Orange Is the New Black: Season Three

Jenji Kohan's critically-acclaimed and popular Netflix women-in-prison series—based on the bestselling memoir by Piper Kerman—returns for a third season as convicted drug mule Piper Chapman's (Taylor Schilling) story continues, along with those of the other colorful ladies of Litchfield Penitentiary (as well as assorted guards and administrators). While Chapman (based on Kerman) continues to be the ostensible focal point, Orange's narrative (which includes compelling individual character backstories in each episode) takes in the whole dysfunctional ensemble. Here, Piper's on-again, off-again lover Alex (Laura Prepon) returns; promoted-to-warden Caputo (Nick Sandow) tries to soften administrative policies while also butting heads with the prison's new owners—private company MMR; the birth of Daya's (Dascha Polanco) baby approaches; Red (Kate Mulgrew) returns to the kitchen; and Piper launches a new business venture: selling soiled panties to pervs on the outside. With a common enemy to face—bottom-line-oriented owners MMR—tensions ease somewhat between the perennially warring black and Latino inmate populations. Compiling all 13 episodes from 2015, extras include episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a gag reel. Although the laughs are fewer in this season (like Kohan's previous hit Weeds, Orange is starting to become darker), this is still one of the better shows currently running (with multiple Emmy wins and Golden Globe nominations). Recommended. (R. Pitman)