By Faith McQuinn

So, last week Michael (Wentworth Miller) saved Whistler (Chris Vance) from being killed by every other man in the prison. You’d think these two would’ve made some sort of bond in the three days they’ve spent together. No such luck. They’re both curious and wary of one another because Michael doesn’t know what The Company could want with Whistler, and Whistler has no idea why Michael would even want to help him.

Well, we know why Michael is willing to help. Because Sara and LJ (Marshall Allman). are being held hostage. And if you didn’t know it from the last two episodes, you would definitely know it from this one. I don’t think two minutes passed this whole episode without Michael mentioning how much he wanted to see, speak, or just daydream about Sara. In the course of one episode, Michael has gone from determined and scheming to whiny and forlorn all because of a proof of life picture Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) brings him. Yes, I understand that he’s in love with Sara. I understand that he hates being away from her and being helpless against saving her, but really, it’s very much out of character for Michael to become a whiner who just lurks in corners grasping her picture.

And while I’m on my little tirade, can I just say that a new way to not show Sara’s face has got to be worked out. Sarah Wayne Callies has left the show this season because she’s a new mommy, and TV Guide reported that the producers were looking for creative ways to still have her character in the show. Well, seeing the back of Sara’s head as she and Michael talk on the phone isn’t exactly creative. They could’ve just had a graphic on the screen screaming “body double” if they wanted to be less obvious.

So, Michael finally reveals to Whistler that the love of his life is being held hostage. This seems to soften Whistler and he reveals why The Company (or so we assume) wants him alive. He supposedly took an unknown man (Terrence Steadman perhaps?) somewhere on his boat, and now these people want to know where he took the man.


Who the heck is Whistler exactly? Is he telling the truth about why he’s wanted? Are the people who want him free part of The Company or against it? The mystery shrouding this man is more interesting than the majority of last season.

Mahone (William Fitchner) and Bellick (Wade Williams) on the other hand, not so interesting. In fact, I’m starting to get the feeling that they’re just extras the audience happens to recognize. I’m sure they’re going to be part of the great escape, but right now, they’re just useless. Mahone gave a little intel to Whistler about Michael, but it was more for the audience who needed a refresher course. My death wish upon Bellick hasn’t changed. Maybe if the writers would give him something better to do than sneaking around eavesdropping on other people’s conversations, I might be more sympathetic. Until then, I’m waiting to see him challenged to a fight in the yard.

The character I finally love is T-Bag (Robert Knepper). Last season, I wanted him dead. This season, I’m cheering on his ingenuity. No one as crazy as this man is stupid, and the way he’s playing Lachero (Robert Wisdom) shows the freaky genius he has lurking inside. I don’t know exactly what T-Bag is up to, but I’m sure whatever it is will interfere with whatever Michael plans.


On the outside, Lincoln tracks down LJ and Sara’s whereabouts and bursts in just in time to catch a glimpse of his son as he’s tossed into the back of a van. Susan (Jodi Lynn O’Keefe) isn’t too happy with Lincoln’s little stunt and leaves him a package. The episode ends with Lincoln lifting the cover on a white box that has what appears to be a bloodstain on the bottom.

Is Gwenyth Paltrow’s head in the box? Who knows? I guess we’ll find out next week.