TV SHOW REVIEW // Oz
Oz is the story following the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its convicts. The cell that these inmates live in is an experimental cell block called Oswald Maximum Security Correctional Facility, in a section that they call Emerald City. The inmates are placed in see through through cells, glass windows all around, even less privacy than they once had before. Some of them fight over power of the drug trade within the prison, others fight for other reasons. They all make each other's live's worse and worse. This show premiered on HBO on July 12, 1997 and stayed on air for 6 seasons.
This show has an overwhelming cast. There are many many familiar faces, from the starring cast to guest stars. Including names such as:
Ernie Hudson
J.K. Simmons
Lee Tergesen
Dean Winters
Terry Kinney
Harold Perrineau
Eamon Walker
Kirk Acevedo
B.D. Wong
& Christopher Meloni, as well as plenty more.
For quite some time I've been telling a ton of people that Orange Is The New Black is pretty much this show, but with women inmates. Before Orange Is The New Black ever came to Netflix, I had watched this show. And it blew me away. Now while sometimes it can be very over the top and even make you feel uncomfortable to watch at times, it's an amazing show. I think its ability to shock you a bit is what makes it so interesting to watch. Some times you'll see the occasional flashback that shows you how an inmate ended up in Oz or shows you why they are the way they are. It shows how the insane and crazy survive in prison, and how the weak get taken advantage of.
The whole show is narrated by a guy named Augustus Hill who is played by Harold Perrineau. He might even be the most well liked person in the whole prison honestly. Could also be because he's in a wheelchair. Every episode Augustus schools you on the way shit goes down in the prison, and maybe even some shit about life in general. He's an interesting character to listen to and he will definitely keep your interest sparked. I give this show a 5/5. HBO always has some good shows, and this is definitely one of them. Give it a watch if ever you get the chance to.