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« Prison Break
Episode Recap: "The Art of the Deal"
Where do we go from here?
And no, I'm not being rhetorical. At least not entirely. This week's episode of Prison Break was not envisioned as a season finale, but instead had to serve as such because of the disruption caused by the WGA strike. So, the writers/producers intended for the season to go on another nine or so episodes. But to what end? A mission of vengeance for Michael? Would we follow up on Sucre's fate? And what of Linc and LJ?
Those who listen to the podcast and regard my Prison Break coverage throughout TVGuide.com know that I am a diehard fan of the show (despite taunting by Ausiello and Roush). I'm a staunch defender of at least the decision to ride out this story which began two-and-a-half years ago. But never have I felt do adrift than I did seeing Michael tooling along that Panamanian roadway, his big brother left behind.
Will Michael, with the mysterious Joe Lief's file in his hands, track down Whistler and Gretchen? If so, would he even be able to avenge Sara's death? He had a clear shot at Susan B. outside the Museum of Antiquities, but couldn't pull the trigger.
Were Michael to engage in such a fool's errand, would it be just a matter of time before Linc and LJ are abducted — again — and used against him (again)?
And what of Sucre? Bellick? T-bag? Would we leave them behind?
Ausiello theorized in a recent podcast that were Prison Break to continue on in any form, it would be as the Cherry Hill/women-in-prison spin-off reported on months ago, pre-strike. And I'm wondering if he may be right.
As for the actual "finale":
Gotta give Sofia props for making such a to-do out of the coordinates, once Whistler had been delivered to Gretchen. Even I never suspected that they were a big ol' MacGuffin. Does this mean James is merely some soldier for The Company? Perhaps even something more to ice-cold Gretchen?
As much as I appreciated Michael's clever idea to rendezvous at a museum with metal detectors... what are we to make of the original plan at the abandoned warehouse? How did they plan to get the upper hand there?
Mahone. A big part of me wanted him to seize this opportunity to go straight, to reunite with his family. Instead, he and his kicky hat have gone to work for The Company. But perhaps he means to get "inside" and bring down the cabal once and for all? That is my hope.
T-bag. For a moment, I thought he had gone soft on us, what with that "Lechero gave me a home when I had none" gibberish. Good to see a snake is always a snake, at least when it comes to Teodoro . Still, one has to wonder how a guy in the middle of a prison yard holding a wad of cash and surrounded by "the worst of the worst" (per Episode 3.01, remember) doesn't get assaulted on the spot, especially with no "boss" to keep the inmates in line.
Sara. We got to see Sara. (Shame on Aus for teasing that the way he did.) But I guess it was a big deal, seeing as Sarah Wayne Callies had such issues with her likeness being used après decap. Was anyone else hoping the origami swan would be a clue indicating her death was a giant ruse?
Lastly, Linc seems to have found love, or at least is on the right path. Lord knows the big lunk deserves it. Though Dominic's fervent wish for some on-screen action seems to have gone unfulfilled, for now. Damn strike, interfering with a man's needs!
Until the next Prison escape... hasta la vista, patrons.
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Feb 19, 2008 7:15 AM
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I really did not like the end of this episode. Michael driving after Whistler and Gretchen. I know this was NOT suppose to be the end but because of the strike.
It was REALLY NICE seeing Sara even though it was an old scene. But I was just disappointed.
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Feb 19, 2008 9:24 AM
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Just a few things to throw my 2 cents in.
I too, wished Mahone was going to meet up with his family and disappear happily ever after if the show ends here. However, I am happy that Mahone is still alive and very much in the thick of it. I think he and Whistler have a plan to destroy the company inside out. That is just my personal theory - we may never know. William Fitchner has delivered nothing less than an emmy worthy performance as Mahone throughout his run on PB (as he did in the done-way-to-soon series Invasion as Sheriff Underlay.) An incredible actor and Mahone has fast become my favorite character of all.
I loved the exchanges between Michael and Gretchen! Michael to Gretchen "After the exchange you and I are going to spend some quality time." Gretchen to Michael (full on evil grin and snicker) "After the echange, you better run like h*ll". Cue to chills up and down my spine.
I for one don't really want to see a woman's prison break. I hope the series continues or we at least get a few episodes to bring some closure to some storylines.
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Feb 19, 2008 9:39 AM
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I, like you Matt, have always really enjoyed Prison Break no matter what anyone on the podcast said. But I gotta say the last minute in the bar with Whistler and Mahone was confusing to me and I had to play it several times to figure out what was happening between them and where the heck the story was supposed to be heading and why.
Yeah, it didn't feel like the end with Michael off on his own and vengeance on the brain.... and darn it if we still don't understand what the mysterious "Company" is up to.
So, I'd like it not to end here, please! I'd like the final answers for sure!!!
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Feb 19, 2008 9:41 AM
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I can't believe they had not intended for this episode to be the season finale. I had to close my mouth when Whistler came into the bar to ask Mahone "is he in?" I did not see this coming. What a great twist. I do think Linc and Michael will meet up again, however LJ will go to school or fall in love and never be seen again. I do think we have seen the last of him.
Once Michael finds out Sucre needs his help, he will help him. I am anxious to see how T-Bag uses that book.
It was good to see Sara again. I want Michael to make that b***ch Gretchen suffer. He could not shoot her b/c I think he knew it would call too much attention to him, plus which I think he wants to look her in the eye and tell her this is for Sara. Did PB get renewed for another season? Do we know yet?
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Feb 19, 2008 9:47 AM
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I, for one, was glad Michael froze even when he had a clear shot of Susan/Gretchen/psycho chick. It was very much true to the character the show has developed. Michael clearly has crossed the line from "law abiding citizen" to "shady guy" and yet, he's still the good guy deep down who refuses to cross certain lines - even when he wants to.
My hope is that the show now becomes Michael's mission to bring down the Company. Perhaps they'll continue with the originally planned story line of the woman (I forget her name) who is sleuthing the whole Company business and aiming to bring it down. I can see Michael finding a way to rationalize his part of bringing down the operation as revenge without it causing him ethical woes of crossing into murder.
I was disappointed to see Mahone hook-up with the Wicked-Witch and her cronies. I had been dreaming of an awkward partnership between Michael and Mahone - two brilliant, but flawed men on a mission. Maybe it's still that way? Maybe that's part of the plan none of us see yet? No idea.
The warehouse? Ok, here's my take. There was no real good plan there because that end of it was Linc's genius at work, right? I mean the man had some good moves, but let's be real. He's a street thug with muscle to back up his brother's brains. The best thing that could have happened was getting the ball back in Michael's court with the impromptu change of venue.
I'm bummed this is the end for now.  I can't wait to see what happens (and when!!) in Season 4!
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Feb 19, 2008 9:51 AM
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I like the end actually. Linc is a drag on the whole show [what is he adding, really?], as is LJ (to a lesser extent with Sofia). Let them go live peacefully. Plus we got the feel-good of McGrady being home with a hoop.
Sucre with freedom is gonna get in trouble. He's much better behind bars. He looked much better inside at the end (not to mention his appearance while "interrogated"), than he has the whole season - no longer tentative. TBag is hatching something with the book, and we have Mahone & Michael clearly converging. I said before, the strength of the show is Michael, Mahone, & TBag. I think they'll end up together, but on 3 different sides. Fireworks.
And, I can't believe anyone bought that stuff with the coordinates. Some of the worst "acting" on this show [maybe good acting at that]. I was a little surprised to see Whistler show any real interest in Sofia, but he remained the compromised guy we've seen before. Clearly, not a fisherman.
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Feb 19, 2008 9:52 AM
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I felt this episode left so much for growth, and so much potential for a great 3rd season. Seems if the producers and writers have any kind of imagination, they could take this just about anywhere.
I, too, would love this show to continue on.
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Feb 19, 2008 9:55 AM
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I really enjoyed the finale. I, too, have been a die-hard fan of this show (save for the first few episodes in Sona, when I'll admit I started to lose my patience). I like the idea of a fourth season with Michael finding out who The Company actually are and what they're trying to do. I also agree with the posts that it would have been too out of character for Michael to shoot Gretchen (especially in the back - how unsatisfying would that have been)? More likely he will get his venegence by taking down the company and making Gretchen pay without taking her life.
I thought the final minutes with Michael driving away and the other characters doing their thing was actually quite moving. Was the song that was playing KD Lang's "Crying" in a different language?
Let's hope for a fourth season with Michael getting his venegance on, Linc staying in Panama and finding a way to get Sucre out of Sona, Sucre taking down T-Bag for ratting him out, and the brothers being reunited (for good) at the end of it all.
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Feb 19, 2008 10:07 AM
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The song was "Llorando" by Rebekah Del Rio, and yes--it's a cover of "Crying" (and kd lang's was a cover of Roy Orbison's)
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Feb 19, 2008 10:18 AM
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To skent4577: That song was a gorgeous cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying" which has been covered by K.D. and others.
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Feb 19, 2008 10:36 AM
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To skent4577: That song was a gorgeous cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying" which has been covered by K.D. and others.
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Feb 19, 2008 10:37 AM
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Thanks for clearing that up about the song. It was very haunting and I knew that the original was a Roy Orbison song. Did "Jay and the Americans" ever cover it as well? And how much money was T-bag giving away? It looked like alot of singles and did every man get a fair share or anything at all? That was slightly ridiculous but what a caring gesture. I guess now they'll all go shopping at the nearest Costco.I wish the episode went for an other 2 hours last night. It was riveting and dramatic. Glad that the boy was welcomed back buy so many people. And what if they didn't make it. Good thing for that hiding place in the pickup truck. That was very suspenseful too. Does anyone think that there would be time to produce new episodes and show them in April or May. I will miss this terrifc show alot. I was so surprised when Mahone, in that doofey hat, met up with Whistler. Still confused about why Sophia was upset and walked away. I guess she realized her guy was not an honest man. We must see more as soon as they can get back to work. What a fabulous TV event.And tonight will be the finale of Nip/Tuck for this season and the beginning of the men's competition on "Idol".
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Feb 19, 2008 10:38 AM
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Matt I have to give you props for sticking with a show you like depsite the "criticism" of your fellow critics. I've found Matt Roush to be somewhat condescending towards those who watch shows he doesn't enjoy & ausiellio is known for his sarcasm if you want to call it that. I enjoy Prison Break it may be uneven at times in it's quality but I've found even some of the most critically acclaimed or popular shows to suffer the same fate at times. for instance Lost or Heroes.
I'm still puzzled about the coordinates and the significance of the bird book. who is whistler really and what is his connection to Gretchen?
I'm not surprised Michael didn't shoot Gretchen it is not really in Michael's nature to kill unless in self defense or to protect someone else.
Where do we go from here not sure does Michael find Gretchen and if and when he does what will he do? What happens to sucre? Will the brothers reunite at some point and form a rescue mission for sucre?
although I have enjoyed the show if they finish out this season with new episodes perhaps there should be a series finale I think the show has a limited run considering the nature of the main premise being a Prison Break unless as has been suggested it will continue with new characters in a female prison or a new male cast breaking out of prison.
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Feb 19, 2008 10:38 AM
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Well, my thought was I hope this returns, but that served a pretty good season finale if need be. My hopes..
Alex is actually in cahoots with Michael or at least on the same side.
Sophia will be ripped sh*t and want to join Michael on his journey. And LJ wants to join her for his own revenge (loved the snarky, you thought you could outsmart my uncle)
Linc take a bit of a hero stance and try and help Sucre (even if it is just to get him extradited to the U.S. so he can be near the baby)
As much as I like Robert Knepper, I want everyone to remember TBag has done more to betray and screw Sucre then the other way around and Sucre might finally put all the scheming he has been a part of to good use.
How do we suppose everyone will learn about Sucre? I mean, other than TBag word and that phone call, what does Panama have on him? I mean I know we know he has done some "bad" things, but do they? First, it seems that Sucre can get TBag to relent, Second, what about the deliveries for that guy Sucre was doing? Once they learn about it incarceration, wouldn't it behove them to try to make him the new boss inside Sona?
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Feb 19, 2008 10:38 AM
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