Orange is the new Black season 5 has had a lot of mixed reviews from a lot of fans, I can slightly see why, but this was a darn good season. Sure, one of the major issues is that they keep the rioting on for the entire 13 episodes, and it felt like they were just trying to keep the series on for as long as they could by just chucking everything at you.
There are several issues with this series, one being its overly SJW. Yeah the previous seasons have been a little like this, but this time it was ridiculous. Ever so often you would hear a lesbian bash the patriarchy, or someone throw the 'white privilege' crap at you. The other major issue is with the prison guards. While watching them I felt irritated, which is on the writers part. Seriously some of these guards are huge, muscular and have had military careers, and they get overpowered by skinny women? That would not happen at all. But most of it is played off as comedy, so while you moan at it being cheesy, you laugh at the same time. Also, there is a part earlier on in this episode, where several of the guards are betting on taking high heels, and one of them objects complaining about making women sexulized or something like that - can't quiet remember, but then several episodes later, you have a prison guard being forced to perform a sexy dance to a bunch of wooing prisoners - bit hypocritical.
But that is the only issues I had with this season, other than that it has been great, with brilliant new characters added with interesting backstories - and finally! After two seasons, we finally get to see more into Pipers backstory, and it was good to see Larry again, even though it was only a small cameo. I think the best characters this time around were Piscatella, Reznikov and of course Crazy Eyes. They are given some of the best moments in the entire series, and their acting, especially Crazy Eyes, is award worthy.
This finale was the best episode this season, and was filled with emotional tension, and ended on a great cliffhanger, making you long for the next season.
8.4/10 best season since season 2.