'Prison Break' S04E13: 'Deal Or No Deal'

Compared to recent episodes, the latest Prison Break is far from eventful. Yet it successfully completes its mission by establishing exciting new battle lines for Scofield and his less-than-merry men - who are now both hunters and hunted.

The show’s great strength is the clever plot subversions that take place, as sworn foes become friends and vice versa. This episode is no exception, especially when Company agents turn up to save Scofield’s mob from the police. Furthermore, Michael Rappaport excels in his new bad guy role as Don Self, and the verbal sparring between his ego and Scofield’s is superb and bodes well for the future. “I’m a little bit smarter,” proclaims Self. We’ll see about that.

Gretchen’s character grows in strength too, as she’s plunged into a tantalising predicament in which Self threatens her estranged family. It brings out a caring, compassionate side of her that has been hinted at, but rarely seen.

A slight annoyance with the episode is the continued lack of Alexander Mahone taking centre stage. At one stage it looks like he will revert back to his dynamic self, proclaiming to the group: “I’m not talking about running, I’m talking about surviving.” But then, he fades back out again. At least he fares better than Lincoln Burrows, who continues his thuggish ways and serves very little purpose in the show now.

Overall, the episode sets the scene perfectly for a major battle to the death, although it still remains to be seen which forces will be on the same side.

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