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The Worst Episodes of Oz

Every episode of Oz ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Oz!

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The daily lives of prisoners in Emerald City, an experimental unit of the Oswald Maximum Security Prison where ingroups - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorize their mutual

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Oz Season 5 Episode 4 - Next Stop: Valhalla
    4.9/10(7 votes)

    #1 - Next Stop: Valhalla

    S5:E4

    Guerra kills Alvarez's new follower and the guilt surrounding it forces Alvarez to make a confession to Mukada. Alvarez, Hill and Penders sign up for a seeing-eye dog-training program. Dr. Nathan attacks a patient while having a flashback of her rape. Cyril shanks and kills Li Chien, which gets Cyril sent to solitary and Ryan sent to the cage. During an interaction session Beecher attacks Schillinger after Schillinger denies ever raping him. Redding asks Glynn for control of the kitchen. Hill's grief over his dead mother and divorce from his wife send him back to drugs happily supplied by Poet. Beecher's new podmate is the son of a prominent family Beecher knew well. Because of that, Beecher decides to protect him from the Aryans at all costs.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writers:Tom Fontana, Sunil Nayar

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  2. Oz Season 5 Episode 5 - Wheel of Fortune
    5.0/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Wheel of Fortune

    S5:E5

    Said and Arif go to Warden Glynn about Lalar's murder. Angry and full of rage, Said then confronts White about passing drugs. Unsatisfied with White's response, Said beats White severely, which gets Said thrown in the hole. Chucky Pancamo's condition worsens. On orders from Schillinger, Winthrop gets into a fight with Guenzel. Schillinger goes to with a deal, he'll 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, Rebadow's ship comes in...for someone else and Hill becomes gravely ill.

    Director:Terry Kinney
    Writers:Tom Fontana, Sunil Nayar

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  3. Oz Season 6 Episode 5 - 4 Giveness
    5.6/10(7 votes)

    #3 - 4 Giveness

    S6:E5

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  4. Oz Season 2 Episode 4 - Losing Your Appeal
    6.0/10(11 votes)

    #4 - Losing Your Appeal

    S2:E4

    Augustus Hill's court appeal is denied, despite the efforts of Said, who has better luck getting Poet's poems published. Meanwhile, O'Reily survives his lumpectomy, and now focuses his attention on Dr. Nathan. Trying to cut a deal after killing an Aryan inmate, Richie Hanlon is forced instead to admit to a murder he didn't commit. Schibetta offers Alvarez a piece of his drug biz in exchange for killing Adebisi. Beecher is forced to meet with the judge who sentenced him; it appears she has a guilty conscience. Beecher's new roommate, Chris Keller, seems to hate Aryans as much as Beecher but appearances can be misleading.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  5. Oz Season 4 Episode 9 - Medium Rare
    6.1/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Medium Rare

    S4:E9

    Adebisi's death still looms large over Oz. Against Glynn's 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 Adebisi's video tapes-- the show's producer gets busy digging for answers. McManus discovers this and immediately tells Glynn to destroy Adebisi's 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 O'Reilly) brutally beats the reporter.

    Director:Alex Zakrzewski
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  6. Oz Season 4 Episode 13 - Blizzard of '01
    6.1/10(8 votes)

    #6 - Blizzard of '01

    S4:E13

    O'Reily 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.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  7. Oz Season 6 Episode 8 - Exeunt Omnes
    6.1/10(7 votes)

    #7 - Exeunt Omnes

    S6:E8

    Oz is in upheaval following the return of Martin Querns. Meanwhile, Howell and Robson each receive troubling news, Mukada answers an unsolved mystery, and the O'Reilys struggle to make amends. Finally, the prison production of 'Macbeth' ends with a staggering final act.

    Director:Alex Zakrzewski
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  8. Oz Season 3 Episode 2 - Napoleon's Boney Parts
    6.2/10(9 votes)

    #8 - Napoleon's Boney Parts

    S3:E2

    The hack ain't comin' back, and everyone's trying to figure out who did the deed; especially Schillinger and Said. McManus hires a new officer Sean Murphy who's also a friend of Tim's. Despite Glynn's reservations, an inmate boxing program is is created and inmates get psyched for the competition. While closely shaving Hill, Coyle gives the gruesome details of his crime, which include the death of an infant and the discovery of indisputable evidence to his claim. Disgusted, Hill decides Coyle should pay and gives the info to Warden Glynn. Adebisi gets approved to work in the AIDS ward. While Howell and Wittelsey converse about McManus, he appears with bad news for Wittelsey. Meanwhile, Schillinger's son Andy has been arrested and is due to arrive to Oz any day. Keller, stir-crazy from being in protective custody, goes back to Em City with painful results. Alvarez begins deteriorating now that his medication has been eliminated.

    Director:Matt Dillon
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  9. Oz Season 3 Episode 6 - Cruel and Unusual Punishments
    6.2/10(9 votes)

    #9 - Cruel and Unusual Punishments

    S3:E6

    When Cudney threatens to spill the truth about Cyril's "wins", Ryan solicits Kosygin for help. He then schemes to have Kosygin and Stanislofsky eliminated and finally, tips off the hacks to get Hernandez and Ricardo busted. Busmalis gets a welcome visitor. Sister Pete's questions keep rising after sessions with Keller. Nappa continues working on his new project. Beecher asks Said for lessons in the Islamic faith.

    Director:Terry Kinney
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  10. Oz Season 4 Episode 3 - The Bill of Wrongs
    6.2/10(8 votes)

    #10 - The Bill of Wrongs

    S4:E3

    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 Hernandez's 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 O'Reily schemes, someone ends up dead and this case is no different as Hoyt's recruited to do the "honors". Said scores a victory for Jason Cramer and Shirley Bellinger gets a visitor.

    Director:Goran Gajić
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  11. Oz Season 2 Episode 1 - The Tip
    6.3/10(11 votes)

    #11 - The Tip

    S2:E1

    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 Devlin's handling of it. The committee's 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?

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  12. Oz Season 2 Episode 6 - Strange Bedfellows
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #12 - Strange Bedfellows

    S2:E6

    Schilinger enlists Said to get him out of jail, but Said backs out. McManus decides not to incriminate Wittlesey in Ross's death. A recovered Schibetta edures more pain after being raped by Adebisi. Meanwhile, Alvarez is bumped out of the Latino power seat by Raoul Hernandez, a.k.a. El Cid. New inmate Jiggy Walker claims he was Gov. Devlin's personal crack dealer. The two go head-to-head in the media before Walker is discredited and sent to genpop. Reimondo finds out that Giles murdered the man who killed her husband and Dr. Nathan confronts O'Reily about her husband's death. Schillinger's plan to destroy Beecher approaches fruition when Beecher falls in love with Keller.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  13. Oz Season 3 Episode 4 - Unnatural Disasters
    6.3/10(10 votes)

    #13 - Unnatural Disasters

    S3:E4

    Andy Schillinger arrives to Oz and Vern tries to get Warden Glynn to move Andy in with him. McManus is sued for sexual harassment. Sister Pete has questions after a session with Keller. Miguel gets a directive from Hernandez. Said gets old wounds opened when his sister visits. Ryan scores another victory. Officer Hughes makes a "stunning" move on an inmate and Richie Hanlon's death sentence is overturned.

    Director:Chazz Palminteri
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  14. Oz Season 3 Episode 8 - Out o' Time
    6.3/10(8 votes)

    #14 - Out o' Time

    S3:E8

    When his plea for an expedited return to solitary goes on deaf ears, Miguel takes matters into his own hands. Glynn finds out who raped his daughter. Hill gets sent to the hole. The boxing finals match ends in tragedy. A hack makes an exit...and an impression .....by leaving a holiday gift for an inmate.

    Director:Barbara Kopple
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  15. Oz Season 2 Episode 2 - Ancient Tribes
    6.4/10(12 votes)

    #15 - Ancient Tribes

    S2:E2

    Ten months after the riot, Em City re-opens. A recovered McManus creates a council of group representatives to keep order, and initiates GED classes to help inmates get high-school equivalency diplomas. Having been told by O'Reily that Adebisi was responsible for his father's death, Peter Schibetta takes over the kitchen by cashing in a favor Glynn owes the family. As Schillinger's parole hearing nears, Beecher taunts his nemesis mercilessly in an attempt to ruin Schillinger's quest for freedom. Glynn's duaghter is raped by a group of Latinos, and the warden takes out his frustations on Alvarez. O'Reily learns he may have breast cancer.

    Director:Uli Edel
    Writers:Tom Fontana, Sean Jablonski

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  16. Oz Season 4 Episode 6 - A Word to the Wise
    6.4/10(8 votes)

    #16 - A Word to the Wise

    S4:E6

    An investigation into Goergen's death starts and Mobay's anxious when the investigator targets him first. Tensions begin to rise as Querns turns a seemingly deaf ear and blind eye to the blatant violations committed by black inmates. An inmate transfer works in Adebisi's favor. Arif challenges Querns's authority. Ginzburg's poor health forces him to request an early execution and Sister Pete convinces Glynn to make it happen. Glynn's press conference announcement forces his daughter to make a major decision. Beecher's daughter arrives alive and Keller confesses to Mukada.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  17. Oz Season 4 Episode 7 - A Town Without Pity
    6.4/10(8 votes)

    #17 - A Town Without Pity

    S4:E7

    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, Cyril's 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 Adebisi's 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 Devlin's life at a press conference. Keller and Father Ray have an intense discussion about Beecher.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  18. Oz Season 4 Episode 10 - Conversions
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #18 - Conversions

    S4:E10

    New inmate Burr Redding arrives and stands ready to assume control of the drug business. Dr. Nathan returns. Tidd approaches Schillinger with a plan to kill Said. Several Asian refugees are housed in Em City while the government decides their fate and they unwillingly get caught in a power struggle between Morales and Redding. Glynn hires an energetic new assistant who piques everyone's interest.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  19. Oz Season 3 Episode 3 - Legs
    6.5/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Legs

    S3:E3

    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. Said's attorney brings good news and a special delivery. Richie Hanlon explains to Shirley Bellinger why he's 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 jury's 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.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  20. Oz Season 3 Episode 5 - U.S. Male
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #20 - U.S. Male

    S3:E5

    After getting pummeled by Khan in a boxing match, Kenny discovers his wife's infidelity and arranges a contract. Miguel prepares to meet his victim face to face. McManus' lawsuit starts taking it's 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.

    Director:Steve Buscemi
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  21. Oz Season 4 Episode 2 - Obituaries
    6.6/10(8 votes)

    #21 - Obituaries

    S4:E2

    Mobay has his first meeting with Adebisi. Glynn fires McManus after Tim makes a foolish outburst during the slain CO's memorial service. Sister Pete still wrestles with ending her service as a nun. Beecher's dad pays a visit and gives an update. Schillinger is visited by his other son, Hank. Said's decision to help Cramer secure a new trial is met with strong opposition by the Muslims. Poet grieves and ponders his next move now that Wangler and Pierce are dead. O'Reily's plan to get the cell phone backfires and results in another inmate's death. Bellinger returns to Oz to await her impending execution.

    Director:Kenneth Fink
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  22. Oz Season 2 Episode 7 - Animal Farm
    6.8/10(10 votes)

    #22 - Animal Farm

    S2:E7

    Cyril O'Reily, Ryan's 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.

    Director:Mary Harron
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  23. Oz Season 4 Episode 1 - A Cock and Balls Story
    6.8/10(8 votes)

    #23 - A Cock and Balls Story

    S4:E1

    The lockdown ends. After Hamid Khan's body is taken off life support, the Muslim's choose Arif to lead them. Meanwhile, Cyril's 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 Beecher's 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 Gov's re-election bid. McManus gets an update on Wittlesey, who hasn't returned from vacation and a shootout in Oz results in four deaths.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  24. Oz Season 3 Episode 1 - The Truth and Nothing But...
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #24 - The Truth and Nothing But...

    S3:E1

    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. Adebisi's "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 Oz's infirmary, to Dr. Nathan's disgust and Alvarez's detriment. Cyril O'Reily 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.

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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  25. Oz Season 4 Episode 8 - You Bet Your Life
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #25 - You Bet Your Life

    S4:E8

    After Hughes's attack on Devlin, Glynn withdraws from the race. Alvarez is still on the loose. Supreme Allah gets an unwanted surprise.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tom Fontana

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Next Stop: Valhalla" is the worst rated episode of "Oz". It scored 4.9/10 based on 7 votes. Directed by J. Miller Tobin and written by Tom Fontana, Sunil Nayar, it aired on 1/27/2002. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Wheel of Fortune".