Ep 5. We'll Always Have Baltimore

In season 4, episode 5 of Orange is the New Black, titled "We'll Always Have Baltimore," the focus is on Chanel and Leanne as they attempt to connect with their Amish roots. In previous seasons, viewers have seen both characters struggle with finding their place in prison and feeling like they've lost their sense of identity. This episode gives them the opportunity to explore their past and figure out who they really are.

The episode begins with Leanne and Angie discovering a box of Amish items in the prison library. They bring the box to Chanel and start going through the contents. Chanel recognizes some of the items as being from her family's Amish community in Lancaster, PA. She tells Leanne and Angie about her childhood and how she used to take breaks from her daily farm work to read books in the barn. This conversation leads to Chanel reminiscing about her first love, a boy named Christopher. She decides she wants to reach out to him and see if he still remembers her.

Meanwhile, Leanne decides she wants to use the Amish items to make a recommitment to her faith and her community. She asks some of the other inmates if anyone knows how to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, the language of the Amish. They eventually find an inmate named Zirconia who grew up near a Mennonite community and knows the language. Zirconia agrees to help Leanne with her recommitment ceremony.

As Chanel and Leanne pursue their respective goals, the episode highlights the challenges of being true to oneself while in prison. Chanel struggles to articulate her feelings for Christopher in a letter, worried that he will judge her for her current situation. Leanne faces pushback from some of the other inmates, who mock her for wanting to reconnect with a community that has effectively shunned her.

The episode takes a dark turn when a guard is killed during a riot at a different prison. The women at Litchfield are on edge as they wait for news and wonder if they could be next. The tension is palpable as everyone tries to process what's happening, and we see different characters grappling with their fears and anxieties.

In the end, Chanel and Leanne both find a sense of closure and connection through their pursuit of their Amish roots. Chanel receives a letter from Christopher that brings her a sense of peace and helps her feel like she hasn't completely lost her former self. Leanne has her recommitment ceremony with Zirconia, and the two of them find unexpected support from some of the other inmates.

Overall, this episode of Orange is the New Black is a poignant exploration of identity, faith, and community. While the show often tackles tough subjects with humor and heart, this episode is a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, there can be hope and resilience.