Should I be watching Prison Break?

[Zevida]

I missed it last summer, but the buzz kept growing. Now it's just started season 2 and I feel like it is a really great show and I've been left in it's wake.

I'm a huge fan of 24. My other favorite show is Veronica Mars. I don't think Prison Break is like either of these, just gives you an idea of what I like to watch.

Is is worth it to start TiVo'ing and try to watch the season 1 DVD and then download the first few episodes that I've missed to catch-up? Just wait until season 2 comes out on DVD? Netflix the first disc of season 1 to see if I like it?

Thanks for the input!

[terpfan1980]

In a word: YES

Get the first season DVD, do as you suggest and catch the second season episodes and start as soon as you can.

You won't be sorry at all.

[Chunky]

So....like....how many times can they Prison Break anyway :confused:

[willbhome]

So....like....how many times can they Prison Break anyway :confused:Last season, the whole season was the break. This season is the aftermath - the cotinued saga of their flight and the attempt to recapture them.

[DevdogAZ]

Yes, you should be watching, and it's very similar in feel to 24. They are both intense, serialized shows with action and a little violence. Get the DVDs from S1 and download the first couple eps of S2 and then set a SP on your TiVo from here on out.

[scottykempf]

Y E S. You already like 24, they are similar in some ways, lots of twists and turn, also some "oh come on" moments where you just have to go with the flow and overlook some plot holes, but both are very entertaining and interesting shows.

[Magnolia88]

I'm a huge fan of 24. My other favorite show is Veronica Mars. I don't think Prison Break is like either of these, just gives you an idea of what I like to watch.

If you like 24 and VM, you will probably like Prison Break. It's actually fairly similar to 24 and it has a lot of similarities to VM also. It's not as good as either of those two shows, but it's very entertaining.

Netflix S1 and you will know within the first few episodes if you are going to enjoy it. PB requires a *lot* of suspension of disbelief. The premise is riddled with implausibilties and the plot is full of holes and absurd coincidences, but if you can ignore that kind of stuff, it's a lot of fun.

[unicorngoddess]

I wondered the same thing myself. I've heard a lot about it and thought I'd watch the season premire last night. I had to turn it off because I realized if I'm gonna get into this, I should watch Season 1 first. Am I correct in assuming that? Because I wasn't getting the feeling I could just pick up where they started off at.

[Magnolia88]

You could probably jump in and just start watching S2 if you wanted to. It's not all that complicated: last year they were in prison planning their escape and now they've broken out and are on the run. (And I'm not giving anything away here: the show is called Prison Break, for cryin' out loud.)

There are 8 fugitives on the run, and it's not hard to figure out who the "good" convicts are and who the "bad" convicts are. It's pretty apparent once they open their mouths and start talking. T-Bag and Abruzzi are the real villainous ones and even the other convicts don't like them much.

But if you really want to get into the show and follow the "conspiracy" aspect of the frameup, which is sort of complicated, you will want to Netflix S1 first and start from the beginning. You will definitely enjoy it more if you have an understanding of the characters and how these particular 8 prisoners ended up escaping together.

[7thton]

Looks like I'm alone, but I say no.

The acting is mostly terrible, the writing is pretty sloppy, and some aspects of the show are just absurd. Example given: matchstick Taj.

Watch something else...Lost or Battlestar Galactica, for example.

[Magnolia88]

Watch something else...Lost or Battlestar Galactica, for example.

Even though I like PB, I can't argue with that. After Veronica Mars, Lost and Battlestar Galactica are two of my favorite shows. (I'm new to BSG, but it's great so far, even though I'm not a sci-fi fan).

PB falls below those shows on my SP list, but I still find it entertaining. Flawed and not really award-worthy, but fun. (It also helps that Wentworth Miller is the prettiest man on TV and his steely glare of intensity keeps me tuning in. ;))

[Raimi]

I missed it last summer, but the buzz kept growing. Now it's just started season 2 and I feel like it is a really great show and I've been left in it's wake.
I started season 1 after it had ended because I was looking for something new to watch. I had originally steered clear because the premise sounded too goofy to me. After an episode or two I got into it and really enjoy it now. I wouldn't say its the best show out there, but its fun.

I'd recommend starting at the beginning. I think the second season would be better if you've seen the way the characters develop in the first.

[hefe]

Eh, it's ok, nothing great.

I'm watching because I already started and want to see how it turns out, but it feels a bit like a piece of gum that I've chewed for too long. It was tasty at first, but now I don't enjoy it as much, yet I'm still chewing it.

[DevdogAZ]

I wondered the same thing myself. I've heard a lot about it and thought I'd watch the season premire last night. I had to turn it off because I realized if I'm gonna get into this, I should watch Season 1 first. Am I correct in assuming that? Because I wasn't getting the feeling I could just pick up where they started off at.
If you just started with last night's episode, that was actually the second ep of S2 so it would be more difficult to figure out what was going on than if you had watched the first ep.

[etemple]

I enjoyed s1--like many above, it wasn't my favorite show, not even close, but I did like it. I've been tivo-ing s2 since I've been too busy the last couple weeks to watch much tv, but I'll catch up one of these days . . .

If you like 24, you might also consider getting the dvds of a BBC series called MI-5 (Spooks in England). It's terrific.

Also would second the Veronica Mars shout out--it's my favorite show. Also trying to get into BSG, but haven't made it past the mini-series yet . . .

[Zevida]

Thanks for the input everyone. It is just as I thought, I should be watching Prison Break!

Now to decide if I want to try and catch-up real fast, or leisurely work through the Season 1 DVD and then wait for the Season 2 DVD. I've got a few days to think on it at least. The other option is to talk my dad into buying the DVD set of Season 1 since he always borrows the box sets I buy.

Sidenote to 7thton: I hate Lost :) BSG I've never tried.

[ashu]

Fascinating how the early part of the thread equates/compares 24/VM/PB.

I enjoy Prison Break, abhor Veronica Mars and dislike 24 (mainly because I dislike the 'actor' in the lead role ;) )

And I LOVE Lost!

Different strokes, eh?

[Dexyville]

Here's another option...

I don't know if other local Fox stations are doing anything similar, but our Fox station has full eps of several shows, including Prison Break, streaming online. All the episodes from last season's Pilot through current are there (in reverse order, so scroll to the bottom to start from the beginning).

Try myfoxdfw(dot)com (sorry, can't post links) then click on the Fox on Demand article. I believe you have to download their player, but I'm not certain.

[Zevida]

Thanks for the suggestion jennc!

Unfortunately I am not in one of the market areas so they won't let me watch. They give the DC affiliate (WTTG) as one of the options. I'm north of Baltimore so I get all the Baltimore stations, but I also get WTTG, so you'd think they would let me watch. Must be a Comcast decision to send WTTG up here.

I'll be down in Waco this weekend so I'll try to access the DFW from there, but that might be too far again.

ashu - Blasphemy! Kiefer Sutherland is a god. :D

[ashu]

ashu - Blasphemy! Kiefer Sutherland is a god. :D

Sure, if you mean it in the Men In Black, locker-world inhabitants-to-Tommy-Lee-Jones'-character sense of things. :p

He is really, really bad, IMO. Maybe he just rubs me the wrong way :)

[stevemcl]

I just started watching this season.

I likey.

[Paperboy2003]

IF you like anything having that has the slightest basis in reality, I'd stay away. They just keep on coming up with the DUMBEST, unrealistic plot lines. That said, I still have it set (for now) as a SP.

[wmcbrine]

So....like....how many times can they Prison Break anyway :confused:
At least once more, for LJ.

This was something that bothered me last season... the whole season was pretty clearly building up to the break, and it happened in the finale. So, does it make sense to keep calling the show "Prison Break"? Well, maybe for this season -- although "Manhunt" or something might be more appropriate. If it goes beyond two seasons, they'll be increasingly far from the premise of the title, so I don't know what they'll do.

[whitson77]

yes. good show

[Werd2406]

I like it very much....its like 24 in the sense where they arent afraid to kill off "the main characters" too.

[vertigo235]

I like it, although the end of last season was starting to grate on me. I would have prefered them break out sooner.

So far this season has been pretty good.

[Zevida]

Well I finally took everyone's advice and I've got the first season and I've finished the first disc and I'm totally hooked. I can't believe I waited this long to start watching! I haven't been recording season 2, so I'll probably wait for the DVD next fall, then start catching it "live" with season 3.

I can't wait to watch the rest of the season!

[kbohip]

Last season, the whole season was the break. This season is the aftermath - the cotinued saga of their flight and the attempt to recapture them.

Next season, they all get jobs at Starbucks and become full fledged "baristas"! ;) Seriously, I'll be curious to see where the story goes next season. I'd have to say Prison Break is one of my favorite shows on tv right now.

[rhuntington3]

Yes! :up: