"The Routine"

Episode #:1 (1.1) The Routine
Season:1
Air Date:7/12/97
Producers:Levinson/Fontana
Writer:Tom Fontana
Director:Darnell Martin
 
Synopsis:
In the "Emerald City" experimental unit of Oswald State Penitentiary, we meet some of the diverse inmates who live within a pecking order of Gangbangers, Latinos, Muslims, Westies, Aryans, and Wiseguys. No clear-cut leader emerges--with the possible exception of Kareem Said, a Muslim author who preaches non-violence and abstinence. Said's arrival doesn't prevent a short-fused Mafia inmate named Dino Ortolani from ticking off just about everybody--a habit that ends up burning him. A lawyer struggles to endure his first terrifying week in prison; an Irish gangster seeks revenge on the inmate who shot him.
 
Starring:
ERNIE HUDSON as Warden Leo Glynn
TERRY KINNEY as Tim McManus
HAROLD PERRINEAU as Augustus Hill
EAMONN WALKER as Kareem Said
 
Also Starring:
KIRK ACEVEDO as Miguel Alvarez
EDIE FALCO as Officer Diane Wittlesey
LEON as Jefferson Keane
RITA MORENO as Sister Peter Marie
TONY MUSANTE as Nino Schibetta
J.K. SIMMONS as Vernon Schillinger
LEE TERGESEN as Tobias Beecher
SEAN WHITESELL as Donald Groves
DEAN WINTERS as Ryan O'Reily
B.D. WONG as Father Ray Mukada
 
Guest Starring:
LAUREN VELEZ as Dr. Gloria Nathan
GEORGE MORFOGEN as Robert Rebadow
O.L. DUKE as Paul Markstram
ADEWALE AKINNOYE-AGBAJE as Simon Adebisi
GOODFELLA MIKE G as Joey D'Angelo
STEVE RYAN as Officer Mike Healy
JOSE SOTO as Emilio Sanchez
JON SEDA as Dino Ortolani
 
With:
GEORGE E.M. KELLY as Travis Ballard
TIM McADAMS as Johnny Post
MUMS THE SCHEMER as Poet (Arnold Jackson)
PHILIP V. SCOZZARELLA as Officer Joseph Mineo
DERRICK SIMMONS as Billie Keane
DESIREE MARIE VELEZ as Gintare Ortolani
 
Notes:
McManus created "Emerald City," which is Cell Block 5 in Oz (there are six cell blocks in Oz).
Alvarez, Beecher, Markstram, Groves, Said, and O'Reily all arrive in Oz this episode.
Schillinger burns a swastika on Beecher's ass.
Johnny Post fries Ortolani, who ends up in the hole for smothering Emilio Sanchez.
#97B412 Tobias Beecher. Convicted July 5, 1997. Driving while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter. Sentence: 15 years, up for parole in 4.
#97S444 Kareem Said. Convicted June 6, 1997. Arson in the second degree. Sentence: 18 years. Eligible for parole in five.
#96C382 Dino Ortolani. Convicted December 12, 1996. 1 Count assault with a deadly weapon, murder in the first degree. Sentence: Life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole.