Nominated for 2 Emmys, including Best Casting for a Series, Oz is widely regarded as one of the best prison dramas ever created. The brainchild of creator Tom Fontana (former writer for such hit TV shows as Homicide: Life On The Streets and St. Elsewhere), Oz was one of a number of a highly successful HBO original series to premiere in the 1990s, keeping good company among such shows as Sex And The City and The Sopranos. Premiering in mid-summer 1997, Oz quickly built a large and loyal following of voyeuristic viewers hypnotized by the series' vivid depiction of no-holds-barred prison life. Following six critically acclaimed seasons, Oz was cancelled in early 2003, but lives on via DVD Oz is the street name for the Oswald State Penitentary, a rough and hardened prison where survival of the fittest is the prevailing law. But the focus of Oz is Level 5, an experimental cell block deemed "Emerald City" that's managed by Unit Administrator Tim McManus (Terry Kinney) and thick-skinned Warden Leo Glynn (Ernie Hudson). One of the prisoners, wheelchair-bound convicted murderer Augustus Hill (Harold Perrineau Jr. of Lost) narrates for the viewer, tying together the various storylines that play out within the prison. In an atmosphere of well-governed anarchy, prisoners come and go (some paroled; some murdered), prison guards uphold their duty (while some are corrupt), and various groups (such as Muslims, Aryans, Latinos, Italians, gangstas, gays, etc.) compete for power over each other and over the prevalent drug trade rampant within the walls of Oz. Tobias "Toby" Beecher (Lee Tergesen) plays the "everyday man," having been convicted for manslaughter while driving drunk, and his character's experiences force the viewer to place himself in the shoes of the inmate. Other notable characters include Prisoner Miguel Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), Prisoner Bob Rebadow (George Morfogen), Prisoner Vernon Schillinger (J.K. Simmons), Prisoner Kareem Said (Eamonn Walker), Prisoner Tony Masters (Steven Wishnoff), Officer Diane Whittlesey (Edie Falco of The Sopranos), and Father Ray Mukada (B.D. Wong of Law & Order: SVU). Together, they form a solid cast that makes Oz one of the best original cable dramas ever produced The Oz (Season 3) DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere "The Truth and Nothing But" in which Governor Devlin's various cost cutting measures lead to the state's hiring of Weigert Corporation to administer Oz's medical treatment facilities, prompting the company to eliminate Miguel's daily treatment of anti-depressants. Meanwhile new prison guard Claire Howell ignores Diane's offer of friendship and asks McManus on a date, and Hoyt tries to kill Vern but ends up visiting the Hole instead Other notable episodes from Season 3 include "Napoleon's Boney Parts" in which Miguel hangs himself, and "Secret Identities" in which a massive Muslim/Aryan fight breaks out in the gym. In the midst of it, Vern stabs Beecher, only to get stabbed by Keller Below is a list of episodes included on the Oz (Season 3) DVD: Episode 17 (The Truth and Nothing But) Air Date: 07-14-1999
Episode 18 (Napoleon's Boney Parts) Air Date: 07-21-1999
Episode 19 (Legs) Air Date: 07-28-1999
Episode 20 (Unnatural Disasters) Air Date: 08-04-1999
Episode 21 (U.S. Male) Air Date: 08-11-1999
Episode 22 (Cruel and Unusual Punishments) Air Date: 08-18-1999
Episode 23 (Secrets Identities) Air Date: 08-25-1999
Episode 24 (Out o' Time) Air Date: 09-01-1999 |
