EPISODE 305: “Fake It Till You Fake It Some More”
The slow elimination of characters this season is perplexing. First and foremost, we’re left without the inclusion of Larry (Jason Biggs) and Polly Harper (Maria Dizzia), two key characters in relation to Piper. Next, and directly after one another, we lose two fan favorites, Bennett (Matt McGory) and Nicky (Natasha Lyonne). The cast of characters is dwindling down, and it’s creating an interesting atmosphere. The problem is that is the writers aren’t doing anything to expand on this tightening community. Less characters means more opportunity for depth in the ones that remain, and it’s completely passed by, which is what makes this 5th episode “Fake It Till You Fake It Some More”, not only a filler, but a disappointing filler.
Nothing seems to have any real ambition in this episode. There’s no sense of cognizance or purpose to any of the key plot points involving the characters. Scenes go by without direction or relevance to this new narrative this season has taken on, and the character arcs don’t seems to want to go anywhere. It’s like, for moment, Orange Is The New Black is a bullet train going 200 miles and hour, and for some reason, despite having a full tank of fuel, it slows down to 120 when it’s already running late.
Typically, the 5th episode of a season is where the “middle half” begins. If this is any introduction to how the 2nd act of this new chapter in the world of OITNB is gonna be, things aren’t looking good.
OVERALL RATING: 5/10
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