Oz: The Complete Second Season

Dynamically taking up where the explosive first season left off, this eight-episode compilation of the 1998 second season of HBO's original prison drama Oz continues the dramatic, intertwining tales of the inmates and employees of the raucous Oswald Maximum Security Penitentiary. The aftermath of season one's drastic prisoner riot leaves much to be sorted out, including the dispersion of experimental unit Emerald City prisoners amongst the general prison population. Early in the season, however, most of the gang is allowed back in to Em City, including central characters Beecher (Lee Tergesen), who spends a fair amount of time in the hole for, among other transgressions, biting the genitals of a fellow inmate; Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo) who is being phased out as leader of his gang; O'Reily (Dean Winters), who learns he has breast cancer and must protect his slow-witted brother, a new inmate at Oz; and riot ringleader Kareem Said (Eamonn Walker), who continues to rage against the “corrupt” system at every turn--including turning down a pardon. Other returning cast members include Rita Moreno, B.D. Wong, Edie Falco, Ernie Hudson, Harold Perrineau, and J.K. Simmons. Deadly love conflicts, drug use, smuggling, and a nutty scheme to dig out of Oz--such is a season in the life of this captivating, realistic series (currently and sadly in its final run). Highly recommended. (J. Williams)