HBO has had an amazing run over the past few years. The Sopranos certainly needs no introduction. Six Feet Under proved that funeral homes can actually be quite lively. Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm is arguably the funniest show on television. But for my money, nothing really broke the mold quite like Oz, a dramatic series that took place in the Oswald Maximum Security Prison. It premiered in 1997, finally ending its run in 2003 after a successful 56-episode tenure. Although there have been plenty of other hard-edged crime dramas to fill this void (including The Wire and The Shield), this series helped set the bar very high.

First and foremost, what makes Oz so successful is the strong writing. Although the performances are universally excellent, the raw feel of the stories and dialogue really put this show over the top. There are many times when the viewer might think a character is here to stay...only to witness their death 15 minutes later. It's truly a show that commands the complete attention of the viewer, with each episode being one emotional roller-coaster after another. Pacing is steady but tight, and the overall atmosphere is one of the strongest of any television show, period. It's so emotionally taxing that it's really hard to watch more than one episode in a sitting...which can be quite a tough challenge, considering the open-ended conclusions found in many episodes.

Like many who don't subscribe to premium cable services, I never caught Oz until it came to DVD. Although HBO has a nasty habit of torturing their fans with long delays in-between season releases---as their regular interval is roughly one year---you can't deny that Oz is always worth the wait. This fourth season aired from July 2000 to February 2001 (with a four-month break between September and December), marking the first (and only) "double-sized" season for the show. It's a little more hit-or-miss than past offerings (not surprising, since there's twice the content), but Season Four still offers some of this acclaimed series' most infamous, thrilling and memorable moments.

Disc One (Three episodes per side)
Episode 1: 'A Cock and Balls Story' (Original Air Date: July 12, 2000)
Episode 2: 'Obituaries' (Original Air Date: July 19, 2000)
Episode 3: 'The Bill of Wrongs' (Original Air Date: July 26, 2000)
Episode 4: 'Works of Mercy' (Original Air Date: August 2, 2000)
Episode 5: 'Gray Matter' (Original Air Date: August 9, 2000)
Episode 6: 'A Word to the Wise' (Original Air Date: August 16, 2000)

Disc Two (Three episodes per side)
Episode 7: 'A Town Without Pity' (Original Air Date: August 23, 2000)
Episode 8: 'You Bet Your Life' (Original Air Date: August 30, 2000)
Episode 9: 'Medium Rare' (Original Air Date: January 7, 2001)*
Episode 10: 'Conversions' (Original Air Date: January 14, 2001)
Episode 11: 'Revenge is Sweet' (Original Air Date: January 21, 2001)
Episode 12: 'Cuts Like a Knife' (Original Air Date: January 28, 2001)

Disc Three (Two episodes per side + bonus material)
Episode 13: 'The Blizzard of '01' (Original Air Date: February 4, 2001)
Episode 14: 'Orpheus Descending' (Original Air Date: February 11, 2001)
Episode 15: 'Even the Score' (Original Air Date: February 18, 2001)
Episode 16: 'Famous Last Words' (Original Air Date: February 25, 2001)*

* - Episode includes alternate Audio Commentary

Overall, a fantastic batch of episodes with only a handful that don't hold up quite as well ('The Bill of Wrongs' and 'Cuts Like a Knife' are the first that come to mind). Without spoiling any major events, the conclusion is Episode #16 also proves to be a bit shaky: after rumors of the show ending after this year, the season finale was shot with optional extra footage in the event of an early retirement. It's not as bad as it sounds, but might come across as a little awkward the first time through. Additionally, it was a shame to lose Kirk Acevedo (Miguel Alvarez) for most of the season, as he left temporarily for excellent roles in Band of Brothers and Third Watch. Still, any mediocre episodes of Oz are better that most other television dramas, and this season holds plenty of great moments and surprises for veterans and rookies alike. While the technical presentation is on par with (or slightly better than) previous releases---and there's twice as many episodes for the same price---there's still not quite enough bonus features included on this three-disc set. In any case, let's see how this one stacks up, shall we?

Presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Oz looks as gritty and ugly as it ever has...but that's not a bad thing. The presentation is a step up from the original broadcast presentation, which is everything a television show on DVD needs to be. This won't be on your home theater demo anytime soon (especially if you have kids in the house!), but the colors are subdued and well-rendered, with solid black levels and good contrast. Overall, the image may be a touch on the dark side, but it fits well with the tense, dangerous atmosphere. There are many occasions where color distortions and other visual effects are used, so the show shouldn't be penalized for "bending the rules" a little.

Like the previous season releases, the audio is presented in three available options: English 5.1 Surround, 2.0 Surround and a Spanish Mono mix. Regardless of your choice, the audio is well-rendered and clear. For this review, I went for the 5.1 Surround---it's a very satisfying mix that puts you right in the middle of the action. Although this is primarily a dialogue-driven show, there's a lot of small details that make their way into the surround channels. Overall, a fine presentation that gets the job done nicely.

The quality of the series isn't an issue here: Oz was simply one of the best shows on television, offering an intriguing premise, well-developed characters and terrific performances. Fans of the show may already own this by now, so I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say this one is easily Recommended. Although I really don't like the double-sided disc presentation, it's hard to argue when you're getting twice the amount of episodes for the same price (thanks, HBO!). Even though the bonus features are still a little slim overall, this is easily the best Oz value yet and a must-have for fans of the show. Of course, those unfamiliar with the series would do well in starting from the first season...don't worry, you can join the party later. Overall, this is an fine presentation of a landmark series, and that's what makes Oz: The Complete Fourth Season a winner in my book.