S01E20: 'Tonight'

Light summary | Full summary

Note: The light summary of this article provides only gentle teasers as to what happens in this episode, and is suitable for reading before viewing. The full summary serves as a more detailed recap of the episode.










Light Summary: Westmoreland uses Bellick to plug a hole in the escape plan, which forces Michael to move up the breakout timetable. A fearful Tweener pledges his loyalty to Michael and in return may get out of jail for free; Michael feels that he has no choice but to involve Sara in the plan and must betray his father figure; and Veronica finds her life in jeopardy from her closest ally, who has a surprising connection to a Fox River inmate.

















































Full Summary: This episode follows on from the previous cliff-hanger: Bellick has discovered the hole under the guards room. But before he can do anything, Westmoreland appears behind him and attacks him with a shovel. “You know I can’t let you leave here, boss,” he says quietly. Bellick fights back, and although Westmoreland eventually knocks him out, a long
shard of glass is embedded into his side. Out in the yard, the would-be escapees are discussing what needs to be done before they go over the wall. There are still loose ends to tie up – not the least of which is that Lincoln is under 24- hour guard – but Michael is confident that everything will fall into place: “Three days should be plenty of time.” No sooner are the words out of his mouth, than Westmoreland approaches with the change of plan: “We’ve got to get out of here. Now.” With Bellick bound and gagged in the tunnel beneath the guard’s room, the cons realise that the prison will be locked down the moment he is missed.

They need to leave as soon as it gets dark, and Michael realises that the only way it can be done is if they all crawl through the hole in his cell. This only leaves them an hour before the 8pm count – can they get over the wall and on their way before then?

As the escapees make their final preparations for the night, Michael visits Sara in the infirmary. She is still furious with him, and confronts him over stealing her keys. Michael is devastated to have hurt her feelings, but presses on: “I came here to tell you I’m getting my brother out of here. Tonight. And I need your help.” She warns him she is not about to help a criminal, but he asks her to leave the infirmary door unlocked so they can get out. She realises she has been part of his plan all along – can he convince her he has since come to care about her? And will she agree to help him after all? Meanwhile, Abruzzi seems to be planning a double-cross. He is on the phone in the yard, arranging the transportation with a henchman on the outside. The born-again mobster confirms that he only needs a plane for three people, as “not everyone is going to have a ticket.” “You want to tell me who is?” asks the henchman. “The few who are still breathing,” Abruzzi growls. He also calls Nick, and instructs him to have Veronica at the airstrip that night. Nick seems to have no choice but to obey, and pulls a gun on Veronica. Just what is Abruzzi doing?

Also on the outside, cracks are appearing in the conspiracy. The energy company magnates bankrolling the Vice-President are threatening to sell her out, and to make matters worse, the President warns her that he is not going to endorse her as his successor. “You can’t do that!” she retorts. “Can’t I?” he replies. “Carolyn, you are
everything that’s wrong with politics. You vote not to legislate change, but to profit.” Is the conspiracy unravelling – or is this another development?

Elsewhere, Michael and Pope have finally completed their model of the Taj Mahal. Pope
gratefully allows him to visit his brother, and Michael loses no time in looking for a way to get Lincoln out of his cell. Examining the manacles that are chaining his brother to the wall, he explains why the escape has to be brought forward. “I know it’s going to be tight,” he says, promising Lincoln that hope is not yet lost, “but I can do this”. However, Lincoln is convinced that the game is up, and tells Michael that he can’t spring him without getting caught. “You stay here, and they’ll nail you,” he says sadly. “You’ll rot in here. I’m not asking you, man, I’m telling you – leave me behind.” However, Michael is resolved not to go without

Lincoln, and has evidently planned ahead by sabotaging the model. When it collapses, Pope immediately sends for Michael, which is just what he has been waiting for. Pulling out a shank, he tells the warden: “I’m breaking out. And you’re going to make sure my brother goes with me...”