When the first season of Oz came out on dvd, I rented it on a whim, and I really got into it. So I went and bought the remaining four seasons off of Ebay, and watched them pretty quickly. I realized, particularly after I got into season 5, that the only reason I was watching the episodes was to find out plot development. I was no longer really paying attention to dialogue, character, acting nuances, or anything other than, “who’s gonna get shanked next?” I suppose they overloaded themselves with plotlines and characters, and had no time to go into much depth on any one character at a time, and the death of Adebisi took its funniest, best-portrayed, and most interesting character, but it seemed to also lose interest in much character development. I was just wondering if anybody else shared my opinions, or could shed some light on the subject.
Oz got progressively more and more silly as it crept into its fourth season and shortly had about as much similarity to the prison system as Ally McBeal had to the legal profession.
It’s interesting to watch, as long as you recognize the pure escapism, no pun intended.
Its not a great show by any means, but its amazingly addictive - each episode ends with such intense cliffhangers that you just can’t help but watch.
I realized what an awful program it was when I caught reruns where I already knew the story arcs.
I agree with Bryan. It started off well, but the plots have become entirely too outlandish. I think it was when Beecher’s kids got abducted that did it for me, it was just too much. I still watch it though, I’m too atatched to the characyers to stop.
At this point, I mostly just want to see Ryan O’Reilly get his comeuppance. He’s been begging for a shank since the first episode!
Although, I do think the tension when you’re not sure if Adebisi or Said was killed was quite well done.
My favorite episode is the one where the guy gets raped in the ass. Hey, wait … that’s EVERY episode, isn’t it?
Thats funny, Snooop.
Reminds me of the time a bunch of us were sitting around watching Tour of Duty and someone said “Is this the one when they’re in Vietnam?”
Yeah, me too kinda, except I wanna see Ryan O’Reilly get between my legs.
:eek:
I have friends who would agree with you on that.
There’s been 5 seasons? I’m not sure but I think they started with the 5th season on Irish television. Which season is the one where the IRA man builds a bomb?
mogiaw
Thats the end of the fourth, I think
So what did everyone think of tonight’s ep? (No spoilers) More and more unbelieveable, but I’m still compelled.
WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!! DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE LATEST EPISODE!
I thought it sucked.
How Glenn and McManus have jobs after the carnage on their watch is beyond me. Tonight’s episode with Beecher’s father getting waxed in the prison was just crazy. And the shock value continues. The scene with Schilinger and his Prag come to mind. How much realism do I need? ugh.
If last night’s episode starts a trend of bringing back dead characters to provide commentary along with Augustus, then I’m interested. I want to see where they’re going to take this whole Macbeth thing, too, after the Variety Show episode was kind of a disappointment to me. Death Row is starting to get very strange, what with Kirk claiming to be possessed and messing with Mukada, Cyril and Jericho (whose voice really freaks me out), and Hoyt brimming over with rage.
You know who I want to get her comeuppance? Howe.
I agree, Howe NEEDS to die horribly.
I hope Kirk starts spitting pea soup, rotating his head 360 degrees, and speaking in Latin. Hey, he was already impaled with a crucifix (by Jaz), so maybe he is possessed.
For soft-core, gay, S&M porn, it is pretty good.
For story line, it ranks up there with General Hospital plots.
For acting it is about on par with a really good high school drama class.
I do like the fact that they seem to employ every out-of-work Broadway actor - and it seems if you seem them in OZ, next week they will be on Law & Order.
HUGE Oz fan here. The first episode I saw, I asked a question that revealed me as a newbie: “Oh, is he gay?”
Yes, it’s gotten ridiculous. But I truly believe that the first two or three seasons were some of the best (and most underrated) television I have ever seen- directing, writing AND acting. The fact that Lee Tergesen (Beecher) hasn’t won an Emmy (has anyone on the show even been nominated?) is a complete and utter travesty.