9 Reasons We Can't Wait For Orange Is The New Black Season 2

7. The Characters

Without a doubt, the biggest draw and the one thing that kept us hitting the 'play next episode' button on Netflix was the fabulous cast of characters that Orange writers created. Every single character is skilfully created with such detail and sophistication that they all feel as real as possible. And because Netflix put all thirteen episodes up at once, those of us who binge-watched the entire season in one weekend spent a considerable amount of time with these people. The characters are constantly driving the show into surprising areas €“ their backstories of heartbreak and indignation penetrate the narrative and guarantee that there are no two-dimensional, unrealistic personalities in the entire season. Embedded throughout the various plot lines are unexpected nuances in each character's personality. Characters we primarily admire and respect commit reprehensible acts that question what we thought, whilst characters we dislike acquire our sympathy at times, much like in real life. We are shown how outside of prison, Red was an insecure and supportive wife who was trying to climb the social ladder. It is simultaneously both difficult but possible to see how she has transformed into the hardened prison inmate who runs the kitchen. Whilst Sam Healy's attitude towards Piper and his venomous vendetta are enough to make anyone's skin crawl, the minute we see his domestic situation and the way his mail order bride is taking advantage, we can't help but feel a morsel of sympathy for him. Even Piper, who is initially the only relatable character, ends up becoming less than admirable as she yo-yos between Larry and Alex and continually insists that she didn't ask for this to happen to her. When Suzanne informs her in the penultimate episode that Piper is 'a mean person,' viewers don't feel she is being unfair to Piper but that it's a just judgement in light of what has happened. We have been shown relatively small snippets of these characters' existences, yet already we've been given such fleshed out and complicated lives that there is certainly enough potential to last years. This is probably why Netflix agreed to sign for season two before season one even aired €“ the quality of character is undeniable and the well of possibilities they provide is a very deep one indeed.