A lot of the credits shots are different in this episode. Do you care? What am I, a mind-reader?
Hill: "The best laid schemes of mice and men most often go astray." Behind him, projected in blue letters: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." As far as I can tell, the original quote by the Scotsman Robert Burns is, "The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley," so maybe they're advancing two acceptable translations to cover their bases. But if the discrepancy is just a gaffe, hee. We see slides of various schemes that were hatched over the season so far, but Hill tells us that something always comes along and fucks things up. Yeah -- I planned to sit around and do my best imitation of a vegetable today, and here I am recapping. Plans suck. Hill gives Beecher as an example, and says that six months ago, Beecher would have envisioned himself at his daughter's birthday party today. We see the dude in question, and he's crawling on the floor of the hole. This naked, sweaty, still-tripping man is wearing his glasses again. Dude, as you well know, glasses in Oz do not prevent beatings. Or anal rape. Lose the fucking things already. We get treated to a close-up of Schillinger's eye as his bandage is removed. Well, I'm on a diet, so maybe doing this recap is a good thing after all. Apparently McManus is watching his dreams for the "perfect prison" disappear. Timbo, for starters, the perfect prison wouldn't have you in the same zip code. Said lies in bed, wearing an oxygen mask. We get a blue-filtered flashback to Mershah's treachery. I happen to pause the action on the spot where Said is halfway to the floor after flopping around like a beached whale. I don't know if it's Eamonn Walker or a stunt double in this midair shot, but I'll say this for him: He's got a great ass. It's probably not what I should be focusing on, but I'm getting a little too old to change my ways.
Oz TV. Report on Said being in critical condition. Mershah bullshits to the Muslims about what Said told him before the attack, and says they should start a holy war in Oz. "A war that will set fire [to] the sky." Don't you mean the ceiling? And like Said would appoint this yahoo to be his second in command. Whatever. In the infirmary, Said has regained consciousness as Alvarez playfully teases him that Oz was sixty-forty that he was "worm's meat." Well, he's clearly alive, as even through the mask, the Glower Power has returned. Said immediately removes the facegear as Alvarez tries to restrain him. Everyone's watching as we pan down the beds. Alvarez: "You're gonna pull somethin' out, man." Rebadow: "Said, you shouldn't be doing that." Schillinger: "Stupid nigger." I do not in any way condone the use of that word, but still: Ha! It's all in the delivery, people. I bet Mussolini had J.K. Simmons's comic timing. As Said rips off every medical device he's wearing, Alvarez tells Groves to get a doctor, but Said stands and stares at Groves, and orders him to get his clothes. Groves is hypnotized by the Power of the Glower. I can relate -- it took me ten minutes to write that sentence. Later, Gloria examines a now-dressed Said with McManus present. Said tells her he's fine, and agrees to take his medication. McManus in turn agrees to return him to Em City.
Adebisi sits on the balcony and blows bubbles. Watching Adebisi practice his puckering technique is a little unnerving. As we pan over the main area, in which you can see Dobbins if you look on the right-hand stairs, Hill tells us that the worst crime of all is betrayal. As the Muslims pray, Mershah realizes that Said is standing behind him, and sighs to himself in a the-jig-is-up manner. Said wastes no time in announcing what Mershah did. "This man is not our brother. He is our enemy. As of this moment, this man is CAST OUT!" Way to take it easy on your heart, dude. Said continues that no Muslim will speak to Mershah. "You wanted the death of another? Right now, you dead to us all." Smell ya later, Mershah!
Blah blah blah Poet-cakes. Mershah sits down with the Muslims, but they all get up and leave. Nice, but where are they all going to sit? I think it would be funny if Mershah kept following them around the cafeteria and they kept having to find a new spot. It'd be a rousing game of Musical Muslims. Mershah does in fact keep following them, as in the gym he asks if anyone wants to play two-on-two. Upon being ignored, he asks for the ball several times. He's coming off about as desperate as the girl with no gaydar on SNL. In the shower, Mershah finds Arif and asks if he wants to play hoops. Dude, the guy's shaving. And naked. Chill out, huh? Arif loudly sings Allah's praises as Mershah tries to convince him that Said is wearing a pair of kookoopants. Arif, having gotten his daily dose of the Glower already, ain't buying.
Pod Of Betrayal And Broken Hearts. Mershah, in the lower bunk, tells Said not to sleep, as he might not wake up again. Dude, wave a red flag in front of a bull, you're gonna get the horns. Said knocks on his window, and the dude in the lower bunk of the pod sticks his face to the glass and starts watching Mershah intently. Someone who's going to forego sleep to ensure your safety? That's loyalty, people. The day, Mershah goes to see Adebisi. He tells him that Said is responsible for Keane's death, which is far from true, but Adebisi says that's ancient history. Given all the stuff that's happened since then, the man has a point. Hell, I'm surprised he wasn't like, "Jefferson who?" Mershah says that Said has to die, but Adebisi calls him on his real motivations, saying he knows the Muslims now equate him with a nasty case of food poisoning, and, to illustrate his own opinion of Mershah, pulls down his pants and sits on the toilet. Awesome.
Mershah's customer is McManus. He tells Timbo that Said is going to start a riot, and the Foreshadowing upon this point has now grown so large that it's blocking the sun from my window. Fortunately, that makes it easier to see the computer screen. Thanks, Foreshadowing! Glynn, whom a different camera angle reveals to be in the office as well, says that without any evidence, his hands are tied. McManus calls Mershah on his bullshit and kicks him out. Please, don't make McManus tolerable two episodes in a row. Everyone has his or her own worldview, and if McManus doesn't act like a complete heel for any decent stretch, mine's going to be shattered in a hurry. Glynn snaps that Mershah's motivations aren't as important as his information, but McManus counters that Mershah is out of the loop, and as such won't give them anything useful. He goes on that he's going to transfer Mershah out of Em City. Considering that we haven't seen any Gen Pop prisoners get a plotline so far, what are the chances Mershah's going to live through the ten minutes? Glynn agrees, but suggests a shakedown based on Mershah's information...
...which happens immediately. Ryan gets caught with drugs, and it seems that the guards find a lot more contraband than usual. Groves gets wrestled to the ground. Later, all the busted prisoners are standing in the main area with their hands behind their heads. McManus says that they can't go in the hole, which seems obvious, as just in the tight shot here I see Ross, Alvarez, Groves, Vahue, Arif, Ryan, Adebisi, and Wangler. I suppose they could double or triple up, but given that they'd all be naked, it seems like that might lead to some other problems. However, I'd certainly change my mind if Ryan and Alvarez ended up in the same cell. Anyway, McManus takes away all their privileges for a month instead. Alvarez: "Gee, Dad, I hope I can still make it to the prom." Sometimes you're just keeping you head down, recapping away and hoping you'll be done in time to catch your evening television fare, and then an image like Alvarez in a tux comes along and upsets the whole apple cart. Alvarez in a tux. Mrow. McManus doubles the length of the punishment, and the prisoners shuffle away. McManus notes to Diane that it seems like everyone in Em City but Said has a weapon. Said grins at him. Elsewhere, Vahue asks who the rat was, and Ryan tells him it was Mershah, who's standing up by his pod. Yeah, we won't have to worry about dragging those cameras over to Gen Pop for long. Mershah leaves his pod with his stuff as, lined up on the balcony, the Muslims turn their backs on him one by one. Aw, they came just to say goodbye to him! How touching! At the end of the line, Said pauses, then turns away, shaking his head. Mershah tells him he's supposed to be a teacher, but "all you taught me was that your God is full of hate and vengeance. So you'd better watch out, okay? 'Cause he could turn on you, just like you turned on me." The actor playing Mershah actually does an excellent job of selling this speech, and after Mershah removes his Muslim cap, places it on Said's shoulder, and leaves, Said spares a glance after him and looks somewhat moved. Mershah is escorted out as various inmates spit on him. I'd be grossed out, but for two reasons: One, I've seen so many far worse bodily secretions rubbed and smeared over people that it might as well be water. Which, of course, it probably is. And two, I can't really afford to get grossed out this early in the recap. If I do, I'll be dry-heaving by the last ten minutes. As Mershah is led into his new cell, Hill VOs that to torture a man, you deprive him of friendship and peace. "He will search everywhere. And when he realizes that he won't find it, he will destroy himself." The camera pans to the right, and when it returns, we see Mershah lying in a pool of his own blood, apparently having slashed his own throat. See? That's way grosser that spit, and it took about ten seconds to get to. Which is also the length of time of the Gen Pop shot. Get those cameras back to Em City!
Said meets with a reporter over the glass. He tells the guy that Mershah's death was suspicious, and is an example of the brutality the inmates suffer. Said's wearing a pretty sweet-looking watch, by the way. How does he get away with that? I'd think a watch would be the only thing you'd lose faster than your anal virginity. Said continues that there have been a number of suspicious deaths at Oz, like, duh, and wonders what's taking the FBI so long to release its report. The reporter asks if it's been repressed, but Said is like, why do you think I called you in? Cut to Oz TV, where the reporter, probably seeing the word "Pulitzer" in big shiny letters, has wasted no time asking questions. An FBI spokesman says the report isn't finished, and the delay is in the interests of diligence. Cut to McManus's office, where Glynn tells Said he's ordering a press blackout. Well, that won't raise any eyebrows, Leo. Said starts some idiocy about "blackout" versus "Wite-Out," but my worldview takes another hit when McManus tells him to shut up. He goes on that Said is trying to destroy what he built, but Said accuses him of arrogance, and says that what's happening is bigger than the two of them. He dares Glynn to take away all the inmates' means of communication. "There will always be a man to tell the truth." Not if he excites himself into another coronary, there won't.
In the main area, as the Muslims pray, Diane announces a list of new restrictions from Glynn, which are all designed to take away the Muslims' prayer accessories. Glynn, what did I say about the bull and the horns? Said tells Diane that this violates their right to practice their religion; she counters that they can pray all they want, but they're not guaranteed any possessions as prisoners. Some of the Muslims look like they're praying for some violence here, but Said tells them that their faith is in their hearts, and is the first to hand over his stuff. There's gonna be some glowering tonight!
In the cafeteria, Glynn announces that the FBI report will be released that day, and that it will state that all the inmates who died so far this season were killed by other inmates except Mershah, whose death was a suicide. The prisoners boo, and then start beating their utensils on the tables as Glynn continues that some of the COs may have been involved in some of the murders. Said stands and looks at Glynn, who begs for quiet, then gives up and walks off. Said looks at the room and grandly drops his tray on the table. The crowd immediately stops and goes silent, then cheers for Said. Yeah, Glynn, those new regulations were a great idea. Groves looks at Said in wonder. Later, in the main area, Groves goes up to Said and tells him that he's "awesome," and even says the stock Muslim prayer. Said looks a little nonplussed, possibly wondering if he should break the news that Muslims consider it a sin to eat their parents. Groves goes into his pod and tells Alvarez that Said is a great speaker, and says their lives are shitty because of Glynn and McManus. He tells Alvarez that he thought it would be hard to murder his parents, but it wasn't. Alvarez asks how he did it, which is the blaring trumpet herald for Groves's "What Are You In For?" flashback. We see a man and a woman watching television. In fast motion, someone comes up and hits them both in the back of the head with a ball peen hammer. Groves comes around the couch, sits down, and changes the channel from a news program to a cartoon. Did he kill them because they wouldn't let him watch cartoons? That is awesome. In the present, Groves tells Alvarez that he thinks he should kill Glynn. Between Glynn and McManus, you choose Glynn? You really are crazy, my friend. Alvarez suggests he go see Dr. Nathan, as she gave him some killer antidepressants. Groves: "My first idea's best." Best. Character. Ever.
We see a very quick shot of Groves going at Glynn in the hospital. A CO gets in the way, and he and Groves fall onto a bed. Cut to a courtroom, where Hill VOs that Groves killed the officer in question, and will be put to death. Damn. On death row, Glynn comes to see Groves, who points to a couple COs and says they beat him. Glynn tells him that he can choose the method of his execution. Groves says they shouldn't even be talking, as Glynn should be dead, but Glynn ho-hums, which is kind of impressive. Groves eventually chooses to die by firing squad, which is also awesome, and then tells Glynn that trying to kill him wasn't personal. "It just had to be done." I feel the same way about McManus, except that it's completely personal. Glynn goes over to the COs and tells them to come by his office later. "I want you to tell me why I shouldn't fire your asses." He'd can them for beating up a guy that tried to kill him. Again, I respect that. Still, I'd expect that Groves is going to get a goodbye beating here.
Mukada gives a eulogy for Smith, the dead CO. He says that it would be easy to get angry with all the inmates for this. Quick cut of Ryan getting the crap clubbed out of him, which seems strange. Mukada goes on that Smith wouldn't want his death to bring about more suffering. We see Vahue getting clubbed gauntlet-style before being shoved into the hole. I enjoyed that one a lot, but Vahue is another one I would expect the hacks not to touch. If they're trying to illustrate that the hacks are no longer making friends with any prisoner, then I get it. But then why did Ryan and Officer Claire have to happen? Mukada talks about peace. Cut to Groves vigorously banging his head against the wall as the hacks watch and laugh. After the service, Hunt asks Glynn if he can be on the firing squad. Glynn, possessing a neuron, has reservations. Not possessing more than six, however, he doesn't turn him down cold.
In the hospital, Gloria is bandaging a shirtless Ryan's head. Ah, back when you didn't need an Exacto knife to cut the sexual tension. Glynn appears, and Gloria complains that she's seeing a host of officer-related injuries. Glynn tries to get information from Ryan as to what happened to him, but as you can imagine, that pig ain't squealin'. Gloria tells Glynn he has to do something. Glynn: "I know. And by that, I mean that I'm not going to do shit." Some of that may have been implied. Later, in Glynn's office, Burruano is trying to convince McManus that some retaliation for Smith's death is justified. We get a little exposition that Glynn and Burruano were both hacks at one point. Burruano pleads with Glynn not to keep suspending experienced officers, because then they'll end up with newbies that can't handle themselves in a crisis. A little sun had just crept through my window, but that growth spurt from Foreshadowing blocked it right out again. Burruano goes on that after Groves's execution, the hacks will calm down. McManus whines. Burruano: "Reality's hard for you, isn't it, McManus?" Score one for the puffy Italian.
Main area. A new hack, Wood, reports to Diane. He's been working in Oz for three weeks. In other words, he might not even have seen anyone sucking any dick. Of course, I don't know what goes on in the CO locker room. Wood seems to have an interest in Said. Cut to the laundry room, where Said enters to find Wood rifling through his dryer. Wood says he wanted to see if a great man like Said is "a Fruit Of The Loom or a Hanes man." Well, I guess I was wrong about the whole sucking-dick thing. Said informs him that he doesn't wear underwear. Well, fellatio's just a zipper away, then. Wood conspiratorially breathes the Muslim prayer to Said, and leaves. Said, puzzled, looks in the dryer, and discovers a gun. DUN!
In the lobby, Devlin gives Smith's mother a medal in front of reporters. Later, she tells Mukada and Glynn that she'd like to watch Groves's execution, but Glynn says the state doesn't allow family members to be present. She then asks instead to see Groves. Cut to Mukada and Glynn leading her into death row. The actress gives an archetypical performance of, as Chuck put it, "the shop-worn, burdened-but-resolute strong black mother thing." She tells Groves that he broke God's law of "love thy neighbor," and that she wants to hate him, but she can't. "I feel pity, tears, but no hate. I didn't realize that until this moment. You are my neighbor, and I love you. And I forgive you with all my heart." Groves falls to more pieces than Patsy Cline. Mrs. Smith leaves, and Mukada looks on ambiguously. Did I ever mention that Mukada's job sucks?
In Glynn's office, Devlin thanks the volunteers for the firing squad. They're all hacks. When did Bad Idea Jeans become part of the uniform? Glynn tells them there hasn't been an execution by firing squad in the state in over a hundred years. "Fortunately, Lenny Burruano worked in Utah before coming to Oswald." Are we supposed to infer that teetotaling leads to violent executions? Because if so, my worldview's back in tip-top shape. Burruano tells them that a firing squad is a lot more humane than the electric chair, which seems fairly obvious, and that good lighting and distance are essential for a successful execution. I hope they don't do it in one of the hallways, then. You can barely see a shank in front of you. He continues that they'll have to prepare themselves emotionally for pulling the trigger, and that one of the rifles will contain blanks, so no one will know if he actually had a live gun. So it's inverted Russian roulette. Except with someone else as the target. Why do I draw these comparisons?
Glynn, packing up to leave for the day, gets a phone call. "He WHAT?" Oh, dear.
Groves gets wheeled into the hospital, having OD'ed. I doubt anyone receiving Mrs. Smith's speech earlier wouldn't have done the same. It had "assisted suicide" written all over it. Gloria sets up to pump his stomach. Glynn freaks, and yells at Burruano to find out how Groves got pills in his cell. Weird to think the hacks could be responsible, since I'd think they'd prefer riddling Groves with bullets to watching him drift off to that Great Big Eat-Your-Parents Barbeque In The Sky. Glynn tells Gloria to "save that little prick." She doesn't quite get the concern, as he's supposed to die the day, but Glynn blathers that he has to be aware of his execution. Uh, doesn't killing yourself imply awareness?
Alvarez enters what I think is his pod to find Rebadow, who says he's hiding. Alvarez tells him that Groves survived, and guesses that Rebadow misses him. Rebadow says he's learned not to make attachments, as if you do, you just end up grieving all the time. So why were we subjected to Patti Lupone? Poor Aaron. Alvarez tells him that grieving is a lot better than hiding. I could go either way on that, but it's Miguel, so I'll agree. After all, he should know, right?
Mukada gives Groves his last rites. There's a plate of hamburgers in front of him. Well, I know what I'm having for dinner. Groves interrupts to tell Mukada that he's been thinking about his last words, and he'd like him to write them down and give them to Mrs. Smith. Mukada looks touched, and agrees. Glynn says that it's time, as the cell door swings open. Dude, what about those hamburgers? That's a crime, right there! Groves looks out an open window on the way, and manages to stick his head out for some fresh air, a moment only slightly ruined by a very loud cawing from an unseen bird. Ask not for whom the bird caws, Donald Groves. It caws for thee. Burruano and someone else strap Groves into a chair. Mukada says a blessing, and the moment seems to overtake Groves, who looks panicked. A mask is pulled over his face, which, in light of what's to come, really annoys me. Shouldn't they do the last words without the mask on the face? In the room, Mukada tells Glynn he has to hear the last words, and Glynn points him to an intercom. Burruano puts a target on Groves's heart as Groves comes close to hyperventilating. Groves is asked for his last words, but the intercom goes all static-y, and before there's any chance to fix it, the shots ring out. Inside, blood pours out of the target, and Gloria pronounces Groves dead. Mukada panickedly asks what his last words were, but Burruano says he wasn't listening. And this may seem like an odd choice, but it's one of the saddest moments on the show for me. It's just so "Cruel fate, why do you mock me?" Poor Mrs. Smith. Groves's blood pours onto the floor, just in case you didn't get enough with Mershah. That's our Tom -- always making sure we push our gross-out limits.
In the CO locker room, Hunt drinks some wine out of a bottle and smokes. This show just keeps giving me great ideas. Diane asks if he's drinking on the job, but he says he's off duty. Just to be fair to her, I think she was expressing concern, not self-righteousness. Hunt toasts Smith and Groves, although the content of the two varies a bit. He starts to spew some circular logic about whether it's better not knowing if he killed Groves. Diane: "Go home. Sleep it off." Thanks, hon. Hunt says he doesn't think he'll sleep much that night. Another bottle of that stuff and you will, dude.
Hill goes back to the "mice and men" quote, and talks about rats. God, shut up.
Dobbins plays the cello in the cafeteria. Hill asks Diane who he is, and she says he's a hotshot cellist that McManus gave permission to practice for an hour every day. As long as he's not Omar White. Hill seems mesmerized by Dobbins's playing. Suddenly we're in a sepia flashback, as Dobbins watches some young dude play the violin. He rushes at him from behind, and stabs him with the point of his cello. And they let him bring that thing into Oz? "Prisoner Number 97D403. Eugene Dobbins." Murder two, twenty-two years, parole in eight. Back in the cafeteria, Dobbins tells Hill that his cello was made in 1744. Dude, they should have made Red Cello instead of Red Violin. Especially with the blood and all. I'm overthinking again, aren't I? He says that he keeps it locked in the chaplain's office. Hill opines that it's beautiful, and Dobbins agrees, but says it's also lonely, as he has no one to play with. Uh, maybe I'm overthinking yet again, but I'd guess you'd have people to play with if you didn't, you know, stab them to death. Later, in the gym, Vahue shoots hoops, then asks Wangler if he has any drugs. Hill starts to leave, but Vahue presses him to take a hit of his stuff. I think Hill's now more impressed with Dobbins's instrument that with Vahue's balls. What?
Pete's office. Hill gets confirmation that their talk is confidential, and brings up Vahue, from which Pete quickly deduces that Hill's sniffing to impress him. God, Pete has more smarts than Glynn and McManus put together. But really, you wouldn't accept any less from a Rita Moreno character, would you? Pete says she'll talk to Vahue without implicating Hill, and tells Hill to quit it with the heroin and come to counseling. She sighs and looks at him. "Maybe it's time you got yourself another hero." He's way ahead of you, Sister. She adds fondly, "'Cause to be honest, the one you got sucks." Sister, can I buy you a drink?
In the Party Pod, Vahue is giving Dobbins shit when Hill enters and tells him to back off. When Vahue doesn't comply, Hill rams him with his wheelchair. Dobbins bolts like a rabbit from a cosmetics testing lab. Hill tells Vahue not to bother him, because he has a gift. Vahue asks about his gift. The gift of poor acting? He says he's dying in Oz. Here's hoping, Vahue. Here's hoping.
Dobbins practices. Hill brings some dude in to accompany Dobbins on the trumpet. No doubt there's a tenor saxophonist with a trumpet-shaped head wound in Benchley Memorial. Hill also VOs something, but I believe my TWoP contract only obligates me to recap one Hill in the same scene if I so choose. So there. Oh, fine. Hill says that if you help someone, you help yourself. What about if you rape someone? Vahue is in the cafeteria as well for some reason. Great. Later, Wangler and Vahue break into the chaplain's office, and Vahue smashes Dobbins's cello. So much for that movie. The best schemed plans of mice and Hollywood gang aft a-gley. Or something.
Ryan busts into Schibetta's pod and asks if he wants to play pinochle, but sees that Said is keeping Schibetta company. He kicks Ryan out, calling him a "stupid mick bastard." Them's dyin' words, Nino. Ryan leaves, and is immediately accosted by Ross, who asks what he thinks that meeting is all about. Ryan pulls Ross into his pod and says he's heard stuff about the Muslims starting a riot, and that they're armed to the teeth. Ryan and Ross agree that they have to stick together, and Ross notes that Ryan has Adebisi in his pocket, which is a well-kept secret. I like this misdirection about the riot. It does have a few problems, but that's a discussion for the recap.
Ryan grinds glass as Adebisi brings in Schibetta's food. Ryan asks Adebisi where his loyalties would lie in the event of a riot. Adebisi says he's got Ryan's back, a statement which seems would be ambiguous at the best of times, but it's good enough for Ryan. Adebisi asks how long before Schibetta dies, but Ryan doesn't know. Simon, if it makes you feel any better, there are only ten minutes left in the episode. Schibetta enters the cafeteria, and Ryan brings him his food. Schibetta, looking like he's in some pain, says he's not hungry, but does tell Ryan he's got a shipment coming in the day, and to tell Adebisi to get ready. Ryan, all buddy-buddy, tries to find out if anything's going on with Said, but Schibetta goes colder than the floor of the hole as he tells Ryan he'll find out when he's supposed to find out. He leaves, and Ryan gives the food to Dobbins. That's so mean. Hee.
Schibetta and Ryan are playing pinochle when Ryan tells him to check his nose. We see Schibetta's face, and blood is pouring out of his nostrils. He stands in horror, and blood starts streaming out of his ears as well. Soon, there's blood everywhere. And here I was, thinking I wouldn't vomit while watching this episode. Once again: Thanks, Tom!
Adebisi and Ryan go see Said in the library and ask if he heard about Schibetta. Said says that he was hemorrhaging throughout his body, and sneers that he wonders what caused it. Something called "Rydebisitis," I'm guessing. Said asks if he'll recover, and Ryan says Gloria thinks it's possible, but for now they're in charge of his operation, so if Said has any business...the "wink-wink" couldn't be more audible if the Foley guys had dubbed it in. Adebisi takes off Said's watch, which I'm taking as a shout-out to my powers of observation, as Said denies having any business with Schibetta. After some threats back and forth, Said leaves. Ryan teases Adebisi, and the two skip out of the room arm-in-arm. Well, that's how I thought it was going to play, anyway.
Ryan takes Schibetta, whose throat is bandaged and who appears unable to talk, his food in the infirmary. Ryan pets Schibetta's hair and asks him if he remembers calling him a stupid mick bastard. "I ain't so stupid now, am I?" He shovels food into Schibetta's mouth, which is grosser than all the blood and spit. Can I get through the last five minutes without my stomach turning?
Hill talks about "big bad events" and the effect they have on people, as we see several flashbacks around him, the most notable being a huge projection of Beecher's ass as he got branded. I hope Lee Tergesen got ass royalties for this show. We get a blue-tinted full-screen flashback to Beecher taking out Schillinger's eye, and then to his violent PCP trip in the hole. Then, in the present, Beecher takes his piss pail and smashes his glasses with it. Finally!
Schillinger, sporting an eye patch, tells McManus that Beecher turned him into Jolly Roger, only he's not feeling too jolly. McManus says he's told there's still a chance Schillinger's eye can be saved. He goes on that Beecher will get out of the Hole soon, and he can't have them both in Em City. Schillinger suggests Beecher go to Gen Pop, what with Beecher having given him a new form of "glass eye," but McManus isn't so easily swayed. Schillinger sneers that McManus and Beecher are the same guy. Schillinger, I know you hate Beecher, but let's not get carried away here. He goes on that seeing with one eye has given him a new perspective. "You eggheads think the world really is the way you see it. And then when you finally figure out that it's not, that you weren't even close, you get a little bitter. You get mean." Hee. McManus, unimpressed, sends Schillinger to Gen Pop. Dude, if there's one thing we've learned this season, it's that questioning McManus's worldview leads to a loss of privileges. I guess you could say he just banned Schillinger.
Beecher returns to Em City. On the balcony, some Aryans grab him, but Diane calls them off. He turns around and heads back downstairs. He goes to see McManus, and asks to be moved, but the answer is no. Beecher seethes to himself. In his pod, he lies down and flashes back to all the things Schillinger did to him. He freaks out and trashes Schillinger's bed. Cut to the gym, where Schillinger enters the basketball area and starts doing push-ups. At first he doesn't see Beecher, who's working the heavy bag. Ryan and Adebisi encourage Beecher as he picks up a weight plate and puts it in the back of his belt. He walks into the basketball area, and Schillinger gets up and tells him he's going to die. Beecher, looking as crazy as Piper Laurie in Carrie: "Not today." He kicks Schillinger in the goolies, then takes the plate and clocks him in the head with it. Schillinger's going to be out longer than Rip Van Winkle. Beecher sticks something in the door to lock it, so Ross can't interfere, and ties Schillinger's wrists together -- not that that's really necessary at this point. Beecher gets a bench and puts it over Schillinger, then pulls down his pants. Ross looks glum, but Alvarez, Ryan, and Adebisi look like Christmas and their birthdays have come early. Beecher takes a dump on Schillinger's face and shoves it in his mouth. I was going to try to gloss over that, but really, why bother? Y'all know my stomach's in disarray already, and a few euphemisms aren't going to change that. Beecher cackles to the sky.
Hill: "Simple truth Number 22: Be careful what you wish for, brother. Be very, very careful." I'm finding it hard to see how wishing for no more monologues can hurt there, Augustus.