The original series House of Cards has been a coup for digital entertainment provider Netflix – landing the company millions of new subscribers. Is it worth the $100 million price tag? That remains to be seen – but early indications are positive.
On the heels of House of Cards success, earlier this month Netflix released another critically acclaimed series – Orange is the New Black.
Created by Jenji Kohan (of Weeds‘ fame), Orange is the New Black focuses on the plight of Piper Chapman (portrayed by Taylor Schilling), a well-to-do white girl from Connecticut who lands in a minimum security federal prison in New York after she’s busted smuggling drug money for her lover Alex Vause (portrayed by Laura Prepon).
Chapman and Vause’s prison relationship – and Chapman’s difficulty in sustaining her engagement to fiancee Larry Bloom (portrayed by Jason Biggs) – are the pillars of the show. But Orange is the New Black isn’t a love (triangle) story, it’s a jarring, at times haunting look at the sorry state of the America’s corrupt correctional system – probably the most urgent prison-themed drama we’ve seen since The Shawshank Redemption.
Is it realistic? Who knows … hopefully we’ll never have anything to compare it to. But like House of Cards, it is remarkably well-written, acted and produced. And thus thoroughly addictive.
Based on the real life experiences of memoirist Piper Kerman, Orange is the New Black was picked up for a second season by Netflix before its first season had even been released. That’s how good it is.
To see (and sign up) for yourself, click here …
New seasons of both shows will debut on Netflix in 2014. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend signing up so you can watch them …
20 comments
For once, I agree with you! It’s engrossing. Some of the characters border on stereotypes, but there’s enough good writing there to make them seem complex enough to be real. It’s also written to make the prisoners not seem like wilting victims, but as victimizers who are themselves also damaged. The Piper character is especially well done. You want to love her, but she’s got her own problems. Can’t wait for the new season!
For once, I agree with you! It’s engrossing. Some of the characters border on stereotypes, but there’s enough good writing there to make them seem complex enough to be real. It’s also written to make the prisoners not seem like wilting victims, but as victimizers who are themselves also damaged. The Piper character is especially well done. You want to love her, but she’s got her own problems. Can’t wait for the new season!
Good shows, but is this a paid advertisement for Netflix? It sure reads like one.
Good shows, but is this a paid advertisement for Netflix? It sure reads like one.
Missed Oz, did we Fits? Pretty urgent look at America’s prison system. A little too much male gay sex for me, but I did catch it now and again.
Thought it was supposed to be about Dorothy Gale. boy was I surprised.
RH, if you thought it was a prison drama about Little Dorothy, then you were surprised!
Missed Oz, did we Fits? Pretty urgent look at America’s prison system. A little too much male gay sex for me, but I did catch it now and again.
Thought it was supposed to be about Dorothy Gale. boy was I surprised.
RH, if you thought it was a prison drama about Little Dorothy, then you were surprised!
I am also a big fan. My wife doesn’t like it, though, so I watch it by myself.
I am also a big fan. My wife doesn’t like it, though, so I watch it by myself.
Netflix is also doing Arrested Development now, although it annoys me that they call it a “Netflix Original.” Uhh, pretty sure taking an already existing show over is far from “original.”
oops, you mean “semi-original” is what they call it.
Netflix is also doing Arrested Development now, although it annoys me that they call it a “Netflix Original.” Uhh, pretty sure taking an already existing show over is far from “original.”
oops, you mean “semi-original” is what they call it.
I’m about three episodes in, and there is definitely enough girl-on-girl action to keep FITS interested.
I’m about three episodes in, and there is definitely enough girl-on-girl action to keep FITS interested.
FEMA camps for USSA dissidents.
FEMA camps for USSA dissidents.