PRISON BREAK

PRISON BREAK

Episode Twenty-One, Season One

Fox Production

"Cause I'm a man, Man on the run"
While the scenes away from the actual escape aren’t really all that exciting I probably should address them before getting too caught up in discussing the big escape. First I will give the writers full marks for a lovely moment of misdirection as we see Madame Vice-president decides to take a very bold step to ensure she is no longer looked upon as expendable by the ever mysterious Company. On the other hand, the scenes involving Veronica’s confrontation with the man that Lincoln is supposed to have killed didn’t really work, and the big moment where she stands before him just kind of sat there. Still this is countered by a solid punch to the gut reveal moment as we see Dr. Sara decides to exit stage right in a rather unexpected manner. As for the actual escape, the episode is well aware of the when it rains it pours rule when it comes to selling the difficulties that our escapees encounter. Now I will confess that the shots of them running through the woods got a bit old, but there is a very real sense of danger established over the course of the episode, as the forces that have assembled against our escapees are quite considerable, as they are forced to deal with police roadblocks, a roving helicopter, and internal strife among the group. There’s also a couple nice little moments as we see Sucre hot-wires a car without an engine, and in a scene that is equal parts hilarious and chilling we see Haywire confront a young girl and manages to secure a very unconventional means of escape. There’s also a very effective cringe inducing moment as Abruzzi comes up with a rather disturbing, but expedient method of dealing with T-Bag’s effort to remain a part of the group. The shot where we see the plane that our escapees were suppose to use to flee to Mexico flying off over their heads while the police cars close in was also a surprisingly effective moment, and how can one not be looking forward to season two after that final shot of most of the group running into an open field. In fact the only problem I really had with the escape plot is that many of the problems they encountered were a bit cliché (e.g. the group finding itself perched on the edge of a cliff, two inmates being handcuffed together).

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Nineteen, Season One

Fox Production

"I feel like I'm spinning out of control"
I have to say this show has really managed to pull it all together for these final episodes, as the writing is doing an absolute masterful job of throwing seemingly impossible to overcome obstacles in the path of the big escape, and this requires a couple rather dramatic plays by the inmates looking to make the big escape, starting with a truly surprising solution to Bellick’s discovery of the escape tunnel. The episode also offers up couple bold moves from Michael, as while his turning to Dr. Sara had already been revealed in the preview ads, the move that he makes in the final moments of the episode is one that I truly didn’t see coming. I also love that the writing touches base with the little details, as we see the escapees take steps to ensure that the dogs won’t be able to track their scent, and the use of ammonia to change the color of their prison blues is a rather clever trick. However, more importantly the episode does a lovely job of selling the heighten drama that comes with the escape being accelerated. To start with there’s a lovely sense of desperation when Michael visits Lincoln’s cell and we see him trying to figure out a plan to get him free, as I couldn’t help but buy into the illusion that Michael might very well have to escape without him. There’s also a number of harrowing close call moments, as we see Bellick is busy trying to escape, and how can one not be on pins and needles when Michael is trying to convince Dr. Sara why she should help him. Now there are moments where some of the threats felt a bit manufactured, with the most notable example of this being the showdown in the kitchen between C-Note and a former member of his crew. However, one can’t deny that most of the narrow escape moments in this episode more than do their job when it comes to putting the viewers on edge, and the material that plays out inside the prison is high entertainment. However the same doesn’t hold true for the scenes outside the prison as while Dr. Sara’s confrontation with her father did a nice job of pushing her toward becoming an ally in Michael’s plans, the scene where Veronica discovers Nick is working for the other side felt a bit hamfisted thanks in large part to some rather clunky dialogue.

4 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Eighteen, Season One

Fox Production

"But the train's running off the track"
I have to say this episode does a lovely job of making the impending escape look next to impossible, as while previous weeks have offered up moments where it appeared the planned escape was about to be exposed, this week ends with a development that can’t help but leave one completely floored. Now I do see a bit of wiggle room that the writing might employ, as it’s been established that Captain Bellick is gunning for the top job at the prison, so a mass escape that includes one of prison’s most infamous inmates might be enough to unseat Warden Pope and Bellick would be only too happy to take over. However, one can’t deny that the final moment of this episode is very dramatic. This episode also introduces a couple other hurdles that make the escape look exceedingly difficult, from Lincoln being placed under continual surveillance, to the return of Abruzzi who also brings with him the problem that got him lying in a pool of his own blood, as they now have too many inmates to pull off the escape undetected. However, since the news stories surrounding season two have made it pretty obvious at least some of these inmates will be getting out, the question has become how will Michael pull off this escape not if he’ll be able to. Plus, the preview material for the upcoming episodes make it all too clear that the escape begins in the next episode, so I expect all these various problems will come to a head in what has been a stellar first season. Now there were a couple problem areas with this episode, as the opening scenes that deal with Lincoln’s brief escape felt like manufactured tension, though it does earn points for the scene where Lincoln runs down the laundry list of things that have resulted because his father didn’t step out of the shadows earlier. Still this plot thread had a tacked on feel to it, and Lincoln’s speedy capture only made it feel more artificial. The main plot thread involving Michael’s bid to secure the key to the doctor’s office was also a bit meandering, though it’s entirely possible that he carried out this elaborate plan simply to let Dr. Sarah know that he’s up to something, so it won’t be as big a punch to the gut when he tells her the truth, and asks for her help.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Seventeen, Season One

Fox Production

"Still crazy after all these years"
While I was a big fan of last week’s episode I have to say this episode felt a little too much like the previous episode, as while Michael continues his efforts to fill in the missing piece of his tattoo map, the rest of the cast have to work to prevent a damning piece of evidence about their escape from being exposed. Now I guess one could make a similar argument about pretty much every episode, but falling directly on the heels of last week’s episode this one felt a little too much like a repeat performance. Now the episode does manage to add a couple new wrinkles to the escape plan as we see a more inmates become aware of the escape plan, and like all good inmates they are looking to join in on this escape. This in turn leads to one of the more entertaining moments of the episode as we see T-Bag throws a little hissy fit about everyone looking to leech onto this escape, while neglecting to consider that he earned his seat in exactly the same manner. The plan that is put into play to get Michael out of the psyche ward and protect the escape hatch in the cell from being discovered was also rather clever, as they managed to solve both problems with a single move, and it also provides the answer Michael needed to satisfy the curiosity regarding his mysterious burn. Now the scenes involving Haywire were a little too predictable as one could see the next step coming, and I have to say I was rather pleased to see the character get carted away before the end of the episode as the character gets a bit tiresome and his actions are driven entirely by the needs of the writing. I will give the actor credit for his ability to deliver that spooky wild-eyed stare that does leave one a little uneasy. I do have to question the poker scene though as C-Note has to have one of the worst poker faces in the history of the game when he spots that he doesn’t have the hand he needs to win, and as such I simply don’t buy into the premise that he could bluff his way to victory. The argument that T-Bag makes about how nobody would suspect that him and C-Note were working together is also a bit suspect considering they’re on the same work crew, and seem to take every opportunity to get together for secretive conversations in public areas.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Sixteen, Season One

Fox Production

"But the walls of this prison still surround me"
This episode brings back a plot device that I had all but forgotten about and given I looked upon this element as a manufactured problem I have to say I’m rather pleased to see that the writing actually had plans set in place for the further use of this plot device that makes it’s earlier use a little more constructive. It also doesn’t hurt that when this element was reintroduced it left me impressed that the writing had thought things out this far ahead, and I loved the moment where we discover Michael’s mental collapse wasn’t what it appeared to be, as the shot where his eye suddenly become sharp and aware of their surrounding is a very impressive moment. It also leads into one of the best cliff-hanger moments that this series has offered up though based on the preview for the next episode this problem is a temporary one at best. This episode is also rather impressive with it’s ability to offer up some fairly major impact moments as Sucre is forced to embark on a mission that lands him in some very hot water, and while the device that he uses to escape the major punishment is a bit suspect I’ll let it slide as the real excitement stems from the dramatic impact of the moment where he’s actually caught. Having Michael placed in solitary confinement was also a bold move by the writing, as was having him suffer from what looked to be a complete mental breakdown. There’s also some nice forward movement outside the prison as well, as we see LJ is able to locate the man who killed his mother. This in turn leads to a fairly dramatic encounter where LJ manages to get his hands on a gun, and have a rather intense stand-off where a bullet is fired & someone is taken into police custody. All in all this episode stands up as the strongest episode of the second half of the season as it offered a number of problems that make the escape look next to impossible, and the manner in which these problems are resolved are really quite clever. I do have to say though there is a part of me is kind of hoping that after all this entangled plotting the last episode features our cast escaping via the laundry truck routine, as it would drive the fans up the wall.

4 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Fifteen, Season One

Fox Production

"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away"
A nice change of pace episode as the story jumps away from the present day efforts to escape from Fox River prison and gives viewers a look at what put our main players behind bars. Now it’s pretty clear that the obvious aim of this episode is to establish that the inmates that have latched themselves on to Michael’s escape plan are not monsters, with the notable exception of T-Bag. However I will give the writer credit for not going to the wrongfully imprisoned man device, as while it’s clearly established that both Sucre and C-Note committed non-violent crimes and that they are both good men, one really couldn’t argue that they are innocent of the crimes that put them behind bars. Now one could argue that the episode tries a little too hard to make C-Note into a heroic figure as we see his exit from the military is a rather obvious plot development that most viewers probably saw coming the moment prison duty was mentioned. I also found Sucre’s crime to be a rather implausible, as it seems to be trying to suggest that the character was able to establish a friendly working relationship with the guy behind the counter. Still one can’t deny the sheer effectiveness of the moment where we see T-Bag standing behind the door as mommy’s new boyfriend, and his conversation with this woman at the prison also does a lovely job of adding an ominous edge to T-Bag being part of Michael’s group. Now the main plot naturally involves Lincoln and Michael’s relationship in the immediate aftermath of Lincoln being accused of killing the brother of the Vice-president, and the writing does a lovely job of showing how Michael began his mission to rescue his brother. The episode also deserves full marks for it’s work on establishing the brotherly bond between the two men, as while there are a couple moments that felt a bit overly sentimental, there are far more that were near perfection. We also get an interesting little glimpse at Dr. Tancredi’s life before she came to work at the prison, and of all the characters I have to say her story provided the biggest surprise.

4 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Fourteen, Season One

Fox Production

"Burning into mine, searing me"
It’s a fairly exciting episode, but we’ve reached the point of the series where some of the tricks are starting to get a little old, as this episode offers up not one but two scenes where the escape hatch that the inmates have dug in the work shed is nearly exposed. One also has to love how the episode artificially sells the suspense by having Lincoln seconds away from being executed until the last second phone call. Still, while a large chunk of the dramatic tension that this episode offers up feels a bit manufactured I have to say it also manages to continually surprise me with how effectively it is able to grab and hold my attention with the various crisis moments that are offered up over the course of an episode. I mean there’s a lovely moment in this episode where we see Michael has to back up against a flesh searing pipe in order to avoid being seen by a guard, and we also get a fun scene where we see Captain Bellick begins the question the work ethic of an inmate who can’t move for fear of exposing part of the escape plan. There’s also a fairly harrowing section where we see Michael ventures into another section of the prison is order to explore a new escape route while the head count guard is steadily making his way toward his cell. The material playing outside the prison is also shaping up to be quite interesting. The one problem that I do find myself having with this series though is that Captain Bellick should be taking a much closer look Michael, as his inside man offered up a conversation about the electric chair malfunctioning, and conveniently enough the chair malfunctions, which practically screams out that Michael is able the access parts of the prison that no inmate should be able to. Add to this a number of curious details like his lady friend sneaking in a credit card, and Captain Bellick should be far more aggressive that this series currently has him. Now I realize that the writers are trying to play it as a cat vs. mouse game, but in this case the mouse is trapped in a box that the cat has free access to, so it’s time the cat started acting like a cat.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Thirteen, Season One

Fox Production

"I am the fuel that fires the engine of failure."
This issue marks the first time I’ve even considered the question of what would happen to this series if Lincoln was executed, and I have to say this episode does a wonderful job of taking all the various elements that could’ve save Lincoln’s life off the table. Now of course the primary plot of this series has been Michael extraordinary efforts to rescue his brother, and this episode he makes a pretty clever last ditch effort and his reaction when he figures out that his plan to give his brother another three weeks isn’t going to succeed proved to be the most effective scene in an episode that is jammed packed full of sentiment. In fact one could state that this episode plays up the emotion regarding Lincoln’s death to such a high degree that one can’t help but feel dead certain that this series might actually do the completely unexpected and execute Lincoln. Now I do see a possible path open, but I’m going to refrain from discussing for fear that I might be right, and I’d spoil the final big twist, thus earning myself the ire of fans. Still I do have a theory and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the moments that would confirm that the story had taken this path. However, there’s every possibility that the writers would be willing to transform this series entire purpose in mid-season, as if Lincoln was executed for a crime he didn’t commit, than this series transforms from a rescue mission into a quest for revenge. Now I’m not quite sure Wentworth Miller would be able to pull off the transformation of his character’s core motivation, but I have to say he’s continually surprised me over the course of this season convey the emotional range of his character. I am curious how this show is going to handle the obvious problem that Captain Bellick clearly knows that Michael is somehow able to leave his prison cell, and as such the writers really need to address this hurdle, as I fully expect Michael’s cell would be tossed, and his escape route would be discovered in pretty short order. Still, this series has done a pretty good job of playing the hand that it’s dealt, and I suspect Captain Bellick’s knowledge is sure to play a key role in Michael future escape plans.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Twelve, Season One

Fox Production

"The shortest distance between two points is under construction."
I’m not quite sure I’m sold on the idea of cutting the season in two and what makes it even worse is that the cliff-hanger that this episode ends on simply isn’t strong enough to carry viewers through the three month gap. Now I will concede that this episode by itself is a very engaging viewing experience, as Michael’s escape plan is set into motion, and all the various elements that he set into place in the previous episodes are brought back into play. The episode also offers up a rather nice little development as we see Michael manages to get his brother out of solitary confinement, and while I had his plan figured out once he had pulled that pill out of his arm, it’s still a pretty clever move that gets his brother back in on the escape. The episode also offers up a wonderful wrinkle into the big escape plan, and while T-Bag’s role in the big cliff-hanger felt like a manufactured bit of suspense, how can one not love the scene where the camera pans to the repair job that has been performed on the vent leading into the infirmary. Now this episode does raise the question of why did Michael come up with such an elaborate escape plan when he could’ve simply slipped his brother a vomit pill, take one himself and they would both be exactly where they needed to be without all the fuss and bother. However, I doubt this series would developed a fan base if the writers had offered up such a simple escape plan, and watching the previous episodes move the pieces into place for this episode’s big escape made for a very entertaining series. This episode also manages to offer up some engaging developments outside the prison as we see Veronica’s bid to gain the critical evidence that will exonerate Lincoln takes a serious step backwards, but not before she learns a shocking bit of information about the man that Lincoln is supposed to have murdered.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Eleven, Season One

Fox Production

"Man is an over-complicated organism."
This episode deals with the revelation that Michael’s carefully orchestrated plan can only get six people out, and there are currently seven inmates looking to make their escape. Now the simple answer of making T-Bag the person that gets left behind is dealt with rather early in the episode, as the character has taken steps to ensure that he’s not the person left holding the short straw, and when the plan to deal with his insurance plan goes horribly wrong we see another member of the seven has a crisis of faith, which in turn plays a key role in one of the episode’s more shocking moments. Now truth be told it’s pretty easy to figure out that it was a bad idea to trust T-Bag to keep his promise, and even worse to turn your back on him once he had made this promise, but the simple truth of the matter is that the scene still had considerable impact. There’s also a nice bit of paranoia between a couple other members of the seven, and we see Michael misses what looks to be a pretty clear sign that there is some trouble in the ranks. Plus the final development adds a new wrinkle to the plan, and with the captain of the guards starting to pick up clues that something is wrong, one can’t help but question how the heck are the six remaining members going to pull off a successful escape with only one episode remaining. The week’s outing also manages to offer up a pretty clever stage of the escape plan as we see Michael has to deal with a problem involving a long vertical shaft with no handholds, and his solution was an inspired bit of writing. As for the material taking place outside the prison I do have to wonder where to police presence was, as whenever a patient comes in with a gunshot wound, the hospital staff are obligated to call the police, but other than a mention of this policy by the doctor, the police are no where to be found.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Ten, Season One

Fox Production

"It is good to have friends, even in hell."
I want to get annoyed at this series for it’s willingness to embraces plot clichés such as the scene where Veronica decides to go out in the woods to search for LJ shouting out his name despite knowing that there is a gun totting thug also lurking in these woods. The episode also continues to offer up a parade of painfully obvious reasons why other inmates would want to join in on this escape plan, as this issue we get a scene where the old veteran inmate discovers that he has an emotionally powerful reason to join in on the escape plan. However, in spite of moments where it’s difficult to ignore the plot devices that the writing is using to ramp up the suspense, I have to confess that it manages to get me almost every time. I mean the big, bad villain that spends the issue terrorizing Veronica’s group makes for a very effective heavy, though it certainly helps that one of his first moves is to put a bullet in the back of one of our brave heroes. I also have to say I loved the scene where we see this man finds himself depending on the mercy of the two men he strong-armed in a previous episode, and this reversal of fortune managed to deftly pass the villain baton back the pair who killed LJ’s family. As for the prison escape it looks to be looming ever closer, as this episode establishes that they are going to be going to be making their big escape in four days, and with only two more episodes before this series goes on a 24 imposed hiatus, one has to imagine that the next two episodes are going to provide for a pretty exciting time. Now the problem of having one too many inmates for this escape plan to succeed does feel like a plot device to drive up tensions in the next episode, but I have to say I fully imagine I’ll be caught up in the spectacle of the next episode, as the question of who gets left behind is dealt with.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Nine, Season One

Fox Production

"Most plans are just inaccurate predictions."
I have to say that as this series moves along I find myself getting more invested in the actual escape, and I find myself actually admiring how well this series is able to push my buttons. I mean part of me can’t help but be a little annoyed at moments where the series offers up an obvious plot device, and there are moments when I wish the series displayed a little more imagination when it comes to the problems that our characters encounter. However, while there is a plot-by-numbers feel to this series, I can’t deny that I find myself getting quite caught up in the show, and unlike 24 where I find myself annoyed by the flaming hoops that the writers have the characters jumping through, this series manages to avoid this by having our characters reacting like normal people. I mean Michael’s plan does seem to be a little too focused on a single path, but the writing has also taken the time to establish this is part of the character’s personality, and to a certain extent it does add an element of urgency to his plan, as the writing is forever tossing obstacles on the single track that his plan must follow. I also find myself getting more interested in the story that is playing out outside the prison, as this issue introduces a big baddie who is actually quite spooky, and I love the ease at which he was able to figure out where Veronica and the others were hiding. There’s also a nice little exchange where we see the Vice-president is warned that bringing in this new element might not have been the best move, as when one group of villains expresses their concern about a new piece on the board, you know our heroes are in for a rough time. It also doesn’t hurt that this issue makes it all too clear that the escape is right on the horizon, as Lincoln’s execution is ten days away, and Michael mentions that Friday is the big day.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Eight, Season One

Fox Production

"Leap, and the net will appear."
This series does have moments where I find myself annoyed at it's willingness to embrace the predictable path, and there are moments where I find myself outright annoyed at the writing for presenting some of it's plot twists as something truly unexpected when it's offering up such a plot-by-numbers development. On the other hand I can't deny that there are moments when this series manages to sink it's hooks in pretty deep, as it has mastered the art of offering up a commercial break cliff-hanger moment that can't help but leave one annoyed there are so many commercials (and so many ones I've seen dozens of times before). I mean you have to love a series that manages to develop a moment of genuine urgency around couple enjoying a quickie at the office, and the development that ends the episode is also well played, as I have to say I have no idea how our hero is going to get past this little problem. There's also a nice bit of backstory in this episode, as the motivation for the murder that put Lincoln on death row is revealed, and the sheer number of suspects puts a nice wrinkle into the search for the real killer. Now there are moments when the writing tries a little too hard, as there's a scene where it explains why Michael has gone to such lengths to save his brother, and as such he's diagnosed with a mental condition that laboriously explains a character trait that really didn't need an explanation. LJ also comes across as a little dense when it comes to figuring out how he's being tracked, as it should be painfully obvious to the character but once again the episode acts like it's offering up a oh so clever plot development. Still this series knows how to push the right buttons in order to generate suspense, and it's good to hear that this series looks to have found a secure audience base, as it it has far more good points than bad, and I'm truly interested in seeing this story continue.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Seven, Season One

Fox Production

"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."
This episode does the one thing that I'd been hoping for since it first got out of the starting gate and that is for it to offer up plot twists that make major changes that the writing can't back away from after the writing had managed to draw upon all the dramatic tension. I mean this episode offers up a several shocking plot twists from the explosive attack on Veronica's apartment, to the even more harrowing developments that plays out in the home of Lincoln's son. There's also the gutsy final reveal as we learn how high up the conspiracy reaches into the government, and one has to imagine the series is going to feel some backlash from this move, though I loved it as in a single move we learn just how much weight can be brought to bear against our heroes. Now this episode is guilty of having events play out a little too conveniently, as we see the one element of Michael's plan that looks to have stalled managed to work itself out thanks to the thugish actions of the guard captain. I also have to question the casual acceptance of the scene where we see T-Bag is able to frame as fellow inmate for the murder of a guard, as the primary evidence against the man is handed over on a silver platter by T-Bag's ever loyal companion, and if nothing else this should beg the question of why is this man providing this information. Still, I guess I really shouldn't be complaining about how well some of the pieces were falling into place, when the overall story is proving to be so entertaining. Still, someone really should sit Michael down and explain that it's extremely foolish to come up with an escape plan that has no wiggle room when it comes to unforeseen developments, and one would think his fellow inmates would start to get a little nervous at the tunnel-vision quality of his escape plan.

4 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Six, Season One

Fox Production

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
After I got up my hopes up after last week's episode this issue served to push them back down as the writing made a mad dash back to the status quo, and there's nothing quite as disappointing as a series that displays such a clear lack of interest in taking the unexpected path. I mean this episode is a parade of ever predictable moments, and if you were caught off guard by any moment in this episode than I envy you, as I spent the entire episode watching the writing go through it's ever predictable course. I mean while the last season of 24 was full of silly plot contrivances, and there were numerous moments where you could see the writing exerting it's influence with the insertion of a plot element that only existed to drive up the intensity level, at least there were moment where the writing managed to take an unexpected turn. However, this series is written by people who seem to prefer the safe path in that the episodes are clearly written with the commercial breaks in mind in that this show is quite fond of ramping up the excitement level before cutting to commercial. The problem with this writing style is that the commercial break gives one time to guess how the story will resolve this crisis, and as such one is left waiting for the writing to catch up as it takes the exact path you expected it to. Now there are some nice little moments in the episode such as the interaction between Sucre and Abruzzi while they work at taking down the wall was a solid bit of character work, and the reunion of the brothers in the final section of the episode was equally impressive. However, the rescue of Dr. Tancredi was a plot-by-numbers affair and while it's clear the writing wants us to look upon T-Bag as the big, bad monster inside the prison I have to say the writing tries to hard to sell this element of the character, and instead of a cold, calculating monster T-Bag comes across as a cartoonish bogeyman.

2.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Five, Season One

Fox Production

"When the water is boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat."
Ask and you shall receive would seem to be the lesson that this episode provides, as in my review of the previous episode I was making noise about the fact the this series was a little too fond of rushing back to the safety of the familiar after wandering out to the edge of the unknown. This episode manages to do a lovely job of ramping up the tension level to an almost ridiculous level, as we get a full scale prison riot. Now of course the question of why doesn’t our hero use this all out chaos to speed up his escape plan isn’t really addressed, but I guess one could argue that getting out of the prison is only the first step, and that the getting out of the country stage wasn’t in place. Plus, given the sole objective of the plan is to get his brother out, I guess it makes sense that he wouldn’t blow a hard to ignore gaping hole in a wall, before his brother was in place in the prison infirmary. In any event this episode is full of moments where one can’t help but be on pins and needles, as our hero characters are faced with all manner of dire situations, and the "to be continued" finish leaves a couple of them in pretty precarious situations. Now there are a couple moments where the writing took the lazy storytelling path, such as the manner of how the escape plan is uncovered by the our hero’s main rival in the prison, and having one of the guards drop his key ring was a bit much. Still, once the riot starts I found myself fully caught up in the sheer momentum that was driving the plot forward, though I am kicking myself for watching the preview ad for this episode, as it spoils a pretty key element of the plot involving the doctor. In the end this was the best episode this series has offered up, and it’s likely the one that has turned me from an interested viewer to a devoted fan.

4 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Four, Season One

Fox Production

"He’s not heavy..."
I have to say this series is far too dependant of plot elements that one can see coming well in advance of their actual arrival, and it really needs to start adding some plot twists that catch the audience off completely off guard. I mean there’s a couple break to commercial moments that manage to nicely ramp up the tension, and one is left with the sense that the writing might be willing to take the show in a completely unexpected direction, but these potential crisis moments are quickly resolved in plot-by-number fashion, and by the end of the episode the status quo is resolved with a plot development that is so predictable that I made mention of it in my review of last week’s episode. I mean this issue had several opportunities to throw a wrench into the viewer’s expectations, and as such watching it pass by these opportunities so that it can get back to the safe and familiar was incredibly disappointing. Now the lasting impact of this episode is that our hero’s relationship with an inmate on death row is now public knowledge, and as such there is the potential for the more suspicious members of the prison staff to put two and two together. However, this episode also offers up a sequence that leaves a big question unanswered, as how could the guard have checked to see if the back door of the office was locked, but fail to notice the missing inmate if they were where they claimed to be? The scenes in the outside world also suffer from their highly predicable quality, as it’s almost annoyed to see how long it takes these characters to realize that there are forces at work against them. Still, there are effective moments in this episode as the scene where Warden Pope confesses the mistake that’s being used to blackmail him features a lovely bit of acting from Stacy Keach, and I also rather enjoyed the quiet little moment where we see our hero reserves himself to the fact that his grand plan looks to have failed. In the end though I wish this series was willing to go down paths that were more unexpected.

3 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Three, Season One

A Fox Production

"Like a wheel inside a wheel."
I’ll give this show credit for the sheer amount of material that it brings to the table, as there’s at least half-a-dozen plot threads demanding attention, and for the most part the writing manages to balance it’s time between the prison escape, and the material that is playing out in the outside world as it becomes all too clear that the character waiting on death row was framed. Now given the premise of the show is centred around this man being innocent of the crime that earned him the death penalty, the scenes in the outside world don’t have much dramatic impact, as all they really accomplish is to further prove the man’s innocence, and since the title of the show pretty much ensures the man is going to escape his date with the electric chair via a "prison break", my interest in the show slowly wanes whenever it moves outside the prison walls. I also have to say I’m still also waiting for this show’s writers to display a little more imagination when it comes to the solutions that our hero comes up with, as the way he rids himself of his problematic cell-mate was so obvious that it was almost insulting that the writing felt it had to offer up that scene where the warden explained it to our hero. However, the episode does manage to offer up yet another interesting wrinkle for our hero to contend with, though I have to say it would’ve made more sense that this problem had come from the concerned prison doctor, rather that the guard captain who was well aware that the prison warden would make a fuss about this plot development, and would go looking for the person who had just messed up his anniversary plans. Still, here’s hoping the writing gets a little more clever with it’s solution to this problem than simply having the warden use his authority to reverse this potential crisis. In the end though this show does manage to hold my interest from start to finish, and while the problems our hero encounters are a bit plot-by-numbers, for the most part they don’t feel like contrivances that are only in the story because the writing needs them there, which puts this series a bit above 24 which is the king of poorly motivated crisis moments.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode Two, Season One

A Fox Production

"This Little Piggy"
The second episode of this series makes it appear like our hero is a bit of a poor planner, as we see key aspects of his supposedly perfect escape plan are overly dependant on other inmates offering up their assistance with minimal explanation provided for why they should be offering up this help. I mean we have a hero who was committed enough to have the entire blue prints of the prison tattooed on his body, and yet key aspects of his plan hinge around elements that one simply can’t depend upon. I mean it’s a bit like watching an elaborate heist movie where after all the planning and preparation has been accomplished we discover the first step of the plan is to pay off the security guard without taking the time to figure out if the guy could willing to look the other way. Now I realize that the dramatics needed to sustain a weekly drama require that our hero has to encounter all manner of problems that he didn’t anticipate, but frankly a smart planner would have a plan B waiting in the wings in case their cell-mate proved to be unwilling to join in on the great escape, or at least look the other way while it was taking place. The final scene of the episode also felt like a compete contrivance and while I’m sure it’s a real medical condition that the writer found in some medical text, the idea that our hero would be locked in a cell with an inmate who never sleeps feels a bit too much like a writer inserting a problem simply to insert a problem. Still I will concede the episode did hold my attention for most of it’s running time, and I’ll give it full marks for a couple of it’s cut to commercial cliff-hanger moments, as how can one not love that scene where our heroes two biggest enemies look to have joined forces to put the screws to our hapless hero. In fact for the most part the episode does a very solid job when it’s called upon to ramp up the tension levels, though it’s less successful when it tries to play the sentiment card, as the scene where the brother shares a moment with his son was handled in such a ham-fisted manner that I also expected a close-up of our inmate’s eye shedding a tear.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PRISON BREAK

Episode One, Season One

A Fox Production

"Number forty-seven said to number three"
The first out of the gate, and while the hype surrounding it, plus it’s familiar time slot make it pretty clear that Fox wants to snag fans of 24, I have to say the opening two hours of "Prison Break" will come across as a bit dull to the devoted fans of the frantic paced 24. Still there are moments where the intensity level is cranked up to eleven (e.g. the final moments of the episode), and you can see that the pattern is in place so that our hero’s clever plan is going to run into all sorts of exciting pitfalls. Now of course most of our heroes problems could be resolved with far greater ease if he employed a little more intelligence, but since the screenplay calls for a tight-lipped hero who won’t explain his actions even under the threat of having his throat slit, I guess you can’t blame the writers for playing up the tensions that result. Still there are simple little steps that a clever person would take to avoid the dangers that our hero blunders his way into in these opening episodes, and there’s only so many times a character can be pressed up against a wall with a blade to his throat before one starts to question the writing’s need to always have it’s hero picking the most dangerous path.

"Always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns"
I also have to say that the central premise of this series would’ve been far more entertaining if the marketing strategy hadn’t gone out of it’s way to pretty much detail the entire plot of the first hour. I mean it’s a little difficult to get caught up in the mystery and intrigue of the first hour when the promotional material had already explained why the character got himself thrown in jail, and as such while the first hour does a solid job of setting up it’s main premise, it also became a bit of a waiting game as I found myself getting a bit antsy for the writing to catch up with what I already knew going in. Still the acting is pretty solid across the board as Wentworth Miller makes for a engaging, if somewhat one-note lead, with my favourite bit of acting being his immediate reaction after the prison riot. Dominic Purcell also does a nice job as the wrongly accused brother sitting on death row, and I’ll give him credit for selling the moments where one left to question whether the character is actually innocent. In fact the only complaint that I’d make about the acting is that the leader of the white inmates doesn’t really project the proper sense of menace, and the scene with the turned out pockets had me cracking a smile more than fearing for the hero.

"They tried to reform me, but I’m made of cold stone"
As for the overall visual look of the series, I have to say the prison setting is a bit dull, and the swooping camera shots do little to add to the overall energy of the show. I mean I don’t expect a prison to have bright colours, but it would been nice to get a little more than what clearly looks like a sound stage. I mean I realize that this is a prison and by nature the place has to have a lifeless quality about it but this series goes a little too far in my books. Now the prison yard is a little more impressive but once again it almost feels like the creators sucked all the color out of these scenes, so it has a sterile quality about it. Now this is probably a conscious choice on their part, but if it was that the outside world should be more vibrant to sell the contrast, but instead it also looks washed out. I also found the big action scene of the series to be rather poorly edited, as a prison riot should be chaotic, but this one felt a little too structured, as the camera never pulled away from our hero to show the sweep spectacle that was taking place around him. Still, I did enjoy the quiet way that the police showed up in the opening moments of the episode, and the closing moment of this first episode offers up a wonderful cut to black moment.

3 out of 5 Stars