“Orange is the New Black” is the new show on Netflix that aired on July 11, 2013 and has the perfect recipe of comedy and drama. This witty series, created by Jenji Kohan, is roughly based on Piper Kerman’s experience in prison and the book she published afterword.
The show takes many liberties with the story as it follows the protagonist, Piper played by Taylor Schilling, through her time in prison. Being convicted of delivering drug money 10 years prior to her conviction, Piper is found guilty at a large cost. Her ex-girlfriend Alex, played by Laura Prepon (“That 70s Show”), is the one who names her, leading to her arrest. But Piper has not had any recent ties with her and has put her past romance and affiliation with drugs behind her. In fact, Piper is engaged and living a normal privileged life.
When thrown in prison Piper experiences the unexpected horrors and insights that regularly go on in a woman’s correctional facility. In each episode there is a flashback in a new character’s life that shows the realistic truth in that everyone has a story to tell, no matter their crime. Her roommate is a tough older woman who was convicted of a murder.
There is the transgender woman who has to deal with her hormones being taken away due to budget cuts, a nun who is a comforting aid in the lives of many, a mother and daughter who have a hateful relationship until the daughter falls in love with the attractive guard and becomes pregnant in prison. There is Red, the stubborn lady from Russia who takes the position of owning the kitchen. Throughout the season there is a drug conspiracy between the prisoners and the guards, love affairs, hearts broken and hilarious subplots amongst all the drama.
The biggest catch is that Alex is in prison with her and although Piper blames her for her conviction, the past could not be any more memorable. The plot takes many twists and turns in each episode as Piper tries to learn the ropes, falls in love, learns to forgive and makes many mistakes along the way.
When interviewed by ABC News in a segment called “Sunday Spotlight,” Schillings said she’s “proud that this show humanizes prisoners,” and that “incarceration does not rehabilitate people and it doesn’t allow them to change their lives. Violent, low-level offenders can be dealt in other ways than incarceration.”
Now, she is involved with the Women’s Prison Association, a group she started that helps newly released inmates. “Orange is the New Black” breaks many of the stereotypes about people serving time. The unique perspective presented in the show and the uncensored script is what makes the show worth watching. Now, we just have to hold our breath and wait until season two.
