Prison Break – Episode 4-8 Review

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I’m sure most people will consider this past week’s episode of Prison Break the weakest of the season – and perhaps it has been – but I felt it was a perfectly acceptable “plot advancement” episode. Sure, there was a shootout and a moderately important character died, but even so, this wasn’t the most exhilarating episode of the year.

And that’s okay.

I’m still not crazy about Gretchen and T-Bag joining the crew, especially since they’re yet to even contribute anything to the team. Yeah, Michael gives a whole lot of lip service to making sure that T-Bag and Gretchen get what they deserve, but what does he ever do to act on that? And I don’t quite understand why everybody suddenly submits to their demands. I mean, it’s not as if T-Bag and Gretchen are good people. I know Michael isn’t a killer, but you’re telling me that Mahone wouldn’t be willing to murder Gretchen in order to get one step closer to finding the people responsible for his son’s death? I mean, he killed a number of people season two to protect his family. I don’t find it hard to believe that he’d do something just as drastic out of vengeance. Or how about Self? He’s so venomously against The Company, why wouldn’t he just kill Gretchen – a former Company member – to get the information she has? Again, this falls into that “forced and contrived” category that I tend to loathe so much.

Along with that, aren’t they getting a little too liberal with their “super duper secret group of thieves” membership? I mean, they’ve brought a freakin’ secretary into the group, for goodness sake! And it’s not as if the crew doesn’t already have its fair amount of expendable characters.

Speaking of which, the first team member was killed off. And, somewhat predictably, it was Roland. The character basically served his purpose and got what he had coming to him. I’ve read some message board posters claim that Roland’s betrayal was justified, as everybody else had repeatedly treated him like crap, but even so, I don’t believe the ends justify the means there. The guy messed up, and they punished him for it. Then he was willing to sell out the group as a result. Being called a computer nerd and being slapped on the back of the head a bunch of times does not give one the right to give up the location of his team to a man he knows will kill them. Again, Roland got what he deserved. That being said, Michael showing him compassion in the final seconds of his life was a nice moment.

Loved the scene with Mahone and crew getting the better of Wyatt. Great scene. I was actually really disappointed that they didn’t just kill him right there and then – I was sorta expecting a twist – because I dread the idea of him escaping or killing one of the characters I DO like.

Bellick’s growing on me quite a bit, but I REALLY wish they’d give him more to work with. His scenes with Sucre are always nice as well.

I’m kinda over Dr. Doom and Gloom (that would be Sara). It seems like she spends every episode acting all traumatized and having heart to hearts with Michael. It gets kinda old after a while. They really need to spruce up her character if they expect us to care about her plight.

Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into popular television shows such as Lost, Heroes, Prison Break, and Smallville. You can visit his blog at A Case of the Blog.

Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into various popular television shows. Be sure to visit his blog at [a case of the blog] and follow him on Twitter.