Oz (1997)

The show "Oz" portrays LGBTQ+ themes within a brutal prison setting, primarily through the violent and manipulative Chris Keller and the traumatized Tobias Beecher. While characters are complex, the net impact is negative, associating same-sex relationships with coercion, abuse, and predatory behavior, offering little to no affirming representation.

"Oz" portrays transsexual characters primarily as victims of extreme violence and sexual exploitation within the male prison system. Their trans identity is consistently depicted as a source of profound vulnerability, leading to tragic and often fatal outcomes. The narrative offers little counterbalance to these punitive portrayals.

The show presents Father Mukada as a genuinely compassionate and moral figure, embodying the positive ideals of Christianity amidst the prison's depravity. While many characters claiming Christianity are hypocritical or violent, the narrative consistently portrays their bigotry (e.g., the Aryans) as wrong, positioning the audience to condemn such actions and sympathize with the struggle for genuine faith.

The Muslim community, led by Kareem Said, is portrayed as a source of discipline, moral guidance, and mutual support for its adherents in the chaotic prison environment. While Said himself is a complex and sometimes flawed character, the overall narrative highlights the positive impact of the faith in fostering order and self-respect among inmates.

Judaism is primarily depicted through the character of Arnold Bihari, whose identity as a Jew is a source of both personal struggle and a target for antisemitic prejudice within the prison. The show unequivocally condemns the bigotry and violence directed at him, aligning the narrative with sympathy for the victimized religion.