"Tit Punch" is the second episode of season one of Orange Is the New Black.
Through flashbacks, we are given Red's back story. The "front story" involves Piper's forced starvation and attempts to apologize to Red.
This episode provides examples of the following tropes:
- Abhorrent Admirer: A first for Piper. Crazy Eyes has a crush on Piper but Piper is engaged and not interested in her.
- A Day in the Limelight: For Red.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: The damage a copper pipe can do includes broken ribs, a broken skull or knee... and mussed up makeup. among other things.
- Blatant Lies: The amenities listed on the "welcome" video, including night classes. Also, Fig's statement that the inmates can ask her questions.
- Chekhov's Skill: Piper's skill at making artisanal soap comes in handy when she makes a salve for Red.
- Denied Food as Punishment: A continuation of Red's instruction in the previous episode, not to allow Piper any food. The end has this happen to Alex.
- Department of Redundancy Department: Crazy Eyes. "My name is Sue. Short for Suzy, which is short for Suzanne."
- Diet Episode: Played with. In addition to Piper's starvation inside Litchfield, we see flashbacks to the time she and Larry tried the Master Cleanse (TM). This is more exposition of Piper as a trend-following yuppie than because either she or Larry needs to lose any weight. (Not to mention that Larry, the skeptical one, is the one who most benefits from it.)
- Disproportionate Retribution: Red to Piper. "You called my food disgusting. You're not getting hazed. You're not getting harassed. You're getting starved out. You'll leave Litchfield as a SKELETON!"
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Maritza introduces herself to Daya as Aleida's daughter, along the lines of Nicky claiming to be Red's daughter, but this is never mentioned again and they never appear to be that close to one another.
- Gossipy Hens: The ladies in the walking group that Red tries to join.
- Kick the Dog: Piper is sitting on her bed, crying. Pornstache walks by and says "Oh, don't be so sad." Which seems like a Pet the Dog moment until he tells her that dinner's at five. "I hear it's a big one. Yum yum." Although, even the "Pet the Dog" is said in somewhat of a mocking tone.
- The Namesake: Red punches her adversary in the chest, popping the woman's breast implant.
- Oh, Crap!: Piper at the end, when Crazy Eyes holds her hand.
- Orphaned Punchline: The introduction of the "He's not an eggplant, he's retarded" punchline, which becomes a Running Gag.
- Parental Substitute: Aleida to Maritza, which causes friction with Daya.
- Pro Bono Barter/Food as Bribe: This happens a lot in the prison, but in this case, Healy gives Taystee candy in return for information.
- Piper goes around collecting items and trading what she can for them.
- Rejected Apology: Piper tries to apologize, but Red won't hear it. Likewise, Alex tries to give Piper some food, but Piper throws it out, not ready to let Alex back into her life.
- Shout-Out:
- Nicky tells Piper that the spanish ladies are calling her La Llorona "the wailing lady".
- The movie the Litchfield inmates watch is Good Luck Chuck.
- Sophia Burset references Oliver Twist when telling a begging Piper that "Please is for commissary hoes and Oliver Twist".
- Stalker with a Crush: Crazy Eyes for Piper. She stares at her, gives her green bell peppers as a gift and holds her hand during the watching of the movie Good Luck Chuck.
- Sweet Tooth: Taystee has to remind Healey of her payment which is Good N Plenty candy. Later, she gets into a fight with Flaca for destroying her King Cone ice cream cone which she was saving for later.
- Take That!: The PDA system describes the film Good Luck Chuck "which Robert Ebert gave one star".
- Traumatic Haircut: In order to pay for her borrowing of some items, Taystee tells Piper "I got an idea but you're not going to like it", then she walks out happy with a chunk of blonde hair woven into her new weave. Though Piper didn't like it, she was more than willing to sacrifice some of her hair just to pay for the items she wanted.
