IT is rather ironic, given the hype around Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) – the star of Orange is the New Black – that she is my least favourite character in the show.
Thankfully, the new game changer this season – Yvonne “Vee” Parker (Lorraine Toussaint) – saves us from the daily woes of I’m-a-really-nice-person Piper, who can’t seem to decide if she wants to be with Alex (Laura Prepon) or Larry (Jason Biggs).
In an interview with Collider.com, Biggs commented: “I feel like the audience’s hatred for Larry was pretty well established going into season two. I’m generalising, of course. It’s interesting (though), I feel like Larry’s decisions are in keeping with his selfishness that came about at the end of season one. He basically became an opportunist. I also feel like he has been really hurt by Piper, and he is acting out.”
Once again, listening to Alex works against Piper as Alex bags a get-of-jail-free card.
Vee, by the way, is the new queen bee behind bars. With Red having lost control of the kitchen to the Gloria, she now finds herself powerless. There are other interesting power shifts at Litchfield Penitentiary:
Piper: her moral stance draws her into more trouble as she tries to expose Figueroa for embezzling prison funds to fund her gay politician husband’s campaign.
Alex: she goes into hiding after testifying against her former boss. But karma catches up with her.
Miss Claudette: a past love interest comes back into her life and, in her hopeful state, she appeals her conviction.
Red: with her smuggling operation grinding to a halt, her value has depreciated among her fellow inmates. And her attempt to sabotage Gloria, the new head chef, backfires.
Crazy Eyes: Vee’s penchant for conning people makes Crazy Eyes easy prey. And, in many ways, she becomes Vee’s right hand and develops a more entitled, aggressive attitude. Oh, and she has become utterly unforgiving towards Dandelion (aka Piper).
Taystee: seeing Vee (Taystee’s foster mum) again triggers memories for her. Once again, she is ensnared by Vee’s promises and this puts strain on her friendship with Poussey.
Poussey: more on her attraction to Taystee comes to light. And she fights tenaciously to keep Taystee from becoming another puppet in Vee’s shady dealings.
Nicky Nichols: her carpet-munching prowess creates serious competition between her and Big Boo as they compare scorecards.
Pennsatucky: after Piper knocked the teeth out of her at the end of season one, this religious nut strikes a deal with Sam Healy to get some much-needed dental work. But her former clique don’t take too kindly to her new snobbish attitude and oust her from the group.
Daya: her pregnancy takes centre stage in season two, more so as she tries to shift the blame to the Mendez in order to protect her prison guard lover, John Bennett. The result is interesting – and not in a Romeo & Juliet way.
Lorna Morello: this incurable romantic’s past comes to light, especially her so-called relationship with Christopher. Stalker alert (cough, cough)!
While the turf wars prevail, the camaraderie among the inmates becomes a strong propellant in the storyline.
Orange is the New Black returns with dramatic flair as enemies draw their battle lines, friendships are put to the test, dark desires are unleashed and the value of family becomes clearer. Oh, and Piper is just as goody-two-shoes annoying – this time, she is armed with a fierce temper and definitely more chutzpah!
• Orange is the New Black 2, Wednesdays on M-Net Edge (DStv channel 102) at 9pm.