Prison Break: Cowboys and Indians

"What kind of loser gets set up for two high profile assassinations within five years?" - Lincoln

That's a question I've been asking myself for some time now, except that my query was a bit more broad - what kind of loser gets messed up in this many conspiracies period? Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield (Quick sidebar: different last names. Obviously they weren't brothers.) haven't exactly had it easy, but it's finally starting to look like there might be a light at the end of the tunnel ... at least for Michael anyway.

Of course, his happiness hinges on who he wants to give Scylla to - Cristina or Krantz. Give it to the general and Sara lives. Give it to his mother and Lincoln lives. However, if I know one thing about Michael, it's that he's smarter than Cristina and Krantz combined.

The rest of the episode didn't provide too much in the way of explosive revelations - it was more set up for the finale. Hell, more than half of it was just waiting for Lincoln and Michael to escape from the hotel. That mini-fridge bomb was pretty cool, though.

Anyway, I did get a lot more info on Cristina's game plan - start a world war and sell Scylla to everyone, starting with India and China. Krantz made the best point about her. She's so prideful, that at this point she doesn't even realize what she's doing. It's all about the money which ironically enough will probably be worth nothing once the international economy crumbles as a result of the war she started.

With that in mind, the Cristina character has lost some of the allure she had when she first appeared. Initially, the prospect of Lincoln and Michael's mother appearing was intriguing and created all sorts of questions. Instead, she's just devolved into this one dimensional clichéd villain with extremely loose justifications for all of her actions.

I'm still having a hard time buying into her complete dismissal of Lincoln as family. She may have only adopted him, but she still helped raise him. It's just not believable and even though this show is the definition of exaggeration, for the most part, the characters have been pretty well fleshed out and Cristina just isn't. Granted, that's a direct result of her only being introduced a few episodes ago, but that's the problem - there wasn't time to give her more back story, and the overall plot is suffering as a result. I don't see how this all ties together. As things stand right now, the connection between season one's events and what's happening now is near non-existent and that kinda sucks.

The only other thing worth mentioning is Self. I finally found out his motivations for trying to steal Scylla. Years ago, he got drunk, and he and his wife were in a car accident, crippling her. His government benefits only covered a crappy facility and in an attempt to atone for his sin, stealing Scylla and selling it would have allowed him to put his estranged wife in a much better facility. Touching isn't it? I'm glad I found out, but it is a bit crazy to think that's what started season four off - Don Self's guilt.

Prison Break: VS

There are four hours left of this final season of Prison Break before it’s all over, so I guess they can be allowed a slow episode. This episode was entitled “VS.” or “Vs.” depending on where you looked. That’s because there was an ain’t-you-clever double meaning there. There are now three factions fighting against one another, each one with a member of the Burrows-Scofield family. Mama Christina is trying to broker a deal for Scylla. Lincoln, working with the company, is trying to get it back for The Company so he can earn his freedom from their machinations. And Michael and Sarah just want to see it all come crashing down.

Surprisingly, Michael has the least well thought out overall plan at the moment, though he also has the most relevant and valuable information. Of the brothers, Michael has always been the brains. Maybe that’s why they’ve got Lincoln and his crew basically failing to get true information out of the other meaning of the title, a man by the initials V.S.

Vincent Sandinsky insists he’s an innocent pawn in all of this; he doesn’t even know Christina Scofield. Good thing for him Michael and Sarah stole his Blackberry because it tells a very different story. So that’s where the main plot is headed, though I don’t know yet what Christina wants with VS.

The problem with these teams on this show is you can never trust all of your players. In this case, as in many cases, that means Bagwell. Apparently, since the General doesn’t trust Lincoln, he has T-Bag working on the side for some sort of other deal I’m sure he has no intention of following through on.

T-Bag revealed to the General that Christina has Scylla and that they’re all in Miami, so now the General is heading south. So that means there will be all four factions fighting pretty soon. Things are definitely heading to a dramatic climax, and the clock is ticking.

But not just for the imminent end of Prison Break, but for Michael and Sarah’s chances at a normal life. Sarah is preggers. That means they have less than eight or nine months to have this thing completely done and be settling down to raise little prison breakers of their own.

I wonder if the writers will actually give the brothers a “Happily Ever After” when this long nightmare of theirs is over? It would almost seem too good to believe, but after all they’ve gone through, they deserve some happiness.

Mahone deserves some peace as well, though I’m not sure where he would find it. On the flip side, I want to see Self and Bagwell get what’s coming to them, and I mean in the worst possible Saw scenario way.

Prison Break: Just Business

Michael’s tumor is the clock that everyone is racing against, when it all comes down to it. Now the crew and the Company both rush to stop Self from unloading Scylla. Along the way, there are some double crosses and a couple neat little twists. It’s not the best episode (there are some “just go with it” moments), but it’s solid, and it continues to build on the momentum of the last few episodes.

Self shoots tear gas into the crew’s HQ. One canister looks like a dud, but I find out later that it contains a unique camera. Linc gets the drop on him, and Self and Gretchen run off to regroup, unaware that Sucre has stashed himself in their trunk. He passes along their position to Michael, but at the same time, the Company does a face ID to find Self and Gretchen. The crew gets there first, leading to a slugfest between Sucre and Gretchen. Michael manages to get Scylla, but has a seizure as he tries to flee. He collapses, Self regains Scylla, and Michael is picked up by the Company.

The fight between Sucre and Gretchen is pretty interesting. Most shows would set up a girt/girl fight. But kudos to the writers for not shying away from her tussling with a guy. Sucre is outmatched, though. Not a fair fight. Gretchen against Linc would seem to be the most even.

Meanwhile, Bagwell waits with Gretchen’s sister. When a man comes to the door selling bibles, Bagwell is convinced the man is Company. He drags him inside and ties him to a chair. Gretchen’s sister pleads on behalf of the man. Frustrated, and still regretting his break from the Cole Pfeiffer lifestyle, Bagwell lets them go and releases the man, only to have him be Company after all. The agent’s commitment to his role sells this storyline perfectly. Through the pleading, crying and praying, there is never a doubt that he’s just a bystander. As he is hauled off, Bagwell seems to be heading down the same path of regret and redemption that killed Abruzzi in season two.

After Lisa resigns from the Company, Mahone is betrayed by two former colleagues as he tries to go to the Attorney General and Self double-crosses the middlemen in his attempt to get rid of Scylla, Linc shows up at General Krantz’s office demanding to see Michael. The General offers the best medical care possible to save Michael’s life. In exchange, Linc will return Scylla to the General. As an “added incentive”, he hands him a file labeled “Tombstone II”, setting up the next wrinkle in the plotline.

Prison Break: Deal or No Deal

After last episode's blowing betrayal by Don Self, this episode focuses on the characters picking up the pieces and the writers setting up the story arc for the remainder of the season. After much maneuvering and double crossing, it's still not certain where things are going to be headed. There's the inevitable confrontation between Scofield and Self that's surely coming, but the rest of what's to come remains fairly uncertain. With so many characters and so many conflicting agendas, it's hard to tell where Scylla will end up and who will come out on top.

While all this uncertainty is certainly entertaining, it does lead to a lot of sitting around in various locations waiting for phone calls. Much of the plot development in this episode unfolded over telephone conversations and discussions on what to do next. There's a lot of threads to transition, and it seems like this episode was just a matter of setting up for what's to come. There was the matter of convincing Self's superiors about Scofield and team's innocence, which seemed a bit awkward, drawn out, and had a few too many double crosses to make sense of it all. First there wasn't a deal, then there was a deal, then people got shot, and then the senator talked about the covert operation never happening and apologizes. Does this mean that the team is free and can go about living their normal lives? Where's the binding motivation in that case? Do the remaining team members want to bring down the Company as badly and Scofield and Lincoln do?

Meanwhile, I'm now reintroduced to the villainous version of Don Self. While the last episode's betrayal was very unexpected, this time it was a bit hard accepting him as the main antagonist. The problem with Self is Michael Rapaport, whose goofy charm worked well as a dedicated government agent, but not carry over so well as a freelance killer. He seems uncomfortable cast in this new light, but it was fun to see him get outsmarted by Scofield with the missing piece of Scylla. With T-Bag as his new lackey though, there could be some potential for comedy here.

Gretchen's motivations are once again unclear - she seems to be working with everyone in this episode, but after her sister's held hostage by Self, it looks like she's working with him.

The real pointless filler bits in this episode involved the scenes with the General, who seems to be getting less and less interesting the more he talks. Somebody should give him a pen and a pad already and have him go back to writing things out on paper when he wants to say something- that might make us care about him again. Other than having him shoot a Scylla cardholder and make noise about getting Scylla back, I didn't get much out of the scenes with the General and his daughter.

While a lot of the scrambling conversation scenes were necessary to move the storyline forward, it doesn't quite translate to exciting or compelling television. Very much a filler episode that is meant to reshuffle the storyline, this was clearly not amongst the better installments of the season. It's a bit disappointing after the last episode's carefully crafted masterpiece that the follow-up would fall a little short.

Prison Break: Quiet Riot

OK, so apparently they’ve given up on actual show titles, and from now on, I’ll just use 80s bands, is that it? Actually, this association points out how important music is in building suspense. Don’t believe it? Try watching The Omen, hitting the mute button and whistling the Three Stooges theme. Suspense, double crosses, and Gretchen in a schoolgirl outfit. How can you miss?

So in order to get to the Scylla nerve center, the crew has to get through a room with pressure, heat and sound sensors. But instead of making the scene a Mission: Impossible retread, Michael has the crew construct a kind of suspension bridge, periodically using liquid nitrogen to cool the room. Nice variation. No dialogue for this entire scene, just minor assembly noises and that music.

Meanwhile, Bagwell takes a couple of provocative pictures of Gretchen to send to General Krantz. She sends one with a message to meet her. Defying Lisa’s suspicions, the General heads to the meet. To Gretchen’s dismay, he leaves the card behind. He pulls a gun and orders her out of his life.

As Bagwell wrestles with the temptation to settle into Cole Pfeiffer’s life, he and Gretchen plant a phony meet with Feng. Trishanne and Self head to the location, only to be abducted by Feng’s men. Gretchen and Bagwell plan to use them as bargaining chips to get Michael to hand over Scylla.

Interesting to see the resurgence of women in the mix. Veronica was a key component to the first season, but Sara has been the only prominent female role on the show. Sofia Lugo was a dud last season, and Gretchen had only a half-season to work with. Now TrishAnne, Gretchen and Lisa all seem to be enjoying some pretty hefty portions of the storyline.

Michael, by the way, decides to put off his brain surgery so he won’t leave the team hanging. He crosses the bridge to Scylla’s glass wall, fighting mental issues as he approaches. He cuts through the glass and crosses to the unit, but as the episode closes, the final alarm signals General Krantz, who mobilizes his forces and heads for the basement.

Prison Break: The Legend

With time running out for their chance to get a hold of Scylla, the team pushes forward with some help from the security engineer who designed the elaborate setup surrounding the still mysterious secret Company database. Scofield's health takes a turn for the worse and I learn that he's going to need surgery in the next 24 hours.

While the series does not necessarily represent the pinnacle of storytelling prowess, Prison Break writers should be given some serious kudos for their ability really stack individual episodes with tons of content. Under less capable hands, this episode would have stood out as nothing more than a filler episode leading into what should be an exciting season-defining episode. The difference here is that the writers chose the right material to include in the episode. Despite the fact that the episode focused mostly on Scofield going to the hospital, Mahone visiting David Baker, and Sucre's foot resting on a landmine, there were some great character moments in-between the action.

With Bellick's death still fresh on everyone's minds, there were plenty of flashback sequences and conversations about their fallen member. It's amazing how perceptions of Bellick have changed over the season. By the end, he could barely be compared to the badass prison guard he was in the first season. There was a short conversation between Sara and Scofield about Bellick that summed up nicely how he had evolved since his days at Fox River. Sucre seemed the most affected by Brad's death. He was the one to deliver the bad news to Bellick's mother at the end of the episode. It was also great to see the team bond together to stand up to Self in order to get a proper burial for Bellick and to have his body sent home. The moment where Mahone placed a badge on Bellick's chest was terrific and a great way to say goodbye to one of the series' original key characters.

Mahone's visit to David Baker provided the team with additional clues on how to break into Scylla facility and it contrasts the frantic work by the General's team to move the enigmatic black box. Yes I finally got a glimpse of Scylla - it looks like an encased black desktop computer case, but other than the fact that it's extremely important to the Company, I still know very little about it. It's also a difficult device to move, which means it's probably connected to a lot of other dependent systems. With the kind of security surrounding Scylla, the contents of the system had better be worth the protection.

Also in this episode, I learned that the secretary at GATE is an undercover agent working with Don Self. While it makes sense that Self would have someone at GATE working for him, it's not something that most people would have predicted. In one of her best scenes this season, Gretchen had a great conversation about "noodling" with T-Bag describing how she's using Scofield to get her hands on Scylla. Meanwhile, T-Bag pulls off a remarkably heartfelt speech about Bellick's death to some team members at GATE. T-Bag's reaction to Bellick's death was fantastic - despite the fact that he's a cannibalistic serial killer, he still feels sorrow for Bellick. It was a nice touch.

Of course, Scofield's condition was a cause for concern. I learned that he's suffering from a rare condition and needs surgery in the next 24 hours. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the time at the moment, as the opportunity to get their hands on Scylla is closing fast. While bits of the episode felt like filler material, the buildup was fantastic and the next break-in should be a memorable one.

Prison Break: Greatness Achieved

I’ve watched operations on Nip/Tuck. I’ve seen brutal murders on Bones. I watched the Tigers win the World Series, but the kiss between Gretchen and General Krantz may be the creepiest, most disturbing thing on TV since Dennis Franz in the shower. Well, OK, so maybe it’s a toss-up with the Tigers.

As the episode opens, Linc is torturing Wyatt, trying to get him to call the General and tell him that Michael and Linc are dead. Mahone waits in the wings, knowing that he’ll get his shot at Wyatt after the call is made. Linc’s methods prove unsuccessful. Sara takes over with a more gentle approach, but Wyatt tries to sway her to his side. Self finally arrives with a sound editor, and they doctor Wyatt’s recorded calls to get what they need. Once the General buys into it, Mahone takes over, torturing Wyatt until he makes an apologetic call to Mahone’s wife. After that, Mahone leads him to the water’s edge with a cement block. He tries to persuade Mahone that they’re cut from the same cloth, but after about two words, Mahone tosses him into the water.

The police arrive at GATE to investigate Andy’s disappearance. Since Bagwell had issues with him, he is the first one questioned, as Michael and the crew start to make their way through the tunnel. Bagwell finally gets a free moment and persuades TrishAnne to doctor Andy’s sales records. He takes them to the CEO, telling him that Andy was laundering money, and it’s better to keep the police out of it. Bagwell feeds him a story to tell the cops.

Gretchen infiltrates the General’s lair. As she holds a gun on him, he clears the room. Once alone, he calmly takes the gun from her before that kiss. The others return to the room, where the General announces Gretchen’s addition to the team. He also orders Scylla moved by the end of the following day.

Michael, Linc, Sucre and Bellick head to the tunnel, following Whistler’s map. Unfortunately, there is an X, signifying a dead end that may be covered on the pages that Gretchen had. They decide to venture on anyway. The X turns out to be a conduit for the city’s water supply, a pipe that blocks their path. Michael sends Linc and Bellick to disrupt the water flow, while he and Sucre fashion a pipe thet will get them across. As Linc and Bellick leave, Michael starts to have double vision and motor skill issues, symptoms of a potential tumor. He swears Sucre to secrecy just before the others return. Linc and Bellick brace the pipe from the inside, then climb up to pull it through. But before the pipe is in place, the support breaks. With moments left, Bellick makes the decision that since he is the most expendable, he’ll crawl back inside to brace the pipe. As he gets it through, the water flow resumes.

In the first episode, the myth of Scylla was discussed, including that six of Jason’s sailors needed to be sacrificed. Roland was killed in the last episode, now Bellick. Make your bets on the other four. I have to say, though, that Wade Williams provided a damn noble end to the character, considering where he came from in season one. He even discusses the character before his exit, from an abusive guard to a bounty hunter to a prisoner. He’s been a menace, he’s been support and he’s been comic relief. If he’s really gone (and I have to qualify, with this show) Bellick has been a great character.

Prison Break: The Price

An unexpected death, an unlikely alliance, Wyatt's capture, and a plan gone horribly wrong highlight this action-packed episode of Prison Break.

With the final piece of Scylla in the General's hands, the team seems close to finally accomplishing their mission. Unfortunately, the boneheaded Roland decided to try his luck gambling and lose the one piece of technology that made him useful to the team - the remote card reader. Without the device, there's no easy way to get a hold on the final card. Lincoln comes up with a daring plan to crash into the General's car on his way home from work and take the card by force. The plan could have worked, except for one problem - Roland, in a final act of annoyance, decides to turn on the team and informs Wyatt about the brothers' plan, in exchange for money.

Much to the delight of one irritated fan of the series, Roland is killed at the end of the episode by the cold-blooded Wyatt. His death was not in vain however, as Scofield cleverly planted his GPS device inside Roland's laptop, which allows them to capture the cold-blooded Company hit-man. Mahone even gets a few shots at his son's killer before Lincoln stops him. It seems like the gang has plans for Wyatt, and Alex is certainly hoping that these involve him getting revenge.

It seems that Scylla is more than what I've been led to believe so far. It's more than a means to bring down the Company, it's worth quite a bit to some of Gretchen's associates. Speaking of Gretchen, her "making things even" with Sara side story felt extremely forced. Sara's numerous flashback sequences felt more than a little redundant. I am well aware of the history between Gretchen and Sara and there was little reason to remind me about it at every possible opportunity. The bit where Gretchen gives Sara a chance to get even by taking a few whip cracks at her was borderline childish. Nevertheless, it did allow for some interesting exchanges between the characters.

Sara's confrontation about Michael's nosebleed, on the other hand, was better handled. There really is something going on with Scofield's condition, and I', definitely anticipating it being addressed in the near future. Sucre being shot was rather unexpected. It did give Sara the chance to use her medical skills and stitch him up, but it definitely didn't help in creating any remorse for Roland's final confrontation with Wyatt.

Wyatt was fantastic in this episode. His scenes with the General and Roland were well acted and entertaining to watch. The General suggesting the Scylla be moved, despite the logistic and security risks that such a move would present, was also great to see. Does this mean there's an opportunity for the team to exploit in the near future?

Don Self's role in this endeavor has been mostly reduced to that of an errand boy for Scofield. While he does have a decent scene with Gretchen and T-Bag, the rest of the time he's neither entertaining or useful to the team.

Overall, this episode featured some key developments that really pushed the storyline forward. Despite not getting their hands on the final Scylla piece, the team did manage to capture Wyatt, and I did learn more about Scylla - not enough to know what it is, but certainly enough to know that it's more than just a contact list.

Prison Break: Five the Hard Way

After last episode's mediocre and poorly plotted and badly written episode, Prison Break returned to top form with some long anticipated developments. Watching T-Bag and Scofield finally confront each other was well worth the wait. T-Bag's obsession with trying to understand Scofield is part of what makes their scenes so entertaining. He can't fathom that Scofield could really be as selfless as he is, and tries to reduce his motivations down to something he can understand - like going after Scylla for the money. T-Bag's obsession with Scofield is analogous to what a super-villain would feel towards his arch-nemesis.

T-Bag doesn't have it easy in this episode. Between being tortured by Gretchen and then outwitted by Scofield once again, his luck seems to have run out. One thing I've learned over the years, however, is that T-Bag's ability to survive should not be underestimated, and I haven't seen the last of him for sure. I learned more about Scofield's nosebleed, and what it might mean for the character. Does Scofield have a brain tumor? This story thread, while predictable, has been handled very well and it will be interesting to see where the writers go with it.

Another extremely welcome development is the much needed injection of comedy in this episode. The darkly hilarious Sucre "taking one for the team" angle is handled brilliantly, and the final swerve was completely unexpected, and a nice diversion from the heavy-handed serious tone I've been subjected to so far this season.

Roland's a bit of a difficult character to get a handle on. He is annoying, but hard to tell if it's because this is how the character was meant to be, or if it's an actor issue. Getting caught trying to steal from the casino and then losing the one device that makes him useful to the team puts the entire mission at risk. Will he have enough time to create a new device, or will the team have to find a new way to get a hold of the final piece of the Scylla puzzle?

Self's act of self-preservation was well handled, and the scene where he tucked tail and asked Mahone for advice on how to handle Wyatt was fun to watch. Mahone realizing that he would have done exactly what Self did if their situations were reversed was a nice touch.

With so much going on at once, and all of it entertaining, this episode is a fine example of what can be done with this new series format. The dark humor involving Sucre paid off extremely well, and hopefully the writers will find a way to add more of this during the rest of the season. If you're going to take your audience on a mindless rollercoaster ride, taking the time to make them laugh is very welcome bonus. Add a bit of intelligence and character moments to the mix, and it's a recipe for a fantastic episode.

Prison Break: Blow Out

Michael and the team had to make a difficult decision when one of their own got jailed, T-Bag tried to fend off a snoop and Gretchen revealed a secret.

Thankfully, this was one of the season's best episodes, I think. It had more of that Ocean's Eleven feel, especially in that opening sequence at the race track where every move was synchronized and choreographed. It almost made one overlook Michael's silly Gilligan hat. Thank goodness he seems to be growing his hair out now, and can stop worrying about "hiding the bald."

And how cute was Sarah's "Don't get used to this" comment when Michael eyeballed her slinky Southern belle get-up? That moment alone was sexier than any heart-to-heart or hug they have shared since reuniting.

Alas, the one "unplanned" move, Mahone slugging the cop, forced the team to make a hard decision. (Yes, I've gone over Alex's rash action again and again — could he not simply have stuck to his angry bettor shtick? — but will chalk it up to Angry Dad.)

The debate over Alex's fate raised some good questions — and even gave Sucre a line or two! Had Michael opted to move on without him, I don't think anyone could fault him. The important thing here is to take the Company down. So I was glad to see the "lights out" ploy actually be used to whisk Mahone out of the courthouse, though I now wonder if they'll still use the tactic on the next cardholder.

Before I leave the topic of Mahone, how chilling was it to see him and Wyatt (fka Cress Williams' killer) lock eyeballs through the jail bars, then later in court. Alex has promised Wyatt that they will go mano a mano one day, and that is a fight I cannot wait to see. Alex and his loss bring such emotion to this sometimes cartoony tale.

Elsewhere....T-Bag was in the midst of exploring an anteroom off his office when Andy (whom I like to think of as So Going to End Up Dead Someday Soon Andy) confronted "Cole" about some bogus sales data. Best I can figure: Gary "Whistler" Miller had fabricated this whole "Top Salesman in the Northeast" facade in order to secure access to the anteroom, which seems to house the entrance to a tunnel. Is GATE a Company front, or a business simply located in the wrong place at the wrong time? I suspect the latter, and Gary just needed a way in.

Gretchen, meanwhile, showed up at her sister's home looking very much worse for the wear. (Um, no cut to sis reeling from Gretchen's undeniable stench as she entered the house...?) Gretch showed a moment of pain when, freshly showered, she surveyed her fresh scars. But that was wiped away by a sheen of resolve and determination. As soon as she asked for the owl she gave her sister (and which sis understandably hid in a cabinet, seeing as it was quite large and ugly), I just knew it harbored some sort of contraband. Before Gretch left on her mission ("I now work for myself," she says, steely), I learn that her "niece," Emily, is actually her daughter.

Some random thoughts before I go:

Is not Cress Williams' killer the last person you'd want to be startled by in a parking garage? Props to Don for holding firm and not piddling him... Self.

New drinking game! Do a shot every time Roland is told to "Shut up!"

T-Bag counting to two on his prosthetic.

Loved Mahone's line to Wyatt: "I'm going to show you just how personal things can get." Bring. It. On!

And at last they meet, spiked heel to temple, Gretchen and T-Bag. Not exactly a "meet cute," but I'll take it!

Prison Break: Safe and Sound

On this episode of Prision Break, a third Scylla card was targeted, Michael continued to hide a secret from Sara, and T-Bag's cover began to unravel.

First off, a moment of silence for the news that William Fichtner has landed the lead in a brand-new TNT pilot. Great news for Bill, but a seeming omen for the Break. Sure, "technically" Night and Day is second position to Prison Break – meaning, if Mahone and the show stay alive, Fichtner has to take a knee on the new series – but that rarely happens.

Speaking of Mahone, I liked how the show opened with Alex and his wife reuniting, and her urging him to find and slay the "monster." She wants normalcy as much as he does, and knows the things he must do to get there. What a cool couple they are.

How "fitting" that T-Bag's fortunes changed some more thanks to a tea bag. So, the already random bird book has even-more-secret messages that can be revealed by water. OK…. Sucre and Bellick went looking for Teodoro, but busty receptionist kept him hidden — for now, and in exchange for three percent of, well, nothing. Now, though, she's having second thoughts about perhaps giving Brad a ring.

Phone numbers that could or could not be called was a theme this week, as the motel clerk nearly ratted out Mahone, but how awesome was it that Alex stayed a step ahead and instead emerged as the one with a bead on Cress Williams' killer. (Name, please?)

This week's card theft was "fine," though I think I have seen the Faux Maintenance Guys Shtick played once too often elsewhere. That secretary was remarkably patient with the guys' noisy, noisy wet-vac. And I was curious how the interior of the safe would look once the guys opened it from the other side. Did I not see any indication of a sawed-and-plugged hole?

So here it is, three cards down, three to go. But the bad news for the boys is that the General is onto them, and Self is about to get intense face time with… Cress Williams' killer. Meanwhile, Gretchen – plucky, plucky Gretchen – has overpowered her captor and looks very, very mad. Watch out for her… Cress Williams' killer!

The whole Laos thing that Sara was Googling on her PDA, while Rolland kept a wary eye on her? Zzzz. Not sure what that taught me?

What is the deal with Michael's nose bleeds?

Prison Break: Eagles and Angels

On Prison Break, the boys zeroed in on a second Scylla cardholder, a key piece of the puzzle was eliminated, and Sara neared a precipice as she came to terms with Bruce Bennett's death.

I reserve the right to single out the episodes that are clinkers. And this was one of 'em. While I am on board with this season's structure in principle, they're really going to need to shake things up with each cardholder to keep this from feeling like the same 42 minutes week after week.

I also have some requests to make moving forward - Give "the Device" that copies the Scylla cards a name. I do not want to hear it called The Device week after week. Surely, Roland, its creator, assigned it some wicked-cool acronym. How about the DUPER (Digital UPloader and Electronic Replicator?).

That said, do not name The Device anything close to "the Bird Book," aka the silliest-sounding MacGuffin any thriller/mystery has employed. I still roll my eyes that these beefy guys are in hot pursuit of… the Bird Book.

Speaking of the Bird Book, how utterly random is it? What, every step of T-bag's journey he will find a room number or phone number or name and somewhere in the book is a corresponding note? No correlating information/added info on the page, just that number or named scribbled down? To what end??

As for the balance of this episode, I must also admit that I'm not feeling the MiSara chemistry anymore. Maybe it's just because they are in an impossible/romance-deficient situation. Plus, with all that’s happened to her since Michael entered her life, she has got to feel like, "Wow, I have the suckiest life now." That said, I was glad to see she didn’t nip at the bourbon, though her very choice to hit a bar — and then get pick-pocketed, leading Cress Williams' stone-faced killer to her heels — could have just as dire consequences.

I'm glad to see Bellick play a greater role in things. He is right to be thinking ahead to the break-in that will actually end this mission. And the poor guy looked so distraught after knifing the guard who was about to pop Linc. Bellick to the rescue!"

The value of the kip is at 10 right now." Wha?!

"I like to think of myself as handi-capable." Oh, T-Bag, only you could make that line not sound like mocking.

Did the casting call for the GATE receptionist simply read: "Sunny disposition, oversized bosom"?

And lastly, toward the end, Roland outright lied about Lisa Tabak's cell phone. I freeze-framed his laptop screen before he closed the windows, and it was all address book and calendar info. Boys, have we got ourselves a mole?

Prison Break: Shut Down

"Not every geek with a Commodore 64 can hack into NASA." - Roland

I think I'm already starting to see how much of this season of Prison Break is going to play out. A constant struggle for Scofield and his team to deliver while pressure from Don and his Homeland Security buddies continues to weigh them down. I doubt very much that this is the last time the threat of being shut down will be used. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a mention of it every week - I am talking about their freedom after all. With that in mind, get ready to hear something that I imagine I'll probably be typing a lot as I review this season: the hunt for the remaining Scylla cards continues!

OK, so first I want to talk about Wyatt and Bruce. Well, more so Bruce. How did Bruce know that Sara was in Los Angeles? I'm sure he knows Wyatt hit her house by now, but I don't think he knew she was in LA now. Regardless, that's what he told Wyatt after hours of truth serum injections. And now he's dead, so there's really no point in trying to fill in all the gaps. Swiss-cheese television my friends.

Moving on to T-Bag, who has quickly become the most interesting character on the show. While everyone else is busy being Don's gopher, T-Bag is hot on the late Whistler's trail. Using the information he found in that packet in the locker, he found a furnished apartment, IDs for Cole Pfeiffer (and alter ego or real name?), and work info. Specifically, for some nondescript sales corporation called Gate. Apparently Cole worked there and was one of the company's top earners.

So what's this all about? Was this what Whistler did for a living before The Company got to him? Or does Gate have some sort of connection to Pad Man's crew? Also, why is the CEO so anxious to meet "Cole?" To be honest, his enthusiasm seemed a little fake and I wonder if T-Bag is walking into some sort of trap?

More thoughts...

I know I shouldn't even bother asking, but how exactly did Michael know that all the people at Pad Man's meeting were indeed the final Scylla carriers? Did they all take their cards out of their pocket and raise them to the sky in some sort of evil pseudo-Captain Planet chant?

I loved when Scofield knew exactly where the server would be and Roland asked if he was some sort of engineer. Ha! Yeah... you could say that.

What exactly are Pad Man and Tuxhorn testing in Laos and why is 10,000 an acceptable casualty rate? What are they building or making? Advanced weaponry? Nukes? Some sort of super bug?

Who's the woman in the picture Don looked at? Wife? Sister? Did The Company do something to her?

So Pam Mahone is still alive apparently. Wyatt only killed the son. She's in protective custody now and I imagine she was able to ID Wyatt, which would explain how Lang was able to get Alex a file on him. It was good to see Linc finally cut Mahone some slack too.

Call me crazy, but shouldn't a multi-national, billion dollar funded, anti-US terrorist group have a better code system than what Michael figured out? First letters only? Putting one piece of paper over the other? I had more intricate codes when I passed notes in third grade.

Alright... ready for it... the hunt for the remaining Scylla cards continues! I honestly don't care about that right now though. T-Bag is who I am paying attention to. I want to know exactly what Whistler was up to in his pre-Sona days. The Gate Corporation? Cole Pfeiffer? How did he get tied up with Gretchen? What else is in that bird book? I need answers.

Prision Break: The Art of the Deal

This was a great episode. Really solid and enjoyable. However, I can see why it was originally meant to be the mid-season finale and not a season ender. There are just simply too many questions left hanging and, for lack of a better way to put it, it just doesn't feel right. Being a fan of Prison Break, I know what I'm talking about. As far as finales go, this wasn't satisfying. While it left me yearning for more,

The episode picked up right where it left off last week--with Michael and Lincoln chasing down Whistler. Surprise...they catch him! After about half an hour of cat and mouse positioning between Scofield and Gretchen, the switch finally happens at a museum where the threat of guns was neutralized by metal detectors at the entrance.

Gretchen gives up Sofia and LJ; Michael gives up Whistler. Then came the completely expected bombshell: there are no coordinates. Sofia got PO'ed after hearing that and ran back to Lincoln. More importantly, without the existence of coordinates, what's Whistler's worth? What does he know or do? Is he some sort of agent for The Company just like Gretchen? Not finding that out really bugged me, especially since I probably would have found out during the next episode had this season not been cut short.

Anyway, after some gun fire in the front of the museum (Sofia got shot but survived and will be fine), everyone pretty much walked away and in that regard, it was sort of anti-climactic.

More thoughts...

Was there any real point in showing McGrady's happy ending? He was a nice guy and all, but it was total filler and contributed nothing. After he and his dad left the marina, that should have been the last we saw of him.

Sucre got tossed into Sona. Not sure how I feel about that. His story this whole season was shaky and didn't really have much direction since he was constantly torn between helping Michael and going home to Mari-Cruz. Maybe his incarceration will create the opportunity to bring her back?

Speaking of bringing someone back, nice touch with the flash-back to the day Michael gave Sarah the origami rose.

What's T-Bag's end game? Does he have some plan to get out of Sona by using Lechero's money? It's not like he's going to be able to rule Sona since he was handing out hundred dollar bills and preaching equality. But with Lechero dead (Was there ever a doubt that T-Bag wasn't playing him?), it's definitely going to create a power struggle in Sona. Oh and what about the nun? Random to see her back. What's her role in T-Bag's plan, other than holding on to the rest of the cash?

Whistler sure gave up on Sofia pretty fast, huh?

Bellick falls into the same category as McGrady. He's completely worthless and added absolutely nothing to a majority of this season.

Moving on to the end... Mahone in a bar, sipping his club soda. A stranger approaches. At first, I really thought I was about to witness the return of Kellerman. He could still be alive. I never actually saw Kellerman shoot himself. I only heard a gun go off and saw nothing. Anyway, it was Whistler. Whoa. He and Mahone are in cahoots along with Gretchen. One big ol' Company outing. So now I have more questions. What are they up to and why is Mahone key to the plan?

Plus, as Mahone pointed out, if Gretchen really killed Sarah (which she did), then she's the weak link because Michael will find her. And he has something to go on too. Sofia found Whistler's metal briefcase, remember? All it had in it was some paperwork referencing a guy named Jason Lief. Who the hell is that? Whistler's alias?

That was it. Michael took off on his revenge mission and Whistler and Co. are off doing ___________? I'm trying not to stress about this too much though. Now I'll have to wait until the fall for the answers. It's too bad the strike prevented the possibility of this episode at least being re-cut. At least they broke out of prison.

Prison Break: Hell or High Water

Is it just me, or was it relatively easy to break out of Sona? When compared to Fox River, it was a cake! No tattoos required -- just dig a hole and run. And before you say, "but what about all those guards with guns," look at it this way: they're what made it easy! And Michael used it to his advantage. He gave them something to occupy their time (allowing Lechero, T-Bag, and Bellick to go first and get caught) and then he, Whistler, Mahone, and McGrady pretty much just walked through the hole in the fence. So, with that in mind... remind me again why The Company had to use Michael to get to Whistler?

Just seems like it would have been easier to send in some kind of tactical recovery team to bust the guy out. I suppose that doesn't really matter though because Michael worked his magic and got Whistler out anyway. So now they're running and swimming and driving their way to freedom, but not without some bumps along the way.

First there's Sucre, who's predicament with the guards at Sona has become borderline comical. First they nail him on a warrant for an alias that made no sense to me at all. We'd never heard him use that name before, right? At first, I thought maybe Gretchen had done it to set him up, but that doesn't make sense because she knew Sucre was part of Lincoln's plan. Why screw up her ticket to Whistler? So that warrant finally disappears and T-Bag, inches from having his twig and berries fried off by a car battery, fingers Sucre as having a part in the escape. I guess all I'm trying to say is that it sucks to be Sucre. He can't catch a break.

It did, however, lead to what I'm convinced is the most ridiculous moment in Prison Break history. Since Sucre couldn't man the boat, McGrady's father took over as skipper when he saw that the boat was still at the marina. How did he find the merry gang of convicts after they swam to freedom? He knew they were coming from the southwest and "took a chance." Wow! That was one hell of a gamble. So after running through the woods, swimming for who knows how long, and clinging to a giant buoy, it looks like they're all actually free. It opens the door for tons of questions though.

Does Whistler's bird book actually hold any meaning? Isn't it more likely that he has all the knowledge he needs in his head and the bird book is just his way of lowering himself to seem innocent? Like a safety blanket to mask something? I'll be interested to see what T-Bag does with it.

What happens if McGrady is recognized at the road block? I see no real reason for him to be around though. I'll be happy if he passes through and we've seen the last of him.

Is Gretchen actually going to hand over LJ and Sofia quietly? As long as she gets Whistler, is there really any need for bloodshed?

There's probably more questions, but I'm moving on. I was a little bugged about how I'm supposed to care about Lechero and Mahone. Lechero got shot. He can rot for all I care. Mahone is a little different and I think I'm supposed to see him as more human now. I still can't stand him and wish Lincoln had shot him. Here's a guy who had a body buried in his backyard, and was willing to sell anyone and everyone else out to hide his own secrets. He let himself be manipulated by The Company and carried out all their orders. Good riddance to him. Lincoln's right, Mahone shot his dad with no hesitation. Not much room to forgive there. If he hangs around, maybe Gretchen will take him out since he probably knows more than he should.

More random thoughts...

I loved how Lincoln's boom-box finally paid off. Recorded gunshots. Even better was that Gretchen and her goons fell for it.

Do either Bellick, T-Bag, or Lechero actually know anything worth something other than Michael was behind it all?

So now they're out. The next episode is the season finale so I assume I can expect some complications when the switch comes. I know Whistler got away at the end of this episode, but I'm not sure he'll get too far. Then again, maybe he will. Everyone else seems to know their way around Panama pretty well and he actually lived there for a while...

Prison Break: Under and Out

"Welcome to the coal mine, canary." - T-Bag

And the escape is on! I honestly can't say why I like this season of Prison Break so much. It's far from being the edgy show that it was during its first season and at the same time it's miles ahead of last season's manhunt mess. Maybe it's simply due to the fact that there literally isn't much else on TV right now and as a result, it's good by default. But after this episode, I'm leaning more towards the unpredictability factor.

Let me clarify that though. In season one, there was a cohesive plan from the get go and everything that happened felt logical as Scofield's plan unfolded. I referred to season two as "a mess." It was. However...it was a cohesive mess. As crappy as season two was, everything made sense and it played out pretty much as you expected. After this episode, season three has officially gained "Oh my god, I can't believe it got renewed" status. Not only has this season been all over the map, but I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm not the only one scratching my head. I'm not sure the good folks behind this show have any idea as to where this season is headed. I love it!

Honestly, had Prison Break been canceled after season two there would have been plenty of people angry... but let's be real -- it would have been forgotten pretty fast. But it wasn't canned and suddenly this fading tale needed a new direction. And that's where it all started to fall apart, but in a good way...

So here I am, eleven episodes in (due to the strike, there are only two left) and the escape has begun. There's no real plan other than "dig a hole and run," the conspiracy feels extremely loose at best (and even that's generous), there's a handful of new characters that still haven't really made a mark, and I seriously can't wait to find out what happens next! How is that possible?

First, some catch up. Michael and his merry band of inmates now consists of the usual crowd (Bellick, Mahone, T-Bag) and some newcomers to the art of escaping (Lechero, Whistler, McGrady). Sammy is dead and out of the way, they've re-dug their tunnel, and it's time to leave before the ground caves in and the guards notice a giant sinkhole in Sona's front yard. Hence, the plan I previously mentioned, "dig a hole and run."

Plenty of questions still loom. Most importantly, what does Whistler know? That is, besides the ominous "coordinates." My prediction? He's not who he says he is. For this to pay-off and be marginally interesting before the finale, he has to be far more powerful than we've been led to believe. I'm hoping he actually works for The Company (not just a "for hire" Company fisherman) and ends up being higher on the ladder than Susan -- unknown to her, of course. That'd be a nice turn, especially to see her reaction.

This episode had some fun moments which helped with the absurdity of it all. Seeing Bellick and T-Bag scramble to make alliances was humorous. Like it's going to matter once they get out. They have 30 seconds before those lights flick back on. Someone's gotta get shot...right?

Speaking of those lights, how exactly did Sucre get busted for that? Did Susan/Gretchen put out a fake warrant for him? She must have because he's been working for Sona for a while now and nothing happened. I'm betting...everyone else will get out and he'll be thrown in. Michael's conscience will love that.

More thoughts...

T-Bag can quote bible verse. Of course...

I mentioned Michael's conscience, but it's going to be interesting to see if he actually does something to hinder the escape of one of the "real" criminals.

Are the coordinates Whistler wrote down actually worth anything? Were they real? Does it matter that he ripped them in half?

Mahone's comment about T-Bag being inbred was great.

Bellick: "Does anybody know Spanish for 'don't shoot?'"

Select moments that just made me giggle: Lincoln hijacking a school-bus, Michael calling the 1-800-Generator number, and Bellick smearing honey all over an oil-drum lid.

I really don't know what's going to happen next. At one point, Susan said she wasn't the bad guy, but is The Company's role in this season going to tie into the overarching mythology of the whole show? What do they want? Why Whistler? They seem powerful enough. Why not just send some black-ops team in there to bust him out? Seems a bit more guaranteed than Scofield.

Regardless, that's all that matters now with these two final episodes coming up. I don't care about what happens to the other inmates. I don't care about the budding romance between Lincoln and Sofia. I don't care about McGrady's family reunion or Mahone's drug recovery or Bellick's sorry existence. I don't care if Sucre gets tossed in Sona. I'm not even sure that I care if L.J. lives or dies. All I care about is Whistler. What does he know? It better be good

Prison Break: Dirt Nap

"If he doesn't take you, I will." - Lincoln

Well isn't that special. Lincoln's got a crush on Sofia. Not like I didn't see that coming. All that's missing now is the clichéd scene where something stressful happens, they lock eyes, and start sucking face amidst all the chaos of planning an inmate bust. I know it's coming. Here's the real question though: what are the chances of finding a gift shop that sells Eiffel Tower keyrings in Panama City?!?

Looks like Lincoln's budding desire might actually have a chance though. Sofia is clearly fed up with the lies that Whistler has been spinning. But she did find his big 'ol titanium briefcase. He hid it well, so there has to be something good inside.

That's not all I found out about him though. He's still trying to sell his story to Michael and said something about the Company killing his family. Then he went even further with the fisherman story and said that Gretchen and her employers had commissioned him to be their personal charter. I think it's all crap. If you ask me, the real key is going to be that Blackberry Gretchen has. She was e-mailing on it... as Gary Miller. The same name Whistler went by in that passport Sofia found. So to someone (whoever Edward Guthrie is), Whistler is indeed Gary Miller. What is he though? Based on the e-mail that Gretchen was drafting, he works in sales and they need this Guthrie fellow to come to Panama and "play some golf." So what's his significance?

If Lincoln's plan goes off without a hitch, I might never find out though. When is he planning on setting off that bomb that Sucre planted in Gretchen's car? The big issue? Will Sucre let him go through with it now that Gretchen knows who and where Mari-Cruz is? Sucre has never been shy in letting people know that Mari-Cruz is priority number one for him. He'll definitely back up on any plans he has with Lincoln to ensure her safety.

Inside Sona, things were moving relatively slow. Sammy finally went through with the coup and knocked Lechero off his throne. It didn't last too long though. Once he figured out Scofield's plans and tried to crawl out the half-finished tunnel? Well... just look at the name of the episode.

The whole ordeal was a little tedious though. I knew Sammy was going to die. Once Michael started making a big deal out of that little pin he shoved into the wall, I knew he was going to pull it back out. I was hoping Sammy would have finished off Bellick though. One less person to worry about. Although, McGrady seems poised to slide in the second Scofield has any kind of opening on his crew. I think he'll honestly let the kid tag along once the plan is fully laid out though.

At this point, I'm sure the story is going somewhere, but I need some more explanation than I've been getting. That briefcase is a good start because I can only assume it's important... but it might not be. It might end up being another vague clue with no apparent meaning. Sort of like that bird book. It'll end up having some value at the last possible second when everything is already on the table. By then, it won't really matter. Although, with only three finished episodes left this season, I might not get that far anyway.

Prison Break: Boxed In

"Let's see if he has the tattoo to get out of that one." - T-Bag

Prison Break may not be the best thing on TV at this point, but hey - at least it's new. It's been over two months since the mid-season finale and I was a little sketchy on what had happened previously, but this was never a show that required much thinking. Once the action started, it was easy to figure out what everyone was up to. You know... breaking out of prison.

So if I recall, the last episode ended with Michael being brought out of the prison, presumably to solitary confinement. After the two escape attempts, the new general put two and two together and figured Scofield had something to do with it. So they threw Michael in some sort of mini-greenhouse/chicken coop cell. In the hot Panama sun, it didn't take him long to revise his plan and start talking to the general.

This is where it got a little ridiculous though. He spilled the beans about everything - Lincoln being set up in the US, The Company, Sarah's murder, and LJ. Of course the story sounds bogus... but somehow the general verifies it and starts to believe Michael. Now I realize this guy is some high-ranking government official and he most definitely has eyes and ears everywhere, but still. Even the slightest inkling as to how he got his intel would have been nice. After that, it played out as you would expect. Michael gave up Whistler and Whistler gave up Susan B. a.k.a. Gretchen Morgan.

This was interesting though. Michael went through with this extremely dangerous course of action fully aware that any mess up could get LJ killed. It shows you his motives though. While I believe he truly fears for the safety of his nephew, getting revenge for Sarah's death seems to be at the top of his list. He was willing to lie to Lincoln (recall that "this is part of the plan" crap) to make sure Gretchen got apprehended and as a result, Michael got his face time with her. Getting out of prison is now just supplementary to his main goal: killing Gretchen, or at least "making her pay." Of course, Michael is on to Whistler now too. He now knows that the meeting he witnessed was more than just a casual encounter. Obviously, Michael was always suspicious, but now his curiosity is truly piqued. That and he's pissed.

Elsewhere, prison life went on as usual. Mahone was dumped back in Sona and seems determined to stay clean. I doubt that will happen with T-Bag pushing drugs every five minutes. T-Bag has motive though. Get Mahone to take out Sammy and T-Bag is in on the escape plan. Sure Whistler gave him his word, but I wouldn't trust that guy. It shows you how much T-Bag really wants out though. He looked like he was going to cry when he realized that Mahone was in no way prepared to get high and drop Sammy a chicken leg.

More thoughts...

Now that Gretchen has agreed to pay Sucre to continue helping Michael, Sucre has no reason to keep smuggling for Augusto. So... what happens when he says no to Augusto?

Bellick kicked the sh*t out of Sammy's goon! Yeah, I know he fought dirty (acetone soaked rags) but I can't help but root for the guy at this point.

What's going to be the significance of that coin that Lang gave to Mahone? I see no point in bringing it into the story if it's only going to be some sort of good luck charm. It's got to play a bigger role if you ask me...

Gun or no gun, in a fight I think I'd pick Sammy over Lechero. Sammy seems scrappy and Lechero is starting to come across as old. He'll probably have Sammy killed before the potential for a fight even comes close though. Unless T-Bag's plan for Mahone suddenly comes through.

So isn't Gretchen going to have "wanted" posters all over the place now? Every guard at the prison saw her when the general brought her in. It's going to be a little odd if she just goes back to business as usual and doesn't encounter any interference from the law.

Maybe I missed this, but why does Augusto want Lechero dead? What does he gain by having Sammy in charge? I don't think Sammy is going to have an easier time smuggling Augusto's contraband (booze, etc.) into the prison.

Is Sofia going to do anything besides whine? If she's going to be kept around, at least have her character do something productive. She should go figure out why Whistler is lying to her.

From here on out, it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out. The escape can't be far off and nothing is really clicking. Michael doesn't trust Whistler, Mahone is in withdrawal, T-Bag and Bellick both want in on the plan, and Sammy has plans for Lechero. Doesn't exactly sound like a cohesive group.

Prison Break: Bang & Burn

The writer's strike hits again. There was supposed to be five more episodes before this season's fall finale. Instead I got a plain ol' ending comparable to any regular episode of Prison Break. Certainly not what I would have expected based on this show's history. It's not a bad thing, just disappointing. I understand the need to stockpile and space out the dwindling supply of new episodes, but it's unfortunate that it results in segmenting seasons in such sloppy fashion. Enough with the complaining though. The writer's strike is happening and I knew what to expect. If I can look beyond that, this episode really was quite good. It left me with plenty of questions to ponder as I wait for Prison Break to return in January.

First big revelation? Susan B. isn't who she says she was. OK, not that big. Her name is Gretchen (or is that an alias too?), she really was a POW, and if there was any doubt left that she didn't work for the same "Company" that I've come to grow and love, I met her boss. Kim's boss. Creepy bald guy. Anyone else find it odd that he said more in his one scene in this episode that he did all of last season? What gives? I kind of liked the idea of him being mute... or at least selective about when he spoke.

After the way the last episode ended with Whistler and Gretchen meeting for a quick chat in the visitor's area at Sona, I've been waiting to find out what exactly James' involvement with the Company is. No real answers given there, other that the fact that he's clearly worth more than I've been led to believe. He must be if they're willing to sacrifice Michael and Lincoln and also hire two helicopters to try and bust him out. So what can he do for them that they need so desperately? And if it was so important, and they always had helicopters at their disposal, why bother with Michael in the first place? For as strong as the Company is supposed to be, it continually comes off as weak and discombobulated.

The whole episode led up to that moment and it was obvious that it was going to fail. What I didn't see coming was Michael taking the heat for it. Where did they drag him off to? There's no way they're just going to set him free, so I'm guessing he's being brought to a different portion of the prison. Solitary maybe?

Once again, Bellick and T-Bag were just sort of there. Mahone has moved up the food-chain a little bit with his potential testimony on the line. I just don't care though. He may be getting more screen time than the other two, but Mahone's a lost cause at this point. He's an addict who can't get himself together. I get it. All three of these characters were so good in the past and it's just a shame that there isn't a better way to integrate them into this season. Hopefully Mahone being thrown back in Sona will facilitate that.

Fortunately, characters like Lechero and Sammy have filled the gaps. It's going to be interesting to see the power struggle between them grow. Sammy already suspects Lechero of something, and if "El Patron" is off helping out Michael or Whistler with the escape then it won't be long before Sammy takes the throne and Lechero becomes just another inmate.

More thoughts...

Did I ever find out exactly what McGrady did? I feel like I did but I just can't remember.

What's Lincoln planning on doing with the gun-shot noises he recorded with Sucre?

What's the deal with Whistler's second apartment? And the passport that Sophia found? Gary Miller? Alias or real name?

Was there any significance to the notes about Mahone that Whistler had in his bird book? Seems like he's been keeping tabs on everyone. Looking for ways to manipulate.

It's about time that Michael finally took off his shirt. The acknowledgment that the tattoos still exist is big.

What caused the riot that led to the shutdown of Cell Block A? I wonder if starting another riot in B might be the solution to breaking out amidst all the chaos?

Speaking of chaos, I can't wait to hear Whistler's excuses to Lechero. Without Michael around as the buffer, Lechero is going to want answers for the helicopter mess and more importantly, why wasn't he involved. Get comfortable though. I won't find out for another couple of weeks.

Prison Break: Photo Finish/Vamonos

A two-hour Prison Break? Now what did I do to deserve this? Well, it was really just two back-to-back episodes of Prison Break instead of a two-hour special. But still, the only thing better than one Prison Break episode is two Prison Break episodes. And they were pretty good episodes to boot. While I didn't get to see the much-hyped escape from Sona, I did get some interesting new developments in the plot.

Since I always thought that Michael's idea to escape from Sona in broad daylight was foolish, I have to say I was right. In fact, it was the daylight itself (or lack thereof) that foiled Michael's plans. Just as Michael and Whistler were climbing down the rope ladder and out to freedom, the glare was blocked by clouds and they had to scurry right back up. This was bad because they didn't get out of Sona. This was good because now Lechero can join them. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that they didn't get further in the escape.

While I am happy to see that Michael is back in prison this season, I don't want him to stay there the whole time. I am excited to see what would happen when the brothers reunite (especially now that Michael's beloved Sara is gone). Will they stick together or go their separate ways? But enough about what didn't happen tonight. Let's get to the major plot developments.

Lincoln finally told Michael that Sara is dead. I can see that Michael would be upset with Lincoln for not telling him sooner but I'm on Lincoln's side. It's his son, not some random prison doctor who just happened to be both attractive and kind enough to help with an escape. Lincoln had to keep this from Michael if he thought that the information would affect the escape.

Mahone is out of Sona. One of his colleagues from the past season showed up surprisingly with a deal. If he tells all and helps shed some light on the ex-president, then he gets to do his time in an American prison (preferably one that carries his brand of highly-addictive painkillers). I wonder if his old friend from the bureau is going to double-cross him. Perhaps the other guy she brought with her will do the double-crossing. The latter seems possible. Maybe they will reinstate him in some way and have him track down the brothers or Whistler (when the sun finally aligns in the right way for Michael to break out, of course).

The biggest plot development, one could even say "twist," came at the very end. Susan B. Anthony's real name is Gretchen (cause Susan B. Anthony is just ridiculous). But that's not the plot twist, obviously. At the end, she had this cryptic conversation with James Whistler. He told her to give him four more days to get out. He also said that he could do what he needed to do despite the lost time. I wonder what he will do or how exactly he is aligned with her. Does Whistler work for the company? Perhaps neither Gretchen nor Whistler work for the company at all. Maybe they are trying to subvert the company.

I must point out one last thing. What is going on with the supporting characters on Prison Break? Seasons one and two spent so much time building up Belleck and T-Bag as viable enemies for the brothers. Belleck has been reduced from a prison-guard-turned-bounty-hunter to a worthless blob. He might have killed the French guy (although I don't think so) but other than that his only contribution to this episode was blubbering about Sara's death. Like he really cares? T-Bag has carved out a spot in Lechero's gang and hasn't done much since. Maybe he and Sammy will fight for the head position in Sona now that Lechero's power has been displaced?