As a general fan of lesbian themed TV/online series, including the yet-to-be-fully-appreciated Second Shot, by Jill Bennett, promoted earlier this year at The Dinah in April and again at
LFest in July 2013, I was reluctant to give in to the hype surrounding the Orange is the
New Black. Or “@OITNB” as it is known in the twittersphere.
However following some
gentle persuasion from the ladies at MLR lesbian Lounge, who gave me hope that there is love enough
in my heart for both, I sat down armed with cynicism to watch what I thought
would be just another [lesbians in prison because they have no choice] web
series. How easy it is to be wrong when one is closed minded.
OITNB is produced and marketed solely online via Netflix
as a web series, a format growing in popularity, particularly for lesbian themed content.
The show itself is polished,
each character is well rounded with a complete and interesting back story.
There is no laziness in the writing as it’s kept fresh with spins on social
situations all too familiar.
Despite best efforts, I grew to
love the characters and their antics. Top of the charts has to be Laura Prepon
who plays “Alex Vause” the rockabilly crim who may just have started all the
trouble for lead protagonist “Piper Chapman” played by Taylor Schilling.
The
tender and steamy moments the two share are believable and relaxed. But the
moment that tipped me over the edge from wannabe hater to supporter was Prepon
acting from inside an industrial dryer. Seriously who else has the stones to
pull this kind of move off?
Below is the tweet Prepon shared on 16 January of this year while filming, with co-stars Taylor Schilling and Taryn Manning aka
inmate “Pennsatucky”...Just another day on the job! Acting from inside a prison dryer. Ha"
As I said spoilers not included, all that’s left to say is
that I am converted and will be watching series two when it becomes available
on Netflix next year. There is something for everyone, if I may paraphrase Forrest Gump
“Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get.”
The ride goes
from sweet and content to edge of your seat. Nothing is as it seams and what
you think should be so somehow is not...afterwards you wonder what you were
thinking in the first place. Watch it and enjoy the ride.
By Kate
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