Galina "Red" Reznikov: She Just Wants to Eat the Magic Chicken

[mad_typist]

As a long-time Voyager fan, Kate Mulgrew already has my love, but I do adore her performance as Red. She's also just an awesome lady in real life, if you ever get a chance to meet her.

To prepare for S2, go ahead and check out this interview with Kate talking about the character. http://www.vulture.com/2013/08/orange-is-the-new-black-kate-mulgrew-interview.html

[random chance]

She's the reason I even gave this show a chance, so I'm forever grateful to her for being in the cast.  I did not think a show about criminals in prison would be even marginally interesting, or that I would care about any of the characters.  I was very wrong. 

[mattie0808]

She's the reason I even gave this show a chance

 

Me too. Or, at least, I became WAY more interested in giving it a whirl once I realized she was in it. Another Voyager fan here, but KM's really the type of actress who slips easily into any role and makes it her own, while still bringing something unique about herself to the table every time.

 

I feel bad for Red...in some ways, she can't really conceive of someone just plain evil like Vee, and she's desperate to be loved/feared/respected in general. That's a combination that really can cause some serious trouble in prison, especially after someone has and loses a true position of power in that world. And she still doesn't know what's going on on the outside with her family/business, etc. I'm hoping for her to have a truly kick-ass Season 3, but worried it's going to be as tough as Seasons 1 and 2 have been.

[TeresaDee]

Is her character's first name really Galina? In Italian, "gallina" means chicken (hen). Ha! :)

[Hanahope]

Red has been a great character on the show and I really love how KM has totally immersed herself in the character.  Only halfway through S2 so far, but I do hope she's able to regain some of her power, eventually at least.  In such a world, she really is good for a lot of the prisoners.  She's not perfect, but she at least tried to keep drugs out.   I wish there was a way for her to work with Gloria, who also seems to have the latina women's best interests at heart, for the most part at least.  They make a good contrast to Vee, who seems to really care about the black women, but is solely into it for her own selfish needs.

 

I'd also like to know what got Red into prison and why her husband isn't also in jail.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Hanahope

[shandy]

Voyager was a thing from my teens and KM was my gateway into this amazing show. I love Red and the fact that Kate has taken a character who could easily be one dimensional (comedy accent) and given her real substance.

[angelita100]

Love Red.  Definitely in my top 3.  And Kate will always be Mary Ryan to me.

[Lillybee]

Because of this season's work,Kate M. definitely deserves an Emmy nod, she is that good. PS I loved her on Ryan's Hope.

[MarysWetBar]

I just love this character. The one scene with Nicky was amazing.

She has many facets...not always predictable. I love when a character is written that way.

[Sesquipedalia]

Red is my favorite character. I'm sure this is partly a hold-over from my huge crush on Janeway, but I was also really captivated by the character of Red in the first season. I did not care for her Season 2 arc, however. I thought it made her seem too naive. She should have been a little stronger match against Vee, even though she doesn't have that evil at her core. I was disappointed she didn't put up much of a fight. Her Season 3 comeback was better, but I feel like the character has lost some of her edge. And the whole Healy flirtation is just making me want to barf. No no no. 

Edited June 28, 2015 by Sesquipedalia

[Dancingjaneway]

Red is my favorite character(why no it has nothing to do with my love for Kate Mulgrew ;^) ). I  love the character and I love the way Kate portrays her. My only issue with Red has to do with the writing. I feel like Jenji softened Red up too much in season 3. Red in seasons 1 & 2 would have never cried at Morello's wedding. Also I can see Red using Healy but not falling for him. She has too much class, dignity and smarts to fall for such a piece of shit. I really hope that in season 4 they drop the Healy/Red storyline and bring back the fiercer Red. 

[DianeDobbler]

Ew, Red cried at Morello's wedding (couldn't bring myself to watch)?

[Dancingjaneway]

So some people have noticed that Kate's hair is longer and are thinking that she's been killed off(or is out of jail) because Red has always had short hair. If this is true that's the end of the show for me. 

[Princess Sparkle]

Without having watched any of the new eps yet - aren't they in the "off-season" right now?  Couldn't she just have grown her hair out in between seasons?  I don't necessarily take that as a smoking gun that Red is gone.