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Annnnd done.
I devoured season 2 of OITNB in one day. And you might be saying to yourself, God, that’s pathetic. And, I’d be like, I know right? But also, I have two sick kids with fevers sweat napping all the hell over me, so needless to say, I’ve had some time on my hands, and that time was spent in the Litchfield Federal Penitentiary.
Orange Is The New Black is easily one of the best TV series since Weeds, and season 1 was amazing. I have been dying for season 2, because I still had just so many damn questions.
The verdict: Season 2 was so much better! I really wasn’t sure where things were going to go, and judging by the emotional turmoil from just the first episode, OITNB went there. It fucking went there.
I am going to review this two ways, because there is just so much to say.
General thoughts: Wow, what an exciting season. I loved every episode, had so many changes of heart, loved learning more and more about the workings of a women’s prison, and WTF Larry, really? I didn’t read the book but did see the real Piper and Larry speak and they were adorable, so I wonder how much he enjoys seeing himself as such a gigantic bag of dicks? Now, to fully grasp all of this, I have to do a bit of a breakdown.
1. Piper. Piper may be “the sun,” but it was a relief seeing her narcissism take a back seat this season. And I think adding Brooke Soso to the mix was a huge part of that. Instead of just having this weird love/annoyed relationship with Piper, I was finally able to experience her frustration without the added eyeroll. The trial and transfers and standing up for herself, awesome. And watching her see herself through Soso was an added delight. The only downside to Piper was her continued obsession with Alex (who I happen to hate) and allowing Larry and Polly to leave the visitation room without lighting them on fire.
2. Taystee. My review of Taystee encompasses all the Vee, Crazy Eyes, Poussey drama. I loved Taystee in season 1, and season 2 was her jam. The back stories (which OITNB does so well, damn, they leave me speechless sometimes) were brilliant, and while I dreaded Vee showing up, and wanted to murder her with the fire of 1000 suns, watching Taystee’s transformation made it worth it. I think there are still some unanswered questions, like exactly what each girl was in for, but the personalities and mob mentally broke everything down this season. I loved it. And Poussey? Poussey you are sunbeams and glitter and puppies. I love Poussey and her history and her loyalty, and while it was a gut punch sometimes, the end was pure happiness.
3. Pennsatucky. You know when you spend your whole life hating something, like brussels sprouts, and then one day you try them again and you love them and it freaks you out a bit? That is Pennsatucky for me this season. I really liked seeing her friends dump her, and OMG THE TEETH. The same way Hoarders makes me clean my house, OITNB meth teeth makes me up my dental care. Watching her take in other people and form this weirdo relationship with Healy made me finally not want to vomit every time she took the screen. I think what we learned of her life last season was powerful, and watching her change this season was even more so.
4. Old People Drama & The Kitchen. Alright, I was really curious what they were going to do with Red this season. While she got annoying at times, the kitchen drama always reminded me a bit of a womens’ prison version of The Sopranos. The Latinas in the kitchen this season? Fuck yes. I love them, all of them, except Daya. Daya is a complete pain in the ass. Here’s a pro-tip. If you are a grown ass security guard, don’t have sex with the inmates, but if you have to? Pick the one who doesn’t spend her free time coloring and drawing cartoons. Mendez was a douche, but at least he was interesting. Watching Daya and Bennett is like watching a slightly older version of Angela Chase and Jordan Catalano have a relationship. You think it’s going to be awesome, but it’s not. It’s whiny and annoying and full of sighing against brick walls and supply closets. Moving on, Red and Vee holy shit. The history and the fighting was complicated and amazing. The greenhouse old ladies were so cool and terrifying, and seeing Red finally step up and name Vee made me cheer. I get the whole notion of silence and taking care of problems through weird violent prison channels, but Vee was a horrible character, and I could not live through another season of her shit.
5. Rosa. Oof, Rosa. What a glorious, glorious sub-plot. I have always loved Morello, and her responsibilities and jobs were always a fun distraction from the heavy stuff. Even her story, while very wtf stalker really?, was awesome. Enter Rosa and her fuck-yes back story and cancer struggle, it was both heartbreaking and captivating, and in the end, she was the light. She made the season. I have never been so simultaneously proud and sad as I was in the final moments of season 2.
6. Alex. Gross. I don’t even care that her eyebrows are better this season, I hate her and find her tiresome. She’s a dead story line for me.
7. Piper’s Brother. I have nothing else to add here except that I love him and wish I was related to him because he’s the best kind of weirdo.
Okay, so there’s all that, but there’s so much more. So, I’m going to take a shower quick while you hurry up and finish the season so we can chat. I’m waiting…
Yes yes and yes!! LOVE pousset and when her army dad was all “there is nothing wrong with her” I actually said a hells yeah out loud!
Yes! This season was so good and I feel you on the suddenly loving someone you hated! This show is so epic! Devoured it in a day as well, time well spent!!! Gotta say I was really relieved that Piper was much less ick this season and LOVED Tastee’s story. All the back stories really….when is season three again??
I hate watched the first season, got home from work Friday, saw that the new season was up…and finished within 24 hours. Granted, I sometimes skip over a few scenes, but I thought the backstories were much better done this go around. Poussey’s and Crazy-Eyes in particular were stand out. Less Piper is always a good thing, and OMG Morello. Crazy. Did not see that one coming at all.
Agree, I was very surprised with Morello, but SO GLAD they finally addressed her. I mean, planning a wedding in jail? And we never see the guy? What is up with that? FINALLY, I get it. So insane, but makes her character kinda awesome.
I loved it. I tried not to binge watch and to string it out so that it lasted longer but I totally just watched the last episode without realising it was the last episode. I am currently heartbroken, I wasn’t prepared for the end…. AGAIN! But I love it, I thought the back stories were amazing and totally required. Season 3 please?!…..now?
Me too! I got to the last 5 minutes and suddenly realized it was the end. I was also, completely unprepared. We need a support group.
Just finished. Didn’t know I could love this new season better than the first but I totally did and WHAT a fantastic Killer Ending. Loved it.
Steph
I finished last night at 2:00 AM and I’m probably going to continue rewacthing until Season 3 finally comes out. I have to admit, I was still super annoyed by Piper’s narcissim this season, and yet, of course I’m still rooting for her. As for Red, if possible, I love her even more. Vee? Holy evil. And you totally nailed it with Rosa. Going out in her blaze of glory. Best season finale ever.
“Scatter the Nuns!”
The last 5 minutes had me sitting on the edge of my seat and laughing as much as I dared with a 6 month old sleeping on me.
O’Neill and his Banjolele? Hilarious. I wanted more of his songs.
HAHAHA YES! I loved every aspect of this damn season, and the guards! I forgot to mention them above! How much did you love them this season, and the take down of Figueroa?
Yes, Figueroa’s take down was brilliant. Even after her “take down” on Caputo, he still took her out. It was evil and would be horrible if she wasn’t such a horrible person. The only thing that made me feel kinda bad for her was her husband cheating on her with a dude. (which was also brilliant)
Gosh, this is like therapy. Everyone I know that is watching it, is still on like the 3rd or 4th episode. Psshhh…people and their ability to pace themselves.
I found it utterly hilarious that I was rooting for the guards to fall. Mendez’s fall made me yell out “Yes!” even though he was going down for something he didn’t really do. He still deserved to go. What was also surprising was Red’s reaction to him getting arrested. I’m also confused about my feelings for Healy. He’s so homophobic and crazy, too, but then there are times that make me feel really bad for him.
Best take down ever! I kind of fell in love with Caputo.
Oh Hell to the Yes on this season. So much satisfaction. Vee getting smashed by Rosa. Rosa getting the last hurrah! What’s-her-face-Dragon-Lady getting her due. Poussey, what a fucking amazing character.
I loved the back stories too!
But can we talk about what REALLY made this season amazing? The Lori Petty cameo in the first ep. Because, Lori Petty!!!!!
AHHH YES! Lori Petty! I remember thinking the first episode how upset I was about the transfer, but then I met her and was like, okay, this still blows, but I love her so maybe this will work….
Still glad she didn’t stay in Chicago, but Lori Petty was amazing.
They need to find a way, in season 3, to transfer Lori’s character so we can see more. I mean, Tank Girl!
Not to mention, she’ll be PISSED. I mean, Piper let her get her ass beat and just stood there… so yeah. If she shows up, I feel bad for Piper. And by that, I mean, not at all.
So much greatness in the new season of Orange is the New Black and I agree with all of your points. The creators and writers brought everything to the table and I wonder what else they can do. I was huge fan of Weeds and that went on for 8 seasons so I am not worried at the least. If I had to pin point on anything it was how much I enjoyed Vee as the constant female villain and boy did she get her “come-up-ins” and it was a nice change to the dynamic of the season as a whole.
I do like getting the whole season all at once but the thought of waiting a whole year is killing me. They easily could release two blocks of 13 episodes…we need to start a petition! All in favour?
But where was the chicken? LOL
I like Voss! And I think Polly is a desperate douche nozzle!! And Morello and Rosa at the end….that made my life!!! Now I can’t wait for the next one!
I feel like I began my Polly dislike last season. When they seemed like BFFs pre-prison, but then Polly showing up just started to wane. It’s hard, because there is no sense of time. I am not sure if that is purposeful or not, but I often sit and wonder how much longer Piper has, how much time has passed, etc.
I feel so much better about my life because I finished in less than 24. We are the winners!
So this season kicked ass for the most part. I did have to choke through watching vee seduce rj and see larry win world’s biggest douche award, but meh. I loved the back stories! It gives so much insight into the characters.
LOVE POUSSEY AND TAY. Those are my girls.
K so we just finished. Ho.Lee.Shit. Great season. I loved all the back stories (I kept asking, “ok now what did she do again???” since there was so much time since the first season, I couldn’t remember), and the back stories answered many of those questions very nicely for me, with the added bonus of rounding out so many of the characters.
Natasha Lyonne really upped her game this season. Though my husband keeps saying, “She just happened to be there in prison when cameras showed up – she’s not even acting.” lmao
I was continually confused about why Rosa was Hispanic in her back story, yet her present-day accent sounds so… Russian? lol
Kate Mulgrew was srsly epic. I still can’t believe she was Janeway.
But my pick for the very best actor in the entire show? Uzo Aduba aka Crazy Eyes. She is jaw-droppingly AMAZING time and time again.
And lastly, my huge girl crush I would totally go gay for her pick? Poussey by a landslide. Just the cutest lil slice of lady perfection. ;)
I was wondering about the accent change for Rosa too. My husband and I were both a little shocked to find out she was actually hispanic… definitely sounded more Russian present day.
And totally agree with you on Poussey. She is awesome.
First off, I had never watched the show. I heard about it non stop and decided to start watching it when Season 2 started, however, i started with Season 1. Needless to say, I went through the two entire seasons in three days/nights. I think I slept cumulatively, maybe 14 hours over those three days. This is, by far, the best television show I have ever seen.
There are a lot of scenes that evoke a lot of emotions but the one that made me cringe the most was where they did the flashback of Vee and she sleeps with her ALMOST son. WTF? Then, had him shot, BY A COP. WTF squared!!!! I think my absolute favorite is Nicky Nichols–she is beyond amazing and is so witty and quick on her toes. Love her. I hear they went back to filming yesterday–so now we just have to wait for season three…you know, so we can all watch it in 36 hours and then wait again another year for Season 4. lol
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1. I’m kind of pissed off for her and I’m working on a post about it. Everyone keeps talking about how she is “all about Piper”, but WTF, aren’t we all? I’m pretty sure if I was in prison I would be the same way. And yes, Larry is a big douche. When he stole her story in season 1 TWICE, I wanted to dick punch him.
2. She is so my favorite of all time. LOVE her. And I love the way it ended with her and her friends. One question? Who is white Cindy? They keep calling her friend Black Cindy, but have we ever seen White Cindy?
3. Agreed. I like that they made her more likeable. Like totally. Like. (sorry)
4. That was so crazy shit. I loved those old ladies. I think I remember one episode from last time or maybe this time that the old ladies used to be in max so chances are whatever crime they are in for is way worse than whatever the rest of the chicks in there did.
5. Hell. Yes. The ending was perfection.
6. All I can think about is “seriously Justine Bateman? Seriously?”
7. 100% love! Loved the whole episode about the funeral.
And I just realized I had the actress for Alex completely wrong. Completely.
White Cindy is seen in passing in the halls from time to time. You don’t really see her face but they reference her.
I finished it too and loved it and your recap! Can’t wait for season 3!
Mother fucking Lisa Loeb sing along. My husband had no idea what was going on and all I could do was smile and sing along too. Epic. The whole thing was just, so damn good. I’ll rewatch it at some point just to see things that I missed the first time around, and to see it through second viewing eyes. Jenji Kohan is amazing.
Just finished it yesterday – I know, late to the party… Stood up and fist pumped at the ending. So fantastically awesome. I can’t wait for season 3.
I am SO glad someone else noticed the Rosa accent thing!!
Agree with the minutes of laughter with scatter the nuns and the songs.
God, V deserved it. And it was epic that the entire rest of the prison was out to get her too.
Worried about Nicky and the heroin.
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