Ep 1. Beginning of the End

In the first episode of season 7 of Orange is the New Black, titled "Beginning of the End," the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary are adjusting to life after the riot that occurred at the end of season 5. The dynamics within the prison have changed, with warring factions vying for power and control.

Piper Chapman, the former protagonist of the series, is adjusting to life outside of prison with her wife Alex Vause. They are both on parole and struggling to find their footing in the outside world. Meanwhile, the other inmates are dealing with their own personal struggles, with new relationships, power struggles, and unexpected friendships forming.

Taystee, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and facing a life sentence, is dealing with the aftermath of the riot and the consequences of her actions. She is struggling to come to terms with the fact that her best friend Poussey was killed by a guard, and that justice has not been served.

Daya, who became involved in the drug trade within the prison, is dealing with the consequences of her actions and the toll it has taken on her family. She is being visited by her younger siblings, who are struggling to understand why their sister is in prison and why their mother is absent from their lives.

Throughout the episode, the themes of power, control, and justice are explored. The prison is on the verge of a cultural shift, with the old guard being replaced by new management. The inmates are facing uncertain futures, with some being released and others facing longer sentences or new charges. As the episode comes to a close, the inmates are left wondering what their futures hold and if they will ever be able to escape the cycle of violence and oppression within the prison system.

"Beginning of the End" sets the stage for the final season of Orange is the New Black, exploring the complexities of life within the prison system and the toll it takes on those trapped within its walls. The episode is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by incarcerated individuals and the urgent need for reform within the criminal justice system.