By SAMMI STEIN
Calling all binge-watchers – Orange is the New Black is back with its second season! For those of you just tuning in, this much lauded dramedy has been regarded as Netflix’s most popular original series, and with its terrifically entertaining plot, it’s easy to see why. First released on July 11, 2013, the show is based off of Piper Kerman’s eponymous memoir detailing her year in a women’s prison. The show’s plot revolves around the protagonist, Piper Chapman, and her arrest for a petty crime she’d committed 10 years ago. Chapman’s life drastically changes when she is forced to leave her new fiance and upperclass lifestyle for a women’s penitentiary. Starring a racially diverse and mostly female cast, the hit series explores the roles of friendship, family, mental illness, and religion in a prison setting. It also exposes the harsh realities of penal institutions, including cruel jailers and intimidating inmates.
Many Jericho High School students have shown an interest in the series because of its original story line. Junior Courtney Schaf said, ”What drew me in is the fact that it’s so different – there’s n
othing like it; Orange is the New Black is risky, funny, and deals with actual issues. Also, being based off a real story makes it even more fascinating.” Another junior, Sarah Tract, said that the first season only took her her a week to watch. Tract said, “It’s the type of show you just can’t stop watching.”
After the jaw- dropping finale of season one, viewers have been buzzing about the highly anticipated return of the show. And now that the second season of Orange is the New Black has been made available on Netflix, many have concluded that the show is back and better than ever.
The first episode of season two picks up a few weeks after the season one finale with the intense confrontation between Piper and rival inmate “Pennsatucky.” We first see Piper when she is being let out of the special housing unit, and onto a bus traveling to a plane to transport her to a new prison. But fans don’t need to worry, Litchfield isn’t going anywhere. The visit is temporary, and I’ll just say that it focuses around Piper and her ex-lover’s conviction. The episode ends with a huge cliffhanger leaving viewers eager to start the next episode. Though the first episode mainly revolves around Piper, the rest of the season delves into the backstories of some of the show’s most entertaining characters, including Red, Taystee, Poussey, and of course, the show’s surprising fan favorite, Crazy Eyes.
Viewers can expect to see a completely new side of Piper this season as she is now a veteran inmate. The season as a whole is also much less Piper-centric. We learn more about the other inmates’ lives and backgrounds, and also become more invested in their time at Litchfield. Some exciting aspects that viewers can look forward to include the introduction of new inmates, the unveiling of Lorna Morello’s backstory, which is perhaps the most heartbreaking of the series, and all of the shocking romances. Overall, viewers can count on tons of laughs, drama, and exciting moments in season two of Orange is the New Black. Happy binge-watching!
