I’m not sure quite why, but for some reason I had it in my head that Breakout Kings might possibly be a reality show. There’s just something about the conceit: US Marshals team up with convicts in an effort to corral escapees from prison. Granted it seems like it would be a rather dangerous reality show … maybe it could be some sort of competition?
But as it turns out Breakout Kings is, in actuality, a scripted series. I suppose that makes more sense, but … reality would be kind of cool.
Anyway, somehow the show manages to be an imitator while still maintaining some originality. I’m sure even they weren’t the first, but aside from the blue collar nature I felt a strong White Collar vibe emanating from the criminal consultants … not to mention the constant “reminders” by the cops that prison was just one step away. Mixed with the brass coming down on the team’s head — in the form of Hugh Panetta (Gregg Henry) from The Riches — the first fifteen minutes or so were pretty slow going. Save, of course, for the 18-wheeler that slammed through the wall of the prison, providing a handful of criminals with a ride out of prison in an SUV.
And it didn’t help that my most recent memory of Domenick Lombardozzi is as Dom from Entourage instead of as Herc on The Wire. And as for Jimmi Simpson? I tried and failed to erase an image of him as Noah in Loser from my mind’s eye.
But then the team started crossing names off their escapee list and things got good. Finding the mechanic at the garage was too easy, but the contrast between the team’s and the witnesses’ statements regarding the forger’s death by vehicle was funny. And while con number three — in the car — was an easy catch, too, watching as the two masterminds wove their way from prison to the boat at the marina played out really well. I’d give most of the acting a “C,” but that didn’t really detract from how much fun the show was to watch.
I wonder two things. One, is every episode like that? Criminals thinking like criminals to catch escaped criminals … mixed with the easy camaraderie and (sometimes) playful insults between the Marshals and the cons, there was a certain amount of joy in watching the cast play together.
Two, is the story that Gregg Henry brought with him generally hanging over the team’s head? I know all of these shows need something else going on, but it would have been bad enough if Wendell (Henry) was there with pure intentions; the fact that he’s playing out some personal vendetta against Zancanelli (Lombardozzi) was eye roll-worthy … and I don’t even know these characters.
Here’s another thought: I wonder if the show could actually play as a reality series. I realize that insurance — among many other things — would make that an impossibility, but wouldn’t it be wild if cameras were rolling as escaped convicts were hunted down by teams of cops and cons?
It might mean having to reevaluate what promos call the most dangerous profession … and it just might be awesome to watch.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on May 31, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
