If you haven't heard of the Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black", you must be living under a rock. But if you HAVE heard of it and still haven't watched it, you're just depriving yourself of a high-quality binge-watching opportunity. The first episode is a bit draggy, I will admit, but the ones that follow are exceptional. In this plot, a young married criminal, Piper, self-surrenders. This means that she willingly shows up at a prison and leaves her life behind. The experiences and struggles she endures are heart-wrenching; there are times that all you're going to want to do is give her a hug. If you're in the market for a new Netflix show, OITNB should DEFINITELY be considered!
1. The characters
Disclaimer: Crazy Eyes is incredible. A little out there, but a kind soul.
2. The storyline
I already summarized a bit of the first episode in the intro, but the plot is really climactic and suspenseful. It's not a show that will leave you satisfied after one episode. You're going to want to keep watching, which I think is impressive!
3. The comedy
Disclaimer: There is lots of nudity and swearing in the show, but I think that both just add to the realism and accuracy of a real prison. Plus, some of the swearing contributes to the laughs. Personally, I think Red (a character you will get to know) is the funniest.
4. The relationships
Love triangles are a serious issue in prisons, and the writers of OITNB definitely took advantage of that reality! It's dramatic but realistic at the same time, which makes for suspenseful resolutions and serious conflict that may make you cry. Let's be real.
5. The riots
So, yeah, there are riots that happen fairly often in prisons. Perhaps the one in the show is dramatized (DUH), but it makes you wonder about the safety of those who work in prisons and about how stressed they must be going in each day to their jobs. In short, I feel like the show gave me new perspective on the lives of prison guards. It's a pretty crappy job.
6. The lessons learned
Even though the characters all ended up in prison for a reason (they committed some sort of heinous crime), you feel sorry for them and for their situations because you can see that deep down they are good people. And beyond that, despite the fact that the characters are prisoners, they taught me a lot of important life lessons.
7. The realities it makes us face
The truth about being behind bars often is misjudged or mischaracterized because the only people explaining the realities are the prisoners themselves...and who wants to trust a criminal, am I right?! But I can honestly say that OITNB solidly portrays the every day life, whether it be good or bad, of inmates and prison staff alike. It's important, in my opinion, to be aware of the realities because there are thousands of people living them each and every day.
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