Orange Is The New Black - Season 2 Review

Grade - A+

Orange Is The New Black continues to astonish in it's second season which, so far, is the best TV of 2014! This season increases the show's scope so secondary characters are fleshed out such as Rosa and Morello, as well as increasing the race related tensions established in the first season. This season also manages to comment on the prison system and focuses on the administration to brilliant effect, expanding the characters of Litchfield even further. Unlike Season One, this season manages to build up to a slow-building climax which makes the season feel more fully formed. Beware of spoilers ahead as I discuss each episode individually.

Thirsty Bird: Grade - A. This episode is the bleakest one the show has ever produced. While many have viewed this as a negative for not providing what we expect, the impact of this episode looms over the rest of the season. The episode's first half is a tense journey with Piper, as she is transported with no telling of where she's going, while there are some moments of humor, the tone of the episode is decidedly dark. When all is revealed that the new location of Chicago is temporary and Piper is simply there for a trial with Alex, the tension alleviates slightly. The twist ending shows again that Alex can't be trusted at all, but it is an inciting end that makes watching the next episode near impossible! The significance of this episode lies debunking the image the first season showed of prison, which is that it was a fun playground full of colorful characters, the bleak setting of this episode establishes the theme of this season that prison is no laughing matter, this is why, in relation to the series, this episode is highly significant.

Looks Blue, Tastes Red: Grade - A-. Now we return to Litchfield, this episode is about Taystee and her relationship with Vee, a mother figure in her neighborhood. This flashback establishes these two characters who become very prominent throughout this season. Like Thirsty Bird, this flashback is better when seen in relation to the rest of the season but it is nevertheless a very entertaining flashback. In Litchfield, an employment fair is taking place, Taystee takes it very seriously with her driving force being that last years winner got a job when she was released. When it is revealed that she wouldn't get the same treatment by Figeruoa, the moment feels as if these women aren't entitled to the same rights as normal citizens. This is, again, a theme that will become prominent throughout the season and while in this episode it is fairly lighthearted, it will become more serious and involving as the season progresses.

Hugs Can Be Deceiving: Grade - A-. The long awaited back story of Suzanne (I can't call her Crazy Eyes after this episode) is finally here and it was...good. The flashbacks we were given were very good actually, but they weren't enough. While they established her background as a bullied girl who didn't fit in, they didn't provide any new information about her character. Despite this, the flashbacks shown were heartbreaking, especially when related to her interactions with Vee. Speaking of, this episode we start to see the manipulator Vee is, she gets Suzanne to retrieve the cigarettes and makes a mother figure of her like she did Taystee. The reveal as to why Piper didn't get into as much trouble as she anticipated was quite a twist and shows the ability of this programme to consistently surprise us. While the back story was slightly lacking, this episode was a blast in Litchfield and the relationships established become pivotal to the later developments in the series.

A Whole Other Hole: Grade - A+. Among the best episodes the show has ever produced, this episode showcased how pivotal flashbacks are in establishing our views of character. Who would have though Morello's story would be so dark and demented. We come to learn that her 'beloved' Christopher was a man she went on a date with one with whom she subsequently stalked and tried to blow up! The way this was revealed was perfect, totally subverting the audiences expectations. This episode also features standout episodes for Rosa who was a bank robber, who would of thought! This demonstrates how this show can represent women as equally terrifying and capable as their male counterparts. This episode also features some humorous human anatomy lessons which is referenced in the title.

Low Self Esteem City: Grade - B-. Any episode after 'A Whole Other Hole' was bound to be a disappointment but this episode was just slightly uneventful and the worst of the season. This time we are 'treated' to Gloria's back story which was very dull and predicable. The flashback format of these stories isn't capable to exploring an issue like domestic violence sufficiently, therefore much of Gloria's back story felt as if it relied on tropes surrounding the subject. This made much of Gloria's back story incredibly dull, and the end of the story is quite silly. In regards to Litchfield, this episode felt like it was establishing things but it wasn't very exciting, Red was setting up her Greenhouse which is as thrilling as it sounds. Overall, while this episode still had all the humor and charm of an Orange episode, it was lacking and felt like a filler episode.

You Also Have A Pizza: Grade - A+. This is more like it! Tensions are rising in Litchfield, Poussey and Taystee are officially fractured, Vee is stirring up trouble and there's Piper's starting her investigation into Litchfield. In regards to Poussey, her back story was another genuinely surprising one, who would have knew she spoke German! This back story was just sweet and lovely, until the end, as is common with these back stories. The romance between Poussey and another German girl who are in a military compound due to their fathers careers seems genuine and, towards the end, it was painful to see it unravel. The honesty in which this show explores sexuality is refreshing, Poussey's sexuality is openly accepted by her father presumably and is accepted widely in the prison, the fact that it isn't constantly referred to and only mentioned where applicable is fantastic! Poussey and the other lesbian characters aren't wholly defined by their sexuality, the audience loves them for them and this attitude needs to become more prevalent in the TV landscape. Vee and Poussey are on opposing sides now as it becomes clear that Taystee is aligning more with Vee. The episode revolved around Valentines Day and the concept of love so its appropriate that it revolves around Poussey due to the loss of her friend in Litchfield and the loss of her girlfriend in the flash back. Larry and Polly have been seeing each other in previous episodes but they finally get together in this episode, it's pretty predictable but hopefully this means more Alex and Piper which, while often devastating as shown in the first episode, it is still one of the most dynamic relationships on the show.

Comic Sans: Grade - B. This episode, like Gloria's, had the disadvantage of being preceded among Orange's best episodes, but Cindy's flashback was just slightly dull despite it being quite funny. Her flashback about her daughter was just a bit boring and didn't provide much insight to her character, the section with her working in an airport was very funny but reinforced her as a one-note character who needs much more development if she's to become a breakout character like some of the other case members. The prison based story was stronger, the deterioration of Cavanaugh, the old woman, was quite heartbreaking and her release on 'compassionate grounds' was brutal as her fate is to most likely die on the streets. This illustrates the running theme of corruption and mismanagement in Litchfield and the prison system in general, although it may have been a bit too on the nose.

Appropriately Sized Pots: Grade - A. Rosa's progression this season has been an unexpected delight, and this episode dedicates its flashbacks to her. Rosa wouldn't have been the most obvious choice of  having an action-packed flashback, but alas she had the most blood-pumping one yet! As mentioned in previous episodes, Rosa was a bank robber, the flashbacks portray her as a femme fatal who was doomed to be widowed. The flashbacks were very entertaining but perhaps a bit too formulaic, but they helped flesh out Rosa into one of the most intriguing characters in the show. Her interactions with the teenager were also fantastic and the 'heist' they conducted together was a wonderful moment in the show. Her delight at finding out he was going into remission was also fantastic and gave her a moment of gratification. There was also a nice focus on the administration which is going to become more important as the season progresses. Tensions are also arising for Piper who is facing widespread opposition over receiving furlough, with a standout scene being when Suzanne throws her pudding at Piper, it demonstrates her new found independence but also sympathy for Piper, something this show doesn't grant much.

40 OZ Of Furlough: Grade - A+. Vee's malice is on full display in this wonderful episode. The relationship between Red and Vee had been rather ambiguous until this episode where the flashbacks are devoted to their relationship. While Vee appears pleasant as she always does initially, the relationship culminates into a shocking betrayal where Red is beaten to a pulp by Vee's 'family'. This scene is particularly shocking as while the series is unflinching in its portrayal of sexuality, violence is often muted, but this scene held nothing and it was all the better for it. The series felt genuinely terrifying and changed the perception that Litchfield would be a fun place to go, an aim this season seems determined on reaching. This episode also chronicled Piper's furlough which was very eventful. She reunited with Larry and had an awkward encounter in the bathroom which ended with him revealing his relations with someone else, although Polly isn't referenced directly. At Pipers' grandmothers funeral, her brother makes a surprise announcement of a marriage between himself and his girlfriend. While not necessary, it was nice to see Piper's crazy family on display and for her to receive some semblance of normality. The episode ends on a rather sombre note as Piper ends up drinking on the bridge, breaking the terms of her furlough, while embracing her temporary freedom.

Little Mustachioed Shit: Grade A. Piper returns to Litchfield after her furlough, while there is some mention of this like her conversation with Red where she lies about going to her sons shop, the focus of this episode ends up being rooted in the past, specifically between Piper and Alex. Preceding even the first episode of this season, the flashbacks explore their initial relationship, it's easy to see why they get on so well and why Piper just can't let go of her love for Alex. Alex is going to become a recurring player from this episode onwards and this flashback helped establish how their relationship could be wonderful as well as toxic. This episode also set up the hunger strike which will become increasingly important in the final few episode, it also found a nice use for So-So who could often become a side-gag. This episode also demonstrated Tasytee and Poussay's fractured relationship as Tasytee disregards Poussay's warnings and aligns with Vee. Another strong episode, this set things up nicely for the remaining episodes.

  

Take a Break from Your Values: Grade B+. Tensions are once again ramping up in Litchfield, the hunger strike is coming into full swing and measures are being taken by Figeroua to ensure resistance among the prisoners is controlled. Appropriately, we got Sister Ingalls story this episode who became a notorious protester who eventually became ex-communicated for straying to far from Catholic value like taking pride in what she accomplished. This flashback didn't offer much to the plot or character which was problematic, the flashbacks weren't particularly riveting but it was nice to know Sister Ingalls wasn't as heavenly as she appears. Sister Ingalls escalated the hunger strike into something which took the administrations attention, contributing to what would soon be the downfall of Litchfield! This episode also saw the establishment of Safe Place, this was fairly significant as it signals Healy's transformation from absolute antagonist from last season to a fairly sympathetic character, the same could be said of Pennsatucky who is closely associated with the scheme as well and whose menace has been downgraded this season. 

  

It Was the Change: Grade A+. What a fantastic set-up for the final episode and a great episode in its own right! This episode established Vee as a psychopath which wasn't very difficult to predict, but her flashback was the nonetheless shocking. Vee's treatment of her 'children' as dispensable was shown by killing one of her most beloved drug mules, but not before seducing him which was just as shocking and malicious. This cemented her as completely heartless, proven by the end where, after an apparent reconciliation, she batters Red to a bloody pulp! What an ending! This episode also so the collapse of Figeroua's personal life as she finds out her husband is gay, this combined with the declining conditions at Litchfield and Piper stealing files proving her embezzlement means its not looking well for her heading into the finale. This was an awesome episode, cementing the menace that is Vee, as well as setting up the downfall of Figeroua.

We Have Manners. We're Polite: Grade A+. One whole year till Season 3. Boo. This episode didn't help at all, it was a reminder of how fantastic Orange could be, this episode featured family relationships gone sour, the downfall of a figurehead and the long-awaited death of Vee! Suzanne's relationship with Vee has been manipulative from the beginning but this was the biggest abuse of that relationship all season, it was tragic to see Suzanne cecum to Vee's manipulation, with Suzanne thinking and believing she attacked Red. While she didn't get prosecuted, the effect on her was devastating as seen during the final montage, and by this point she wasn't even aware of Vee's death. Figeroua's fall was another delight this season and her desperate appearance and actions were immensely satisfying. Giving Caputo a blowjob was the finest instance of this, distraught over her husband and begging for mercy she pleasured him, but finding out it made no difference was brilliant, we knew she was going down no matter what! Her ultimate punishment was disappointing but predictable and representative of the prison system who would rather avoid scandal for the sake of justice.  The take down of Vee was a fantastic sendoff for both Vee and Rosa who committed the act, with weeks left to live, Morello left her the keys to the van and she went off, while suspension of disbelief was necessary to enjoy Vee's death, it was still fine retribution for what has been a fantastic but despicable character. Alex's impending to return to Litchfield due to Piper telling Polly to inform her probation officer about leaving the state should provide some fantastic drama for next season which couldn't come sooner enough!