Watch Orange is the New Black with Mumsnet and win an iPad mini

[AliceMumsnet]

Last month we started Watch with Mumsnet, a new TV club, in which we'll be watching and discussing some great TV series together. Last month, we got stuck into Gossip Girl, and this month we'll be watching the all-new, exclusive-to-Netflix, Orange is the New Black.

Orange is the New Black follows the life of Piper Chapman, a middle-class Brooklynite who has to pay her debt to society when her past as an international drug runner comes back to haunt her.

Arrested and then imprisoned in a federal jail, Piper is forced to trade her comfortable New York life with fiance Larry for an orange jumpsuit and a strange new world of everyday indignities that force her to question everything she thinks she knows.

There's already much excitement and discussion about the series from Mumsnetters:

"I am addicted. Love it. Highly recommend." Cutitup

"Me too! It's real watch-as-many-as-you-can-in-a-row tv. I love the fact that each character has a story, and the black humour. It's very good on female relationships as well." PepeLePew

"TV show of the year!! Absolutely brilliant characters and acting!! I've watched it once all the way through on my own and again all the way through with DP who loved it too!" LeslieKnope

You can watch the whole series instantly on Netflix here, and if you subscribe to Netflix now, you get the first month free.

Once again Netflix are offering you a chance to win an iPad mini. All you have to do is watch and discuss the series with other Mumsnetters on this thread to be entered into the prize draw. All contributions are welcome, whether or not you've watched the whole series - but if you?re not sure where to start, here are a couple of the questions that we think the series prompts:

Do you think the show has strong female characters?
Who's your favourite?
How do you think you'd cope if you were sent to prison?
Do you think you'd deal with prison life better than Piper?

Happy watching!
MNHQ x

This prize draw is now closed.

Now that was a cliffhanger. When do we get the second season?

Brilliant! Loved the growth of the characters through the season. The candid portrayal of lesbian and platonic female relationships was really refreshing and heartwarming and sometimes hilarious (i'm thinking of the dance off that ends up a simulated sex show! Laughed til i cried!) Absolutely stunning finale too. So very amazed at the development of Piper's character and wondering where on earth she can go next.
The only problem I had with the series is that the portrayal of the prison staff I felt was ridiculous especially Mendez. I do not believe for a second that staff would be able to sexually assault prisoners and get away with it. I think that is a bit of an insult to hard working prison staff. But, apart from this - 5 stars!
Roll on the next season.

Literally just watched the last episode and my dh and I are begging for more. We immediately got to Googling and there are some reasons we think the new series might be soon:

1. dh found some references that the show May air in the US in January (or at least start airing)
2. I read an interview with a cast member (I won't say who as it may be a spoiler) that said filming was already underway,
3. Netflix, I'm addressing you now. I work in marketing - I know you'll be reading this :) I find it interesting you're sponsoring this competition now. The show has been out a fair few months - why not do the competition when it first came out. Seems a bit odd to be doing it several months after. Could it be that you're starting to drum up excitement because the second series is coming out soon? Please oh please oh please! I can't wait much longer!

I have watched it all over the past week, wasn't totally sure at first, as I didn't warm to Piper, but the other characters hooked me in. It's great to see lots of well written, strong female characters. I love Red, crazy eyes and Tastee.
I would be a complete wuss in prison.
I think Piper has done better than I would, although I like to think I'd be a bit more streetwise than her at the beginning.
I didn't realise it was from a true story, I will definitely read the book too, it might help the cravings before series 2 comes out!

In the subtitles Mendez is always referred to as "porntache"

I loved this! I decided to watch it a couple of weeks ago and ended up watching the whole series in two days, I can't wait for series two. I loved the fact that we got a back story about the characters that essentially gave you a picture of how their personalities have been shaped.
I adored Sophia's character, it was refreshing to watch a transgender actress in a role that was entrenched in comedy and essentially a caricature. Crazy eyes had me in tears of laughter 90% of the time, when she peed on the floor i was in stitches!
As for me? I simply wouldn't survive in prison. When Piper was in solitary confinement, I almost went stir crazy just watching. I think she coped with her situation well but I didn't warm to her as a character much, I can't quite put my finger on why.
Absolutely brilliant TV I thought

Sophia's character grew on me as the series progressed. I agree the flashbacks were interesting, although DH hated them as some of the characters he didn't like and didn't care for their backstory. Piper's story was probably the least interesting for me TBH and I agree with PP saying it was difficult to find her sympathetic.

I didn't warm to her as a character much, I can't quite put my finger on why

I know what you mean...I didn't dislike her, and I did feel for her, but she wasn't 100% appealing. I think the crux of it is what Alex said to Larry when he came to visit her in the last-but-one (?) episode. I can't remember what it was she said, exactly, and wouldn't post spoilers here in any case, but when I watched it I had the impression Alex was being very honest there and had Piper bang to rights.

When my husband told me about this epic series, I was nonplussed. However, when I saw that it was from a seemingly sane and intelligent woman's perspective, my interest definitely changed. My parents brought me up to appreciate strong female (and male) characters and 'Orange is the new Black' has these a plenty.

Red is my favourite character for many reasons, the alpha female portrayal, the tough exterior with a damaged mind. There are occasions during the series that you wonder who is in control, Red or the guards!

If I was in prison, apart from curling up into a ball for a week, I would take my time and try to figure out who to trust and who to avoid. In my opinion I would have coped better than Piper in only one way, I know who I love and they are not in prison with me.

Just finished the series and itching to see the next.
Piper was one of my least favourite characters, but a good foil for the other story lines around her. I liked what crazy eyes said to her after Larry did the radio show.
I loved how all the little stories worked their magic on the background to the big storylines

I am so hooked on this already! It is really addictive, Im getting through it pretty quick!

Really enjoyed it and the way it presented the backstories for each of the characters.

I found Piper and her fiance rather rather annoying as characters but despite this I thought the show was great.

i have finished
hooray - now reading the book

Finally finished the series yay! When is season 2 out?

I loved this series, really got sucked in. I have to admit to putting the twins in front of the TV with Monsters Inc on so I could Netflix on my iPad with earphones

There is no way I would last in prison, I am too opinionated and would really struggle with the confinement. I can imagine I'd be just like Piper putting my foot in it, and causing myself problems.
I think I'd prefer to work in the kitchen with Red, the other jobs aren't really appealing.

I loved all the characters, and loved the episode where we saw Crazy eyes with her parents. I like Poussey and Taystee's friendship and thought it was so sad that Taystee's felt prison had more to offer her than the real world

Pennsatucky is hilarious, my favourite, in a love to hate her way. I think the actress who plays her might have been in True Blood too? She seems familiar...

Can not wait until Season two!

What is everyone else watching on Netflix now? I have saved Luther and Downton Abbey to watch as I still haven't seen them, but have just finished watching Person of Interest which I'm also hooked on.

LaVita we are watching Nurse Jackie now, although keep going back and rewatching Orange is the New Black.

I have got sucked into a Sci Fi series called Legend of the Seeker, I think it's from New Zealand, it's a bit cheesy, on a Merlin/Atlantis level but I do like it

So I just finished watching season 1 on New Year's eve and have been meaning to post ever since.

Oh. My Gawd. How intense was that episode? I did watch most of it from behind a cushion. Can't wait to see what happens next season, which I've heard rumours is out in February? Does anyone else know any info about this?

I'm interested to know how close to the true story this series is? Because I know the real Piper was only in prison for just over a year, so I can't imagine that what happened in the final episode happened in real life? Or maybe it was a gruesome hallucination. Anyway, has anyone read the book and seen that last episode? Maybe I'll just have to buy the book.

I'm also looking for other stuff to watch on Netflix now. I've been watching a few films over the last couple of days while I've been off work, and have noticed the selection has got a lot better since when Netflix first came out in the UK. I have just been in the mood for cheesy rom-coms so watched Starter for 10 and What to Expect When You're Expecting. Please don't judge me for my taste in films!

Thanks to everyone who watched with Mumsnet and joined in the discussion about Orange is the New Black. Congratulations to MeanAndMeaslyMiddleAges who has won the iPad mini. We'll be in touch by PM to let you know how to claim your prize.

And we're kicking off 2014 with the mighty House of Cards. For those who haven't seen this series, it's a Netflix exclusive and they've just announced the second series is starting on Feb 14 so this is a great opportunity to catch up. If you've already watched series one, join in the discussion - please do try and avoid spoilers (or if you need to divulge any plot details, warn with Spoiler Alert). Once again Netflix are offering up an iPad mini in a prize draw for all those who join the discussion.

Ooh. Ta

I am so utterly stupidly excited by this it's untrue!!! I actually did shake after I found out I'd won, it's the most unexpected wonderful good luck to start the new year with! Thank you so much Mumsnet and Netflix for putting up this draw. I hope the next winner is as thrilled as I am.

Well done Meanandmeasley