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OZ: A LOOK AHEAD Old Rivalries Usher in New Reprisals -- And Is Alvarez Really Dead? July 13, 1999 By Diane Snyder HBO Kirk Acevedo as prisoner Miguel Alvarez NEW YORK (APBnews.com) -- Oz has yet to officially kick off its third season, but an HBO preview clip already has stirred an ample amount of discussion on the Net. It shows a character who appears to be Miguel Alvarez hanging from a noose in a cell. Is this the end for Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), who was thrown into solitary confinement at the end of last season after stabbing out the eyes of a corrections officer? "He does attempt suicide," executive producer Tom Fontana told APBnews.com. "Whether he succeeds or not, you'll have to wait and see." Fontana has said that Alvarez takes part in a prison boxing program this season, so he must find his way out of solitary at some point. New characters, familiar names AP Terry Kinney, who plays Tim McManus, went behind the camera this season; and Edie Falco, aka Carmela Soprano, returns as Diane Wittlesey. New characters include prisoners Hamid Khan (Ernie Hudson Jr., whose father plays Warden Glynn), Andrew Schillinger (Kate and Allie's Fred Koehler) and Russian gangster Nikolai Stanislofsky (Philip Casnoff). Tricia Ross (Arija Bareikis), sister of slain inmate Scott Ross, who corrections officer Diane Wittlesey killed during the prison riot, pays inmate Said a visit, and corrections officer Claire Howell goes after prison administrator Tim McManus. Guest stars range from 80-year-old stage legend Uta Hagen (as Rebadow's mother) to Naughty by Nature rapper Treach (as inmate Snake) and also include Anne Meara and Milo O'Shea. Actors Steve Buscemi, Matt Dillon, Chazz Palminteri and series regular Terry Kinney are among the directors. Here's a look at the first five episodes: July 14 "The Truth and Nothing But..." Directed by Nick Gomez Adebisi is released from the psych ward and goes back to work in the kitchen. Beecher gets out of the hospital and returns to his cell and a contrite Keller. Ryan searches for opportunities to get back at Schillinger for raping Cyril. Said enlists the help of Scott Ross' sister in a class-action lawsuit over the riot. New corrections officer Howell woos McManus. July 21 "Napoleon's Boney Parts" Directed by Matt Dillon Another corrections officer is found dead. McManus introduces a boxing program to combat violence at Oz. Hill faces a quandary with potentially fatal consequences when Snake confesses to a vicious crime. Deprived of anti-depressants, Alvarez goes nuts. Still on death row, Shirley loses her lawyer. Said's attraction to Tricia grows. Wittlesey's mother dies. July 28 "Legs" Directed by Keith Samples Ryan takes steps to see that Cyril wins his boxing bout. Rebadow's mother visits. Schillinger's son Andrew ends up in Oz. Beecher advances his plot against Keller. After Hill gives up Snake, Schillinger's gang protects him. Adebisi takes revenge against Nappa. Aug. 5 "Unnatural Disasters" Directed by Chazz Palminteri As Schillinger frets about his son's safety, Beecher helps Andrew through his drug counseling. Sister Peter Marie kicks off an interaction program between victims and offenders and asks Alvarez and the corrections officer he blinded to take part. Deadly consequences result when Adebisi, Wangler and Pierce try to put an end to their problems. Ryan continues to fix the boxing matches. Aug. 12 "U.S. Male" Directed by Steve Buscemi The prison goes into lockdown after a violent crime transpires in the kitchen. Said's leadership of the Muslims is threatened. McManus looks for allies as a sexual harassment suit undermines his power. Beecher secretly wins a round in his battle with Schillinger. Diane Snyder is APBnews.com's entertainment editor (diane.snyder@apbnews.com). |