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
arent 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 Veronicas confrontation with the man that
Lincoln is supposed to have killed didnt 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.
Theres 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. Theres
also a very effective cringe inducing moment as Abruzzi comes up with a rather disturbing,
but expedient method of dealing with T-Bags 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
Episode Twenty, Season One
Fox
Production
"Over the wall we go, All coppers are
nanas"
A rather compressed escape as we see Michael and his
ever expanding group of fellow escapees manage to make their way from Michaels cell
to the infirmary and over the prison wall all within the span of a single episode. Plus
this doesnt include the time that Michael spends compelling Warden Pope to send his
brother to the infirmary. Still, this episode does have a frantic forward momentum that
cant help but catch you up in its spell as theres a couple lovely cut to
commercial moments, from Bellicks scream for help, to the lovely bit of misdirection
as Michael sets off the fire alarm in the psych ward so that his group can slip into the
building with the crowd. In fact this episode does a lovely job of addressing the big
questions that I had surrounding the big escape, such as how would Michael's group slip
their way across the yard and into the psych ward without drawing any attention, or how
would they deal with the bars on the window of the clinic, and the answer to both these
questions were rather clever. Plus, how can one not love the delightfully simple moment
where we see Michaels plan for removing the bars runs into a safety feature. Now the
one problem that this episode does run into is that news stories regarding the second
season have already circulated and they dont hide the fact that the next season will
be following the adventures of the escaped inmates, so every time this episode ran into a
moment where it looked like the plan had come off the rails simple logic stated that at
least some of these inmates would be making it over that wall. However while this does rob
some scenes of their dramatic impact, one cant deny how effectively this episode
managed to introduce potential problems, and even more importantly come up with clever
solutions that nicely reinforce Michaels problem solving ability. Plus, as the
preview for next weeks episode makes all too clear, getting over the wall is only
the halfway point of this escape and us viewer know there is a very unpleasant surprise
waiting for Michaels group if they all manage to make their way to the airport.
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 Bellicks 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 didnt 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 wont 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 theres a lovely sense of desperation
when Michael visits Lincolns cell and we see him trying to figure out a plan to get
him free, as I couldnt help but buy into the illusion that Michael might very well
have to escape without him. Theres 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 cant 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 doesnt hold true for the
scenes outside the prison as while Dr. Saras confrontation with her father did a
nice job of pushing her toward becoming an ally in Michaels 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 cant help but leave one completely floored. Now I do
see a bit of wiggle room that the writing might employ, as its been established that
Captain Bellick is gunning for the top job at the prison, so a mass escape that includes
one of prisons most infamous inmates might be enough to unseat Warden Pope and
Bellick would be only too happy to take over. However, one cant 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 hell 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 Lincolns 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 didnt step out of the shadows earlier.
Still this plot thread had a tacked on feel to it, and Lincolns speedy capture only
made it feel more artificial. The main plot thread involving Michaels bid to secure
the key to the doctors office was also a bit meandering, though its entirely
possible that he carried out this elaborate plan simply to let Dr. Sarah know that
hes up to something, so it wont 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 weeks
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 weeks 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 doesnt have the hand he needs to win, and
as such I simply dont 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 theyre 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 Im rather pleased to see that the writing actually had plans set in
place for the further use of this plot device that makes its earlier use a little
more constructive. It also doesnt 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 Michaels mental collapse wasnt 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 its 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 Ill let it slide as the real excitement stems from the
dramatic impact of the moment where hes 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. Theres 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 its pretty clear that the
obvious aim of this episode is to establish that the inmates that have latched themselves
on to Michaels 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 its clearly established that both Sucre and C-Note committed
non-violent crimes and that they are both good men, one really couldnt 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 Sucres 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
cant deny the sheer effectiveness of the moment where we see T-Bag standing behind
the door as mommys 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 Michaels
group. Now the main plot naturally involves Lincoln and Michaels 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 its 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. Tancredis 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"
Its a fairly exciting episode, but
weve 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
theres 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
cant move for fear of exposing part of the escape plan. Theres 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 its 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 Ive
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 couldve save Lincolns 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 isnt 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 Lincolns death
to such a high degree that one cant 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 Im going to refrain from discussing for fear that I might be right,
and Id spoil the final big twist, thus earning myself the ire of fans. Still I do
have a theory and Ill be keeping an eye out for the moments that would confirm that
the story had taken this path. However, theres 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 didnt commit, than this series transforms from a rescue
mission into a quest for revenge. Now Im not quite sure Wentworth Miller would be
able to pull off the transformation of his characters core motivation, but I have to
say hes 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
Michaels 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
its dealt, and I suspect Captain Bellicks 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."
Im not quite sure Im 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 isnt 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 Michaels 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, its 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-Bags 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
couldve 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
episodes big escape made for a very entertaining series. This episode also manages
to offer up some engaging developments outside the prison as we see Veronicas 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
Michaels 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 hes 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 episodes more shocking moments. Now truth be told its 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. Theres 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 cant help but question how the heck are the six
remaining members going to pull off a successful escape with only one episode remaining.
The weeks 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
its 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 its 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 Veronicas 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 LJs 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 Ill 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 cant
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 cant 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 Michaels 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 characters 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. Theres 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 doesnt hurt that this
issue makes it all too clear that the escape is right on the horizon, as Lincolns
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 doesnt our
hero use this all out chaos to speed up his escape plan isnt 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 wasnt in place. Plus, given the sole objective of
the plan is to get his brother out, I guess it makes sense that he wouldnt 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 cant 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 heros 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 its 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
"Hes 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 theres 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 weeks episode. I mean this issue had several
opportunities to throw a wrench into the viewers 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 heros
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 its 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 thats 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."
Ill give this show credit for the sheer
amount of material that it brings to the table, as theres at least half-a-dozen plot
threads demanding attention, and for the most part the writing manages to balance
its 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 dont have
much dramatic impact, as all they really accomplish is to further prove the mans
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 Im still
also waiting for this shows 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 wouldve 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, heres hoping the writing gets a
little more clever with its 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 dont 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
cant depend upon. I mean its 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 didnt 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 Im sure its 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 its running time, and Ill give it full marks for a couple of
its 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 its called
upon to ramp up the tension levels, though its 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 inmates
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 its 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 heros 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 wont explain his actions even
under the threat of having his throat slit, I guess you cant 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 theres 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 writings
need to always have its hero picking the most dangerous path.
"Always be a good boy, dont
ever play with guns"
I also have to say that the central premise
of this series wouldve been far more entertaining if the marketing strategy
hadnt gone out of its way to pretty much detail the entire plot of the first
hour. I mean its 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
its 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 Ill give him credit for selling the moments where one left to
question whether the character is actually innocent. In fact the only complaint that
Id make about the acting is that the leader of the white inmates doesnt 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
Im 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 dont 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
|