Piper Chapman enters Litchfield Penitentiary for a past crime, struggling to adapt to the harsh reality of prison life. She quickly clashes with the formidable kitchen boss, Red, and navigates complex relationships, including an unexpected reunion with her ex, Alex Vause, who implicated her. Piper's initial goal is simply to survive and serve her time.

The season's central conflict revolves around Piper's attempts to maintain her identity and safety amidst the prison's power struggles and dangerous dynamics. Key turning points include Piper's involvement in a rigged election, her discovery of illicit activities, and the tragic death of inmate Tricia. Piper is sent to solitary confinement after a sexual encounter with Alex, and later, Alex reveals Piper's role in her arrest to the authorities. The season culminates in a violent confrontation where Piper brutally beats Pennsatucky.

Season 1 of Orange Is the New Black covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:

Season 1, Episode 1: I Wasn't Ready - Piper Chapman surrenders to serve 15 months in prison for a past crime. She struggles to adjust to prison life, insulting Red and facing the consequences. The episode concludes with Piper overwhelmed and encountering her ex, Alex, who implicated her, leading to a scream.

Season 1, Episode 2: Tit Punch - Piper insults Red's cooking and faces starvation. Red's flashback reveals how she punctured a mob wife's breast implant, leading to extortion. Piper seeks help from Sophia and is rewarded with food. Crazy Eyes' advances make Piper uncomfortable. The episode ends with Piper realizing the depth of her prison predicament.

Season 1, Episode 3: Lesbian Request Denied - Piper awkwardly navigates unwanted advances from Crazy Eyes, using Suzanne to deter Alex. Sophia faces estrogen reduction due to budget cuts, leading her to swallow a bobblehead. Flashbacks reveal Sophia's transition and arrest for credit card fraud after her son reports her. Miss Claudette gets Watson transferred, and Suzanne urinates on Piper's floor.

Season 1, Episode 4: Imaginary Enemies - Piper adjusts to her new roommate and electrical shop job. A misplaced screwdriver leads to a prison-wide search, during which Mendez sexually harasses Piper. Flashbacks reveal Miss Claudette's past as a protector of abused girls, leading to her imprisonment for murder. Claudette decides to reopen her case after receiving a letter from an old friend.

Season 1, Episode 5: The Chickening - Piper spots a chicken, igniting a prison-wide hunt for it. Larry learns Alex named Piper to the feds but lies to Piper about it. Pennsatucky's attempt to hang a cross causes the chapel ceiling to collapse. The episode concludes with Piper chasing the chicken to the prison fence.

Season 1, Episode 6: WAC Pack - The inmates campaign along racial lines for positions on the Women's Advisory Council. Piper tries to stay out of the increasingly raucous competition. Flashbacks reveal Nicky's struggles with drug addiction and Piper's early relationship with Alex. Daya and Bennett's relationship deepens, with Daya discovering Bennett's prosthetic leg. Healy rigs the WAC election so Piper wins. The episode concludes with Piper finding a cell phone in the bathroom, discovering an inmate is taking inappropriate photos.

Season 1, Episode 7: Blood Donut - Piper seeks to reopen the prison track, leading her to retrieve a hidden cell phone for Healy. Janae Watson returns from SHU, wrongly blaming Piper for her confinement. Red refuses to smuggle drugs for Mendez. The track reopens, allowing Janae a moment of triumph. Healy's deal with Piper falls through, making her an enemy.

Season 1, Episode 8: Moscow Mule - Red is pressured to smuggle drugs, leading to Tricia getting cut off and sent to SHU. Larry's article about Piper is published. Piper and Alex bond while fixing a dryer. Maria goes into labor but returns from the hospital without her baby. The episode concludes with Daya revealing her pregnancy.

Season 1, Episode 9: Fucksgiving - Thanksgiving brings tension as Red's drug smuggling is discovered, leading to a threat from Mendez. Taystee anticipates her release, while Piper's dance with Alex results in Healy sending Piper to the SHU. Larry tries to get Piper out of SHU. Upon release, Piper and Alex have sex.

Season 1, Episode 10: Bora Bora Bora - The inmates attempt to scare juvenile delinquents straight, while Pennsatucky starts a faith-healing crusade. Daya's pregnancy is revealed to Bennett. Tragically, Tricia overdoses on drugs after Pornstache locks her in a closet, leading him to stage it as a suicide. Red and Nicky vow revenge.

Season 1, Episode 11: Tall Men with Feelings - The prison mourns Tricia's death, leading to an informal memorial. Daya proceeds with the plan to seduce Mendez to cover her pregnancy. Larry's radio interview causes problems for Piper, and he reveals that Alex named her in court. Flashbacks show Piper leaving Alex after her mother's death. Larry asks for time apart from Piper.

Season 1, Episode 12: Fool Me Once - Piper begins janitorial duty, and Pennsatucky seeks to "save" her. Red orchestrates a setup with Pornstache and Daya, but Figueroa intervenes. Larry gives Piper an ultimatum. Miss Claudette's appeal fails, leading to an altercation and transfer to maximum security. Pennsatucky, feeling disrespected, vows to kill Piper.

Season 1, Episode 13: Can't Fix Crazy - Red's kitchen sabotage results in a fire, injuring Gina. Piper chooses Larry over Alex, leading to a harsh breakup. Pennsatucky, fueled by religious fervor, attempts to kill Piper, but Piper retaliates, leading to a violent fight. Healy watches and does nothing. The episode concludes with Piper beating Pennsatucky.