Returning this week with a brand new season of all-new episodes, Orange is the New Black is perhaps the most exciting original series Netflix has ever put out. Now the show has to do the impossible - top an incredible first two seasons with third offering and ensure the consumer stays interested - and whilst I'm hooked again, I'm not sure I'm as invested as I was before.
Comparing seasons of a drama such as this one - released all at once for our binging glory - is a dangerous thing to do. Episodes sometimes take some time to blossom and it could be the way in which they're released that takes away some of their shine. But there's just something missing - a lack of spark, for me, in the first three episodes of this season.
Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant moments. The first episode's flashbacks to individual inmate's childhoods was a great move to make, and flashbacks continue in each episode individually for inmates and even in episode two for John Bennett (his shirtless dancing whilst in the armed forces to Gwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl' will be with me for some time). The flashbacks have become a staple of the show and so to see them return is a big plus.
One major positive about an ensemble drama is that we are allowed to follow so many different stories all at once and the writers of OITNB continue to balance this out perfectly. It must be a tough job to keep interest piqued when spreading storylines so far yet thickly but the team here are experts at it. This could still be a show pitfall, however.
I don't care enough about Sam Healy's life to want to watch Red help him work out his marriage problems - I'm still holding a grudge over the way in which he left Piper to die back in season one.
Then there's the great drama class scene between Piper and Alex as they unleash their annoyance with one another whilst performing in front of the backdrop of an imaginary grocery store and bruised fruit. After her almost non-existant featuring in the second season, it's good to see Laura Prepon back in the saddle as Alex. Her acting chops are to be commended and at this point, the chemistry with Taylor Schilling is off the scale.
Perhaps my problem is that within the first three hours of the show, we're given no clear cut villain. In season one we had Pornstache, season two saw Vee added to the prison, but now the looming threat is that Litchfield is scheduled to be closed down within a couple of months - something that's never going to happen. Instantly we know the outcome of the story - the prison will be saved and the inmates will be allowed to stick together going into the fourth season. Or maybe I'm just being cynical and the show will surprise me.
What I do like within the first three episodes is the pushing of the Nicky and Boo storyline to the forefront. The pair have been slightly underused in the past and though they're playing with fire in trying to sell off a stash of drugs through one of their superiors, you can't help but root for them - especially following on from the conclusion of episode three.
So, what's my problem? I need someone that I love to hate. Someone to really root against. We're just over a fifth of the way into the series so it's still early days and I hold out hope. And, I'm super excited to see the addition of Ruby Rose as Stella - Piper's new love interest.
Orange is the New Black season 3, as well as seasons 1 and 2, is out now in its entirety on Netflix in all territories that the streaming service is available.
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