Suddenly, the woman who seemed to have all the power was revealed to be just as trapped as the women she guarded. Her icy demeanor melted away to reveal deep insecurity and heartbreak. The audience watched as the woman who controlled Litchfield lost control of her own life. This vulnerability humanized her. We realized that Fig’s cruelty was a defense mechanism, a shield she used to survive in a toxic, male-dominated political environment.

Her storylines were often darkly comedic, highlighting the absurdity of the prison-industrial complex. Whether she was embezzling funds to pay for her husband’s political campaign or ignoring legitimate complaints about mold in the prison, Fig was the perfect foil for the idealistic prison staff and the struggling inmates. Her catchphrase—dismissing legitimate grievances with a curt "It’s noted"—became a symbol of administrative gaslighting.