Grade: B-
Alcatraz continues going strong & todays episode was no different as a nice groove has been found by committing to the procedural catch the reappeared killer of the week. The only thing that seems to still take away from the show is its title intro by Sam Neil explaining the series ridiculous premise. As well, keeping Niel's character at arms length with his only association to the island coming the pilot continues to make his character more interesting as we see just how bad the staff was in conjunction with the prisoners they were tasked to guard in the flashbacks. This week, our prisoner, Kit Nelson, a deranged child murderer brings a horrifying amber alert tension that shakes our characters to the core especially Doc who goes to great lengths in recovering Kit’s latest abductee.
“Kit Nelson” plays a big part on reaffirming that not everyone on Alcatraz was a somewhat redeeming anti-hero like Jack Sylvane & continues beating the drum of very deranged killers like Ernest Cobb & the importance of catching them. As well, Kit is completely focused on returning to his routine pre Alcatraz &, unlike Cobb, keeps his focus as far away from the horrifying days we see him experience on the island. The flashbacks are not worthless though as they continue to tie in the mystery that surround the return of Alcatraz’s inhabitants. One part that comes of especially intriguing is the return of Tommy Madsen in a flashback & his importance & somewhat deeper connection to the mystery. As
Alcatraz continues to build up its mythos of the past it also keeps giving little plugs into the present timeline mythos with Neil’s character, Emmerson. The new underground prison complex he has set up & its inhabitants continue the trend of curiosity as to just who gets put there & who gets to be let out a la Lucy.
While each week does not seem to be a nail-biter of anticipation it does affirm the fact that the series is putting up its best to present an interesting story that is able to capture viewer attention & garner an audience without being too mythos packed. It finally seems that after the success of
Lost shows are finding out that they cannot pack on huge amounts of weight in their story early on without being set up to fail & the proper type of pacing is finally being achieved.
Alcatraz still has a long way to go for its main characters but as long as they keep bringing on interesting return procedurals it seems like they could have the series run they want to flesh things out properly.
