat that she and Healy got kind of close this season. I think he tries to be a good person despite his mansplaining and homophobia and darnit, he reminds me of my dad.

I enjoyed learning more about Norma and Daya's pasts as well. So much sadness, but it makes things much more understandable now to me.

And yes, totally reminds me of how Weeds had some amazingly brilliant seasons and others that were kind of a slog. I followed it to the end and it was completely worth it. I trust that this one will be worth it too.

[Firiel]

I hate Bennet. I hope he never comes back. His and Daya's relationship could not have meaningful consent because of the power differential. One of my biggest pet peeves is entertainment that portrays that kind of imbalanced relationship as romantic and perfect and ideal (see: Ezra and what's-her-face in Pretty Little Liars).

Piper is the worst. I don't like Stella either. She will never be able to rebound after her stupid introduction where she makes fun of Piper for feeling bad about herself because Piper is tall and blonde and gorgeous and doesn't understand what it's like for the rest of the female population. Bitch, please. You have literally the perfect face and perfect body. Don't act like you have some sort of insight into what it's like to be average. That's WAY more annoying than Piper wanting to feel pretty in stupid lingerie. I think I would have liked Stella much better if they had actually chosen an average-looking actress to play her, if only because I could have still taken her seriously after that introduction.

I think that the binge-watching element of television allows them to get away with character inconsistencies that maybe they couldn't otherwise. Like when Pennsatucky couldn't rape horrible rapist man with the broom (which I appreciated the message behind, btw)... she tells Boo that she just doesn't have the rage inside of her to do that and that she just feels sad. Bitch murdered a nurse for giving her the side-eye for having however-many abortions and tried to kill Piper at the end of season one. She's got rage. While I like her character, I don't feel like her transformation has been all that realistic. Or maybe I'm just not remembering enough from season two.

I'm such a crank! Sorry for just being an ass and listing all the things/people I hate! 8-)

[halcionne]

I hate Bennet. I hope he never comes back. His and Daya's relationship could not have meaningful consent because of the power differential. One of my biggest pet peeves is entertainment that portrays that kind of imbalanced relationship as romantic and perfect and ideal (see: Ezra and what's-her-face in Pretty Little Liars).

Piper is the worst. I don't like Stella either. She will never be able to rebound after her stupid introduction where she makes fun of Piper for feeling bad about herself because Piper is tall and blonde and gorgeous and doesn't understand what it's like for the rest of the female population. Bitch, please. You have literally the perfect face and perfect body. Don't act like you have some sort of insight into what it's like to be average. That's WAY more annoying than Piper wanting to feel pretty in stupid lingerie. I think I would have liked Stella much better if they had actually chosen an average-looking actress to play her, if only because I could have still taken her seriously after that introduction.

I think that the binge-watching element of television allows them to get away with character inconsistencies that maybe they couldn't otherwise. Like when Pennsatucky couldn't rape horrible rapist man with the broom (which I appreciated the message behind, btw)... she tells Boo that she just doesn't have the rage inside of her to do that and that she just feels sad. Bitch murdered a nurse for giving her the side-eye for having however-many abortions and tried to kill Piper at the end of season one. She's got rage. While I like her character, I don't feel like her transformation has been all that realistic. Or maybe I'm just not remembering enough from season two.

I'm such a crank! Sorry for just being an ass and listing all the things/people I hate! 8-)

I love this review. I pick apart and complain about shows I like, too. You make some great points that I had missed, or forgotten. I've already forgotten most of this season--I swear my brain's like a sieve--but painting Healy as a sympathetic character really rubbed me the wrong way. If the writers decide to take the Red/Healy relationship any further, I hope it's because she's using him to acheive some other goal. Except that might win him even more sympathy, which is gross, so nevermind. :lol:

[Walking Cat Bed]

This season added so much.

I started sympathizing with Brook once she wasn't just a faux-optimist whiner. And I love her and Poussey together, and that Poussey, Taystee, et. al. adopted Brook into their "family" without more than a moment's hesitation.

I'm curious about Bennet's potential return. He is technically a felon (Daya's a prisoner, he was a corrections officer, she can't really consent) so it would certainly be complicated. He's a disgusting and abusive shitbird, though.

It's nice to end on a somewhat sweet note; Norma's miracle and the happy, peaceful "church service" at the lake was lovely. Hopefully there are no parasites in that lake, though. That would be unfortunate. (And Norma is fantastic -- I can get behind her as a prisoner without feeling weird.)

I want to see Sophia again, especially if she and Gloria make up. And more from Sister Jane and from Yoga Jones.

If this show didn't have Piper for more than five minutes an episode, I'd be good.

[TXGirlInAMaterialWorld]

The flashbacks were great- but the rest of Season 3 wasn't that good. I also agree that Piper's story lines just make her less and less likable. Now I want to read the book and see if the show has just moved away from her story or if she really is that self centered.

I think Suzanne is my favorite character because she is so up front. She can't hide the way she feels at any moment.

[GiggleOfGirls]

I don't know. I chalked Pennsatucky's inconsistencies up to the fact that she's not on meth in "now time" in jail and she's kind of lost her religious zealotry whereas she was clearly still doing drugs (either high or coming down) when she shot the nurse and she was super-zealous fundy when she tried to kill Piper. Drugs (and religion) can change people's personalities and sometimes make them more likely to commit violent acts that they wouldn't consider committing with a clear head.

Other than that I agree with your review, Firiel.

[mollysmom]

I really don't like who Piper has become, but I'm really intrigued to see where she ends up with her "I'm a bad bitch" attitude. Poor Stella. I hope she comes back (and Nicky and Sophia).

Yeah, I actually really liked Piper in Seasons 1 & 2, but not at all in Season 3. I LOVE this show (and Wentworth) but I was really disappointed in Season 3. It was kind of boring to me. That whole Norma following was just strange & so drawn out! And it definitely wasn't the same without Nicky & Sophia!

Am I the only one who likes Mr. Caputo? Lol I know he's quircky, but I really like his character alot!!!!

[Selah]

I have to say that I was disappointed with season three. I loved 1 + 2 and really enjoyed all the back stories and how they gradually built characterisation and stuff, it really was great TV. Piper really spoiled it for me this season though... In fact all of that crew got on my tits. Everyone is fan girling over Ruby Rose but I found her character blah and I started to find Alex's storyline repetitive with little growth.

There are some really really great characters though. I've really grown on pennsatucky through the episodes, and learning her backstory just added to that, and explains more and more why she was so vulnerable to so many experiences he had, including religious.

I also love crazy eyes - that actress is absolutely superb and so enjoyable to watch.

I too hope to see more of Nicky and Sophia, and Gloria. Hopefully Bennett will get his shit together. Not exactly a surprising twist knowing his character, but not one I would expect them just to weakly write out in the next season

[Firiel]

Yeah, I actually really liked Piper in Seasons 1 & 2, but not at all in Season 3. I LOVE this show (and Wentworth) but I was really disappointed in Season 3. It was kind of boring to me. That whole Norma following was just strange & so drawn out! And it definitely wasn't the same without Nicky & Sophia!

Am I the only one who likes Mr. Caputo? Lol I know he's quircky, but I really like his character alot!!!!

I actually don't hate Caputo, but I absolutely abhorred the fact that at the end of season two (right?), he forced Figueroa (the horrible chick stealing from the prison) to give him a blow job to keep from reporting her. I mean, that's sexual violence, plain and simple. And the fact that she is so terrible doesn't excuse that. It seemed that it was supposed to feel like a victorious moment for us as viewers because the villain was finally getting her comeuppance. No. Sexual violence is not comeuppance. And they should not be encouraging the audience to feel like she was getting what she deserved. What she deserved was jail time, not sexual domination and humiliation.

I mean, the show in large part explores the damage of the patriarchy, and then randomly throws in shit like this... :wtf:

[greycat]

Compared to seasons 1 & 2, season 3 really fell flat and felt like a light hearted prison show. (Haha)

I really really really loved the back story of the blonde girl that works in the laundry. (I suck at names) She came from an Amish country and wanted to go back to it but left when she realized what her presence was doing to her family. Seemed like she has a good heart, but no where to go.

I think Bennett set up the raid or was the tipper for it. I assumed he left to set up a better life for the baby and Daya and is just waiting for her to be released. He isn't writing her letters or visiting her so that neither one of them can get in trouble. Just my theory :P

But ya, Piper could just walk around in the back ground next season with no lines and I would be 100% okay with this :)

[DGayle]

1. WTF Bennet? Has he really just taken off for good after proposing with gum wrappers?

I don't think he ran off. I get the feeling something happened to him, like somebody saw him leave, knew who he was, thought he's a snitch instead of a CO, and kidnapped him.

2. Or was he behind the raid that took the kids in a plot to get his baby back? Or was Pornstache's mum behind it?

Probably an investigation that had been going on. Pornstache's mom doesn't know where Daya's family is.

3. Is Nicky gone for good? Without even an investigation?

I hope she isn't gone for good.

4. Are they really leaving Sophia in the SHU?

Probably not long term.

5. All the bunk beds and lines of new inmates - next season is all about overcrowding?

Next season's supposed to be returning to focus on character relationships, like the first 2 seasons.

6. Alex - dead or alive? Does anyone really care?

I do! I don't really care for Prepon, but I like her character.

7. Does anybody like Piper? I think the show could lose that character and no one would care.

I did like Piper, but don't know. But she's still an interesting character since she shows how people can go to jail normal and rational, and end up twisted by prison culture.

[DGayle]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Lorna's storyline with her new husband, what with the Christopher issue. I'm not a fan of her, and I hope she and her husband go down for that crime.

Do you think Christopher was killed, or just hurt?

[DGayle]

I cant watch a season about how privitizing prisons is bad. We get it, the food sucks and they 're packing people in... but this is getting stupid.

There are a lot of people who don't really know how privatizing a prison is really bad. This show's helped a couple of my friend start to understand, and favor banning privatization.

It's also helping people understand how private prisons make sure felons go back into the world without job skills. Why bother paying for books and resources when somebody else will own it in a year? And when unskilled people make sure that there's a high chance of return and making more money?

[DGayle]

Everyone is fan girling over Ruby Rose but I found her character blah and I started to find Alex's storyline repetitive with little growth.

Stella is a third gender (she's a woman "for lack of options"), which I think is why a lot of people are fan-girling.

I've really grown on pennsatucky through the episodes, and learning her backstory just added to that, and explains more and more why she was so vulnerable to so many experiences he had, including religious.

Me too. I wished her character would get written out earlier on, but now I want to hug her.

I also love crazy eyes - that actress is absolutely superb and so enjoyable to watch.

She's amazing. I'm so happy for Suzanne getting positive attention, and the actress is incredible.

[16strong]

I agree with others that think that Bennett set up the raid. I also think he will come running back, expecting to be greeted as a knight in shining armor, but Daya will (for the first time) side with her mother. I think Daya is going to make a move towards "blood is thicker than water."

[16strong]

Do you think Christopher was killed, or just hurt?

It could easily go either way, but I'm going to have to go with critically injured.

[doggie]

this lady has the voices down well. sorry you have to go to the page to hear

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ora ... f29d5676ba?

[Maggie Mae]

I finally finished season 3!

I know everyone has moved on. But I have a desire to talk about it. There's no TWOP anymore :(

Anyway, I liked season 3. I know I'm in the minority, but I was glad to see what's her name with the big hair go to Max. I don't really like the character and I think it opened up more time to meet new people. There's only so much they can do with a junkie. I've known people like her in real life. It's just not interesting to me.

I think next year Piper will be pushed back down. Her criminal activity is stupid. She's acting up and she's not very good at anything. Alex's death will scare her and she'll have to get tougher. Or Alex will lure her to the greenhouse and sacrifice Piper? I don't know. Piper is boring too.

I also think next season will include more of Caputo's transformation. He will continue to shift from seeing the staff as individual people and more towards assets.

The Norma thing was weird and started to get annoying. However it showed how ex-Amish girl really liked the legalism and strict rules. I'm guessing that after she left her family, she got back into drugs?

I miss Sophia, but her story seems like it might pay off later. They didn't do too much with her.

The prisoners changing religions to get different meals is a real thing.

[Exposedknees]

I finally finished season 3!

I think next year Piper will be pushed back down. Her criminal activity is stupid. She's acting up and she's not very good at anything. Alex's death will scare her and she'll have to get tougher. Or Alex will lure her to the greenhouse and sacrifice Piper? I don't know. Piper is boring too.

...

I also think next season will include more of Caputo's transformation. He will continue to shift from seeing the staff as individual people and more towards assets.

...

The prisoners changing religions to get different meals is a real thing.

I liked season 3, especially the backstories BUT I hate Piper. Everyone else is much more interesting.

The whole Caputo vs the Guards Les Miserables episode had me crying :lol:

I also loved how Taystee converted and had her Mikvah in the lake!

I need for Sophia and Nicky to come back.\

And now we wait another year :shock:

[wildlingrose]

I care what happens to Alex. I would cry if she died.

Im lol about if it didn't have more than 5 minutes of Piper. WELL MAYBE she will get out and the show will go on. LOL

[Exposedknees]

I would also miss Alex. I just find Red, Big Boo, Poussey, Taystee, Soso, and Black Cindy more interesting than Piper. At this point we're off book- the original book the series was based on.... so Piper could be let go...except now, she really is a criminal.

I would also like Nicky back :(

[KnittingOwl]

I liked season 3, especially the backstories BUT I hate Piper. Everyone else is much more interesting.

The whole Caputo vs the Guards Les Miserables episode had me crying :lol:

I also loved how Taystee converted and had her Mikvah in the lake!

I need for Sophia and Nicky to come back.\

And now we wait another year :shock:

It was Black Cindy who converted. I really liked that storyline.

I could do without Piper. She drives me crazy.

[Exposedknees]

OOOPs I meant Black Cindy. I really loved Kosher meals and how the conversion started to mean something. Her face was pure joy as she emerged from under water during her lake Mikvah! That was awesome! Mazel tov!