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Chilling. Macabre. Dead People Who Aren’t Dead. Advance Review: Alcatraz – “Pilot”

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  • December 2, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

Advance Review: Alcatraz – “Pilot”

Air Date: January 16, 2012 at 8/7c on FOX

Rating: ★★★★★★

L-R: Jonny Coyne, Jason Butler Harner, Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Sam Neill, Santiago Cabrera, Parminder Nagra and Robert Forster. ©2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Justin Stephens/FOX

While the darkness, thunder, and eerie music in the opening scene of Alcatraz seem a tad cliché for a series like this, they are appropriate and perfectly set the mood for what is to come. This new series takes a look at the infamous prison of the same name – the temporary (and sometimes final) home for murderers, rapists, kidnappers, thieves and arsonists. As the hour begins, two guards are supposed to meet the prisoner transport but when it arrives, no one is to be found. Three hundred and two people disappeared that day in 1963. Or did they?

Alcatraz – present day. People are touring the famous prison and a little girl wanders off to an area marked “Closed to the Public.” Her shrill scream brings everyone running. She thinks she sees a dead body lying on the floor in one of the cells, but it turns out to be a homeless person, or at least that’s what we are led to believe. Eventually we learn the man is Jack Sylvane (Jeffrey Pierce), a prisoner from 1960—one of the criminals who supposedly disappeared.

Through flashbacks, we see Sylvane’s life in prison and how horribly and unfairly he was treated by the sadistic Associate Warden E.B. Tiller (Jason Butler Harner). Now, Tiller is dead and a young, very astute detective, Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones, Sons of Anarchy) finds Sylvane’s fingerprints on a picture frame in Tiller’s apartment—except Sylvane supposedly died three years ago, according to Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia, Lost), an expert on all things Alcatraz and comic book enthusiast.

Sam Neill as Emerson Hauser

Some of the scenes with Sylvane, during the 60s when he was in prison, made me cringe as I watched what was done to him. Sylvane was a murderer, but Pierce does a wonderful job of portraying him as a totally sympathetic character – even after he pops up in present day and goes on a shooting spree.

Madsen’s attempt to solve Tiller’s murder is immediately impeded by government agent Emerson Hauser, portrayed brilliantly by Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, The Tudors). Neill knows how to play someone who is charming, persuasive and chilling all at the same time. There’s a lot more to this guy than meets the eye. Hauser and his technician, Lucy Banjeree (Parminder Nagra, ER, Bend it Like Beckham), seem to be hiding something, which will be uncovered by the end of the premiere, giving us a good reason, among others, to watch Alcatraz every week.

Jorge Garcia as Dr. Soto and Sarah Jones as Detective Rebecca Madson

Soto agrees to help Madsen and the relationship between them is charming, mostly because of Garcia. He brings a much needed comedic element to this otherwise dark and sinister drama. Jones holds her own against him, but she comes off as a little too cute and perky for me. I would have liked to see someone like Annie Wersching or Elisha Cuthbert in the role. I may be giving Jones short shrift because we’ve yet to see her character in scenes of substance with her San Francisco cop fiancé, Jimmy Dickens (Santiago Cabrera, Merlin, Heroes).

How is it possible for a supposedly dead man to be alive and committing murders? How is it possible he hasn’t aged a day since he disappeared? Who is calling the shots, telling Sylvane what to do, where to go and who to kill? More importantly, why is this mysterious person doing this?

Alcatraz is a chilling and, at times, macabre new series, full of intrigue and suspense. It is flawlessly directed and acted, and the cinematography is picture perfect in all aspects. There are several moments in the Pilot where I found myself holding my breath. I like when a series asks questions that aren’t readily answered, which is what this new show does. Alcatraz is intelligent, keeps me interested and I’ve already become invested in the characters after only one episode. I highly recommend you give this new series a chance.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

Tune in to Alcatraz at its regular timeslot beginning Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9/8c only on FOX.

All photos and clip © 2011 FOX. All Rights Reserved.

 

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!