Ep 1. The Routine

Oz is a hard-hitting drama that takes place in a maximum-security prison unit known as Emerald City. This isn't your typical prison show, though. Oz is a brutal, unapologetic look at life behind bars, with a cast of characters who are just as complex and flawed as the criminals they play.

The first episode, "The Routine," kicks off with a tour of the prison led by Tim McManus, the unit manager who's trying to create a more progressive, humane environment for the inmates. He introduces us to some of the key players, like Miguel Alvarez, a fierce and charismatic Latino gang leader, and Kareem Said, a Muslim activist who's determined to fight for his rights.

We also meet Tobias Beecher, a white-collar criminal who's just arrived at Oz and is immediately targeted by the Aryan Brotherhood. Beecher is a bit of an enigma - he seems to have the potential for redemption, but he's also capable of intense violence when pushed to his limits.

As the episode unfolds, we see the daily routines that the inmates follow. They wake up, exercise, eat, and go about their business, but there's a constant undercurrent of tension and danger. McManus is trying to institute a new system of rewards and punishments, but it's clear that the inmates are resistant to change.

One of the most intriguing characters in the first episode is Vern Schillinger, the leader of the Aryan Brotherhood. Schillinger is a truly detestable character - he's racist, violent, and seems to revel in his own cruelty. At the same time, he's incredibly charismatic, and it's clear that he has a hold over many of the other inmates.

As the day wears on, tensions mount. One of Schillinger's cronies tries to attack Beecher, leading to a violent altercation that ends with Beecher in the infirmary. Meanwhile, Alvarez is trying to negotiate a truce with the Latinos who are feuding with his gang, and Said is clashing with the prison chaplain over his rights to practice Islam.

By the end of the episode, it's clear that life in Oz is a constant struggle for survival. The inmates must navigate a treacherous social hierarchy, trying to form alliances and avoid being targeted by the more powerful factions in the prison. McManus's attempts to create a more humane environment seem almost quaint in the face of such brutal realities.

Overall, "The Routine" is an intense and gripping introduction to Oz. The world-building is impressive, with a huge cast of characters and a complex web of relationships and power struggles. The violence and brutality of prison life are front and center, but there are also moments of humor, tenderness, and even hope. This is a show that doesn't pull any punches, and if the first episode is any indication, it's going to be a wild and emotional ride.