Review: "Orange is the New Black" Season 5 is CRAY!

[DISCLAIMER: There are spoilers for Season 4 below, however there are NO spoilers for Season 5.]

First of all, oh boy! Netflix how could you leave us hanging with a finale like that for Season 4?!


Anyway, since we are recovering and in serious withdrawal mode, the folks at Netflix have given us early access to watch the ENTIREEEE Season 5 of "Orange is the New Black" before it is released on Netflix worldwide this 9 June 2017.

So, here's our spoiler free review of Season 5 of "Orange is the New Black", a series revolving around the inmates and staff of the infamous women's prison, Litchfield [yeah, mandatory brief synopsis for those of you living under a rock!].
Moving its tone further away from its established dark comedy to get a little more darker, the first few episodes OITNB Season 5 certainly anchors itself to be more heavy with its overall direction especially in terms of where it picks up - immediately after the tragedy that took place in the second last episode of Season 4, and the beginnings of a prison riot in the finale.

We thought Poussey's (Samira Wiley) death in the penultimate episode of Season 4 would be the apex of the climax, but apparently that was only the catalyst that leads to the very end of Season 4 which then sets the stage for Season 5.

RIP sweet Poussey :'( Now you can chill forever.

Alright, we know that Season 5 will be kicking off with a full-blown riot and interestingly, the ENTIRE, yes entire season of 13 episodes is set over three days full of trepidation and nail biting tension.

With that in mind, the pacing of OITNB 5 is definitely faster this time around to maintain its exhilarating tone, as we wonder will any more deaths of our favourite inmates occur due to the belligerent event that is now plaguing Litchfield prison.

We had to borrow Titus Andromedon of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" to help capture our anxiety.

However, we do miss the comedic moments that have been quite generously sprinkled here and there in the past seasons - ya know, as per how creator Jenji Kohan intended - but in this case, it is understandable that there are lesser instances of that here due to the gravity of the plot.

The shining star of Season 4 that we just can't keep our 'crazy eyes' from is Danielle Brooks (Taystee), who keeps us on the edge with her scheming plans and thus we can't help rooting for her cause as the seeker of justice for Poussey's wrongful death.

Piper (Taylor Schilling) might have been the lead that introduced us to the craziness of prison life and its occupants, but for Season 5, it seems like her character is constantly out shined by the rest. But we don't mind because...

Danielle Brooks (Taystee) is the ONE to watch this season!

Season 5 of "Orange of the New Black" is certainly the darkest season yet, and that might not appease everyone who initially tuned in to the show due to it originally being a dark comedy, but fans of the show WILL still continue to watch it due to their loyalty and attachment to the Litchfield characters and to discover their fates.

Once thing's for sure, Season 5 has more direction and purpose than Season 4. And for that we are...

EXCITED!