Orange is the New Black Review: It Sounded Nicer in My Head (Season 4 Episode 7)

Orange is the New Black is a show that, until this season, could have been called a dark comedy. This season, it is becoming more of a dramedy.

Writing this review is difficult in part because the issues addressed in this episode are serious. There’s no discounting that and failing to address these issues does both the show and it’s audience a disservice.

“It Sounded Nicer in My Head” is a welcome respite from the nerve-wracking cycle that Piper and the other inmates are doing through.

Natasha Lyonne’s return was like a breath of fresh air. Of course, she returns when the prison population is becoming very polarized. Still, it’s hard to deny that we missed her and it is good to have her back.

It’s especially good to know that Nicky hasn’t lost her mouth. Red sums up our feelings very well:

RED: You don’t realize there’s a piece of you is missing until that piece comes back and immediately pokes fun at your dye job.

It’s a little disturbing how Nicky is the one who makes all the criminals see that what they are doing behind bars is criminal. Yet another reason we missed her.

In just one episode, she cracks open the shower pooper case and talks to Piper about the “mandala of metaphorical sand” she’s creating in prison.

But Nicky’s reappearance doesn’t eclipse the other issues at hand.

Piper’s “task force” is very quickly becoming a sect of the Aryan Brotherhood and she’s surprised that things have gotten this bad.

The thing is the ethnic groups were always divided. The formation of the task force amplified it.

If you go back and watch the pilot, Lorna escorts Piper through the halls and gives her a toothbrush. Then the following exchange occurs:

LORNA: “It’s no problem. We look out for our own.
PIPER: Our own?
LORNA: Don’t get all PC on me. It’s tribal, not racist.

This episode, Lorna is the character who says:

LORNA: I don’t think racism should be a group activity. It’s private.

After facepalming for about five minutes, you have to remember that Piper just keeps getting deeper into a hole!

She’s running an illegal business. Maria has another three to five years on her sentence. Plus, she sold her new bunkmate down the river.

So is it really a surprise when Piper ends up falling for a setup that gets her branded with a swastika?

It feels safe to say that Piper no longer has loyalty to anyone.

The last few minutes of this episode perfectly illustrates the dichotomy of our emotions. On one hand, we want to dance with the character in the common area. On the other, we’re scared for what’s to come. Branding Piper is only the beginning.

Stray Thoughts:

• Nicky’s return was great, but her return also comes with the fact that she’s using. While Red is happy to see her home, I don’t think that she’ll be happy to find out her daughter is using again.
• Caputo is trying to push through an education initiative, which has been changed to provide free labor for the prison. Linda’s smiling face is just too much to tolerate in these scenes. Her shiny corporate veneer reads like a brunette Stepford wife. Wake up Caputo, you could do better. We want to believe you actually care about the inmates.
• Aleida is getting out in a few weeks and Elizabeth Rodriguez’s performance is awesome. This season is one of growth for Aleida, and I hope we get to see more of her both before and after her release date.
• Lolly’s flashbacks were heartbreaking and her scavenging for pieces to build a time machine is so child-like. She truly believes that there is a conspiracy tied to her.
• Healy’s scenes with Lolly are really adding depth to his character. Lolly is the one character Healy has been able to help. It’s a very telling and very sad image. The scene in the time machine especially was a moment of tenderness that’s unusual for Healy.

What did you think of this episode of Orange is the New Black? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Orange is the New Black Season 4 is now available for streaming on Netflix.

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