For a show that has been on a roll for the past six episodes. What could have led up to a harrowing conclusion instead ended on an absolute downer in tonight’s finale Behind the Eyes.
POSITIVES
Michael’s Game of Cat and Mouse
For a show that has constantly shown us Michael’s (Wentworth Miller) ingenuity, one would think that we have seen all the tricks Michael has to offer. In tonight’s episode however, Michael’s final trick ended up being quite surprising. From the hand tattoos that perfectly formed Jacob’s face, to bringing Bagwell (Robert Knepper) into his plan or framing Jacob via the assistance of a semi-truck. All of it worked really well as I personally had no idea how all these moving parts would come together.
Bagwell’s Involvement Explained
Though last week’s episode, Progeny, was highlighted by the reveal of Whip (Agustus Prew) being Bagwell’s son. It still begged the question as to why Michael would help release Bagwell from prison in the first place. Now though it was lightly mentioned, it was revealed that Michael sought after Bagwell because Jacob (Mark Feuerstein) would never expect an enemy to aid Michael. It just made enough sense to make up for both Bagwell’s release and why he would be willing to help Michael, as Michael introduced him to the son he never knew he had.
Kellerman’s Last Words coming to Fruition
As much as I hate saying it, it does seem as though Kellerman is dead. His last words however were not. When Kellerman said the truth would kill the lie or the lie would kill the truth, it ended up being the case for our two hit men in tonight’s finale.
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NEGATIVES
Bagwell’s Return to Darkness
A big part of this season was the idea that Bagwell had done away with being the monster he once was. Instead he had become a changed man. While it is far-fetched, it was great to see a new layer unfolding for Bagwell. Tonight’s episode, however, had Bagwell revert back to his old self, something which I had no problem with had it been executed correctly. Clearly, his intentions were in the right place, as he knew killing Poseidon or his henchwoman would result in his son living a free life. All of this was leading towards a great sacrificial moment for Bagwell, which we as an audience have never seen from the character. Instead the show decided to have Whip killed by the henchwoman causing Bagwell in a fit of rage to kill her. What should have happened instead was have Bagwell die trying to save his son leaving Whip to take down the henchwoman.
Whip’s Death
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Of all the new characters we were introduced to this season, Whip was arguably one of my favorites. His death, however, was not only unnecessary but also underwhelming. How is it that a character who supposedly meant so much to Michael and even Lincoln (Dominic Purcell), who at one point called Whip family, didn’t even result in a scene where these guys show any kind of remorse over his death?
Fan service for the sake of Fan service
There is no denying that fan service has been a rather big part of Prison break’s fifth season. From seeing fan favorites like C-Note (Rockmond Dunbar), Sucre (Amaruy Nolasco) and Bagwell, this show has had its fair moments of fan service. But it never felt heavy handed as the beloved characters that appeared always served a purpose for being there. The conclusion of this episode however, did not have a purpose.
Concluding the episode with Bagwell back in prison presumably having killed Jacob in a cell, was simply fan service to those who wanted to see Bagwell the murderer from season one again. In my mind, Bagwell should have either met his end in this episode, sacrificing himself for his son, or simply surviving and living freely as a changed man. After all, why should he go back to jail if the person he killed happened to be a known assassin? Plus, why would Michael who got Bagwell out of prison allow him to get shipped back? I understand their history, but this could have been the best moment for both of them to have buried the hatchet.
Just imagine an ending where you see everyone finding a sense of peace. Michael, Sara, Lincoln and Sheba together and Bagwell off somewhere on a farm secluded and in peace visiting the grave of his son. Then we could show Jacob being strapped to an electric chair and there ends the season. Instead we get a completely unsatisfying end just for the sake of fan service.
CONCLUSION
While I worried that this Prison Break revival would not be able to recapture some of its past magic, it surprisingly did. For the grand majority of this season Prison Break was looking more and more like its old self. Yet, in what could arguably be the last episode of Prison Break to ever hit our airwaves, it ended with a whimper instead of a boom.
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