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
IIRC Hauser mentioned in this episode that he is waiting for the warden to appear.
While I haven’t completely given up on the show I am 3 episodes behind and really only watch when there’s nothing else on or I’m just in the mood to check and see if Alcatraz is going to start giving answers. Unfortunately, each week it’s just another procedural that happens to have an unusual gimmick that’s rapidly losing its appeal.
For now, I’m keeping the episodes, but everyone in my house is in agreement that the show is just treading water. And let me tell you, agreement is a rare commodity in my house! I suppose none of us want to continue to invest in a show that is neither paying off nor will likely survive to see another season.
Your quotes above highlight what is probably the single reason we like to watch Alcatraz. Soto’s quips are one of the few things we look forward to in this show now.
Maybe I’m just sore because Terra Nova got its extinction papers.