Orange is the New Black

[Blaze]

So I just read some bad news that I'm hoping isn't entirely true. Laura Prepon is leaving the show in s2.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/laura-prepon-is-leaving-orange-is-the-new-black-for-now-at-l

I don't think I could enjoy the show as much without Alex. She was one of my favorites.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah I saw that on Twitter, it's such a pity, I dont really have a favorite character but OITNB is one of those shows were the characters work as part of the ensemble, and Alex was a big part of that!

 

[Kean]

At first I was really annoyed by this but then I started thinking about it and realised that if you took Piper out of the show it would make no difference at all. It would still ridiculously brilliant. All my favourite moments and storeylines are to do with the other inmates. So, I'm not to bothered by this. The cast is too strong.

 

[The Chosen]

Just finished season one. This show is SOOO good.

I might have more extensive thoughts on it later. But for right now, I just wanted to say...it's SOOO good.

So good.

 

[brinkster130]

I wonder if Laura is leaving on her own terms or if the show is sticking with storylines closer to the book for the second season. The Scientology rumors don't seem all that likely, especially since she signed onto the show knowing exactly what she was getting into.

I'll miss her character, but I don't think the show will struggle without her.

 

[Blaze]

I wonder if Laura is leaving on her own terms or if the show is sticking with storylines closer to the book for the second season. The Scientology rumors don't seem all that likely, especially since she signed onto the show knowing exactly what she was getting into.

I'll miss her character, but I don't think the show will struggle without her.

I was wondering the same thing. I've seen interviews of Prepon where it was very obvious that she was fine with playing a gay prisoner, and hinted to her being fine with homosexuality in general (despite her religion). And I've also read interviews where she said she was looking forward to continuing the show. I've read those interviews a few weeks back but if anyone wants a source I can try to dig it up.

It also doesn't make much sense for the producers to take the decision of writing her out. She has a pretty big fan base by the look of it.

I'm just bummed out that we won't see anymore of her backstory, I wanted to know more about her. But I do think the show will do just fine without her, and because inmates can constantly change, it'll be easy to bring in some new blood if needed. The cast is so strong though that Prepon isn't really needed in that department. Still, such a shame.

 

[sk]

So, I just finished the first season....

Can only agree with all the praise. It was utterly brilliant.
Extremely funny at times, scary, unsettling and very dark other times. It also has Kate Mulgrew. 🙂

I'm worried what that ending will mean for the next season though.
Really looking forward to it nonetheless.

/SK

 

[pixd]

This is definitely one of those shows where the first season was so good I'm almost 100% later seasons will disappoint - but I'll try to be an optimist!

Has anyone read the book? I keep coming across terrible reviews of it..

 

[eponinethen]

Gah. I just finished watching the show for the second time. Wasn't as super awesome as the first time, but I do still love it very very much. I have had the biggest crush on Alex/Laura Prepon. For a few weeks this summer I started blushing as soon as someone (usually me) mentioned the show... 🙂

I love that the norm is female characters that are gay/bi. Doesn't happen often (ever?) that that is what's dominating.

What amazes me is that it is such a lesbian show, yet it has reached such a huge audience. At first, my friends and I figured it would be something only lgbtq people would watch, but apparently everyone has now seen it.

I find though, that some people watch the show over a few weeks, and some over a few days. I know that I was shocked and obsessed from the moment I saw that it was a lesbian show, and that I saw the extreme hotness of Alex/Laura Prepon. So I have a theory that l(g)btq people – who almost never get to see themselves being a norm on tv like that – might react with a bit more obsessiveness that most straight cis-gendered people.

I am really sad about Prepon leaving. Even though I didn't find her as hot the second time I saw the show, she made the main character a lot more interesting. Now I hope they will focus more on Natasha Lyonne.

The show doesn't really remind me of The L Word at all though. I guess it's like a friend of mine said. "When I was younger and watched the L Word I didn't recognize myself or my friends at all, I had never met those lesbians. On Orange is the New Black I recognize everyone – I KNOW all of these lesbians."

And also: They have a transwoman playing a transwoman. How often does that happen?

 

[Blaze]

What amazes me is that it is such a lesbian show, yet it has reached such a huge audience. At first, my friends and I figured it would be something only lgbtq people would watch, but apparently everyone has now seen it.

I completely agree, I'm sort of the odd one out in my group of friends (in the sense that they are all straight) so usually it's hard to get them to watch an LGBTQ show with me (most will watch it with me because they are open minded, but they'll have a hard time getting into stuff like the L Word). With OITNB, I actually watched alone, and to my surprised, ALL of my friends also watched on their own. The thing is, this show is just so much more than an LGBTQ show, I think anyone can get into it. I know a lot of guys that also watch it, parents etc. I'm happy we have such a show on TV right now that pertains to such a wide audience, and at the same time promotes (for lack of better word?) the LGBTQ community in a positive light (okay, were talking about a bunch of prison chicks, but they do do that aspect of it well).

I find though, that some people watch the show over a few weeks, and some over a few days. I know that I was shocked and obsessed from the moment I saw that it was a lesbian show, and that I saw the extreme hotness of Alex/Laura Prepon. So I have a theory that l(g)btq people "“ who almost never get to see themselves being a norm on tv like that "“ might react with a bit more obsessiveness that most straight cis-gendered people.

I think it's true that LGBTQ people may be a bit more obsessive with the show, because we lack shows/movies in general, I think most of us will automatically watch a show like this. I think the show is so much more than a "lesbian" show though, I get what you mean by that, but I don't think it describes it well.

I am really sad about Prepon leaving. Even though I didn't find her as hot the second time I saw the show, she made the main character a lot more interesting. Now I hope they will focus more on Natasha Lyonne.

On the bright side, she'll be there for 4 episodes, my theory is that she'll take the blame for Piper, get sent to the SHU on the first episode, and come back for the last 3, plus rumours are going around that she wants to do s3 if there is one.

The show doesn't really remind me of The L Word at all though. I guess it's like a friend of mine said. "When I was younger and watched the L Word I didn't recognize myself or my friends at all, I had never met those lesbians. On Orange is the New Black I recognize everyone "“ I KNOW all of these lesbians."

As much as I like L Word, it's the most unrealistic lesbian show out there (where every girl they meet is gay lol). But again, L Word is a "lesbian" show, which OITNB isn't really. I think the difference stems from OITNB is a prison show, that happens to have lesbians, while TLW is a lesbian show, that happened to have other stories in it (if that makes sense).

And also: They have a transwoman playing a transwoman. How often does that happen?

This part is actually pretty amazing, and the person playing the male part before the transition is her (twin?) brother, which is even better!

 

[The Chosen]

As much as I like L Word, it's the most unrealistic lesbian show out there (where every girl they meet is gay lol). But again, L Word is a "lesbian" show, which OITNB isn't really. I think the difference stems from OITNB is a prison show, that happens to have lesbians, while TLW is a lesbian show, that happened to have other stories in it (if that makes sense).

Yeah, I agree with this!

I'll be straight with you, I don't have much experience with The L Word or a lot of other LGBTQIABCO3RZ0 (did I get them all? 😛) shows/media, but the things I have seen I've noticed that they can sometimes be extremely limiting. It doesn't seem like many characters in these types of things really have anything going for them other than their LGBTness...and maybe that's due to the fact that there isn't a lot of mainstream media that features LGBT people predominantly so filmmakers/producers try to go for something a little more extreme?

But OITNB isn't like that at all, I think. Fundamentally, it's not a show about women who like women -- it's not even really about prisoners! It's about people, the human condition, etc. first and foremost and I think that's why it's so compelling and why it registers with SO many people.

 

[eponinethen]

I think it's true that LGBTQ people may be a bit more obsessive with the show, because we lack shows/movies in general, I think most of us will automatically watch a show like this. I think the show is so much more than a "lesbian" show though, I get what you mean by that, but I don't think it describes it well.

Yeah, I get what you mean. But I think it is important to acknowledge that it is a lesbian show. Or an lgbt show. With this I mean that the norm is that tv shows are straight shows "“ where the norm is to be straight. In this, most of the characters are not straight. It is not about being lgbt, but it isn't a straight show. I think it's important because I generally look for shows that aren't too straight 😛
So when you say that it is "more than a lesbian show" "“ yes, it is, many other things too, but it's not straight 😉

Talking about transgender characters and comparing OITNB with The L Word. OITNB is so much better at handling this. What The L Word did to the transsexual character Max can never be forgiven. (Daniela Sea who is playing Max is also some kind of trans* person as I understand it though.)

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I never thought of OITNB as a lesbian show, no were near in the same same The L Word is a lesbian show.

I think it's more complicated then labelling it a lesbian show, especially since the women are locked up together, and many of them have husbands/boyfriends outside, but they dont have access to them.

I think it's a great show about people and shows versatility of people but I'd call it a bisexual show before I'd call it a lesbian show.

Has there been any news on when season 2 is coming out? I've seen Netflix heavily advertising Lillyhammer season 2, now they are become more known for their original programming, so assume I'll see it advertised anyway?

 

[Blaze]

Yeah, I get what you mean. But I think it is important to acknowledge that it is a lesbian show. Or an lgbt show. With this I mean that the norm is that tv shows are straight shows "“ where the norm is to be straight. In this, most of the characters are not straight. It is not about being lgbt, but it isn't a straight show. I think it's important because I generally look for shows that aren't too straight 😛
So when you say that it is "more than a lesbian show" "“ yes, it is, many other things too, but it's not straight 😉

Again, I get what you mean, and maybe it's because I'm a good ol cliche that doesn't like labelling too much, but I think calling it a lesbian show is still not accurate. Let me try to explain, in shows, just like in real life, people from the LGBT are constantly categorised into boxes. OITNB may fit the "gay box", but I'd rather recognize it for more than that. It's not a straight show, you are right about that, but I don't think it's a lesbian show either. It's certainly LGBT friendly, and that should be acknowledge of course, but I'm also hoping that this show begins showing that a show can have multiple strong LGBT character and still be in the league of the "straight shows" (in the sense of popularity). All in all, I just wish that television would stop being straight or gay (not counting stuff like romantic comedies, obviously those are going to be either very straight, or very gay lol). I'm also fine with having just straight or gay shows (eg. The L Word and *insert name of a show with only straight characters*), but I'm hoping that those kind of hybrids like OITNB become more prevalent. The great thing about it is that the LGBT community can relate to the show just as well as a straight viewer can, and that's something pretty dam rare and amazing in my opinion. Again, totally get what you mean, plus I also tend to watch shows that aren't very straight, and for now labelling the shows like that is probably necessary, but in it's own way, OITNB is a bit of a stepping stone in the way it manages to cross those labels and just create an awesome show!

Talking about transgender characters and comparing OITNB with The L Word. OITNB is so much better at handling this. What The L Word did to the transsexual character Max can never be forgiven. (Daniela Sea who is playing Max is also some kind of trans* person as I understand it though.)

I never heard that she was trans?! I knew that she once (or a few time?) passed as a boy, and was open about gender spectrum, but I thought she still liked to identify as a women. Either way she's obviously trans friendly, so that's cool. The L word was pretty horrible when it came to anything outside of lesbians though. Plus they did spend 6 seasons making fun of and disregarding bisexuality. I love that show, but it was very flawed.

 

[Tillow4ever]

I am so in love with this show. It is absolutely amazing and possibly one of the best shows out there right now. I binge-watched it. Not the best idea, admittingly. I NEED the new season. NOOOOOOOW

I just started watching yesterday and am really enjoying it. The casting is great; does Piper remind anyone else of a blond Katy Perry?

Ugh, only downside to binge watching awesome shows is having a long wait until the next season.

OMG YES SO MUCH YES THANK YOU!! THE WHOLE time I was watching it Piper reminded me of someone and you've just hit the nail on the head! Thank you! Now "I Kissed A Girl" makes much more sense. Lol jk.

 

[eponinethen]

Blaze. I do agree with pretty much all that you're saying. And I don't honestly categorize shows in this way. BUT, I do think it's important to be able to point out shows with non-straight themes/norms.

I never heard that she was trans?! I knew that she once (or a few time?) passed as a boy, and was open about gender spectrum, but I thought she still liked to identify as a women. Either way she's obviously trans friendly, so that's cool. The L word was pretty horrible when it came to anything outside of lesbians though. Plus they did spend 6 seasons making fun of and disregarding bisexuality. I love that show, but it was very flawed.

No idea how Daniela Sea identifies, just meant that they have lived as a man at times.
I agree about them making fun of other identities as well, but generally trans* is made fun of in society a lot more than bisexuality. It is such a shame that they do that in this kind of show as well. But yeah, obviously they also portray lesbians in a very specific way (without much variety)..

(Sorry if this post is a bit messy/unstructured. Tired + apparently forgot all English I once knew, all of a sudden.)

 

[Blaze]

Blaze. I do agree with pretty much all that you're saying. And I don't honestly categorize shows in this way. BUT, I do think it's important to be able to point out shows with non-straight themes/norms.

Agreed!!

No idea how Daniela Sea identifies, just meant that they have lived as a man at times.
I agree about them making fun of other identities as well, but generally trans* is made fun of in society a lot more than bisexuality. It is such a shame that they do that in this kind of show as well. But yeah, obviously they also portray lesbians in a very specific way (without much variety)..

(Sorry if this post is a bit messy/unstructured. Tired + apparently forgot all English I once knew, all of a sudden.)

Also agree with this, it's really a shame and what makes me mad the most is that a lot of the prejudices comes from inside the community itself. I think where you live does also affect which group of individuals are made fun the most. Of course, I'm not transgender and to be honest don't know anyone that is, so I don't know the extent of the prejudice they face (I can only imagine it must be quite extensive). On thing I do know that "bi-phobia" is a huge thing where I'm from (coming from both gay and straight people).

 

[eponinethen]

Also agree with this, it's really a shame and what makes me mad the most is that a lot of the prejudices comes from inside the community itself. I think where you live does also affect which group of individuals are made fun the most. Of course, I'm not transgender and to be honest don't know anyone that is, so I don't know the extent of the prejudice they face (I can only imagine it must be quite extensive). On thing I do know that "bi-phobia" is a huge thing where I'm from (coming from both gay and straight people).

Like you say. I think it differs a lot whether so called lgbtq communities/movements actually include trans* people (and queers). A lot of the time it's basically a community for lesbians and gays (and bisexuals in non-hetero relationships, I suppose). And a lot of the time the so called lgbtq movement focuses on issues affecting and raised by lesbians and (mainly) gay men.

I am a trans* person (or rather, intergender "“ hence the questionmark in the field for gender on my profile here on the boards 🙂 ), and I have a lot of friends who are trans* (mainly ftm transsexuals and intergenders). I also have a lot of friends who are lesbian and bi though.

Is the bi-phobia that you're talking about mainly in very gay/lesbian communities?
(Maybe a little of topic, I just find this very interesting, message me instead if you want to 😀 )

 

[Blaze]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e99SkdcB2UU

New trailer!


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Edit:
Can't seem to make the video show up directly on the page :S

 

[Fuffy Baith]

I watched this show on netflix when it came out. I thought that it was super funny and not what I was expecting. Crazy eyes is hilarious. Cant wait to see season 2