by Cookie N Screen
Orange is the New Black is back! Aren’t we all excited?
What have we been doing with our lives but bumping into one another aimlessly whilst trying to crawl our way back into Litchfield whilst the women there try to get out? The best show on Netflix is hopefully coming out swinging as it faces down a third season of inmate goodness after the finale of the season two. Releasing the episode seven hours early, the VOD service is enriching our lives once more as we follow on from Vee’s death, Rosa’s daring escape and the gaggle of nuns protesting for Sister Mary’s food strike. With the months that have passed, can season three continue to shine on like the previous two did?
In a word, yes. Yes it can.
Orange is the New Black is back! Aren’t we all excited?
What have we been doing with our lives but bumping into one another aimlessly whilst trying to crawl our way back into Litchfield whilst the women there try to get out? The best show on Netflix is hopefully coming out swinging as it faces down a third season of inmate goodness after the finale of the season two. Releasing the episode seven hours early, the VOD service is enriching our lives once more as we follow on from Vee’s death, Rosa’s daring escape and the gaggle of nuns protesting for Sister Mary’s food strike. With the months that have passed, can season three continue to shine on like the previous two did?
In a word, yes. Yes it can.
It’s Mother’s Day at Litchfield and Caputo’s new handle on the prison has led to each parent being allowed a visit from their children. Whilst the day is leaving some at a loss, with memories of abandonment and death lingering, it is a pleasant time for many who have children on the other side. Whilst the events go underway, Piper is shocked to find that Alex is back....
The ties to the second season were barely mentioned, a brief reference to Rosa and Vee’s death as well as the fact that Caputo’s new regime in prison has developed a more peaceful and developed jail despite his failures at the end of season two. It’s not to say that it's a bad thing or a hindrance to the opening episode but season two did a much better job of progressing from the events of an explosive finale. Then again, this could easily be seen as a vignette in Litchfield life, taking steps away from the chaotic drama that proceeded it and weaving new elements that will arch over this series. Still, with all the acting on point and the audience begging for some conclusion to Rosa’s daring escape, it would have been nice to linger on the plot points a little bit more. Over the space of 13 episodes, howeverm there is faith that Orange is the New Black will flesh out the ripples prior events must have left.
The ties to the second season were barely mentioned, a brief reference to Rosa and Vee’s death as well as the fact that Caputo’s new regime in prison has developed a more peaceful and developed jail despite his failures at the end of season two. It’s not to say that it's a bad thing or a hindrance to the opening episode but season two did a much better job of progressing from the events of an explosive finale. Then again, this could easily be seen as a vignette in Litchfield life, taking steps away from the chaotic drama that proceeded it and weaving new elements that will arch over this series. Still, with all the acting on point and the audience begging for some conclusion to Rosa’s daring escape, it would have been nice to linger on the plot points a little bit more. Over the space of 13 episodes, howeverm there is faith that Orange is the New Black will flesh out the ripples prior events must have left.
What works for this opening episode is the emotion. With plenty of mother’s locked up inside, it’s nice to see them interact with their children in a more open and loving environment. Though the day is filled with piñatas and games, there is deep seated poignancy and pain to the visitations as well as transgressing over memories for many of the inmates. Poussey begins to open up about the death of her mother as the day reopens the wounds whilst Maria is hit with some terrible news over her baby daughter. Daya is tentative about her upcoming parenthood whilst Doggett remembers the children she aborted and finds comfort within Big Boo. The many facets of motherhood were explored with emotions heightened due to the beige walls. It’s an episode that opens sensitivity about prison and how it affects parenting and looks at the children’s perceptions of their mother’s confined in those walls and does it without explicitly explaining it too. In fact, one of the more wrought scenes has little dialogue and yet highlights the abandon, confusion and hurt between the family dynamics. It’s powerfully done and tinges the joyful day with sorrow.
Despite the small issues of the opening of season three, we’re certainly glad it’s back. Orange is the New Black connects with the stories of the women and men involved, showing that despite the focus on the female residents, it can weave the backstory and emotional journey of the male characters too. It’s a perfectly written show that’s progressive for writing about actual humans, no matter what habitats they live in. And boy, aren’t we glad it’s back?
Now we’re going to binge watch it all. See you on the otherside!
Despite the small issues of the opening of season three, we’re certainly glad it’s back. Orange is the New Black connects with the stories of the women and men involved, showing that despite the focus on the female residents, it can weave the backstory and emotional journey of the male characters too. It’s a perfectly written show that’s progressive for writing about actual humans, no matter what habitats they live in. And boy, aren’t we glad it’s back?
Now we’re going to binge watch it all. See you on the otherside!
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