10.0/101 votes#1 - Colors
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 4/28/1995
Tim's cousin shoots a Turkish exchange student and his partnership with Pembleton may be in jeopardy when they both stand on opposite sides of the case. Lewis hires his grandmother to cook at the bar.
Director: Peter Medak
Writer: Tom Fontana
10.0/101 votes#2 - Work Related
Season 4 Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/1996
Mary gave birth to a girl named Olivia; Tim is more excited about it than Frank. Their latest case involves a multiple shooting a restaurant. Lewis is back from his honeymoon, but while working a case with Kellerman, he confesses that they have yet to consummate their marriage. Later he tells him that they've separated. Tim stops by to see Frank and Mary's baby. They get a suspect for their case in the box. Frank collapses in the box while interrogating a suspect. Frank is put under the knife to release the pressure built up in his head from the stroke he had. After the surgery the doctor tells them that he doesn't know if Frank will recover.
Director: Jean de Segonzac
Writer: Tom Fontana
9.5/102 votes#3 - Three Men and Adena
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 3/3/1993
Pembleton and Bayliss have only twelve hours to grill their prime suspect in the Adena Watson case before they must let him go.
Director: Martin Campbell
Writer: Tom Fontana
9.5/101 votes#4 - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Season 7 Episode 22 - Aired 5/21/1999
Sheppard and Bayliss await the trial of Luke Ryland, the Internet killer. A number of delays keep the hearing from being held; the last time it is because Danvers can't make it due to being held up in another trial. Because of a technicality in the law, Ryland is set free. Bayliss is outraged and winds up pushing Danvers, who later threatens to put Bayliss up on charges. Gee's daughter Teresa arrives, to help with the celebration of her father's promotion. Gee asks Bayliss to apologize to Danvers and Bayliss declines. Lewis and Falsone look into the murder of a drug addict whose husband looks like the most probable suspect. The victim's mother-in-law isn't very cooperative and her sister is a nun who thinks her brother-in-law is an architect. Gee worries about whether or not he will be able to perform in his new role as Captain of the property crimes division, later he turns down the promotion. Bayliss and Lewis have words about the way each other handle their memories of the past.
Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Tom Fontana
9.0/101 votes#5 - Night of the Dead Living
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/31/1993
The homicide team pulls the graveyard shift on the hottest night of the year. Bayliss is consumed by the Adena Watson case, driving a bigger wedge between him and partner Pembleton. Giardello finds a baby in a cage. A renegade Santa Claus runs loose in the building and the whole squad tries to figure out who's responsible for a candle that keeps getting lit.
Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Tom Fontana
9.0/101 votes#6 - Hate Crimes
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 11/17/1995
Pembleton and Bayliss investigate a murder that was committed in a gay neighborhood by skinheads and the victim's sexual preference is questioned. Brodie is hired by the department to videotape the detectives' crime scenes. A voice stress analyzer is brought in for a demonstration. Meldrick gets a lead and closes an old Crosetti case that even Howard couldn't crack; it causes a little tension between them.
Director: Peter Weller
Writer: Tom Fontana
9.0/101 votes#7 - La Famiglia
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/1998
Bayliss returns to duty to discover the bosses have renovated the squad room in an attempt to make everyone forget the tragedy of last May. Gharty and Ballard have also returned and Ballard debates about whether she should ask Falsone to the Lodge party. New detective, Rene Sheppard, tells her just to go for it. Seizing the opportunity, Lewis goes for it and asks Sheppard to the party; it seems that he and Barbara have separated and are on their way to divorce. Meanwhile, Falsone speculates if he should ask Sheppard to the party. The first case Bayliss catches, now partnered with Munch, involves the dismembered body of Angelo Faltislo, a friend of Gee's cousin, Mario Giardello. Stivers and Falsone's case is similar: Leo Grimaldi, another friend of Mario, is also found dead. When Gee goes to question cousin Mario, he finds Mario's body in the same condition as that of his friends. Gee's estranged son, Mike Giardello, an FBI agent in Arizona, returns for the funeral. Mike asks Falsone (w
Director: Nick Gomez
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.6/105 votes#8 - Gray Matter
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 8/9/2000
Things get a bit lively on death row after Shirley Bellinger's execution-- Miles begins painting a self-portrait, Ginzburg's health deteriorates from AIDS and Deyell severely injures himself. Mobay's ordered to kill someone as a final test of his loyalty and a new prisoner, whom Mobay's 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 son's funeral, Beecher asks Keller an intimate question. A changed Rebadow asks for permission from Morales to kill again. After a fight with the gangsters, Cyril's put on heavier sedatives. For Ryan O'Reilly, he gets the cell phone after ratting to Hoyt and he also meets Dr. Nathan's attacker.
Director: Brian Cox
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.6/105 votes#9 - Famous Last Words
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 2/25/2001
In the Season Four finale, Hill discovers where his true allegiances lie. Redding's plot to use the Colonel against Morales has an unexpected outcome. Cloutier runs into trouble from his church on the outside and his parishioners in Oz. White gets a little too close to McManus. Beecher's agony about his parole hearing leads to a shocking climax.
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.5/102 votes#10 - Ghost of a Chance
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2/3/1993
Bayliss and Pembleton continue to struggle with the Watson case. Bolander and Munch discuss ""iguana style"" and are called to check out the homicide of a victim that isn't dead, at least the first time they're called. While checking out some leads for the Watson case, Crosetti gives his theory on the conspiracy to kill Abraham Lincoln. Lewis wants to flood Memorial Stadium. Bolander expresses an interest in Dr. Blythe; Munch advises and sends flower's in Stan's name. Danvers needs a stronger case; however, Howard is frustrated with a dead end. Then the ghost of the victim leads her to the undiscovered proof. Tim attends Adena's funeral.
Director: Martin Campbell
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.3/105 votes#11 - Works of Mercy
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 8/2/2000
The kidnapping of Beecher's children has everyone upset and Beecher inconsolable. Schillinger gets questioned and of course, claims to know nothing about the deed. Beecher decides to initiate his own investigation. Soon after, a package with horrendous contents arrives for Beecher. Meanwhile, Oz prepares for Shirley Bellinger's hanging as the death penalty protests continue. A visit from the Cardinal creates mixed feelings for Sister Pete and Father Ray. Said announces good and bad news in the state's decision for the inmates. Another Rebadow prediction comes chillingly true. O'Reily's still searching for that elusive cell phone and Dr. Nathan asks Glynn for permission to return to work earlier than expected.
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.2/105 votes#12 - Visitation
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/2002
A ribbon cutting ceremony, complete with the Governor doing the honors, signals the opening of a newly constructed Oz. Warden Glynn doesn't resign but he's 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.
Director: Alex Zakrzewski
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/1010 votes#13 - To Your Health
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/11/1997
Three generations of Alvarezes—all prisoners at Oz—are united when the partiarch, Ricardo, is found face down in his cell, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Beecher, who as Schillinger's "prag" has been forced to wear women's clothes, flips out after taking PCP.
Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/106 votes#14 - Revenge is Sweet
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 1/21/2001
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 Tidd's case to accept him into their Muslim group. Busmalis requests that he and his girlfriend be married. Glynn hosts the Warden's conference and is given an update on Hughes by Querns. Glynn soon has Hughes transferred to Oz's cops unit so he can protect him. This unit is also where Johnny Basil (Mobay) is locked up. Keller's old buddy Ronnie gets close to Beecher causing Keller to get jealous. Ronnie's offered a sentence reduction in exchange for corroborating evidence of Keller's involvement in some past murders. Beecher finds this out and warns Keller, who doesn't believe him. Keller question's 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.
Director: Goran Gajić
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/105 votes#15 - Sonata de Oz
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 1/19/2003
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/105 votes#16 - Junkyard Dawgs
Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 2/16/2003
Three new inmates arrive, one of whom is close to the O'Reilys; 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/102 votes#17 - A Shot in the Dark
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/24/1993
Crosetti focuses his investigation into the shooting of Officer Thormann on one suspect, while Lewis continues to investigate. Meanwhile, Pembleton and Bayliss pursue different leads in the murder case of eleven-year-old Adena Watson.
Director: Bruce Paltrow
Writer: Tom Fontana
8.0/101 votes#18 - The Last of the Watermen
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 12/9/1994
After uncovering the fact that an elderly woman's tongue was cut out, Kay decides it is time to take a vacation. She returns home and while she is there she looks into the murder of an environmentalist. The suspects include her brother, an ex-beau and their co-worker. Pembleton reluctantly becomes Felton's partner and they finish investigating the murder of the elderly woman. Munch is against having a television put in their bar.
Director: Richard Pearce
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/105 votes#19 - Laws of Gravity
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/2002
Alvarez and Guerra come up with a new way to settle their beef -- Guerra will stab Alvarez in the shoulder without killing him. Morales questions Guerra's decision to do this while he attempts to grieve for his sister. Rebadow gets more bad news about his grandson which prompts him to search for alternatives. Montgomery asks for more hush money from Ryan so Ryan devises a plan to have Montgomery eliminated. Officer Brass returns to Oz to get facts on who attacked him. Ellie O'Connor arrives as the Governor's liaison to Oz only past memories of her failed marriage to McManus return. Schibetta returns and Schillinger shanks Pancamo after learning that he had Hank killed. McManus makes an offer to Said and White to hopefully curb White's erratic and sometimes bizarre behavior. Ryan's mom, Suzanne Fitzgerald comes to Oz to instruct inmates in performance arts.
Director: Rob Morrow
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/105 votes#20 - Impotence
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 2/24/2002
Robson returns from solitary to discover he's been kicked out of the "Brotherhood" and moved to another cell. McManus tells Glynn he'll write a letter supporting Alvarez's bid for parole. Problem is, Alvarez attacks one of the parole board members and gets thrown back into solitary. Dr. Nathan's guilt worsens as Chucky slips into a coma from the septic infection. Schillinger tells new inmate Cutler he has to kill a black inmate to join the "Brotherhood" and Cutler selects Said as his victim. White's gets this information and goes to protect Said only they get into a tussle and Cutler almost dies. Rebadow gets to go see his dying grandson only to have to return later for the boy's funeral. Busmalis gets a letter from Norma who wants to visit. She does and brings surprising news. Beecher moves to make a confession during the interaction session. The result? Schillinger gets convicted of rape and is transferred to solitary indefinitely. Father Meehan touches a nerve with Ryan and forces him to acknowledge a childhood incident that scarred Ryan for life. A stabbing intended for Redding, claims an innocent inmate instead.
Director: Alex Zakrzewski
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/105 votes#21 - Episode 3
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/28/2024
Spade searches for answers regarding the mysterious young boy that everyone seems to be looking for. Samir takes him into hiding, but no one knows what to make of his incessant writing. Spade gets a call from the elusive Philippe.
Director: Scott Frank
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/1021 votes#22 - The Routine
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/12/1997
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 Saïd, a Muslim author who preaches non-violence and abstinence. Saïd's arrival doesn't prevent a short-fused Mafia inmate named Dino Ortolani from ticking off just about everybody—a habit that ends up burning him.
Director: Darnell Martin
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/1012 votes#23 - A Game of Checkers
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/25/1997
Beecher is released from the hole and Schillinger is left eyeless and weak. A riot breaks out after two white punks get into a fight over checkers. Frustration, sexuality, hate, revenge, racism all rear their ugly heads, causing the violence to escalate.
Director: Jean de Segonzac
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.8/104 votes#24 - Episode 6
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/18/2024
Spade discovers who has been following him. Philippe sets up a deal for the boy that quickly goes sideways, leading to a dangerous confrontation on the old town bridge. A mysterious newcomer arrives, uncovering secret identities and agendas.
Director: Scott Frank
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.7/107 votes#25 - Episode 1
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/14/2024
Spade arrives in Bozouls. A brief trip becomes a new chapter as he falls for a local vineyard owner. Years later, Spade remains, a widower and retiree quietly living out his golden years in peace. But the return of his adversary changes everything.
Director: Scott Frank
Writer: Tom Fontana
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Tom Fontana Ratings Summary
"Colors" is the best rated episode written by Tom Fontana. It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. It was directed by Peter Medak. It aired on 4/28/1995 and is rated 0.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "Work Related".