So "Orange is The New Black" Season 2 is out on Netflix! I love Netflix so much; it's the next best thing next to sliced bread (even though there's been a lot of better things since slice bread, it's just really recognizable by the American audience). I appreciate Netflix much more now that they've got their own shows that are amazing, particularly OITNB. I love/hate how the whole season gets released at once, because you'll literally take two or three days to finish all 13 episodes of straight and on the last day you're trying to slow down so you still have something to look forward to after work but cannot help it and continue watching, knowing after these few episodes, you'll be done with the amazing Season 2 and back to your boring life.
Season 2 of OITNB was phenomenal to me for many reasons. Aside from the acting improving and the character development being so telling, this season got to the meat of their situation. While still being funny and light-hearted, this season also encompassed a lot of social commentary on the procedures in a Women's facility. There were portrayals of the polarization between the different races, white privilege, improper security, good intent vs. reality and my favorite topic covered: mentally ill inmates. Mental illness is thought of as taboo, especially in communities of color; so It is important for me to see it be acknowledged. There was just so much to all of these subjects and they we covered realistically. I was literally in my bed or at my desk clapping, snapping, screaming, crying or just being straight ratchet and yelling "yasss" at the top of my lungs. So many emotions were eradicated and I wanted to reflect on a few scenes that best conveyed these issues in my opinion.
With the segregation and hierarchy established in the jail, it was best captured in moments when the inmates had to switch bathrooms. The fact that everyone wanted the black women to use the bathrooms would flooded with poop further exalts the forms of oppression and belittlement of the black woman. We are to get the scraps of everything and be content. The dehumanization of black women was accurately depicted. Another part reinforcing this idea was when Morello gives the new inmate and Chapman a toothbrush and tells Vee to ask a black girl for one. The privilege was also perfectly executed in this season, and you all know what episode I'm talking about: Peiper getting furlough. The part that had me snapping was when everyone was talking about their attempts to get a furlough. People had dead relatives, family emergencies and many other things that surpass a sick grandma, yet it was a white woman who got it. But the most breath-taking part of this episode is when Pieper says fearlessly "I guess privilege wins again!". She acknowledges her privilege as a white woman.
The security in that prison is a satire of the work ethics behind within the prison complex. The women were actually escaping the facilities, which actually happens. There are cigarettes, weed, makeup, snacks, and many other things smuggled through the jailhouse, all by the inmates right before the guards eyes. The intricacies around jail operations is very fascinating . This brings concern to how actual jails function; because if weapons are being brought in this will endanger others (although guards having their weapons poses a threat already but that is another conversation).
I was so happy when Caputo plays the former warden, she was awful and had no concern for the inmates! Money was being squandered while she was in charge. It was just abuse of power. Caputo is the only person fighting for the repairs to be made. He really wants to do things right. Too bad that's not going to happen. He already starts with the lies by telling Bennett to keep his mouth shut about being the real father of Diya's baby! This part of the season foreshadows what's to inevitably come: Caputo becomes an even more corrupt warden than the former. The display of the vicious cycle is saddening because everyone wants to make the world a better place, but it is easier said than done.
Now to the mental illness issues; everything from the compassionate release to Suzie taking the blame for Vee is gut wrenching. They say that inmate who was let out on compassionate release will probably be dead in about seven days; it blew my mind how everyone knew she was sent to her death bed all because the jail can't properly care for her. There is also the abuse Warren receives from Washington, conditioning Suzie to listen to her every word to the point that she takes Vee's word over everyone else.
There were just too many good parts to cover, but this season was really impressive. I didn't think I could love the show any more but it's won me over entirely. There were even facts being dropped like how black women stay incarcerated 40% more of the time than a white woman for the same crime. The back stories are tear-jerking, especially Suzie's and Pousse's. The perspectives were many, with great plots and allegories, satires, social commentaries, and humor that made "Orange is The New Black" Season 2 an amazing watch. Honestly my hats off to Kerman and Kohan.
So what did I miss? How do you feel about what I got from this season? What real world correlations come to mind? Please share and we can further discuss!
No comments:
Post a Comment