The previous season of “Orange Is the New Black” left off with several characters on the brink of major change. Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Sophia (Laverne Cox) were released from prison, while Taystee (Danielle Brooks) was given a life sentence for a crime she didn’t commit. Perhaps most heartbreakingly, Blanca (Laura Gómez) thought she was getting out, but instead was sent to an ICE detention center.
“OITNB’s” seventh and final season will see the women reckoning with these changes. A new trailer has dropped and shows the characters — in and out of prison — trying to move on from their past. Suffice to say it’s not going particularly well.
Piper is dealing with the monotony of a dead-end job, the indignities of parole, and obnoxious questions from nosy strangers. “This is my life,” she says, sounding sarcastic, sad, and bored.
Meanwhile, Cindy (Adrienne C. Moore) is still reeling with guilt over the false testimony she gave at Taystee’s trial — testimony that helped seal her best friend’s fate. “Don’t focus on what you can’t fix,” former warden-turned-inmate advocate Caputo (Nick Sandow) tells her. “Focus on what you can.” Taystee, understandably, isn’t as forgiving. “When you make a bad choice, living with what you’ve done can be its own punishment,” she observes.
The clip suggests that Taystee’s depression, anger, and fear will be a central part of the final season. She’s no longer the bubbly, quippy young woman we met in Season 1. How could she be? She was robbed of her freedom. “You shouldn’t be afraid. It’s the first step in moving on,” Maria (Jessica Pimentel) says, trying to cheer Taystee up. “I read it in a pamphlet.”
Check out the trailer to see callbacks to previous seasons, including the return of one extremely elusive Litchfield resident.
Created by Jenji Kohan, “Orange Is the New Black” has netted many accolades, including four Emmys, five SAG Awards, and a Peabody. Its ensemble cast also includes Natasha Lyonne, Kate Mulgrew, Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, Selenis Leyva, Laura Prepon, Taryn Manning, and Yael Stone, among many others.
The final season begins streaming on Netflix July 26.
