Oz: Straight Life (1997)
Season 1, Episode 5
7/10
Can you Cure Pain?
7 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Probably my least favourite episode so far, out of the first five. Something about it just didn't feel as exciting or interesting as the other episodes. A little flat, like going through the motions. Also it's hard to pinpoint but some of the dialogue felt a bit simplistic or clunky.

The mafia head (Nino) is not somebody I find fun to watch in large doses. I like him as a side character but he takes up too much screentime here.

This episode is all about drugs. A topic that makes sense to cover of course but I don't feel the episode shows us anything enlightening about the topic. The narration style is starting to get on my nerves a little. I wish they didn't use Augustus Hill like that; I don't know why his character is considered the right choice to be the narrator of the show. It really doesn't add to my enjoyment of the episode - it just feels like pretentious filler.

The episode still definitely has some great moments and interesting artistic details. Seeing O'Riley going stir crazy in confinement, the interactions between Groves and Alvarez with the stamp licking and imaginary baby.

As usual my favourite parts are the ones with Tobias Beecher. His continued decline is fascinating to watch; who knows where it will end. I would love a show that was wholly focused on Tobias but I understand why they need to show a range of characters.

Hopefully the next few episodes will be more exciting in pace.
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