STARRING: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Michael Harney, Jason Biggs, Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Michelle Hurst, Taryn Manning, Pablo Schreiber, Dascha Polanco, Lea DeLaria, Samira Wiley, Matt McGorry, Yael Stone, Danielle Brooks, Nick Sandow, Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, Elisabeth Rodriguez, Maria Dizzia, Beth Fowler, Madeline Brewer.
CREATED BY: Jenji Kohan
Did you know that one of the episodes, “Lesbian Request Denied”, was directed by Jodie Foster? I had no idea, because the show is so seamless from episode-to-episode. I couldn’t tell the difference when they brought in a heavy hitter midway. Orange Is The New Black is a new Netflix series, based on the book written by Piper Kerman about her time spent in prison. This is Netflix’s fourth big hit, following the success of House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, and Arrested Development.
Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) is a white, educated, future debutante engaged to a writer (Jason Biggs) from an affluent family. She gets a rude awakening when she is charged, and convicted, of a crime she committed 8 years prior while she was in a relationship with a drug trafficker, Alex (Laura Prepon). For the duration of the series, Piper will have to serve her time in a minimum-security women’s correctional facility. She finds it hard, acclimating to the life inside at first, but because of the dynamic ensemble cast, she gradually finds herself at home. Of course, this is prison, so she occasionally has her scares, and her uphill battles. Her biggest uphill battle comes in the form of Alex, who is actually confined to the same facility that she is.
One of the strengths in Orange, is that the ensemble is really fantastic. Every episode, we learn a backstory of a different character. Probably the most memorable is Red (Kate Mulgrew), a former restaurant owner who has come to control the kitchen at the prison. She has the facility on lockdown, and everyone wrapped around her pinky. Everyone, except prison guard ‘Pornstache’ (Pablo Schreiber), who is trying to shuffle drugs into the prison via Red’s contacts.
Some of the other main fixtures are Nicky (Natasha Lyonne), a former junkie from an upper class upbringing, who wisecracks her way through the day. Dayanara (Dascha Polanco), a new inmate who comes in with Piper only to find out that her mom (Elisabeth Rodriguez) is in the same facility. Dayanara also starts up a relationship with a guard, Bennett (Matt McGorry). There’s Piper’s bunkmate, Miss Claudette (Michelle Hurst), who used to work in a cleaning business. Taystee (Danielle Brooks) works in the library, and might be up for early release. Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) tries to woo Piper. Pennsatucky (Taryn Manning) might be a faith healer, she also might be crazy, but she’s definitely a meth head. And Sophia (Laverne Cox), is a transgendered hairstylist, dealing with her family on the outside.
My big problem with the show is Jason Biggs. Actually, he’s my only problem. I had a problem with him from the first episode, and after watching all thirteen episodes, I would have loved to see John Krasinski in the role. There is something about Jason Biggs that is constantly immature, and it is impossible to ever take him seriously. I can’t get past the pie humping in American Pie, and I can’t take his situation seriously. I constantly wanted his character to exit the show, but he was in all thirteen episodes. Hopefully, we’ll see less of him in Season 2.
Taylor Schilling is a revelation as Piper. I knew from the moment I saw Taylor in that crappy Mercy drama on NBC, that she was destined to do something great. This is that show. I’m pretty certain she’ll be nominated for an Emmy next season. The ensemble is pretty big, and they’re all deserving, but Kate Mulgrew might be a solid standout for Supporting Actress next year too.
I managed to watch all thirteen episodes in four days, a pretty quick watch for me. Aside from Biggs, I loved everything about this series. Surprisingly, it is pretty tame considering Netflix has no content requirements. There are some episodes with sex, but not every episode.
FINAL GRADE: A-
(would have been an A if Biggs was recast)
