Last July, I wrote that Orange is the New Black has two good seasons in it, and that any more would push the premise beyond its limits. I still feel that way, and we'll see if I'm right on Friday, when Season 2 is released on Netflix.
The show's bold characters are both its strength and weakness. Unlike other recent classics like Breaking Bad or Mad Men in which subtle characters arcs blend and develop over time, ONB places combustible elements under pressure. If the show doesn't explode soon, the whole thing may fizzle.
This is similar to the problem of creator Jenji Kohan's previous show Weeds, which featured eccentric, aggressive characters in extreme situations. Though those characters made strong impacts, they ran out quickly, even as the show plodded on five seasons too long.
Breaking Bad nailed the graceful exit; ending its run at the height of its popularity with a satisfying mix of closure and ambiguity. Hopefully ONB can come close. Working in its favor is Piper's short prison sentence. Her release is a natural endpoint, after which there is no reason to carry on.
Even though I've spent this post burying the show before its dead, I really am looking forward to it. I'll watch it all this weekend, and I'll see you on the other side.
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