Prison Break - Season 3

Seasons 1 of Prison Break was some of the best television ever in my opinion, and season 2 was a very worthy followup. They had that combination of a great premise, fantastic writing, top notch performances. That meant that you got to know and CARE what happens to these characters. Each was developed to the point where you either loved or hated them, knew their back stories and what circumstances got them to the situation they now find themselves. By the end of Season 2, most of these story arcs were complete. So what to do?
I know! Let's throw Michael into a Panamanian prison that makes Fox River look like day care. Let all hell break loose, and try and to recapture the suspense of season 1! If only...

In this season, gone is the gradual unfolding of Michael's intricate plan. He's thinking and reacting on the fly in season 3. Most of the characters of season 1 and 2 are free, dead or just plain absent. One of the central characters is completely absent, unceremoniously murdered off-screen, then mourned for the rest of the season. Only later did we find out that this was a decision by network execs, not a creative one.

And what of the characters that are present, namely Michael's fellow inmates? Except for Mahone and T-Bag, most of them feel like filler. I don't want to sound harsh, but the rest seem like cardboard cutouts for Michael and Lincoln to react to. You never find out nor care who they are. There's even a young "Tweener" substitute thrown in just for good measure.
To be fair, this was only half a season because of the writer's strike of 2007-2008. Perhaps the characters would have been fleshed out better, but I could not help but get the sense that the writing just wasn't in the same league as that in seasons 1-2.

In my opinion, one of the most brilliant concepts in Season 1-2 was Michael's tattoo. This was the roadmap of the whole adventure and, to us, it was a complete mystery. A message like "Allen Schweitzer", "Ripe Chance Woods", or a picture of Christ in a rose would mean nothing to us at the start of an episode, only to be revealed to us during the episode. There's none of that in Season 3 since the escape plan is all done "on the fly". There's no mysterious plan to be revealed, only "How do we get out of this episode without the inmates, Gretchin, or The Company killing us all?" episodes.

So instead of following a brilliant plan from start to finish, we're watching an action show that seems to be in a holding pattern waiting for the inevitable result at the finale. This is Prison Break right? Not Prison Stay. So yeah, we know they're going to make it out. But the pleasure is supposed to be in the journey, not the destination.

At the time I write this review, we are 2 episodes into Season 4. Just from the events of these 2 episodes, I think it's safe to say that most if not all of season 3 could have been skipped altogether and covered before the credits. The central goal of season 3 was to break Whistler out of Sona, within 15min of season 4 he's gone. Also, because of an outcry from fans, THE most shocking and significant event in season 3 is now utterly meaningless. While I'm completely happy that they reversed course on Sarah, it still makes me question the whole point of season 3.

Finally, let me say that it is incredibly cynical of 20th Century Fox to charge the same for HALF a season (13 episodes) as they did for a complete one. Now if this season was nearly as well done as the first two, I could see it as a "must-have" to complete your collection. Unfortunately, it isn't.

Prison Break - Season 3This was more action of what I expected and as alwys leaves you wanting more. Excellent

I bought this item some weeks ago because according with Amazon Web site, this item is available in Spanish language (Audio) but when I received my item It wasn't. I told Amazon (Customer Service) but they just refunded my money telling me that it was a mistake since they're unsure if Amazon is really able to offer this item in Spanish version. So be aware if you want to buy this product because it isn't in Spanish language as Amazon Web site says.

Sad that the writers strike cut this one short. Every one of Prison Breaks shows are awesome, including this one! It was just too short!!! LOVE THIS SHOW!!

Tammy

I must confess. In order to get inside the Fox River Penitentiary I had to steal Season 1 on blu-ray from Amazon.com (at $40+"smuggling" I think it was a steal). The jury was unanimous: I was sentenced to 22 episodes of one of the best TV shows I have ever seen. During most of the sentence I was chained to my TV, deprived of sleep and frantically planned the escape from prison for the crime I didn't commit.

Now, with two more terms behind me, including the equally gripping, "edge-of-my-sofa", Season 2 (rented on DVD) I can reflect on Season 3 as being a tad weaker then the first two. But fear not, the acting and plot is still superb!

The Season 3 is probably the bloodiest of all and you will be greeted with an ample amount of dead bodies. The action revolves around yet another escape from the "con-operated", "you fight or you die" prison SONA. From the onset and up to the very end the viewers are thrown into the cruel and merciless "every man (and woman) for himself" zone, which even creates a few cracks between Michael and Linc.

Unlike Season 1, where more often then not the prisoners had to stick together to complete the mission, in Season 3 all hell breaks loose and it serves the show beautifully, elevating it to another level. Some may not like this change but I found it quite appropriate and fresh. Unfortunately, there are quite a few weak spots in the story (I trust you will discover these by yourself), which make it somewhat less believable than Season 1 and 2.

The Season 3 starts kind of slow (the first 4 episodes or so) but then kicks into another gear and keeps you jumping out of your seat and begging for more. Needless to say, I want my Season 2 and 4 on blu-ray and I want it now!