I kinda want to like Prison Break, which premieres tonight on Fox with back-to-back episodes, but I'm not entirely sure how much I actually do. It's the first of the new fall series to hit the air and, of the pilots I've seen so far, it's one of the best. But in this season, which lacks an immediate stunner like Lost or Desperate Housewives, that's not saying very much.
At least Prison Break has a high concept: the show promises to follow a prison breakout over the course of a single season. Our hero, Michael Scofield (well played by Wentworth Miller) gets himself arrested... on purpose. He knows he'll end up in the same jail where his brother is currently on death row. His mission is to break both himself and his brother out of jail before his brother is due to be killed.
How exactly they will break out is only one of the show's initial intrigues. There are also problems with other inmates (including a mini race war and a former mob boss) and a shady conspiracy involving the crime Michael's brother supposedly committed (assassinating the Vice President).
That's enough plot but so far I can't really find a compelling hook. Michael's brother isn't a very interesting character in his brief time on screen, the prison elements feel like warmed over Oz (or, in some cases, Shawshank Redemption) and everything that happens outside the prison is pretty dull.
After the first two hours Prison Break has yet to demonstrate what makes it truly unique. This kind of serial storytelling is worth rooting for. It has been generally successful on shows like Lost and 24 (it's no coincidence that Fox gave Prison Break the 24 timeslot until the ticking-clock action hour returns in January), but both of those shows had more instantly addictive pilots.
Still, considering its serial format, and assuming the show builds significant momentum as the breakout comes closer, it's possible Prison Break will become more interesting with each new installment. I'm just not sure how long I'll be watching.
The two hour premiere will also repeat on Thursday night and a marathon of the series' first seven episodes is scheduled to run on FX in October.
6 comments:
If "Prison Break" even remotely resembles the pat, overrated "Shawshank Redemption," I am definitely not watching.
Uh Justin, as Denise would say: your FACE is pat and overrated.
So there.
And Helen, you do know he was in that Mariah Carey video right? He's a good actor but some things can never be forgiven.
Shawshank Redemption is pat and overrated?
Geoff, I would suggest not allowing anyone with such insane opinions to post on your blog.
All opinions are welcome, even when I disagree.
Like, for example, when someone thinks Outbreak is better than Bringing Up Baby.
Yeah, you're right. I take that back. We all have some pretty crazy ideas.
Like paying money to see a Michael Bay movie.
Hey that was a bargain matinee! (I think.)
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