S03E08: 'Bang & Burn'

Courtesy of the ongoing writers' strikes in America, this eighth episode of the third season of Prison Break had to function as a makeshift finale. But despite a fittingly cryptic cliffhanger to keep us hanging on, the action was distinctly stale.

The main problem is the sense that we've seen it all before, with the plot in limbo as Scofield's escape plans are – shock, horror – thwarted yet again. It all feels a case of returning back to square one on a regular basis. Scofield, armed with his mammoth sweat patch, has become tiresome as the lead protagonist. He's had moments of doubt in the past, but his verbal attack on his brother for using him to save LJ, plus his subsequent sulk, have caused him to lose plenty of appeal. Without Sara, he's lost the motivation to battle hard. Without an appealing lead, we lost the motivation to tune into Prison Break. Well, almost.

Still, the character of Whistler arouses a certain degree of interest. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? In Prison Break it doesn't tend to be that simple. Whistler was willing to kill Scofield and work with Susan, yet there did seem to be a genuine love for Sofia when they spoke at the Sona gates. His true agenda and nature remain a mystery, as does the baffling decision to relegate T-Bag and Mahone to almost extras. We want them back and firing on all cylinders!

So, where exactly was Scofield being taken at the end of the episode? Although definitely on the slide, Prison Break is still capable of leaving us wanting more. It can't be all that bad then.