Written by: Robert Weihofen
Last year Netflix released a slew of exclusive shows as they tried to gear towards becoming an online HBO. One of the new shows that was released was “Orange is the New Black.” It is unique in the fact that all of the episodes are released at the same time and there is no waiting from week to week like cable or broadcast television.
The show follows Piper Chapman who was convicted of a crime she committed over ten years ago. She turned herself in and was sentenced to 15 months in an up-state New York prison. With her fiancé, a struggling journalist, left on the outside, their relationship will become strained. From the beginning, Piper was out of her element as she was surrounded by other women who had committed much worse crimes.
Piper was thrust into a whole new way of living and it took her a while to adjust to the new lifestyle. She encountered some problems along the way. Early on, Piper made some enemies and upset the wrong people, which showed that she had no idea what she had gotten into. As the season progressed, old friends came back to her and she was able to make some new ones. She made a very big enemy in the first season, Pennsatucky, who portrays a “redneck” persona that wants to bring down Piper for multiple reasons. Along with her, one of the most popular characters of the show was Crazy Eyes and all of her odd doings.
All in all, the supporting cast that surrounded Piper Chapman was one that made the show very watchable. Laura Prepon, who portrayed Donna on “That 70’s Show” makes a big return to television as she takes on a big role for the series.
Season one of the show saw its ups and downs as there were some major cliffhangers as it came to an end, but it looks as if the show is ready to make a big return this spring.
Looking forward to season two, there are major questions that will need to be answered from the season one finale. The finale ended with a huge fight between two of the major characters and it faded out during the fight, a major cliffhanger.
Who knows what will happen to Piper Chapman and her fiancé during the second season, along with the other characters around her. “Orange is the New Black” is set for a spring release and many fans are waiting with anticipation. Will Piper get out soon, can she keep her fiancé, and how will the major cliffhanger turnout? Season two will answer these questions.
