Poussey is selling cigarettes hidden inside tampons at the library. She later finds out that Vee is bringing in more than just cigarettes after Leanne asks her for “the red light special.” Seems like Vee is selling heroin on the inside, just like she did on the outside, because she is the Voldemort of Lichfield.
When Poussey later confronts Taystee about it, Taystee stays loyal to Vee. QUIT PLAYIN GAMES WITH MY HEART, TAYSTEE.
Piper reunites with Larry, which feels really awkward, except that Piper just starts listing all of the Rich White People things the house smells like: French pressed coffee, Anthropologie candles, etc. Larry says she can stay there with about as much genuine honesty as he can muster, which is to say: not much. Piper wants to go get burgers and drinks, and Larry, little mother hen over there, reminds her that she’s not supposed to drink. Oh, fuck that. Come on. That’d be the one thing I’d want to do, too. Cal breaks the tension by reminding them that actually, they have plans: you know, Grandma’s wake. Womp womp, Cal’s the only adult in the room.
The wake in itself is fucking awkward, as no one knows exactly what to say to Piper in the receiving line. She helpfully lets them know that yes, she is the one in prison for drug smuggling and hot lesbian sex. So hard to keep all the grandkids straight! (ed. note: zing!)
Soso’s shower strike has been put to an end, so instead, she begins a hunger strike. Mendez gets pissed and drags her out of the cafeteria. Surely this will end with funfetti cake and party games!
After the wake, Piper is chugging wine and eating straight from the salad buffet (get it, girl) and Larry makes fun of her, saying he can’t believe she’s wasting time on lettuce. She says she can’t remember the last time she had a crunchy vegetable, which is gross and sad. Piper propositions Larry for The Sex and Larry’s all, “Oh, I don’t know, I’m sleeping with your best friend” but he doesn’t really say it in those words, or any words. Larry did not attend the communication seminar at the Couple’s Tantra and Vegan Soap Making Retreat last fall.
Piper’s father finds her to scold her for drinking, saying the last thing anyone needs is for her sentence to be extended because of violating her furlough rules. Piper turns into the badass form of Piper that we love and root for, saying, “Really Dad? Is that the last thing anyone needs? Or is that the last thing you need because you refuse to visit your only daughter in prison and you don’t want that weighing on your conscience any longer than it has to.” Daaaaaaang. He says he just can’t stand that she’s in prison, that’s not who she is. Oh yeah? Maybe it actually is who she is. I like that this episode just has people telling Piper who she is and that she’s finally pushing back against that.
Piper pulls Larry into the bathroom to have sex. Having sex with your ex-fiance in the bathroom after your grandmother’s wake: Piper’s being very efficient with her time on this furlough! She tries to go down on him, but he says he slept with someone. She gets mad at him for telling her that while his limp dick is in her mouth, which is understandable! It would be way better if she at least got to have like a Snickers bar or something.
They end up sitting on the floor, discussing the cheating and the situation, and eventually just say “I love you” in the most honest way. This is a relatively high point in the vast sea of mediocrity that is Larry’s arc.
Meanwhile, the line for the bathroom is wrapped around the block.
Down in the laundry dungeon, Pennsatucky slams Leanne’s face into the washing machine after Leanne stands up to her.
Healy, high on therapy, decides that he just wants to pretend what the fuck he’s talking about and become her therapist. Oh good! No one I would trust more with the fragile emotional and psychological wellbeing of women who have been doubly failed by social infrastructure and the prison system.
Red’s Golden Girls storm the kitchen to collect some of Red’s things. Initially this seems like it might be adorable but then becomes terrifying. They’re actually really scary here! I wouldn’t fuck with them! One of the women reminds the younger girls that she definitely mutilated her husband’s genitals – and liked it! – and it’s so fucking scary that the younger girls give over Red’s stuff immediately. It seems safe to say that tensions between different Litchfield factions are slowly on the rise.
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Wait. I just read the first paragraph and had to stop. I thought it was mandatory for these recaps to begin with the disclaimer that you are not the regular recapper. No? Doesn’t matter. I love your writing, Hansen, so back to reading.
There isn’t a “regular recapper” right now — different recappers are taking on each episode of this season, which is why you’ll notice other episodes have been done by such luminaries as Mal Blum and our own Lizz!
GENERALLY they offer a disclaimer and an adorable photo of Kate. I’m going to feign dismay in hopes that we get an amendment featuring an adorable photo of Kate.
I HAVE WATCHED THIS SEASON LIKE FOUR TIMES AND I STILL FEEL SO MANY FEELINGS ABOUT ALL OF IT
So I’ve always been kind of indifferent about Piper (nothing really against her, just more interested in pretty much all the other prisoners on the show) – but I loved the bit where she scolds Larry for ‘defending his boner’. That made me like her more. And I agree that the bathroom conversation was a high point in terms of the Larry/Piper snoozefest story arc.
I’m actually really digging Piper this season. I know I’m probably going to get a lot of hate for this but I prefer her and Alex apart. I like her independent and I’ve also been really enjoying that the hardened, sarcastic version of her instead of the whiny annoying girl that she was last season. I also really like that we get to see other characters. Less Piper is more Piper in my opinion.
Honestly all I can think about with this episode is that finally and mercifully the Larry and Piper relationship is over! That fact almost made the gross bathroom scene bearable. My only other thought is why oh why couldn’t Piper have gone to see Alex in Queens? But don’t want to nitpick so I’ll just take my happiness at Larry and Piper being over and not be too greedy :)
Don’t usually take stock in online quizzes, but shit long haired Red here is like 7 year old me. It’s almost as heartbreaking as what Vee’s doing to Suzanne.
I think I’m going to stick to reading these recaps rather than watching this season. It’s like elementary school all over again, cept this time I can’t protect the kids with the more severe disabilities from the assholes with rocks. :(
I hope we get a Big Boo flashback and soon. I also think they are doing such a great job showing just what a charismatic predator Vee is.
my boyfriend suggested to me last night that the huge fit that Bennett threw was so he could have an excuse to tell Caputo about Daya being pregnant and then blame Pornstache… seems likely, actually.
Old people ROCK