Reflections on Orange is the New Black: Season 1

Just finished the first season. I am watching it with someone else, so the social value is what justifies my watching it. However, that is getting less so. As the season moved on, the show became more and more meaningful to me. Of course, this is expected, as I get more invested in the characters, but I think that it's more because of the shift in tone. The light-heartedness is still present, but is contrasted by, and very often heavily juxtaposed with, a creeping darkness, a creeping heartbreak, a creeping loneliness.
The series began with good characters and bad characters. As it progressed through its first season, every character clearly became a good character. Some are better than others, but it is clear to me that all are fundamentally good, and that all will probably be redeemed by the writers in the future. That seems to be the progression... redemption for bad characters.
I am glad about the transformation from good&bad to good because it gives the series depth. When we know that every character is essentially good, we treat them more like real human beings, who are also all essentially good. I am now able to speculate on a character's actions. Knowing they're good provokes me to reason through why they may have done the bad things that they did. This speculation is one of the most enjoyable parts of following this series to me.
I am relieved that the material has gotten much darker. I was certainly ready for real drama.
Now that serious drama has emerged, and characters make unpredictable moral decisions, this series has jumped up in my book. I am starting to feel reflections on humanity, and a major heart in the center.
I respect how the writers are making us almost hate Piper. In all rom-coms, the protagonist makes mistakes and we feel bad. But here, Piper is a ruthless lover. She seriously plays with the emotions of others. She does many things that are morally questionable, and I respect that she doesn't have to be our favorite character. And she's not at this point. It may be Morello, Nicki, Alex, Larry, or whoever. But many have stronger guiding compasses at this time than Piper. Although I am anxious for her to get back to her good self so that I can be on her team again. I want her to cry a lot and feel sorry and sacrifice.
Truly, the show is unpredictable. Sometimes characters make unrealistic actions--untrue to character, I mean--to advance the plot, and this is unfortunate, but it keeps the show unpredictable. And conventional rules are broken often with respect to each character's role in the show, or TV archetype.
I honestly enjoy watching it very much, I am always so excited for the next episode. And I am finally believing in the acclaim that it receives. It's honest and bold, and as more serious drama unravels, it will continue to climb the ranks.