Piper's Long Road to Becoming Orange Is the New Black's Biggest Badass

Piper Chapman has come a long way on Orange Is the New Black. She's gone from a timid civilian to a hardened inmate over the course of three seasons. She's been threatened, beaten, and put in the SHU. Her fiancé and her best friend abandoned her in favor of each other, and her on-again, off-again relationship with Alex is enough to drive any sane woman crazy. In honor the return of OITNB this week, let's take a close look at everything Piper has gone through — including last season's romance with Stella. Then, check out what to expect on season four!

Remember Piper Back in the Day?
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Remember Piper Back in the Day?

Ten years ago, when Piper and Alex are together, she's just a flighty, carefree young lady. Look at her crimped hair! She don't care.

She Doesn't Deal Well With the Whole "Prison" News
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She Doesn't Deal Well With the Whole "Prison" News

Once she realizes she's really going to serve time, Piper has a mini meltdown, complete with some much-warranted sobbing.

She Has Some Valid Concerns
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She Has Some Valid Concerns

She won't even know that there's a fingerprint-unlock feature, guys.

Her Blog Is Like, Super Important
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Her Blog Is Like, Super Important

Not only does she think she's going to be able to keep up with her blog, she has high hopes that she and Larry will stay together.

She Has a Keen Fashion Sense
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She Has a Keen Fashion Sense

To be fair, they do look like Toms.

She Studies Up on Prison
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She Studies Up on Prison

She quickly finds out that telling your cellmates that you read up on the dos and don'ts of prison is a poor choice.

Initially, Prison Isn't Really Her Jam
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Initially, Prison Isn't Really Her Jam

This is totally understandable, but not really conducive to her fitting in.

She's Actually Pretty Bad at It
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She's Actually Pretty Bad at It

Wouldn't you be sobbing too?

But Then She Starts to Make Some Friends
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But Then She Starts to Make Some Friends

I mean, they're not exactly the type of friends she thought she wanted. But it could be worse, right?

Then Things Get Kind of Shaken Up
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Then Things Get Kind of Shaken Up

It takes a while for Piper to adjust to being threatened, and when she inadvertently picks a fight with Red, she starts to crack.

She Still Won't Defend Herself
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She Still Won't Defend Herself

It's early. Give her time, and she'll have no problem shanking someone.

Yet She Knows She Has a Dark Side
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Yet She Knows She Has a Dark Side

Piper is aware that there's more to her than the squeaky-clean girl she is before Litchfield. The question is: how much will she give in to the other Piper?

Eventually, She Gets Used to the Quirks of Prison
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Eventually, She Gets Used to the Quirks of Prison

Hey, just give it to her.

OK, She Might Have Too Much Fun
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OK, She Might Have Too Much Fun

This is a pretty pivotal scene, because Piper is finally letting her anger surface. She's mad to be in prison! She's upset that she can't dance with her ex! And most of all, she's frustrated with the repressed person she's become. Let the breakthrough begin.

She Starts to Stand Up For Herself
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She Starts to Stand Up For Herself

One can only be starved, felt up, stalked, and threatened so much.

But Then This Happens, and She's Just Had E-Effing-Nough
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But Then This Happens, and She's Just Had E-Effing-Nough

Pennsatucky picks the wrong time to attack Piper. She tries to shank her, and Piper fights back. Piper is done. She's just done, and she beats Pennsatucky within an inch of her life.

Enter Season Two Piper
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Enter Season Two Piper

This chick does not take any crap. Look at those death eyes.

Seriously, She's Scary
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Seriously, She's Scary

Do I believe Piper could physically rip someone's throat out? Absolutely not, but the fact that she's making the threat to begin with means everything.

Just Look at This Badass Chick
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Just Look at This Badass Chick

Good luck messing with this fully terrifying prisoner.

She's Still Technically With Alex, But Whatever
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She's Still Technically With Alex, But Whatever

Not only does she start a relationship with another prison, but she's really not even done with Alex yet. (If she'll ever actually be "done" with her.)

Meanwhile, She's Starting a Legit Prison Business
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Meanwhile, She's Starting a Legit Prison Business

As it turns out, men pay a lot of money for prison panties.

But When Stella Betrays Her, Piper Knows What She Has to Do
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But When Stella Betrays Her, Piper Knows What She Has to Do

Trust no b*tch.

Even Big Boo Is Impressed
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Even Big Boo Is Impressed

Not necessarily in a good way.

Then, She Goes and Tattoos Herself
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Then, She Goes and Tattoos Herself

The season ends with Piper alone, tattooing her own body with a shoddy prison tattoo gun.