PRISON BREAK (and Sara’s Head) Returns Tonight

Usually before the premiere of a new season, a show benefits from a little recap of what went down in the previous season.  You know, a little reminder to fans who may have forgotten the happening over the long summer months.  But in the case of PRISON BREAK, that recap isn’t all that necessary.  As it has in every season to date, PRISON BREAK returns with a whole new tale to tell.  If you’ve never seen PRISON BREAK before you could jump in with tonight’s 2-hour season premiere (8pm on Fox) without feeling left out.  For a show that has seen its fair share of struggles, I think this is a good thing. And a good thing is what you’re going to get in tonight’s premiere.

Previously on PRISON BREAK…
Yeah, I know I just said this wasn’t necessary and it isn’t, but we’ll do it anyway only because Fox put together this hand dandy 3-minute recap of all three seasons.  It’s well worth the watch (if only because we see Michael Scofield and all his tattoos…enjoy it while you can.)

Reunited and it Feels so Good…
As the fourth season opens, Michael is in L.A., looking to even the score with Gretchen for Sara’s death. Of course we all know that Sara isn’t dead because Fox shouted it from the rooftops, but Michael doesn’t know and that’s the important thing. Fans of Sara and Michael – brace yourselves – the writers don’t screw around with us. The two origami love birds will be reunited tonight, and I must say that I got a wee bit misty. It was good to see Sara back…even if she is a little haunted.

Gretchen, Whistler and Mahone are working together to ascertain a super secret card called Scylla that serves as the little black book for the Company. But when things don’t go exactly as planned a price needs to be paid. Heads will roll, but this time it won’t be Sara’s. It seems the company has a new henchmen. A big baddie to do its dirty deeds. This guy is all business (maybe he learned that from his wife, Dr. Bailey). He does what needs to be done and if that means taking out innocent people (and even children) he does.

It seems no one is safe on PRISON BREAK. In tonight’s episode alone at least three characters that we’ve met before meet their untimely death – courtesy of Mr. Dr. Bailey. Some it we see on screen and thankfully some of it we don’t. But these three deaths in particular spur people into action and harden their resolve to bring down the company. Hint – I’ve given a big clue as to one of the death’s already.

Meanwhile, the inmates of Sona have revolted and burned the prison to the ground. Um, yeah, just wondering why they couldn’t have done that last season…it would have saved us from many boring episodes. Anyway, all the inmates scattered and took the open road. Sucre and Bellick team up and are reunited with their families…but not for long as the police nab the guys once again. What? Do they have LoJack on them or something? T-Bag, Lechero’s ex-nun/whore and a bunch of money have a little fun for a while. But T-Bag is on the hunt to bring Michael Scofield down. But when T-Bag is double crossed and left for dead he does what he needs to do to survive. And with that comes perhaps one of the most implied disturbing scenes I have ever seen on network TV. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it. It’s nasty.

Linc, Sofia and LJ are living the life of a happy little family, but it’s not long before the Company finds him and within a matter of minutes Lincoln is back in cuffs. Geez dude, can’t you stay out of jail even for a few minutes?

And not to be outdone by big brother Lincoln, Michael (who remember is still a fugitive for breaking out of Fox River) is also apprehended by the police. And yes, once again Michael has to break out…but this time he’s not going through the sewer system. Now it’s all about a little quid pro quo. If Michael helps the Feds, led by Agent Don Self (played by Michael Rappaport) find Scylla and take down Sona, he’s a free man. If he doesn’t, Linc stays in jail and Michael joins him…for the next 15 years. The job won’t be easy but the Feds put together an elite team of men to help out Michael – Lincoln, Bellick, Sucre and Mahone – what a group! The guys are also joined by Roland – a super hacker under Federal custody. And don’t forget about Sara. Yup, the traumatized Sara is on board for near death experiences. But I guess I would be too if it meant spending quality time with Michael Scofield.

The group jumps right in with their new mission, but soon find out that as it won’t be as easy as it sounded…and it didn’t sound all that easy to begin with.

There’s a lot to take in during tonight’s 2-hour season premiere. In a nut shell it’s all about deaths and reunions…and more death and more reunions. Oh yeah and there’s some prisons and breaking out of them. It’s PRISON BREAK so it’s not without its flaws, but I’ve stuck with it for four seasons now and every season I am re-energized for the episodes ahead, so they must be doing something right. Clearly a hell out of a lot more happens in the episode than what I’ve given you here, but hopefully it’s enough of a tease to entice you to tune in and get lost in the world of Michael Scofield and his band of merry men (and women). If for no other reason than Wentworth Miller is dayum fine!!