Jailbreak 101 (Prison Break)

Member Name: d-avenue

Product:	Prison Break
Date:	09/12/08 (256 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wentworth Miller

Disadvantages: N.O.N.E

Prison has never been this inviting since, uhmmm, never! This is by far the best show on earth. Okay, that status may have weakened as the show evolved in its latest season but I am going to be a devoted fan until the end. I heard fourth season will be the final season for Prison Break. I have never seen a decent episode of 24 and Lost so I can't make a comparison but Prison Break has the same serialized structure. The anticipation builds up with the unfolding of each gripping episode. It is a clever way to capture audience's attention for weeks on end. I was always feverishly waiting for Tuesday (its airing on Star World) so I can once again be heralded into the bleak world of planet prison.

Prison Break revolves around Michael Scoffield (Wentworth Miller) and his genius plan of busting his brother out of prison. How does he do it? He robs a bank, fires his gun to make sure he'll be sent to maximum security prison, and almost gave his brother a heart attack when he showed up at Fox River Penitentiary wearing the same uniform as his brother's. His brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is accused of killing the Vice President's brother, Terrence Steadman. All the evidence points to him but Michael is convinced of his brother's innocence. Michael's elaborate plan is tattooed all over his body. After an extensive research of the prison's blueprint, Michael decides to gamble with fate and gives up his freedom to save his brother's life. And life in prison is made more exciting by an ensemble of different breeds of scumbags. And it isn't definitely without a recipient of Michael's deadly charm and mysterious personality. The subtle romance between Michael and the gorgeous prison doctor, Sarah Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) gives us an appetizing break from having to stare at blood-curling stunts and some creepy inmate ways all throughout the series. Highlighted by Michael's delectable torso, he had to take his shirt off often to check on the tattooed blueprint, I couldn't ask for more.

To reflect on Wentworth Miller's quote about the show, "The show is completely preposterous. But that aside, it's a great ride." Indeed, but that's what entertainment is all about. It has to be big, fantastical, ridiculous, twisted, hyped, to sell. We don't want to be realistic when watching TV. Think how boring could that be? We want our shows to do things that we only dream about. So, Prison Break embarks to enthral the audience with an illogical plot that is as riveting as it is impossible. As Michael's plan slowly unfolds in each episode, you would be more than generous and give it your devotion instead of just plain admiration. You would actually think breaking out of prison is a piece of cake even in a country as great as America. No, Prison Break is not a statement that questions America's capacity to guard its lawbreakers but just a clever little show that showcases step by step jailbreak in a well-crafted strategy you'd think it's really doable.

The most notable performance goes to Wentworth Miller, of course. He's a fresh face (and what a face it is!) and very effective in looking vacant whenever the scene calls for it. Those piercing blue eyes are capable of harbouring myriad of emotions and looking cool under the most demanding situation seems to be the guy's strongest suit. Dominic Purcell offers a very convincing act of a distraught brother torn between wanting to protect Michael from the harsh reality of prison life and rooting for his brother's elaborate plan of escape. Wade Williams (Brad Bellick) as the evil guard is out to make it harder for the brothers couldn't have been more brilliant. His smug expression and constant smirking make your blood boils. In season 3, he throws in an entirely different tone to his character that would make you partial to him. Robert Knepper playing T-bag, is a whack-job white supremacist and is probably one of the most odious antagonists on TV. His character is as essential as Michael's because he provides the balance to the good and evil genre.

There are so many clichéd elements in this story. The theme government conspiracy theory can be sometimes exasperating because really, who stands a chance against the government? Certainly not a couple of escapees with a deadly track record to boot? But we love underdogs, don't we? Their victory is our victory and that sense of connection seals the trap and we're hooked.

Season 3, however, was banking in on the first season's success and I think they were hoping that would be enough to score more viewers in the polls and they barely got through. That's why Season 4 was precariously sitting on the brink of cancellation but I'm glad they were able save it from extinction. I have yet to watch it but I am hoping for the best. The bad publicity didn't help. I have read on Yahoo's list of shows that they think have "jump the shark". The term refers to shows that go over the top or taking an entire different route to maintain viewers. While I would wish to bludgeon the author's head with a hammer, I can see the point. Well, a prison break concept can only work to a certain limit but the good thing about the show is that it is always moving in a fast pace. Maybe, the Prison Break culture has penetrated deep inside every vein of my body that I can't see anything wrong with it. No matter how ridiculous the premise it is still very entertaining to watch. They did a good job with its first and second season and now, I can't give up the habit.

Summary: Good guys don't necessarily have to finish last.