Orange is the New Black

Are you watching this show?  You should be.  I'm not sure how we stumbled upon this show, but I was hooked instantly.  It's a Netflix original, meaning you can only watch it on Netflix streaming.  I hear there will be more and more shows like this, which is awesome because then there aren't all the "rules" of network TV. Let's face it, those shows get boring.  This is a show with true grit, and it's based on a true story revolving around a women's prison, the staff, inmates, stigma, environment, etc.  It is a fantastic show and I highly recommend it!

Here is a little blurb from Wikipedia:

 

Orange Is the New Black is an American comedy-drama series created by Jenji Kohan that first released on Netflix on July 11, 2013. The series, produced by Lionsgate Television, is based on Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman, a memoir about her experiences in prison. Orange Is the New Black stars Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, a woman imprisoned for transporting drug money. The series also stars Laura Prepon as Alex Vause, a drug dealer and Piper's ex-girlfriend; Michael J. Harney as prison counselor Sam Healy; Kate Mulgrew as the inmate cook "Red," and Jason Biggs as Piper's fiancé, Larry Bloom.

Series Review: Big Love {Season 1}

I will be completely honest with you, no one is more shocked than I am that we are watching this show.  I had zero desire to watch it and would cringe anytime someone we knew would even talk about it.  The subject (mormon polygamy) completely outrages me, that's no secret.  Sure, I have read books about the topic (as I have summarized on here), done research, and participated in countless debates.....but to actually sit down and commit to an entire show?  No.  Wasn't going to happen. 

And then all the girls at work started talking about it and I admit, I was intrigued.  A little bit.  Though I still fought the urge.  I finally gave in and added the first series to our Netflix queue.  And let me tell you, I'm pleasantly surprised.  The show is good.  Like, GOOD.  We finished the first season last night and I'm quite excited to continue on with subsequent seasons.....though I am bummed that the show is currently on its last season (#5).  Eric and I often have to pause the show so we can have little mini-discussions and/or debates about what's going on with the show (since he was raised in the mormon religion).  We had an especially long discussion after the very first episode, when HBO had some little facts about polygamy displayed in the credits......one specifically stating that in America there are approximately 40,000-50,000 people currently engaged in polygamy.  Eric was floored by this statistic.  I found it to be much lower than what I would guess is an accurate number.  Nonetheless, I told Eric he was pretty naive to think this particular way of life was abandoned back in 1900-ish when it was "outlawed".  I reminded him of the FLDS sects/compounds that are raided regularly. 

Regardless of my feelings about this highly-debated topic, the show is good and we will definitely continue on with the remainder of the series.  Check back for more updates as we progress through each season!