This is the thread for season-by-season comparisons, talking about the show as a whole, etc.

I'd like to say that I'm very dissatisfied with the second season. I knew it was inevitable after they got out of the prison. To their credit I think the writers have been very clever and sprung some good suprises on us but for the most part I feel like it's a losing battle, the show just cannot overcome its limited premise (which seems to be a problem for a lot of shows these days).

I get the sense that the core/diehard viewership are fine watching anything with the characters we got to know in season 1 (T-Bag, Lincoln, Bellick, Dr. Sara, etc) but I feel (and I suspect a lot of casual fans) that they enjoyed the setting and dynamics of the prison and when that vanished it's like the show turned into something else entirely.

I personally have no faith in news that Scheuring has planned out the story up to season 3 in advance. Yeah he can plan all he wants, that doesen't mean it's going to click with viewers.

I definitely liked first season the best. I enjoyed the dynamic of many different types of guys (all hot!) working together. Now it looks like they are killing or writing off many interesting characters (Abruzzi was the best).

I'm watching now because of habit and curiosity, but I'm not exactly invested in the characters. I liked them as a team but I don't think they can hold the show together individually or in smaller groups.

S3? I'm curious, but I suspect it will be less interesting than S2. Hope I'm wrong.

I have to say that it's too early for me to say which season I prefer of(word?) S1 and S2. It's like I'm watching an entirely different show right now -- but with the same characters. Which is why I think it was easy to accept the "whole new show" thing -- because the characters I was invested in (mostly T-Bag, Abruzzi and the brothers) were still there. Which makes me worried about an S3 if that is also a whole new type of show because seriously, three important characters (two of whom I really liked -- Tweener and Abruzzi) have already been written out of the show.

So, S2 is very different from S1. I like the two seasons in different ways, but I think that when S2 is over I will probably prefer S1, but as I said, it's too early to tell for me because I am certainly not one of those viewers who are disappointed with S2 so far. I love season 2 so far and am surprised that they have been able to maintain such a high quality of stories and writing when the show has changed so much. We'll see what happens though...

(Great thread this one, BTW!)

Nice thread idea.

Unfortunatly I do agree that S1 was better than S2 (so far). It was the Prison and the premise that sucked me in I think (yeah, ok, and the hot guys). And I loved the overall feel of the show (here's where I try to get creative) - it was intense, and boiling with testosterone and strained emotions, and I thought this was contradicted beautifully by the opressive, cold (for most of the season) and dank prison.



You said it - it's something else entirely now. I still like it - alot. It just doesn't have the same charm as the first season.

And you know what else? I miss the colours. S1 was so strikingly brilliant in it's production quality - the greens, blues and greys, the light and the dark. We seem to have lost alot of that. But I guess there's not alot that can be done about it.

It's very safe to say that I am a die-hard fan and invested in these characters. I will continue to watch however many seasons they produce just because I want to see their stories pan out. I came into the show late - I was hooked by "Manhunt" when I'd never seen an episode of S1. So I might have a different perspective on which season is 'better'. I think it is pretty early for me to make a decision like that, and it's also kind of difficult to compare because they are like two different shows. However, I like that it is now a whole different kind of show. They had to break out of the prison. Seasons and seasons of them sitting in jail and being foiled again and again in their escape attempts would have gotten old fast. It was fantastic that Michael pulled it off in the end. I am a huge fan of prison escape stories and fugitive stories so it's great for me! I still think there is a lot of tension in the show, and being a MiSa shipper, I'm very much looking forward to how that story works outside of the prison.

Bottom line - I'm just as excited by S2 as I was when I marathon-watched S1. I can't wait to buy the S2 DVDs and be able to relive all the heart-stopping moments.

I agree with the people who said that this season feels like a different show, but I think that is a really interesting aspect of the series. How many other shows out there would have been able to pull it off without failing miserably? I think the fact that people are still watching and that it has also picked up some new viewers shows how invested people are in the characters and want to see where they end up. I do see how some people may be losing interest, but for me, it's all about the characters, so I'm ok with it.

I loved S1 and so far I love S2. Too soon for me to tell which is better. I also think it may have something to do with the fact that I watched S1 in one weekend whereas I'm watching S2 Monday by Monday. I didn't have the time to get invested in S1 and mull things over like I'm doing now.

Unless this show does something I can't abide, I'm sticking with till the end. I'm overly invested and need to see how things in.

Ditto for me. I joined Netflix for the free 2 week trial just so I could get Season One to watch. Heh. These characters are so interesting to me and I can't wait to find out more and more about them. It does feel like a totally different show, but a great one, just like Season One. As long as they keep bringing the surprises, I'm there. Oh and as long as they don't kill off T-Bag.

Good point. Not many shows can totally switch gears like this one has and not go down in flames. Sure, some people can argue that things are different or not as good as season one or that they just don't like the new format as much, but it didn't completely crash and burn when they switched from a prison show to a fugitive show (and they'll probably have to switch again once they really dig into the conspiracy) and that's actually pretty impressive.

I also think it is too early for me to call on which season I like better (especially since season two went up several notches in my book with the new developments between Michael and Mahone), but in the end, I'm watching this show for the characters and not the action (which can be pretty damn ridiculous at times). The writers have been doing a good job writing these characters so far and as long as they keep that up, I'll stick with the show.

I can't pick a favorite season just yet. I came in mid-season in season one, and thought the start of the show was actually a little weak.

The new season is working just fine for me. The overall tension is slightly lower since they've broken out (mission accomplished?) but on the other hand, the chase scenes and action sequences and close calls are just as nerve-wracking.

I still think it all boils down to character - Prison Break is a character-centered show, and seeing what the characters do on the outside has been captivating and still consistent with what we saw in season one. If anything, it's even more interesting to see how they change and how they don't change with the major change in locale.

I agree that the show did a good job getting us to commit to the characters in S1 and I also am so invested that I would stick with the show until the end unless they totally jump the shark or do some egregious like kill MS, ST or LB. However, this season is much more ambitious that last season, let's face it. And last season was pretty ambitious on its own!

In last season Michael wanted something, to escape with his brother; he was the hero and everyone else could be categorized into helpers and adversaries. The main action was bound by the unity of place, the prison. This season, Michael still wants something, to get to Panama, and but now his helpers have split off to become the "heroes" of their own subplots and some of Michael's adversaries are now chasing them (or the money) rather Michael, at least directly. Maybe that was a risky artistic choice. Not foolhardy, just risky. They're spending the capital they built up in S1, betting that we're interested enough in the surviving helpers. One could argue that this detracts from Michael's storyline and will end up letting the air out of momentum of the plot. I'm afraid the writers will try to compensate for being more and more outrageous to maintain the tension.

I mentioned this in the Rendevousz thread, but is anyone else as bored by the constant flashbacks to previous episodes as I am? I find it distracting and detracting from actual character development.

I first noticed they started it at the end of last season when PB returned in March, and it was more of a necessary evil at that point due to the hiatus and the lack of DVDs, but in this season it's starting to drive me nuts.

Oh, the flashbacks were definitely in overdrive last night.

I understand that it is sweeps and they are hoping to get any new viewers or folks who haven't watched the show in a while up to speed, but when you use the exact same flashbacks during the episode as you did during the opening "previously on Prison Break" segment, it is REALLY overkill.

I posted this weeks ago in the Speculation thread; it's also relevant here.

The characters are all over the place this season, and not always in a good way. Of course things had to change since nobody is in the prison anymore, but the result is 5 or 6 storylines, and I only care about half of them.

So far, I'm liking the 1st season better.

Well, we're halfway through the second season and since we're on hiatus perhaps we've had some extra time to reflect? How does everyone think season 2 is stacking up now that we're halfway through?

I 've really enjoyed the second season so far, but I was struck by how different a show it has been this year - still great, but very different. I have to say, though, that I do miss all the interaction between the characters that we had in Season 1. The dialogue that those scenes created was just priceless and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I rewatched episodes that had some really great character ineractions: Abruzzi and T-Bag, C-Note and T-Bag, really anyone with T-Bag. It's hard to beleive that last year I was annoyed with the number of people who ended up being involved in the escape, and now I wish that they were still altogether. Go figure.

One thing I noticed that annoyed me, however, was the way Linc has been portrayed this season. He seems very stoic and resolved, or maybe resigned. While I understand why he might act like that given the context of the story, when you compare it to season 1 Linc, ala RD&D2 when he is looking for Michael, it doesn't really ring true with the character. We know Linc has the capcity to emote on occasion, and with the exception of the phone call with Veronica right before she is killed, I don't think we've seen enough of it this season. Come on Linc! Give us a manly breakdown!

I've enjoyed the season so far, and I have to say that I'm impressed that they were able to completely change the show in a lot of big ways and still be successful. That can't be easy to completely switch gears like that from a writing/producing standpoint. Despite all the wackiness and the completely implausible plot points, this show holds it together mostly because I think they've done a fairly good job being character-driven. While I've often thought "Yeah, right" at certain plot points, they've remained pretty true to the characters throughout.





This isn't too much of a departure from Season One Linc to me. He's always been pretty stoic and, well, a bit of a downer since the beginning of the series. He's had his moments of hope here and there, but for the most part he is a pretty resigned Debbie Downer.

But like you, I would like to see a bit more spark on occasion. It would be nice if someone mentioned poor, dumb, dead Veronica on occasion. And I hope that LJ isn't MIA for too much longer. DP does the "dad" thing extremely well and Linc's moments with LJ are some of his best.

ITA. This is the biggest problem with S2 for me. There have always been characters that I've liked less, and didn't really care about. But in S1, the main storyline was the escape, so there was a common goal, a common story to all those characters. Now, it seems that in some cases they're dragging some parts of the show just so we can watch the characters (C-Note, Sucre, T-Bag). The best supporting character transitions we've had from one season to the other have been Kellerman and Sara, and only because they're pretty woven with all the conspiracy stuff.

Still, I can't really say which season I prefer. I've been on the edge of my seat every week this season, and I'm very much enjoying Mahone chasing the brothers. I think it's going to be hard to compare, because, like so many of you said, it seems like a different show.

I definitely agree with that statement. There is something seriously lacking in terms of the colours this season. Obviously a lot of it has to do with the fact that it is no longer set in a prison (duh), the characters are no longer wearing their prison blues, etc. But it was those effects that made me enjoy season one so much. The use of lighting and darkness was brilliant in the first season.

Although season one is definitely my favourite, season two is not without. I really do enjoy how in season one we were given all of these characters with (sometimes) interesting back stories and now, in season two, we're exploring many of them ... even if it can be incredibly frustrating at times.

However, my biggest problem with season two has been how quickly many of these back stories have been explored and resolved. Take, for example, Abruzzi ... this character's back story was built upon and developed quite consistently throughout the first season (minus the 6 episodes he was out of commission). Suddenly in second season, Abruzzi is out of the prison, his story is unfolding, he's settling old scores, etc, and what happens? In ONE EPISODE, his whole story outside of the prison is wrapped up into a neat little package and all of that character development from season one is thrown out the window. I, for one, felt a little cheated by that turn of events, as well as several other (quickly) extinguished plotlines.

It just feels like they're trying to resolve too many issues that were developed last season in this season so that they can eliminate all of the "unnecessary" characters who don't tie into the conspiracy plot. And even some that do.

That being said, as was mentioned before, season two has definitely become a different show from season one but with the same characters. I watch because I loved season one and grew attached to the characters and their stories and I want to see how their stories play out in a different setting.
I'm looking forward to the rest of season two though ... even if it is Abruzzi-free.

I have had the ride of my life watching this show. I've never screamed so much and had near heart attacks watching PB and I love that. It's been a LONG time since I've enjoyed a show so much. There are moments when the supension of reality becomes too much, but hell I'm having fun 9 times out of 10 anyway.

Season 1 is my favorite as far as the tightness of the writing and the very controlled atmosphere of FR. The colors, the tension, the close proximity of 1 person to the other made things so dangerous and uncomfortable in a diff. way than Season 2.

Season 2 is what happens when the patients run the asylum. It's pure fun and the mayhem and chaos of unleashed cons has been a sight to see. I like the evolution of Michael, Dr. Sara, Linc and so many of the characters. I've gotten a chance to know them better and I'm enjoying myself so much. :-)

I originally posted this in the Media Thread, but figured it was more appropriate here:

The majority of fans (and apparently some of the actors on the show, too!) seem concerned about the idea of Prison Break being strung out into a crappy quality third season. Personally, I’m not to worried by that – I’m confident that TPTB would be able to make another enjoyable and entertaining Season of the show. We’ve seen the twists and shocks they’ve given us so far… something tells me that they know what they’re doing.

In fact, I’m more worried about the complete opposite: if they finish the series at the end of Season two, I’m wondering how TPTB are going to be able to satisfactorily and successfully wrap up all the storylines in such a short space of time. Assuming they will only have twenty-two episodes in total (like Season One), essentially there are only nine left to wrap everything up. Is anyone else worried by that prospect? There’s so much to still be addressed!

For example, all the characters: unless TPTB are planning to kill them off, I want to continue to witness their ‘journey’ and see where they end up. C-Note and his wife? Sucre and Maricruz? T-Bag, his hand, Mrs. Hollander? Haywire, his dog and the raft? Bellick and his new cellie?

And then what about all that money? Henry Pope and Westmoreland’s daughter? LJ, Jane? Kellerman? Sara?

And then we can’t forget the big issues: the company, the conspiracy, POTUS, Steadman, and the brothers.

That’s a lot to wrap up within nine episodes, in a way that leaves the audience satisfied.

So, with this in mind, I’d much prefer for their to be a Third Season if it meant addressing everything that the should be dealt with, instead of vaguely brushing over and briefly touching on different storylines to show how they conclude.

I am def. still a big fan. I think S1 is better( as with many shows). S2 is still good for me. I think it is a credit to the staff to have to revamp in a way and still keep it a quality show. I think they kinda had a double edge sword- if they were still in prison at this point, we'd be like when are they gonna get out? If they escaped( which they did), they would have the questions and issues they still have. I think the writers made a good move in having them escape- I think if they were still in prison- the show would be dying. I think the show could make it next season- with the right premise to wrap it up. Sadly, more then this and they would be stretching to much to have a quality show like this now.

If there are a lot of good ideas for Season Three, then I'd go with it. Although, like many at this point, I have no idea what could happen. And there's no way anybody can really have an inkling, because we're not at the end of this season yet, so speculating on what could happen next year is rather useless.

As for the whole conspiracy thing against Lincoln coming to an end this season; first off, even if they expose the President, and Lincoln is exhonorated, what happens to Michael? And secondly, just because The Company's main mouthpiece might get her comeuppance, doesn't mean The Company is gone for good. And they'll no doubt be keeping a watchful eye on Michael and Linc, no matter where they are.

That's the one thing I keep thinking of; President Renoylds may be toast (in more than one way), but The Company probably would not be. That could be something to exploit next season.

Although if things wrapped up in a satisfactory way this season, and if the show did not come back, I'd be a bit sad, but I would thank TPTB for giving me a good ride for two seasons.

Starbrand you make a good point about the conspiracy not being over if Madame Prez is taken down. Perhaps that's why they introduce Pad Man. Maybe he becomes the new "face of the conspiracy" for Season 3. They've always alluded to how big the conspiracy is and how Caroline was one cog in the wheel, so maybe they'll take that route - Linc might be exonerated *if that is even what happens* but that doesn't necessarily mean that the bad guys have been taken down.

But I also think you're right that speculation at this point in Season2 is somewhat futile.

It could go two ways.....the boys could bring down the President, and exhonorate Lincoln in the process, and the story can stop there, and things would be fine. But there's ample wiggle room from the writers to manouver if they want to do a Season Three. There could by that time just be the core of Michael, Linc, and Sara, with a whole host of new faces to worry about.

Whatever happens, I severely doubt that Michael will get of this without consequences by season's end. I can see him taking the blow for everything that's gone on (and resolving the conspiracy or not, he's got a lot, legally and otherwise, to answer for), under perhaps the condition that Linc and Sara face no charges for what they've done. That would make any reconciliation with Michael and Sara even more heartbreaking to the audience.

But like I said, we all have no idea how things are even going to play out this season. We might think we do, but I'm certain there's going to be more than a few curve balls thrown our way before all is said and done...

It's supposed to be an international multi-corporation conspiracy. Considering how popular PB is overseas, it would be pretty damn amazing if they did shoot in Europe (or elsewhere) for S3. I'm all for Linc being cleared but story-wise, I really hope Michael is not pardoned/exonerated and remains a fugitive. Unlike Linc, he actually committed the crimes he was convicted of. Having Mike as a fugitive keeps the Prison Break title valid for as long as the show goes on.

Okay, I had a funny thought, and this seemed like the thread for it.

I'm (re)reading The Writer's Journey by Vogler tonight, and this time decided, just for the hell of it, to think about how Michael's story connected with a typical Joseph Campbell-esque Hero Journey, since his story works for me so well. And I was actually quite surprised by what we have so far, and I'm not twenty pages in to the book. To whit:

SEASON ONE:
1) Ordinary World: (Michael the architect)
2) Call to Adventure: (Michael learns Linc has been sentenced to death)
3) Refusal of the Call (Michael accuses Linc of being a failure)
4) Meeting With the Mentor (okay, this is subject to interpretation and a little squinting, but I offer: Michael discovering the plans, or meeting with the "genius" side of his self) (The actual Mentor figure is really Westmoreland, for what it's worth, but he doesn't have the pull of a real mythological mentor in this context.)
5) Crossing the First Threshold (Michael sentenced to Fox River)
6) Tests, Allies, Enemies (Most of season one)
7) Approach (escape)

SEASON TWO:
8) Supreme Ordeal (the chase)
9) Reward (potentially the end of season two? I'm totally guessing here, but pardon, exoneration, or freedom for Linc would be the reward he's been seeking - and yet, the story doesn't end there.)

???:
10) The Road Back
11) Resurrection
12) Return With Elixir

Make all the elixir jokes you want, but this suggests to me that season three could feasibly cover those last three and still fit a hero journey pretty tightly.

I dunno, just food for thought.

PB as a hero journey--that's lovely!!

It seems to me like Michael has several mentors--he develops relationships with Westmoreland, the Warden, and Abruzzi, who are all fatherish figures. Westmoreland's a good choice, though, because "D.B. Cooper" does have a sort of mythic status, apparently even in the real world.

This is very off-topic, but if you haven't seen _Stranger than Fiction_, it's worth it just for the scene in which Dustin Hoffman's character confronts Will Ferrell's character with a list of wildly funny questions by which scholar Hoffman plans to determine just what kind of narrative Will Ferrell is trapped in.

I hadn't thought of Abruzzi and Pope, good point. But while I would definitely call Pope a mentor, is he a Mentor with a capital M? I'm just trying to think of what Michael really got from him, other than free passes from time to time. Whereas Westmoreland gave him useful advice about surviving prison and also gifted him with the stolen money during the course of the escape/"Approach".

Abruzzi... I would still call him technically more of an ally than a mentor, because despite being older and more experienced in crime, Michael still schooled him from time to time. I think it's open to interpretation/discussion, though!

I'll have to check that movie out. I've been wanting to see it...

S2 is definitely sloppier than S1. It seems to me that this season there are so many nitpicks per episode compared to S1. I've given up shows that have been less sloppy yet every week, I'm glued to the TV, my heart tries to escape my chest and I probably scare the neighbors with the screaming.

If I had to pinpoint the exact moment when the show lost me it was when Westmoreland died. It's not because I was sad to see him go but there was something about Westmoreland that just embodied Prison Break, in a way his death was symbiolic of the show in a way. After that scene it ceased being Prison Break and became Crazy Fugitives Conspiracy Adventures!!!!

Re-attached the Hand = Prison Break equivalent of Jump the Shark

Ah, Westmoreland.

I don't think the reattached hand was a jump the shark moment exactly but it was a pretty big faux pas if TPTB wanting to make T-Bag menacing instead of campy.

I hate to say it, but the second half of this season has been very disappointing for me too. I really wish they had decided to end the series this season already because sometimes, the escapades of the fugitives have become tiring. There's only so much creativity you can do with a plot line that basically reads "run from the authorities at all costs".

That said, I'm still watching the show because it's still loads better than most of the action-adventure drivel and/or serialized shows that are available on TV these days. And of course, I'm still hooked on the Michael-Sara angle, and Wentworth Miller.

I've enjoyed S2 sufficiently. I think there's some mistakes they've made along the way such as killing Abruzzi. But I don't think T-bag's hand was a mistake. It's just camp. The show's not meant to be realistic so they can get away with more. I'm looking forward to S3.

I've enjoyed season 2 immensely, yet I feel like I don't want want to watch season 3 as much as I do love this show. One, I feel like the whole T-bag being the "key" so to speak is contrived. Two, I'm really disappointed in how the relationship between the bros has evolved this season. As much as I enjoyed the fight last night, it did leave me a little cold. I know it could have been so much better. Then add to that, the sloppiness of season 2 in regards to a lot of things. So I'm just thinking season 3 might not be as good as season 2, and season 2 IMO isn't as good as season 1.

Having said all that, I will probabaly watch because I need, like need, to know how it ends. And The Pretty is just too pretty not to see every week.

I’m transferring usmoi’s question to this thread:



Season One is so much better than Season Two for me because the writing was very cohesive. The writers did a good job of tying each and every character to the main plot (which is Michael trying to break Lincoln out of prison). There were no useless characters and everyone had a role, big or small, in the plan.

Another advantage of Season One is the novelty of having the tattoo as the key to the breakout plan. It’s a unique plot device that has never been done before, and the way the writers planned it out and how the elements of the tattoo were revealed in each episode were really compelling, IMO.

Finally, the prison setting in Season One really contributed to the unique atmosphere and tone of the show. It gave the show a “stylized” feel to it.

Season Two had none of the positives I mentioned above. My major beef with this season is that the writers did a poor job of integrating the various storylines, which resulted in a lot of characters’ plotlines serving as a distraction (e.g. C-Note, T-bag and Bellick). And because of the lack of prison setting, the show lost its novelty factor and became just like any other chase/fugitive show/film out there.

Bottom line is, I can still watch Season One episode reruns even after I’ve already seen those episodes quite a few times. I never get tired of these episodes. But for a lot of the Season Two episodes, I can’t even watch those more than twice.

Thanks for the relocation guinevere79.
I agree that in S2, yes, some story lines were running parrallel to the main story and had little if nothing to do with each other. Sucre might have had a minor role to play in the main story (he saved Michael in Bolshoi Booze) but I cannot recall any part where C-Note had any substanital role in the story. But apart from that, maybe its just me, the continuation of the plot as it thickened, the energy of being on the run, the advancement of the characters of the relationships (LJ with Linc and Michael with Sara) are all the factors that made me watch S2. S1 was exciting because of the mounting excitement that builds up towards the escape and the overhanging threat that Linc would die any day. Character development was different (not necessarily bad) in S2 and S1. In the first, more focus was on the brothers. In the second, some of the secondary characters (Sara, Mahone, Kellerman) got to shine. Everyone is dissatisfied with the advancement of their favorite characters, but that is a given considering they are our favorite characters so obviously we cannot have enough of them!
Addition:
And I for one am glad that the "Prison" is back in "Prison Break" in S3 although the momentery change in pace and story was certainly welcome since initially I was scared that the whole show would revolve around the break but never get to it!

The C-Note plotline for the most part was just an unnecessary subplot. Except for that europeangoldfinch.net angle (which didn’t even materialize), there was nothing that tied him to the main plot. Perhaps his story had some value because it led to Mahone getting suspended by the FBI, but IMO they could have written Mahone’s suspension another way without giving that much time to C-Note.

Similarly, the T-bag plotline (his whole search for Susan and his killing sprees on the way) were not tied to the main plot also, and it was only in the end (when he was used as bait by Kim and his cohorts) that the writers connected his story to the brothers.

I agree with this mostly. While season two was still on the air and I anxiously awaited for the next episode, I didn´t notice a significant difference. I still feel that the tension was very much there. But there is really very little need for me to watch it again. When and if I do, there is a lot of fast forwarding involved. Something I do extremely rarely when watching season 1 episodes.

Season Two had its pitfalls, to be sure. For one, the fact that all the charaters were on the run and scattered, had people running off on their own little subplots, and from the get-go, that was a weakness, as the characters scattering on their own just wasn't interesting enough, although I was give the writers credit for eventually tying most, if not all, characters to the main plot, and Micheal. Even C-Note's plotline was that catalyst that sent the FBI after Mahone, with legitimate proof that his methods were indeed fishy.

Speaking of Mahone, his addition to the cast in Season Two was the masterstroke, and it certainly gave the show an edge. One might have quibbled with the revealation that he was (reluctantly) working with The Company, although it probably makes sense that if the Company can have its hands in the White House, it makes sense they would take advantage of anyone working for law enforcement to do their bidding.

As for next season, TPTB have been somewhat adament that there won't be anything going on not related to the main plotline, which is perhaps a recognition of the weakness of Season Two. It's also good to know the show can again live up to its title. I'll have to watch a few episodes of Season Three to get any idea of how good or bad it is, and I can't base my judgement on sides as others might have done...

ITA. I'm going to wait for the first few eppies of S3 before casting any stones. What looks good on paper may not necessarily work on the screen. It's funny, because in some respects I'm looking forward to S3 and in others I wish that TPTB would have left well enough alone and ended the show after two seasons.

I will watch a few episodes to see if I'll stick around. I'm not judging season three based on the sides, but I'm not optimistic.



It's different for me. I actually hate most of the sides I've read, so I'm hoping that what sucks on paper actually translates well to screen.

Honestly, I'm not excited about season 3, as I was for the first two seasons. All the talk about the upcoming season being more brutal, etc., is one thing that's making me reconsider watching. And I don't think I can keep putting up with the inconsistencies and contrivances.

Also, I hope this season they don't write themselves into corners. I mean stuff like T-Bag's hand, the tattoo(since it's irrelavent now, Michael has to wear long sleeves in a tropical climate), and Michael's missing toe. And loose ends like Westmoreland's daughter.

The clip that Fox released from the premiere does not make me hopeful that I'll like this season. Having said all that I'll probably end up watching anyway, since my mom is still a fan.

After watching the first 17 mins of S3 online I am a lot more optimistic about this season. Last season the premise of the show changed. During season one the show had a unique plot, nobody had really done a show about breaking out from prison. S2 didn't work so well for me mainly because I have seen many many movies where the action is derived from fugitives on the run and, although I knew the breakout would occur eventually, I was sad to see them out in the real world. From the looks of it S3 looks like it is going to be a lot more like S1. I will be tuning in for sure.

Oh I'm still hopeful. Last year I wondered if that season would carry the momentum of the previous season. It did and I was on my seat. While it may not be as good as S1, I have faith in the writers to have me on my seat once again, even if takes the story in a different direction.

debng:


I feel exactly the same way. I love the way this show is paced, and I was always on the edge of my seat with each episode. I long ago stopped taking this show "seriously," because it is obviously set in some alternate dimension known as TV Land. As long as they keep the suspense going, I'll be happy.

One of the TV Guide columnists put this on her list of shows that should have been canceled because she couldn't take the fact that they are continually almost caught. Does she really take the show at face value, as a real-world manhunt?

I have to agree with this. Despite the loss of Sara, the writers seem to be tightening this season and their writing. I wasn't crazy about the premiere, but all in all, these episodes are holding up really well. In no small part due to the writers going back to their Season 1 writing formula. There's a big goal giving an overreaching arc and there are small movements in each episode that go towards accomplishing that goal.

I'm not yet saying that this is going to be a better season than the previous one, since we only saw 4 episodes so far and the first 4 episodes of Season 2 fucking rocked. In fact I think the first 7 or so episodes of the last season flowed really well, as long as the majority of the characters had a common goal. I know DB Cooper money wasn't always a popular plot, but I think it worked really well in keeping the characters together. I understand that it wouldn't work if they all stuck together for the whole season like Robin and his gang of merry men. I get that, but I don't think the execution of the writers' idea worked well there.

This season at least offers a frame that makes it convincing to have these characters interact throughout the season.

I really liked S2.

From Media thread:


I thought they were pretty clear about that in interviews at the end of second season. That it would be darker and these exact questions were to be brought up and hopefully answered by season/series end. Maybe I was just dreaming it. In the meantime I'm too lazy to look them up in [the Media] thread.


I don't think it's derailing. It would derail if the studio interferes to "redeem" the series viewers by giving the audience exactly what it wants from here on out. I don't want to watch a show that bows to that. [And again, many fans of Farscape that I know felt this way about that S3.]

I'm not surprised that so many take this to be a completely misogynistic show because only male writers would treat women that way and not as the dainty flowers that we all are. So much for equality in showing how senseless bloodshed could be regarding collateral damage in what is basically a 'do the ends ever justify the means?' story.



The writers did toy with that idea for the beginning of season three, iirc. It just might happen. And if the show is being written by the writers and how they see the story and not what fans demand, I will still be watching the show.

This is the best of the three seasons so far for me.

No, eve7lina, I don't believe that is what I said at all, in my post over on the Media thread.

Let me refer to what I did say about why I watch this show, comments I made in direct opposition to cat6's generalization about how (now that the Sara character is gone) women will only watch Prison Break because they lust after Wentworth Miller. This is what I did say:



Yes, I mention in the immediately-above paragraph that the show is predominantly an action one, but if you read my comments, you'll see I'm objecting to the idea that women will only watch this kind of program because of one reason and one reason only, the handsome guy starring in it. Couldn't my reasons be any of the following: because I found the premise interesting, or the brother connection powerful, or the statement about capital punishment to be thought-provoking, or (noticing as an amateur writer myself) the tension of the show's pacing intense and entertaining?

As well, I've said in numerous posts that I did enjoy the Michael-Sara storyline. I thought the writers could have done several things differently, though -- taken things slower, not jumped to having them say 'I love you' so quickly (the timing of it seemed a bit forced and out of character for them both), and definitely given the Sara character a better-and-more-thoroughly written send-off, if she had to die at all. It is a terrible shame that the one female character I truly liked had to go. I found her to be intelligent, strong, colorfully shaded, and to my amusement, occasionally sardonic. And I liked that she often took Michael to task for the crap he pulled.

That said, just because I liked her and am sorry to see that storyline go does not mean I can't appreciate the dramatic effect her tragic death will have on Michael and Lincoln and the upcoming episodes as they unfold. As a writer and as a viewer, I can appreciate that kind of story, intention, and yes, drama... but not if it's done in a poorly-written and melodramatic way, as you seem to be mocking me in your comment above.

And saying what I said doesn't mean that I only "like the action." I never said that, and I don't believe anything I said above makes that point. That would be just as generalizing as cat6 saying women will only watch it now because Wentworth's handsome.

I also never said that it would be okay with me if Michael (or Linc, for that matter) got killed, because I "like the action." You are taking a tiny piece of my commentary and inferring something completely out of step from what I actually had to say.

If the writers chose to kill off Michael or Linc, I would be enormously upset, because I like the characters and feel that the two of them together are what the show is all about. Like Mulder and Scully on The X-Files, one without the other is almost impossible. It would seriously alter the entire focus of the show. However, if that is the direction the writers wanted to choose, that would be their prerogative. Doesn't mean I'll want to watch it, though. If they took that direction, it would become a totally different program. It would no longer be about the brothers' relationship. It would shift to a new program altogether. In watching it, I'd have to see how I felt, and check out where the story went next.

And I apologize, cat6, for pulling you into this posting -- I simply want to borrow your comments for a moment in order to clarify my meaning for those who may not understand what I was saying. My comments here are in no way meant to hit you over the head with my objections to a comment you made only once, and probably (mostly) in jest.

Moving on... bijoux83 and sueli769, I appreciated what you each had to say about the previous seasons. I didn't dislike season two; I just felt it lost focus, at least as compared to how tightly woven the show was in season one. It was inevitable, perhaps, because (understandably) the characters needed to say 'goodbye' to each other and each go off in his own direction. But I felt some of the intense pacing was forced to slow down because of certain storylines that moved in a different way (like the C-Note storyline, which I didn't absolutely hate but felt dragged the excitement level way down). Still, I did like the season 2 opening episodes -- the beginning of the manhunt was very exciting, I loved the inner conflict Michael faced about what makes a man a criminal (and where the delicate line is crossed forever), and I liked the potential 'battle of wits' that could occur between Michael and Mahone.

Hell yes, kill off Michael.

"I think my main objection to your comment is that it's such a generalization, when women have more intelligence and substance than you're giving them credit for. Sure, plenty of people lust after Wentworth Miller, but your comment makes it sound like that's the only reason women would ever have for watching a predominantly-male-character-focused, action-oriented program, which is simply not true."

---->I was the one who said that many women will watch PB for W.Miller, because I heard it around me (some even said they'll record the episodes and fastforward to Michael's scenes) and I also read it in many comments.

The show lost its interest, not JUST because Sara died. The core of the problem is HOW she died, how Veronica died, how all the women are disposed of, with disrespect and sadism. O.K. some men die brutally, too, but it's the law of the genre that men "look for it".

PB is a MAN's business, in all its macho glory.

No woman in PB is shown as empowered, or if she does for a moment, she's doomed. Look how Caroline Reynolds is depicted as an incestuous immoral bitch. Her downfall is a general relief.

Another reason women don't enjoy PB: there is no sex (good sex, I mean) but violence aplenty. Women don't identify with violence and unecessary cruelty. And it's to their honour.

So what's left? A few lowlifes fighting in dirty surroundings up to now, and whose fate leaves us indifferent....And, yes, a few scrumptious hunks like Michael, Whistler, Linc and Sucre to feast your eyes on....

And yes, PBlover, killing Michael is the thing to do. Remember the shot as Christ on the cross in PB1?

I suppose it's what they have in mind. And it's logical.