Orange Is the New Black season 7, episode 11 recap: God Bless America

Orange is the New Black is not holding back in its final season, and this season is a testament to how far they are willing to go.

Orange is the New Black has always shed light on important social topics that are relevant and current to our world today. Amongst them is immigration, which this very episode tackles in the most emotionally jarring manner. It’s a flashback to the actual devastating news we’ve seen too often in the past months, and it’s heartbreaking.

Karla and Blanca are up for their appeals and seeing the judge approve Karla’s deportation order crushed my soul. She’s being sent back to a country that will only harm her and potentially murder if she refuses to follow their rules. Blanca’s fate, to be determined, hangs in the balance as she manages to get the judge to allow her additional time.

Of all people, Fig is starting to feel guilty about the ICE detention center and is starting to see the tragedies that are coming out of it. The lack of empathy, the rough treatment of the detainees, and the overall environment is brutal, and she’s not happy about it. It’s nice to see a more human side of Fig, and I think it’s all thanks to Caputo.

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There’s a scene during this episode that made my heart break ten times over, and had me feeling absolutely crushed. In the room where the fate of all detainees was being determined, there is a scene with children being questioned. Yes, children.

The judge is asking them if they understand what all of this means, and all they want to know is where they can use the bathroom. Orange is the New Black decides to push it even further by showing a scene with a crying baby that is removed from the courtroom until his turn arrives.

For its final season, Orange is the New Black went as far as they could to bring up this topic. It’s their way of asking the world to reconsider such atrocities, and it’s a message they’ve always stood behind.

While this storyline is the bulk of the episode, Nicky does find out that Lorna has been lying about the baby. Not to mention, she finds out Shani is being deported. It’s a rather grim episode, I know.

Honing in on the immigration issues of children really got to me while watching this episode. And the worst part? It’s a reflection of our reality.

Let us know your thoughts on this episode of OITNB in the comments!