Ep 1. The Tip

In "Oz" season 2 episode 1, titled "The Tip," the inmates of Emerald City return for another season of drama, violence, and intrigue. At the heart of this episode is the tension between new arrival Busmalis and his fellow prisoners, who are suspicious of his non-violet past. Meanwhile, McManus is dealing with his own problems, including a contentious relationship with the new warden, Glynn.

As the episode begins, it quickly becomes clear that things are not the same in Emerald City. It has been eight months since the last season ended, and in that time, several important events have taken place. For one thing, Beecher has been released from prison, leaving his friends and enemies behind. For another, the arrival of Busmalis has upset the delicate balance of power that exists in the prison.

Busmalis is a different kind of inmate than the others in Emerald City. He is not violent, he has never been part of a gang, and he seems genuinely interested in helping others. However, his reputation precedes him, and several of the other inmates are convinced that he is hiding something. It doesn't help that he seems to be spending a lot of time with Schillinger, one of the most dangerous men in the prison.

As Busmalis struggles to prove his worth to his fellow inmates, McManus is dealing with his own set of problems. Glynn, the new warden, is a no-nonsense administrator who is determined to make changes in the prison. However, his methods are not always popular with the prisoners or the guards, and McManus finds himself caught in the middle. At one point, Glynn threatens to demote McManus if he doesn't get in line with the new regime.

Despite these issues, life in Emerald City continues as usual. A new inmate, Guerra, arrives in the prison, and immediately begins making waves. He is charming and charismatic, but also extremely dangerous, and it's not long before he begins to stir up trouble. Meanwhile, the tension between Busmalis and the other inmates reaches a boiling point, leading to a violent confrontation that threatens to tear the entire prison apart.

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of the lives of the various characters in Emerald City. Beecher, now free, struggles to adjust to life outside of prison and deal with the trauma he experienced while incarcerated. Schillinger, still one of the most powerful men in the prison, continues to plot and scheme, looking for ways to maintain his control over the other inmates. And the new guard, Clayton Hughes, finds himself caught between his loyalty to McManus and his desire for power and respect within the prison.

Overall, "The Tip" sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and intense second season of "Oz." While there are no major plot twists or revelations in this episode, it does a great job of building on the established characters and themes from the first season, and setting up new conflicts and tensions for the episodes to come. Whether you're a fan of the show or new to the world of "Oz," this episode is a great place to start.