Published on December 7, 2013
The third episode of Orange is the New Black, 1.03: Lesbian Request Denied, is off the charts in its GLBT cred. For one, let's look at the title of the episode: Lesbian Request Denied. Already, this is a good sign, though obviously "Lesbian Request Approved" would likely promise an even more positive outlook. Second, a transgender storyline is at the heart of the episode, with the flashbacks focused on the background of lesbian MTF character Sophia Burset. Finally, the episode is directed by none other than the Jodie Foster, the now out actor/producer/director, who used the experience to hone her television directorial skills for an upcoming project. Already, 1.03: Lesbian Request Denied "on paper" looks wonderful.
When we begin 1.03: Lesbian Request Denied, we see a firefighter sifting through the charred remains of a badly burnt home. Wait, am I watching Law and Order? What is this? The firefighter pulls out a drawer and starts to take pictures of the contents. Hmmm...this doesn't appear to be super legal. Another firefighter joins him in the room: "Burset, we're clearing out man." Did he just say Burset? I'm pretty sure he did.
When the firefighters are back in the locker room post-fire, the man named Burset walks into a stall by himself and when he takes off his clothes, a pink lacy bra and panty set is revealed. Oh...this is Sophia. As she stares at the image in the mirror, the screen fades to the present, where the post-op Sophia is looking very different. Good for you lady!
When we begin 1.03: Lesbian Request Denied, we see a firefighter sifting through the charred remains of a badly burnt home. Wait, am I watching Law and Order? What is this? The firefighter pulls out a drawer and starts to take pictures of the contents. Hmmm...this doesn't appear to be super legal. Another firefighter joins him in the room: "Burset, we're clearing out man." Did he just say Burset? I'm pretty sure he did.
When the firefighters are back in the locker room post-fire, the man named Burset walks into a stall by himself and when he takes off his clothes, a pink lacy bra and panty set is revealed. Oh...this is Sophia. As she stares at the image in the mirror, the screen fades to the present, where the post-op Sophia is looking very different. Good for you lady!
Good...
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Better...
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Okay, much too much
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Back in Piper's room, she and her roommates are getting ready for the day as Pornstache leers at them from outside the door. Nichols, unhappily examining the state of her hair, complains, "I asked Sophia to do my roots. She says there's a two week waiting list." I bet Denita's schedule is wide open. From across the room, DeMarco comments, "I wouldn't let that he/she touch my hair with a ten foot pole." Well, it's good to know there are bigots everywhere - including prison. You can take your intolerant hair down to Denita's then. Have fun with that.
Nichols explains in a very Nichols way, "And Sophia's pole is a hole now." I'm not sure I'd have her doing "Trans 101" lectures just yet, but still, at least she's supportive.
Over the PA system, we hear some of the newbies are getting permanent bunk assignments finally. Piper's name is not called yet though. When she asks about why she still has not been assigned, Nichols breaks it down for her: "They're going to put you in the suburbs with the other white people." Oh, so by tribe.
"So, how do they choose your roommate?" inquires Piper.
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"Why? You afraid you're going to end up with your rocker lezzie girlfriend?" asks Nichols with a smirk. Yup, that's exactly what she's afraid of.
After that lovely conversation, Piper heads to the bathroom, where a line of women are waiting for their turn in the shower. As Piper moves past them, one of them loudly warns her, "Bitch, don't be cutting. There's a line here." Wow, I wish I could be more like that girl when I'm in a line with cutters. All I do is telepathically send death threats, which you know...does nothing. Piper explains that she's just there to use the bathroom, not the shower, and when General Red marches in, Piper is given leave to do the number one. |
Asian woman: Any bitch trying to jump the line is gonna get cut
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Turning towards the stalls, she almost walks right in on Sophia, who is unfazed by the intrusion. She tells Piper, "It's okay, honey, you can look. I spent a lot of money for it." Oh well, that's nice of her. Please don't take her up on it, but still, very polite.
I wouldn't say my hair is exactly...
That shit is BROKE!
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Piper tells Sophia that she will just wait until the one stall with a door on it is free, but Sophia warns her that she'll be waiting for a long time if she does because the current inhabitant of the door-ed stall is not coming out soon. Sophia offers, "Give it a week. You'll be pissing and farting with the rest of us." That's oddly comforting.
When Sophia notices Piper's maxi-pad footwear, Sophia shows off her homemade "couture" sandals. When Piper asks whether they were made out of duct tape, Sophia confirms, "Metallics are very in this season." Gah, how lovely is she! Sophia goes on to give Piper some tips on life in LCF, which arouses Piper's suspicions. Considering Piper has (deservedly) not exactly been met with hugs and welcome banners, she understandably asks Sophia the reason behind her kindness. "Cause I fucked up your hair. That shit looks broke. When your commissary comes in, swing by the salon, I'll fix it right up for you," explains Sophia. Ah, she is truly wonderful. Also, it's good to see Crazy Eyes is not the only inmate who practices "real talk." When Piper thanks Sophia, Piper self-consciously grabs her broke-looking shit/hair, causing Sophia to tell her, "There's no point in playing shy, baby. You're home." While that is not entirely what Piper wants to hear, it's the truth, and it's also one of the kindest things she has been told since she began serving time. |
Realizing Sophia was right about the bathroom, Piper relents and drops trou in one of the door-less stalls. While engaging in some open-door peeing, Piper happens to see something in the corner of her eye: Crazy Eyes ogling her mid-squat. Crazy Eyes
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proceeds to reach her head around to try and directly watch Piper doing her business. Um, Crazy Eyes, so far I've been on board with your plan of seduction (e.g., giving her peppers, lending her an earbud during a movie), but I believe I am getting off at the station of "creepily smiling at her while she is urinating." But that could just be me.
In another part of LCF, Pornstache is educating newbie guard Bennett on what a horrifying human being he is, when he decides it's time to pick on Sophia. He calls her over and waves a fast food sandwich in front of her face, taunting her, "You can suck it out of my dick." What? That doesn't even make sense, Pornstache. How would you suck a solid out of a penis? "I don't do sausage on my breakfast sandwich," replies Sophia calmly. Me neither! I am going to start using that line on a regular basis. |
Hey girl!
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After Pornstache warns her away, Bennett tries to say something he thinks Pornstache might agree with, "Shit is wild, right? Freaky. Freaky-deaky freaktown." Stay classy, Bennett.
"Cyborg pussy. I bet it's fucking perfect," mutters Pornstache to himself.
Bennett challenges, "Don't tell me you'd hit that."
Pornstache: "I live in the present, not in the past. Besides, she used to have a dick, so she knows what it likes."
Well, I'm now even more of a lesbian than I was before seeing this scene.
"Cyborg pussy. I bet it's fucking perfect," mutters Pornstache to himself.
Bennett challenges, "Don't tell me you'd hit that."
Pornstache: "I live in the present, not in the past. Besides, she used to have a dick, so she knows what it likes."
Well, I'm now even more of a lesbian than I was before seeing this scene.