Prison Break premiered its first two episodes of its new season, respectively named "Scylla" and "Breaking and Entering", and as a result laid down the foundation of the expected change in the show’s theme and plot line. Prison Break, as it seems, is no longer about a prison break, but rather it has evolved into a geste, a caper, and an adventurous team escapade involving most of the original Prison Break cast, including the returning Sarah Wayne Callies who plays Dr. Sara Trancedi.
Ironically, in the episode "Scylla" we learn that a prison break did occur; in between seasons, and off camera, through an explanation given as to why T-Bag (Robert Knepper), Sucre (Amaury Nolasco), and Bellick (Wade Williams) have escaped Sona. Of course this rather convenient development is mentioned in passing, and no more details are given further than that. Something tells us that that is about the closest thing we are going to come to an actual prison break this season.
Season four picks up a month after the last season ends, and we see Michael Scofield readying himself to kill Gretchen (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) and Whistler (Chris Vance). After the initial introduction by Scofield, the action starts in a very explosive manner, incorporating a Bourne Identity or Mission Impossible feel almost, in terms of pumping music and swift camera directions. Admittedly, the opening sequence works its magic in grabbing the audience’s attention. The high octane scene is riveting and enticing, and one almost gets chills expecting this season to be Prison Break’s best season yet – until... Gretchen reveals to Scofield that Sara is still alive.
From that point onwards, the series dips so fast and so unexpectedly in terms of energy and thrill, that it does seem like the writers believed an excellent introduction is all they needed for a series to go on its 22-episode run. After this energized introductory sequence, we then have Scofield going on a wild goose chase trying to find out if Sara is alive, as Gretchen has told him. What baffles the audience is why can’t he get a straight answer from anyone? After all, isn’t it a simple yes or no question? The whole rigmarole involved before Scofield finds out Sara is indeed alive seems like a cheap and tacky effort to create suspense. With all the publicity surrounding the return of Sarah Wayne Callies to the cast, it seems resonantly pointless to set up such complex stumbling blocks for the hero to overcome in order to see his lady love is well and alive.
The writers included very obvious signposting in having Scofield spell out word for word as to how Lincoln (played by Dominic Purcell) could’ve made the mistake of thinking Sara was dead. This was definitely a piece of dialogue that was unnecessary and appeared contrived and too blatant. Writers don’t always have to show the audience what happened, they can sometimes resort to telling us. However, in this instance, the reason for the inclusion of this dialogue between the brothers was so glaring that there might as well have been fog horns and sirens signaling, “THIS is the reason why Sara is alive!” Subtlety is obviously a lost art form in writing for plot development for Prison Break’s scribes.
Article comments
1 - Ben
And...you get paid to write your reviews?
That's a drag.
2 - stacey
prison break is still really good and it is still about them breaking out of prison and alot of people wanted 2 see sara back in prison break
3 - dakineladat
as previous Prison Break season went by there were many twist and turns and storys of the past told...maybe the 3 escapees(T-bag,Sucre,and Bellic as well as Sara may have a chance to review their story of their excape to the audience in later episode....It's the not knowing what will happen next that is got the audience attention and made this show greatttttttttttttt......
4 - alexis
I agree that Miller and Callies did not bring the goods. How could you watch these two episodes though, and fail to mention the awesome William Fichtner as Mahone? He was the only thing worth paying attention to.
5 - janis
I was so disappointed in the scenes with Miller and Callies. What the heck. It was like, "Oh, Hi, how are you." The other thing was when the guy killed the son and wife. What was that all about? They seen to put unnecessary sadness in this show.
6 - Texie47
I thought they did pretty well considering they are cooped up with 5 or 6 other people all the time. You have to assume better things went on in that rumpled bed they showed with a crushed pillow next to the one Sara was lying on. The killing of Mahone's family just gave him impetus to hate the company and want them stopped as much as Michael and Linc do. He is a valuable member of the team since his mental abilities run parallel to Michael's.. all in all I am excited.. As for all the sadness.. I seriously doubt there is ever a situation involving prisons that doesn't have more than it's share of sadness.. that is why they call it Prisony Land not Disney Land. : )
7 - Kronos
I agree with Ben. You're take on the season premiere is totally wrong. This was a fantastic season opener. Big ups to the writers for redeeming the mess season 3 put them in. For all those who complain about the shows title "Prison Break" and how long they can use that, I heard an interested line from one of the many cast interviews. I do not remember exactly who said it (most likely Wenworth as he is the most articulate of the bunch), but they said that the "Prison Break" is now more internal for the characters. Each one of them has their own personal issues that they must break free from. These 2 episodes hit the ground running and from the first minute til the last I was on the edge of my seat. Yes there was a lot going on, but that only means they have some grandiose plan for the remainder of the season.
8 - Erin
Agreed, Alexis. Fichtner and his character are really the only reason I'm watching Prison Break now.
9 - Prison Broke
So far, this new season has been borrring and after watching the latest episode tonight, I am not sure if I will return for another. Rapaport is horrible (seriously, was he the best that they could find for that role or does he have pictures of one of the Fox execs?) and the new computer guy is so stereotyped, it is painful to watch. My biggest complaint is the main plot. Why is everyone sticking around to do this job? These are guys that would and could do anything to break out of prison (twice), yet a simple ankle lo-jack device is keeping them all around to settle a grudge? Some advice to Scofield: Stop at a Home Depot, buy some pruning shears, shed the lo-jacks, and make a run for the border with your honey. Wait a few days so that the other characters do the same, get caught and thrown in a Mexican prison, and voila - Season 3 comes back to life!
10 - Brian
SPOT ON!
I'm just hoping the writers will get back into the swing of things...once their "school year" is more underway. Much like the horrid book reports we've had to write just after summer when we were supposed to be spending our free time reading To Kill a Mockingbird.
You missed one thing in your review though...the cliched computer geek, they could have made that guy a little less pompous. I won't even go into how unrealistic the hacking scenes are. I can't even get my scanner to work with Windows Vista these days, yet he can hack into...ah forget it, I guess it's just become standard in suspense movies/shows. Just once though I'd like to see someone get the blue screen of death when trying to hack into something.
11 - Sara
I couldnt agree more.
Mahones the only good thing left.
12 - K
Brilliant review, Sharmila! You put into words exactly how I felt. I thought the only thing you missed out was how good William Fichtner is. He's the only actor to watch this season. Chris Vance was excellent too. Really a shame that they disposed of him so early. I would've loved watching more of him. The others are all utterly disappointing and forgettable.
13 - matta
i love prison break. i think robert knepper is one of the best character ever. he is amazing i role as "t-bag"