a look into the complexities of bisexual representation, erasure, and stereotypes
The full 3500-word text on the argument can be found here.
This analysis centers on how Orange is the New Black represents its bisexual characters through their actions and relationships, specifically focusing on the protagonist, Piper Chapman. The video is broken up into three parts outlining the show's repeated patterns of erasure, the use of stereotype, and the possible justification for these circumstances.
The first two sections break down specific moments within the show that advance Piper's character and storyline, but erase or demean her identity as a bisexual. The final section is a reflection on she show's tendency to take calculated risks in order to create realistic human characters and how that may or may not justify the aforementioned occurrences.
Orange has been known as a progressive show since it's release date, likely attributed to the fact that it is based on a memoir by Piper Kerman about her experiences in prison after being charged for felony money-laundering. The show and its actors have won awards from the Casting Society of America for Outstanding Achievement in Casting, the GALECA for TV drama of the year and LGBT show of the year, and has won and been nominated for various others. However, it also faces criticism on how it represents minorities from it's more involved viewers throughout the seasons. This analysis displays the importance of being critical of consumed media despite preconceived notions or the mainstream mentality towards it.
A full design statement outlining the choices of the argument's presentation can be found here.
Alex Vause
Alex is a drug dealer and smuggler for an international heroin cartel she was recruited into. She's Piper Chapman's on-and-off again girlfriend who is in Litchfield with her. It is revealed that she named Piper as a suspect in her testimony, this decision stemming from their initial breakup.
Larry Bloom
Larry is a thirty-something freelance writer and Piper Chapman's fiance at the beginning of season 1. He often creates drama for Piper from outside the prison--by speaking about the inmates on a radio talk show and by lying to Piper about whether or not Alex named her as a suspect.
about
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Piper Chapman
Piper is a 31 year old co-owner of an artisanal bath soap business. She is sentenced to spend 15 months in Litchfield Correctional Facility for transporting a suitcase of drug money for her ex-girlfriend, Alex Vause. At the beginning of the show, she's engaged to journalist Larry Bloom.
Orange is the New Black has been widely considered one of the most progressive shows in female, LGBT, and racial issues.
Positive reviews of the show claim that “concerns about fidelity trump heteronormative social pressure for all the lesbian and bisexual women in Litchfield.”The show creates a realistically diverse community—but do the writes consider their treatment of that community carefully enough?Orange is the New Black appears to contribute to the erasure of bisexual identities by attaching negative stereotypes to bisexual behavior.These treatments perpetuate harmful, stereotypical messages.
By analyzing Piper Chapman, her relationships, and her choices, a critical audience can see that her portrayal as a bisexual woman is not ideal.This seems to be counter intuitive to the show’s progressive nature—unless the writers made these decisions in order to create an aware and realistic bisexual character.