Orange is the New Black (Season 4) With Spoilers

[Jordan Catalano]

Who's watching? I've only got one episode left but I needed a break after the one I just watched. I personally think this is the best season so far. It's a lot darker than past seasons have been, which I love. My only real complaint is that they still have no idea what to do with Piper. It's really time for her to get paroled. 
 

[ChildofEarth]

I liked this season, save for episode 12 because I refuse to believe it happened, but they didn't use Laverne or Lea nearly enough this season. Too much focus on Judy and not enough on the other inmates.

[Jordan Catalano]

I was so happy there wasn't much Laverne Cox. I get she's a trans icon but she's also an AWFUL actress. 

And I can't believe that happened, either. I really needed a break after seeing that.

[RippedMan]

Was this announced somewhere? I had no clue. But super happy. Watching it now.

[Marianne2]

I've been watching as well. Only on episode 10. Decided to stop watching because I am afraid of falling asleep while watching. 

I agree about Piper. She is one of my least favorites on the show. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Ok, I just finished it.

That was f*cking intense. I love (that character) so I really hope her decision at the end of the finale doesn't ruin her life when we see how it plays out next year. I can't see how it won't, though. And for a character as beloved as (that other character) was, it was nice to see her smile end the season. 

[Anakela]

Are we doing this thread spoiler-free?

the flashback sequence in e13, that's supposed to be the night that she was arrested, right? Because honestly that was a pretty f'n beautiful last night of freedom right there. Plus, when the suits were going through her file and mentioned her charges, I figured that was what was in her backpack. 

Those last seven minutes of e13 were amazing. I mean the entire season's buildup to it was great, but those last few minutes, ending with that last circling shot...wow.  

I think I've gone from loathing to being indifferent to Piper. The things is I can't figure out if the show runners want we the audience to be liking her or not. 

And did the rest of y'all notice a certain Elphaba playing one of the guards down in Max?

[Jordan Catalano]

I guess it is silly to do it spoiler free. 

But I guess I'm indifferent to Piper at this point, too. Her storylines are always the least interesting to me. My favorite inmate at Litchfield is Mendoza and I was a bit upset we didn't get much with her this year. It'll be interesting to see how she handles Daya next season after what she did. 

[Anakela]

*spoilers*

 

Speaking of Daya, a thing I thought I noticed (I have to rewatch to confirm) is that Daya was always Daya, and Aleida was always Diaz. Then Aleida was released, and Daya became Diaz. Like, her mom didn't want her to become her, but the circle is finally complete and Daya is her. 

And also, the way they didn't "say her name" at the press conference, just imagining all of the other relatives watching that press conference at home like Aleida, not knowing the name of 'Prisoner Dead,' that got me. All looped back to what I felt was the s4 theme, or one of them, that they're people. Bare minimum you "say her name" and that lets the other relatives know that it's not their inmate who is dead. 

And I love that we're continuing the conversation on race, and confronting all kinds of racism this season. "If you're gonna be racist you gotta be accurate, or you just look dumb."

The one Piper scene I definitely enjoyed (is enjoyed the right word here? Where I actually cared about Piper the person.) was the crack smoking in the cornfield scene. All three of those ladies finally speaking and confronting some truths from this season.

(Sorry, length. no one I know in real life has finished watching yet, so I have a lot of thoughts that have been waiting to get out.)

[Jordan Catalano]

I liked that cornfield scene also, but the whole time I was thinking "why do the writers hate Piper so much?"

[RippedMan]

Only on Ep. 2, but Stephanie J. Block as a guard?! Yes!!!! 

[Jordan Catalano]

Don't get too excited.

[Marianne2]

Just finished watching. Definitely better than season 3. Those last 3 episode though. I did cry over the outcome of episode 11. And the last two were really shocking.

[darreyl102]

Just finished the season- I wasn't as moved or shocked as some other ushers seem to be, but really really loved it! I was very in-different about both Poussey and Daya characters anyway. Not really a fan of Laverne as an actress either so i did not miss her character. But this season was amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it!

[BroadwayNYC2]

As a whole, I preferred season 3. Some moments of this season were great, but I can't say it did much for me. I'm not a huge fan of the show to begin with but I do respect the writing and acting. For me, the more the show goes on, the less I like the characters. I think I'm down to 3 that I actually care about (Taysteee, Red, and Mendoza).

[HenryTDobson]

Crazy season! The intensity of the last couple of episodes was off the charts. Season 5 can't come quick enough.

I also appreciate how ever changing the cast is in terms of who gets significance and who doesn't. It's fun to see actors be given more material and really get to show their stuff. I will say though I missed Beth Fowler and Annie Golden a lot this season. (agree about Laverne Cox - not a great actress and was happy to see her sidelined for most of the season)

[HenryTDobson]

Also - even with all of the craziness of the season, I think the moment I was most disgusted/infuriated by was when the guard made Maritza eat the mouse. Absolutely disgusting. (I totally would have picked the flies for the record)

[Jordan Catalano]

That scene was so disturbing and my heart just broke for her. 

[Liza's Headband]

Just finished. This season was all over the map for me but I do appreciate the focus that has shifted onto the CO's and their (twisted) relationship with the inmates. They were far too inconsistent about the racial tensions in the prison. 

[EvanK]

Probably my favourite season thus far. Wow, that ending.. The build up in the last two episodes? Incredible. I love how they have been focusing on different characters and stories. 

[TotallyEffed]

That last shot.

[hork]

Great season, with some qualifiers, as usual. This series has an unfortunate tendency to hold back on its plots rather than see where they can go, and this season they did it with Piper and her panty business. I expected things to escalate after the branding (which was a very disturbing scene), but it turned out to be the writers' exit strategy. Didn't expect Maria to be the new Vee (and she's now replaced Aleida as my least favorite inmate). I also thought they dragged the Sophia plot on too long, with little payoff to make up for it.

[hork]

BroadwayNYC2 said: For me, the more the show goes on, the less I like the characters. I think I'm down to 3 that I actually care about (Taysteee, Red, and Mendoza).


Interesting, because I feel just the opposite, that I like them more as the show goes on. Taystee, for instance, started out as one of my least favorite characters (she was annoying in Season 1 and pathetic in Season 2) and now she's one of my favorites. I still don't give a damn about Daya, though.

[HenryTDobson]

hork said: "Great season, with some qualifiers, as usual. This series has an unfortunate tendency to hold back on its plots rather than see where they can go, and this season they did it with Piper and her panty business. I expected things to escalate after the branding (which was a very disturbing scene), but it turned out to be the writers' exit strategy. Didn't expect Maria to be the new Vee (and she's now replaced Aleida as my least favorite inmate). I also thought they dragged the Sophia plot on too long, with little payoff to make up for it.

 

"

I agree that a lot of the plot lines are abandoned for no reason at all. The branding scene was horrific to watch, but we never really saw any of the aftermath of it. Sure, Piper was clearly in pain, but think about how terrible it would have been just to simply walk around the prison knowing that some of the girls had done that to you. That could have taken episodes for Piper to process/accept. Instead, they kinda just the whole thing wash away into nothing.

 

I've seen some backlash against the writers who have been criticized for dealing with race issues even though they are primarily white. Any thoughts on this?

[hork]

HenryTDobson said:
I've seen some backlash against the writers who have been criticized for dealing with race issues even though they are primarily white. Any thoughts on this?


I don't think writing about race issues should be the province solely of people who have to deal with them in their lives. That's just silly. But people will always complain.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

That's ridiculous. That's like getting mad at men who write roles for women.