Orange is the New Black Season 3 (Spoilers)

[SoAnyway]

I finished the latest season late last week and thought I'd write about it.

Overall, I enjoyed this season, probably more than the first and second. It was the same show and characters but not so much the Piper Pity Hour. I enjoyed how they tackled social issues far more than they did compared to the previous two seasons and I liken it to Star Trek except set in a woman's prison.

Certain characters that could easily be hated in previous seasons like Pensatucky and Boo actually became more personable and easy to empathize with this season.

The cameos of previous characters were also fun to see like Porn-Stash Mendez. And Rosa lives!

 

[QCassidy352]

I enjoyed it, but less than the previous years. For one thing, even though it's a minimum security prison, there was always the threat of real violence in seasons one and two, and that was missing in season three. The few instances of real danger or menace came on way too quickly and felt tacked on, without the deadly stalking/buildup of previous seasons.

Several of the plots also just felt unrealistic and campy: the private acquisition, the cult of Norma, the unionizing, and the panty business, to name four off the top of my head.

They've got terrific characters, and it's been great to see some of them grow considerably in season three (Boo is a great example). But I think they're so character focused that the plot has suffered badly. Piper has never been my favorite character, but her story kept seasons one and two feeling like there was a deliberate story being told. Now the plot, such as it is, feels very adrift.

 

[SoAnyway]

Several of the plots also just felt unrealistic and campy: the private acquisition, the cult of Norma, the unionizing, and the panty business, to name four off the top of my head.

Out of those, I disagree with the private prison plot. I agree that it was portrayed in a simplistic manner on the show but private prisons have serious issues in reality.

 

[hallux]

I thought the looks back at the characters' lives before prison were interesting, though the transition to those scenes was abrupt. It provided more character development/history that could have been done in the previous 2 seasons.

I have a REAL hard time believing some of the goings-on with the guards would happen in real life (cut the existing to part-time and bring in "fresh blood" from off the street with expectation they can jump right in and fill the holes). And that last episode with the fence repairs, those guys wouldn't be allowed anywhere close to that with inmates in the yard and no guards around.

I'm sitting there watching the last episode and thinking to myself "how timely", I live a few hours from Dannemora, NY where there are still 2 escaped murderers roaming free.

Now to find another Netflix series to watch...

 

[QCassidy352]

Hallux, I agree. I think they sacrificed a considerable amount of realism this past season, and it didn't work well. Still a very enjoyable show because the casting is so terrific, but they need to bring their plots back to reality and believability.

 

[mscriv]

I'm about halfway through the season and enjoying it so far. I'll post with my end of the season thoughts when I get done.

 

[SoAnyway]

Hallux, I agree. I think they sacrificed a considerable amount of realism this past season, and it didn't work well. Still a very enjoyable show because the casting is so terrific, but they need to bring their plots back to reality and believability.

I disagree with "realism" in story telling. For me, the more something seems "real", the harder it is for me to believe. Perhaps it's my background in the creative field that makes me think this way.

 

[mscriv]

Well, I finished up the season and must say that I did enjoy it. Sure, the "new car smell" has worn off as it's not like season 1, but I think the basic formula of focusing on character development still works. I like learning about the characters and seeing how they handle both their past and their present.

 

[nfl46]

I finished this season a few days ago. It was OK. I feel as if S1 and S2 were much better, though. I do like that they don't focus strictly on one character, and they tell the backstory of all of the characters.

 

[MattG]

I enjoyed it but not as much as usual. I thought the ending was kind of ridiculous. Also, the "Norma" plot line got really old after a while.