The worst episodes of Oz

Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.

1. 01

   S06E08 · February 23, 2003 · 1h

   Exeunt Omnes7.5

   Querns is appointed the new warden of Oz. Murphy attempts to get famous for a day. Tim tries to change the mindset of Said's murderer. Cyril is finally executed. Keller brings Tobias back to Oz for good.

   0 0
2. 02

   S04E09 · January 7, 2001 · 1h

   Medium Rare7.7

   Six months have passed. A TV newsmagazine crew descends on Em City, and the results aren't quite ready for prime time.

   0 0
3. 03

   S01E03 · July 21, 1997 · 1h

   God's Chillin'7.8

   Friction is growing in the wake of two deaths so Said, Wiseguy leader Schibetta and Gangbanger Jefferson Keane are brought together by Warden Glynn, who tells them to keep their boys quiet or else he'll lock the prison down.

   0 0
4. 04

   S04E10 · January 14, 2001 · 1h

   Conversions8.0

   New inmate Burr Reading arrives, ready to take charge of the African-American drug scene. Dr. Nathan returns to Em City, and finds the biggest adjustment is dealing with her feelings for O'Reily. Tidd tries to strike up a deal with Schillinger.

   0 0
5. 05

   S05E03 · January 20, 2002 · 1h

   Dream a Little Dream of Me8.0

   Brass wants to know who cut his tendon; Redding and Morales form another uneasy alliance; Rev. Cloutier's mysterious influence over his followers grows more intriguing; and Keller returns to Oz, only to be hit with an ID from an old murder charge.

   0 0
6. 06

   S04E12 · January 28, 2001 · 1h

   Cuts Like a Knife8.3

   O'Reily regrets getting Cyril involved with the trial drug when it starts taking effect. Meanwhile, Giles' request for an unusual execution creates controversy and the Chinese refugees are deported...but not before plotting revenge on Morales.

   0 0
7. 07

   S04E13 · February 4, 2001 · 1h

   Blizzard of '018.3

   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.

   0 0
8. 08

   S05E02 · January 13, 2002 · 1h

   Laws of Gravity8.3

   McManus thinks White may reform if he spends quality time with Said; Alvarez offers Guerra a unique solution to their dispute; O'Reily's mother, Suzanne Fitzgerald, begins a community service term teaching music at Oz.

   0 0
9. 09

   S05E04 · January 27, 2002 · 1h

   Next Stop: Valhalla8.3

   Penders, Hill and Alvarez are given a chance to train seeing-eye dogs; Martinez gives Brass a 'cocktail' he definitely didn't order; the love triangle between Beecher, McClain and Keller becomes more complicated.

   0 0
10. 10

    S05E05 · February 3, 2002 · 1h

    Wheel of Fortune8.3

    Robson stirs up problems between White and Said. Meanwhile, Pancamo's illness might save some work for his enemies, Schillinger makes a friendly but suspicious overture towards Beecher, and Morales seeks revenge on his sister's abusive husband.

    0 0
11. 11

    S06E05 · February 2, 2003 · 1h

    4 Giveness8.3

    Arif and the others have trouble getting Augustus' book published. Tobias confesses to Chris he's started dating someone on the outside.

    0 0
12. 12

    S06E07 · February 16, 2003 · 1h

    Junkyard Dawgs8.3

    Three new inmates arrive at Oz, one of whom is particularly close to the O'Reily clan. Meanwhile, the Keller-Beecher-Schillinger triangle gets even more pointed, and an awards banquet ends in a fateful discovery.

    0 0
13. 13

    S06E01 · January 5, 2003 · 1h

    Dead Man Talking8.5

    In the Season Six premiere, Alvarez and Schillinger are let out of solitary and placed back in general population. Meanwhile, a mourning Rebadow's spirits get a lift when he is transferred to the library and meets the new librarian, Stella Coffo.

    0 0
14. 14

    S02E02 · July 20, 1998 · 1h

    Ancient Tribes8.6

    Ten months after the riot, Em City is reopened. A recovered McManus creates a council of group representatives to keep order, and initiates classes to help inmates get high-school equivalency diplomas.

    0 0
15. 15

    S02E03 · July 27, 1998 · 1h

    Great Men8.6

    Alvarez knows who raped Glynn's daughter, but refuses to tell the warden. Wangler is making progress at school, but his cellmate, Adebisi, isn't a fan of higher education. When Hill's judge is convicted of accepting bribes, Said takes up Hill's case.

    0 0
16. 16

    S02E04 · August 3, 1998 · 1h

    Losing Your Appeal8.6

    Augustus Hill's appeal is denied, despite the efforts of Said, who has better luck with Poet's poems. Meanwhile, O'Reily survives his lumpectomy, and now focuses his attention on Dr. Nathan.

    0 0
17. 17

    S01E05 · August 4, 1997 · 1h

    Straight Life8.7

    The infiltration of drugs into Oz has reached scary levels, and the efforts of McManus and Glynn to find out who's smuggling backfire in a deadly way. Despite a lockdown, drugs continue to trickle in--and the blame shifts to corrupt officials.

    0 0
18. 18

    S01E06 · August 11, 1997 · 1h

    To Your Health8.7

    The prison's health service is kept busy by a variety of prisoner complaints: Beecher flips out and sends Schillinger to the hospital; mob boss Schibetta develops stomach problems thanks to some ground glass; and Said has a heart attack.

    0 0
19. 19

    S02E01 · July 11, 1998 · 1h

    The Tip8.7

    Season Two premiere. 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.

    0 0
20. 20

    S04E11 · January 21, 2001 · 1h

    Revenge is Sweet8.7

    Morales looks to pit the Chinese against Redding. Alvarez offers Glynn his services as an informant as a way out of solitary. Dr. Nathan announces that Em City inmates will be selected to test a trial drug that could reduce their time behind bars.

    0 0
21. 21

    S04E14 · February 11, 2001 · 1h

    Orpheus Descending8.7

    McManus calls a superficial truce between Redding and Morales. Basil finally sees his wife, but Hughes ends up spoiling their happiness. Meanwhile, Cyril's latest outburst proves to be the last straw.

    0 0
22. 22

    S04E15 · February 18, 2001 · 1h

    Even the Score8.7

    McManus can't turn his back on White. Beecher tells the parents of the girl he killed that he's up for parole. Howell tries to blackmail O'Reily so she can get to Cyril, but he throws her for a loop--and then O'Reily is thrown himself by a secret.

    0 0
23. 23

    S05E06 · February 10, 2002 · 1h

    Variety8.7

    As Cyril's trial gets off to an inauspiciously cold start, tensions between Mukada and Kirk come to a boil. Also, a priest named Meehan lands in Oz while White and Said turn over a new leaf in their relationship.

    0 0
24. 24

    S05E07 · February 17, 2002 · 1h

    Good Intentions8.7

    Hill's recovery leads to renewed friction between Redding and Morales, Alvarez gets his wish as the 'Man's Best Friend' program is finished and Meehan presents some revolutionary ideas to help Cyril.

    0 0
25. 25

    S01E04 · July 28, 1997 · 1h

    Capital P8.8

    Governor Devlin has reinstated capital punishment in the state--and the first Oz prisoner scheduled to die is Jefferson Keane, who killed a Latino in their skirmish. Before he's executed, Keane donates a kidney to his ailing sister.

    0 0