Author Topic: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)  (Read 16669 times)

Offline Flashframe777

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The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« on: April 10, 2006, 02:32:42 pm »
I have to tell you that I was addicted to HBO's "Oz" from the start.  I still have to buy the entire DVD collection.

Normally I would avoid subject matter that have to do with prisons.  However,I was such a fan of Truman Capote (and I still think Philip Seymour Hoffman didn't do him enough justice to win an Oscar over Heath Ledger), and read "In Cold Blood", which totally freaked me out, I developed a repulsion/attraction to the subject.  Hint:  it might have had something to do with gay sex.  Okay, sometimes, male on male rape.  I'm not condoning "prison rape fantasies", but...

The relationship that develops over the seasons between Keller (played by hunk Chris Meloni) and Beecher (Lee Tergesen - Cher's new bf) was really engrossing, sexually charged, frank and honest all the while set amongst a brutal and twisted prison backdrop.

If Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar had been outlaws and thrown into the hoosegow, they would be Keller & Beecher.  Keller is Ennis, who kills anyone who is interested in Beecher.  Beecher, of course, would be Jack, who falls deeply and irrationally in love with Keller.

During the period of time I was frustrated with "Will & Grace" because Will didn't have a bf, and angry with the American version of "Queer As Folk" for being superficial, badly written and completely cliche, there was a lot of satisfaction to be found in every week's episode of "Oz".  I couldn't convince my friends to watch it because of the senseless violence.  But wow, the progression of the relationship between B&K really did it for me.

And amazingly the series ended and their relationship closed with Keller sacrificing and redeeming himself for Beecher to show his unconditional love. 

Neither of them dies BTW.

So, if I were a Gay Roger Ebert, this would be my thumbs up recommendation for "Oz" the Complete DVD set.

***Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the TONS OF FULL FRONTAL MALE NUDITY - including Chris Meloni!
« Last Edit: April 10, 2006, 02:36:04 pm by Flashframe777 »
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline Nicole

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2006, 02:35:58 pm »
Wow - Flash I've never seen Oz - in Canada we get HBO shows randomly and on various channels, so I never knew when it was on.  But I have to confess I didn't even know Chris Meloni was one of the stars!  I LOVE him - damn sexy and funny as hell.  Methinks I have some renting to do...... 
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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2006, 02:38:26 pm »
Wow - Flash I've never seen Oz - in Canada we get HBO shows randomly and on various channels, so I never knew when it was on.  But I have to confess I didn't even know Chris Meloni was one of the stars!  I LOVE him - damn sexy and funny as hell.  Methinks I have some renting to do...... 

Please do yourself a favor...run, do not walk, to the video store to rent "Oz".  Meloni strips full frontal nude in front of Rita Moreno (who plays the Prison nun/psychotherapist).  It's a beautiful vision.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline Nicole

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2006, 02:40:58 pm »
LOL!!  The Full Meloni??  You've convinced me - I'm stopping by Blockbuster after work!
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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2006, 02:48:29 pm »
LOL!!  The Full Meloni??  You've convinced me - I'm stopping by Blockbuster after work!

One of my favorite scenes is where Keller (Meloni) has been separated from Beecher (Tergesen) for a long time, and they meet up in a plexiglass enclosed laundry room.  They are the only two in the laundry room, but the guards can see through the plexiglass. 

Keller locks the door so the guard can't get in, grabs Beecher and kisses him passionately.  The guard uses his baton to bang on the plexiglass to get them to stop.  Keller and Beecher ignore the guard and keep going at it.

Of course, in the next scene Keller gets thrown into solitary.  For some reason anytime anyone is thrown into solitary they're stripped naked.  LOL...no wonder I was so addicted...
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline Nicole

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2006, 02:53:58 pm »
LOL!!  The Full Meloni??  You've convinced me - I'm stopping by Blockbuster after work!
Keller locks the door so the guard can't get in, grabs Beecher and kisses him passionately.  The guard uses his baton to bang on the plexiglass to get them to stop.  Keller and Beecher ignore the guard and keep going at it.

*fans self...*

Just your description of that scene is hot - can't wait to see the real thing.  Is there more than one season of Oz?  I can't recall how long it was on for.
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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2006, 06:00:47 pm »
There were either 3 or 4 seasons.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline JCinNYC2006

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2006, 10:59:17 pm »
I have to tell you that I was addicted to HBO's "Oz" from the start.  I still have to buy the entire DVD collection.

Normally I would avoid subject matter that have to do with prisons.  However,I was such a fan of Truman Capote (and I still think Philip Seymour Hoffman didn't do him enough justice to win an Oscar over Heath Ledger), and read "In Cold Blood", which totally freaked me out, I developed a repulsion/attraction to the subject.  Hint:  it might have had something to do with gay sex.  Okay, sometimes, male on male rape.  I'm not condoning "prison rape fantasies", but...

The relationship that develops over the seasons between Keller (played by hunk Chris Meloni) and Beecher (Lee Tergesen - Cher's new bf) was really engrossing, sexually charged, frank and honest all the while set amongst a brutal and twisted prison backdrop.

If Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar had been outlaws and thrown into the hoosegow, they would be Keller & Beecher.  Keller is Ennis, who kills anyone who is interested in Beecher.  Beecher, of course, would be Jack, who falls deeply and irrationally in love with Keller.

During the period of time I was frustrated with "Will & Grace" because Will didn't have a bf, and angry with the American version of "Queer As Folk" for being superficial, badly written and completely cliche, there was a lot of satisfaction to be found in every week's episode of "Oz".  I couldn't convince my friends to watch it because of the senseless violence.  But wow, the progression of the relationship between B&K really did it for me.

And amazingly the series ended and their relationship closed with Keller sacrificing and redeeming himself for Beecher to show his unconditional love. 

Neither of them dies BTW.

So, if I were a Gay Roger Ebert, this would be my thumbs up recommendation for "Oz" the Complete DVD set.

***Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the TONS OF FULL FRONTAL MALE NUDITY - including Chris Meloni!
Wow Flash, you got into my head with this post!  Men in prison is a fascinating topic for me.  A few years back at an old job, we would get letters from guys in prison who needed resources and support, so I found out about all these pen pals sites.  I have a few gay pen pals that I write to, it's been really eye opening experience. 

The violence on Oz was sometimes hard to take, but I loved the relationship between Keller and Beecher.  All the twists and turns and ups and downs, and it is a 'Brokeback' kind of relationship in that it surpassed the situational relationship into a complex and real relationship.

If didn't hurt at all that Lee Tergeson and Chris Meloni are fine, FINE specimens.  I don't know how cool it is to post nude pics here at Bettermost, so the next best thing is to check out some of these pics - of ALL the guys on Oz: http://www.acropolisvideo.com/menofoz/

All I can say is, woof!

Juan
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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2006, 11:15:15 pm »
Juan, I'm glad to have a partner in crime.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


slayers_creek_oth

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2006, 11:27:50 pm »
.....and Beecher (Lee Tergesen - Cher's new bf).....

What the hell does he see in her?   :laugh:

Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2006, 01:01:26 am »
.....and Beecher (Lee Tergesen - Cher's new bf).....

What the hell does he see in her?   :laugh:

Well, Cher has always been a strong man, and Lee is the perfect lady.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


slayers_creek_oth

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2006, 01:54:38 am »
.....and Beecher (Lee Tergesen - Cher's new bf).....

What the hell does he see in her?   :laugh:

Well, Cher has always been a strong man, and Lee is the perfect lady.

ROFLMFAO!  :laugh:

vkm91941

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2006, 02:58:25 am »
Wow - Flash I've never seen Oz - in Canada we get HBO shows randomly and on various channels, so I never knew when it was on.  But I have to confess I didn't even know Chris Meloni was one of the stars!  I LOVE him - damn sexy and funny as hell.  Methinks I have some renting to do...... 

Please do yourself a favor...run, do not walk, to the video store to rent "Oz".  Meloni strips full frontal nude in front of Rita Moreno (who plays the Prison nun/psychotherapist).  It's a beautiful vision.

I remember that scene.  It was breath taking!  :o  Makes me think Meloni would be a good choice for Harlan in The Front Runner...

Offline kirkmusic

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2006, 05:42:17 am »
I watched the first disc of the first season of OZ and couldn't take anymore.  Awful people doing awful things to each other.

BTW, what do ROFL and MFAO mean?

Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2006, 11:12:46 am »
Meloni would make a great Harlan.

KirkMusic - yes, awful people do awful things to each other in Oz.  But the developing relationship between B&K was interesting enough to me.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline JCinNYC2006

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2006, 11:35:48 am »
To me it's like the Sopranos.  I'm not crazy about the violence, or the implied glorification of it.  But I got hooked on the show for its scenes with Dr. Melfi.  She's been the most accurate portrayal of a therapist on a TV show or movie that I've seen in a while. 

On the flip side, I often thought Rita Moreno's shrink was terrible!  So I had to make do with Keller and Beecher making out whenever possible.   :P
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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #16 on: April 11, 2006, 09:53:26 pm »
BTW, what do ROFL and MFAO mean?

Rolling On Floor Laughing  - My F*cking Ass Off.  ROFLMFAO.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


slayers_creek_oth

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #17 on: April 11, 2006, 10:28:30 pm »
BTW, what do ROFL and MFAO mean?

Rolling On Floor Laughing  - My F*cking Ass Off.  ROFLMFAO.

Yep Rollin on floor laughin my fu*ckin ass off!

Offline j.U.d.E.

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2006, 05:18:48 am »
Sorry to butt in (no pun intended.. ;D ), but I looove OZ too! I remember that scene with Beecher and Keller in the laundry room! HOT HOT HOT!

I can't watch the violence at all either(good thing there is remote control!)! I have only seen the 3 first seasons, but I'm dying to see the fourth, 'cause that's were Brian Bloom shows up, doesn't he..  :P It's a shame he doesn't have more of a career..

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Offline Flashframe777

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2006, 09:40:59 am »
but I'm dying to see the fourth, 'cause that's were Brian Bloom shows up, doesn't he..  :P It's a shame he doesn't have more of a career..

~ j U d E

Brian Bloom - wow, what a looker.  There's a reason he doesn't have a better career I would imagine.  Had an encounter or two with him - not too pleasant, not the brightest.  He also made fun of gay people to show off for a girl he was with.

I enjoyed seeing him nude on Oz, but remained nonplussed over the demise of his character.

Believe it or not, I have met a lot of actors who are a joy though.
"yet he is suffused with a sense of pleasure because Jack Twist was in his dream"


Offline j.U.d.E.

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #20 on: April 12, 2006, 11:08:44 am »
but I'm dying to see the fourth, 'cause that's were Brian Bloom shows up, doesn't he..  :P It's a shame he doesn't have more of a career..

~ j U d E

Brian Bloom - wow, what a looker.  There's a reason he doesn't have a better career I would imagine.  Had an encounter or two with him - not too pleasant, not the brightest.  He also made fun of gay people to show off for a girl he was with.

I enjoyed seeing him nude on Oz, but remained nonplussed over the demise of his character.

Believe it or not, I have met a lot of actors who are a joy though.


You are so very lucky! Too bad about B. Bloom. Still, I need to see season 4 of OZ some day! It doesn's exist on DVD Region 2 yet, so I guess I will have to wait.

Who did you meet? I've met (just gotten autographs..) - Joseph Fiennes (play in London), Ben Daniels (play in London - I did ask him a question which he willingly answered), Steven Weber (play in London), Kevin Spacey (play in London), Willem Dafoe (play in Brussels). And seen from afar - Russell Crowe (BAFTA 2002), Dame Judy Dench (BAFTA 2002), Nicole Kidman (BAFTA 2002), Colin Firth (he did smile at me! - (BAFTA 2002)), Jake Gyllenhaal (BAFTA 2006 - he did look over to where we were standing, but it was pouring down, so he probably did not see my beautiful smile... ), George Clooney (BAFTA 2006), Ang Lee (I think it was him.. BAFTA 2006) and a few others.. Saw Brendan Fraser, Hank Azaria, Matthew Perry, Aidan Gillen (brilliant!!) and Jeremy Northam in plays in London, but I did not get their autograph or see them after the play (for various reasons).

Joseph Fiennes was the nicest one out of all of the above.

I was filming Bill Clinton once (when he was still in office) and coming 'home' in his car. He did wave at me! It's from 1994 or something. Must still have it on some tape..

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Offline Sophia

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Re: The Original Brokeback Prison (HBO's OZ)
« Reply #21 on: July 01, 2012, 01:00:46 pm »
Lee Tergesen and me 2012

And Yeah he is adorable....and friendly....and kind...very much a strong man.