“Orange is the New Black,” one of Netflix’s breakout originals, has been a game changer for television shows everywhere — and not just because a bunch of ladies in jail have some “fun” times together. The show’s humanization of prisoners and progressive portrayal of gender, race, body types and sexuality have brought it critical acclaim.

Masterfully blending comedic gold and heart-wrenchingly realistic character work, this show is far too exciting to be used to simply “Netflix and Chill.” But before anyone mentions a certain non-binary Australian “hottie”— who has most likely caused many to double take on their perceptions of sexual orientation and gender categories — let’s talk about the actual show.

The general plot is about the life of Piper Chapman, a “classic white girl” in her 30’s living in the Big Apple (with an organic body soap business and everything), who was involved in an international drug smuggling cartel 10 years prior through an ex-girlfriend. She is sentenced to 15 years at Litchfield Penitentiary, an all-women’s prison, and the story follows the crazy drama during her imprisonment.

Truth be told, no one really cares about Piper. To both avid viewers and the actual characters in the show, the real intrigue lies within the stories of the other prisoners. Not only are the side characters either seriously adorable like Poussey or seriously attractive like Stella, the aforementioned Australian hottie, their personalities are also beautifully crafted, which allows viewers to empathize with each one. Between the range of diverse girls and raw emotions, viewers are sure to be hooked.

Because a large portion of the show is dedicated to revealing its characters’ varied histories, some critique that the plot moves too slowly, causing viewers to quickly lose interest. As with everything, pacing comes down to personal preference. If you’re one for fast-moving plots or are uninterested in the complicated backgrounds, this show may not be for you.

I must give you fair warning: this show is extremely graphic, although it has no official rating because it is a “Netflix Original.” There is constant use of explicit words, not to mention varied depictions of sex. Among those, there are also some realistic scenes tackling rape, hard drug usage and suicide. I can assure you that these issues and generally sensitive topics are not used for mere shock-value. Every conversation or situation in this show is utilized to humanize or bring awareness to the various struggles and happenings in the lives of those who are automatically judged negatively.

In all, the show totals to about 40 hours, of pure heart-stopping, tear-jerking entertainment. It has three seasons, each containing 13 60-minute episodes of intense plot twists and cliff-hangers that will literally make you feel withdrawals at the end of every episode. I am constantly impressed by its amazing character development and expert dealing with difficult topics such as sexuality, mental illnesses and conflicting religious beliefs. It is truly an amazingly progressive show that brings new perspectives to the droll of modern television.

Unfortunately, with the burden of school, college apps and sleep schedules, stuffing your face with 40 hours of prison drama can present a daunting task. I’d recommend an average of three or four episodes over several weeknights with about nine episodes per weekend in order to prevent an overload of unexpected information and emotions (the drama in this show is insane).

Finally, allowing some leeway for a big test, project, or simply procrastination in watching the end due to the fear of an existential crisis, the total time rounds to about two weeks for the whole shabang.

Happy binge-watching!