Orange is the New Black is one of Netflix’s flagship TV shows. In many ways, this series was responsible for solidifying the streaming platform’s place as a content creator and entertainment juggernaut. It came out in 2013, just months after House of Cards and Hemlock Grove, becoming the third original drama series to premiere on Netflix.
Six seasons later, Orange is the New Black has become an ensemble show that is full of twists and turns, behind-the-scenes controversies. Despite being a critical and commercial darling, it has certainly made mistakes over time that hurt the series as a whole, and even compromised its future.
On the other hand, many of the plot twists on Orange is the New Black have been for good, even if, at first, it didn’t seem like so. Showrunner Jenji Kohan, who was previously known for creating Showtime’s Weeds, made very bold choices and statements during Orange ’s run – telling important storylines, making the case for a mostly female ensemble, and being a prominent advocate for having diversity production team both on-screen and behind-the-scenes.
Without a doubt, Orange is the New Black has been a very important series for portraying authentic characters that exist as minorities, such as LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and inmates trying to survive within the prison system. Unfortunately, not all of the plot twists on Orange worked well or to the benefit of the show and its characters.
This is 10 Plot Twists That Hurt Orange Is The New Black (And 10 That Saved It).
HURT: TAYSTEE IS FOUND GUILTY
The entire fifth season of Orange Is The New Black gave fans hope that maybe, just maybe, the Litchfield Penitentiary inmates would finally be heard, and that changes would be made. That season’s prison riot happened in the aftermath of Poussey Washington being a victim of police brutality, with Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson leading the negotiations between inmates and Management & Correction Corporation (MCC).
The prison riot did not lead anywhere, forcing Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson to be tried during season 6.
Since nothing was accomplished during the previous season, fans once again hoped that maybe, just maybe, the inmates would finally get their dues. However, season 6 ended with Taystee being found guilty for a crime she did not commit – a plot twist that many did not anticipate.
SAVED: LARRY CHEATS WITH PIPER’S BEST FRIEND
During season 1, Larry Abraham Bloom was a loving and ing husband to Piper Chapman. It was easy to be annoyed with Piper’s treatment of Larry and to disagree with the way that she saw him. All in all, it certainly felt like Larry was dealing with the fact that his wife was going to go to prison in the best way that he could.
Then the second season of Orange is the New Black came along, and it started to become somewhat clear that Piper kind of had a point about Larry. Perhaps the biggest plot twist of the season was that Larry became romantically involved with Polly Harper, Piper’s best friend. In hindsight, this was great for Orange as a whole, as it placed audiences on Piper’s side and cleared the way for Larry to exit the show and Alex Vause to rturn.
HURT: BENNETT LEAVES PREGNANT DAYA
Correctional Officer John Bennett had always been set up as “one of the good guys” on Orange is the New Black. The fell in love with Dayanara “Daya” Diaz, and the series seemed to set up a Romeo & Juliet-esque storyline between an officer and an inmate. To take things even further, Daya got pregnant. However, because she had also been with George Mendez, the paternity of the child was put in question.
Even in the face of such adversities, it really felt like C.O. Bennett was on board with the whole thing.
He would take care of Daya’s child regardless of who the father was. Then, just like that, Bennett left, which was a damaging plot twist not only for Daya, but for Orange is the New Black as a whole.
SAVED: MENDEZ IS FIRED
George Mendez was the original “bad cop” on Orange is the New Black. Between seasons 1 and 3, he was responsible for some of the most despicable actions to happen on the show. Among them, Mendez engaged in relations with Daya, despite knowing that his actions would be construed as assault since inmates are not capable, by law, to give consent to correctional officers.
Later on, Daya rightfully framed Mendez as having assaulted her, which was a great way to protect her relationship with Bennett, justify the fact that she might be pregnant, and also get rid of the threat that Mendez represented inside the Litchfield Penitentiary. While this was a terrible thing to happen to Daya, it certainly allowed fans to celebrate the elimination of a terrible man.
HURT: PISCATELLA GIVES RED A HAIR CUT
Among the Litchfield Penitentiary inmates, Galina “Red” Reznikov was originally perceived as a villainous character, particularly due to the fact that she was very mean to Piper in season 1. Over time, however, fans were allowed to understand where Red was coming from, as she showcased redeeming qualities and proved that there were much worse women than her in those prisons.
In season 5, C.O. Desi Piscatella held Red and other inmates as hostages inside the Litchfield Penitentiary, tormenting and beating them.
Piscatella cut Galina Reznivok’s red hair, ruining the trait that defined her entire identity.
C.O. Piscatella’s actions were very hurtful to Red, but they were also incredibly hard for fans to watch, as Red had become one of the most beloved Orange is the New Black characters.
SAVED: PENNSATUCKY HAS A HEART
Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett was perhaps the biggest antagonist on season 1, as she was directly opposed to Piper Chapman, who at the time was Orange is the New Black’s main heroine. As the seasons went by, Pennsatucky became a much softer character and showcased many redeeming qualities, which made her less of a villain and more of a victim of her terrible circumstances.
The plot twist came through her conflict with Coates, since Pennsatucky had always been perceived as such a strong woman, but this allowed audiences to see her in a brand-new light. In hindsight, this terrible thing allowed Orange is the New Black to show Pennsatucky as a real person with flaws and qualities, rather than simply an antagonist.
HURT: PENNSATUCKY ESCAPES PRISON, THEN COMES BACK
The big storyline concerning Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett on season 6 was that she escaped prison with the help of C.O. Charlie Coates. However, Orange is the New Black ended that storyline with a plot twist: she came back.
Having Tiffany run away and then come back was a storyline that served no purpose.
She did not face any major repercussions, nor was anything significant revealed about her during her time running away. If anything, the time that Tiffany spent outside of prison just deepened the certainty that her relationship with C.O. Coates makes no sense. Tiffany has much more valuable storylines inside of prison, such as becoming Suzanne Warren’s sidekick in an ongoing investigation.
SAVED: ALEIDA STARTS DATING C.O. HOPPER
As Aleida Diaz was released from Litchfield Penitentiary, Orange is the New Black fans became worried that this signaled to the end of her journey. Sure, Daya would probably still see her mother on occasion, but we were likely to see less and less of Aleida from that point on. Fortunately, the series realized that Aleida Diaz was a very compelling character that fans would like to see more of.
Thus, Orange is the New Black presented yet another plot twist: Aleida started dating C.O. Rick Hopper, who works at Litchfield Max. Initially, she fools him into smuggling drugs inside the prison, which Daya sells. Later, however, as Hopper catches on, they start working together.
HURT: SOPHIA ENDS UP IN THE S.H.U.
In many ways, Laverne Cox’s career was jumpstarted due to her excellent portrayal of Sophia Burset on Orange is the New Black. The actress became the first trans person to ever be nominated in an acting category at the Primetime Emmy Awards. With so much acclaim, Laverne Cox became a household name and was instantly attached to several other projects, such as the television series The Mindy Project and Doubt, as well as the musical TV special The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again.
It was clear that Orange is the New Black would have to give fans a plot twist to justify Sophia Burset’s absence from the show.
It is just unfortunate – and hurtful – that this twist was the character being sent to a security housing unit (S.H.U.), isolating her for months.
SAVED: PIPER GETS AN EARLY RELEASE
Piper Chapman’s time in prison could have been much shorter if only she had not beaten up Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett in the season 1 finale of Orange is the New Black. However, Piper was still given an early release after all, even if it came much later, in season 6.
As Orange is the New Black evolved from no longer being focused on Piper's story, it is safe to say that it was about time for the character to be released from prison. Fans no longer need Piper present to follow the stories inside prison. What’s more, audiences can now follow what will happen to her now that she's out in the world as a former inmate, allowing Orange to tell a new story.