In "Orange Is the New Black" Season 3, the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary navigate new challenges under the management of the private corporation MCC. Piper Chapman, a formerly privileged woman, continues to adjust to prison life, often finding herself in complicated situations. Her on-again, off-again girlfriend, Alex Vause, also an inmate, returns to Litchfield, reigniting their tumultuous relationship. Meanwhile, Daya Diaz, an inmate who is pregnant by a former guard, faces difficult decisions about her unborn child.

The season sees significant shifts as the prison faces a bed bug infestation and new job opportunities arise, leading to disappointment when inmates are assigned to sew lingerie. A major turning point occurs when Nicky Nichols, an inmate struggling with addiction, is caught with heroin and is sent to Max, a maximum-security prison. Daya's fiancé, Bennett, proposes to her but then abandons Daya's baby crib, leaving her to face motherhood alone. Piper starts a lucrative panty-selling business within the prison, exploiting her fellow inmates. Alex's paranoia intensifies as she believes a former associate of drug lord Kubra is targeting her. In a dark turn, Pennsatucky, an inmate with a history of religious fanaticism, is raped by CO Coates in the prison van. Sophia Burset, a transgender inmate, faces a hate crime and is unfairly sent to the SHU.

The season concludes with Piper discovering that her new girlfriend, Stella, has stolen money from her panty business. In retaliation, Piper plants contraband in Stella's bunk, leading to Stella's transfer to Max. Alex is confronted by a former associate of Kubra, now working as a CO, confirming her fears. The inmates find a moment of unexpected freedom, swimming in a nearby lake, just as busloads of new inmates arrive, signaling a significant change for Litchfield.

Season 3 of Orange Is the New Black covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:

Season 3, Episode 1: Mother's Day - The Mother's Day fair at Litchfield brings mixed feelings about family to the forefront. Flashbacks explore the inmates' relationships with their mothers. Piper orchestrates Alex's return to Litchfield, and Red seals her smuggling tunnel with cement. Pennsatucky holds a funeral for her aborted pregnancies. The episode concludes with Aleida finding a letter from Mendez's mother and seeing an opportunity to exploit Daya's situation.

Season 3, Episode 2: Bed Bugs and Beyond - A bed bug infestation throws Litchfield into chaos, forcing inmates into paper uniforms. Bennett proposes to Daya with a gum wrapper ring. Piper confesses to Alex that she was the reason for her return to prison, leading to hate sex in the library. Bennett abandons Daya's baby crib.

Season 3, Episode 3: Empathy is a Boner Killer - Nicky's scheme to sell heroin with Luschek falls apart when Angie and Leanne find her stash. Luschek throws Nicky under the bus to Caputo, resulting in Nicky being sent to Max. Piper and Alex navigate their relationship through hate sex and drama class. The episode concludes with Nicky's departure, leaving her fate uncertain.

Season 3, Episode 4: Finger in the Dyke - Big Boo schemes to make money by exploiting Pennsatucky's religious fan base, leading to flashbacks about Boo's struggle with her identity and her dying mother. Caputo tries to impress MCC during a prison tour. Taystee helps Suzanne accept Vee's death. Piper asks Alex to be her girlfriend. Boo ultimately rejects the religious charade, staying true to herself.

Season 3, Episode 5: Fake It Till You Fake It Some More - The inmates buzz about a new, higher-paying job, taking a personality test for consideration. Flaca's flashback reveals her selling fake drugs in high school, leading to an arrest. Daya considers giving her baby to Pornstache's mother. Ultimately, the new job is revealed to be sewing lingerie, a disappointing reality for Flaca, mirroring her mother's work. Alex's paranoia intensifies, suspecting someone is after her.

Season 3, Episode 6: Ching Chong Chang - The episode delves into Chang's past, revealing her involvement in her brother's criminal activities and her resourcefulness. In the present, Red schemes to regain her kitchen role. Piper's panty business expands, and Morello seeks companionship through pen pals. The episode concludes with Red back in the kitchen, and Caputo facing the challenges of new management. Chang's flashback ends with her ordering the gallbladder removal of a man who rejected her.

Season 3, Episode 7: Tongue-Tied - Norma's perceived healing powers attract followers, leading her to abandon Red's kitchen crew. Piper starts a panty-selling business, enlisting her brother and exploiting inmates. Flashbacks reveal Norma's past in a cult and how she pushed the leader off a cliff. The episode concludes with Norma embracing her newfound influence.

Season 3, Episode 8: Fear, and Other Smells - Piper expands her panty-selling business, seeking "vag sweat" from inmates. Alex's paranoia intensifies as she believes Lolly is sent by Kubra. A flashback reveals Fahri's death due to Kubra's retribution. Daya tells Mendez's mother that he is not the father of her child. The episode concludes with Lolly meticulously tracking Alex's movements in a notebook, confirming Alex's fears.

Season 3, Episode 9: Where My Dreidel At - Leanne's Amish past is revealed through flashbacks, showing her struggles with faith and community. In the present, she tries to organize Norma's followers, while a rabbi evaluates inmates seeking kosher meals. Piper's panty business thrives, and Piper and Stella kiss, complicating her relationship with Alex. Pennsatucky and Coates' relationship takes a dark turn. The episode concludes with Alex suspecting Lolly is spying on her.

Season 3, Episode 10: A Tittin' and a Hairin' - Pennsatucky's past is explored, revealing the origins of her views on men. Daya agrees to let Mrs. Pornstache adopt her baby. Sophia and Gloria's simmering tensions erupt into a physical fight. Coates rapes Pennsatucky in the van. The episode concludes with Piper and Stella becoming intimate, while Alex spirals further into paranoia.

Season 3, Episode 11: We Can Be Heroes - Caputo grapples with labor issues as the COs consider unionizing. Piper's panty business faces a worker's strike, leading her to fire Flaca. Boo helps Pennsatucky confront her assault, while Sophia is hate-crimed and sent to the SHU. The episode concludes with Angie escaping, only to be returned to Litchfield by Caputo.

Season 3, Episode 12: Don't Make Me Come Back There - Daya goes into labor, and Aleida lies to Mendez's mother about the baby's fate. Sophia is attacked and then unfairly placed in SHU. Soso overdoses on pills, but Poussey, Taystee, and Suzanne find her in time. The episode concludes with Piper growing closer to Stella, unaware that Stella is about to be released.

Season 3, Episode 13: Trust No Bitch - Piper discovers Stella stole her panty business money and plants contraband in Stella's bunk, leading to her transfer to Max. Cindy completes her conversion to Judaism. The inmates find a moment of freedom swimming in the lake. Alex is confronted by a former associate working as a CO. The episode concludes with busloads of new inmates arriving at Litchfield.