Welcome to the new recap series on the second season of the Jenji Kohan Netflix hit Orange is the New Black. Over the next few Saturdays, we will be looking through the episodes and highlighting the events that make this comedy/drama a stand-out in general TV. Does the series have what it takes to make another phenomenal season of TV, and can the tales of Piper Chapman and her inmates satisfy expansion? Stay tuned and make sure to follow along at your own pace.
 |
| Samira Wiley |
With a storm looming on the horizon, the prison is in peril of a potential blackout. During this time, the war between Vee (Lorraine Toussaint) and Red (Kate Mulgrew) continues to abound after a murder goes wrong. Poussey (Samira Wiley) is growing anxious and sad, thus deciding to ruin Vee's supplies by emptying them onto the floor. Vee fires Taystee (Danielle Brooks) on account of her having to watch Poussey. Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) is coming to terms with having to transfer to another prison. When the blackout hits, everyone is evacuated to the highest floor where water that seeps through the plumbing won't interfere. Soso (Kimiko Glenn) leads everyone in a singalong while Red and Vee stare at each other angrily. Diaz (Dascha Polanco) is beginning to feel weak from her pregnancy. Things are heating up. As the night continues, Piper tries to steal some files from Sam Healy's (Michael Harney) office. Joe Caputo (Nick Sandow) makes a few calls to the prison owner, who can't be bothered from her high class event. Taystee reveals to Poussey that she is no longer working with Vee. As the weather clears, Vee decides to knock out Red with a heavy sock.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
 |
| Lorraine Toussaint |
MVP:
Yvonne "Vee" Parker (Lorraine Toussaint)
It is still a battle of the two powers. Red is doing her best not to get into major trouble after a failed murder attempt. However, this episode belongs to Vee on account that she has a plan. It isn't entirely clear what that is, but she has been editing her team to better fit what her goals are. She isn't falling for any of Red's tricks anymore and her cunning personality creates a haunting vibe that alludes to the idea that something may go down. She is fierce and commands attention, especially as she has made more enemies than friends in the past few weeks. Now with Taystee out of the picture, where can things possibly go? With Red being knocked out, what can she possibly have in store? There has to be an all out war coming very soon. It is her domain, but it doesn't seem likely that people will let it stay that way for very long.
 |
| Left to right: Toussaint and Danielle Brooks |
Flashback
With Vee's son RJ (Eric D. Hill Jr.) starting to obtain a strange amount of wealth, Vee is growing concerned. She wants what's best for him, yet she is also just as scheming and enjoying her sweet life. Things change for RJ when he decides to go out to the store late at night and ends up running into a police officer. While RJ is unarmed, the police officer manages to frame him and shoot him in the guise of a defense against an unruly suspect. It is a move so vile and mean that it is likely one of the turning points for Vee's cynicism towards men and authority.
Overall Thoughts
Things are definitely reaching their peak. Each character has had their move and now with one episode left, it is time to see how Red and Vee will solve their situation. What started off as a territorial tiff based on funds and backed-up toilets has turned into an unruly chaos. With Piper transferring, it also raises questions on where the series will likely go. Is she being written off? Who knows. However, the series continues to understand its characters even among the dark plots. There's time for singalongs and a few crass games between Diaz's continuing pregnancy story and Poussey's downward spiral. After the past few episodes have hyped something greater to happen, we have the final attack set up. Vee has made her move and who knows if Red is going to recover. Maybe the fight is over and the aftermath will fill up the finale. Either way, the slow build has been fantastic and the show's ability to hold onto personality along with the more intricate narrative is excellent. Let's hope the series can seal the deal with their 90 minute finale.
Comments
Post a Comment