Sister Peter Marie
Encyclopedia
Sister Peter Marie Reimondo aka Sister Pete is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz
played by Rita Moreno
.
, Sister Pete was inspired by series creator Tom Fontana
's older sister, who is a nun and worked in a prison.
. She opposed the death penalty, supported much of Tim McManus
' ideology, and cared to help the inmates become better people. She was formerly married, but her husband was killed when he was pushed off a truck by inmate Ron Bebe.
She also was involved in several issues throughout the series involving Tobias Beecher
, Chris Keller
, Dr. Gloria Nathan, Kareem Said
, Ryan O'Reily
and Vern Schillinger. She was especially fond of William Giles
, a mentally disturbed inmate who solved her husband's murder.
She is very opinionated, and seems to feel the need to pry into any & everyone's business. Anything that goes on at Oz
, she not only wants in, but appears to feel privileged to any & all information she deems relevant to/for "her" search for the truth
.
the first to be executed, Sister Pete loses her job for speaking out against the execution. She joins the protesters outside Oz. Although her beliefs are strong, she decides to return to Oz.
after he becomes obsessed with Dr. Nathan. She then has to keep quiet about Warden Glynn's
daughter's rape at his request. She soon discovers the mentally unstable, elderly inmate William Giles
confined to solitary knows who killed her late husband. She's able to break through to him and learn exactly what happened on that day. She rewards him with a supply of his dental supplies (as Giles is an avid tooth-cleaner), for which he's eternally grateful.
inmate Shirley Bellinger
's pregnancy, Sister Pete examines Bellinger and recommends that Shirley be transferred to a mental institution.
's condition worsens, he asks Sister Pete to request his execution be moved up. Sister Pete convinces Glynn to approve the request however, when the warden and COs' come to take Nat, they find that he's already died peacefully in his sleep. Remembering his last request to her, Sister Pete promptly sits down and proceeds to finish polishing Nat's nails. Sister Pete continues her refusal to treat Keller in group or individual sessions. Her trust in Keller has been shattered and she refuses to change her mind. She finally convinces Dr. Nathan to participate in the victim/offender program with brothers Ryan and Cyril O'Reily. The session ends abruptly. While sitting at her desk contemplating the session she tears the resignation papers to shreds and decides to stay.
Sister Pete continues her victim offender program. This time, her subjects become Beecher and Schillinger and she becomes puzzled when Schillinger begins quoting bible passages and claiming that he wants nothing but peace and happiness in his life. She also takes up William Giles's cause to be stoned to death for killing Bevilaqua only the Governor wants him executed by traditional means. The press gets a hold of the story and a petition is sent on Giles' behalf, ultimately causing his sentence to be overturned, about which Sister Pete is happy.
), Suzanne Fitzgerald, and Cyril's attorney, to pressure the state to overturn the death penalty. She believes Cyril's actions although violent are caused of his diminished mental capacity and he's not completely responsible. During a session Schibetta reveals that he was raped by three men. Sister Pete recommends he talk with Dr. Nathan to help him deal with his attack. At a later time, Sister Pete met with Adam Guenzel, a new inmate who is now completely under Schillinger's control. Her attempts to get information from Adam are to no avail, as he is too afraid of Schillinger's wrath to tell anyone about the abuse
he suffers. She decides to ask the three inmates she knows have insight: Beecher, Said and Schillinger. When she asks them to speak up on anything they may know about Guenzel's case, none of them responds. Angry and frustrated, she dismisses them and refuses to see any of them for future sessions.
, or another personality through the puppet 'Jericho' that she gave him during his trial. When she asks for the puppet back, he gives it to her, but almost breaks her hand in doing so. She also oversees the evaluation of Keller, who's now on Death Row. When the governor lets Sister Pete know that Cyril will undergo Electroconvulsive therapy
, to make Cyril "seem" normal enough to execute, she is distraught, knowing there is nothing she can do to stop it, and takes a walk in the meditative maze. She watches in horror when Leo Glynn stumbles to the Awards Ceremony, covered in blood and dies on the ground. Even though she and Warden Glynn often had disagreements, she agreed that he was "the best man for the worst job".
Finally, she evaluates inmate Lemuel Idzik
(Joel Grey
), who was sent to Death Row for killing Omar White. When he tells her that he killed Omar to intentionally be put on Death Row after he lost all hope in living after meeting Kareem Said
who told him how the universe would ultimately be doomed, she views that as him being self-destructive (and a way of committing suicide
) and successfully has his sentenced commuted. Finally, she witnesses the execution of Cyril O'Reily, along with Suzanne Fitzgerald (Betty Buckley
), after his stay ends.
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
played by Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican singer, dancer and actress. She is the only Hispanic and one of the few performers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, and was the second Puerto Rican to win an Academy Award....
.
Creation
In an article in The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Sister Pete was inspired by series creator Tom Fontana
Tom Fontana
Tom Fontana is an American writer and producer.-TV career:Fontana has been a writer/producer for such series as Oz , The Jury, The Beat, The Bedford Diaries, Homicide: Life on the Street, St...
's older sister, who is a nun and worked in a prison.
Character overview
A nun, she served as the titular prison's lead drug counselor and psychologistPsychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
. She opposed the death penalty, supported much of Tim McManus
Tim McManus
Tim McManus is a fictional character on HBO's prison drama Oz, played by Terry Kinney.-Character overview:McManus, the idealistic manager of Emerald City, is unlike the rest of the staff members at Oz as he has never been a CO, has a college education, and generally believes in the inmates as...
' ideology, and cared to help the inmates become better people. She was formerly married, but her husband was killed when he was pushed off a truck by inmate Ron Bebe.
She also was involved in several issues throughout the series involving Tobias Beecher
Tobias Beecher
Tobias Beecher is a main character on the television show Oz, played by Lee Tergesen. He is one of only eight regular characters to survive the entire run of the show...
, Chris Keller
Chris Keller
Chris Keller is a fictional character on the HBO series Oz, portrayed by Christopher Meloni from 1998 to 2003.-Character overview:Prisoner ID 98K514. Convicted June 16, 1998 - felony murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, driving under the influence and...
, Dr. Gloria Nathan, Kareem Said
Kareem Said
Kareem Saïd is a character played by British actor Eamonn Walker on the American television show Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #97S444. Convicted June 6, 1997 - Arson in the second degree. Sentence: 18 years, eligible for parole in five...
, Ryan O'Reily
Ryan O'Reily
Ryan O'Reily is a main character in the television series Oz. He was portrayed by Dean Winters from 1997 to 2003.-Character overview:Prisoner #97P904. Convicted July 12, 1997 - Two counts of vehicular manslaughter, five counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance,...
and Vern Schillinger. She was especially fond of William Giles
William Giles (Oz)
William Giles is a fictional character on HBO's prison drama Oz played by Austin Pendleton. Other than his erratic speech patterns, he also delivered the quote: "I kill, but never lie!"-Character overview:...
, a mentally disturbed inmate who solved her husband's murder.
She is very opinionated, and seems to feel the need to pry into any & everyone's business. Anything that goes on at Oz
Oz
oz. is a common abbreviation for the ounce. It may also refer to:-Arts and entertainment:In The Wizard of Oz:* Land of Oz, setting* Wizard , character- Film and television :* Oz , a HBO-produced prison drama...
, she not only wants in, but appears to feel privileged to any & all information she deems relevant to/for "her" search for the truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
.
Season 1
Sister Pete's role in Oz is to evaluate the psychiatric condition of the inmates and provide counseling to keep them mentally stable and healthy. She's in charge of assigning conjugal visits until Governor James Devlin puts a halt to them. She also leads a group therapy session for former drug addicted inmates. When Tobias Beecher arrives, she learns he has the computer skills she needs for an assistant and hires him on the spot. After Devlin reinstates the death penalty and makes Jefferson KeaneJefferson Keane
Jefferson Keane aka Tizi Ozuo is a fictional character in the HBO prison drama Oz played by American actor Leon Robinson.-Character overview:...
the first to be executed, Sister Pete loses her job for speaking out against the execution. She joins the protesters outside Oz. Although her beliefs are strong, she decides to return to Oz.
Season 2
She tries counseling Ryan O'ReilyRyan O'Reily
Ryan O'Reily is a main character in the television series Oz. He was portrayed by Dean Winters from 1997 to 2003.-Character overview:Prisoner #97P904. Convicted July 12, 1997 - Two counts of vehicular manslaughter, five counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance,...
after he becomes obsessed with Dr. Nathan. She then has to keep quiet about Warden Glynn's
Warden Leo Glynn
Leo Glynn is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz. He is the warden of the Oswald state correctional facility-Character overview:...
daughter's rape at his request. She soon discovers the mentally unstable, elderly inmate William Giles
William Giles (Oz)
William Giles is a fictional character on HBO's prison drama Oz played by Austin Pendleton. Other than his erratic speech patterns, he also delivered the quote: "I kill, but never lie!"-Character overview:...
confined to solitary knows who killed her late husband. She's able to break through to him and learn exactly what happened on that day. She rewards him with a supply of his dental supplies (as Giles is an avid tooth-cleaner), for which he's eternally grateful.
Season 3
This season, Sister Pete initiates a victim/offender program to help Rivera (the victim) and Alvarez (the offender) come to terms with Miguel's blinding Rivera. The program ends abruptly when Rivera and his wife decide not to return for more sessions even though Sister Pete seemed to make progress with Miguel. Next up, Keller starts counseling sessions to come to terms with his feelings about betraying Beecher. During these sessions, Keller turns the discussion's to focus on her. Soon her personal feelings and suppressed longing for those "fleshy" desires arise and she starts questioning her faith and commitment to being a nun. After discovering that Keller's been using her just to get Beecher back, she refuses to counsel him. In a confessional to Father Mukada, she explains her decision to leave the convent. After finding out about death rowDeath row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
inmate Shirley Bellinger
Shirley Bellinger
Shirley Bellinger is a fictional character in the HBO series Oz played by Kathryn Erbe and also referenced in the related book OZ: Behind These Walls: The Journal of Augustus Hill.-Character overview:...
's pregnancy, Sister Pete examines Bellinger and recommends that Shirley be transferred to a mental institution.
Season 4
Sister Pete decides to leave and asks for resignation papers to be drawn up for her. Cardinal Abgot visits Oz and has a conversation with her about her plans. He informs her that the decision is ultimately hers but that her feelings are not out of the ordinary. When Nat GinzburgNat Ginzburg
Nathaniel "Nat/Natalie" Ginzburg is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz portrayed by Charles Busch.-Character overview:A homosexual, HIV-positive inmate, Ginzburg is isolated from the general population in Oswald State Penitentiary's Unit F–the AIDS ward...
's condition worsens, he asks Sister Pete to request his execution be moved up. Sister Pete convinces Glynn to approve the request however, when the warden and COs' come to take Nat, they find that he's already died peacefully in his sleep. Remembering his last request to her, Sister Pete promptly sits down and proceeds to finish polishing Nat's nails. Sister Pete continues her refusal to treat Keller in group or individual sessions. Her trust in Keller has been shattered and she refuses to change her mind. She finally convinces Dr. Nathan to participate in the victim/offender program with brothers Ryan and Cyril O'Reily. The session ends abruptly. While sitting at her desk contemplating the session she tears the resignation papers to shreds and decides to stay.
Sister Pete continues her victim offender program. This time, her subjects become Beecher and Schillinger and she becomes puzzled when Schillinger begins quoting bible passages and claiming that he wants nothing but peace and happiness in his life. She also takes up William Giles's cause to be stoned to death for killing Bevilaqua only the Governor wants him executed by traditional means. The press gets a hold of the story and a petition is sent on Giles' behalf, ultimately causing his sentence to be overturned, about which Sister Pete is happy.
Season 5
When Cyril's attorney reports that his unruly behavior is disrupting the proceedings, Sister Pete gives Cyril a hand puppet to help him cope. She aligns herself with Father Meehan (Malachy McCourtMalachy McCourt
Malachy Gerard McCourt is an Irish-American actor, writer and politician. He was the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor in New York State, losing to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer. He is the younger brother of Frank McCourt.-Personal life:Born in Brooklyn, New York, McCourt was raised...
), Suzanne Fitzgerald, and Cyril's attorney, to pressure the state to overturn the death penalty. She believes Cyril's actions although violent are caused of his diminished mental capacity and he's not completely responsible. During a session Schibetta reveals that he was raped by three men. Sister Pete recommends he talk with Dr. Nathan to help him deal with his attack. At a later time, Sister Pete met with Adam Guenzel, a new inmate who is now completely under Schillinger's control. Her attempts to get information from Adam are to no avail, as he is too afraid of Schillinger's wrath to tell anyone about the abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
he suffers. She decides to ask the three inmates she knows have insight: Beecher, Said and Schillinger. When she asks them to speak up on anything they may know about Guenzel's case, none of them responds. Angry and frustrated, she dismisses them and refuses to see any of them for future sessions.
Season 6
Most of the final season saw Sister Pete deal with Cyril's death sentence. She discovers that Cyril develops Dissociative identity disorderDissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities , each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment....
, or another personality through the puppet 'Jericho' that she gave him during his trial. When she asks for the puppet back, he gives it to her, but almost breaks her hand in doing so. She also oversees the evaluation of Keller, who's now on Death Row. When the governor lets Sister Pete know that Cyril will undergo Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy , formerly known as electroshock, is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect. Its mode of action is unknown...
, to make Cyril "seem" normal enough to execute, she is distraught, knowing there is nothing she can do to stop it, and takes a walk in the meditative maze. She watches in horror when Leo Glynn stumbles to the Awards Ceremony, covered in blood and dies on the ground. Even though she and Warden Glynn often had disagreements, she agreed that he was "the best man for the worst job".
Finally, she evaluates inmate Lemuel Idzik
Lemuel Idzik
Lemuel Idzik is a character, played by Joel Grey, on the American television show Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner 03I462. Convicted February 2, 2003 - Murder in the second degree. Sentence: Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Convicted later that year of first degree murder and...
(Joel Grey
Joel Grey
Joel Grey is an American stage and screen actor, singer, and dancer, best known for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in both the stage and film adaptation of the Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret. He has won the Academy Award, Tony Award and Golden Globe Award...
), who was sent to Death Row for killing Omar White. When he tells her that he killed Omar to intentionally be put on Death Row after he lost all hope in living after meeting Kareem Said
Kareem Said
Kareem Saïd is a character played by British actor Eamonn Walker on the American television show Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #97S444. Convicted June 6, 1997 - Arson in the second degree. Sentence: 18 years, eligible for parole in five...
who told him how the universe would ultimately be doomed, she views that as him being self-destructive (and a way of committing suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
) and successfully has his sentenced commuted. Finally, she witnesses the execution of Cyril O'Reily, along with Suzanne Fitzgerald (Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley
Betty Lynn Buckley is an American theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee.-Early life:...
), after his stay ends.