<p>I thought it might be nice to have a place for the binge watchers to discuss season 2 freely. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I’m starting to wonder if I wouldn’t have liked it more if the episodes had been parceled out weekly. I think anticipation and speculation do add to the viewing experience. I used to be so happy on Sunday morning knowing that Breaking Bad and /or Mad Men were in the offing that evening. The ability to watch any episode of a Netflix series any time I want is certainly convenient, but something is lost in the process. (And no, I don’t have the willpower to force myself to only watch once a week–if I had that kind of willpower I’d be a lot thinner.)</p>
<p>My strongest reaction to the final episode was pity for sadsack Caputo, whose triumphant ascension to Assistant Warden was just a wee bit spoiled by TWO escapes–one resulting in a death–on day two! Do you suppose he’ll keep his job?</p>
<p>I have two areas of confusion maybe someone an help me with. First, how did Red’s son figure out where in the middle of the woods the greenhouse drainage tunnel (or whatever it was) exited? Second, how did Nicky find Vee’s heroin stash when she stole it?</p>
<p>Finally, kudos to all the cast–especially to Barbara Rosenblat, who played Rosa. Although her accent was wonky (I thought she was Eastern European until the flashbacks), her portrayal overall was fabulous, and I have to give a lot of credit to any actress who is willing to take on such a physically unattractive role.</p>
<p>Wasn’t Rosa Bulgarian, or did I just not pay enough attention? </p>
<p>I don’t like how V went in the end. She was extremely cunning and manipulated a lot of people, until the end when she just destroyed everything she did in the span of a couple days. </p>
<p>The Pensatucky character change was a little odd as well… I not sure if the idea is that she never really felt “Christian” (the way she views Christian) and knew herself that she was just pretending the whole time, or if the new teeth were so important to her that its like her whole life is different now, or what. </p>
<p>Post of the day! Thanks for starting this thread.</p>
<p>I believe that Rosa was Eastern European. (BR would never mess up an accent.)</p>
<p>I really, really dislike Pensatucky, and always have. Even more than Fig or Pornstache or Vee. She and the rest of the tweakers are written the most unsympathetically of any group. They don’t seem to have any redeeming characteristics, as far as I can see. (Perhaps I share the prejudices of the writers, who don’t do much for them.)</p>
<p>A theme that emerged this season was the rebellion of the followers against the leaders: Red, Vee, and Pensatucky. The only one who was able to reestablish the relationships was Red, and that is because Red is a fundamentally good person, while the other two are odious to the core. Vee was fascinating and evil, while P strikes me as just deeply stupid and mean. I don’t know how the actress can stand to play her, honestly. The other thing that annoyed me to no end was Polly’s over-dramatic whining about her pregnancy and nursing/caring for the baby. Although she was a stand-up girl in the end, in some ways, unlike the smirking Larry.</p>
<p>I was very disappointed in the behavior of Big Boo, whom I have always liked. A number of people have said they don’t find Piper sympathetic. I find that I like Piper the least when she is shown being amorous with either Alex or Larry, I don’t know why. For some reason I just don’t buy it. I thought her performance this season during her more serious moments was deeper, though.</p>
<p>The other thing that was kind of strange is through the whole season, Piper wasn’t a main character at all. The start of the first season everyone was defined in terms of her. Near the end, a few characters were being defined outside of Piper’s world. This season, no one was defined by her (except the obvious, Larry and Polly - but even that was starting to dissipate).</p>
<p>Obviously Pensatucky isn’t the first character you think of when you think “good at heart” but I still think she’s more sympathetic than V. </p>
<p>One character I really don’t like is the nun. She got in for being an attention whore, something she should have known better than to be, considering she was a nun. </p>
<p>Flashback Rosa seemed Latino to me–her accent and the names and accents of her gang, but maybe I should watch again.</p>
<p>Litchfield is supposed to be a federal facility, so Morello must be incarcerated for mail fraud, since stalking and even trying to blow up someone’s car aren’t federal offenses. It isn’t explained how she avoided state prison for those crimes; maybe she’s headed to state prison after she serves out her term at Litchfield. I think her backstory was worthwhile. Deeply delusional behavior is pretty fascinating. But it’s sad that she isn’t getting any psychiatric treatment when it’s so clearly needed (nor is Suzanne). In “real life” Christopher would have called in the police to dust his house for her prints, and Morello would be on her way to a more secure facility, but then we’d lose her as a character.</p>
<p>As for Pennsytucky, I think she is just a very needy person with absolutely nothing in her life to make her feel valuable, so she seeks prestige wherever she can find it, first as a religious “leader” of the meth heads, then as Healey’s sort-of assistant in Safe Place, then as a new recruit to the “gay agenda” (bwah). She has few if any redeeming characteristics, but hey not everyone does (particularly in prison), and I think the actress is doing a wonderful job–her subtle gestures, like pulling up the hood of her jacket when she’s feeling low, are really special.</p>
<p>Another query: If Brooke was forced to shower, why doesn’t anyone care that the meth head who took over the laundry room power position from Pennsytucky (sorry, don’t know her name) has apparently never washed her hair? I get itchy just looking at her.</p>
<p>Glad you started this thread since I didn’t think of noting spoiler alert in my original thread. As I mentioned, two of my faves are taystee and black Cindy. I absolutely dislike Vee, and Piper. I only wish I could’ve parsed out the episodes, lol, I am going thru major withdrawal. </p>
<p>D and I have been binge-watching all summer. A little graphic at times, but I guess that goes with the topic. We still have 4 episodes to go, so I tried to avoid the spoilers above. Really looking forward to next summer when D will come home from Freshman year & we can watch Season 3 together. </p>
<p>We have really enjoyed watching Crazy Eyes. I think she is an amazing actress & so funny & poignant. I also really love the Poussey character - that actress is really charismatic the way her whole face lights up when she smiles. So great to have such a large & fabulous ensemble cast. We watched the episode last night where V’s girls beat up Red - that was ugly. You do have to like the Red character in spite of her flaws.</p>
<p>I watched the first episode of Season 2 when BarnardGirl was home for a week. I then had to go back and watch all of season 1 and all of season 2. When I finished season 2, I bought the book and read that. I just need more…lol. </p>
<p>I think the Morelli back story was important because she seemed so together and it highlighted how truly messed up she is. I agree that it also high lights the lack of psychiatric treatment available- and she really should be getting psychiatric treatment. </p>
<p>I also like the Poussey character. I have a hard time even looking at Pennsatucky. </p>
<p>I agree with Consolation about the general theme of the rebellion against the leaders although I think it ties into Piper NOT rebelling against her leader (Alex) even though Alex didn’t follow through as she said she would. </p>
<p>I think the shift away from Piper to focus on the other characters may also show Piper’s growth as a person. She was initially totally self focused but became more “other” focused after thinking she killed Pennsatucky. </p>
<p>The book is good. There are direct incidents that are portrayed in the show but the show does take a very different track. </p>
<p>What is Big Boo’s backstory? And what is Taystee in for? I think I saw her as a former TSA agent and that she has a daughter that her mother is raising (by pretending it’s a younger sister) but I may have missed something. </p>
<p>I don’t think we’ve seen Boo’s backstory yet. The former TSA agent with the daughter is actually Black Cindy. Taystee was raised in a group home, then taken in by Vee as a young adult & brought into her drug operation - I assume she’s in for something related to that.</p>
<p>I have to be honest - I mix up Taystee and BlackCindy. They aren’t differentiated enough from one another physically or character-wise, the way Poussey or Crazy Eyes are. </p>
<p>Really?To me they are completely different in demeanor and appearance.
They are both " full figured" women however, although the prison garb isnt flattering to anyone.
Tastee also has been wearing her hair closer to her scalp</p>
<p>Well, clearly they aren’t to me. If you can spell it out for me what the differences are, that’d be great. I don’t even get why she is called Black Cindy - is there a white Cindy somewhere? I don’t know, perhaps I didn’t pay rapt attention - I watched much of Season One on a long-distance airplane and I know I did doze off for some of the episodes!</p>
<p>Also, the elderly lady with dementia who was released – that was heartbreaking.
And I was in awe of Yael Stone’s portrayal of Morello’s backstory, and watched that episode several times. Her acting is amazing. I’m also in awe of Taryn Manning’s acting as Pennsatucky – esp the scene in the cage.</p>
<p>The Bennett /Daya thing leaves me tired. I don’t get why he’d be so attracted to her in the first place.</p>
<p>And I miss Pornstache’s antics!</p>
<p>Slightly amusing off-topic: D and I were in a hotel room watching OITNB. We watched 2 or 3 episodes then we were getting ready to go to bed and were just playing on iPad / phone / computers. I said something like - oh, you should see the actor who plays Pornstache, he’s quite good looking without the mustache. Apparently we were both sitting side by side googling him :-)</p>
<p>Yes, there is a white Cindy, although she’s not a “character” on the show, but they did explain at one time that that’s how they are referred to to tell them apart. Cindy is bigger, a little rougher looking, with her hair in an afro. Taystee is the one who is/was close friends with Poussey & usually has her hair in braids. She’s the one who worked in the library originally & is portrayed as being very smart.</p>
<p>I was also blown away by Morello’s acting in the episode where Christopher shows up at the prison. Wow, this cast is amazing. I’ll have to check out Pornstache in real life!</p>
Thanks for starting this thread.</p>