Prison Break: "Hell or High Water" Advance Review

The prisoners break out!

The moment we've all been waiting finally arrives. After the previous episode's cliffhanger, it's pretty obvious that the escape is on, but does everyone make it out during that 30-second window, and if so, what's the catch? There's always a catch, isn't there?

It's hard to get into details without spoiling the episode, but as one would come to expect from Prison Break, there are several twists and turns, and not everything is what it seems. We're presented with more than a few clever swerves, but what's most important is how it all ties back into components of a bigger plan that we've been given glimpses of throughout the season.

We were exposed to many scenes with Lincoln doing seemingly random tasks during the season, and they all start to come together and make sense now during the escape. Even with all the legwork and the combined intellect of the two brothers, chaotic prison escapes never seem to work out exactly as planed, and this Sona breakout is no exception.

The escape plan is far more elaborate than the Fox River breakout from the first season, which seemed to make absolutely no sense once the all the convicts broke out and were basically running out in the open without any seemingly logical course of action. The execution of the Sona escape is far more satisfying to watch unfold. Not only are the actual components of the escape more ambitious than anything we've previously seen, but the visuals are much more varied and intense. It almost feels like an exciting collection of tense moments from a videogame strung together into a well shot series of action sequences. If there's ever an argument to make a videogame based on Prison Break, the escape from Sona scenes would serve as a perfect template.

Michael (Wentworth Miller, R), Whistler (Chris Vance, C) and Mahone (William Fichtner, L) escape from Sona

The inclusion of McGrady in the escape plan pays off nicely. It's nice to see that not all good deeds result in punishment. For all the things he's done for Scofield, having him there at his side during the escape is definitely a good touch.

There is one pretty big missed opportunity here - the lack of a well established general or warden character to coordinate the search. During the first season's escape attempt, the jail-breakers had to contend with Pope and Bellick. This time around, there isn't anyone within Sona who's really got a vested personal interest in catching the escapees. This lack of charismatic police figure is instead replaced with Gretchen and her Company cronies.

Not all the characters end up working well together and it's nice to see that Linc doesn't forget or forgive Mahone for killing his father in the previous season, and even while on the run, there is quite a bit of tension between the characters.

To cap off the "great escape," there is even a nicely filmed quiet reflective moment with all of the escapees that gives the whole breakout a more satisfying and epic feel. We've all been waiting for this big event, and the payoff is superbly handled. It's not a perfect hour of brain-teasing, intelligent excitement, but it was never meant to be. If you're looking for some light popcorn entertainment with a generous helping of unexpected clever twists, then this week's episode will not disappoint fans of the series.

IGN Ratings
(out of 10, not an average)
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