Ep 8. Gordons

After a harrowing few moments, the inmates of Litchfield are attempting to return to normalcy. But normalcy is relative, and their and their lives are anything but. For some, it means continuing schemes and machinations for power or getting involved with old and new love interests. For many others, it's a constant struggle for survival in the face of racism, gang violence, power abuse, and corrupt guards.

In episode 8 of season 6, "Gordons," the focus shifts to one of the minor characters of the series, Adeola. She's one of the new inmates in Litchfield, a Nigerian immigrant who moved to the United States to start a new life. Adeola has a reputation for being outspoken, politically conscious, and fiercely independent. But until this episode, we don't really get to see her backstory or her motives in coming to Litchfield.

At the beginning of the episode, Adeola is in a heated argument with one of the prison guards, CO Dixon. Adeola accuses him of mistreating the inmates, taking bribes from the gang leaders, and being a hypocrite for wearing "Black Lives Matter" shirts while perpetuating systemic racism. Dixon, in turn, dismisses Adeola as just another nagging troublemaker who's disrupting the "harmony" of the prison. But Adeola won't back off, and her vocal protests inspire some of the other inmates to speak up, too.

As the episode progresses, we learn more about Adeola's backstory. She was a successful journalist and activist in Nigeria, but her writing against the corrupt government and advocating for women's rights put her own life in danger. She fled to the US seeking asylum, but instead of finding freedom, she was detained by ICE and sent to Litchfield. Adeola's anger and frustration stem from the fact that she sees the same corrupt and oppressive systems in Litchfield as in Nigeria. She feels powerless and voiceless, but she still refuses to be silenced.

In one poignant scene, Adeola gathers a small group of fellow Nigerian inmates and teaches them how to do a traditional dance, as a way of affirming their cultural identity and retaining some semblance of dignity and joy in the prison. We also see glimpses of Adeola's personal life, as she juggles her activism with caring for her son who's staying with her sister outside of the prison. Adeola's son is her driving force, the reason she fights so hard for justice in the prison and the hope she clings onto for a better future.

The title of the episode, "Gordons," refers to a brand of gin that's becoming popular among the inmates, thanks to the entrepreneurial efforts of one of the Hispanic gangs. But the Gordons brand also has a symbolic meaning for Adeola. In a conversation with another Nigerian inmate, she explains that "gordon" means "warrior" in Yoruba, their native language. Adeola sees herself as a warrior fighting against the oppressive system, and wants to inspire others to join her.

The episode ends with a plot twist that highlights the precariousness of life in Litchfield and the unpredictable ways in which power dynamics can shift. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that Adeola's activism and courage may have unintended consequences, both for her and for the other inmates. But one thing is clear: Gordons will never taste the same again.