Happy Friday all!
If you haven't been hearing about "Orange Is The New Black" then you're living under a rock. Though it debuted a few weeks ago, the Netflix-only series has recently been picking up steam.
I've been a Netflix subscriber since the early days - we're talking 2001. It's been fun to watch the site evolve, including these new original programs. "House Of Cards" was a big success this winter, and "Orange Is the New Black" is the second attempt to hook customers with exclusive series.
I wasn't going to watch "Orange Is The New Black" because, well, it's about prison. Life is hard enough, no?
Then everyone around me starting raving about it - family members, co-workers, people on the train . . . you name it, they're watching it.
After watching the first episode, I was totally hooked. I couldn't believe it! I think part of the appeal is that we've all wondered what it would really be like to go to prison and "Orange Is The New Black" shows you everything - the corruption, the violence, the racism - it's all there.
Actress Taylor Schilling plays the leader character, Piper. Piper was once involved with a drug dealer (her girlfriend at the time) and winds up being turned in to the police a decade after she committed the crime.
Piper has to leave her fiancé (played by Jason Biggs) to go to prison. I love Jason Biggs in this role. You sympathize with him as he tries to stay loyal to his girl. This is the first time I've seen Biggs in a role where I didn't constantly think of him as Jim from "American Pie."
The prison has the most outrageous cast of characters. I could do an entire series of blog posts about each of the leading ladies. They all have fascinating back stories, which we learn through flashbacks.
Of all the supporting characters, my favorite is Crazy Eyes, played by actress Uzo Aduba. If she doesn't receive an Emmy nomination, there is no justice in the world.
Also, the show is created by Jenji Kohan, creator of "Weeds," and she cast a "Weeds" alum, actor Michael Harney. I loved him as Shane's mentor on the police force in "Weeds" and I love him now as Officer Healy.
The first season of "Orange Is The New Black" has 13 episodes and they are all available to stream (hello, binge watching). I watched an episode or two a night for the last two weeks and I was always disappointed in myself when I fell asleep.
Last night I watched the final episode and the last two minutes were so intense! I can't wait to see where things pick up in season two.
Interestingly, I didn't know until a few days ago that this series is based on a memoir by Piper Kerman with the same title. Now I want to read the book to see what has been changed for the show.
Are you as addicted as I am?
