I am watching Oz finally

[stankowalski]

Yes I stole the title from Prouddiddy.  So I was bored and decided I wanted to binge watch another series that I've been wanting to watch but just never got around to it.  I heard so many great things about Oz that I thought it was a no brainer to check it out.

So far I've watched the first two episodes and I gotta say that so far I'm very underwhelmed.  Not at all as good as I remember everybody hyping it up to be.  Of course after watching such great shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Wire, The Walking Dead, etc, etc....it may just be that I've set my expectations of what a great show should be too high.  

The acting is marginal, the writing is okay but nothing special about it.  It does have some moments of great cinematography, but again nothing a hundred other shows have done.  

Another thing I'm having a problem with is that I don't care one way or another about any of the characters.  As far as I'm concerned they could line up the whole cast against the wall in the next episode and shoot everyone of them in the head and I wouldn't blink an eye.  

Maybe it'll get better, maybe it won't.  I'll still continue to watch at least through the first season but if it doesn't improve (and judging by IMDB it really doesn't), I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it out.

So I must ask...what the hell were you guys smoking that touted this show?  

[stankowalski]

I mean...a fuging Chinese priest?!?  Really?  And a TERRIBLE actor to boot...smdh.

[Proudiddy]

 

Oz was another show I was late getting into, so I had no idea of what was going on and have yet to watch it from the beginning. 

Your post here also reminded me (because of how you described it and because you mentioned it by name) about my experience with The Wire.  I have tons of friends that have watched it and LOVE IT.  I waited for the longest to get access to it...  I got HBO, then HBOGO, then forgot my login stuff for it and was too lazy to fix it or start a new one, then it popped up on my Amazon Prime and I finally decided to sit down and watch it...  That first episode just seemed painful.  It was so boring and so much was being introduced, I just got lost and bored.  I know I need to go back and give it another chance because of all the people I know, it was the favorite show EVER...  And as far as I know, it was critically acclaimed by everyone that ever saw it lol.  But, man, I just had a hard time getting through that pilot episode.  Regardless, I'll probably give it another look once I finish Breaking Bad. 

 

And not to hijack the thread any further, but I also tried to get into The Strain recently, as the previews looked incredible...   And wow...   That really sucked.  I KNOW I won't be giving that one another shot, it was just horrible to me and I have no idea how it got the Hugh ratings it did on IMDB. 

 

[stankowalski]

It's been a while since I watched The Wire.  But I do remember at least caring one way or another about the characters.  For me it's very important that I feel something.  The Wire not only had superb acting, but the writing was very good and the characters didn't feel like an after thought.  

I think one of the problems with Oz right now is that it doesn't feel like it's centered.  It's introducing too many characters and not fleshing them out at all.  And to be honest the characters don't seem all that interesting.  Maybe once they do flesh them out (if they ever do), it will get better.  

[Doyle]

The problem is the show is very dated.  I think I made it through the first season when I tried to watch it about a year ago.  I'm having the same issue with The Wire.  I think if I stick with The Wire the seasons will get better and better but I threw in the towel on Oz.

[Inimicus]

My first reaction to JK Simmons, regardless of the role he is cast in, is one of revulsion due to his role in Oz.

 

 

I only watched the first 2 seasons

[Jangler]

Gay prison sex, what other reason would there be watch?

[TheRed]

Christopher Meloni is underrated.

[stankowalski]

I may not be able to make it through the first season.  Just watched a couple more episodes and my god the suspension of disbelief must be high to follow this mess.  First off, we got Miguel Alvarez going from not really giving a poo about his unborn son to cutting his face up when he dies...all thanks to a 2 minute conversation with the Chinese priest.  Then you have Jefferson Keane going from an unrepentant drug-dealing thug murderer, to a converted anti-violence muslim.  

I'm a big believer that people can change, but not in one episode.  Really jarring 180 degree character shifts are not believable at all.  In fact I'm more inclined to believe in the dragons that Dany hatched in a fire while not getting burned, than this tripe.

Oh and let's not forget how Keane get's executed.  NOBODY gets executed that fast, even if you forgo all appeals you'll likely be waiting years.

[Doyle]

The first season is brutal.  It was made so long ago that it seems cheesy.   I wish I could say that season 2 is better but I didn't watch it.  

[Squirrel]

I watched the first few seasons a couple of months ago.  What got me through the first few shows was who played in Oz and other shows they have been in. 

[Lumps]

You need believable scenarios yet you like GOT? I'm confused.

 

Also, breaking bad is so much better than the wire.

[stankowalski]

You need believable scenarios yet you like GOT? I'm confused.

 

Also, breaking bad is so much better than the wire.

Believable in the context they are presented yes.  GOT is presented in a medieval, fantasy setting where a little magic and dragons are expected...i.e. if they brought John Snow back in a three piece suit I'd be pissed.

BTW are you telling me that this is a good show or what?  

[Jangler]

Oz will leave a shitty taste in your mouth...