Prison Break Episode 4 Recap : 'Good Fences'

In it’s three seasons, Fox’s Prison Break has racked up a number of shocking and ruthless deaths, most of which have followed the supposed end of usefulness of a character. In no particular order, there was Tweener’s death at the hands Agent Alexander Mahone since he was no longer integral to the Fox River 8’s escape. There was Veronica getting shot in the head at point blank range by conspirators in “The Company” after she had taken her detective work to its end. Even the death of Charles Abruzzi as he chased an informant was a staggering demise; he too was no longer integral to the show and his death was the first one of an escaped Fox River inmate. These are just a few; there’s a handful of others.

In tonight’s episode, “Good Fences,” writers took it to the next level. For 7 days, everyone has been asking “What’s in the Box?,” referring to the mysterious package that Susan left Lincoln at the end of Episode 3. Well, to the chagrin of many hardcore Prison Break fans, the box contained Sara Tancredi’s head. Now, we all know that there were rumors that Sarah Waynes Callies was nixed from the show (versus actually opting our herself), but no one predicted decapitation would be her coup de grace. This type of offing speaks to lazy writing and a zest for shock value in the name of good ratings. “What have you done for us lately, Sara?” the writers indubitably asked and the answer was obviously “nothing.” Sara had to go… and in a small white box she went. Not only was this weak writing, but the “kidnapping as motivational leverage” angle has been done a million times before as well.

After the gruesome development, tonight’s episode returned to the escape plan:

• Lincoln withholds from Michael the fact that Sara is dead because he doesn’t want LJ to end up in the same spot.
• Michael concocts a plan to shut off the electricity for Sona. This allows him to bribe Lechero to give him a new cell, one that overlooks the fence where the gravedigger buries dead bodies coming out of the prison.
• T-Bag kills Sona’s resident drug dealer, enabling him a secure spot in Lechero’s camp
• Mahone is coming apart at the seams still. He’s having visions of Haywire (of all people) telling him that Michael is manipulating him.
• Sucre is enlisted to help Michael and Co. escape from prison. He’s now posing as the new gravedigger (Susan killed the other one after failing to bribe him) and will be integral in Michael’s plan. But how long before Bellick/Mahone/T-Bag recognize him or anyone in Panama given that he’s a wanted criminal from the US?

This episode generated a lot of mixed feelings. Writers could’ve written an ending to a character arc that didn’t involve death (like C-note, who has the enviable happy ending—so far). I don’t know who’s side to believe in the Fox vs. Sarah Waynes Callies debate, but I know that this could’ve been done better. I dare to say that they’ve gone too far this time and quite possibly have lost a large portion of the female viewers of the show, most of whom watched for the Michael/Sara love dynamic. The relationships of Michael with Lincoln and Sara have loosely held the show together, but with Sara gone and Lincoln keeping this unforgivable secret, one has to question if a happy ending will ever be in sight.

That being said and with suspension of belief reaching new heights, I’m really intrigued to see where they’re going with the rest of the season. Lechero will undoubtedly find out about Michael’s escape plan and invite himself along for the ride. And I don’t believe for a second that Michael will be able to leave behind the likes of Mahone, Bellick and T-Bag. Will the mystery of “the Company” ever be unraveled? What will Michael do when he finds out that Sara’s dead? Are we looking at a flip-out that would put Jack Bauer to shame? I don’t know know, but I sure will be watching. I’m trapped on the runaway train that Prison Break has become.