I had no problem with this at all.
AT ALL.

I think both interpretations are valid, and I appreciate that open-endedness.

I will be really surprised (& impressed with the show) if we continue with Lolly's journey.

I LOVED Leeann & Angie's glleful misunderstanding of what "ATIICA" means!
That was a laugh just at the right moment!

Yes, after watching the finale, I realized quite a bit was spoiled in the previous thread!

"ventually they just put those words in any character's mouths regardless if it made sense in regards to their prior characterization."

YES!!!!
They got too cute trying to be funny in the finale.

For me, it was a misstep to present it as "darkly comic".

I believe it more in the sense that she wants to prove her badassness to her prison family, rather than anger towards the guards/system.

I'm disappointed with the way Sister Ingalls just disappeared as well.

It didn't feel HONEST.
It felt like someone decided, "We need a little levity here"
But I don't think they did.
There were a few scenes in the finale that were played for comedy that I think should have been played straight (and then let the audience laugh at the darkness if they want to).

They never did SAY Hapakuku's or Ouija's NAMES out loud!
ALL SEASON LONG!
That must be deliberate!

YES< I feel AVClub could provide a valuable service in this!

Well, its so RARE now to get an actual thoughtful review rather than just a "witty" recap, so I very much appreciate Myles's approach.

Thank you so much, Myles & AVClub!
Knowing that we could go deep here - safely - adds SUCH another dimension to my enjoyment of ORANGE and television in general!
Because I love THINKING about storytelling even MORE than WATCHING it!
It's been a real pleasure, and hope to see you all on threads for other shows!

I felt like a few scenes were played as comedic that shouldn't have been.
Let the audience interpret it as dark comedy if they will, but don't present it as such, because it undermines the gravity of the situation.

He sold Nicky's heroin.

YES!
I read that, not so much as him lying to Bayley, as us seeing that his "feelings" for Doggett were not genuine.
Because HE doesn't think he's lying!

I agree that Daya as a character is not compelling, but I do give credit to Dascha Polanco; her acting is developing.

Now THAT was a finale!
Nobody does a cliffhanger like Jenji Kohan!