What I’m Watching: Orange is the New Black (Season Premiere)

Orange is the New Black: Season 2, Episode 1 “Thirsty Bird” (B)

I would certainly say that this had been one of my most anticipated series returns for a while, though it’s also going to be one of most agonizing. Most shows only air one episode per week, and so waiting for the next episode is just a fact of life. I made my decision to watch one episode of this show per week before its second premiered mostly to ensure that I was able to devote enough time to actually enjoying and ensuring that I finished it, and I now realize it’s going to be torture to know that another episode already exists but that it’s not the next thing on my watch list. The other major reason for that feeling at the moment is that this premiere featured just two of our regular players, and therefore it’s high time we get to see the rest of the crazy crew. I’m partially on board with that decision, since the prison system as seen through Piper’s eyes is when it’s at its most ludicrous and unbelievable. But she’s also not its most interesting character, and though she’s gotten better than she used to be, it’s a shame that we don’t see other familiar faces. Alex was not in great form, and she even managed to screw up and permanently damage Piper’s life even more than ever before. I hope that Piper will soon be headed back to her home prison, where she won’t have to deal with cockroach trainers, birthtime-obsessed lunatics, and those who seem to be genuinely friendly but are fully ready to spread damaging reputation stories. Larry’s dad’s visit was very sobering, a perfectly honest and helpful account of where she is now and how she get herself out of this miserable chapter of her life.

As with “House of Cards,” I’ll be back once a week with a review, watching this show as if it airs on Fridays.