After the extreme cliff hangers we were all left with after the Season Three finale last year, it’s safe to say that most of us jumped onto Netflix the second season four of Orange is the New Black dropped June 17th.
This season didn't disappoint at all although leaving us with yet again another huge cliffhanger - different than any before, with many saying it’s the best yet. Just in case any of you haven’t finished all the episodes yet, don’t worry- no spoilers!
It’s almost impossible to go on any social media site lately and not see anyone’s reactions to this season. Said to be the darkest season yet from many cast members and fans, this season has been touching on very important topics, shining a light on many problems that affect the world today and more than any other season it has shown the inner evil inside all of us. The show has grown extreme popularity partially due to the fact that it isn't afraid to delve into any of these things. Some of the broader topics focused on include race, police brutality, problems within the justice and jail system, mental illness and addiction - and obviously as none of these are light themes, it’s understandable why so many viewers have had such strong emotions connected with this season and why it has been deemed as the most harrowing.
The acting of this ensemble cast has been undeniably impeccable throughout every season, winning the show and many of the individual actors countless awards. This season is absolutely no exception to this. There is a vast amount of character development seen in season 4 mainly with characters like Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), fan favourite Alex Vause (Laura Pepron), Suzanne Warren (Uzo Aduba) and Tiffany Doggett (Taryn Manning). However, we get to see a different more vulnerable side of almost every single character this season. The writers did a fantastic job showing us things that are maybe hard to watch but very important. Some dark realities of mental illness are brought out through newer additions to Litchfield such as Lolly Whitehill - which are heartwrenching scenes that both the actors and writers did phenomenal work on.
Another impressive moment in acting this season was from transgender inmate Sophia Burset (Laverne Cox) as last season we saw Sophia had gone through hell - and her suffering doesn't get any easier this season. Cox portraying her character as unwaverably strong in some of what would be any human's weakest moments makes for some unbelievably tough watching even by OITNB's standards. Nicky Nichols (Natasha Lyonne) is another standout this season (as always) as her characters very real addiction has always been an important aspect in the show and without giving anything away, she didn't fail to bring that topic some much needed truth in this season. There isn't an actor or writer behind this show that doesn't deserve recognition for being able to bring light upon such heavy and important topics.
A different aspect brought to this season is the amount of attention given to the problems within the prison and law system in the U.S. Of course, each season has done this before; showing mistreatment from the correctional officers to the inmates but this season focuses more on the higher powers within the prison. They cover just how easy it is for prisons to get away with inhumane and corrupt activity simply because they have lawyers and money that the inmates simply cannot have access to. We see more into how the prison world can affect the officers and the Warden when they are put into a federal uniform and are forced to lose a sense of humanity. This is a very real problem (take the Black Lives Matter movements as an example of corruption within the justice system today) and when shown in context of the series makes for very real and shocking viewing.
If you haven’t gotten around to watching Season Four of Orange is the New Black, you really do owe it to yourself to. While at times frustrating and hard to watch (also beyond tear-jerking), this show (and season in particular) can change the way you look at things & people, and give you a new perspective on the real issues many people live and deal with daily. Seriously binge-worthy watching.
Comments