I’m rewatching “Orange is the New Black” (OITNB) on Netflix, and it’s become my comfort series. There’s something oddly soothing about the blend of humour, drama, and sharp social commentary set against the backdrop of a women’s prison. I’m on Season 4 Episode 2 “Power Suit” and Joe Caputo encapsulates the series’ deep dive into the complexities of its characters’ lives.
Caputo reflects on how the women in Litchfield Penitentiary aren’t truly themselves because they’re in survival mode. This scene is a poignant reminder of the dual lives the inmates lead: the women they were before prison and the women they’ve had to become to endure their current reality.
“Everybody in there is doing things, they don’t wanna do. Every single day, things they’re not proud of. Whatever it takes to keep your head above water.”
Joe Caputo, Orange is the New Black, Season 4 Episode 2, Netflix, 2016
’til the cage is full
For context, Joe Caputo has just been promoted to Director of Human Activity (Warden) at Litchfield. He means to brush off Sophia Burset’s wife, Crystal, as she confronts him about Sophia being unfairly placed in the SHU (Secure Housing Unit), but this 2-minute scene becomes a thought-provoking moment. While there is truth in Joe’s statement, perhaps Joe is projecting. He hasn’t quite come to terms with the commercialisation of the prison, which has led to poorer living conditions and a staff walkout at the end of Season 3.
Joe thinks highly of himself. He’s been a “pick me” guy thus far in his life, seeking validation for his more just and empathetic efforts. Caputo observes that the women in prison aren’t their authentic selves; they are in survival mode. But, Joe Caputo isn’t exactly the “good guy” he thinks he is. In this scene, he finally looks into the mirror that Figueroa held up for him a few episodes prior. He is a man who sees himself as the hero of his own story but falls short of that ideal. This moment is not only a reflection on the inmates but also a turning point for Caputo himself.
Everyone is waiting, waiting on you
Caputo’s response to Crystal’s plea throws a question back at her: Does she really know Sophia Burset? Her wife is imprisoned for credit card theft, committed to fund hormone therapy and a gender reassignment operation. In “OITNB”, the disconnect and lack of understanding between herself and Sophia isn’t a new issue. Perhaps before it was related to Sophia’s gender identity and transition but now it extends to the isolating experience of incarceration.
Crystal struggles to grasp the day-to-day realities and emotional turmoil Sophia faces in prison, further complicating their already strained relationship. Our insufferable protagonist, Piper Chapman, experiences this with her own family. She starts her journey at Litchfield as a naive, privileged woman but gradually becomes more hardened and cunning. As the disconnect between her and her loved ones becomes apparent, she loses her fiance to her best friend and her place as the family favourite. They just don’t get her anymore.
You’ve got time
Do the women know who they are? The core of “Orange is the New Black” lies in its portrayal of the inmates and their survival strategies. On one hand, they cling to memories of who they were before prison; on the other, they must navigate the treacherous waters of prison politics. The prison environment both distorts and reveals their true selves.
The humour and absurdity of certain situations in “Orange is the New Black” parallel the camaraderie and conflicts of boarding school. Just like Litchfield, we had to navigate complex social dynamics which resulted in the creation of our own mini-society within the school’s perimeter.
I appreciate the nuanced portrayal of human nature in challenging circumstances, whether the women are in prison or dealing with situations which lead up to their arrest. This juxtaposition of survival and self-discovery underscores the show’s social commentary and resonates with me.
“Orange is the New Black” celebrates the authenticity that emerges from adversity, and reveals that while survival may change us, it cannot erase the truths of our identities.
Have you watched “Orange is the New Black”? What are your thoughts on the character development in the show? I’d love to hear about your favourite moment/character!! Feel free to comment below.
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