Oz

In the "Emerald City" experimental unit of Oswald State Penitentiary, we meet some of the diverse inmates who live within a pecking order of Homeboys, Latinos, Muslims, Irish, Aryans, and Wiseguys. No clear-cut leader emerges -- with the possible exception of Kareem Said, a Muslim author who preaches non-violence and abstinence. Saids arrival doesnt prevent a short-fused Mafia inmate named Dino Ortolani from ticking off just about everybody--a habit that ends up burning him.

Friction grows in the wake of two deaths--first Ortoloni and now Johnny Post--so Wiseguy leader Schibetta, Muslim leader Said, and Homeboy Jefferson Keane are brought together by Warden Glynn, who tells them to keep their boys quiet or else hell lock the prison down. The tension increases following a visit from Governor Devlin, who was responsible for the ban on smoking and conjugal visits. Meanwhile, Keane has found God--just as a couple of Latinos with a grudge find him.

The infiltration of drugs into Oz has reached unprecedented levels; and the undercover efforts of McManus and Glynn to find out whos smuggling it in backfires in a deadly way. Despite a lockdown in the Emerald City, drugs continue to trickle in--and the blame shifts from prisoners to corrupt officials.

A recovered Said ostracizes Huseni Mershah for turning his back on him when he was dying--and orders all the Muslims to cast him out. Impressed by Saids power, Groves decides to kill Glynn in his honor, but ends up stabbing and killing an officer by mistake. Condemned to death, Groves chooses the firing squad as his form of execution. Meanwhile, Schibetta is still being fed ground glass by OReilly and Adebisi, and ends up hemmorhaging. Beecher, transformed by prison life, finally gets revenge on his nemesis, Schillinger.

In the aftermath of the riot that killed six inmates and two officers, Oz is locked down, and Emerald City prisoners are sent either to solitary or "gen pop." A special committee is appointed to investigate the riot and Governor Devlins handling of it. The committees leader is law-school Dean Alvah Case, who roams Oz questioning inmates and officers alike. Inside a gen-pop prisoner named James Robson demands that Beecher perform oral sex on him, and gets a painful tip in return. Case determines that the death of inmate Scott Ross during the riot was no accident-but is the truth better left untold?

Alvarez knows who raped Glynns daughter, but refuses to tell the warden. Wangler is making progress at school, but his cellmate, Adebisi, isnt a fan of higher education. When Augustus Hills judge is convicted of accepting bribes, Said takes up Hills case to get him a second trial. Diagnosed with cancer, OReily goes to a hospital to get a prison-paid lumpectomy, which is cheaper than a mastectomy. The Aryans are losing credibility in Oz, so Schillinger arranges to have a tough named Vogel killed with Beecher being the next on the hit list. Finally, the prison is filled with excitement as a woman, Shirley Bellinger, arrives on death row to be executed.

With their enmity at a boiling point, Adebisi poisons Schibetta -- but not fatally. Now that his brother has turned himself in for murder, Glynn no longer owes Schibetta any favors. Sister Peter Marie figures out that Giles witnessed who killed her husband. Poet, now a published author, gets his parole, but Governor Devlin still takes away funds from McManuss high-school equivalency program. When Beecher learns his wife committed suicide, Keller offers comfort, but his advances are rebuked. Meanwhile OReily is in love with Dr. Nathan, and gets his brother Cyril to have her husband killed.

Cyril OReily, Ryans brother comes to Oz and is immediately violated by Schillinger. Ryan tries to get him away from OZ, but Cyril instead lands in the hole. El Cid tells Alvarez the only way he can "stay in the game" is to "pluck out" the eyes of a prison guard, Rivera. Bellinger and Adebisi exchanging love letters without meeting. Nappa, the new Wiseguys leader, wants Adebisi to be punished for raping his godson Peter Schibetta. Robert Sippel, a Catholic priest who spent ten years in OZ for molesting a 14-year-old boy is released and but Poet returns.

In addition to the name change to "Oswald State Correctional Facility," more changes abound. Newbies Coyle, Kahn, and Ricardo arrive and partner up with Wangler, Said, and Hernandez respectively. Adebisis "recovery" prompts a return. Clayton Hughes, son of a past Oz guard who came through the ranks with Glynn, asks Glynn to hire him. Meanwhile new Officer Howell, gets friendly with McManus. A managed health care company takes over Ozs infirmary, to Dr. Nathans disgust and Alvarezs detriment. Cyril OReily still has nightmares about being raped by Schillinger and Ryan schemes on revenge. Said develops an unlikely alliance as he starts a hunger fast in response to McManus rejecting his request for food in his cell during his holy season. Keller confesses his part in setting up Beecher and is immediately taken into protective custody. Beecher gets some oh-so-sweet revenge.

With a new day breaking, Officer Howell makes a gruesome discovery. Dr. Nathan takes action against medical official Garvey. Ricardo and Hughes have a brief confrontation that results in a reprimand. Saids attorney brings good news and a special delivery. Richie Hanlon explains to Shirley Bellinger why hes on death row. New prisoner Stanislofsky joins the fold. Each group in Oz prepares their boxer for upcoming matches. Hill returns from testifying against Coyle, and the jurys still out as to whether or not that was the smartest move. Said solicits assistance from Nappa, Schillinger and Guerra. Nappa turns over control to Pancamo after discovering he has a debilitating illness.

After getting pummeled by Khan in a boxing match, Kenny discovers his wifes infidelity and arranges a contract. Miguel prepares to meet his victim face to face. McManus lawsuit starts taking its toll as he wrestles with settling or going to court. New inmate Kosygin is mysterious at best and Stanislofsky keeps a safe distance. Busmalis gets a surprise in the mail. Hughes presses Glynn for more information about past deeds. Beecher and Andrew form an alliance that angers Schillinger and Poet and Junior get a hot reception.

Sister Petes anger is roused and forces her to confession. Wangler and Adebisi register a complaint to the Warden. Yet another inmate meets with demise. Bellinger enlists McManus help. Glynn and Hughes have an important conversation. Adebisi begins sowing seeds of discontent and a fight erupts in the gym resulting in a lockdown.

The lockdown ends. After Hamid Khans body is taken off life support, the Muslims choose Arif to lead them. Meanwhile, Cyrils having nightmares about delivering the fatal blow to Khan in the boxing match. Ryan asks Sister Pete to intervene. Murphy makes a suggestion to help ease some of the strain in solitary after another inmate commits suicide. Father Mukada plants an inventive idea in Beechers head on how to deal with Schillinger. Shirley Bellinger returns awaiting her date with the noose. New inmate Mobay, arrives to Oz and his cellmate Hill is immediately suspicious. Gov. Devlin invites Glynn to be his running mate in the Govs re-election bid. McManus gets an update on Wittlesey, who hasnt returned from vacation and a shootout in Oz results in four deaths.

All is crazy after Busmalis and Alvarez flee from Oz via one of Busmalis tunnels. Hernandez discloses details about the shooting to Glynn and mentions Tarrant getting the gun from Adebisi, who got the gun originally from Clayton Hughes. Glynn confronts Hughes, Hughes confesses immediately and is quickly arrested. New inmate Morales is offered Hernandezs end of the "tit" trade only if he kills Hernandez. Morales asks Rebadow to do the deed in exchange for anything Rebadow wants and Rebadow accepts. Escapee Busmalis is caught and returned to Oz where he is rebuked by Rebadow. A "fresh from the hole" Adebisi begins implementing his plan to get a new Em City administrator. A cell phone appears and Ryan schemes to get his hands on it. Like most OReily schemes, someone ends up dead and this case is no different as Hoyts recruited to do the "honors". Said scores a victory for Jason Cramer and Shirley Bellinger gets a visitor.

Things get a bit lively on death row after Shirley Bellingers execution-- Miles begins painting a self-portrait, Ginzburgs health deteriorates from AIDS and Deyell severely injures himself. Mobays ordered to kill someone as a final test of his loyalty and a new prisoner, whom Mobays familiar with, makes the perfect victim. A call stirs McManus emotions again. New inmate Supreme Allah arrives creating tension and uneasiness for Arif. On his way to his sons funeral, Beecher asks Keller an intimate question. A changed Rebadow asks for permission from Morales to kill again. After a fight with the gangsters, Cyrils put on heavier sedatives. For Ryan OReilly, he gets the cell phone after ratting to Hoyt and he also meets Dr. Nathans attacker.

Ryan and Howell get frisky. After leaving the hole and apologizing to Busmalis for the stabbing Rebadow suffers an attack due to a brain tumor. Busmalis reacts by doing what he does best--start another tunnel. Unbeknownst to the doctors and everyone else, Cyrils recovering psychologically more than he can actually show. Arif confesses to Said about his own demons and asks for forgiveness and help. Said plots with McManus to end Querns and Adebisis control. Hank Schillinger beats the kidnapping rap and once Beecher finds out, he plots with Pancamo for revenge. After Keller reveals his plot to kill him, Eli Zabitz asks Schillinger for protection. Schillinger agrees but sends Robson to eliminate Zabitz instead. Hughes, now raging beyond sensibility, makes an attempt on Devlins life at a press conference. Keller and Father Ray have an intense discussion about Beecher.

Adebisis death still looms large over Oz. Against Glynns better judgement and with special permission from the Gov., a TV news crew comes to Oz to film. Ryan O Reily recognizes the star reporter as a past enemy and he immediately embarks on revenge. After interviewing inmates -- including Poet who strongly suggests the cover up can be exposed through Adebisis video tapes-- the shows producer gets busy digging for answers. McManus discovers this and immediately tells Glynn to destroy Adebisis tapes or face Oz possilby being shut down. The star reporter moves into a pod with Cyril for the evening to catch a "verite" view of Oz. The stunt backfires as Cyril (with prompting from OReilly) brutally beats the reporter.

Robson and Hoyt tell Rev. Cloutier to back off of Schillinger. Schillinger and Beecher have their first counseling interaction session. Tidd continues to get close to Said by defending Arif in a fight. Arif goes to Said and pleads Tidds case to accept him into their Muslim group. Busmalis requests that he and his girlfriend be married. Glynn hosts the Wardens conference and is given an update on Hughes by Querns. Glynn soon has Hughes transferred to Ozs cops unit so he can protect him. This unit is also where Johnny Basil (Mobay) is locked up. Kellers old buddy Ronnie gets close to Beecher causing Keller to get jealous. Ronnies offered a sentence reduction in exchange for corroborating evidence of Kellers involvement in some past murders. Beecher finds this out and warns Keller, who doesnt believe him. Keller questions Ronnie about the matter and then, comes up with his own solution. Em City inmates are selected for drug testing experiment that promises to age the person quickly therefore reducing their actual time spent in prison.

OReily is in for a surprise when a visitor reveals the truth about his past, while Cyril faces trouble for his difficult behavior. Meanwhile, Morales and Redding lay out plans that could lead to all-out war in Em City.

McManus finds he is unable to turn his back on White. Beecher tells the parents of the young girl he killed that hes up for parole. Howell tries to blackmail OReily so she can get to Cyril, but he throws her for a loop--and then OReily is thrown himself by a family secret.

A ribbon cutting ceremony, complete with the Governor doing the honors, signals the opening of a newly constructed Oz. Warden Glynn doesnt resign but hes more battle weary. White, Alvarez and other inmates in solitary are temporarily transferred to Em City while repairs are being made. As Schillinger and Robson recover from their wounds, they begin planning revenge on the Muslims. Conversely, Said plans to plead guilty for the attempted murder of Robson & Schillinger. The fate of Rev. Cloutier is revealed and inmates expecting visits from family members get shocking news.

After recovering from his shank wound, Alvarez gains a follower. Busmalis starts a letter writing campaign to get "Miss Sallys Schoolhouse" back on the air. Rebadow finds a way to raise the money for his grandsons treatment. Jia Kenmin returns to Oz after recovering from the coma induced by a blow from Cyril. After Schillingers released, Redding and Morales form a pact to eliminate the Italians from the drug trade. Schibetta makes a move on the Aryans only it backfires with terrifying results. Kirk continues planning ways to kill Cloutier. After carrying out messages he "received" from Cloutier, Hoyt confesses to all his past murders. Cloutier makes a move that mystifies everyone.

Said and Arif go to Warden Glynn about Lalars murder. Angry and full of rage, Said then confronts White about passing drugs. Unsatisfied with Whites response, Said beats White severely, which gets Said thrown in the hole. Chucky Pancamos condition worsens. On orders from Schillinger, Winthrop gets into a fight with Guenzel. Schillinger goes to with a deal, hell let Beecher work for him delivering mail to Keller if Beecher has Guenzel transferred to Gen Pop so Schillinger can have him. Keller discovers the feds have compelling evidence linking him to one of the past murders. Meanwhile, Howell makes her move on Keller, Rebadows ship comes in...for someone else and Hill becomes gravely ill.

Redding discovers that Busmalis lied about DeSantos. Furious, he confronts Morales and the confrontation gets the two of them thrown in the hole. Cyril gets convicted of the murder and Ryan tells the attorney not to appeal. Meanwhile Sister Pete, Father Meehan and Suzanne Fitzgerald meet to devise another plan in Cyrils defense. Rebadow fumes over not getting the lottery money. Mc Manus offer to search Ozs databases reveals an inmate with the same blood history as Rebadows grandson. Rebadow meets the man only to be rejected by him. The rumor of Robsons replacement gums coming from a black patient prompts Schillinger to consult with Aryan Nation leader. The result? Robson gets banned from the Aryans.

At the bi-annual review of solitary prisoners, the board decides to release Alvarez and Schillinger back into gen pop. Rebadow, still mourning the loss of his grandson, gets transferred to work in the library, where he is thrilled to meet the new librarian, Stella Coffo. Meanwhile, Timmy Kirk, now sentenced to Death Row, pleads to Father Mukada to help exorcize him; Ryan OReily seeks to prove his brother Cyril had no premeditated plans of murder; and Winthrop makes Schillinger an offer he cant refuse.

Schillinger has a disappointing visit with his "hero", Mayor Loewen. Glynn has to face up to the truth when Oz loses its first prisoner to toxic poisoning. Down in solitary, Officer Brass gets some quality one-on-one time with Morales. Cyril undergoes a round of unusual therapy, and Said gets more than he bargained for in leading the Muslims into a new business venture.

Everyone has a different opinion of new inmate Idzik; Alvarez receives shocking news; Reddings attempts at reform continue; Murphy makes a confession to Glynn; Morales(David Zayas) medical suspicions are confirmed; and Beechers devotion to Keller leads him into a perilous position.

Three new inmates arrive, one of whom is close to the OReilys; Busmalis and Rebadow prove to be "true Romeos"; the Keller-Beecher-Schillinger triangle gets more pointed; and an awards banquet ends in a fateful discovery.