If you're reading this, you've finished Season 4 of Orange Is the New Black, a show you wait all year for only to finish in one sitting.
HOW "ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK" GOT PEOPLE ACTING https://t.co/yQ1Afkxdy5
Take a moment to commend yourself for your bravery and perseverance — it was quite the journey.
the beginning of season 4 vs the end #oitnb
And if you've finished Season 4, that means you know what happens in the penultimate episode, "The Animals."
me after watching episode 12 #OITNB
Yes, that episode and that scene from that episode.
#OITNB Season 4 Ep: 12
Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley), one of most beloved characters on the show, was killed off in what is now easily one of the most controversial and emotional moments from the series.
OITNB fans quickly took to social media to process, vent, and discuss the shocking loss of such a beloved character.
it's all fun and games til' you're going through the 5 stages of grief for a fictional character. 😭😭😭 but, poussey though?! REALLY?! #OITNB
First came denial. Some people couldn't even believe the scene happened — was it all a dream?
Wow, I can't believe Poussey becomes Warden of Litchfield. I should've known after Daya got out and started a barber shop.
And then came anger, because frankly how dare you.
Of course, there was depression:
The end of episode 12 of #OITNB
How could you watch that scene without getting emotional?
"Poussey never did nothing to nobody" 😭😭 lmfaooo #OITNB 💀
Spin-offs were written up...
...Wi-Fi network names were changed...
...T-shirts were designed...
...and better times were remembered.
"what is love?" #neverforget #oitnb
On Twitter, people shared their disappointment using #PousseyDeservedBetter:
Poussey was killed to teach white ppl. To do this in a year with so many dead lesbians, so much tragedy, is vile. #pousseydeservedbetter
#PousseyDeservedBetter black lesbians are already underrepresented on tv & instead of a happy ending she received a tropey death. do better.
Poussey was a beautiful person inside and out,she was full of love & deserved so much better #PousseyDeservedBetter
stop killing lgbt women. stop killing black women. stop killing qwoc. #pousseydeservedbetter
After hearing about Poussey's death, some refused to watch the last episode — or any of the show this season:
i refuse to watch the new season of oitnb knowing what happens to poussey, especially considering recent events. #PousseyDeservedBetter
Everyone's talking about how horrible the OITNB ending is and I refuse to watch the last episode cause im so scared
People processed their grief with memes...
...drawing fan art...
...and by breaking down the most tear-jerking scenes from the season.
This season's final episodes also featured a flashback of Poussey in New York City. The moment where she turns and smiles into the camera, breaking the fourth wall, is something a lot of fans are holding onto.
WHEN POUSSEY LOOKED INTO THE CAMERA AND SMILED 😩😩😩 MY HEART! #OITNB #OITNBS4
That last smile omg #Poussey
That last shot of poussey just absolutely wrecked me, that smile man I just rewinded like 6 times
💔 💔 💔
