by Cookie N Screen
When the first series of Orange Is The New Black came out back in 2013 and before we were wrecked with its brilliance, there was one character who welcomed us like Piper to the Litchfield prison: Lorna Morello. Originally from New Jersey, she is tasked with driving the inmates from place to place, under the watchful eye of the judiciary system otherwise she could easily escape. Morello also has a tackle with her engagement to the much spoken about Christopher while still getting her kicks with Nicki’s face permanently attached to her privates. Morello was helpful, poignant and squeaky voiced who provided a source of sanity in the otherwise crazed antics of Litchfield prison.
And then we all found out she is actually a little bit insane.
When the first series of Orange Is The New Black came out back in 2013 and before we were wrecked with its brilliance, there was one character who welcomed us like Piper to the Litchfield prison: Lorna Morello. Originally from New Jersey, she is tasked with driving the inmates from place to place, under the watchful eye of the judiciary system otherwise she could easily escape. Morello also has a tackle with her engagement to the much spoken about Christopher while still getting her kicks with Nicki’s face permanently attached to her privates. Morello was helpful, poignant and squeaky voiced who provided a source of sanity in the otherwise crazed antics of Litchfield prison.
And then we all found out she is actually a little bit insane.
Episode four of season two kicked off a lot of storylines lurking beneath the orange hue of the inmates, especially between Vee and the powerhouses of Red and Gloria. But important to that episode is the truth revolving around Morello. Her crimes that were previously mentioned revolved around a mail order scam. Wanting to live the high life of designers but struggling with pennies to meet them and actively disliking having to take care of her disabled mother in a madhouse family and apartment. Morello would phone up companies claiming to never have received her product, when actually being clad in Louis Vuitton and Dior.
But her crimes go much deeper than that. See, she isn’t actually betrothed to Christopher. In fact, in any shape or form, she’s not even close. Going on one date, Morello’s starcrossed romantic affair is actually stalker nightmare. And it’s not down to Christopher, it is pure Morello. Plaguing his house, suffocating his phone with messages and threatening to kill his actual fiancé, Morello is actually suffering psychosis, possibly erotomania; she has become obsessed with Christopher. What’s more, whilst he has contended her infatuation with him, she continues to believe in the relationship even after a restraining disorder.
But her crimes go much deeper than that. See, she isn’t actually betrothed to Christopher. In fact, in any shape or form, she’s not even close. Going on one date, Morello’s starcrossed romantic affair is actually stalker nightmare. And it’s not down to Christopher, it is pure Morello. Plaguing his house, suffocating his phone with messages and threatening to kill his actual fiancé, Morello is actually suffering psychosis, possibly erotomania; she has become obsessed with Christopher. What’s more, whilst he has contended her infatuation with him, she continues to believe in the relationship even after a restraining disorder.
A shocking twist for fans of the show, Morello became this complex, intense character with an earth shattering backstory that allowed her to be suffering mental disorder whilst still being a nice earnest character. The portrayal is vastly endearing. Yael Stone is compelling as Morello with this emotional pivotal shift in her character. Allowing her to transcend from this aunt-like character in the show and into a whole human with massive faults. Stone layers Morello with intensity and likeability. She suffers because of her insanity yet has stellar humanity to balance it. It’s a ferocious character and Stone deftly handles it as does the writers on the show.
What comes prominent to the show is not a complete damnation of Morello. Though her craziness may be difficult to swallow and it may be easy to damn her as a psychotic “bunny boiler,” instead the creators adequately look after her as do the characters on the show. Highlighting the seriousness of her condition and the consequences of her actions yet still giving her room to improve and learn, Morello’s storyline is enthralling. What is beautiful is they give her support, trhough Nicols, Crazy Eyes and Piper all offering her words that highlight Morello’s good-hearted nature. Even Rosa, though questioning her viewpoint of Toy Story, gives her wisdom that lays building blocks for Morello’s sanity whenever her psychosis takes over. Stirling and golden, this is an impeccable storyline for the OITNB to carry out.
What comes prominent to the show is not a complete damnation of Morello. Though her craziness may be difficult to swallow and it may be easy to damn her as a psychotic “bunny boiler,” instead the creators adequately look after her as do the characters on the show. Highlighting the seriousness of her condition and the consequences of her actions yet still giving her room to improve and learn, Morello’s storyline is enthralling. What is beautiful is they give her support, trhough Nicols, Crazy Eyes and Piper all offering her words that highlight Morello’s good-hearted nature. Even Rosa, though questioning her viewpoint of Toy Story, gives her wisdom that lays building blocks for Morello’s sanity whenever her psychosis takes over. Stirling and golden, this is an impeccable storyline for the OITNB to carry out.
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