I’ve become totally obsessed with the new Netflix series Orange is the New Black. I know some of you understand where I’m coming from, because I see your Facebook and Twitter posts. I find myself at 2AM when I can’t sleep searching for any bit of news or gossip about the show. I’ve read interview after interview with cast members. I’ve searched through Wikipedia for backstory on Piper Kerman, the real-life Chapman.I sat in my car after I’d already parked to listen to Jenji Kohan’s interview on NPR. Sigh.
I’ve thought about these characters a lot – how one wrong turn can break a life, mess up a family, and how they want to find some kind of humanity in an institution like prison.
The thing about this show that makes it so compelling is that it’s complicated, and it doesn’t apologize for the fact that you can’t wrap these women up in a neat little stereotype package. They are not just criminals, or poor, or Christian, or gay, or entitled. They are not as they seem on the surface.
- Uzo Aduba (Crazy Eyes) and Nicky (Natasha Lyonne)
Crazy Eyes is my favorite. (SPOILER alert, people…) She starts off being a prison caricature, the scary lesbian who wants to make Chapman her prison wife. When Chapman doesn’t reciprocate her feelings, Crazy Eyes pees on the floor in front of Chapman’s bed in the middle of the night. (This was about 2 weeks into her prison sentence, so she has a long way to go with Crazy Eyes.) You think that’s all you need to know about Crazy Eyes, but then you see her a few episodes later visiting with her obviously rich and connected parents (who also happen to be white), explaining why she hates herself for getting so angry and acting out, and then later in a moment of total vulnerability, asking Chapman why people call her crazy eyes instead of Suzanne, her real name. I’m really curious to see where exactly she goes next.
Anyway, I can’t stop thinking about this show, these characters. How easy it is to judge someone because of what they look like, where they are, or how much money or success they’ve obtained, or how badly they’ve failed. They are more than any of those things. They are more than what they seem, more than how the prison system wants to define them.
I’m not watching anymore TV until season 2 is available. I can’t handle it. This show was too good, everything else is going to seem pretty flavorless IMHO.
Well, ok, except for Mad Men…bring it on Don Draper.
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
I love this post! You’ve just echoed everything I feel about “Orange is the New Black.” I’ve become completely obsessed and now that I’ve finished season 1, I’m going through serious withdrawal. It’s one of those shows that sticks with you and even though I’ve finished watching it, I can’t stop thinking about all the women. Is it time for season 2 yet?!
I know!!! The last episode left me speechless. I have no idea what will happen next. It’s interesting to see that Crazy Eyes pinned Chapman as manipulative, something I didn’t expect to see played out but it kinda has. Anyway, such a great show. I’m having serious withdrawal!!