Orange is the New Black returns to Netflix as fresh and fun as ever.
Here’s our non-spoiler review…
This is a spoiler-free zone.
TV shows have always been like restaurants: only a select few make it past their first year.
This may sound absurd for a show that seems so young.
Buzzwords like content and franchises rule the airwaves now.
Its got a couple of things going in its favor.
One is the still relatively unusual formatting decision of Netflix to release every episode at once.
The other is the shows impressive, relatively enormous, and pleasantly diverse cast.
Orangeis like nothing else on television*.
The aforementioned diverse and almost exclusively female cast has a lot to do with this.
Its just a sound artistic (and not to mention financial) decision.
Seeing stories that feel familiar but with a level of diversity we rarely get to see feels fresh.
Though, I must admit Im taken aback with just how fresh season three ofOrange is the New Blackfeels.
*And some purists would argue its not even on television.
These people should be avoided and all their dumb political Facebook memes seized.
It would be disingenuous to call season three a reboot.
Not even that much time has passed from season to season.
My Chemical Romance and Tim Tebows playoff run).
I found it a little wanting, especially with the tacked on season long big bad component.
Though critics and fans of season two alike should find season three a welcome return to basics.
In many ways, season three matches and exceeds the high points of season one.
Season two began with an episode that featured only Piper exclusively with a little Alex thrown in.
By contrast, Piper does not even appear until minute 12 of season three.
Piper has blended seamlessly into the background.
Not only is the show better for it, but Piper is as well.
Theres also a welcome return to comedy: broad, satiric or otherwise.
But based on season three she is absolutely right.
Season three is hilarious.
Pennsatucky is a comedic highlight in nearly episode and is developing an unlikely bromance with Boo.
And I mean that as the highest compliment.
Oddly enough, children and parenthood represent a significant theme in season three.
So in the relative vacuum of a huge season-long plot, motherhood steps in.
This review is based on the first six episodes of season three.
OITNB hits Netflix on Friday, June 12th.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
