Back when Netflix was just starting out with its original content, two shows made a big impact on its viewing audience: House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black. The latter, referred to in short as OITNB, provided a glimpse of life inside an all-female inmate maximum security prison. Inspired by the true story book written by Piper Kerman (who also acted as writer and producer of the series), the series has been a blend of comedy and drama, joy and heartbreak as audiences were presented with an in-depth approach to every single character and the path that led them to incarceration. While starting off with a primary focus on the main character Piper (played by the ever so talented Taylor Schilling), the series went on to expand to a large ensemble of interesting and engaging individuals with their own stories to tell.

Seven years later, the series has reached its end—and for this writer, it was done perfectly. The seventh and final season delved deep into topics that circulate our everyday life: drugs, racism, education, immigration, mental health, suicide, the #MeToo movement, ex-con life, and the strength of a relationship separated by bars. The season did not hold back on either of these topics, placing both the light and the dark sides right in the viewers face. One moment, the viewer will experience the happiness of a reunion between characters, while the next moment displays a character’s spark of life extinguishing before their eyes. And even the deepest of flawed characters are given their moment to shine and slightly redeem themselves when the time calls for it.

Related – Netflix Drops A Teaser For The Final Season Of Orange Is The New Black

The final season of OITNB successfully closed the book on all of Litchfield Penitentiary’s residents with both fist-pumping and tear-inducing methods. Some say goodbye to the structure they resided in while others remain in their shackles. A successful story arch that not only brought character stories to a close, but also brought attention to the prison system today. Is prison still meant to be a rehabilitation center or have we converted it to reaching maximum occupancy without ever giving inmates the ability to redeem themselves and progress? Have we lost all empathy when it comes to our fellow human, focusing only on where it is they come from or what color their skin is? OITNB never shied away from these questions throughout its entire run, and this closing chapter reminded the viewer that these questions should still be at the forefront.

While this writer will miss Piper, Alex, Taystee, Poussey, Nicky, Crazy Eyes, Flaca, Blanca, Gloria, Pennsatucky, Cindy, Maria, Aleida, Dayanara, Caputo, and the rest of the cast, your impact on television—and society—will not soon be forgotten.

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