Prison Break: The Complete Second Season

Prison Break: Season 2 is the ultimate game of who do I trust, and who's going to last! Beginning right where the amazing first season left off, the eight escapees from Fox River Penitentiary are on the run for their lives! With police and FBI hot on their tails, there's little time to rest and for the viewer it feels very much the same.

Of course by now everyone knows how addictive this show is. Say what you will about the Fox network, if there's one thing they know how to do, (aside from distorting the actual news) it's how to keep audiences on the edge of their seats and continually tuning back in week after week to see what happens to their favorite heroes. It began with Kiefer Sutherland's 24, sadly fell off a little with the unfinished series Reunion, but then happily returns with Prison Break.

The problem with a concept show like this one, which was all about breaking out of prison, was what to do with the show once they actually got out? There were plenty of neigh Sayers who believed life after the escape was just as unlikely for the show as it was for its characters. Fortunately, series creators had just as intricate a plan as their lead X-Con Michael Scofield did and as a result ended up with yet another incredibly successful season of television under their belt. For me, the real question is, how can this possibly go for a third season? That's gonna be the true test. How far can they ride this new gravy train?

For now though let's take a look at season two. As most people expected, no one in this show with the exception of stars Wentworth Miller (Michael Scofield) and Dominic Purcell (Lincoln Burrows) had a hero shield surrounding them that guaranteed their characters continuance throughout the season. Everyone else was fair game so as you're watching the show there is the very real, very rare possibility that cast regulars will end up being killed off; it's all about how long they can last. The season starts with perhaps the most surprising elimination as"¦

(SPOILER "” IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS SEASON STOP READING NOW)

Robin Tunney is shot in the head at the end of the first episode. Not only did this take out a very interesting character and a hell of an actress, it also killed the legal side of the show that in the previous season was very prevalent. She was searching for a legal remedy for Lincoln's problems as Michael was moving forward with his extra-legal plans for saving his brother. As the season continues that legal side is actually replaced with some government intrigue which, while entertaining, never fully replaces her legal savvy, but it adds something different to the season to keep things

From then on, no one is safe – cons, friends, family, feds, by standers, everyone is in the cross hairs at one point or another only some of whom actually make it out alive.

One of the great essential elements of story telling that carries over from the first season is the use of Michael's elaborate body tattoo. It turns out that it didn't only contain the blue prints and plans for the prison itself, but he also included his plans for their escape. It's not referenced quite as much as it is in the first season, but it does still play a pivotal part in how things unfold. Because let's face it a chase is not interesting unless the pursuer has a chance of figuring out where his prey is headed; and with Prison Break all the information is staring the Feds in the face, it's just a matter of if they are smart enough to recognize it.

Edge of your seat chases are all well and good, but the thing that saves this show from being a traditional, Brett Ratner 'shoot 'em up, chase 'em down for no real reason' story is the thoughtfulness behind the writing. Each characters motivation comes from a very real honest place of loving his or her family. The only possible exception is Brad Bellick (Wade Williams) who's really only out for the money, but greed is also a very real, powerful motivator.

But the underlying moral ambiguity of no true heroes and no true villains is probably the shows most compelling aspect. Michael is constantly asking himself if saving his brothers life can be weighed against all of the deaths that have ensued since he put his plan into motion, and still come out on top. Is correcting an injustice and saving an innocent man's life despite the cost in the end morally the right choice? You wouldn't expect deep emotional or thoughtful themes running through a FOX show, but they are definitely omnipresent in Prison Break.

The special features are actually very telling as the first half of the Reinventing a Series featurette gives you the impression that this is not one of those magical sets where everyone gets along. Watching the executive producers and writers talk about the show and the process of creating it, you get a definite sense that it is work for these guys. It's not something they love or creatively NEED to do. They are cashing a paycheck here and probably leave their desks pissed off each day as they head home all the way reminding themselves of that paycheck that's on its way. It was actually a real downer, because you always hope your favorite shows come from those happy environments where everyone loves each other "” but I'd bet a lot on the fact

It's not until the actors start talking that you get any kind of warm feeling towards the creation of the show. Surprisingly, listening to Robert Knepper who plays T-Bag, the most hated character on the show, is the stand out moment on this featurette. He conveys a real camaraderie amongst the cast that you can believe exists and just listening to him speak as himself; such a gentlemen and such a decent man it's clear he is one hell of an actor!

There are so many reasons to watch this show and even more reason to get this DVD. These cliff hanger shows that are popping up all over the place nowadays are great entertainment but if you miss a week, man are you screwed! The smartest idea in my opinion is to just always be a season behind and avoid all forms of media that talk about it so that you can enjoy them on DVD. I must warn you though, this approach will immediately take you out of all that fun water cooler conversation and will have you missing days at a time because once you start those DVD's up, there is no stopping!

Whichever way you choose to enjoy this show the bottom line is it is really something worth your time. And c'mon Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell!?!?! I think even straight guys will admit how hot these two are!

Season Grade: A-

DVD Features Grade: A-

Overall Grade: A-