If you know me, it's likely that you've heard me rant about "Prison Break". In fact, if we've known each other for a while, I've probably talked (forced might be more accurate) you into watching it yourself at some point. Along with "Lost," it's my favorite show of all time. With that being said, I basically lost my mind when I first heard that Fox had plans to bring both "The X-Files" and "Prison Break" back to the network.
"Prison Break" first aired in 2005 and ended in 2009. The show lasted for four seasons, and a movie was released following the final episode. In my opinion, seasons one through three are perfect. The writing team, led by Paul Scheuring, succeeded in creating interesting characters and plots packed with suspense. Rather than seeing Scheuring's characters only as prisoners, viewers have the unique opportunity of watching their stories unfold in ways that evoke empathy and understanding. At its core, it is a story of redemption, family and faith.
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And don't even get me started on the cast. I need to be honest about this. Michael Scofield, played brilliantly by Wentworth Miller, is probably my only true love. He is a character who acts with compassion and integrity, even in the worst situations. He is extraordinarily intelligent, and he is motivated by an unwavering love for his brother. I practically teared up just typing that.
In addition to Miller, the show stars Dominic Purcell as Michael's brother. Amaury Nolasco and William Fichtner also play central roles, while followers of "The Walking Dead" might recognize Sarah Wayne Callies as Dr. Tancredi.
If you're a fan of television, you probably remember the 2007 writer's strike. If you don't recall this, or if you're like me and choose to block it out of your memory, the Writer's Guild of America conducted a major strike against their producers that lasted for 100 days. During this time period, many shows were cut short, and a few were even cancelled.
There are certain things we don't talk about. We brush them under the rug and try to forget they ever happened. That's how I feel about season four of "Prison Break." Due to the writer's strike, season three only consisted of 13 episodes rather than the usual 22 per season. With these sudden changes taking place, the writers cracked under the pressure of new deadlines and the entire landscape of the show was changed.
Trust me when I say that some weird stuff happened in season three, which led to an incredibly disappointing season four. Diehard fans were left unsatisfied with the final episode, and their questions went unanswered for seven years.
So how did "Prison Break" return from the dead?
In 2014, The CW Television Network began airing "The Flash." When the show started to gain speed (pun intended,) Wentworth Miller was approached by the creators. They asked him to play the main villain, and they also told him that his character would need a partner. Without hesitation, Miller suggested his former onscreen brother for the part.
With Miller and Purcell working side by side once again, it didn't take long for reunion rumors to start flying. After careful consideration, the two actors eventually approached Fox with the idea, and news of the reboot made headlines soon after.
Although "Prison Break" is one of my favorite shows, I have to admit that I was initially skeptical about the reboot. Bringing a show back multiple years after the final episode airs is a huge risk. However, after seeing the trailer and researching the new show like it's my job, I believe that Scheuring will give Michael the ending that he deserves.
The nine-episode revival includes most of the original cast members, and will air on Fox in 2017. I know that seems like a long wait, but in the meantime you can watch seasons one through four of the original series on Netflix.So get your tissues ready, check out the epic trailer below, and brace yourself for a Michael Scofield induced cry with me next spring!
