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| Available at Amazon.com |
Everyone in Hollywood wants unique ideas, whether it be for a movie or a TV show. But there is a thin line between unique ideas and high-concept ideas. H-C ideas are risky and harder to pull off, but if they are done correctly and successfully they also get high praise. In the world of television, though, few shows based on a “high-concept” concept have survived past one season. They usually wear out their unique idea by the end of one season. But don’t tell that to FOX’s Prison Break. A show about escaping prison has completed three seasons already and is entering into its fourth season this year. The question here is has Prison Break worn out its welcome and ran out of fresh ideas after three seasons?
Originally, Prison Break centered on Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), who came up with a plan to rescue his wrongfully accused brother, Lincoln (Dominic Purcell), from prison. Michael tattooed the blueprints to Fox River Penitentiary on his body, and eventually broke free with his brother along with several other colorful inmates who found out about the plan. They all soon went their separate ways as they tried to evade both the cops, and the mysterious “Company”. Michael and Lincoln eventually made it all the way to Panama, but not before Michael was caught, arrested himself after being framed by The Company, and sent to Sona, a federal prison in Panama home to the worst criminals on the planet, at the end of season two.
The acting during this shortened third season is once again excellent. Wentworth Miller is still the perfect leading man for this show. He has a very engaging personality and makes the character of Michael both an intense and sympathetic figure. Dominic Purcell is also great as Michael’s brother and the chemistry these two have together is believable. But supporting characters like T-Bag played by Robert Knepper and Mahone played by William Fichtner are also equal to them in the acting department as well. In fact, they often steal every scene they appear in. Even the main new characters this season, Whistler (Chris Vance) and Lechero (Robert Wisdom), are great additions to the show.
The writers of Prison Break made a smart move in this season by eliminating all the one-dimensional characters and just focus on the most interesting ones. In addition, after watching one season of Michael trying to break out his brother from the inside, and then watching them run from the police, it’s interesting to watch as Lincoln has to figure out how to break Michael free from the outside this season. There aren’t as many surprises during this season compared to the previous two seasons of this show, mainly because you can see many twists coming from a mile away. With that being said, though, since this season was shortened, due to the striking writers, the twists and turns come at a faster pace. Overall this season could basically be considered part 1 of season 3 with the upcoming season 4 being part 2.
The third season sets up what could potentially be the final season. Due to it being shorter than previous two seasons, no way can it be considered a front-runner as the “best season yet.” It is not nearly as good as season 1 or 2, but it is a solid addition to the series than is more tense and dramatic than almost every other television drama out there. This is the exception that proves the rule. Prison Break is the perfect example of a “high-concept” idea working well and FOX is still reaping the rewards.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Orientación
Now locked up in a Panamanian prison known as Sona, Michael, T-Bag, Bellick, and Mahone try to find a way out. Much to their devastation, they soon find out that the prison has been abandoned by the authorities because of the immense threat from the vile inmates. Michael searches for an inmate named Whistler in the prison sewers. As Lincoln is puzzled by Sara’s sudden disappearance, he learns that LJ has gotten into some trouble.
Episode 2 – Fire/Water
Michael and Mahone try to lure Whistler out of his hiding place. T-Bag gains some upward momentum in the prison hierarchy as the water supply is running low. Lincoln meets familiar and not so familiar faces on his quest to free Michael.
Episode 3 – Call Waiting
Whistler tells the truth to Michael. Michael tries to get in touch with Sara, but the only phone is in Lechero’s quarters, so he has to rely on T-Bag’s help. Mahone battles his addiction. Bellick steps on some toes.
Episode 4 – Good Fences
After taking delivery of a package from The Company, Lincoln realizes that they are deadly serious. Michael’s new break out plan relies on electricity. Haywire is back from the dead, haunting a disoriented Mahone. Bellick and T-Bag get special attention from Lechero.
Disc Two:
Episode 5 – Interference
A new inmate named Tyge is brought to Sona. After he seemingly recognizes Whistler, Michael begins to have doubts. T-Bag enters a new area of commerce. Lincoln goes to the seaside with Sofia. Sucre takes over the side-business of his predecessor.
Episode 6 – Photo Finish
Michael threatens to cancel the escape plan unless he sees proof that Sara is still alive. Whistler is accused of murdering an inmate and it is up to Michael to prove his innocence and save his life. Lincoln and Sofia help in monitoring the morning guards. Mahone may have another way to get out of Sona.
Episode 7 – Vamonos
Everything goes wrong for Michael as he tries to create a diversion. Lincoln tries to outsmart Susan. Sucre offers his assistance to Lincoln.
Episode 8 – Bang & Burn
Susan jeopardizes Michael’s life as she puts her own escape plan into motion. Whistler’s past catches up to his girlfriend. The Company goes after Lincoln and Sucre. Justice prevails for Mahone. Lechero sheds light into an empty tunnel.
Disc Three:
Episode 9 – Boxed In
The Panamanian Army arranges for Michael to get a taste of solitary. T-Bag reserves a spot in the escape. Bellick’s life turns into an uphill battle. Susan traps Sucre.
Episode 10 – Dirt Nap
Lechero’s demotion devastates Michael’s breakout plan as Sammy takes the reigns at Sona. T-Bag forces Bellick to fight in the ring where the odds are stacked heavily against him. Lincoln and Sucre have some surprise fireworks set for Susan.
Episode 11 – Under & Out
Michael’s escape may be in jeopardy because of heavy rain. T-Bag and Lechero join forces, while Bellick hopes to do the same with Mahone.
Episode 12 – Hell or High Water
Michael, Whistler, and Mahone make their break from Sona. But Mahone seems like the odd man out along the way.
Disc Four:
Episode 13 – The Art of the Deal
Michael and Lincoln are left with no choice but to hand Whistler over in exchange to save LJ and Sofia. A familiar face enters Sona while another inmate leaves.
The video is given in anamorphic widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is fantastic. This is as good standard definition can look. No problems at all.
The audio included is available in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound. There are subtitles in English, Spanish, and French as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. Like the video, you can’t much better than this.
Season 3: Orientación –
This runs 17 minutes and it’s a “making of” documentary featuring interviews with the main cast. They each talk about their characters and the incredible sets built by the design team. Just your usual informative piece.
Breakout Episode –
This runs 13 minutes and it’s basically a featurette on the making of the “Hell or High Water” episode, which is the season’s penultimate episode. The crew explains the difficulties of shooting on and under water during this episode. Fairly interesting.
Director’s Takes –
These are mini-featurettes and there is one of these for each episode this season and they total 40 minutes. In each one, a member of the creative team behind the show speaks brief. In all, they provide insight into the shooting of particular scenes, along with some more cast interviews about whatever scene is the subject of. These are a cross between plugging the next episode and giving more “behind-the-scenes” information. Still a little intriguing.
Between Takes –
Some more mini-featurettes. There are 7 of these and they total 6 minutes. These are pretty much like the previous “extra”. In each one of these, we follow the actors on set and hear them explain how they get into character for a particular scene. Some more “behind-the-scenes” stuff.
Prison Break is an underrated drama that had an interesting concept to begin with, and has kept the ball rolling. Season three wouldn’t be the best season to jump into, if you are new to the show. However, it should be enough to interest newcomers in checking out the previous two seasons and the upcoming fourth season. Fans of this show will no doubt want to buy this season, despite the shortened length of it.
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20th Century Fox Home Video presents Prison Break – Season 3. Created by Paul Scheuring. Starring Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, Robert Knepper, Wade Williams, William Fichtner, Robert Wisdom, and Chris Vance. Running time: 568 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: August 12, 2008. Available at Amazon.com
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