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

Orange is the New Black: Season 5, Episode 1 “Riot FOMO” (B+)

This show doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Sure, awards shows may not be able to decide whether it’s a comedy or a drama, but there’s no debating its quality. After one very memorable previous finale in which everyone ran out and took a dip in the lake, we’re coming off a very chaotic and powerful finish to season four in which a full-scale riot erupted. In the aftermath, what we have is chaos, with inmates who really aren’t quite as prove to cruel violence as some of the guards, but nonetheless seek to punish those that they feel have mistreated them both for revenge purposes and simply because it’s fun. Piper and Alex aren’t looking to do any of that, and in fact, as comparatively tame offenders to most of their fellow inmates, they’re trying to find a way to ensure that their would-be hostage doesn’t get hurt. Taystee and her crew are on a mission, and the PR hostage they have with Caputo was all about helping them get their message out since it still serves as a PR win for them. It’s hard to imagine how this is all going to get resolved and things are going to go back to normal, especially with how viral some of it has already gone, reaching those outside the prison including Piscatella, and evidently there’s someone in the prison with the upper hand who just knocked out a very stressed-out Dayonara. I’m looking forward to what is sure to be an engaging and enticing season to come.