The Atlantic

How Will <em>Orange Is the New Black</em> End?

As the Netflix series heads toward a possible final season, its conclusion could be hopeful or honest, but not both.
Source: Netflix

This article contains spoilers through the sixth season of Orange Is the New Black.

Previous seasons of Orange Is the New Black have ended with miracles, with accidental manslaughter, with hope, and with despair. The sixth season ended with an affirmation of how bitterly unequal America is, as Piper (Taylor Schilling) was hopscotched into early release thanks to a guard’s desire to be rid of her, Taystee (Danielle Brooks) faced the death penalty after being convicted of a murder she didn’t commit, and Blanca (Laura Gómez) walked out of prison not into the arms of her partner, Diablo, but into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At this point, is streaming television’s longest-runningend? With justice? With optimism? Or—given the sadder, more realistic worldview the series has touted in recent seasons—with neither?

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