Here we are at my final Oz recap. After this, I hand the reins over to Chuck to recap the new episodes, whenever HBO decides to air them. I must say that it has been interesting to recap the season where (in my mind), Oz truly went over the top from gritty drama to soap opera. And, by the way, Barbara Kopple directed this episode.
Hill sits in front of a fireplace, where Christmas stockings have been hung with care, which is the complete opposite of how Shirley Bellinger will be hanged in a future episode. Hope I didn't ruin that for you. Hill, dressed in red footie pajamas and a Santa hat, recites the first verse of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," finishing with, "Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Hill adds, "The rats, however, are a whole different story."
Said prays in his cell in solitary. Someone walks up to the door and tells Said that there's a gift for him, and then slides a live rat through the food slot in the door. The rat climbs onto Said's shoulder. Cut to the infirmary, where Said tells Gloria that he was bitten by a rat, and then holds up the bloody rat as evidence. Gloria gets someone to take the rat before she begins treatment.
Rebadow and Busmalis discuss how quiet it is on Christmas Eve in Em City. Busmalis expositions that it's quiet because they are on lockdown after the Aryans attacked the Muslims. Rebadow says that he's getting a premonition from God, like he used to. Busmalis wants to know what God has to say. Rebadow fills him in, and God's words are, "Be afraid."
Alvarez has a flashback to his meeting with Rivera, except this time, there is blood running down Rivera's face. Cut to Alvarez meeting with Sister Pete. She informs Alvarez that the Riveras have decided that they don't want to continue the program. Alvarez is disappointed because he had a lot of things to say. Sister Pete invites him to talk to her, but he says it's not the same. Sister Pete reminds Alvarez that Leo is still expecting to hear who raped his daughter, or Alvarez will go back to solitary. Alvarez is silent. Sister Pete advises him to pray, look within, and make a choice.
Father Mukada celebrates Mass for the prisoners, and wishes them a Merry Christmas. Alvarez and the others get up to leave. Ryan catches up to him on the way out, and informs Alvarez that Hernandez, Ricardo, and Guerra are coming back to Em City. Ryan thinks that they will want revenge after Alvarez bailed out when they got busted for drugs. Ryan claims that he's just looking out for Alvarez. As if Ryan ever looks out for anyone but himself. And that's why we love him.
Hernandez, Ricardo, and Guerra enter Em City. Ricardo comments that his sister will be there to see him, because she knows how much he loves Christmas. All three of them hustle over to Alvarez's cell to harass Alvarez about bailing out on them. Hernandez reminds Alvarez that he'll never be one of them. Murphy strolls by and tells them all to break it up, advising Hernandez to "take a break from being a tough guy." Hernandez tells Alvarez to enjoy the day, because it'll be his last.
Alvarez tells Sister Pete and McManus that he's not going to tell Leo about his daughter's rape. Sister Pete wonders if Alvarez has really thought it through. Alvarez says he wants to go back to solitary. McManus informs Alvarez that the transfer will happen the day, but Alvarez insists on going immediately. Sister Pete catches on, and asks Alvarez if he needs to be put in protective custody. Alvarez says, "What difference does it make? Alone is alone, and I just don't belong in the world. I belong by myself, in solitary." Sister Pete looks grief-stricken.
Ricardo asks Murphy if his sister is there for a visit. Murphy says, not unkindly, that Ricardo's sister didn't schedule a visit, nor did anyone in his family. Ricardo looks devastated. Hernandez walks up and tells Ricardo that it's time. Ricardo and Guerra walk to Alvarez's cell, commenting that they have something for him. Ricardo's belly area looks suspiciously lumpy, like he has some extra padding there so that that they don't have to use a stunt double in this scene. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Ricardo and Guerra both pull out shanks. Ricardo lunges at Alvarez, who deflects the blow and turns the shank on Ricardo, stabbing him in the stomach (thus the padding). Alvarez turns to Guerra and holds a shank to Guerra's neck. As Alvarez threatens Guerra, the guards come racing in. Alvarez drops his shank, and he is hustled out, as is Guerra. The old guard checks Ricardo's neck, and then walks out onto the balcony and yells out, "Ricardo's dead!" Way to prevent a riot or something, Old Guard. McManus immediately announces lockdown. I thought they were already on lockdown, based on the Rebadow/Busmalis scene a minute ago. Hernandez looks pissed. Claire throws Alvarez into a solitary cell, yelling, "Seasons greetings, fuckwad." That Claire is just so pleasant and filled with the holiday spirit.
Father Mukada and Sister Pete discuss Alvarez's situation as they put away the nativity scene. Sister Pete apologizes for excluding Father Mukada from the Alvarez/Rivera sessions. Father Mukada doesn't think that his presence would have made a difference, and then makes a wisecrack about the Wise Men being named "Larry, Curly, and Moe." Sister Pete thinks that's just hilarious. Father Mukada asks her if she's absolutely sure about leaving the convent. Sister Pete says that the process of getting out is just as hard as getting in, so who knows what will happen by the time she's done. Father Mukada admires her courage. Sister Pete points out that sometimes it takes just as much courage to stay. Father Mukada rebuts that if the Wise Men had stayed where they were, they never would have seen God. Sister Pete thanks him. I like these two. Maybe they could have a spin-off. Or take it on the road.
Leo goes to visit Alvarez in solitary. Alvarez asks why Leo wants to know who raped his daughter. Leo wants the rapist to be punished. Alvarez asks what happens if the rapist has already been punished. Leo pushes for a name, and Alvarez finally says all dramatic-like, "Carlo. Ricardo." Leo glowers as only Leo can glower. Alvarez cracks up over the fact that Ricardo has been right under Leo's nose the whole time.
Gloria zips Ricardo into a body bag as Ricardo's sister watches. Ricardo's sister asks if Gloria knew him, which Gloria did not. Ricardo's sister starts talking about her brother and blubbering all over the place, then follows the gurney out.
Hill Vignette. Hill, dressed as an altar boy, sings "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," as some chick plays the violin in accompaniment.
Shirley and Sister Pete talk in Shirley's cell. Shirley says that she was supposed to die that week, the last execution of the millennium. Remember when everything was "the last [whatever] of the millennium," and then the anal people would be all, "Well, actually, the millennium doesn't end until the end of 2000!" like, give it a rest, anal people. Anyway, Shirley says that when the governor found out she was preggo, he issued a stay of execution. Sister Pete thinks that the governor is trying to "sort through the political ramifications of putting to death a woman who got pregnant while in prison." Shirley starts pacing. Sister Pete ascertains that Shirley does know who the father is, but won't tell. Shirley wants Sister Pete to ask the governor to go forward with the execution. Sister Pete asks Shirley why she wants to die. Shirley confesses that she has to die because she did kill her firstborn. Shirley talks about how her daughter was a joy at first, but then Shirley started to see that there was something not quite right about her. Shirley claims that her daughter used to speak in tongues and make things levitate, so Shirley realized that her daughter was possessed by the devil. Sister Pete asks if Shirley ever talked to her minister or her pediatrician about this. Shirley knows that they would have thought she was crazy, so she knew that she had to kill her daughter herself, but every time she tried to, she didn't see the devil. She only saw her daughter. As Shirley explains what happened, we see it in flashback. Shirley put her daughter in the car and drove the car into the lake, Susan Smith style. Shirley thought that her daughter might "rise up out of the water on Lucifer's back." Sister Pete promises to see what she can do.
Sister Pete and Leo tell Governor Slime that Shirley wants to be executed. The Governor considers this an extra Christmas present. Sister Pete says that there's a problem -- Shirley's insane. The Governor is not surprised to hear this news. Sister Pete thinks that Shirley should be in an asylum, instead of on Death Row. The Governor says that if Shirley wants to die, they shouldn't stop her. Um, maybe because she's incapable of making sound decisions for herself, Governor Slime? Sister Pete points that out, adding that Shirley is pregnant, so executing her would be two murders. The Governor orders Shirley transferred, and then orders Leo to end the lockdown.
Adebisi and the other prisoners watch television as the Governor tells reporters that he is commuting Shirley's sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. A female guard hustles Shirley out of her cell as Sister Pete rushes up. Shirley accuses Sister Pete of betrayal, and asks for an abortion, then threatens to kill her baby herself. Sister Pete tells Shirley that she's going to a psych center. Shirley yells out that Sister Pete will be bowing down before Satan in the year, and that Satan is the father of her baby. That Shirley is definitely not a candidate for the cover of Sanity Fair.
Flashback to the riot in the gym where Schillinger stabbed Beecher, and then Keller stabbed Schillinger. When the flashback ends, Keller and Khan are let out of their cells in solitary. Schillinger and Beecher are released from the infirmary (where we get a shot of Poet and Pierce still swathed in bandages from their run-in with the boiling oil). On his way out, Beecher sees Said, and they exchange smiles.
Beecher returns to Em City and has a conversation with Keller. Beecher admits that he's only alive thanks to Keller, and then says that he's asked McManus to let Keller be his roommate again. Keller smiles and nods. Schillinger returns to Unit B. Diane isn't too happy to see him return. Ted Danson Guard says that Schillinger's not a bad guy. Diane retorts, "What drugs are you on?" Hee! Ted Danson says that Schillinger is "a shitload better than them," and points to some guys playing pool. Diane clarifies, "'Them' as in niggers?" Ted Danson's all, "Yeah," like, "Obviously." McManus rolls up and asks to talk to Diane. McManus sees Kenny, and they glare at each other. McManus and Diane talk in the break room. McManus whines about his various sexual harassment charges. Claire walks in and silently sits down. Claire takes out a cream puff and then offers some to McManus sarcastically. Diane gets up and decks Claire. McManus tries to keep the women apart, and eventually requires another guard to help him break up the fight.
Cut to both women being treated in the infirmary. Leo comes up and asks McManus what happened. McManus says that Diane and Claire got in a fight over him. Ha! It's so funny that that's what he thinks happened. McManus tells Leo that he doesn't want to hear any "sanctimonious bullshit." Leo tells McManus that he needs to start taking responsibility for the "shitstorms" he creates. McManus gets all fired up and says that he always takes responsibility, and Leo never gives him any support, but always takes the other side. Everyone in the infirmary watches. Leo wonders if McManus is accusing him of racism, and McManus affirms that he is. Gloria runs out and says that everyone is listening. McManus and Leo shut it.
Gloria tells Poet that they're going to remove the bandages now, but that his pigmentation might be messed up. She assures them that it will return to normal in six months to a year. They remove Poet's bandages, and his entire neck is white. Poet comments that he might be able to get a cab now. Because of all the cabs in prison. Whatever. Poet and Pierce return to Unit B, where they have somehow been reassigned at some point that I totally missed, and greet Kenny. Oh, they ask why they are out of Em City, so I guess they're as surprised as I am at this plot development. Kenny informs them that Adebisi has a plan. Poet and Pierce say that Adebisi has to pay for what he did to them. Kenny agrees, but says that first they have to go along with Adebisi. Meanwhile, Adebisi is making nice with the Muslims as Murphy and McManus watch warily.
Hill, dressed in satin boxing robe and gloves, tells us that in England (and Canada!) the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day, but he's not sure why. I thought it was because you use the day to box up all the gifts and decorations and such. I might have made that up. Hill says that in Oz, every day is a boxing day of sorts. Behind Hill, footage plays of some of the boxing matches from the tournament.
Ryan runs up and asks Murphy if it's true that the boxing championship match between Cyril and Khan has been cancelled. Murphy says that it's only been postponed. Ryan says it sucks, and Murphy deadpans, "Life's full of disappointments, O'Reily. You'd think you would have grasped that by now." Hee!
Ryan asks permission to speak to Khan. Cut to Ryan and Khan in Leo's office, trying to convince him that postponing the match will cause unrest. Leo knows this, but points out that they just had a huge altercation between the Aryans and the Muslims. Khan blames Schillinger, but Leo says that they are "all fucking responsible." Ryan points out that Beecher was attacked too. Leo asks if Ryan is saying it had nothing to do with race. Ryan says that was partly it, but "there were other things at play," and again urges Leo to let the boxing match happen. Leo finally agrees, but stipulates that there will be no audience. Ryan and Khan don't like the idea, but Leo says it's their only option.
Khan works out in the gym as Poet, Pierce, and Kenny tell him that they are betting on him, so he had better win. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the gym, Pancamo informs Cyril that he had better win, or Ryan's in big trouble.
Some guy swipes a bottle of chloral hydrate (conveniently labeled in giant red letters) from the infirmary. He hands it to Ryan. Russky asks Murphy where Ryan is. Murphy checks his clipboard and says that Ryan is in the gym. Russky comments that it's funny that Ryan always asks to go to the gym just before a boxing match. Murphy stands and asks why it's funny. Russky apologizes and says that Russians are suspicious of everyone.
Alone in the gym, Ryan opens Khan's water bottle and starts pouring in the chloral hydrate. Ryan's sitting with his back to the door, so he doesn't see Murphy enter. Murphy grabs the bottles and realizes that Ryan has been drugging Cyril's opponents all along. Ryan claims that he had to make sure Cyril didn't get hurt, and also prove that the Irish still matter. Funny -- no mention of the big bucks he has been winning. Murphy claims that if the others found out about this, there would be a riot. Ryan asks why they have to find out. Murphy tells Ryan that he can wave the flag of Ireland all he wants, but the fight will go on "fair and square, no drugs." Murphy goes on to say that he won't mention this incident, but if he finds out that Ryan messed with Khan in any way, Ryan will go to solitary. Ryan asks how Cyril is going to beat Khan, but Murphy claims that's not his problem.
Cyril shadowboxes in his cell. Ryan asks how he's doing, and Cyril says he's feeling good. Ryan says that Cyril's other opponents were weak, but Khan is tough. Cyril says that he is tough too. Ryan tells Cyril that their father is coming to visit. Cyril looks shocked.
Pa O'Reily kicks the vending machines in the visiting room as Ryan and Cyril enter. Pa wonders what was so urgent, since he doesn't see anyone bleeding. Aw, Ryan combed his hair all neat and stuff. Ryan comments that he's been in Oz for three years and his father has never visited. Pa says there's nothing to see, because he's been in prison himself and knows what it's like. Ryan says that his father could have come to visit them once Cyril was there, but Pa wonders what good it would do any of them. Cyril says, "I'm boxing." Pa laughs. Ryan asks why he's laughing. Pa asks if Cyril is boxing "another 'tard." Ryan defends Cyril, saying that it's the championship match. Pa disparages Oz, saying that it can't be a tough place if "a stooge like [Cyril] could be the champion." Ryan asks his father why he has to shit on everything they do. Pa replies, "Maybe because everything you do is shit." Ryan replies, "Yeah, look who taught us." Pa says that he provided for his sons, and they messed it up, "drinking and whoring, just like [their] mother." Cyril tells his father repeatedly to shut up. Pa smacks Cyril, who starts crying and runs out. Ryan smiles and thanks his father for coming through just like always. Pa looks wary, like "What just happened here?"
And it's time for the big match. In case you haven't figured it out, I know nothing about boxing, so I won't even try to describe what's happening. As promised, there is no audience. Cyril nearly gets counted out a few times in the first round. During the break, Cyril says that he wants to stop. Ryan urges Cyril to think that Khan is their father. Cyril heads out for round two, and Ryan starts yelling, "Dad!" Cyril has flashbacks to watching their father beat their mother, and to their father beating them. This causes Cyril to start landing some serious punches. After flashing back to his father punching him in the face as a boy, Cyril lands a serious blow right to Khan's head and Khan is down for the count. Ryan hugs Cyril, who proclaims, "I'm a champion." Meanwhile, the ref notices that Khan's legs aren't moving, and he's not responding at all.
Back in their cell, Cyril is worried that he hurt Khan. Ryan claims that Khan will be fine, but Cyril keeps asking why he had to hurt Khan. Ryan wants Cyril to shut up and get ready for bed, but Cyril persists, wanting to know why he had to think of their parents. Ryan says that he had to do it so that they could "survive in this fucking hellhole." Ryan admits that Khan is brain damaged. Cyril asks, "You mean I made him just like me?" Ryan says that Khan is worse. Cyril grabs Ryan and starts beating this shit out of him, crying and screaming all the while. Finally, Cyril sinks to his bunk and starts sobbing. Ryan rolls his eyes, and comforts Cyril.
Khan's wife meets with Leo and McManus and asks if there is any chance of her husband coming out of his coma. McManus says that both Gloria and a specialist agree that Khan is brain dead. Leo adds that Khan is on life support. Mrs. Khan says that her husband wouldn't want to be kept alive by a machine, and asks that they take him off life support. Leo says that they can't, because state law requires that they maintain him. Mrs. Khan protests that she's his wife. McManus explains that, in the eyes of the law, Khan is first and foremost a prisoner. Apropos of nothing, Mrs. Khan says to McManus, "You're the one that molested a young black inmate, aren't you?" McManus says that it's not true. Mrs. Khan tells Leo that she finds it "unseemly" to talk about her husband's life with McManus present. Leo starts to protest, but McManus says it's fine, and apologizes to Mrs. Khan for what happened. Mrs. Khan says that he'll be more than sorry. McManus leaves. Mrs. Khan tells Leo that she intends to sue the prison, first to get her husband off life support, and then for allowing the boxing match to happen at all. Leo points out that Khan knew the risk and volunteered anyway. Mrs. Khan thinks they should let a jury decide the truth, and bails. Cut to Mrs. Khan standing to her husband's bedside. Said walks up and speaks in Islamic, then takes his cap and places it on Khan's head.
Hill sits in front of footage of various prisoners committing the crimes that got them into Oz, talking about the Y2K problem. Remember the Y2K problem? Wow, that seems so insignificant now. Hill lists some of the possible glitches, including that the prison doors might swing open. Hill suggests that the solution is "a do-over," meaning that at the stroke of midnight, it become 1900 again, since we didn't do such a hot job the first time around. Would that it were possible.
Various prisoners sit around, doing nothing. Beecher and Said watch. Said claims that the smell of hatred is in the air. Beecher thinks that it's just an ordinary day at Oz. Said thinks that it's "much worse," pointing out that Adebisi is sitting with Arif, and all of the white faces are clumped together. Said concludes that he's very afraid of what might happen. Beecher suggests that Said do something about it. Said says that he can't. Three years ago, Said made the riots happen and caused all the deaths. He accepts the blame, but he doesn't want any part of what's going on now.
The camera flashes on various prisoners sitting around in groups, concluding with a shot of Ryan and Cyril reporting to work in the cafeteria. Kenny comes up behind Cyril and claims, "You fucked up Khan. We're going to fuck you up." Ryan steps in and tells Kenny to back up, because it was an accident. A guard steps in and breaks it up.
Adebisi sneaks up to Clayton, and says that his father was also killed in that room. Clayton tells Adebisi to keep moving, but Adebisi continues, saying that he found his mentor and guide last year, but "they cut him down like an animal." Clayton stands and tells Adebisi to walk away. Adebisi tells Clayton that he knows who killed his father. Clayton is surprised. Adebisi says that Father Mukada will only give Clayton the answers they want him to hear, but Adebisi asked around and got the truth. Clayton asks what the truth is. Adebisi asks, "Whose prints were on the shank?" Flashback to Clayton's dad getting stabbed. Adebisi tells Clayton to wise up, because they want him too. A bell rings, and Adebisi tells Clayton that he will watch Clayton's back, if Clayton watches his. Clayton stays silent, and Pancamo yells out to Adebisi to move his ass.
In the locker room, Claire and Ted Danson discuss how they wish they had been there to see Khan go down. Ted Danson says that "the best boxers aren't always Negro." Just then, Clayton walks in, wearing only a towel, and says, "Fuck you both." Clayton drops the towel to reveal -- well, let's just say that he wasn't embarrassed to drop the towel, and with good reason.
Pancamo, Hernandez, and Adebisi meet in Pancamo's cell. Pancamo is concerned about the agitation since the boxing match. Hernandez agrees, and warns Adebisi about "the shit coming out of [his] mouth." Adebisi doesn't think that it is shit. Hernandez says that he knows the blacks have been fucked over, but it doesn't do any good to stir things up. Pancamo adds that they can't sell drugs when they're on lockdown. Adebisi intones that there are some things more important than drugs and money. Adebisi leaves, and Hernandez comments, "More important than money? He's in his loco mode again."
In the cafeteria, Schillinger walks up to a table where Beecher, Keller, Hoyt, Rebadow, Russky, and Pancamo are seated. Schillinger says, "The niggers are up to something." Keller jokes that they always are. Schillinger says that they need to put their former conflicts aside and be bound by the color of their skin. Beecher stands and says he won't listen to this, and urges Keller to come with him. Keller wants to stay and listen. Russky stands up and says that he's a Russian Jew, and wonders if Schillinger will accept him on his team. Schillinger says he will, and Beecher stomps off.
In the food line, Kenny hands Hill a nice, full tray with all kinds of good food. Hill looks suspicious and asks why Kenny is being nice, because Kenny has had it in for Hill since Snake died. Kenny says that right now, "if [they] don't get together, [they're] going to die apart." Hill accepts the tray.
This scene is hard to recap, but I'll give it a shot. There are two settings. One is Adebisi and Arif, standing near their cells. The other is Murphy and McManus, in McManus's office. As each line of dialogue is spoken, we cut to that setting.
Adebisi: All is going well.
Murphy: Things are bad.
Arif: So what do we do ?
McManus: So what do we do?
Adebisi: We wait.
Murphy: We act first.
Adebisi: An opportunity will arise.
Murphy: At the first opportunity, we let everyone know we're still in charge.
Arif: Are you sure?
McManus: I don't know.
Adebisi: Yes.
Murphy: Trust me.
Adebisi walks off, and sees Murphy exiting McManus's office. Arif sits in his cell and stares at McManus in his office.
Mail call. Hill accepts his copy of Hustler and tells Schillinger to tell "those jerk-offs in the mailroom" not to go through his dirty magazines. Schillinger counters that it's their job to "inspect everything that comes into Oz." Hill says inspection is one thing, but beating off is another. Schillinger tells Hill to keep moving. A buzzer sounds, and Murphy tells the prisoners to line up. They grumble. Murphy announces that he's tried to be nice for the holiday season, but the place has turned into "a shithole." Murphy details all of the infractions, and says that Em City is supposed to be spotless, and they all know the rules. Murphy concludes that until the place is up to his standards, he'll have to clear their minds of the clutter, so he's confiscating the skin magazines. The guards go into the cells and grab all of the magazines. Yeah, that'll boost morale.
Hill sits in his cell. Adebisi enters and says that this (the magazine confiscation) is what he's talking about. Hill asks if Adebisi is after another riot, because that will just get more black men killed. Adebisi glances behind him, where Arif is sitting and watching, and then points out that the black men are in the majority. Hill counters that the prisoners don't have guns. Adebisi says that some of the guards are still their brothers, and may be willing to help. Hill replies, "I'm gonna say this now. You fucking crazy." Adebisi slowly stands, and then says, "You're either one of us, or one of them." Adebisi reaches behind his back and produces another issue of Hustler, and drops it on Hill's bed.
Back outside, Arif asks Adebisi if Hill will do it. Adebisi thinks he will. I'm pleased to report that Adebisi is wearing one red and yellow striped sock pulled all the way up to his knee, and one argyle sock pushed down around his ankle. Hill wheels out of his cell with the magazine in his mouth. Murphy walks up and rips it away. Hill says that he wants some skin, and it's bad enough that the governor got rid of conjugal visits. Murphy says that Hill is headed to the hole and wheels him off. Cut to Murphy dumping a naked Hill out of his wheelchair and onto the floor of the solitary cell.
Adebisi preaches to the other blacks about the injustices visited against their brothers, listing Wangler, Khan, and Hill as examples. Said stands nearby, listening. Arif claims that the Koran tells them to fight against brutality, and gives a quote: "Permission is given to those who fight because they have been wronged, and indeed, God is able to give them victory." Said speaks up and tells Arif to finish the quote, because the Koran is a book of love and not hate, and Allah knows no color. Said accuses Arif of twisting the words to fit his own needs. Arif asks if he made up racism. Said emotionally appeals to Arif, saying that they both grew up knowing prejudice. Said wants to right the wrongs done, but by understanding, not fighting. Adebisi laughs and claims that no white man can truly know what it means to be black. Said adds, "Nor us them," and starts quoting the Koran. Adebisi interrupts to say that he doesn't give a shit what the Koran says. Said asks, "What exactly do you give a shit about, Adebisi?" Adebisi replies, "Justice, just like you."
Adebisi suddenly raises his arms and starts chanting, "Set him free! Set him free!" Said looks disappointed. The others join in the chant, all except Said. Even over in Unit B, the blacks start chanting, so I guess it was supposed to start at a certain time. The guards look uneasy, and various sirens and buzzers go off.
Leo speaks to the guards, informing them that the SORT teams are in full readiness, and they are all in lockdown for the foreseeable future. Leo urges them to be ready for anything, and walks off. Diane tells McManus that she can't go through this again, and she's going to take her vacation time, or if they won't let her, quit. I think by "vacation time," she meant, "work on The Sopranos". Claire asks Murphy if he's afraid, and Murphy says that he is.
Clayton walks up to Leo and claims that they can't hide behind the badge anymore. Leo doesn't understand. Clayton asks Leo if he feels that he's betrayed his own people by caging them. Leo says that he hasn't, because the men who are locked in Oz aren't his people. Leo concludes, "My people are the ones who obey the law." Clayton looks as if he's about to speak, but Leo shuts him up by telling him to go home because he's fired. Clayton looks stunned.
Hill, dressed to look like an old man, sits in front of footage of various bad things that have gone down in Oz. Hill tells us that many think that the end of the millennium will bring the end of the world. Hill then asks if God knows that it's January 1st, and if God knows that it's midnight, and if so, which time zone is he in? Good point. Hill adds that man invented calendars and clocks, and God has his own timetable, so it's stupid for us to think that he's going to go by ours. Hill concludes, "All we can do is watch the clock run out and hope for the best."
The clock in Em City reaches midnight. Murphy wishes McManus a Happy New Year. In their cell, Beecher wishes Keller a happy new year, and Keller returns the sentiment. Russky looks into the mirror and gives himself a toast in Russian. Kenny says, "Happy New Year, motherfuckers," and Schillinger replies, "Eat me, you little prick." Hernandez sleeps in his cell. Alvarez pulls apart his cell. Ryan tucks Cyril in before climbing into his own bunk. Ryan fans might like to know that he was wearing red underwear. Khan breathes with the aid of a respirator. Keller and Beecher look at each other in their cell, then start kissing. Arif and Said pray together. Adebisi puts something under his pillow, then pulls back his blankets to reveal a gun sitting on his bunk. He looks outside and sees Clayton watching. Adebisi picks up the gun, and aims it at the wall.
As we see various denizens of Oz getting into their bunks in the background, Hill sits in his wheelchair dressed as Baby New Year. Hill says that a bunch of men sit in their cells on the eve of a new millennium, staring into the future. They see themselves in those same cells, but whether they are black or white, they see that we are all on a precipice together, and it's up to us what happens. The screen goes black, and Hill blows a horn and yells out, "Happy New Year!"
And, I'm out. Join me this fall as I recap Real World, The Mole, Dark Angel, Love Cruise, and Felicity. Unless I spontaneously combust first. Chuck, it's all you, brother.