Ep 3. Hugs Can Be Deceiving

In "Orange is the New Black" season 2 episode 3, titled "Hugs Can Be Deceiving," the story continues to follow the lives of inmates and staff at Litchfield Penitentiary. The episode focuses particularly on the character of Taystee, played by Danielle Brooks.

As the episode begins, Taystee is adjusting to life as a free woman after being released from prison. She moves in with her adoptive mother, Vee (played by Lorraine Toussaint), who had taken her in when she was a child. Despite the warm welcome she receives from Vee, Taystee finds it difficult to leave the friendships she made in prison behind.

Meanwhile, back at Litchfield, the inmates are dealing with their own set of challenges. Piper (played by Taylor Schilling) is struggling with the aftermath of her altercation with Pennsatucky in the season 1 finale. She is haunted by the memory and becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that Pennsatucky is out to get her.

Elsewhere, Daya (played by Dascha Polanco) is dealing with the fallout of her relationship with corrections officer Bennett (played by Matt McGorry). The two have been secretly dating, but Daya is starting to feel frustrated with Bennett's inability to commit to their relationship. She confides in her fellow inmates, but ultimately decides to take matters into her own hands.

As the episode progresses, Taystee starts to realize that her relationship with Vee isn't as stable as she thought. Vee begins to manipulate her, convincing her to distance herself from her former friends in order to focus on their new life together. Taystee struggles with the conflicting emotions this causes, torn between her loyalty to Vee and her loyalty to her friends.

Back at Litchfield, tensions continue to rise between the inmates and the guards. A new guard, Fischer (played by Lauren Lapkus), is introduced and quickly becomes the target of the inmates' ire after she mistakenly confiscates one of their books. The incident leads to a heated confrontation and highlights the simmering tensions between the two groups.

Meanwhile, Piper's paranoia continues to grow. She becomes convinced that Pennsatucky is out to get her and enlists the help of her former fiancé, Larry (played by Jason Biggs), to try and diffuse the situation. But her fears may not be unfounded, as Pennsatucky seems to have her own agenda.

As the episode comes to a close, Taystee is faced with a difficult decision. She must choose between her loyalty to Vee and her loyalty to her friends in prison. Her decision will have far-reaching consequences and set the course for the rest of the season.

Overall, "Hugs Can Be Deceiving" is a gripping episode that explores the complex relationships between the characters and the challenges they face inside and outside of prison. With strong performances from the cast and a compelling storyline, it is a standout episode in an already acclaimed series.