Summary
Orange Is the New Black Season 7, Episode 11, “God Bless America” is an important chapter as a stand-alone, with the messages more important than the core story.
This recap of Netflix series Orange Is the New Black Season 7, Episode 11, “God Bless America” contains spoilers. You can read the recap of the previous episode by clicking these words.
This is the final ever season of Orange Is the New Black, and even though it is a farewell, it’s abundantly clear who needs to be watching this. Episode 11, “God Bless America” is as powerful with the message as it is with the character-closure. The treatment of immigrants need to change, and this series has repeatedly placed the right spectacles on the audience to understand why these people need protecting.
Blanca and Karla have their appeal dates, so understandably they are nervous. We get a Karla flashback in “God Bless America” — she has children, and now they are adopted in America, leaving her in limbo in an ICE Detention Centre. When Karla reaches her appeal, she is tragically dismissed and ordered to be delivered back to her homeland, where people are murdered daily if they do not follow the rule. The judge shows a terrifying lack of empathy. As for Blanca, she manages to buy more time, claiming she would like her original conviction revisited that landed her in jail in the first place.
“God Bless America” takes the entire message further — Natalie, now labeled the infamous “ICE Queen”, is not happy with her role in this and tries to make sure that the wellbeing of her Detention Centre is met. Natalie is trying to make the right choices for ICE rather than the cut-throat approach. She learns that one of the immigrants is pregnant and is desperate for an abortion. She pretends she wants an abortion to her own doctor and takes the pills to the Detention Centre.
As for drugs in prison, a random sweep is conducted in “God Bless America” wiping out Daya’s supply, but Aleida’s business is untouched. In a random corridor encounter, the pair square up to each other — it’s war, but for how long? I genuinely believe Aleida wants her daughter off drugs.
Nicky takes it upon herself to speak to Lorna’s husband and learns that their baby is dead. Nicky is desperate to help Lorna, feeling like she has failed as a friend and requests that they share bunk beds. But it goes from bad to worse for Nicky, who receives a loving letter from Shani — she’s been deported back home, to a family that does not accept homosexuality.
Piper is hugely positive in “God Bless America”, and with Alex breaking it off with Artesian, the couple may be on the road to making it. But it’s clear Piper has feelings for Zelda; attending her fundraiser and getting the time off with her probation officer. Piper refuses romantic advance from Zelda — but then Artesian approaches her and kicks off, claiming that Alex deserves better. At the end of the chapter, Piper runs to Zelda’s hotel room, and they finally sleep together. Is it over for Alex and Piper?
But putting the story aside, the most hard-hitting scene of Orange Is the New Black Season 7, Episode 11, “God Bless America” is when the judge holds a court session with just immigrant children only. When the judge asks why they are there, and if they know what a lawyer is, it becomes a shameful reflection of the American system today. Children cannot represent themselves, and to be split from their parents for these types of decisions is disgraceful.
Warden’s Notes
- Martia tries to make friends with Gloria, but her approach is rejected.
- Tasha delivers more tutoring sessions, and she gets a good idea from Joe about re-establishing ex-felons back to reality when they leave prison. Tasha also has a visit planned with her attorney.
You can read the recap of the twelfth episode by clicking these words.
