Orange Is The New Black’s Timeless Relevance

As Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to online-only viewing, it painted an exciting picture of television’s future through its early lineup, which started with the sordid political melodrama House of Cards, and was closely followed by the still-inimitable Orange is the New Black. The concept of a prison show pre-dates Orange, but before or since, it’s never been approached quite like this.

Fresh off of Showtime’s Weeds, creator Jenji Kohan brought the best parts of cable to something completely new. Orange is the New Black had cable TV’s trademark graphic violence, gratuitous sex, and mature language, but it also set a precedent for sprawling, diverse stories with poignant themes. Its character-driven, non-linear approach was captivating, making it one of streaming’s first binge-era shows.

Orange Is The New Black Was A Fresh, Bold Drama

HBO’s first cable drama was Oz, a prison series that bears some resemblance to Orange is the New Black. Both feature copious amounts of mature content, and both use a traditional, straight-man character as a Trojan horse into societal commentary told through a larger, more diverse ensemble. Yet while Oz had personality, it’s primarily known for its shock value, while OITNB stands out for its humanity and heart.

Hemlock Grove and Bad Samaritans released on Netflix in early 2013, beating Orange is the New Black to the punch, but they weren’t available worldwide. Factoring these regional releases into the Netflix roster, they would technically dethrone OITNB‘s title of second-ever Netflix original.

Orange is the New Black had its share of death and violence, but just as important were its lighter moments, where Litchfield’s inmates simply lived their lives and expressed needs that went beyond mere survival. The show had both a lightness and a sadness, as some problems could be solved purely with a decent meal or a haircut. The show’s only “villains” are the systems that push these characters to their limits.

Where many shows sensationalize incarceration, turning it into a spectacle, this one did the opposite, portraying prison as a very real, lived-in place experienced by real, lived-in people. Being based on Piper Kerman’s true story further allowed Orange is the New Black to build this overall sense of realism, giving its grounded exploration credibility.

Orange Is The New Black Was A Pioneer Of The Streaming Format

While cable paved the way for R-rated (at times bordering on X-rated) content, it also introduced shorter seasons, associating “quality TV” with a laser focus on plot. Yet with its sprawling ensemble cast and frequent character-driven flashback detours, Orange is the New Black at times harkens back to the network-era Lost, which had the luxury of 24-episode seasons to foray so deeply into character backstory.

OITNB took the best of both cable and network storytelling to become something akin to a fly on the wall. Events happened and stories progressed, to be sure, but Orange is the New Black didn’t have a major engine driving the plot of the show.

Rather than questions of whether Lost’s survivors will ever be rescued or if Tony Soprano will ever be caught, Orange is the New Black simply offers backstory, personality, and insight into what brought each character to prison.

Orange is the New Black dared to believe that merely spending time with its characters was enough to pull audiences from one episode to the next, and Netflix smartly believed it too. The phrase “Netflix and chill” was born out of the binge-able quality of the streamer’s early productions, thanks in no small part to Orange is the New Black.

Orange Is The New Black Hits Even Harder Today

The continued, if not magnified, relevance of Orange is the New Black‘s themes and subject matter makes the show’s most poignant moments even more powerful today. Its commentaries on prison conditions and systemic bias, while relevant during the show’s original run, feel almost prophetic almost 10 years later.

The violence that erupted in response to a peaceful protest resulted in one of the most gut-wrenching character deaths on television. The emotional resonance of the performances is even stronger now in the wake of the fame some cast members saw following the conclusion of the show. Natasha Lyonne’s Nicky, Samira Wiley’s Poussey, and Uzo Aduba’s Suzanne all evoke a new sense of intimacy when viewed today.

The later seasons admittedly escalated to a level of trauma and drama that didn’t offer the same balance that the show maintained in its prime. Nonetheless, Orange is the New Black remains a hard-hitting piece of television that still holds up today.