FINAL SEASON | 'Prison Break: Resurrection'
'Prison Break' is an American Fox television drama series created by Paul Scheuring, with its original four seasons shown between 2005 and concluding in 2009.
Essentially, the series revolved around two brothers, one of whom was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit, and the other who devised a plan to clear his brother's name. Interestingly, the series was originally turned down by Fox in 2003 as the company was concerned about the longevity of the series; however, they backtracked after the popularity of 'Lost' and '24.'
The fifth season, also known as 'Prison Break: Resurrection' is a limited television series that continues on from the original series, where Scheuring continues to spearhead the program as showrunner. The original cast members have also returned, with new additions for a new break.
The pilot was ordered back in August of 2015 before the nine episode fifth season was ordered in January of 2016.
With seven years passing after the "death" of Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), he resurfaces in a prison in Sana'a, Yemen, under the guise of Kaniel Outis. As Yemen becomes further involved in war, Scofield's brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and Fox River escapee Benjamin "C-Note" Franklin (Rockmond Dunbar) risk their lives to bring Scofield back home. However, back home in the US, Scofield's wife Sara (Sarah Wayne Callies) who is now remarried, is being hunted down by an operative responsible for Scofield's disappearance.
While the show has received mediocre ratings, it does well to recapture what made it so great in the first place, by not only bringing back the familiar faces, but so too its nail-biting action scenes. Burrows proves to be as impulsively tough as ever, while Scofield proves to be the loner with the smarts to outwit any man.
The storyline, however, is the show's downfall, and the excitement surrounding the revival of the ever-popular series has fallen into oblivion. It isn't boring, but it could have done that much better.
Its fifth season may embrace it ridiculousness, and provide viewers with something they can mentally check out with while watching. However, if you are looking for something intellectually stimulating, 'The Handmaid's Tale' or 'House of Cards' may be worth considering instead.
It's a good show, and one that may have nostalgic feelings of seasons past, but there doesn't seem to be any more reason for another break from prison. There's nothing new about it, all things considered. And even with the insane twist in the finale, 'Prison Break' could only just get away with it.
The main thing that the show has managed to recapture is the almost sheer stupidity of events, such as the image of Ness tattooed over both of his hands and when held together, becomes a mask.
Even then, would something like this really fool the advanced technology of today? Or Ness, who was Scofield's handler for years, really not notice the tattoo of his own face the man he's meant to be handling?
Now that the final season has come and gone, it makes us realise how much we are missing in television today. While for the most part, television has certainly improved, 'Prison Break' was definitely something of it's time. Although it wasn't as highly anticipated as the return back of 'Heroes,' it was still enjoyable in the very least.
There was always a lingering question of how the storyline was going to progress from its initial first season, and it's been on shaky legs ever since, but 'Prison Break' does remain a guilty pleasure of sorts.
