Oz (HBO tv series) 1997-

Summary:

The story of prisoners in the Oswald Maximum Security Prison.

Review:

A bit of a latecomer to Oz, I've been amazed at the intensity in this show. Probably not for everyone I admit, if you do decide to take a peek you'll find a very multi-layered show which is so much more than just a prison drama. It can seriously make you rethink how you view people and things you take for granted.

While there is no one 'star', several of the characters have become fan favourites such as Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen), Chris Keller (Christopher Meloni), Ryan O'Reily (Dean Winter) and the evil Vern Schillinger (J.K Simmons).

The acting is first rate and the writing superb, but for me, the on/off/on again love affair between Beecher and Keller is what raises it above other prison dramas which have previously viewed 'prison sex' as something forced on straight men by other straight men who immediately forget all about it the minute they leave prison! In Oz, Tobias Beecher has become a changed man, he's been forced to reevaluate all the things he thought he was sure of and for Keller, it's been a revelation as he's constantly fought his inner demons because of how he'd come to feel about Beecher.

If you don't mind your action a little rough, then this is the show for you!