S04E07 - 'Five The Hard Way'

Forget the return of Sara Tancredi - it appears there’s an even bigger miracle on Prison Break. Two cracking episodes in a row, out of nowhere, following a succession of early season duds. This week’s Las Vegas and GATE based jaunt even tops the previous racetrack adventure, featuring a winning mix of laughs, thrills and a great sense of fun.

Crucially, the delicious pairing of Gretchen and T-Bag manages to bring out the best in other characters around them while showcasing their own devilish and deviant ways. G&T’s capture of Scofield allows the tattoo-free hero to finally display the coolness and cunning that initially won over hordes of fans around the world. It contrasts wonderfully with the irate mania of T-Bag - a character who has spent too long staring at that damn book but is now back to his best.

Brad Bellick’s transition into a seemingly decent chap was nicely displayed when he begged Scofield to spill the bird book beans in order to save the life of T-Bag’s treacherous secretary. Has the worm really turned after his humbling Sona experience? Don Self also came to the fore in his confrontation of The General, having spent too many weeks dithering around in repeating the tired old "if you’re not back by midnight you’re back in jail" line to the gang.

The humour content was nicely bulked up, with Gretchen’s aside about Whistler giving people nothing but the dreaded 'clap' proving to be a hilarious throwaway line. Perhaps that’s why she’s so brutal towards guys? Watching Sucre trying to cop off with Mike Novick from 24 was funny, but the twist that followed - involving a libido-killing war wound and a surprise wife - was utter genius. It was almost up there with the long-awaited unveiling of Sara Tancredi’s cleavage!

Well-written and full of energy, this episode is comfortably the best all-round entertainment that Prison Break has offered since the second season. Could a miraculous and sustained resurrection be on the cards?

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