I was very disappointed when Fox announced the release of Prison Break Season 3 on Blu-ray with no word about including the incredible Season 2 on the Blu-ray format. I was one of the late bloomers who did not watch the first 3 seasons of Prison Break while it was airing live on television. I was too busy with my favorite TV show, 24, to pay any attention to Prison Break. When I first saw a commercial for Season 1 I thought how dumb…when they finally break out of prison then what…the show would be over. Wow! Was I ever wrong! It was during the recent writer’s strike that I was looking for something to watch on my favorite format…Blu-ray. I heard so many good things about the show Prison Break that I decided to give Season 1 a chance when I found a new Blu-ray set for a real attractive price on eBay. My wife had never really even heard of the show. We were both instantly hooked and glued to our television viewing seats that week, engrossed in the never-ending cliffhangers that Fox River’s criminal society provided us. The episode cliffhangers got so intense that some nights I went to bed only to have vivid dreams, all night long, of what was going to happen next for the gang. This guy at work would make fun of me for that. I had the last laugh when he finally gave the show a watch and was just as hooked as I was. If you know anything about me…imagine how bummed I was when I learned that I was going to have to watch Season 2 on Standard Definition DVD. I held out as long as I could, but when I heard Season 3 was going to be released on Blu-ray, with no foreseeable signs of Season 2 being released on the Blu-ray format, I had to reluctantly bite the bullet.

If you have never seen the show Prison Break or the past two seasons be warned of major spoilers to follow. Believe me when I say this is a show that is well worth staying spoiler-free for. With that being said…let’s begin! When we last left the Fox River gang in Season 2 Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), former Officer Brad Bellick (Wade Williams), T-Bag (Robert Knepper), and Federal Agent Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner) found themselves imprisoned in a violent Panamanian prison called Sona. On a happier note…after initially fighting for his innocence on death row, Michael’s brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), has just been legally exonerated of all his criminal charges. Fade to black…the credits roll…enter Season 3…

Due to the writer’s strike, Season 3 was shortened to just 13 episodes from its originally planned 22 episode season. Because of a prison riot, Sona is guarded only from the outside and governed by a select few inmates on the inside. Lincoln is informed by The Company that they have kidnapped his son, LJ (Marshall Allman), and Michael’s one true love Dr. Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies). The Company promises Lincoln that both Sara and LJ would be released if Michael Scofield can break out James Whistler (Chris Vance) from Sona. Obviously there is a reason why Michael was sent to Sona. There is no denying that The Company has extensive political connections throughout the world. Michael understands that the only way to save the woman he loves is to perform another miracle…a prison break! Meanwhile, Whistler’s character remains a mystery tugging at the audience’s heart as to whether we should trust him or not.

The season follows Michael, Whistler, and Mahone’s attempts in formulating an escape plan, bringing back much of the tension and suspense of the original formula we were introduced to in Season 1. While on the outside, Lincoln faces his own tribulations with formulating and recruiting other people’s involvement in Michael’s prison break plan. In other words, Lincoln is taking care of all the little variables on the outside that Michael has no control over from the inside, while at the same time dealing with the forceful antics of the Company’s operative Gretchen Morgan (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) and the fear of losing his son.

When things go horribly wrong for Michael’s prison escape and after an unsuccessful attempt by Lincoln to rescue his son and Sara, Gretchen sends Lincoln a human’s head in a box, as a warning that The Company is not playing around. This complicates things and brings about trusts issues for the brothers as Lincoln is unsure of whether to disclose certain information to Michael in fear that he may jeopardize the plan and lose his son’s life to the Company as well. We all know that Michael Scofield possesses the necessary skills to perform a prison break and we get 13 exciting episodes to find out how he is able to consummate another miracle. The question is…what will Michael do once he is on the outside…again?

Video

Fox brings Prison Break: Season 3 into the Blu-ray arena with an impressive MPEG-4 AVC, 1080P, 1.78.1-framed transfer. If you are familiar with the eye-popping clarity of Season 1’s Blu-ray set then you will not be disappointed here. Season 3 takes place in Panama. And believe me, when you see the detail presented here you will feel like you really are in the sun-drenched Panamanian heat. It is unreal how you can see every bead of sweat and dirt on the skin of the characters. Make sure you have your favorite beverage by your side when enjoying these visuals. The level of detail present in the prison and outside shots is near reference quality at times. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a television show. In the Season 1 extras, Brett Ratner discussed how the show is filmed, in much the same manners and considerations as a motion picture would be produced. But with the good news usually comes the bad. I had to knock the video quality score down a notch because of the serious grain that plagues various dark shots. The black levels, at times, get almost as bad as what I saw in the Blu-ray version of The Descent. There are scenes that exhibit some very heavy grain. While it is nothing that would make you want to turn it off, it is a bit distracting when everything else is so perfect. I have no other complaints then that. The colors and flesh tones are very natural throughout, and other than the grain problem, I am very satisfied with what I see. I would not dream of watching Prison Break any other way.

Audio

Fox brings Prison Break: Season 3 to Blu-ray on their usual high definition lossless audio of choice, DTS-HD MA 5.1. Like most television shows, the sound is very front-heavy. But don’t let that fool you. Unlike most television shows, Prison Break still manages to make use of including all ambient noises in the background and mixes those very subtle into the rear channels making you feel like the action is taking place all around you and giving you a true sense of what it is really like being confined within Sona’s prison walls. The dialogue, my main concern, is always crisp and clean throughout. All in all, the audio representation on this release is very well rounded. There are a few moments where I am led to believe the audio effects could have been more faithfully reproduced, as in examples of gunshots or explosions, but for this being a television show, you have to give this audio track the credit it deserves. Prison Break is filmed like a movie, unlike many other television shows, and the audio representation is indicative of that. Turn up your speakers and be prepared to experience prison life as you enjoy this shortened, yet thrill ride of a season, in DTS-HD MA lossless audio. Life doesn’t get any better than this!

Special Features

I am not usually known to be let down for lack of special features on a release. It is never a deal breaker for me but I have to effectively score it compared to other new releases out there. The special features on Prison Break: Season 3 are pretty bare bone, compared to what we had to work with for Season 1. Season 3 contains zero audio commentaries. Instead, we get about 80 minutes of total supplemental material. The one thing that does bother me is that some of the material is in High-Definition and some of it is in Standard-Definition. Obviously, I would prefer if it all were in the prior scope.

The Special Features include:

• Orientation: (HD) This featurette contains about 17 minutes of the usual cast and crew interviews, an overview of the season, and production stories.

• Breakout: (HD) 13 minute look at one of the season’s episode.

• Director’s Take: (SD) This featurette examines 13 scenes that took place during the filming of Season 3. It is approximately 40 minutes in length.

• Between Takes: (SD) This featurette follow 7 cast members off the television set and gets a glimpse into each of the actor’s personal lives. This lasts only a mere 11 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I have no hesitation or qualms at all in recommending a purchase of Prison Break: Season 3 on Blu-ray. Regardless of the shortened season, it is still one of the most captivating television shows out there. One benefit from watching this on Blu-ray is not having to wait a week between cliffhanger episodes. That is what kills the fun and intrigue for me. You can simply hit the restroom, grab another beverage, and recline back on your favorite chair and enjoy the very next episode…instant gratification. However, I would very strongly recommend, if you have not seen the show before, catching up on the first two seasons before watching this third season set. Season 1 can be had pretty cheap on Blu-ray if you poke around Amazon Marketplace or eBay. Unfortunately, Season 2 is a different story. Let me clear my throat for this. You really only have two choices…download…or…I can’t believe I am about to mutter these words…standard DVD. Whatever your decision is, you will not regret it. Prison Break is one of those rare television shows that tugs at your heart and you find yourself empathizing with even the most criminal of characters while at the same time being riveted into the unforeseen circumstances that will unfold over the three seasons. It truly is a remarkable show. Don’t let yourself be fooled by the same thoughts I originally had about the television series. I highly encourage anyone to give this show a watch. Although we only get 13 episodes here in Season 3, I highly recommend this Blu-ray release for its pristine video, overly ambient audio, and edge-of-your-seat viewing entertainment, unlike none other.