And you thought breaking out was the toughest part…
 
It is understandable how some viewers started out as sceptics over how Prison Break would work. A guy commits a crime in order to get himself imprisoned and then plans to escape with his brother in tow.

But could this plot idea convincingly stretch to 24 episodes…?

Indeed it could, and Prison Break became an instant success. With more twists and surprises than you can shake a stick at, series one kept us enthralled and consistently entertained.
 
Now enters the second season and the inmates are out…so now what? It seems Michael’s fellow inmates didn’t think that far ahead. However, with assistance from his intricate tattoo, Michael has his own plan.
 
The ‘Fox River 8’ now have worse problems than dodgy prison officers and riots. Hot on their tails is FBI Special Agent Alex Mahone played by William Fichtner (Invasion) who heads the manhunt.

Mahone seems to be the only guy that begins to understand Schofield’s thinking and starts off as the bad guy - but is he really?

Another guy to look out for is Secret Service Special Agent William ‘Bill’ Kim (try saying that ten times over!) who remains in the background for most of the season letting Mahone and Agent Kellerman do his dirty work.

Kim is a key player in The Company - who instigated the Burrows-Steadman controversy - and wants to desperately silence the brothers.
 
With all these crooked agents around, it seems that Lincoln and Michael were   probably more safer banged up! It is not just the FBI or The Company that the inmates have to look out for.

Fox River’s officer Bellick is after the prisoners for his own personal gain. Plus, as everyone is out for themselves in preserving their freedom, it seems that each escapee should be watching their backs…
 
The second season certainly doesn’t fail on the field of entertaining. Like in the first season Michael has a specific plan that not always works out. It’s amazing how Michael and Lincoln pull themselves out of some tricky situations.

There’s also the ongoing love-story between Michael and Dr. Sara Tancredi - a sort of ‘will they won’t they’ if you like.

Each of the escapees has their own story and you may find yourselves cheering on some of them. Although deep down you know that they are probably doomed, seen as they are the most wanted men in America!

This series also pulls out some shockingly unpredictable moments and, without spoiling it for you, lets just say that not everyone’s story ends in a ‘happily ever after’.
 
Prison Break has the formula for success that has worked for 24 and Lost. It has the far-fetched (to say the least!) plot, a ridiculously good-looking (but talented) cast and enough twists and turns to keep viewers coming back for more.
 
With the penultimate episode being aired today, you won’t have to wait too long for the second box set to be released.

The third season of Prison Break will be aired in America on 29th August 2007 so it won’t be too much of a stretch before we’re back guessing what Michael will do next.