Orange Is The New Black: What Worked And Didn’t Work For Season 6
When Orange Is The New Black first aired, fans were left in awe at the humor, exploitation, and crudeness of these women in Litchfield Prison. However, after five seasons, Netflix threw fans for a loop as Season 6 became darker with a few twists thrown in. While most of the original cast is still present, we were giving a few new faces that changed the way we will forever view OITNB.
For some, Season 6 of Orange Is The New Black was a waste of time. But for me, it was a new beginning and a glimpse into what prison life is like for women. Here are a few things that worked and didn’t work for Orange Is The New Black.
[MarkAds]What Did work in Season 6 of Orange Is The New Black
Nicky’s Loyalty To Red
The Nicky and Red relationship sure had its ups and downs over the first few seasons. No matter how hard Red has tried to save Nicky from herself, she has always fallen short. However, in Season 6, Nicky returned the favor two-fold as she saved Red’s life and showed her the proper respect when her father and lawyer offered her a deal in her case if she pointed the finger at Red. While Nicki had the chance to do whatever she wanted to save her own ass, she went to Red like an adult and told her the truth. In the end, Red gave Nicky her consent which deepened their bond.
The End of Piper
Sorry to say as Piper was once the focal point of Orange Is The New Black but it was time for her to leave. I’ve spent time in prison and some people just don’t belong there. Piper, despite this being based on her life, just didn’t fit. It was cute in the beginning but her weirdness and space-cadet thought process grew too boring for where the show was headed. To send her off the way they did with Alex giving up her prison freedom for Piper was poetic. Goodbye Piper. (Thank God)
The Darker Tone
Orange Is The New Black has been more comedy over the first five seasons than anything. But Season 6 took a darker approach with the ladies fighting and struggling for survival. While there may have been a few fights and arguments in Minimum Security, at Max, it was about trying to stay alive. Whether it was drugs or shanks, the true personalities of our original cast were able to shine. The season was about every woman for themselves as friends became enemies and the fear of death was literally sleeping in the same cell.
What Didn’t Work In Season 6 Of Orange Is The New Black
Luschek and Gloria
What were the writers thinking here? Although nothing happened between the two, you could smell the sexual tension through the TV. Even with Gloria being in prison, Luschek, in no way should be made a love interest of any of the female characters. The dancing was cool but when Blanca mentioned that Luschek may be interested in Gloria, I almost threw up in my mouth.
The Breakup Of Taystee, Cindy, and Suzanne
It had to happen as the show had to provide viewers a look into what happens when lives and longer sentences are on the line. However, after the dealt of Poussey and what Taystee went through during the riots for the prison, one would’ve thought that her girls had her back. Their friendship over the first five seasons was as instrumental to the show as Piper’s presence. This was the time they were to supposed to stick together and they managed to drop each other as if they were strangers for five seasons.
Carol and Barb
At first, Orange Is The New Black was building us up to some sort of big climatic finish with the story of Carol and Tandy. Their rivalry dated back to when they were kids and we figured there would be some big showdown at the end. But we were fooled and this may have been the biggest disappointment in Season 6. What we got, was a revenge plot against Frieda that went so sideways that the entire storyline involving those two made no damn sense at all.
On a side note: How did super glue manage to keep Piper’s tooth in place? And secondly, how did Doggett escape prison and still get sent to Florida instead of C or D Dorm?
[BXReporter]
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
