Prison Break: The Complete First Season

Head shaved, flaming blue eyes intensely focused, neat suit concealing the fresh ink of a mysterious tattoo"”structural engineer Michael Scofield slings a couple of guns and coolly robs a Chicago bank.

So begins the addictive and captivating drama that is Prison Break, filmed with cinematic splendor in the alternately gorgeous and gritty scenery. Why does the obviously successful and charismatic Scofield (the smoldering Wentworth Miller) attempt a bank heist and then willingly get caught? Turns out he's got a master plan, and it's a doozy.

He gets himself tossed into the same maximum security prison where his brother Lincoln (John Doe's Dominic Purcell, given little to do for the first half of the season except look forlorn in his cell) is set to be executed for the murder of the Vice President's brother, a crime for which he has been wrongly convicted. Michael's mission: break Lincoln out before his impending electric chair death. Easier said than done. But Michael does have a few advantages. Conveniently, his engineering firm designed the Fox River State Penitentiary giving him access to the blueprints.

In one of the coolest reveals I've seen on television in a long time, we learn that the entire set of prison blueprints are hidden within an elaborate tattoo that covers Michael's whole upper body. Pretty damn innovative! As the season goes, we find that Michael's got many a trick up his tattoo-sleeves. Not only are the blueprints encoded, but various words, names and formulas are also inked onto Michael's skin, which are all key components in making it over the prison walls.

As it turns out, though, a tattoo will only get you so far. Michael's plan also involves bargaining with some pretty shady characters. Convicted mob boss John Abruzzi (Peter Stormare), a man who's not afraid of cutting off limbs to get what he wants, and rumored millionaire Charles Westmoreland (Muse Watson), an old prison veteran who'd rather take care of his cat than make trouble, get invited along in exchange for something crucial they have to offer. Michael's lovesick cellmate Sucre (Amaury Nolasco, perfectly charming in the sidekick role) is also onboard.

Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) is the pretty prison doc and daughter of the governor who also plays a role in Michael's intricate plan. Dr. Sara's initial curiosity for her handsome new patient turns into a little something more by season's end.

Right away it becomes clear that things aren't going to go as smoothly as Michael had planned. In fact, over the course of the season almost everything that can possibly go wrong, does. This makes for some great cliffhangers and exciting how-will-they-get-out-of-this moments. The glitches the inmates face are frustrating for them and fun for us, but the way Michael navigates around these setbacks with his deadpan coolness is even more delightful to watch. (Lock me up with him

any day!)

The longer the escape is delayed, the more inmates invite themselves along for the ride. Convicted rapist-murderer Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (played with slithery, snake-like seediness by Robert Knepper) and tough go-to guy Benjamin "C-Note" Franklin (Rockmond Dunbar) are among the tag-alongs who bribe their way into the plan. And the longer Michael stays in Fox River, the more suspicious he makes one particular guard. Captain Bellick (Wade Williams) is the corrupt C.O. hell-bent on bringing Michael down.

On the outside, the conspiracy surrounding Lincoln's setup starts brewing when Lincoln's old flame and current attorney Veronica (Robin Tunney) begins investigating his case. But Secret Service agents Kellerman (Paul Adelstein) and Hale (Danny McCarthy) will do anything to cover up Lincoln's innocence. The bland Veronica scenes are Prison Break's only real crime, however, and you'll find yourself wanting to fast forward them upon repeat viewings.

Prison Break is filled with intricacies and twists and turns, yet still manages to retain human aspects of family, friendship and romance. A lot of information to swallow, you say? Compelling and intelligent T.V., I say. Words cannot possibly do all the Prison Break action justice.

One of the best episodes of the season is "Brother's Keeper," a flashback episode that shows our main characters before they ended up in prison. It's packed full of surprises and revelations about the inmates' pasts and by the end of the episode everything becomes a whole lot clearer. We finally learn why Michael is going to such extreme lengths to save his brother and it also clears up just what happened the night of the supposed murder. Even the good doctor Sara has a little dirt in her past.

In the two-part episode "Riots, Drills and the Devil," Michael shuts off the air conditioning in the prison to facilitate his plan and ends up causing an out-of-control riot when the prisoners revolt against the C.O.'s in the sweltering heat. T-bag is at his skeevy, skin-crawling best in this episode as the extent of his treacherous nature really comes to light. Michael must risk his secret to save Sara who is trapped in the sick bay with a group of violent inmates.

Another stand-out is "Go," which revolves around the much-anticipated break out and certainly does not disappoint. The episode of the inevitable escape is a rollercoaster ride of suspense and action, and it still retains its nail-biting sense of urgency no matter how many times you watch it. Of course, not all of the inmates set to escape make it out successfully and we still have the season finale left to see if they can elude the chase. It turns out the finale is equally as gripping as it sets up next season on-the-run.

As if 22 episodes of this mind-blowing show weren't enough to lock you in, this six-disc set boasts some extensive extras. The commentaries have various members

of the cast and crew sharing on-set tidbits and little-known facts (we learn that there's a Prison Break drinking game. Take a drink whenever Michael gives his thousand-yard-stare!) Creator Paul Scheuring also likes to mention the show's stellar production values, and rightfully so. Each episode is filmed like a mini-movie. The lighting, the camera work, the racing metallic beat of the score; it's all cinematic in scope.

Contributing to the show's authenticity is the fact that it actually films in Joliet Correctional Center, a once functional prison that was shut down in 2002. The structure looms like an ominous castle and the feature "If These Walls Could Speak" informs us of its grim history.

"Beyond the Ink Tattoo" featurette explains the artistry of Michael's tattoo and its time-consuming application process (it's a series of decals that take up to four hours to apply!). "Fox Movie Channel presents Making a Scene" gives a quick look at how a scene of Prison Break is filmed in the tight quarters of Michael's cell.

My only complaint about the special features is in regards to the commentaries: Where's Wentworth? The enamoring star is curiously absent from all of them.

But besides that, this DVD set, as well as the ambitious show, is impressive. So suspend a little belief, watch the cons escape, and you'll escape too"”into the unpredictable yet always exciting world of Prison Break.

Show Grade: A+

DVD Grade: A+

Overall Grade: A+