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Prison Break 3.13: "The Art of the Deal" |
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Monday, 18 February 2008 |
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By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
| While watching this episode of “Prison Break”, I had the distinct feeling that the producers knew the season might be shortened. This felt less like a mid-season cliffhanger and more like the end of the current phase. Unfortunately, it may also be the end of the series as a whole. After all, the third season was initially on the bubble, and the ratings are hardly stellar.
If this were the end of the road for “Prison Break”, it would be premature. At the very least, a 13-episode fourth season would allow the writers to finish out their intentions for the original third season arc and perhaps bring the series to a satisfying conclusion. I would be willing to accept the current status quo as the end of the story, if necessary, but some elements are obviously not addressed to my full satisfaction.
Michael’s ongoing war with the Company moves to a new phase, as he pursues Gretchen to exact vengeance for Sara’s death. This is quite a departure for Michael, because the idea of killing has never been easy for him. On the other hand, it’s been some time since the cost of Lincoln’s freedom has dwelled on Michael’s mind, so after Sammy’s death, this is just another step down that path. This is obviously one thread that should be continued.
Gretchen and Whistler are still pursuing their mysterious agenda, and it would seem that Mahone has rejoined the Company. I’m not entirely sold on Mahone’s current motivations, but his options are limited and it would allow for the Michael/Mahone chess game to resume. If there is a fourth season, that dynamic will be incredibly important. This is another thread that would be badly serviced by cancellation.
Other than that, the other characters could end their respective journeys right where they are. Lincoln, LJ, and Sofia are positioned for a possible happy ending, since none of them are wanted in Panama at this point. That could always change, forcing them to go on the run with or concurrent with Michael, but it would be unnecessary and would probably appear forced.
T-Bag seems to have a plan to get out of Sona, but given his current status in the prison, this wouldn’t be the worst ending in the world. After all, he may have introduced the idea of democracy among the inmates, but the end result is his elevation to a Lechero-esque leadership role. Bellick has been all but useless all season long, so it would be fine to leave him there to rot (no offense to Wade Williams, of course). Sucre’s fate is the most unfortunate, since he has little freedom to act on his own behalf, but he made the conscious choice to sacrifice himself for Michael’s benefit. In many respects, the Sona plot threads need not continue.
So it feels like the show could reduce down to the conflict between Michael and the Company, which would be an interesting departure. Perhaps the fourth season would be bought on the premise that Michael and Mahone would be the only long-term characters remaining; new characters could be brought in more cheaply to finish out the series. If the show were renewed with the existing cast in place, I’m not sure how well it would work. It may be better to cut losses after all, unless the writers can develop one final arc to bring the concept to a more satisfying close. |
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