Directed by two-time Emmy director and cinematographer, Michael Watkins, of 'Quantum Leap' and 'X-files' fame, this episode maintained the pace and quality of its earlier pilot, while building to a series of finales, all of which would more than suffice alone to make this a far above average TV serial. One strand of the story-line concerns the ongoing re-investigation of Lincoln's case by Michael's attorney, and Lincoln's former girlfriend, Veronica Donovan. A recognisable face from her roles in 'The Craft' and 'Vertical Limit', Robin Tunney struggles to bring a level of credibility to her character, given the latter's propensity to oscillate radically in her interpretation of Burrow's guilt or innocence in line with the latest shred of evidence. Accessing video evidence from Lincoln's trial lawyer, comprising security camera footage from the scene of the crime, Veronica is dismayed to clearly witness her ex approach the deceased vice-president's brother's car and open fire. Yet, when she challenges him, he is adamant that he was framed, shocked to discover both the victim there, and that the man was already dead. Given that Lincoln remains the only one with motive enough, having been sacked by, and having had a public fracas with the victim, it becomes imperative that Veronica track down the only individual who could corroborate the reason why he was present and armed at the scene. Back at Fox River, at the commencement of this second episode, a race riot appears imminent, and despite Scofield's assurances that all details of the escape plan have been thoroughly worked out to account for all eventualities, Lincoln counters his brother's self-confidence by warning that the one factor which cannot be so controlled concerns the unpredictability of people, especially in such a volatile environment. Once again written by the show's creator, this episode makes evident Burrow's words of caution, with individuals aplenty who pose both a physical threat, and a risk to the success of Scofield's schemes. The first of these is kidnapper, rapist, murderer, and white supremacist, Theodore 'T-Bag' Bagwell. With a penchant for young handsome inmates, Scofield attracts his unwanted attention while attempting to extract a bolt from one of the bleachers under this ruthless sexual predator's control: 'All you gotta a do is take this pocket right here, and ya life'll be all peaches and cream'. In attempting to retrieve this vital component in his escape plan, he has it confiscated by 'T-Bag' for refusing the latter's advances, and in being caught trying to recover said item from T-Bag's cell Scofield feigns interest in participating in the forthcoming conflict with the African American prison populace. Witnessed seemingly choosing the supremacists' side, Scofield draws the animosity and distrust of his fixer 'C-Note', thereby, placing at risk the supply of the drug Pugnac, necessary to suppress his insulin levels to get access to the infirmary. As if the menace posed by fellow prisoners at Fox River is not sufficient, Scofield also invites the wrath of the commanding officer of the prison guards, Brad Bellick, for enjoying the protection of Keach's prison warden: 'He may run this place during the day, but I run it during the night.' Veronica's continued delving into the case leads to the coming forward of the crucial witness' terrified girlfriend, who reveals that Lincoln's witness died not long after his conviction, victim of an overdose, an impossibility given the fact his heart condition precluded him from being a drug user. It also draws the unwelcome attention of the sinister Secret Service team, and their as-yet unidentified female boss who gives them sanction to remove all encumbrances to Burrows' execution. Secondly, the tinderbox at Fox River is lit and in the ensuing melee scores are settled and as the guards begin to reassert their control, 'T-Bag' is horrified to see his lifeless and bloodied 'girlfriend' draped over Scofield. The audience are witness to 'T- Bag's' unnerving howls swearing vengeance after lockdown, while Scofield starts working in his cell on the bolt he stripped from the 'girlfriend's' grasp. Finally, the significance of the episode's title is revealed as Scofield fashions the bolt into an allen key to start dismantling the toilet unit at the rear of his cell. As if all these plot developments are not enough, Abruzzi, under pressure himself from his mob bosses to discover Fibronacci's whereabouts, loses patience, and in his desperation has his 'heavies' inflict an injury on Scofield which almost rivals the shock value of Peter Stormare's 'wood chipper' moment in 'Fargo'. Still, this is indubitably Robert Knepper's episode in which he amply demonstrates his acting talent and takes hold with both hands this opportunity to shine in the memorable role of 'T-Bag', so disturbingly capturing the menace of one of the most monstruous villains ever portrayed on the small screen. As Knepper later recounted, he was intending to quit acting as the industry was so hard to break into, but upon declaring this intention to fellow gym client, Kiefer Sutherland, the latter punched him and told him never to give up. Our gain.
Review of Allen
