9.5/10 1 votes#1 - 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
- 9.0/10 1 votes
#2 - 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
8.5/10 4 votes#3 - 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
8.5/10 4 votes#4 - 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
8.2/10 4 votes#5 - 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
8.0/10 4 votes#6 - 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
8.0/10 2 votes#7 - 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
8.0/10 2 votes#8 - 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
7.9/10 8 votes#9 - 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
7.8/10 5 votes#10 - A Town Without Pity
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 8/23/2000
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
7.8/10 4 votes#11 - You Bet Your Life
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 8/30/2000
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
7.8/10 5 votes#12 - 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
7.8/10 4 votes#13 - 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
7.8/10 4 votes#14 - 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
7.8/10 4 votes#15 - 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
7.8/10 4 votes#16 - 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
7.6/10 18 votes#17 - 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
7.6/10 12 votes#18 - Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/14/1997
With Schibetta and the prison brass in a race to uncover Ortolani's killer (for very different reasons), we see how inmates react to visits from both their wives and, in one case, family members who are also in prison.
Director: Nick Gomez
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.5/10 10 votes#19 - Straight Life
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/4/1997
The infiltration of drugs into Oz has reached unprecedented levels, and the undercover efforts of McManus and Glynn to find out who's smuggling them in backfires in a deadly way. Despite a lockdown in Emerald City, the drugs continue to trickle in—and the blame shifts from prisoners to corrupt officials.
Director: Leslie Libman
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.5/10 10 votes#20 - 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
7.5/10 4 votes#21 - 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
7.5/10 4 votes#22 - A Failure to Communicate
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 1/26/2003
Glynn receives some good and bad news on the toxic-poisoning case. Meanwhile, Rebadow's relationship with Stella hits a snag; Keller and Beecher work out a mutually beneficial arrangement; Poet and Redding nearly come to blows; Hoyt is transferred from Death Row; and Robson finally gets some redemption.
Director: David Von Ancken
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.5/10 2 votes#23 - 1492
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/10/2011
Though officially their uncle, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia gathers his three children, but Juan's and Cesare's lack of control threaten his life's work.
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.5/10 2 votes#24 - Episode 4
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/4/2024
Spade interrogates the intruder and learns that there are people who still very much want him dead. Another body is discovered, and Teresa begins her own investigation into the whereabouts of her father, Philippe Saint-Andre.
Director: Scott Frank
Writer: Tom Fontana
7.4/10 5 votes#25 - Family Bizness
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 8/10/1998
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 McManus's high-school equivalency program. When Beecher learns his wife committed suicide, Keller offers comfort, but his advances are rebuked. Meanwhile O'Reily is in love with Dr. Nathan, and gets his brother Cyril to have her husband killed.
Director: Kathy Bates
Writer: Tom Fontana
The Best Episodes Written By Tom Fontana
Every TV Episode Written by Tom Fontana Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters
Tom Fontana Ratings Summary
The best episode written by Tom Fontana is "Forgive Us Our Trespasses", rated 9.5/10 from 1 user votes. It was "directed by Alan Taylor". "Forgive Us Our Trespasses" aired on 5/21/1999 and is rated 0.5 point(s) higher than their second highest rated, "La Famiglia".