An Alcatraz double shot answers few questions

FOX was nice enough to serve up two episodes of Alcatraz this week. If you thought that might mean double the questions answered, I’m afraid you were sorely disappointed. Despite my continued disappointment in the show, I’ve decided to give it the benefit of the doubt for at least a full season. In my view, it might be following the same track as Fringe, which also took a full season worth of slow exposition before the show finally blew the proverbial hatch. For fans of Carla’s regular reviews of Alcatraz, I apologize in advance that you’re left to put up with me for a week. But trust, just like the 63s, she’ll soon be back — though hopefully not to murder me.

“Ames Brothers”

The “case” of the week in the first installment really didn’t do that much for me, but it did allow us to see more of Ray Archer’s moves in the past. Ray remains the most interesting character to me, mainly because present day Ray knows much more than he’s letting on. He seems to be separate from the phenomenon that is bringing everyone back; though he was investigating it all the way back in 1963.

Did we know prior to tonight that the keys were the Warden’s? I had been thinking for a while now that he is still around in the present, involved with – and perhaps directing – whatever forces are bringing these men back from the past. It was interesting, though, to see him find the gold in the end. He had those (different) keys the whole time, and he obviously knew where the vault was (as he correctly guessed where the Ames brothers were headed), but did he not know what was behind door number one?

And just where – and what — is behind door number two?

“Sonny Burnett”

I like my mysteries mysterious. I don’t need an explanation for everything (one of the reasons Keith and I disagree on the endings of both Lost and Battlestar Galactica), but I need only to point to midichlorians as the text book example of how some things are better left to the imagination. So when Dr. Beauregard mentioned colloidal silver, I was frustrated … until I Googled, and saw that it was actually a thing (For those of you already in the know, bravo! … I’m a bit slow sometimes).

Unfortunately, “Sonny Burnett” was another instance where the case of the week was lacking. The twist, if you can call it that, was apparent very early on. What was interesting, though, was Sonny’s transformation. Carla has talked about how the several of the prisoners have seemingly come back more aggressive. I’m still not sure how that works out or what, if anything, it might mean, but I do think it was relevant that we watched a transformation like that take place.

Plus, if you watched the previews for next week, this might be becoming a recurring theme.

Notes & Quotes

• “I’m waiting for Dandruff Guy to show up.” – Soto
  “Dandruff guy?” – Madsen
  “Hauser’s think tank dudes behind the door. He doesn’t tell me their names so … there’s Dandruff Guy, Two-Shirts, Glasses and the Whistler.” – Soto
  “Oh my God did you hear him last week? He did the entire score of Les Mis.” – Madsen
• “Chet, either you pull the manual in the next ten seconds, or I’ll tell Rebecca you own the Twlight movies on Bluray!” – Soto
• Am I the only one who kept thinking of Pinky and the Brain the whole time, but in this particular case, Pinky was the Brain?
• “You’ve got confirmation Hauser’s human? I’ve met a lot of human. I’ve gotta say, I don’t see it.” – Soto, beating me to the punch as I was writing down a similar comment
• Does anyone think of the bunker on Endor anytime there’s an establishing shot of the new prison? Am I the only one? (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is two Star Wars references in one post!)
• I’m guest star guy, so of course I’m going to point out that Wendy Crewson, who I’ll always remember as the First Lady from Air Force One played Helen. Campbell and Theo Rossi of Sons of Anarchy (or a memorable guest spot on Veronica Mars if that’s your thing) played Sonny.
• “From now I want them all alive! [walks away]” – Hauser
  “He does realize he’s the only one who shoots them, right?” – Soto

Clacked by Ivey West
on Mar 05, 2012 @ 23:21 EST5EDT