As a kid, I learned through fairy tales and children stories that protagonists must be good and, at times, maybe even perfect, and always logical. Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and even The Three Little Pigs (well at least one of the three) always made the right decisions when it mattered. Growing up I was exposed to stories which have protagonists with the same qualities. From the John Grisham books my mother bought for me at an early age (I think she may have been Inception-ing me to become a lawyer), I learned that even if life is marred by our bad choices, in the end, we, either through self-realization, societal factors or divine intervention, still make the good decisions that always lead to happy, or at least, satisfying endings. These characters may not start out to be good persons but they definitely progress towards being good as their stories go along.
One of the reasons I liked How I Met Your Mother is because I felt that despite Ted and his friends' many faults in decision-making, they will, in the end, make the right decision at the right time. Ted will let go of his irrational hope that Robin is The One and find The Mother. Barney and Robin will stop being scared of love and the mess that goes along with it, and just get married--even before Ted does. Marshall and Lily will get over their differences and arguments--big or small--and be the amazing parents they're destined to become. The same goes for the boys of The Big Bang Theory, the nerds of Chuck, the kids of Glee, and even the study group of Community.
This is where Orange is the New Black deviates from the usual. In Orange's first episode we are introduced to Piper Chapman and how she--and everyone else, for that matter as the season progresses--got into prison: By making the wrong decision. This may be a normal start off point for most stories (Mistresses' Savi Davis, Community's Jeff Winger and Once Upon A Time's Rumplestiltskin to name a few) but the difference with Orange is that as Piper's story in prison progresses, the wrong decisions are not lessened. In fact, they pile up. They come one wave after the other.
We see Piper mess up relations with fellow inmates Red, Crazy Eyes and Miss Claudette, her best friend Polly, her ex-girlfriend Alex, her fiance Larry and even, her counselor, Healy. Yes, Piper, at some point, resolves her little f*ck ups but we see that as with every step she takes in the right direction (or what she thinks is the right direction), she also takes two steps back in the wrong direction. As Dana Piccoli correctly pointed out, Piper Chapman is the anti-hero. She is a self-entitled white girl who thinks her problems are the world's worst problems. In her effort to try to blend in with the women of Litchfield she does the opposite and stands out in a bad way. We appreciate her effort because we know she has good intentions and she's just making decisions based on information she has and the recent lessons she learned from experiences she'd recently been in. If you're done binge-watching all thirteen episodes of Season 1, you have to give it to Piper for trying so hard. And yet she still failed.
The cringe-worthy moments in Piper's prison life--and to some extent, in the other Litchfield inmates' lives as well--make me love Piper--and the women of Litchfield--more. They may not fit the image of what heroes or protagonists should be, but somehow, the connection between actor (them) and the audience (me) is there. They're relatable in the sense that not everyone makes the right decisions at the right time. Not everyone learns from one's mistakes easily, if at all. Not everyone is good or perfect or logical. We share Taystee's fear of the uncertain, Red's desire to show strength in the face of adversity, Miss Claudette's doubts, Daya's insecurities, Nikki's longing, Alex' yearning for direction and even Pennastucky's ill-channelled devotion.
Orange's dedication to show us the stories of these women with honesty, precision and straight-forwardness remind me of Freaks and Geeks' willingness to do the same for teens in the late 1990s. The setting and topics discussed by each show are vastly different from the other but somehow if we squint really closely, we can see some similarities. Freaks did not focus on the high school life of the jocks or the geeks who are lovable or likable (for example, Glee's New Directions), it focused on the geeks who are geeks. Freaks introduced us to Lindsay Weir, a teenager struggling with finding her identity. Throughout Freaks' run, we see Lindsay get into different kinds of trouble (egging her own brother, babysitting while high, skipping classes, dating a burnout) and in the last episode we expected that she has learned her lesson. That she has improved. Instead, we are left with the image of Lindsay joining Kim as they plan to follow some band they like over the summer break instead of being where her parents think she is (an academic summit). Freaks end with Lindsay making, what many of us think is, the wrong decision.
In Orange, at the end of episode 13 we see Piper make what many of us think is the wrong decision. But for her, in that moment--it's Christmas and she's alone, having lost Larry, Alex, Healy, and even her roommate--smacking Pennastuckey with her bare hands seemed like a good decision. Maybe it's too early to tell if all hope is lost on Piper. Maybe she will become the hero that makes the right decisions at the right time in the long run. It took Barney and Robin eight seasons to figure out their shit and they're not even in prison.
Piper is not the conventional protagonist but I find myself rooting for her every time she makes a (potentially) bad decision. Maybe she was correct when she said that Frost's Road Less Traveled really/only meant that shit just happens the way it happens and it doesn't mean anything.
At this point in her story, Piper is not the hero we're all used to seeing. So if you're looking for a success story or a feel-good series, Orange is the New Black is not for you. Step away because shit gets real in Litchfield. But I assure you that Jenji Kohan's storytelling and the cast's wonderful acting will make the journey worth it.
--
You may want to read my other Orange related blog entries:
Orange is the New Black Season 2
Orange is the New Black Season 4
Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Quintet 8: Music for the eyes
Quintet is a bi-monthly periodic music review of any five songs I happen to come across/stumble upon, or were recommended, any how, any time. Suggestions from readers are most welcome because music deserves to be shared. Let me be your convert or critic.
Music is everywhere. Recommendations may come from friends or family or celebrities. Sometimes express, sometimes implied. One source of music recommendation that is very underrated is TV shows. Of course not all TV shows have good music but when it does, a good TV moment becomes perfect. For this edition of Quintet, I give you five TV shows whose moments/scenes were greatly improved by good songs it used at background music. To level the playing field, I won't include musicals like Glee or Smash.
Community rarely uses music but whenever they use Ludwig Gorannson's Greendale Is Where I Belong, the feeling of familiarity and longing is instantaneous. Whatever crappy or ridiculous situation the group is in I feel, whenever this song is played, that everything will be okay. Case in point: Take a look at a scene from the season 4 finale episode, "Advanced Introduction to Finality", as the camera panned out on the study group and Dean Pelton right after Jeff's graduation party. Jeff (and Pierce) may have graduated but I am assured that they will not outgrow each other.
Warehouse 13 always has eventful finales--hello, Walter Sykes and Paracelsus--but the use of Florence + The Machine's No Light, No Light in the season 4 finale episode "The Truth Hurts" made everything seemed more intense. Another good finale-ish moment was in season 3's "Emily Lake" when we find out that Steve Jinks is dead while Placebo's Running Up That Hill plays in the background. It was so devastating and Placebo made the feeling worse.
And of course, there's the HG/Myka moment in the season 4 episode "Instinct" where we see HG watch Myka drive away after wishing Myka wished her good luck in her pursuit of a normal life, away from endless wonder. Everything the show can't or is not saying when it comes to HG and Myka was successfully conveyed through Ellie Goulding's Atlantis:
I mentioned before that one of the reasons I like Mistresses (US) is its good music, and Odessa Rose's Mountains and POLIÇA's Lay Your Cards Out proved me right. The scene where Karen was making up notes on her sessions with Thomas Gray and Joss and Alex sexy shower scene were ordinary moments (Ok fine, the shower thing was a little over the ordinary) improved by the use of these songs. Try watching these scenes on mute and you'll realize what I mean.
How I Met Your Mother has always been a reliable source of good music for the past eight years. In fact, it was this show which introduced me to the possibility and reality that good music can come from TV shows. Being a Barney and Robin fan, I always found A. C. Newman's Prophets a magnificent song choice for that take-the-leap moment in season 4 finale episode "The Leap". I know the part of the forest where you shouldn't go, said the song. And yet, Barney and Robin went there, and here we are four years later, on the day of their wedding.
The Head and The Heart's Rivers and Roads was also used in How I Met Your Mother (I think when Ted was in the rooftop) but I felt it was more perfect for Chuck and Sarah's moment at the beach at the end of Chuck's series finale episode "Chuck Versus the Goodbye." Words are not enough to describe how apt this song was for that special moment. Please do watch it here so you have an idea. (AND BTW, WHY HAVEN'T YOU WATCHED CHUCK?!)
Scrubs deserve a special mention for introducing me to Joshua Radin, Alexi Murdoch, Colin Hay, Hooch, Josh Verdes, Mat Kearney and Pete Yorn. I remember, in college, I listened to Howie Day's Collide ALL. THE. TIME.
Music is everywhere. Recommendations may come from friends or family or celebrities. Sometimes express, sometimes implied. One source of music recommendation that is very underrated is TV shows. Of course not all TV shows have good music but when it does, a good TV moment becomes perfect. For this edition of Quintet, I give you five TV shows whose moments/scenes were greatly improved by good songs it used at background music. To level the playing field, I won't include musicals like Glee or Smash.
Community rarely uses music but whenever they use Ludwig Gorannson's Greendale Is Where I Belong, the feeling of familiarity and longing is instantaneous. Whatever crappy or ridiculous situation the group is in I feel, whenever this song is played, that everything will be okay. Case in point: Take a look at a scene from the season 4 finale episode, "Advanced Introduction to Finality", as the camera panned out on the study group and Dean Pelton right after Jeff's graduation party. Jeff (and Pierce) may have graduated but I am assured that they will not outgrow each other.
Warehouse 13 always has eventful finales--hello, Walter Sykes and Paracelsus--but the use of Florence + The Machine's No Light, No Light in the season 4 finale episode "The Truth Hurts" made everything seemed more intense. Another good finale-ish moment was in season 3's "Emily Lake" when we find out that Steve Jinks is dead while Placebo's Running Up That Hill plays in the background. It was so devastating and Placebo made the feeling worse.
And of course, there's the HG/Myka moment in the season 4 episode "Instinct" where we see HG watch Myka drive away after wishing Myka wished her good luck in her pursuit of a normal life, away from endless wonder. Everything the show can't or is not saying when it comes to HG and Myka was successfully conveyed through Ellie Goulding's Atlantis:
This is new
Feels unused
I've never met anyone like you
Frightened
Feeling naked
Sense in searching something sacred
I'll forget you not
I'll wait for you, maybe
Where did you go?
I'm exhausted with loving
No fight in me - I'm defeated
I'm fooled, I can't help it
You make my heart so helpless
I mentioned before that one of the reasons I like Mistresses (US) is its good music, and Odessa Rose's Mountains and POLIÇA's Lay Your Cards Out proved me right. The scene where Karen was making up notes on her sessions with Thomas Gray and Joss and Alex sexy shower scene were ordinary moments (Ok fine, the shower thing was a little over the ordinary) improved by the use of these songs. Try watching these scenes on mute and you'll realize what I mean.
How I Met Your Mother has always been a reliable source of good music for the past eight years. In fact, it was this show which introduced me to the possibility and reality that good music can come from TV shows. Being a Barney and Robin fan, I always found A. C. Newman's Prophets a magnificent song choice for that take-the-leap moment in season 4 finale episode "The Leap". I know the part of the forest where you shouldn't go, said the song. And yet, Barney and Robin went there, and here we are four years later, on the day of their wedding.
The Head and The Heart's Rivers and Roads was also used in How I Met Your Mother (I think when Ted was in the rooftop) but I felt it was more perfect for Chuck and Sarah's moment at the beach at the end of Chuck's series finale episode "Chuck Versus the Goodbye." Words are not enough to describe how apt this song was for that special moment. Please do watch it here so you have an idea. (AND BTW, WHY HAVEN'T YOU WATCHED CHUCK?!)
Scrubs deserve a special mention for introducing me to Joshua Radin, Alexi Murdoch, Colin Hay, Hooch, Josh Verdes, Mat Kearney and Pete Yorn. I remember, in college, I listened to Howie Day's Collide ALL. THE. TIME.
-------------------------------------------------
You may want to read other articles on the Quintet series:
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Reasons Why I Am Into ABC Family's Mistresses Right Now
(Aka My Quick Yet Well Thought Out List That Would Hopefully Convince You To Watch Mistresses)
1. Sheer curiosity.
2. It's a show about 4 strong women. What's not to love.
3. The suspense is killing me from all fronts. Even if the show is patterned (Is 'syndicated' a better term?) after the UK original, I read somewhere that they changed things up a little bit. I will not elaborate on this so as not to spoil the show for anyone who's not watching it (yet) but is reading this.
4. The drama is enough to hook you in and occasionally blow you away (hello, Carver sisters throwdown scene!) but never too over the top to scare you to make a run for it.
5. Who doesn't love a dad who's into sports, parties with Lamar Odom, has a Jim Carrey vibe, is as adorable as Steve Carell and way more intuitive than the average guy? No one. Everyone loves Richard.
6. The funny and sincere Joss-Harry conversations in the kitchen.
7. Joss' interesting and witty one liners. (You can say his name, Mona. He's not Voldemort.)
8. Savi's dresses! Actually it's a toss up between Savi's and Karen's (even the dressing gown-ish one looked good on Karen!). I am not fond of dresses in general but I appreciate good ones when I see them. Kudos to whoever is in charge of dressing these women! And whoever you are, please suggest good ones for Alex, too!
9. Rochelle Aytes' eyes. Endless conversations can be had with those eyes alone.
10. Karen's drama brings a Desperate Housewives-ish feel to the show.
11. Sam Gray is cray cray.
12. It's not only a show about 4 strong women. There's also a fair share of hot guys with accents. Australian, French, American. Pick your poison.
13. The music is good too.
14. I want to find out what Mr. and Mrs. Carver look like for their children to look so different from each other yet so stunning.
15. If Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives had a baby, it would be Mistresses.
16. All the shows I regularly watch are on hiatus, and Mistresses is the only thing worth wasting my precious little time on. Except for the occasional HG/Myka adventure.
17. LUCY IS SOOO ADORABLE!!!!!! Whether she's talking about how cutting class to see Selena Gomez is the best moment of her life or she's calling her mom a goody-two shoes.
1. Sheer curiosity.
2. It's a show about 4 strong women. What's not to love.
3. The suspense is killing me from all fronts. Even if the show is patterned (Is 'syndicated' a better term?) after the UK original, I read somewhere that they changed things up a little bit. I will not elaborate on this so as not to spoil the show for anyone who's not watching it (yet) but is reading this.
4. The drama is enough to hook you in and occasionally blow you away (hello, Carver sisters throwdown scene!) but never too over the top to scare you to make a run for it.
5. Who doesn't love a dad who's into sports, parties with Lamar Odom, has a Jim Carrey vibe, is as adorable as Steve Carell and way more intuitive than the average guy? No one. Everyone loves Richard.
6. The funny and sincere Joss-Harry conversations in the kitchen.
7. Joss' interesting and witty one liners. (You can say his name, Mona. He's not Voldemort.)
8. Savi's dresses! Actually it's a toss up between Savi's and Karen's (even the dressing gown-ish one looked good on Karen!). I am not fond of dresses in general but I appreciate good ones when I see them. Kudos to whoever is in charge of dressing these women! And whoever you are, please suggest good ones for Alex, too!
9. Rochelle Aytes' eyes. Endless conversations can be had with those eyes alone.
10. Karen's drama brings a Desperate Housewives-ish feel to the show.
11. Sam Gray is cray cray.
12. It's not only a show about 4 strong women. There's also a fair share of hot guys with accents. Australian, French, American. Pick your poison.
13. The music is good too.
14. I want to find out what Mr. and Mrs. Carver look like for their children to look so different from each other yet so stunning.
15. If Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives had a baby, it would be Mistresses.
16. All the shows I regularly watch are on hiatus, and Mistresses is the only thing worth wasting my precious little time on. Except for the occasional HG/Myka adventure.
17. LUCY IS SOOO ADORABLE!!!!!! Whether she's talking about how cutting class to see Selena Gomez is the best moment of her life or she's calling her mom a goody-two shoes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)