This episode is slightly better than the pilot and mostly because of Sam Neil's acting skills. While in the first episode he makes little more than pose and smile here he takes a more active role which helps the whole show look better.
The plot slowly advances and after accepting the silly initial premise it looks O.K. There are certain things I enjoyed like the fact that the first prisoner is not forgotten but remains part of the whole plot. The acting is good but could be a lot better because of the clichéd dialogue. I really think Sarah Jones is underrated here she does a good job, she just needs better dialogue. Also, I really enjoyed the series "villain of the week" more than the first time around. I really liked the scene where the Warden kills his silence in the isolation chamber by forcing him to share his cell with a loud talking insensitive prisoner. There are minor silly stuff like the red picnic sheet he uses before executing his victims but overall they are minor setbacks that do not damage the story. The ending revelation seems pretty pointless also. I mean, as it is, it adds nothing to the story, it's an element that could have been added anytime, there is no particular sense on why it should be there. I also like the fact that a team member gets hurt, the show needs to remember that most of the characters there are people not cyborgs. I also enjoy the way the old inmates are presented they really look like they belong in the 60's.
As it is, this episode fares better than the first one. What we need is more Sam Neil action, less absurd revelations and better dialogue for the leading characters and the show will do well, for now at least.
The plot slowly advances and after accepting the silly initial premise it looks O.K. There are certain things I enjoyed like the fact that the first prisoner is not forgotten but remains part of the whole plot. The acting is good but could be a lot better because of the clichéd dialogue. I really think Sarah Jones is underrated here she does a good job, she just needs better dialogue. Also, I really enjoyed the series "villain of the week" more than the first time around. I really liked the scene where the Warden kills his silence in the isolation chamber by forcing him to share his cell with a loud talking insensitive prisoner. There are minor silly stuff like the red picnic sheet he uses before executing his victims but overall they are minor setbacks that do not damage the story. The ending revelation seems pretty pointless also. I mean, as it is, it adds nothing to the story, it's an element that could have been added anytime, there is no particular sense on why it should be there. I also like the fact that a team member gets hurt, the show needs to remember that most of the characters there are people not cyborgs. I also enjoy the way the old inmates are presented they really look like they belong in the 60's.
As it is, this episode fares better than the first one. What we need is more Sam Neil action, less absurd revelations and better dialogue for the leading characters and the show will do well, for now at least.