3. Empathy is a Boner Killer

Luschek finds a buyer for Nicky's heroin, but is furious when Nicky says it has been stolen. Alex and Piper continue to have a contentious relationship. Caputo denies rumors that the prison is shutting down, though the prison staff remains suspicious. Daya is worried over Bennett's disappearance. A new counselor, Berdie Rogers, starts a theater class, where Alex and Piper reconcile during a performance. It is revealed that Nicky had been keeping the heroin for herself, but the drugs are discovered by the meth heads. Luschek initially takes the heroin from them, but when the drugs are found by Caputo, Luschek rats out Nicky.

Healy recruits Red to help him talk to his wife. Caputo blackmails Figueroa into helping him keep the prison open, and she points him to a private company that was interested in acquiring it. Nicky is sent to maximum security prison. She laments that even after kicking her drug addiction, she may never lose her self-destructive tendencies. Flashback: Nicky's longtime struggle with her drug habit leads to self-destruction, including stealing a taxi and ruining her relationship with her mother.