Ep 8. Fear, and Other Smells

In Orange is the New Black season 3 episode 8, entitled "Fear, and Other Smells," the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary continue to undergo personal struggles as they deal with life behind bars.

The episode opens with Piper returning from the shoe, a term for solitary confinement, and being reunited with her fellow inmates. As she tries to readjust to life on the inside, she is faced with a painful reminder of her time in the shoe when a guard sprays her with a particularly pungent chemical agent during a search.

Meanwhile, tensions rise between Red and Healy as they both vie for control of the kitchen. Red finds herself feeling betrayed by Healy when he makes a decision without consulting her, and she takes matters into her own hands by staging a protest. Their power struggle culminates in a heated confrontation during a cooking competition.

Elsewhere in the prison, Daya struggles to deal with the idea of giving her baby up for adoption. She confides in her mother about her reservations, but Aleida urges her to sign the adoption papers to secure a better life for her child. Daya ultimately makes a decision about her future and the future of her baby.

In addition to the ongoing dramas, the inmates also deal with unexpected challenges. Nicky finds herself craving drugs again and is forced to confront her addiction head-on. Lorna's obsession with her ex-fiancé continues to spiral out of control, and she makes a shocking discovery about his new girlfriend.

As the title suggests, fear is a prevalent theme throughout the episode. The inmates must confront their fears about their futures, their relationships with others, and the harsh realities of life in prison. Along with Piper's ordeal in the shoe, the episode features several instances of traumatizing events that leave the characters grappling with their own sense of safety and security.

Ultimately, "Fear, and Other Smells" is an emotionally charged episode that emphasizes the humanity of the prison's inhabitants. Through their struggles, the inmates show that they are more than their crimes and their labels as prisoners. The episode is a reminder that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves empathy, compassion, and a chance at redemption.