Review:  Alcatraz – S1, E11, “Webb Porter”

Air date: Monday, March 19, 2012 at 9/8c on FOX

Rating: ★★★★★

Webb Porter (Rami Malek) survived his mother’s drowning attempt when he was six years old, but it’s left him with Tinnitus–a perpetual ringing in his ears which not only torments him but sets him off to murder women. Will his re-emergence in San Francisco result in more deaths or could it save someone’s life?

Warden James (Jonny Coyne) continues with his push to rehabilitate inmates. He’s calling for Dr. Lucy Sengupta (Parminder Nagra) to “infiltrate the mind” of an intellectual prisoner after her success in turning around bombers, sharpshooters and others. As he explains the challenge, I can almost hear his heart pumping faster and see him salivating at the prospect of the outcome of the experiment.  I can’t ignore the fact that for this man, testing new therapies is way too exciting, especially as he handpicks inmates. My inquiring mind wonders if it’s truly a benign interest at play or part of a larger macabre plot?  Nagra is fabulous, particularly when her character interacts with the inmates, which she deems patients in spite of their violent crimes. The scene in which Dr. Sengupta diagnoses Potter is brilliant because she makes it seem as if she uses a crystal ball to figure out his ailment instead of meticulous and studious observation. Interestingly enough, Lucy chooses an alternative therapy (music) for Potter which becomes an important theme in this episode.

Webb Porter (Rami Malek) is a musically inclined but violent criminal.

Back in present day San Francisco, Doc (Jorge Garcia) is tired of how mysterious Hauser (Sam Neill) is and follows him with the hopes of finding answers to the questions that plague him and Rebecca (Sarah Jones) regarding their Alcatraz work. In spite of Doc’s well-meaning intentions, I laugh at this scene because even someone like Stevie Wonder would have figured out he was being spied on. Garcia characterizes Doc as a smart, good-natured but naïve person, and that combination of traits makes us forget his character’s loser ways. Just like Rebecca, Doc doesn’t have much of a life beyond his comics, Alcatraz obsession and high tech toys. In spite of being threatened by Hauser, Doc’s determination pays off as he finds out Hauser has moved Lucy from the hospital. He and Rebecca totally hit the mark in wondering where he has taken her and why.

As “Webb Porter” progresses, it’s obvious this episode is somewhat different than others. It gives us greater insight into the personal lives of the central characters instead of focusing on the mysteries of Alcatraz. Not that this is breaking news but we finally get confirmation Lucy and Hauser are an item (or at least they were once!). It’s also refreshing to see Rebecca going out for fun but that scene also tells us Nikki (Jeananne Goossen) doesn’t necessarily have a thing just for Doc, but for men in general.

Malik is a solid guest star, particularly in how he conveys Porter’s awkwardness so well. I feel uncomfortable staring at him fidgeting and his lack of eye contact.  Even after fifty years and having undergone his alternative music therapy, he can easily be set off and turn into a violent murderer. However, Potter has the rotten luck of committing his murder during Rebecca and Nikki’s ‘Girls Night Out.’ They get called to the scene and find evidence which leads to an important revelation: the presence of colloidal silver. Bingo! I think we all know where this episode is heading.

Rebecca (Sarah Jones) and Nikki (Jeananne Goossen) have fun until a crime happens.

One of my favorite scenes is how Dr. Beauregard (Leon Rippy) is clueless about utilizing the computer’s video camera.  Rippy’s character continues to be effective in helping add mystery to the Alcatraz secret, but the writers are cleverly using him as comedic relief due to the actor’s talent for dark and sarcastic humor.

“She’s slipping away from us,” Dr. Beauregard warns Hauser about Lucy’s comatose condition. His words have the effect of a battle cry as they light a fire in the controlled federal agent who is now determined to find the killer. In the process, we are graced with some very cool flashbacks involving him and Lucy.

We are then transported to a flashback between Lucy and Porter in which they discuss how music has helped sooth and control his mind to the point where he is being re-integrated with the general population. “Maybe one day I will be able to return the favor,” a hopeful Porter says.  But can a criminal who’s proud to use women’s hair as violin strings, and is a murderer, show willingness to help someone? More specifically, will he be able to help Lucy snap out of whatever state she is in? The woman has lived on for a long time; I can’t blame her for wanting to give her mind a rest!

As I mentioned last week, all paths lead to the Alcatraz blood trail and Team Alcatraz must catch Porter to get on the right track.  And let me tell you, Rebecca may not have much of a personal life but the woman is in great athletic shape and Jones does a great job in conveying the physicality of her character.

Apparently, kindness goes a long way—even for criminals—and I’m surprised to see Porter voluntarily rolling his sleeve up without putting up a fight after seeing a comatose Lucy. His knowing what has to happen, no explanations required, hints at how these Alcatraz blood draws must have been part of a well-oiled process on the island during the 1960s.

In the meantime, Doc can’t get away from his tech geekiness and the digitalization of a reel from Alcatraz’ music room, unveils an important discovery. It’s one that they now know Hauser has kept hushed all along.

As that last scene fades to black, I know not to miss the two-hour Alcatraz season finale next week!

Tune in to Alcatraz Mondays at 9/8c only on FOX.

For all things Alcatraz, visit the show’s official site at http://www.fox.com/alcatraz.

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