'Orange is the New Black' binge recap: 'Fear, and Other Smells'
Spoiler alert! The following contains spoilers for Orange is the New Black season 3 episode 8. Already on to episode 9? Read our recap here.
Are you binge-watching season 3 of Orange is the New Black? We are too! You can read all our recaps here.
Who knew that Alex Vause might actually end up being the most rational person on this show? After being teased by Worst Person Ever Piper for several episodes about her fear that her old boss -- who ran an international drug ring -- might come after her since she testified against him, it seems like she might be right to be afraid as the final shot of the episode zooms in on suspicious Lolly tracking her every move. Now, validly, there could be other explanations for Lolly's diary (maybe she's really into Alex or tracks everyone's movements), but after the flashbacks to Alex's time working for this guy, I'm guessing he knows how to hold a grudge. Knowing Piper though, she'll probably be in denial up until the moment Lolly pulls out her shiv.
And hey, speaking of Piper, she's going full force with her disgusting panty business. In, perhaps, the hardest moment ever to watch on this show, she delivers a speech to her fellow inmates trying to convince them to join her venture that rivals
. There is even patriotic music backing her. It would be a great moment if what she was asking them to do wasn't so gross. And if she wasn't so annoying. But considering the state of the food these days, the inmates are pretty willing to do it in exchange for free Ramen flavor packets (an idea Piper stole from someone else, because, again, she's the worst).
In other smelly news (hey, this episode is called "Fear, And Other Smells") Healy's obsession with Red clearly is still going strong and Berdie catches him legitimately sniffing her coat (his "I was checking for cigarette smoke" excuse was lame, by the way). The conflict between the two counselors that has been brewing all season is starting to come to a head over Soso's depression. Healy wanted to put her on drugs and told her it was all in her head, and Berdie wanted to talk to her. Their argument was full of Healy's gross sexist comments and actions (the salute at the end was almost too much to bear), but Berdie got Soso, so perhaps she'll get some help? One can dream.
In the things-are-going-from-bad-to-worse category, we get our first look at a corporate meeting, which is just as bloodless and cold as I imagined it would be. They don't care about books, or Kosher meals or the prisoners or the long term. They just care about this quarter. And while Danny might actually have some good intentions, he doesn't want to do anything to disappoint his father, who's also his boss (this twist, to me, is kind of lame but let's see where they take it).
Oh and Poussey is not looking too good. After the ending to Crazy Eyes' story pushed her into a drunken spiral, she admitted she needed help, but instead of following Taystee's advice and going to AA, she joined Norma's cult. I hate when these two fight.
8 down, 5 to go! Happy Saturday!
And in case you missed it, you can read our recap of episode 7 here.