'Orange Is The New Black - Season 5' [Blu-ray]
(Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Michael Harney, Uzo Aduba, et al / 3-Disc Blu-ray+Digital / NR / 2018 / Lionsgate Films)
Overview: When the standoff at the prison turns into a full-blown riot, the inmates take advantage of the confusion by conducting séances, holding prisoner auctions, and preening for the morning news
But with relationships tested and friendships starting to fray, will life at Litchfield ever return to normal?
Blu-ray Verdict: 'Orange is the New Black is continuing to make bold moves going into its fifth season and although there have been a couple of sleeper seasons to get through before this one, we are in for some serious prison malarkey here, my friends!
After a devastating cliffhanger at the end of its fourth season, the Netflix prison dramedy instead focused on a condensed time period for its fifth season. Now down to just 13 episodes, the entire season takes place over just three days!
However, as we find quickly find out, the shortened time span addresses the intense fallout from last season, which featured the death of a major character and subsequent prison-wide riot. Indeed, the finale set the stage for an event that continues onward here from the off, and as you would fully expect, continues to impact nearly every major character moving forward.
For those not in the know, 'Orange Is The New Black' addresses several social issues in the most hilarious ways. It shows you how prison can break a person and turn them even worse that they were before getting it. It shows you how capitalism has affected what should be government owned properties, and turned prisoners into rather slaves.
It shows you how racism is still very much alive and how it affects the discriminated against and how it favors the rich and white over others. It shows how prisoners are being treated and sexually harassed just because they cannot speak of it.
It even addressed homosexuality and how it is stigmatized even by law enforcers. It shows how religion has made tribalism stronger than ever and so, so much more.
I love how it shows prisoners as people by making you relate to them in a funny way. Normally in life, one wouldn't sympathize with prisoners nor want their tax money going to better their lives, but this show shows you that they are people after all and how they were brought up contributed to who they are now.
I short, the show is very strong in its characterization. You really get to know all the characters inside and out. You understand their struggles and why they act the way they act. You really feel empathy and love for so many of these characters.
Indeed, the wonderful thing about this show is that there is no real main character. We jump back and forth between many complex characters and learn so much about their background and so on.
Hence this shorter, 13 episode fifth season is just perfect for addressing what happened at the end of the fourth season, without time-hopping again. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
Gag Reel
72 Hours in 6 Months: Stories of the Season
Commentaries
Blu-ray+Digital Purchase Link
www.LGF.com