Fox’s Prison Break wrapped up its four-year run (and run, and run, and run…) on Friday night, as Michael finally decided into whose hands he could entrust Scylla. Along the way, a pair of familiar faces resurfaced, justice was meted out, and, in a four-year flash-forward, a variety of fates were revealed.
It was during that epilogue that the producers uncorked one final — and fatal — twist. If you have finished watching the two-hour series-ender, read on for executive producer Matt Olmstead’s answers to the burning questions you likely have.
TVGuide.com: At what point during the four-year run did you decide that Michael would die in the end?
Matt Olmstead: At the beginning of this season, we had a debate about it. I was on NYPD Blue and I came on during Season 6, which was Jimmy Smits’ last arc — and it was some of the best TV ever. They had the thought that when a character goes that’s beloved, if you drop a safe on his head, the audience is going to hate you, because they haven’t had a chance to mourn. So let’s show up early that the character has a [health] problem. [NYPD Blue creator] David [Milch] did it brilliantly [with Smits’ character dying of heart failure], and I always remembered that. So when we met with the writers after the [WGA] strike, we asked ourselves: Is Michael going to last? Either way, let’s [give him] a nosebleed in Episode 1. That way we can kind of suggest that something’s up, and it also gives us the opportunity to play some scenes — if we want to go down this road — where Sara can mourn it, Lincoln’s aware of it, and the audience is aware of it. Then they too have a chance to mourn the loss.
TVGuide.com: What was Wentworth Miller’s take on the matter?
Olmstead: He ultimately liked it. He had heard rumblings, and when that script went out, a complimentary email came back from him, because he saw the merits of it. The idea of Michael not making it stemmed from a conversation he and I had in Season 2. He said that at this point [Michael’s] hands were as dirty as anyone’s, and that was something we addressed along the way, this mounting guilt. “I broke my brother out of prison, the ramifications of which have included people getting killed” — neither he the actor nor the character were ignorant or dismissive of that. So the idea of a finale where [in the coda] he doesn’t make it but everyone else does was the right ending for him as an actor. For Michael to have traipsed off into the sunset with Sara may have seemed a little like, “Hey, good for you guys.”
TVGuide.com: But the network fought you on the death, right?
Olmstead: It was split over there; half the people wanted to see Sara and Michael together, and half saw the merit in Michael not making it. Once they saw the scripts, they agreed unilaterally that it was the right move to make.
TVGuide.com: It should be noted that Michael is alive in Prison Break: The Final Break (a two-hour standalone movie slated for a July 21 DVD release).
Olmstead: Right. The Final Break takes place shortly after everyone’s exoneration, so we go back and see Michael alive.
TVGuide.com: That was a nice little wink you had there with Michael Jr. getting a fake tattoo.
Olmstead: Yeah, it was [writer/co-executive producer] Nick Santora who had that idea.
TVGuide.com: Let’s talk about the returns. Did Paul Adelstein (now on Private Practice) foresee your phone call coming? I have always told him that Kellerman would one day resurface.
Olmstead: I’ve run into him occasionally, and I’d say, “One day you’ll get a phone call.” He was always enthusiastic about it. We didn’t know obviously what the storyline was going to be, but we increasingly wanted to save it for the finale.
TVGuide.com: Rockmund Dunbar [who plays C-Note], I have to imagine, was a bit more surprised.
Olmstead: I think so. We knew that this was [the end], and who did we the writers want to see back? Who would make a nice impact in terms of the viewers? We didn’t want to just bring him back in a service role; we wanted him to come back for a plot twist.
TVGuide.com: Did you consider bringing back Patricia Wettig’s disgraced President Caroline Reynolds?
Olmstead: No, no…. That character is done.
TVGuide.com: And were none of the various Maricruz actresses available?
Olmstead: We thought about it, but all that we really see is probably her holding the child, or saying one line. It just wasn’t worth our while — and I doubt the actresses would have been interested either.
TVGuide.com: Robert Knepper told TV Guide Network’s Hollywood 411 that the fate you chose for T-Bag was the “greatest” of all the options.
Olmstead: I think it was very poetic. For us [the coda] was the right combination of people getting just desserts, sweet surprises and tragedy. People were saying that you couldn’t have T-Bag still on the loose, that you couldn’t do the Hannibal Lecter version of it, because that would put a black mark on Michael. That he unleashed this monster on the world. Nor could you kill T-Bag, because ironically he was too loved by the audience. So we put him back where he started, but with a heartache. He overhears this thing about GATE and it strikes a chord. It reminds him of what he almost had.
TVGuide.com: That was an interesting romantic twist you did there with Mahone.
Olmstead: That was one of the surprises. Here he is, sending a birthday card to his ex-wife, yet now he’s with his former [FBI] colleague [Felicia Lang]. We provide more “what happened” information on that in The Final Break.
TVGuide.com: When last you and I spoke, you said that Michael’s overnight tattoo removal was your least-proud moment. Looking back on the show’s run, what are you most proud of?
Olmstead: The thing I am by far the most proud of is that the [writing] staff was pretty much the same through all four years. There were people who were there from the beginning to the very end — Zack Estrin, Nick Santora, Karyn Usher — and we had other writers who came up through writers’ assistants and then got staffed — Seth Hoffman, Kalinda Vazquez, Christian Trokey…. It was a very tight group, and everything was done collectively, because it is such a serialized show. Every outline was tabled as a group, every script was tabled as a group, every cut was watched as a group…. We got to see people evolve and flourish and evolve, and as luxury to me, I had eight people who were all heavy hitters. At the beginning of this season, we were at a crossroads with the network and the studio — it was post-strike, an accelerated process — about what we were going to do. We had to really show them something, and everybody pitched in and we solved it.
TVGuide.com: Is there any ratings number you can hit with the series finale that will get The Final Break broadcast on Fox?
Olmstead: I really don’t know. I don’t even know if they’ve seen it, being busy preparing for the [May 18] upfronts. But we’re really proud of it, and I hope you like it.
Source: http://www.tvguide.com/
Posted on May 16, 2009
I wanted to know why they had differnt last names and why on the tomb stone was the date he died 2005? Once I know that I could rest and feel really good about the show I have been watching from day one. I love the show.
Posted on May 16, 2009
I got my answers. Nerver mind
Posted on May 16, 2009
I have e question…. Will be another 2 episodes ( 23 end 24 )??? Whwn??? Please tell me !!!
I ‘m so sad …. I didn’t think that Michael will die!!!! But this are true .
Have a good day!!!
Posted on May 16, 2009
There will be special feature on DVD where we know what happend after the day they were free.
Posted on May 16, 2009
The finally was just amazing ! but i’m so sad too !
Posted on May 16, 2009
I love prison break.I love Michael & Sarah.Why Michael Must died?
I am so sad.
Posted on May 16, 2009
I read that there were 2 additional episodes to be aired, but they won’t tell when. Sarah will be locked up and a monumental prison break will take place. I love this show and I am truly gonna miss it!
Posted on May 17, 2009
So sad it’s over, it was a great show i’m going to miss it, but i look forward to the Final Break. This interview answered a lot of questions. Thank you=)
Posted on May 17, 2009
i knew they couldn’t live happily ever after ,
but i did not expect michael to die .
when i saw his grave , i started crying ,.
i’ve never cried over a show , before .
but the tears just came down my face .
i’ve been watching since season , it was great .
sad to see it go . i love michael/wentworth .
Posted on May 18, 2009
I love the show but the ending,Very poor.
Posted on May 18, 2009
I want to know how did Michael died? i dont understand that part.
Posted on May 19, 2009
@kasem I don’t get that too but I was told to watch the upcoming DVD, titled The Final Break in order for us to understand what happen between those four years. It won’t be aired in US anytime soon as there is scheduling conflict, but for UK, as far as I am concerned, they’ll aired it sometime this week? On the 24th I think.
Also, according to the synopsis, Michael died and sacrifice himself in order to save Sara, she was jailed for killing Christina Scofield, apparently there was a footage of video showing Sara shooting Christina. Hence the reason she was sent to jail shortly after the couple (Michael and Sara) says ‘I do’. Yes, at their wedding day. I’m actually scared to watch it just because I know I’m going to breakdown seeing Michael final moments 🙁 unless there’s a huge twist on it. If you know what I mean.
Posted on May 19, 2009
I was first in shock seeing Michael did not make it, but to see his ‘family’ all together was absolut super and his little son, lovely.. all good things must come to end!
Will miss Prison Break and Wentworth on TV..
Hope he will come back with other projects!
Posted on May 19, 2009
Hey!!!!! I think Micheal doesn’t die, because Sara told : let’s go to see your father!!! but she didn’t tell : Let.’s go to see the grave of your father. They have plans for future… end for the beby….he coudn’t die. I think he is on social protection end he make another operation. The grave is for the people who want to catch him, because they at final was happy!!!! I think they was celebraing the victory.
What do you think???
This movie is so special….. if you wach carefully you can understand what is happens !!!!
Have a good day…..!!!!
Posted on May 19, 2009
Pb15…..Do u know where we can watch that?
Posted on May 19, 2009
@kasem If you live in UK, it’s going to be on Sky1. But if you are not, you could just wait for awhile when someone put the videos on the internet, then you could download it (torrent) or watch it online (not that I suggest illegal download). There are a lot of websites.
Apart from that, if you could wait until July 21st I think, by then you could get the The Final Break DVD. It’s actually a standalone movie, just like any other film or movies, it doesn’t include the Season 4 (episode 1 until 22). Just so you know.
Posted on May 20, 2009
So sad it’s over, it was a great show !
Posted on May 20, 2009
I know why they had different names but i’m a bit confused about the date of death of the grave at the end. Anyone like to explain…..cause it’s wrecking my head!!!
Posted on May 21, 2009
okay Thanks PB15 but i dont wanna waitt i really wanna know soo badd
Posted on May 21, 2009
@kasem – You’re welcome 🙂 I feel the same, it feels like waiting forever for spoilers to come, I guess we’ll just have to wait until it is already aired on Sky1. Hopefully we’ll be satisfied with the movie. Alright.
Posted on May 21, 2009
yea i guess ur right
Posted on May 22, 2009
@Samantha:
4 seasons means not everytime 4 years in the series. 😉
Posted on May 23, 2009
oh my god i wouldn’t believe that michael will die .here in arab homeland actully in iraq we watch PB season 3 ….but when i heard that bad news i didn’t know what to do …and begining to cry…..i’m wondering what happening to me if i will watch michael die…..
i really love wentworth miller and i think he’s an amazing person i really want to meet him……i wanna see him in other works .i wish to him all the best and he is a biggest star shining in the sky….
Iraqi_Rose*93
Posted on May 24, 2009
Hello! I’m from Belarus. I love Prizon Break very much, but I consider that Michael’s death is a correct end of a film. The happy-end leaves feeling of incompleteness)).
Forgive for errors in the text if they are)).
Posted on May 26, 2009
hello i’m from algerian. Prizon Break it very good /////////
Posted on May 26, 2009
hed please we need s5 for prison break becuase is the best
Posted on May 26, 2009
prison break is the best of the best.
but i wonder why they didn’t show scofield dead?
Posted on May 26, 2009
prison break is the best of the best.
but i wonder why they didn’t show scofield dead? ahd here we can talk about the fiveth saision.
so don’t worry it can be allright
Posted on May 27, 2009
@r. kamarito: I think the reason why they didn’t show the after effect of the electrocuted Michael was because they don’t want to leave us hanging and feeling sad on his death. I mean we’ll be feeling much sadder if the whole thing shows Lincoln and the others crying and mourning after his death. Prison Break tries to give a quite satisfying and equal ending to us, it was Michael’s choice to sacrifice himself for Sara (rather than dying of tumor), he recorded his final will for them to watch it again, he says he was coming with Sara when he touched her belly/stomach, he was actually prepared for his death.
I really miss Prison Break already. Sigh. 🙁
Posted on May 27, 2009
In my opinion, they have not shown scofield death,to give another chance to writer of hystoiry can have a good idea for Season 5, and also a good reason for the return of michael scofield. scofield let that plan may change as a done with the parachute.
So I can not believe micheal scofield is dead and I believe that there will be season 5
Posted on May 27, 2009
I loved every episode of prison break, at times I had to walk into the kitchen because I was afraid of what was going to happen next!!! I cried my eyes out at the end when michael died but it was a very good ending!!! I am going to miss it terribly.
from Janice (republic of Ireland)
Posted on May 27, 2009
I cant trust you writers , maybe Michael will come back after all!!!!!!!!! Please so then you will have to do another series
janice Ireland
Posted on May 29, 2009
The scene where Sara takes little Michael to see his dads grave was set 4 years later, which means Michael died 4 years ago, (if you’ve watched the final 2 hours, you’ll know where, when, why and how) which is why it has 2005 on the headstone, because he died 4 years ago.
Posted on May 30, 2009
i wonder if went will come back again after his death….i can’t believe that michael dead after his sacrifice to sara and his brother……….and i’m wondering if there a person like michael or (went) in this world …..he is amazing person.
Iraqi_Rose*93
Posted on June 01, 2009
hi my name is reda from Morocco, i’m 25 .
he died 4 years ago? but he was born in 1978 i think not in 1974.
Posted on June 02, 2009
Happy Birthday went…….i wish U all the best in ur live.
Iraqi_Rose*93
Posted on June 02, 2009
not wenworth, i mean michael scofild
Posted on June 08, 2009
is there any imformation about prison break ? about season 5
Posted on June 08, 2009
@r.kamarito:
there’s an episode when linc says that michael was born in 1976, but he had to been born as it said in the las episode in 1974 cause he would be 31 when he died, like linc said he was when he told sara about the nosebleed..
and…. I cried so much when I saw the last episode and all during final break. I was so happy seeing michael and sara happy, and then he dies, but when I saw final break I though it kind of make sense but it was still so hard to watch…I still cry a little bit when I remember those episodes ;(