What a creep. Theres so many facets to Mendezs reign of sleazy villainy its hard to pinpoint one item to explore. Hes not the brightest button in the box - after all, he fell for Dayas faux charms - but he exploits his position of power to its fullest extent. His offenses range from copping a feel of the inmates during routine checks, to instigating a drug trafficking set-up through the kitchen. His most heinous act, a true testament to his rotten core, is his continued enabling of Trishs smack habit. Bringing the drugs into the prison, trading them for sexual favours and then the worst of all: masking her fatal overdose as a suicide. The noose is this spineless mans scapegoat. Back in Litchfield for season two, his intimidation tactics show no signs of slowing down as he dishes out punishments to inmates for ridiculous reasons. Doesnt like your face? Hes writing you up. Walking too fast? Hes writing you up. Armed with the knowledge that even after a serious suspension, hes still allowed back to work, Mendez is an idiotic, macho buffoon with much more power than he deserves.
Gem is a freelance writer, musician and librarian.
Her hobbies include: recreating movie death scenes from LEGO, concocting new types of bird suet cakes, walking on fresh snow and playing the glockenspiel - all at the same time.
