InsideAlcatraz - ALCATRAZ Theories and News

ALCATRAZ Panel at WonderCon 2012

2012-02-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

The cast and crew of ALCATRAZ will be attending WonderCon in Anaheim next month, and of course I will also be there!

Sunday, March 18

1:30 p.m.

Alcatraz Autograph Session

DC Entertainment Booth #501

Time TBD

Alcatraz Special Video Presentation and Q&A

Cast: Sarah Jones, Jorge Garcia, Jonny Coyne and ParminderNagra
Executive producers: Jennifer Johnson, Daniel Pyne andJack Bender
Co-creators/co-executive producers Bryan Wynbrandt andSteven Lilien

I plan to post ALCATRAZ photos and interviews from WonderCon, and look forward to seeing them all again! Let me know if you will be there as well!

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.07 ("Johnny McKee"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-02-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

Well you know, I've been shoved around

Hey, but I've done my share of the shovin' too

I guess you get what you deserve

Yeah you get what's comin' to you.

- John Mellencamp, “Born Reckless”

Let's hop on the train with our gas masks at hand, and make our way through the manufactured fog...

The 302/63’s

1. Dr. Lucille Sengupta/Lucy Banerjee
2. Dr. Milton Beauregard
3. Mrs. Beauregard (questionable)
4. Guy Hastings, guard
5. Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047
6. Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002
7. Johnny McKee, inmate #2055
8. Kit Nelson, inmate #2046
9. Paxton Petty, inmate #2223
10. Cal Sweeney, inmate #2112
11. Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

ALCATRAZ BOOK CLUB

As was the case with LOST, one of my favorite aspects of contemporary television is the integration of literary references that encourage viewers to research and read actual books (versus gadgets). So I was thrilled to see so many books and hear related quotes in last night’s episode of ALCATRAZ.

The Carpetbaggers – Harold Robbins

I do not see any real connection from to the show. As Dr. B said, it is pulp. At least compared to the others on display in the episode.

The Metamorphoses of Ovid

The Metamorphoses is a 12,000-line poem, essentially about transformation. The book is far too dense for me to possibly attempt to explain in any brief manner, but I believe it was used in this episode for two specific reasons: 1. Lucille/Lucy has not appeared to change in any way from 1963 to present day (physically or mentally, pre-coma) and 2. Jack Sylvane told Hauser that he HAD changed (and could no longer dream).

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – Jules Verne

The book is about adventures aboard the submarine Nautilus, which was built in secrecy and roamed the ocean without detection from land-based government.

The real USS Nautilus submarine launched on 1/21/54, and became the first commissioned nuclear power submarine in the US Navy. Johnny McKee said that the USS Nautilus passed through the SF Bay, but it didn’t depart Pearl Harbor toward the North Pole until 1958.

JULES VERNE

The man deserves his own section. Jules Verne also wrote an aptly titled book called "The Mysterious Island" and much of his work is very applicable to this show, thematically.

“Is the Master out of his mind?' she asked me. I nodded. 'And he's taking you with him?' I nodded again. 'Where?' she asked. I pointed towards the centre of the earth. 'Into the cellar?' exclaimed the old servant. 'No,' I said, 'farther down than that.” ― Jules Verne, Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Perhaps the secret to the 63’s does lie in the hole beneath The Hole, in the subterranean area of Alcatraz (see crazy theory below)....

“When I returned to partial life my face was wet with tears. How long that state of insensibility had lasted I cannot say. I had no means now of taking account of time. Never was solitude equal to this, never had any living being been so utterly forsaken.” ― Jules Verne, Journey to the Centre of the Earth

An apt way to describe the experiences of the returning inmates…

SCIENCE CLASS

McKee rigged sprinklers with Zyklon A, a liquid pesticide that releases hydrogen cyanide in a chemical reaction with water. Zyklon B is more commonly known, primarily because it was used in gas chambers during the Holocaust.

Most nightshade plants have berries that contain poisonous solanine, causing convulsions and death. But there are other plants in the nightshade family with toxic berries that harm but do not kill (see crazy theory below).

SAN FRANCISCO, AS VANCOUVER

I live here, and I have no complaints about what they’re using in Vancouver to stand in for locations in San Francisco. For legal/clearance reasons, they can’t use some of the real names, as is the case with most shows (thus, SFTA rather than BART for the trains). But it is a bit disconcerting when they show a crazy man gassing the “East Bay Tube,” as we take the train through that very Trans Bay Tunnel quite frequently. Speaking of clearances – I did laugh out loud that McKee gassed a train full of Golden State Warriors fans. Clearly it was a good deal cheaper to feature that fan gear than the Giants, A’s, Raiders or 49ers.

DR. LUCILLE SENGUPTA/LUCY BANERJEE

“I can help you with that memory; I can help it go away.” - Dr. Sengupta, to Johnny McKee

We now know that her “methods” included electroshock therapy, traumatic memory therapy and acupuncture [auricular acupuncture has been known to treat inmates in prison psych wards; it was developed in 1957, which would have made it a relatively new and experimental method for Dr. Sengupta].

The newly unfrozen-in-time Jack Sylvane said that he’s changed because “I don’t dream.” It seems that Dr. Sengupta’s efforts to remove painful memories resulted in the removal of dream capacity instead. That would make sense, considering how many of the returning 63ers seek to revenge or avenge loved ones, with memories more intact and missions activated.

Flashing back to 1960, Dr. Sengupta asked Johnny McKee if he dreamed about his victims. In 2012, we know that Lucy Banerjee is dreaming while in a coma. We have to ponder whether or not SHE is dreaming about her victims…possibly the 63’s.

DR. MILTON BEAUREGARD

Dr. B referred to current day in New Alcatraz as “our so-called reality.” Given that he is ageless, we must consider WHEN and HOW he re-entered, if he returned at the same time as Lucille/Lucy, if he was given a choice to go with the 63’s, if he knows how he lost 50 years and/or if he helped orchestrate the entire event. It was quite telling that Dr. B called the 1961 book The Carpetbaggers “a MODERN classic." It could very well be that he has no idea what year it is. Look at the man - he does not get out much.

Now that Rebecca Madsen has heard the name Beauregard, I’m hoping she brings it up with Doc, who must have written about Dr. B in his books. If they figure out that he’s still alive, and one of the 63’s – they might finally start to put the puzzle pieces together and discover New Alcatraz.

THE PRISONERS

“You were in prison then, you’re in prison now. Take away the passing of 50 years – nothing’s changed for you.” – Emerson Hauser, to Jack Sylvane

TOMMY MADSEN

This is a shot in the dark, but I am starting to think that Rebecca’s grandfather is going to discover New Alcatraz; that he went off-mission to “rescue” his fellow inmates from their re-incarceration.

JOHNNY MCKEE

McKee is the first returning inmate we’ve seen that sought out employment in order to continue their life of crime.

I believe that McKee specifically chose that train at that time to gas. He must have known that there was a Warriors game that night, and assumed that most of the fans would be male. Although much has changed since 1963, the section of passengers they chose to show did not seem to contain any female basketball fans. Score one for the psychopath.

Once again, we do not see Hauser bring an inmate to New Alcatraz. Johnny McKee might have died, but so did Kit Nelson – and we have yet to see if Dr. B brought him back to life in New Alcatraz. So either the killed inmates are in cold storage, or they are in revitalization chambers. I prefer to think it is the latter.

THE WARDENS

Donde esta Deputy Warden Tiller? His absence, two episodes in a row, is blowing a hole right through my agoraphobia/Isaac Asimov theory.

Can someone please make an animated gif of Warden James saying Ding? Hilarious. But when I hear Ding, I see Fring. Breaking Bad fans will understand.

Just as Warden James forced a confession out of Kit Nelson with his creepy match game, he assisted Dr. Sengupta to force a confession out of Johnny McKee. To me, it is almost as if the Warden makes it his personal mission to have each inmate confess to their sins before they qualify (in his mind) to be part of the future 63’s.

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK, PT 1 – ASSEMBLAGE

It might be possible that “they” combined the areas of expertise from among the 302 on Alcatraz to create the tools necessary to pull off the events of 3/21/63. So far, those that fit the task: Kit Nelson used to work for a company that built bomb shelters (the subterranean dungeon and/or wormhole), and Johnny McKee used to be an organic chemistry teacher (“the fog”).

In addition, I think it was a major clue that McKee “pulled garden duty a lot,” as Warden James himself seemed to be particularly fond of the prison gardens (noted in “Guy Hastings”). The phillumenist is also a horticulturist! The Warden may have been working with or forcing McKee to educate him about the uses of the nightshade plants.

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK, PT 2 – ENTER SANDMAN

In smaller dosages, some of the chemicals derived from the plants in the nightshade family can be used as a sedative or to treat motion sickness. Side effects from these drugs may include confusion, agitation, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. Thus…the “fog that took all the stars away” on 3/21/63.

For the second episode in a row, the Medical Examiner (not coroner, as I've erroneously labeled her previously) Nikki has worn a Sandman comic tee. As I noted in last week’s post, the main character in The Sandman comics was an escaped prisoner named Dream. Obviously, dreams play a huge role in this episode and the entire series. But what is even more relevant (particularly for this theory) is that Dream used a gas gun to compel his enemies to tell the truth and also to put them to sleep.

Nikki is not one of the 63’s, BUT…my conspiratorial instinct suspects that she is Dr. Beauregard’s granddaughter. Her profession, location and conveniently nerdy tees are pointing me in that direction. She is a plant, she knows SOMETHING and may just play a role in the re-entry process of returning 63ers. Who better to help revive those stuck in time than an M.E.? Especially if she was tasked with reviving some who may not have survived or were injured during the 20,000-league journey back from the center of the earth…

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK, PT 3 - TRANSPORTATION

Johnny McKee was a huge Jules Verne fan, and noted that as early as the 1800’s - he wrote about “how we would travel underwater.” If those who vanished from Alcatraz in 1963 didn’t travel through a wormhole, perhaps the subterranean area beneath Solitary on Alcatraz was actually a carved out tunnel system for submarines. If you’re wondering how that many subs (enough to hold 302 people) were able to travel the Bay undetected, just remember that a) we are suspending our disbelief here, people and b) Verne's Nautilus utilized that very technology.
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And…scene. Thank you for taking the time to read though my analysis and (hopefully) get a few laughs out of the crazy theories! As always, I encourage and appreciate feedback and constructive comments. Please note: due to travel, I will not be able to watch & write about next week’s episode until Friday, March 2.

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.06 ("Paxton Petty"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-02-14T16:29:00.000-08:00

To start us off, in honor of Valentine’s Day - an appropriately titled song by an artist relevant to this episode: “Prisoner of Love” by Frank Sinatra.

Alone from night to night, you'll find me too weak to break the chains that bind me.

I need no shackles to remind me, I'm just a prisoner of love.

For one command, I stand and wait now from one who's master of my fate now.

I can't escape, for it's too late now. I'm just a prisoner of love.

What's the good of my caring if someone is sharing those arms with me.

Although she has another, I can't find another for I'm not free.

She's in my dreams awake or sleeping, upon my knees to her I'm creeping,

My very life is in her keeping, I'm just a prisoner of love.

The 302/63’s

1. Dr. Lucille Sangupta/Lucy Banerjee

2. Dr. Milton Beauregard

3. Mrs. Beauregard (questionable)

4. Guy Hastings, guard

5. Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047

6. Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002

7. Kit Nelson, inmate #2046

8. Paxton Petty, inmate #2223

9. Cal Sweeney, inmate #2112

10. Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

DATE DISCREPANCY UPDATE

* I have confirmed that the inmate mugshots and dates on the mugshots are NOT canon, and therefore there are no date discrepancies with regard to Petty's Alcatraz mugshot.

Original thought process:
Paxton Petty’s Alcatraz mug shot indicates his arrival date there as 2/8/60. I’m not sure if that is a continuity/prop error or misleading clue, but it certainly does not match up with other significant dates…

Paxton Petty arrested: 9/3/59

Bombs set off: 2/20/60, 3/6/60, 3/15/60

Paxton Petty transferred to Alcatraz: 9/3/60

In addition, the newspaper in the tomb had a headline about the Zodiac killer, and his crimes took place between 1968-1969. Why on earth would the person responsible for providing Petty with his weapon of choice upon his re-entry also leave a newspaper from a year during which he was frozen in time?

EMERSON HAUSER

Young SF police officer Hauser was a rookie around 1960, judging by what was likely his initial bout of nausea upon arrival to Alcatraz with prisoner Petty.

We have to ponder whether or not Dr. Lucille Sangupta specifically targeted young officer Hauser back in 1960. She was unusually aggressive for a woman of her standing in that era, and he was clearly vulnerable and seemingly very sweet and innocent. Lucille/Lucy is ageless and vanished along with 301 others from Alcatraz in 1963. If she was aware of or responsible for what was going to happen, she may have either warned or tried to recruit Hauser. Did he CHOOSE to stay? Did Lucille give him a pass or enough information to prepare for her return (along with the others) in the future?

Hauser’s old SFPD uniform is stored in a locked trunk on Alcatraz in current day, along with old photos of him with Dr. Sangupta and his Ben Linus-inspired cache of foreign cash and passports. All signs point to the fact that Hauser must actually live in or near the Batcave...and that he is a frequent international flyer. It is possible that during the years when his beloved Lucille was "missing," he was traversing the globe in search of her. Or simply recruiting a top team of nerds for his secret lair.

DR. LUCILLE SANGUPTA/LUCY BANERJEE

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

- Coldplay, “Fix You”

The real question is this: WHEN did Dr. Lucille Sangupta make her re-entry into modern society, and begin her life anew as Lucy Banerjee? I have a suspicion that the season finale will shed light on this very question, hopefully highlighting: how she and Emerson Hauser found one another again, his reaction to her agelessness, and how they teamed up and combined resources to start hunting down the other 301 people who vanished in 1963.

Dr. Sangupta used an anesthetic pill that resembled a mint to sedate inmates, and also appeared to give young Hauser one of the same “mints” for nausea upon his arrival when they first met. That he may have been pre-selected for a specific purpose is becoming more and more likely. It is unclear what effect, if any, the mint had on Hauser. But she definitely needed an outside source, off of the Rock, to help complete her mission or assignment. And, sadly, Hauser's love for Lucille/Lucy may have been and remains unrequited.

Can Lucy die? Can any of the returned 63’s die? Hauser himself may not know, which is why he asked Dr. B to work on Kit Nelson in 2012 New Alcatraz after apparently killing him. We have not seen the status of Nelson since, but perhaps he was revived – which is why Hauser then brought Lucy to Dr. B to "fix her."

It seems Warden James hired Dr. Sangupta, but perhaps did so off the record - indicating his intentions for her assistance with his 1963 project (insert, as they say in The Muppets, a maniacal laugh here). After all, Doc Soto, the Alcatraz expert, knew nothing about a female doctor stationed on Alcatraz.

DOC SOTO

“I wrote a book about Alcatraz, and pretty much everything was wrong.”

I can’t wait for the sequel to his Inmates of Alcatraz book: Lack of Conviction – Inmates Inaccurate.

Nikki the coroner was sporting a tee of The Sandman, and The Sandman himself (Wesley Dodds) had a girlfriend who was aware of his dual identity. Perhaps we have now been introduced to comic book shop owner by day/civilian investigator by night Soto’s new love interest.

THE PRISONERS

TOMMY MADSEN

It was a surprise to learn that Dr. Sangupta was unaware of the blood being taken by Dr. B in the Alcatraz infirmary. She obviously had a strong interest in Tommy Madsen, for reasons that have yet to be unveiled. And she trusted him enough to play Petty’s torture tape, to gauge his recognition of the lullaby Petty mumbled after undergoing her “talking cure.”

Tommy knows about the horrible place beneath Solitary, and I wonder if he will continue to meet with Dr. Sangupta and perhaps reveal what he knows.

It crossed my mind that the recently returned and off-the-grid Tommy Madsen may have paid a visit to Lucy before she was shot. Whether or not he was programmed to do so or not is unclear, but these two may have more of a history than we've seen. Yet.

PAXTON PETTY

“I want to know what happened to me. A week ago I went to sleep a stone’s throw from where we’re standing now. Next thing I know, it’s 2012. And I wake up lying on the floor of a tomb. Tell me how that’s possible.” - Paxton Petty

Guy Hastings remembered specific details about his last night on the Rock before vanishing, but Petty only recalled going to sleep. I have speculated that the “fog” released on Alcatraz that night (see previous post) may have been a type of biochemical agent, and perhaps Hastings simply remembered more because he was awake.

Once again, we did not see Hauser bring a returned 63er to New Alcatraz. But we did witness him shooting Petty, without the intent to kill. We should just assume at this point that all who have returned and are captured are then taken to New Alcatraz. Is Hauser purposefully wounding each returning inmate and guard - making them bleed - so that Dr. B has a fresh source and reason to collect samples for testing in New Alcatraz?

This might be a stretch, but…is it mere coincidence that coroner Nikki was sporting a tee featuring The Sandman in the very episode where sand played a major role in the location of Petty’s final landmine? Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream, indeed. Wait...

Dream is the main character in The Sandman comics, a personification of all that is not real...and an escaped prisoner. The comic book series also features flashbacks and immortal characters. Long story short, ALCATRAZ co-creators/executive producers Bryan Wynbrandt and Steven Lilien and their writing staff are very clearly fans of the comic book and graphic novel genre, and are infusing their show with geeky hints and nods. I strongly approve.

THE WARDENS

Where was Deputy Warden Tiller in the 1960 flashbacks? He was not on the dock when Petty arrived - nor did we see him interact with Petty or anyone else in this episode. His absence seems odd, given what I have interpreted as his agoraphobia (I doubt he left the Rock very often, to avoid crowds and social situations). Something tells me that his sister was involved...

Paxton Petty said that Warden James considered him to be important. Looking back at the Warden’s interactions with Ernest Cobb and Kit Nelson, Petty was not the only inmate to be told as much.

KOREAN WAR CONNECTION

Alcatraz guard Guy Hastings served in the Navy in Korea. Inmate Tommy Madsen served in the Korean War. Inmate Paxton Petty was part of the 45th Infantry Division in the Korean War. Following the line of thinking that the 302 who vanished in 1963 were cryogenically frozen in time (see previous entry: Crazy Theory of the Week)…

In the early 1950’s, North Korea was convinced that outbreaks of disease there were due to biological attacks by the United States. American prisoners confirmed the use of biological weapons by the U.S., but the government denied it and were supported by scientists.

Is it out of the realm of possibility that none of this was a coincidence; that the 63’s all wound up on Alcatraz and may have been specifically brought there for experimentation based on previous exposure to certain chemicals?

MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC…AGAIN

The U.S. soldiers used Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra lyrics to communicate the location of landmines, which is not surprising because both artists frequently performed for the troops as part of the USO.

Yet another record plays! We have now seen two record players in 2012 (Dr. B’s infirmary in New Alcatraz, Lucy’s hospital room) and one in 1960 (at the Warden’s house). I originally offered that the returning inmates had been brainwashed, and that music played a role in their reintegration process. I’m not entirely convinced that I’m wrong.

When he was about to “work” on Kit Nelson in New Alcatraz after Hauser killed him, Dr. B put on a record. In this episode, Hauser put on a record in Lucy’s hospital room – and although it did not revive her, we must consider that there is something about the music. Also, young Hauser was listening to the same song on the radio in 1960 that Hauser played in 2012 in Lucy’s room (if I’m not mistaken).

Again, I could be wrong, but I believe the song they used was “These Foolish Things” by Billie Holiday. Lyrically speaking, it plays like a love letter from Hauser to Lucy.

A cigarette that bares a lipstick's traces

An airline ticket to romantic places

Still my heart has wings

These foolish things remind me of you.

A tinkling piano in the next apartment

Those stumblin'words

That told you what my heart meant

A fair ground painted swings

These foolish things remind me of you.

You came, you saw, you conquered me

When you did that to me

I knew somehow this had to be

The winds of March that made my heart a dancer

A telephone that rings but who's to answer?

Oh, how the ghost of you clings

These foolish things remind me of you

SHOCK THE MONKEY

ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, was used for the first time on a human in the late 1930’s. The doctors applied 55 volts at two-tenths of a second (the exact combination that Dr. Sangupta used on Paxton Petty in 1960) to a patient who was awake, resulting in an oral clarity that was previously non-existent in the man.

Although Dr. Sangupta’s “talking cure” was not as successful with Petty, I have a feeling that we will witness other inmates that fold under such electricity. It is fascinating to note that Petty referred to his experience as “the royal treatment.”

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK…CONTINUED

“Someone’s helping these guys, maybe unfreezing them.” – Doc Soto

Soto would be the first to tell you that Captain America fell from a plane into the ocean and spent decades frozen in a block of ice, in a state of suspended animation. Captain America was injected with a super soldier serum that replenished itself, a virus-like organism that altered his genetic and biochemical makeup.

Cryogenically preserved tissue and cells have been successfully thawed and used, but not actual bodies or brains…perhaps until now.

NEW CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK: QUANTUM LEAP

Among Doc Soto’s 50 or so theories about how the 63’s vanished and are reappearing, he mentioned “a quantum thing” to Petty. I am not a time travel expert, but his description reminded me of a theory I offered about LOST before time travel was officially addressed:

In the Dharma Orchid video, Dr. Pierre Chang referred to exotic matter (hypothetical particles) embedded beneath the island. If you combined that exotic matter with negative energy density, you could stabilize a wormhole. The Casimir Effect can produce a mass-negative region of space-time, which is used to stabilize a wormhole and allow faster than light travel.

Applying this scientific mumbo jumbo to ALCATRAZ…it might be possible that there is similar matter beneath Alcatraz – put in place by Dr. B, the Warden and/or Dr. Sangupta – that created such a wormhole. Thus, the seismic activity that Hauser was anticipating. And what I believe to be located behind the triple locked door to the mysterious dungeon, as well as the horrible place below Solitary that Tommy Madsen referred to. If you stop to think about how 302 people vanished with no trace of foul play, it might make an ounce of sense that they all traveled down the same rabbit hole after being knocked out by chemicals dispersed throughout the island…

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My sincere hope is that you're all enjoying the show and speculation as much as I do. In this day and age of DVRs and online streaming, many viewers are choosing to wait rather than watch ALCATRAZ live on Monday nights. As you might suspect, that is having a negative effect on the ratings. While I personally believe that FOX is going to renew the show, all of us - the vast community of fans with many social networks - need to continue spreading the good word if we want ALCATRAZ to see another season. Save. Our. Show.

As always, I appreciate and encourage comments and constructive feedback, and look forward to reading your thoughts and theories about this episode!

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.05 ("Guy Hastings"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-02-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Go grab your secret stash from the wall and get comfortable, because we are about to take a few virtual jumps between decades in an attempt to figure out what lies beneath. Lairs and nerd herds and dungeons, oh my!

The 302/63’s

1. Lucy Banerjee
2. Dr. Beauregard
3. Mrs. Beauregard (questionable)
4. Guy Hastings, guard
5. Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047
6. Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002
7. Kit Nelson, inmate #2046
8. Cal Sweeney, inmate #2112
9. Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

According to Alcatraz expert and author Michael Esslinger, there were about 300 civilians living on Alcatraz at any given time. It is possible that those responsible for the abduction on 3/21/63 took the time to safely evacuate all of the guards’ wives and children, given how Hastings’ family was separated from him before he disappeared. But if you stop to ponder the logistics involved with making sure that 300 or so family members were taken into SF by ferry on a particular day, it really does prove how pre-meditated and extremely organized the entire event was.

Whatever the reason was behind the disappearance of the 302, ensuring future generations was not on the agenda. Purposefully relocating the wives from the big picture removed any opportunities for additional offspring, leaving only the inmates, guards and prison staff to be suspended in time.

Thus far, we have only witnessed Jack Sylvane and Guy Hastings’ re-entry into current day take place on Alcatraz. We initially saw Ernest Cobb on a picnic, Kit Nelson kidnapping a boy and Cal Sweeney robbing a bank – but not the exact moment when each first appeared to “wake up” disoriented and out place/time.

Cobb’s programmed mission included taking out Dr. Lucy Banerjee/Lucille Sangupta. Madsen’s programmed mission clearly involved leading his granddaughter Rebecca on to the scent of the returning 63’s. I would not be at all surprised if a future returning inmate goes after Doc, if indeed his parents have ties to a former prisoner or the person responsible for their son’s childhood trauma. And at some point, ex-SFPD officer Hauser is also a likely target.

DOUBLE-UPS ARE KEY

I realize that it may have only been a throwaway comment made by Doc in the Pilot, but his statement about double-ups continues to ring true on many levels. Hastings told young guard Ray Archer, “On Alcatraz, no man can do it alone.” And a second cracked framed photo featuring a significant pair of characters (first the older Wardens James and Tiller, and now younger brothers Ray Archer and Tommy Madsen) played a role yet again in the search for the returning 63’s. It takes two, baby.

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE UNDER MY FEET

It was surprising to hear Hauser ask about seismic activity on the day that Guy Hastings returned. Seismic waves are generated by earthquakes or explosions, and I have to wonder if Hauser tipped his hat with that inquiry. Perhaps there is an atmospheric or subterranean disruption at the moment that inmates and guards re-enter, or he is expecting one to occur soon...

{Side note: we live alarmingly close to the Hayward Fault, so now when we experience frequent tremors - I'll keep an eye out for nefarious criminals with Richard Alpert syndrome}

EMERSON HAUSER

We know that young Hauser was a police officer in San Francisco in 1963, and presumably for a few years before that. My guess is that he had encountered or arrested young Tommy Madsen and also knew his brother Ray Archer. We don’t know if Ray’s first job was as a prison guard – it is possible that he applied for the SFPD or even worked with Hauser there before transitioning into a prison guard…

Thinking back to the Pilot episode, when Hauser informed Jack Sylvane that E.B. Tiller “was my friend” – I have to wonder when they become acquainted and how. In 1963, young Hauser was an SF police officer that assisted with prisoner transfers. EB Tiller was a socially awkward Deputy Warden who appeared to suffer from agoraphobia and likely rarely left the Rock. I assume that they formed a friendship BEFORE the 1963 abduction; when Tiller relocated from the Rock to become a Fed. While both men were not present during the events on 3/21/63, we must consider that they were somehow complicit in what happened.

When Hauser picked up the red phone in the secret lair beneath Alcatraz, he simply said, “I need to see you.” He wasn’t addressing the geek squad of scientists behind closed doors – it was a direct line to someone not on the premises. My money is on Dr. B at New Alcatraz. Time for Hauser to call in that favor and have Dr. B save and/or wake up Lucy from the coma so that she can continue assisting his search and recovery of the 63’s.

Was Hauser holding rosary beads at the end of this episode, and if so – why?

THE PRISONERS

TOMMY MADSEN

Ray said that he didn’t think Tommy had killed his wife, but “then I did.” I look forward to more details emerging about the relationship between the two brothers on the Rock, as well as how and why Tommy killed his spouse.

“My grandfather is more important to you than I ever imagined. Which means that you need me more than I need you.” – Rebecca Madsen to Emerson Hauser

After beating him with a tray in the mess hall, Tommy told his brother Ray that “you shouldn’t have come here.” That warning, coupled with Tommy’s knowledge about what takes place beneath solitary and his frequent visits to the infirmary for blood withdrawal – makes a strong case that he knew what was going to happen on 3/21/63…ahead of time. Tommy Madsen was very important to those who orchestrated the abduction and also to Hauser in current day. I would venture to guess that he was the first to be experimented on before the other inmates and guards were subjected to tests, both with and without their knowledge.

Additionally, Tommy may have been sending himself to both solitary confinement and the infirmary on purpose, to either get information or treatments…

It could be that Guy Hastings’ mission was to find the evasive Tommy Madsen, who is currently “unaccounted for” or “lost.” He may have gone rogue from his programmed agenda after re-entry into modern society, and perhaps Hastings’ programmers figured that it was better to send a guard (one of the ‘good guys’) after Tommy than a fellow inmate.

THE GUARDS

The personal items of the inmates were left as-is when they vanished in 1963, and then boxed up and stored later beneath Alcatraz. And yet Annie Hastings received a box of her father’s items from the prison. Taking the time to provide guards’ family members with their personal affects was a very thoughtful and time-consuming process for those who meticulously masterminded the disappearance of 302 people. Someone was responsible for making sure that these items were delivered – someone local and not wherever/whenever the 302 were taken. Hauser referred to Hastings as a “casualty in this.” Clearly, all 46 guards and/or prison staff were casualties that someone or something was willing to sacrifice for their greater purpose…

RAY ARCHER

In the Pilot episode, Ray told Rebecca to “let it go” and walk away from the Sylvane case. In this episode, Ray told her that – regarding Tommy’s crime, “I just had to let it go.” While an obvious comparison to Christian Shephard on LOST might be screaming at you in neon lights, I've moved on (which I highly recommend you can do too, without actually letting go).

“You and me are in this together.” - Guard Ray to Inmate Tommy

Ray signed up to be an Alcatraz guard knowing full well that his brother was an inmate there (thus, the smile on his face when he saw Tommy – who greeted him with a horrified look and beating). He must have known the risks involved, if anyone found out that he was related to a prisoner. Rebecca surmised that Ray was not surprised by the ageless, returning inmates because Hauser had tried to recruit him, but it is also possible that Ray was warned by Tommy and thus left his position on the Rock before 3/21/63. Ray “left to raise his son” after all…

Sixteen banners united over the field, where the good shepherd grieves. Desperate men, desperate women divided, spreading their wings 'neath falling leaves. - Bob Dylan, "Changing of the Guard"

Hauser offered Ray Archer a job 16 years ago. Just something to keep in mind...

GUY HASTINGS

“You don’t belong here.” – Alcatraz Park Ranger to Guy Hastings

Whoever programmed Guy Hastings hid the gun in the wall as part of his assignment, but also the family photos. But Hastings’ wiring was very off because he wasn’t aware that his daughter was still alive when he returned. Unlike Jack Sylvane, who was hell-bent on finding his brother because he’d married Jack’s wife – Hastings’ implanted or restored memories were blurry at best.

Did Hastings leave two gun clips in the hidden wall space because he didn’t intend to harm Ray or Tommy, or because it was another instance of faulty wiring?

They mentioned that Hastings was in the Navy and in Korea before becoming a guard on Alcatraz in 1957. We do not know in what capacity he served, but perhaps it was at Portsmouth Naval Prison – otherwise known as the Alcatraz of the East. The brig at Portsmouth was modeled after Alcatraz, and used throughout the Korean War. Another interesting fact gleaned from Soto's book above - Tommy Madsen also served in the Korean War from 1952-1953. I would not be at all surprised to learn that he and Hastings were well acquainted long before both arrived on the Rock in very different capacities...

THE WARDENS

So Warden James has a “little one.” I can’t wait to meet the Mrs. Shall we add her to the list of the 302, or did he arrange for his wife and child to leave the Rock along with the guards’ families?

Deputy Warden Tiller was rather adamant about getting rid of Ray Archer, as if he already knew that Archer’s brother was Tommy Madsen. Once again, Warden James took a decision out of his hands and assigned authority to someone other than his Deputy.

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK…CONTINUED

According to official (fabricated) records, Hastings and 8 either guards died after a chemical spill in 1963. Before he was abducted and suspended in time, Hastings recalled being told that there was an “accident” that killed their families, and that the guards were sick and contaminated.

I have already speculated about the possibility of cryogenics as an explanation for the frozen-in-time, ageless 302. When Hastings remembered his last night on Alcatraz, he described a “fog that took all the stars away.” Vapors released from cryogenic liquids tend to condense the moisture in air, creating a visible FOG…

Another possible hint was the way that Hastings expressed regret to Ray Archer in current day, about missing all of the years from 1963 to present: “I haven’t been anywhere. You got to…live.” The re-animated Hastings may not have known what happened to him, but he knows that he was robbed of his family and life – and the look on his face spoke volumes; he really is a casualty once this mission is over, and any life he might have now will not be his own.

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Thank you very much for the comments and RT’s – I have randomly selected two of you to receive an autographed copy of Michael Esslinger’s book Letters From Alcatraz (generously donated by Michael)! If you are @CV_81 or KickinAssTakingNames, please email me your shipping address: jo at jopinionated dot com.

If you love ALCATRAZ as much as I do, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to continue spreading the good word to your friends, families and social networks. Watching the show live on Monday nights rather than online or via DVR the next day would be a tremendous step toward ensuring a second season and beyond! The ratings are steady but not as high as they could be if more fans tuned in live rather than later on other devices. Live Plus ratings (that include DVR and streaming views) always enhance the ratings, but are not included in initial overnight numbers, which the networks tend to focus on.

I appreciate your feedback every week and encourage comments either here or via Twitter.

- Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.04 ("Cal Sweeney"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-02-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

My apologies for the delay of episode analysis - I was out of town and unable to dedicate the amount of time necessary to complete this!

Without further delay, let's gather 'round the dinner table and attempt to re-wire our memories while dining by the candlelight of a demented phillumenist...

302/THE 63’s

By my count, we have now been introduced to 8 of the 302 who vanished from Alcatraz on 3/21/63:

1. Lucy Banerjee
2. Dr. Beauregard
3. Mrs. Beauregard (presumably, since she lived on the Rock with him)
4. Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047
5. Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002
6. Kit Nelson, inmate #2046
7. Cal Sweeney, inmate #2112
8. Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

DOC SOTO

We know that Doc endured a traumatic experience as a young boy, that his parents are professors, that he earned several PhDs to appease them and that their relationship is “complicated.” My guess is that the trauma involved a former Alcatraz inmate or guard (but not one of the 63’s, given Doc’s age), and that the person responsible for whatever happened to Doc either knew or was related to his parents.

Soto referred to the secret spy lair beneath Alcatraz as the Bat Cave and published a major breakthrough in crime prevention using a statistical model based on Gotham City. So it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that, like Bruce Wayne - he was present when his parents were mugged and killed (which would make him adopted, providing a potentially “complicated” relationship with the folks who raised him). Like Bruce Wayne, Soto’s super power is the use of his intellect; he studied criminology and criminal psychology (one of his degrees is in Criminal Justice) – resulting in his Alcatraz obsession and expertise.

In the car, Hauser made a comment that the last time Doc drove a car – he was 11 years old (the same age of the trauma). Taking Dr. Lucy Banerjee’s comments about removing traumatic memories into consideration, they are strongly hinting that Lucy and Hauser know exactly what happened to Doc and may have even played a role.

Doc is an Alcatraz expert and knows more about the prisoners than anyone, and yet he was unaware of Sweeney’s background - about the fire that took his family. Oversight or clue?

In the Pilot, Doc said that “you have to double up; double-ups are KEY.” Thinking about the double locks that the Warden had to use in order to access the final lock on the dungeon door, Doc’s comment suddenly takes on an entirely new light…

REBECCA MADSEN

I have watched a good deal of sci-fi and primetime television in my life. So I just have to point out how nice it is to see a female lead actually eat. Often. That Detective Madsen is particularly fond of dim sum is rather appropriate, given that the show is set in San Francisco. I live here and can vouch for the amazing variety of delicious dim sum in the Bay Area.

I want Madsen and Soto to be more curious, to be asking WHERE the returned and recently captured inmates go after Hauser allegedly gives them new identities and removes them from society. They are both very intelligent, intuitive characters and it stands to reason that they would be suspicious of Hauser’s methods and the whereabouts of the prisoners.

THE PRISONERS

All four returning prisoners spent time in solitary in 1960. This is not a coincidental fact.

CAL SWEENEY

Just as Jack Sylvane was not a murderer in his previous incarnation as a less-than-model-citizen, Cal Sweeney had simply robbed safe deposit boxes - unaccompanied by a trail of blood. This further solidifies my theory that the returning inmates have been programmed. And like Sylvane, Cobb and Nelson before him, Sweeney was provided very specific instructions for his mission. He purposefully hit a few banks and miscellaneous safe deposit boxes (likely to convince authorities that the pattern was random) before getting to his primary target – box 1869.

It was not entirely clear why Sweeney was so interested in the story behind the sapphire necklace, given the ages of the couple he targeted. While the show has already established sibling issues with previous prisoners, I think it might be too soon to have another motivated-by-guilt-from-wronging-a-family-member episode. Then again, it may not be coincidental that this episode also featured the introduction of Deputy Warden Tiller’s sister.

In my estimation, Sweeney would have been an infant around the time that the red headed Mrs. Victim was also an infant. He visually reacted primarily to the victim’s comment that the sapphire was his wife’s birthstone. We know that Sweeney was targeting 45-50 year old female bank tellers (including one red head), so my best guess is that Sweeney’s mother was a red head with a birthday in September. Mommy issues, party of one.

While negotiating with Deputy Warden Tiller during his shave in 1960 on Alcatraz, Sweeney referred to the inmates as 300 “nosebleeds.” In 1963, there were only 256 prisoners when they all vanished. So over the next three years, 44 inmates were killed or released.

Sweeney was not very bright – he did not question why young Harlan was already working as a steward at the Warden’s house, a “top shelf employment” opportunity for select inmates.

Tiller could have killed Sweeney in the bathroom at the Warden’s house, but chose to only stab him. They may have needed the inmates to remain alive in preparation for the 1963 event – or at least prisoners like Sweeney, who drew the attention of the Wardens and may have been designated for experimentation from the get-go. Of course the leg wound provided an opportunity for Sweeney to visit the infirmary, where they could start taking/testing his blood…

HARLAN

Now that young Harlan has entered the dungeon, it is unclear whether we will see him again either in 1960 or current day. I certainly hope we are privy to what he experienced and how it affects his returning mission.

THE WARDENS

E.B. TILLER

“The Warden tends to look the other way when it comes to the smaller vices and minor infractions. If it were up to me, I’d run this place on the up and up. But it ain’t. So in the meantime, you’re getting squeezed.”

Deputy Warden Tiller definitely aspired to take over for Warden James, but was clearly fearful of the man. We now know that both of them relocated to other positions off of Alcatraz before 1963 and the abduction (likely because they were warned or involved), so Tiller never got the opportunity to run the prison.

Tiller’s demeanor in front of the inmates and in front of his boss was vastly, visually different. He appeared to be much more comfortable in the power position at the prison, and visibly nervous in a social setting at the Warden’s house. If Elijah Bailey Tiller was indeed named after the Asimov character (see paragraph in earlier post called Isaac Asimov’s Robot Series), his agoraphobia is appropriately attributed and illustrated.

When Sylvane perused the Alcatraz book on the ferry that featured the photo of the Wardens, the book noted that there were two attempts on Tiller’s life. Was Sweeney’s attack in the bathroom one of them?

When Warden James gave Tiller a pen for his birthday, his reaction was classic Say Anything exasperation: “I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.”

EDWIN JAMES

The wealthy Warden used inmates as dinner stewards at his home, which seemed risky but was yet another indication of his demented sense of entertainment.

It seems the Warden specifically hired Lucy in 1960 to create or oversee the preparation of the occupants on the Rock for the event in 1963.

THE DOCTORS

DR. AND MRS. BEAUREGARD

In the last episode, they specifically showed us that Dr. B was wearing a wedding ring while working in New Alcatraz. I am adding Mrs. Beauregard to the list of those who vanished in 1963, and have a strong suspicion that we will see an ageless version of Mrs. B very soon. Once again, we have to remember that family members lived with the prison staff while employed on Alcatraz. There will be more of them among the 302. We were deliberately misled to believe that the 302 consisted of 256 prisoners and 46 guards only…

Dr. B is threatened by and has open disdain for Lucy, so it will be interesting to watch how he reacts when Hauser brings her to New Alcatraz (calling upon that favor he mentioned, for a friend). I wouldn’t be surprised to see her there after she either wakes up from the coma or Hauser somehow arranges a transfer in her current condition. After all, the magical Dr. B may have access to medical equipment designed to revive…

LUCY BANERJEE

“Inner feelings are of secondary importance to me. When it comes to deviant behavior, their wiring lies in their memories. Specifically, traumatic memories that give rise to these instincts and impulses. If I can remove the traumatic memories and leave a more soothing one in its place, we might be able to correct or adjust their behavior. In essence, we re-wire them.”

For several reasons, this may be the most significant and telling quote of the season thus far. If in fact the returning inmates have been programmed for one purpose and mission only, it seems that their wiring has deviated from the plan. It is quite clear that the traumatic memories of those we’ve seen thus far were not removed at all, and that their behaviors have been anything but adjusted. Sylvane and Sweeney each retrieved one of the mysterious Alcatraz dungeon keys, but had absolutely no idea why they were doing so. And every prisoner that has returned so far has directly reacted to former flames and family members by seeking out those who have harmed them or reminded them of their pasts. System failure!

I believe that Lucy failed her original task, and that she has returned from 1963 to correct her mistakes, make adjustments and try again. Thus…New Alcatraz. I have changed my opinion about Hauser’s knowledge of Lucy since the Pilot – and believe that they are working together to capture the 302. Hauser’s funding and technology, coupled with Lucy’s experience as a time traveling scientist and familiarity with the prisoners - makes for quite a dangerous and powerful team.

The nerd herd working behind closed doors on Alcatraz was likely the responsibility of Lucy, but now that she is in a coma – they must work with and for Hauser. I will be curious to find out if we will get to know anyone else on their team, or if any of them withhold information they discover until Lucy is able to return.

NEW ALCATRAZ

This was the first time we did not get to see Hauser bring a returning inmate to New Alcatraz. We last saw Sweeney in the police car after Madsen crashed - and it seems like a deliberate choice to keep his New Alcatraz entry from us.

THE DUNGEON

The obvious guess is that Tiller’s sister Geri was locked up below Alcatraz in the dungeon. While Tiller likely resided on the Rock along with the other staff, I would be very surprised to find out that they kept her there caged like an animal. Even for those in charge with a clear lack of humanity, it seems far too monstrous and cruel. I would suggest that there was not be a person per se down there, but rather a machine or system designed and/or overseen by Lucy. Geri was not the only guest at the Warden’s table for Tiller’s party, and Harlan could have caught the eye of another “subterranean resident who desires to have a parlay.” The mysteriously silent Mrs. Beauregard could be considered as another option for who was behind 3-lock door number one…

Though we don’t know yet whether Deputy Warden Tiller was aware of or used the dungeon like Warden James, I believe that Lucy did. She may have programmed Sylvane and Sweeney to retrieve two of the three keys upon their return – but her end-game and purpose is murky at this point. We have to ponder whether or not she herself placed the keys with Barclay Flynn and the safe deposit box, why she did so, and where the third and final key is (as well as which inmate or guard will be programmed to obtain it).

If we are to assume that the dungeon is the place beneath Solitary where horrible things happen (which inmate Tommy Madsen referred to while in the infirmary) – it is safe to also assume that Madsen had been taken there. He lived to tell the tale, so perhaps Harlan will as well.

MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC

We have now seen record players both in 2011 (Dr. B’s infirmary in New Alcatraz) and 1960 (at the Warden’s house). If the returning inmates have been brainwashed, perhaps music is used as part of the reintegration process. Dr. B put on a record as he was about to revive Nelson…

MIGHT AS WELL JUMP

The show has not outright mentioned time travel, although most viewers and fans seem to have concluded as much. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear Hauser mention that he needs to find out “how the prisoners jumped.” To be honest, I’m hoping that they take a more complicated, less obvious route. I’d much prefer to watch them unravel the mystery of suspension in time and cryogenics.

I also noticed that both Dr. B (at Tiller’s dinner) and Sweeney (meeting with Tiller at the prison) made casual mentions of nosebleeds in two separate contexts. Anyone who watched LOST probably also thought about the nosebleeds that resulted from time jumps…

THESE GO TO 11

Forget Spinal Tap. The writers on this show know something more about the number 11 than we do. Soto last drove when he was 11, the same age he was when the trauma occurred. Inmate Kit Nelson went after 11-year old boys. And so on. If we want to delve into super nerdy territory, there are 11 space time dimensions in M-theory. String theories, gravity and quantum physics may certainly be considered as we contemplate exactly how the 63’s are reappearing…

BAD ROBOT

One of the prisoners is named Pinkner - a nice shout-out to Bad Robot and Fringe executive producer Jeff Pinkner.

The inclusion of a mystery box (Sweeney's tin) is no surprise to fans of shows produced by Bad Robot. If you have not already watched the incredibly illuminating video J.J. Abrams' Mystery Box, I highly recommend it.

DEADWOOD REUNION

With Dr. B (Leon Rippy) and Geri Tiller (Geri Jewell) at the same table in this episode, it was a mini Deadwood reunion. ALCATRAZ co-creator and former executive producer Elizabeth Sarnoff was a story editor and producer on Deadwood, my second favorite show of all time (after LOST, of course). Fun side note: on Deadwood, Geri Jewell played Jewel and on ALCATRAZ , she’s playing Geri.

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK: WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S FIRE

With inmate Kit Nelson, Warden James utilized matches to force a confession out of him. The Warden then left the remaining matches with Nelson in Solitary, and we saw him with the same matches after he’d returned to contemporary society. Inmate Cal Sweeney’s sole possession was a scorched tin box, the only item from his family and past that remained after a fire took everything. A fire, I might add, that Alcatraz expert Doc Soto had no knowledge of. I would further offer that the tin was a tobacco box, another item collected by phillumenists like Warden James...

To me, it seems feasible that the Warden was responsible for the fire that robbed Sweeney of his entire life. Perhaps Doc was unaware of Sweeney’s past because the crime was undocumented. Someone in a position of great power, like the Warden overseeing the worst criminals in America, may have had the reach to cover up certain details when necessary.

“Your future just got a heck of a lot BRIGHTER, kid.”

In addition, although laser cutting was not available until after 1965 (keeping in mind that this is a sci-fi show where suspension of disbelief is always mandatory) - the lover of light himself may have also had a hand in the creation of the system that carved the keys to the dungeon and quite possibly related to HOW they suspended the 302 in time. Lasers are wireless transfers of electromagnetic energy and radiation, emitting light through optical amplification. I am not a scientist, but somehow it seems possible that this is all related…
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GIVEAWAY

To reward your patience for my delayed posts and for spreading the word about this site, I am going to give away two copies of the book “Letters from Alcatraz” by Michael Esslinger. If you’d like to be entered to win one (your choice: book or Kindle version), simply re-tweet the link to this post or leave a comment below! I will randomly select the winners and announce them in next week’s post.

Once again I thank you for the comments and feedback, because without you - I am yet another voice in the very crowded television analysis blogosphere. I appreciate your interest and the word-of-mouth, and look forward to your thoughts about this episode!

-Jo (@InsideAlcatraz)

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.04 ("Cal Sweeney") Analysis Delayed

2012-01-31T12:24:00.000-08:00

My apologies - I am out of town and have not been able to watch this week's episode of ALCATRAZ yet. I will be posting my in-depth analysis on Friday (2/3).

Thank you for your patience!

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.03 ("Kit Nelson"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-01-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your patience! As a reminder, this site is spoiler-free, my emphasis is on elaborate speculation rather than episode recap, and all comments will be moderated.

So without further delay, let’s light a bonus match and uncover the truth about Kit Nelson…

302/THE 63’s

By my count, we have now been introduced to 6 of the 302 who vanished from Alcatraz on 3/21/63:

Lucy Banerjee
Dr. Beauregard
Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047
Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002
Kit Nelson, inmate #2046
Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

Regardless of the fact that Emerson Hauser’s opening narration of the show states that 302 men vanished, Lucy is proof that at least one woman was among them.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM

In the U.S., a chrysanthemum represents positive reinforcement – primarily given in bunches as get-well or house-warming flowers. However, in many countries such as Austria and Belgium, the chrysanthemum is used as a gravestone memorial and is widely considered to be the flower of death. Kit Nelson clearly chose a more European style; he left chrysanthemums on the beds of his kidnapping victims.

COMIC BOOK NERD ALERT

If I’m not mistaken, Dylan was reading the Justice Society of America Volume 3 #41…which I believe features a visit to Alcatraz.

What? I’m a Comic-Con and Wonder-Con girl, and geek at heart.

DOC SOTO & REBECCA MADSEN

We are bound to see a Doc Soto-penned comic book become available to us at some point, but it remains to be seen whether or not the new crime scenes that Doc is drawing will come into play after Hauser has captured more inmates.

The working relationship and friendship between Doc and Madsen is progressing quite nicely, and I do like how she stands up to Hauser with regard to her partnership with Doc. I must note that I was very impressed and touched by Jorge Garcia’s performance in this episode, and I look forward to more reveals about his character. For a show focused on hard criminals and those in pursuit, it is essential to establish a heart and soul of the series - and they have. His name is Diego Soto.

Although exact details were not shared (yet), we now know that Doc was kidnapped when he was 11 years old. Hauser refers to a state of arrested development brought on by a trauma, and obviously knows exactly what happened to Doc. He also likely knew that Madsen would find him and that they’d team up for his purposes. While I hesitate to call Madsen and Doc mere pawns in Hauser’s game, it seems to me that both of them have joined a team that was pre-determined and meticulously designed…

EMERSON HAUSER & LUCY BANERJEE

Whether it was a purposeful editorial decision or not, something interesting caught my eye during the scenes from “previously on ALCATRAZ.” I noticed that they first showed Emerson patting Lucy’s hand as he instructed her to “watch them” (when he asked her to go with Rebecca and Doc as they looked for Ernest Cobb), and then cut to her being shot by Cobb in the window. It was as if they wanted us to believe that Emerson was complicit in her shooting…as if he knew if was going to happen or even may have been behind it. In “Kit Nelson,” however, Emerson was unusually demonstrative with his distress about Lucy’s current condition.

With every new episode, we are left to ponder if Lucy chose to come back or was forced to return.

They seem to be hinting that the relationship between Emerson and Lucy used to be of a romantic nature. The question remains whether or not they dated when he was a young SF police officer and she was a doctor on Alcatraz back in the early 1960’s, or whether it was more recent – upon her “return” to contemporary society.

Now that Lucy is in a coma, where is the key that Sylvane stole from Flynn? I believe she was the last person to possess it. If it were in fact the key to operate the elevator for access beneath the Secret Spy Lair on Alcatraz…I’d like to think that Hauser knows about it and would be using it already.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

I am particularly amused by the locations they are using on ALCATRAZ, even though I realize that they are filming up in Vancouver. For example, Kit Nelson kidnapped Dylan from a house in Walnut Creek and they went fishing on the Lafayette Reservoir – both of which are quite close to where we actually live. I’m not one to nitpick and compare real locations with where they are filming, but so far none of the Bay Area towns and settings featured on ALCATRAZ have been too far off in terms of realistic surroundings.

NEW ALCATRAZ

The big question at hand is this – does Emerson Hauser NEED the returning 302 to be alive? Does their viability determine or affect his end game? He made the choice to “kill” Nelson rather than merely put a carefully placed, non-lethal bullet in him, as he did with both Sylvane and Cobb.

Given the very hi-tech equipment installed at New Alcatraz, we can’t rule out the possibility that Hauser and his team have a type of revival/restoration system in place. Not only did Hauser bring Dr. Beauregard the dead body of Kit Nelson, he mentioned that he might need him to help a friend. The obvious guess is that Hauser would like the dancing doctor to save Lucy’s life, and that he has some way of bringing Nelson back as well. Perhaps my Crazy Theory of the Week in the last post isn’t too far off.

Speaking of modern technology...I have to also wonder if New Alcatraz is where the returning prisoners are actually being dispersed from. Hauser is working beneath old Alcatraz and New Alcatraz is clearly within driving distance of San Francisco (my guess: Marin County). We have only seen one or two levels of and rooms in the facility - the inmate cells, Dr. Beauregard's infirmary and the lie detector room. It is entirely possible that there is yet another Secret Spy Lair, and that the re-animation process takes place there below New Alcatraz.

IF in fact Hauser is actually responsible for what is happening and is bringing the inmates back to life in New Alcatraz, then I would suggest that the mysterious key (retrieved courtesy of Jack Sylvane) will play a role in uncovering/thwarting Hauser's plans in future episodes. Logistically speaking, the newly revived inmates may not recognize New Alcatraz when they are captured and brought back there because they might have been brainwashed. Or their implanted chips were swiped clean of any memories from their time in suspension, from 1963-2011...

THE PRISONERS

Whomever/whatever is assigning the returning inmates their mission is dooming them to repeat the past and get captured. They MUST be aware of Hauser’s efforts and New Alcatraz by now, or at least that he has assembled a team to secure the collective evil before they destroy more lives across a wider swath than just the Bay Area.

One commonality among the first three prisoners we’ve seen thus far is that all of them were put in solitary confinement. Yes, that was a frequent action on Alcatraz and prisons everywhere – but we must consider if it is also a hint or a pattern that relates to their future disappearance. For all we know, there are brainwashing messages and/or chemical releases being dispersed secretly within those cells.

KIT NELSON

A few days before this episode, I was tinkering around with anagrams using episode titles (as I did often when I covered LOST), discovered one for Kit Nelson that seemed apt and turned out to be spot on (Stolen Kin), and then posted it on Twitter. Keep an eye on inmate and other character names in future episodes…

I don’t know about you, but I laughed when Dylan’s little brother said that Nelson had given him ROCK candy. Nice touch.

It struck me as odd that Warden James left the remaining matches with Nelson in solitary, and it would be very interesting to learn that the matches Nelson had when he returned were the very same. Were they frozen in time along with Nelson, or were they placed in his coat pocket as part of his mission and memory retrieval upon re-entry?

TOMMY MADSEN

We have now seen Rebecca’s grandfather getting blood taken in the Alcatraz infirmary twice in 1960. He must have been of particular interest to whomever was running those tests. To me, the same party responsible for taking extraordinarily large amounts of blood from the inmates was also responsible for the abduction in 1963.

When Madsen told Nelson that, “they didn’t beat you for what you did, they beat you for what you are,” it offered up a potentially fascinating take on the morality of those who managed to make 302 people disappear. The inmates may have been chosen for experimentation because of their horrible dispositions and disposability, but what about the guards and medical staff who vanished alongside of them? Either they were collateral damage or each had a dark past that we’ve yet to witness...

THE WARDENS: JAMES AND TILLER

Both Warden James and Deputy Warden Tiller conveniently left their posts on Alcatraz before the 302 vanished on 3/21/63. If they were warned, we have to question by whom and why. They were both aware of the blood being taken from the inmates in their infirmary, and also took great pleasure in the mental and physical anguish of the inmates….

So Warden James was a phillumenist! Seriously, I love that the man responsible for overseeing the worst criminals on earth collected matchboxes and matchbooks for fun. Was he a pyromaniac, or just a fan of incendiary products? The phillumenist, the lover of light, was certainly working in the darkest of offices…

Warden James is fast becoming one of the most interesting and compelling characters on ALCATRAZ, and Jonny Coyne is delivering the perfect mixture of mystery and maliciousness. Mark my words - Coyne is poised to become the breakout star of this show, and he deserves the accolades. Although I must admit that I am far more creeped out by Deputy Warden Tiller, and love how Jason Butler Harner is playing him with a seemingly deliberate stillness and control (despite what lies beneath).

I was not able to capture the brand of matches that James used with Nelson, but I did catch that they were from the civil war area. That only caught my attention because we know that Doc has a PhD in civil war history...

AN OBSERVATION

Almost all of the returning 63’s appear to be motivated by the resolution of family matters, from the guilt of lost spouses, siblings and opportunities. Sylvane: ex-wife and brother. Cobb: half-sister. Nelson: brother. It is possible that Lucy Banerjee returned for Emerson Hauser. And don’t forget that the ageless Dr. Beauregard is wearing a wedding ring in New Alcatraz, so don’t be surprised to see his origin story emerge as one of love lost…or found.

In addition, Warden James was hell bent on making sure that Nelson both faced his father and confessed to killing his brother – so it appears he may have a very strong interest or stake in the families of the inmates. At times, James comes across like a pastor or priest, yet far too interested in their criminal techniques. Perhaps James is taking it upon himself to play God with his incarcerated subjects, with Tiller as his Right Hand. Under that context, consider when Nelson’s father said, “I thank God for Alcatraz.”

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Overall, I felt that there was a strong X-Files and Fringe vibe to this episode of ALCATRAZ, which is fantastic. Once again, I am thrilled that I was not at all reminded me of LOST (and no, the bomb shelter was not a hatch). The criminals are appropriately frightening, the wardens are deliciously suspicious, the three leads are intelligent and resourceful, the story and overarching mythology are accelerating, and the cast chemistry is building at just the right pace.

Fun side note: Hauser said that it takes about 10,000 hours for someone to become an expert on a subject, so I calculated the amount of time I spent over 6 years watching, re-watching and writing about LOST…and estimated about 30,000 hours. Do with that what you will.

I am so appreciative for your interest and comments, and that many of you have already shared this site with your social networks. If you like what you read, whether you think I'm way off base or possibly on to something, please spread the word! And stay tuned for giveaways, from InsideAlcatraz magnets to souvenirs from Alcatraz itself to swag from the ALCATRAZ premiere party!

As always, I love and encourage comments, but ask that you please be constructive and polite.

Alas, I will be out of town next Monday and unable to watch or write about ALCATRAZ until Friday of next week (2/3/12). Thank you in advance for your patience…again!

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.03 ("Kit Nelson") Analysis Delayed

2012-01-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to report that I am under the weather and therefore unable to post episode analysis tonight after "Kit Nelson" airs. My plan is to post my thoughts and theories late tomorrow night (Tuesday) instead. In the meantime, I will be avoiding Twitter, Facebook and Alcatraz sites and podcasts to avoid spoilers and until after I have the opportunity to share my own analysis.

Thank you for your patience!

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Episode 1.01 ("Pilot") & 1.02 ("Ernest Cobb"): Thoughts & Theories

2012-01-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

** Warning: This post contains plot and character details from the first 2 episodes of ALCATRAZ - if you have not watched them yet, please read at your own risk! **

Welcome to ALCATRAZ! This is the very first installment of my weekly episode analysis, where I plan to kick open doors that the writers have pushed ajar, with the power of crazy theories and conspiratorial speculation. Because I had the opportunity to view both episodes, I also had the luxury of time to create a lengthy article in advance. Normally, my post-episode thoughts will appear in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, and may not be as long.

Before we begin, a few important housekeeping items...

There are many sites that offer episode recaps; this is not one of them. My emphasis will always be in-depth analysis. You've seen the show, so rather than read a play-by-play, my hope is that you'll return here after each episode to engage in further thought and conversation.
By no means am I an expert or authority on television analysis or Alcatraz itself; my specialty is elaborate speculation. I have been a freelance writer for several years, and have access to screeners of episodes in advance on occasion. But I know as much as you do about ALCATRAZ, and prefer it that way. Living a spoiler-free life makes television a much more enjoyable experience.
I truly appreciate feedback, and encourage you to leave Comments below (which will be moderated, as my policy is to provide a space for constructive criticism and discussion rather than personal attacks on me or other readers).
Because this site is 100% spoiler-free, I will not post any information about future episodes, nor will I publish any comments that do. The same is true for my InsideAlcatraz Twitter account.
Future episode posts will hopefully include official photos from FOX and screen captures, but right now I don't have many to offer. However I will include photos taken when I visited Alcatraz while they were filming the Pilot last March.
Due to the fact that they aired two episodes in a row, this particular post will include analysis of both, combined.
Keep in mind that I am human - there will be mistakes and/or discrepancies every once in a while! Also, as was the case with LOST, the majority of my theories will be debunked within a few episodes. The fun is in the reach and stretch to explore possibilities!

So grab your scratchy prison-issue blanket and settle in for a while; this is going to be a long yet entertaining read and ride...

SO. NOT. LOST.

Let's address the elephant on the island right away, shall we? I have seen every episode of LOST at least 4 times, and wrote about the show extensively for years. So I am more than qualified to assert that ALCATRAZ is in no way trying to be the next LOST. While there are visual J.J. Abrams tinges to the series, this is a very different island with an entirely new story, set of characters and mysteries. Personally, I was thrilled and somewhat relieved that I did not think about comparisons to LOST at all while watching the first two episodes of ALCATRAZ. The only true commonalities are former LOST cast and crew, including Abrams, series co-creator Elizabeth Sarnoff (who has departed the show), director/executive producer Jack Bender, actor Jorge Garcia, composer Michael Giacchino and production designer Zack Grobler. That being said, of course watching and analyzing six years of LOST will come into play while watching any new show in the same genre. Particular numbers, names and key words will always remind us of elements from LOST. In the case of ALCATRAZ, however, I honestly believe that they are coincidental rather than homage.

* Side note: Giacchino was the composer of note for the first episode of ALCATRAZ, but Andrea Datzman took over starting with episode 1.02 and will be the series composer. She is also the orchestrator for the upcoming John Carter, as she was on Cars 2, Super 8 and Let Me In (among many others).

MARCH 21, 1963

"On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz officially closed due to rising costs and decrepit facilities. All prisoners were transferred off the island...only that's not what happened. Not at all."

The Alcatraz Federal Prison did actually close on March 21, 1963, after 29 years and not a single successful prisoner escape. The order was placed by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and prisoners were relocated to other prisons. What an incredible premise to work from and with...

INTO THIN AIR

When the 302 prisoners and guards (referred to as the 63's) disappeared from Alcatraz on 3/21/63, all of their clothing and personal items were left behind. Everyone literally vanished, and clearly they had no warning or time to prepare. They were taken from exactly where they were situated at that very moment. Whatever, or whomever, took them - it was a surprise and it happened in an instant. The abductors had no interest in who the 302 were (thus, leaving all inmate files and information) - only who they COULD become. If we stop to ponder the sheer number of men and power it would take to snatch up and corral hundreds of the world's most dangerous criminals...the possibilities are mind-boggling.

Logistically speaking, such a bold takeover of the Rock would have required more than a few subs or boats to transfer 302 people. But the 302 were taken without detection of any kind, and the conspiracy to cover up their disappearance reached far and wide. Documents were fabricated and wardens from other prisons like San Quentin were in on it (as noted by Detective Rebecca Madsen while looking at former inmate Jack Sylvane's paperwork).

You might be asking why no one figured out that 302 people who were allegedly transferred were nowhere to be found after 3/21/63, even though official paperwork noted their new locations. I trust that the writers will address it, moving forward. In Sylvane's case, his ex-wife and brother likely never visited after his "transfer" and their marriage, only to be told later that he died in his new prison.

ISAAC ASIMOV'S ROBOT SERIES

I find it very interesting that they named Deputy Warden E.B. Tiller after a character in Asimov's Robot novels - Elijah Bailey. In Asimov's world, E.B. is a homicide detective in the future, heavily featured in flashbacks (as E.B. will be on ALCATRAZ, now that we've seen his present day murder). What is even more fascinating is that Asimov's E.B. suffered from a serious case of agoraphobia. Given that the E.B. we've met on ALCATRAZ works in a very confined and private environment on the Rock - it is quite fitting.

After being placed back in contemporary society in San Francisco, both Jack Sylvane and Ernest Cobb displayed robotic-like determination with regard to their kill missions - not unlike a T2 (or Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 Series 800 Version 2.4 Infiltration-Combat Unit, in nerd-speak).

But Sylvane's demeanor and emotional state changed significantly when he sought out both Tiller and his brother. He admitted to killing E.B. Tiller out of hate, but that "I only did what THEY told me" - referring to his murder of Barclay Flynn. It seems likely that each prisoner was implanted with a memory chip rather than brainwashed; a chip that is activated from afar at very specific moments, but one that does not have complete control of all brain capacity outside of doling out mission-specific details.

Normally, this is where I would posit a potentially crazy theory of the week, including conjecture about how the 302 who disappeared from Alcatraz were taken for the purpose of creating their robotic doppelgangers to return in the future for revenge. However, Asimov created and followed the Three Laws of Robotics - the specifications of which are contrary to the behavior we've seen exhibited by both Sylane and Cobb:

A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

So although it would be fun to visualize a giant spaceship with long tentacles reaching down to grab up the 302 on the Rock below, I don't feel as though ALCATRAZ is heading in the direction of Close Encounters, Super 8, V or I, Robot.

KELVIN [Easter Egg Alert]

You may have noticed that the boat arriving with young Emerson Hauser on Alcatraz was called Warden Kelvin. Fans of J.J. Abrams' shows and films (Fringe, LOST, MI: 3, Star Trek) already likely know that Kelvin was the name of his grandfather. For what it's worth, Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) was also the name of a famous physicist and engineer who specialized in thermodynamics.

* Update: Many fans also kindly pointed out that there was a brief shot of a Kelvin Fish Cannery building during one of Ernest Cobb's shooting sprees.

On ALCATRAZ, we have met both Deputy Warden Tiller and Warden James, so at some point in the future I imagine we may actually be introduced to a former Warden Kelvin...

MISSION: POSSIBLE

Jack Sylvane and Ernest Cobb were placed back in San Francisco not only with their avenge/revenge missions intact (via memory chip or other unknown method), but also with the supplies necessary to kick off their journeys. Cash, ferry tickets and keys were placed in their jacket pockets, even though they had no idea how they'd arrived or where those items came from. It seems to me that whomever is responsible for their abduction and re-entry...there is at least one stationed in San Francisco or surrounding area, monitoring the missions and supplies. That being said, they haven't made a move (yet) toward New Alcatraz, where Hauser is locking away the returned prisoners.

NEW ALCATRAZ

New Alcatraz, deep in the forests of Vancouver (standing in for a very lush section of the Bay Area - Marin, perhaps?), is my favorite aspect of ALCATRAZ thus far. A wee bit like Endor from the outside, sans Ewoks. It was a nice surprise and reveal, and offers up myriad possibilities about its creation, use and Hauser's involvement in the larger conspiracy. I love the hi-tech lie detector table and overall modern look of New Alcatraz, and I'm sure we'll see even more geeky gadgets put to use there.

STEPHEN KING

The young man working the desk at the YMCA/gym, where Sylvane retrieved the gun from the locker, was reading a Stephen King book. My guess is that it was Different Seasons (a novella with four stories, including the most memorable prison tale of all - Shawshank Redemption), a nice nod to Stephen King. I suspect that Deputy Warden Tiller's mention of an inmate named Red was another Shawshank shout-out...

CHARACTERS

LUCY BANERJEE/DR. LUCILLE SENGUPTA

Ladies and gentleman, the KEY to this series. Dr. Lucille Sengupta was the same age in 1960 on Alcatraz that Lucy Banerjee is in current day San Francisco. We are told that 302 MEN disappeared from the Rock on 3/21/63, but no women. Those men (at least the three we've seen so far that have returned) have not aged. Neither has Lucy. So either the former Dr. Sengupta was on Alcatraz when they vanished, or she worked with whomever was responsible for making them disappear. In New Alcatraz, she did have the key that Sylvane retrieved from Flynn, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility that she herself programmed his mission and needs that key for something that will be revealed in an upcoming episode.

Doc Soto mentioned that a special key is needed to access three buttons on an elevator in the Secret Spy lair beneath Alcatraz - the logical guess is that the horrible area referred to by inmate Tommy Madsen is accessible through that elevator...

Hauser appears to be unaware that Lucy is who she is, but they have a history. Whether it was of a father/daughter or romantic nature, we shall soon find out. We have to.

We do know that Hauser has been waiting for the 63's to reappear "for a very, very long time." It is possible that Lucy was specifically chosen by her people to return and work for Hauser, for the sole purpose of misguiding his objectives.

But IF Lucy somehow escaped from wherever the 63's were being held, that could explain why Cobb was programmed to kill her. The attack on her seemed much more personal than his other seemingly random shootings, and the only pending murder with a warning: the "I can see you" sign and target on the window. It was as if Cobb knew he shouldn't kill her, or didn't want to, but the mission was programmed in and the last sliver of humanity left in his cold heart wanted to warn her.

As for the current condition of the lovely Lucy, they're not going to kill off Parminder Nagra. They wouldn't have gone to the trouble of introducing her as Dr. Sengupta in the flashbacks. But it was certainly startling to see her get shot in the second episode of the series. A bold move. I like it. However...it is also possible that she can't die. Look, the woman is ageless. Who's to say she's mortal?

EMERSON HAUSER

"I run a special division in charge of criminals who hold a particular allure for our government."

It is not entirely clear which branch of the government that Hauser and Lucy Banerjee work for, or even if they do. We have to question WHO financed the construction and maintenance of New Alcatraz, and if we'll ever meet Hauser's employer. Although...someone called Lucy down in the Batcave (their Secret Spy Lair beneath the prison on Alcatraz ). The jury is out whether the HIM that Lucy refers to when whispering to Hauser is in fact their boss or Madsen's grandfather Tommy.

Rebecca Madsen will discover New Alcatraz at some point, or Hauser will reveal it to her after he has collected more returned prisoners. Either way, it's going to be one hell of a revelation to her.

At the end of the Pilot, Hauser told Sylvane that E.B. Tiller was his friend. When we were first introduced to young Hauser on Alcatraz, it is unclear whether he had met the Deputy Warden on the Rock during previous visits or after the 302 men disappeared and Tiller was a Fed. By the way, young Emerson Hauser was a police officer, and not a prison guard (thank you to executive producers/writers Bryan Wynbrandt & Steven Lilien for clarifying that with me at the premiere!); he was on Alcatraz to assist with a prisoner transfer. I certainly look forward to learning more about the relationship between Hauser and Tiller (and possibly Warden James)...especially if any of them were involved with the disappearance of the 63's together.

REBECCA MADSEN

Any conspiracy theorist worth their salt would tell you that Detective Madsen's introduction to Doc Soto, Emerson Hauser and Lucy Banerjee was a set-up from the beginning. It was a very specific choice to place her grandfather, former Alcatraz inmate Tommy Madsen, back in San Francisco where his granddaughter was a detective. His mission likely included getting her involved with the chase that ultimately led to her partner's death.

Hauser whispered to Lucy that "this is a mistake" after they gassed Madsen and Soto, so perhaps we are to believe that it was not his idea to involve her. Lucy responded with, "she found us, and she won't stop until she finds him. We need her." Whoever THEY are, they also need Madsen, and led her to Hauser and Banerjee. At this point it really is not clear if the vague THEY and HIM are indeed a different group that Hauser's.

I feel as though we were told about the death of Madsen's parents because it will come into play on future episodes. If I had to guess, her parents died at the hands of either an Alcatraz prisoner or someone closely involved with the 63's.

RAY ARCHER

Archer isn't really Rebecca Madsen's uncle, although he did raise her after her parents died. I'd love to know exactly how he came to be her guardian and the reasons behind it. He knew that her grandfather Tommy Madsen was a prisoner rather than a guard, withheld that key piece of information from her, and obviously knows a great deal more regarding what happened on 3/21/63. Case in point: Archer was quick to discourage Rebecca from following her instincts to investigate Sylvane.

At this point, it seems too obvious to assume that Archer is involved with those behind the 1963 disappearance, but one thing is certain - he and Emerson Hauser are not on the same side/team. Archer mentioned that "someone finally nailed E.B." but E.B. was a friend of Hauser's. And Archer was a guard when Deputy Warden E.B. Tiller was on the Rock, so it is possible that Hauser and Tiller have known each other since that time. Hauser specifically warned Madsen that if she joined his team, she could not tell Archer. Game on!

DIEGO "DOC" SOTO

I hope they release Doc's comic books for us to purchase. Given that he named one of his characters after Ray Archer, perhaps they will contain clues for future episodes.

They wanted us to know that Doc's parents are not only still alive, but they live in the Bay Area. So of course I assume that they too are somehow connected to Alcatraz or its former occupants., and that we will meet them.

I would not be at all surprised to discover that there is far more than meets the eye with Doc Soto. Not only is he an Alcatraz expert and published author, but the man has 2 PhD's (criminal justice and civil war history); surely his background in all areas will come in handy as he investigates the 63's with Madsen.

"You have to double up. Double up's are key."

The friendship that is forming between Soto and Madsen is a highlight for me; I like that she chose him as her partner for the mysterious road ahead. This unlikely duo may just prove to outwit and outsmart Hauser and Banerjee.

It is probably nothing, but I have to question whether or not Doc's non-alcoholic order at Ray's bar means anything (or will down the line). Again, this is what I do...overanalyze even the most minute detail.

THE PRISONERS/63's & THEIR VICTIMS

256 prisoners disappeared from Alcatraz on 3/21/623, along with 46 guards. Three have already returned...that we know about at this point. Rebecca's grandfather was the first, followed by Sylvane and Cobb. I noticed that we only saw Sylvane's point of re-entry, and not Cobb's or Madsen's - and if that is significant. I doubt that they are all just dropped back onto Alcatraz.

Tommy Madsen: Inmate 2002

Jack Sylvane: Inmate 2024

Ernest Cobb: Inmate 2047

It will be interesting to see how they re-introduce the guards in current day San Francisco, and how their experiences and/or missions will differ from the prisoners (if at all).

If/when they decide to introduce the crazy chatty inmate who drove Cobb crazy, I think we're in for a treat.

Rebecca Madsen brought up an excellent point: why now? Why are the prisoners being reincorporated into society at this very moment? Why was Tiller killed today, when he was very likely atop the hit list of almost every prisoner under his watch during his time as Deputy Warden on the Rock - and when previously returning inmates like Tommy Madsen arrived back in SF before Sylvane.

ERNEST COBB

Lee Harvey Oswald vibe, anyone?

In 1960, we see Ernest Cobb witness Sylvane's reaction to his wife's request for a divorce on Alcatraz. They both seem quite stunned to see one another in New Alcatraz after both are caught by Hauser. Lucy had earlier questioned Sylvane about Cobb, but it could be that he never actually knew his name (but rather recognized his face upon arrival at New Alcatraz). Were the prisoners being returned to contemporary society kept apart during the many years they were held captive or were they all aware of what was going on?

Soto noted that Cobb "spent more time in solitary confinement than any inmate on record." Or did he? Fellow inmate Tommy Madsen tried to warn Jack Sylvane about a mysterious area below the Hole (solitary confinement) in 1960, so perhaps Cobb was in fact being subjected to testing or other psychological experiments when everyone else assumed he was in the Hole. Cobb specifically requested to be put in solitary and went out of his way to ensure that he did wind up there, which could indicate that he knew what was going on and was a voluntary participant. In the end, we see Cobb in a straight jacket, meeting Dr. Sengupta - and they may or may not have met before...

TOMMY MADSEN

Rebecca's grandfather was Inmate 2002, the man who warned Sylvane in the infirmary that "something terrible's going to happen here." He made reference to an area below the Hole, which is where I can only assume preparations were already underway for the 1963 abduction. At that time, Ray Archer was a guard on the Rock and Hauser was a police officer in SF. It is possible that Archer was warned about the terrible pending event by Madsen, with whom he was obviously close...as close as an inmate and a guard can be. Add it to the long list of significant details that Archer is keeping from Madsen's granddaughter Rebecca.

Tommy was sentenced to life without parole, for murdering his wife. Assuming this is the first that Rebecca learns about that fact (given that she previously thought he was a guard)...what had she been told happened to her grandmother? And what type of revenge is the newly returned, youthful Tommy seeking in SF? If I were Rebecca, I'd send any family members in the area away for a while...

JACK SYLVANE

They go out of their way to point out that Sylvane was NOT a murderer ("he was a thief, not a killer"), that an unlucky circumstance of his robbery attempt landed him in jail originally. He did kill a fellow inmate in self defense at Leavenworth Federal Prison, which led to his transfer to Alcatraz. We have to question whether that was a set-up, whether Sylvane was specifically chosen at an earlier date to be one of the 63's. Whomever is responsible for taking the 302 men from Alcatraz on 3/21/63 may have been monitoring them or selecting them based on a set of criteria that we may not be privy to...yet. One might argue that Sylvane was vulnerable and susceptible, making him a prime target for future experimentation.

When Hauser brought Sylvane to New Alcatraz, Sylvane said "I know you." Even though Hauser has aged and Sylvane hasn't, it is possible that he recognizes Hauser. Which would indicate that Officer Hauser had indeed been to Alcatraz before that transfer on the night of 3/21/63...

Hauser said that Jack's brother "won't be a problem" in the future. Sylvane is now secured in New Alcatraz, but what exactly did Hauser do to his brother Alan? I doubt he would have killed him (and his son, for that matter), so perhaps they were silenced with money, or relocated.

Why would Sylvane's fingerprints still be in the system if great lengths were taken to cover up the events of 3/21/63 on Alcatraz? Of course file access was restricted, but I was surprised to see any information about him available at all.

Is is safe to assume that the Dr. Beauregard that Hauser referred to in New Alcatraz (to scare Sylvane) is the same prison doctor who took his blood back in 1960? If so, add prison medical staff to the list of those who vanished from Alcatraz on 3/21/63...

BARCLAY FLYNN

Right now, Barclay Flynn is just collateral damage - a chess piece that someone needed Sylvane to play and then discard. We don't know who he was, why he had that key or why the person who programmed Sylvane wanted him dead. As Emerson Hauser so kindly points out for us, "even if Jack Sylvane didn't know Flynn, it doesn't mean there weren't people who wanted him dead." Hauser also instructed Madsen to "forget about Barclay Flynn; we need to worry about our next victim."

THE WARDENS

In the book about Alcatraz Inmates on the ferry, Jack Sylvane looked up his former Wardens, Tiller and James. He discovered that E.B. Tiller received a Medal of Valor (which I hope they explore/show in a future episode). The book also notes that two attempts were made on Tiller's life. Whether they took place on Alcatraz or during his stint later as a Fed - I have a strong feeling that we'll witness both.

Deputy Warden Tiller told Jack Sylvane that "things can always get worse" on Alcatraz. If they were hinting at Tiller's involvement with the 1963 disappearance...memo received and processed.

From what we've seen so far from Warden Edwin James, he appears to be a very interesting character. Slightly less obvious in his evil intentions than Deputy Warden Tiller, he nonetheless gives off a chilly air of maniacal power and control that will no doubt be unleashed on screen soon.

CRAZY THEORY OF THE WEEK!

"The worst criminals this country has ever known are coming back and no one's going to be able to find them, because they don't exist."

Setting aside the logistics of the who and how behind the event on 3/21/63 (and Doc's "wormhole" theories), I can't help but wonder about the possibility of cryonics - a technique intended to extend one's lifespan. Those who took the 302 may have had a successful formula for the use of cryonics, and stopped their physical decay by cooling and then preserving them in liquid nitrogen.

Perhaps the "bad guys" starting resuscitating the 302 in 2011, restoring them to good health in preparation for their assignments, meticulously returning each on a specific date with their missions programmed and pockets full.

The oldest cryonics society still in existence is, conveniently, the Bay Area Cryonics Society (BACS). Dr. Paul Segall developed blood substitutes for use in cryonic suspension. Why is this significant? Think about the pints of blood that the prison doctor took from Sylvane in 1960, which we can assume was done to all prisoners. Perhaps it was preparation for the 1963 abduction, or perhaps it was to run tests on the blood of those who would likely undergo a cryonic procedure - suspending them in time until their services were needed again.

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A few final thoughts:

I appreciated some of the smaller, more subtle details in the first two episodes, including Cobb's use of the same style checkered picnic table cloth that Warden James dined on. In addition, Cobb repeated "47 slots in picket fence" before shooting his victims, which I interpreted as a nod to the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek: The Next Generation and the other spin-offs frequently incorporated the use of 47, and it has also been used in similar fashion in J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot film, as well as on Alias and Fringe.

I love that there is not an immediate focus on any love connections. I'm much more likely to focus on and enjoy an overarching mystery than a romantic relationship on this type of show.

It is rather genius to have 302 men disappear in 1963, only to reappear now - because it allows for series longevity and new characters along the way. The mythology will grow, but people will be able to tune in without having watched previous episodes and understand the basic premise of returning prisoners. They appear to be positioning ALCATRAZ as a palatable, accessible and enticing series that both hard-core fans and casual viewers will enjoy equally.

That Hauser is amassing the newly returned inmates in New Alcatraz really sets up a potentially fantastic finale and future seasons where the prisoners interact as a group both in current time and via flashbacks to 1963 and during the "lost years" before 2011.

My recap of the official ALCATRAZ premiere on Alcatraz from last week is posted, if you're interested. It was an incredibly cool experience to ride the ferry over to the party and stand in front of the boat with Jeffrey Pierce, Jorge Garcia and Sarah Jones - because a few of their scenes in the Pilot were filmed in that exact location.

I strongly believe that ALCATRAZ has the potential to be a hit and success for the long run. I didn't have to like it, and my opinion wasn't predetermined just because of Abrams and Bad Robot - but truth be told, I love it. Emotional resonance with the lead characters has been established and the primary mystery at hand is tremendously intriguing. Any show that I actually think about for hours and days after it has aired earns my respect and interest for the duration. In my eyes, this is the first series since LOST to fit that description, and I must reiterate how much I appreciate the fact that ALCATRAZ is refreshingly different from LOST. I realize how many of you will disagree and point out nods and Easter Eggs, but I am not going to focus on comparisons to any other show. ALCATRAZ deserves time to develop on its own, and the patience of both the network and fans to do so.

Thank you SO much for taking the time to scroll through this very long list of thoughts and theories! I am genuinely grateful for your interest and really look forward to both your comments and feedback. And if you do like what you've read so far, feel free to spread the word in your social networks - share a link on Twitter, FB, through email, etc. I will respond to your comments and will meet you back here next week!

-Jo

ALCATRAZ Premiere on Alcatraz: The Recap!

2012-01-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Last night I was honored and thrilled to attend the official premiere of ALCATRAZ on Alcatraz itself! It was an incredible experience from start to finish, thanks to combined efforts of the amazing publicists and producers from Bad Robot, FOX and Warner Brothers.

The cast and crew in attendance included:

Jonny Coyne (Warden James)
Joe Egender (Ernest Cobb)
Robert Forster (Ray Archer)
Jorge Garcia (Diego "Doc" Soto)
Jason Butler Harner (Deputy Warden Tiller)
Sarah Jones (Detective Rebecca Madsen)
Parminder Nagra (Lucy Banerjee)
Sam Neill (Emerson Hauser)
Jeffrey Pierce (Jack Sylvane)

Jack Bender: Director/Executive Producer
Bryan Burke: Executive Producer
Danny Cannon: Director
Andrea Datzman & Michael Giacchino: Series Composers
Leigh Dana Jackson: Writer
Jennifer Johnson & Daniel Pyne: Executive Producers
Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndbrandt: Co-creators/Executive Producers/Writers
Noreen O'Toole: Associate Producer

Over the years I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview and get to know the actors and creative teams from various shows, and I am very happy to report that everyone involved with ALCATRAZ is tremendously kind and sincere. Believe me - that is not always the case! But the people both in front of the camera and behind the scenes of this series are quite talented and very fan-friendly.

Click here to watch the video that FOX put together from their footage of the evening. And yes, at around the 1 minute mark - you'll catch a brief glimpse of me with Sarah Jones!

Below are a few of my photos from the premiere, in chronological order.

Approaching Alcatraz. It was surreal and a quite treat to have taken the ferry to the Rock with the cast and crew. Standing out on the front of the boat for most of the ride with Jorge, Jeffrey, Robert and the writers was a true highlight.

The press line was set up in the Alcatraz prison showers!

The cast and crew in the Alcatraz Mess Hall. This was the very first time I'd met Jack Bender, even though we'd been at many of the same events during the years I covered LOST. I'd met Jason at SDCC last summer and really enjoyed chatting with Jonny and Sam last night as well!

Watching the premiere of ALCATRAZ, on Alcatraz, for Inside Alcatraz...it does not get any more meta than that! It was particularly creepy and goose bump-inducing to watch scenes from the Pilot episode that were filmed in the very location where we were seated.

With Sarah Jones, who is as sweet and beautiful as she looks! I *might* have geeked out a bit when we chatted, as I'd just marathoned through the first 4 seasons of Sons of Anarchy (she appeared on the show and her boyfriend Theo Rossi is a series regular).

They were taking our mugshots. I might have to make this my new avatar.

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If you're new to this site (and me in general), I recently posted a few paragraphs about what to expect here once ALCATRAZ finally debuts. Because I have already seen both the Pilot and second episode ("Ernest Cobb"), I actually have time to write up my notes rather than stay up all night doing so (thank you, FOX!). My first ALCATRAZ Thoughts & Theories article will be posted here at 10pm PST on Monday, January 16, after the premiere has aired on the West Coast (apologies to my friends in Hawaii - click and read at your own risk!). I really look forward to your comments and feedback.

As always, you can find the latest ALCATRAZ news and updates on Twitter (@insidealcatraz), as well as my other pop culture ramblings (@jopinionated). I'll see you back here after the premiere on Monday night!

Behind the Scenes of InsideAlcatraz

2012-01-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

I would like to officially welcome both new and existing fans to InsideAlcatraz! Many of you are already familiar with me from my LOST coverage, and I truly appreciate that you're still following along.

For those who are new to my style, I wanted to let you know how this site will work during the regular television season (in this case, for ALCATRAZ from January - May). Just as I did for years on my LOST blog, I will be posting episode analysis following each new episode of ALCATRAZ.

My schedule every Monday night will be as follows:

Watch the episode live, taking copious notes
Type up extensive analysis, expanding upon possible theories
Post the article between midnight-4am PST on Tuesday

In addition, I will leave Twitter and Facebook beginning at 5pm EST every Monday to avoid ALCATRAZ spoilers, and not return until after I've posted here that night. It is also my personal policy to never visit message boards or other blogs, because I prefer to offer up my own fresh analysis as soon as possible after each episode without the influence of anyone else's thoughts.

Although I will be able to follow this process on a regular weekly basis, there will be occasions when life intervenes and my ALCATRAZ posts may not appear exactly when planned. For example, I will be out of town the week of January 30 and unable to post my episode analysis until the following weekend. So I appreciate your patience in advance!

To ensure that you have a pleasant experience on this site, I can make you a few very solid guarantees:

I will never post an ALCATRAZ spoiler here, on my Twitter feed or FB wall
I moderate all Comments, and encourage constructive criticism and conversation rather than personal attacks or immature responses

In the end, all I ask you to keep in mind is that this site will feature one person's perspective among the hundreds that are likely to emerge after ALCATRAZ debuts. Offering weekly in-depth analysis is a labor of love for me that requires a tremendous level of dedication and time, and I am thrilled to have a new series to focus on. My intention is to make you think about a scene or character long after the episode has ended. And laugh. And share your thoughts both on this site and with your friends.

I am a huge fan of television as a medium, and am particularly fond of a series that feels like an experience rather than a regular TV show. ALCATRAZ is such a series, and I am honored to have the opportunity to write about it from the very beginning. My theories will be purely speculative, and range from thought-provoking to outrageous. So bundle up for the virtual ferry, and join me for an entertaining journey inside ALCATRAZ!

Jorge & Beth's New ALCATRAZ Podcast

2011-12-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

LOST fans are likely familiar with Jorge Garcia's previous podcast (Geronimo Jack's Beard) with his girlfriend, author Beth Shady. And now they have created a brand new ALCATRAZ podcast called Diego's Soul Patch. Follow the blog and subscribe to the podcast to enjoy their banter and occasional episode analysis!

Their first full-length podcast will be available (on iTunes) on January 17 - the day after the season premiere of ALCATRAZ.

New ALCATRAZ Promo w/Cast Interviews

2011-12-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

January 16th, my friends. Get ready for a brand new dark, exciting and mysterious adventure.

Official ALCATRAZ Art & Cast Photos

2011-12-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

Official ALCATRAZ art work was just unveiled by EW, and I find it to be quite appropriate for the overall feel of the series.

In addition, @chevronone posted new ALCATRAZ cast photos.

Follow me on Twitter (@InsideAlcatraz) for more frequent updates!

ALCATRAZ Premiere Date Revealed

2011-12-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

FOX officially announced today that ALCATRAZ will debut on Monday, January 16 with a 2-hour premiere. The series will then air one-hour episodes on Mondays at 8pm.

I recently met the writing staff and show runners in LA, and believe me when I say that you are going to love what they have planned for ALCATRAZ. They are an extremely enthusiastic and very creative group of people, and I look forward to over-analyzing their every word starting next month!

Are you ready? Excited? Let me know in the comments below.

-Jo

Alcatraz Panel at Comic-Con: Video, Photos & More

2011-08-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

[photo courtesy of Ian Knight]

Greetings, patient friends. Apologies for the delay. It is a very long story, but I was unable to attend the ALCATRAZ panel or be in the ALCATRAZ press room due to conflicting press obligations. Thankfully, a few fantastic friends came through with video and photos. And, although we might have to wait a few months, I can promise an interview of two here on the site before the show airs in January!

I did, however, have the opportunity to speak with the showrunner and cast of ALCATRAZ at an industry party the night before the panel. It is always a pleasure catching up with Jorge and Liz Sarnoff, both whom I had interviewed previously in Hawaii for LOST. And I was introduced to Parminder Nagra and Jason Harner Butler, who are very sweet. Jason was in the pilot episode of FRINGE, and is still very friendly with the cast (Jasika Nicole, John Noble and Anna Torv were at this party as well).

PHOTOS
Click here to view some very hi-res photos of the panel from Ian (@Zort70), who flew in with his lovely wife from the UK to attend SDCC.

PANEL VIDEO
A very special shout-out to @stardotgeek for volunteering to tape the panel for me when I discovered that I was unable to attend - this is her footage:

MAGNETS
If you would like a custom Inside Alcatraz magnet, simply email me your shipping address (jo at jopinionated dot com). And yes, I will send them internationally. And no, there is no cost!

ADDITIONAL ALCATRAZ SDCC VIDEOS
For other videos from SDCC, including interviews with the cast and Sarnoff/Bender, make sure to "like" the official ALCATRAZ Facebook page and follow @AlcatrazonFOX via Twitter as well.

REVIEWS/RESPONSE FROM SDCC
The responses to the screenings of the ALCATRAZ pilot at SDCC ranged from very high praise to cautious optimism. Because this site is strictly spoiler-free, and almost all published reviews contain far too much information about the first episode, I have chosen not to link to them here. However, a simple Google search will lead you in the right direction if you are so inclined.

As expected, many were quick to compare ALCATRAZ to LOST (and Hurley to Doc Soto, etc.), but they are two very different shows, aside from a few obvious J.J. Abrams touches. ALCATRAZ deserves your time and patience to establish its distinctive identity and develop into its own unique series, and I strongly believe that it will.

ALCATRAZ at SDCC 2011: Complete Schedule

2011-07-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

In addition to the pilot screening and official panel, there are other opportunities for fans to potentially meet some of the cast and crew of ALCATRAZ this week at San Diego Comic-Con.

The photo above is of a limited edition SDCC 2011 hotel room key that WB has distributed to many of the participating local hotels hosting attendees. In addition to ALCATRAZ, other WB-produced shows are represented on these keys. If you do not receive one at your hotel, perhaps you should barter or bribe fellow nerds in line!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screening: ALCATRAZ
6pm
Ballroom 20

THURSDAY, JULY 21

Friends of the Nerdolution (discussion at Zach Levi's Nerd HQ w/ALCATRAZ star Jorge Garcia and more)
1pm
Jolt'N Joe's
Tickets: sold out

TV Guide Magazine: Fan Favorites panel (featuring Jorge Garcia and more)
4:15pm-5:15pm
Ballroom 20

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Ticket distribution for ALCATRAZ autograph session; you line up to receive a bracelet and may win a spot via the WB lottery system for the autograph session later that afternoon (2:30pm, WB booth #4545)
12pm
Sails Pavilion #9

ALCATRAZ Pilot Screening and Q&A
5:15pm-6pm
Ballroom 20

Executive producer/writer Elizabeth Sarnoff and director Jack Bender, along with actors Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Parminder Nagra and Jason Butler Harner will be appearing.
--

I will be at SDCC representing TVOvermind once again, and will have the opportunity to speak with the cast and creative team from ALCATRAZ. Look for a full report after the Con, as well as quick updates and photos via Twitter this week, @InsideAlcatraz and @jopinionated.

In addition, I will have a small number of these brand new Inside Alcatraz magnets to hand out - so please find me if you'd like one. I know many LOST fans who will be in line for the ALCATRAZ panel, so ask around or send me a tweet and I will try to find you!

In case you're interested, here is a link to my list of LOST alum at SDCC this year, and well as a Lost-themed guide to SDCC.

ALCATRAZ at San Diego Comic Con 2011: Updated Panel & Screening Details!

2011-06-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

[Jorge Garcia at a SDCC 2009 press table after the LOST panel]

Warner Brothers Television Group released details today about the shows that they will be bringing to Comic-Con this year, and we now have confirmation about both an ALCATRAZ panel and screening!

UPDATE: Executive producer/writer Elizabeth Sarnoff and director Jack Bender, along with actors Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Parminder Nagra and Jason Butler Harner will be appearing on the official ALCATRAZ panel, which will take place on Saturday, July 23 at 5pm in Ballroom 20.

* They will be screening the pilot episode of ALCATRAZ twice; first on Wednesday, July 20 in Ballroom 20 between 6pm-9pm (along with other pilots, including Michael Emerson's new series, Person of Interest), and also at the official panel on Saturday!

If you are attending SDCC, I strongly recommend getting in line at least 2-3 hours early for the Saturday panel. Given that the FRINGE panel is immediately before the ALCATRAZ panel, I have a feeling that you might need to line up even earlier to get a seat for both.

I will be there representing TVOvermind once again, and look forward to bringing you reports from the press room and behind the scenes. Of course you can also follow all of my Comic-Con adventures via Twitter, @InsideAlcatraz and @jopinionated!

Will you be there as well? Let me know!

ALCATRAZ on Twitter

2011-06-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

For those who have inquired, the following cast and creative from ALCATRAZ have official Twitter accounts.

Jorge Garcia (is not on Twitter; his girlfriend, author Bethany Shady, is - and frequently tweets about him and the show): @BethanyShady

Cole Herbert (writer): @ColeHerbert

Leigh Dana Jackson (writer): @LDJackson

Steven Lilien (writer/producer): @StevenLilien

Parminder Nagra: @parmindernagra

Sam Neill: @TwoPaddocks

Bryan Wynbrandt (writer/producer): @BryanWynbrandt

The official FOX Twitter account for the show is: @alcatrazonfox.

As others involved with the series join Twitter, I will keep you posted!

1st Official ALCATRAZ Footage & Series Debut News!

2011-05-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of FOX)

This trailer was just officially released by FOX, who also announced that ALCATRAZ will debut mid-season (likely be January 2012).

You can now "like" Alcatraz on Facebook and follow @AlcatrazOnFOX on Twitter.

Based on this initial footage, what do you think? The look and feel certainly match up to my expectations, and I am VERY excited to see more.

If I had to guess, they will screen either the entire pilot or at least 15 minutes of it at San Diego Comic-Con in July. I will be at the panel and in the press room, so stay tuned for reports from behind the scenes!

ALCATRAZ is officially a GO!

2011-05-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

According to Cynthia Littleton on Variety.com, "Fox is starting to spread the good news to producers, with sources saying the net has given series orders to drama Warner Bros. TV drama "Alcatraz," from J.J. Abrams and "Lost" scribe Elizabeth Sarnoff."

Congratulations to the entire cast, crew and creative team!

As more news about the show and schedule emerges during the Upfronts next week and beyond, I will be sure to update you here.

Filming ALCATRAZ on Alcatraz: Spoiler-Free Photos

2011-03-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

Approaching Alcatraz via ferry

A while back I promised to post a few photos and report about my day on the rock, as I was able to spend an afternoon on Alcatraz as they were filming scenes for the pilot of Alcatraz on their last day here in San Francisco.

Per my personal site policy, nothing I post here is ever going to contain any spoilers, so feel free to read on and peruse without ruining your future viewing experience.

The lighthouse

Outside view of the prison

The series will be filming in Vancouver, a city which has stood for San Francisco in other films and shows. I look forward to the details of both the exteriors and the costumes that the talented folks behind the scenes create, especially those which will be featured in scenes on the simulated Alcatraz.

Shipping label on crate

I did come upon this crate of prison doors, which were shipped down from Vancouver. If I had to venture a guess, they had already filmed scenes using these doors and wanted to ensure consistency.

Prop doors

When you go on the real Alcatraz tour, you get a glimpse of the clothing and items that prisoners were given.

Prison shoes and peacoats (it is quite chilly out on the rock)

Prison amenities

And judging by this gaggle of (acting) prison guards heading toward their filming location, the Alcatraz team has gone to great lengths to recreate the look and feel of the era.

Prison guards heading to film

Prison guards awaiting their scene

Prison guards touring actual cells

Cell 108 (a LOST #, naturally)

Alcatraz itself is as creepy as you've often heard described; freezing cold winds provide the soundtrack, and the empty cells speak volumes about their former occupants. All of these elements are sure to play a role in Alcatraz.

A creepy handprint above a doorframe in the prison admin building; people repeatedly reached up touched it, likely out of superstition...a detail I hope we see on the show

Night shots being set up on and around the water

Out of respect for the cast and crew of Alcatraz, I am not sharing any photos which reveal names of characters, places or objects. After the pilot has aired, I will post for all to enjoy.

I will tease one little item: someone or something in the pilot will be a familiar name to fans of previous J.J. Abrams' films and shows...

I have a few items from the trip to Alcatraz, which I'd love to give out in return for a simple RT! Even though Alcatraz will probably not debut until Fall 2011, I would like to start spreading the word about the existence of this site. If you simply RT this on Twitter, you will be entered to win an Alcatraz magnet or set of playing cards. Don't worry, as time goes on, the giveaways get better. The Twitter feed for this site is: @InsideAlcatraz. Thank you in advance for your interest!

On Location: Visiting Alcatraz

2011-02-09T21:45:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to visit Alcatraz today, and it was fantastic. The cast and crew were filming the pilot, and this was their last day on location. It is now officially a wrap! [Don't forget to bookmark and follow Jorge Garcia's blog to see what he has to say about the experience and show.]

Right now I am sorting through and preparing the best photos to share with you, which I will post tomorrow along with a spoiler-free report from behind the scenes. Here are a few teasers to placate you in the meantime.

Stay tuned for more filming details, as well as a chance to win a few small items from Alcatraz! I really do appreciate your early interest, and also your assistance spreading the word about this new site and Twitter.

The Cast of Characters: An ALCATRAZ Update

2011-02-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is cast of Alcatraz thus far (at least in the pilot episode, which is currently filming)...and what little we know about the characters.

Santiago Cabrera: Jimmy, police officer and Rebecca's fiance
Samuel Patrick Chu: teenager
Jonny Coyne: Edwin James, warden of Alcatraz
Robert Forster: Ray Archer, retired detective and owner of a bar frequented by cops (lead)
Jorge Garcia: Diego Soto, the Alcatraz "expert" (lead)
Jason Butler Harner: E.B. Tiller, associate warden of Alcatraz
Sarah Jones [pictured above in her last series, Lone Star]: Rebecca Madsen, police officer (lead)
Robert Lawrenson: Barclay Flinn
Parminder Nagra: Lucy, lab technician who works with Emerson Hauser (lead)
Sam Neill: Emerson Hauser, head of an undisclosed government agency (lead)
Jeffrey Pierce: Jack Sylvane
Chad Rook: Luke
Ian Tracy: Frank

As more cast and character details emerge, I will make sure to add them to the site...but only if they do not reveal any information that may be interpreted as spoilers.

Going Inside

2011-01-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

Everyone refers to Alcatraz as a new J.J. Abrams series. Yes, it is being produced by Bad Robot. But make no mistake - this is an Elizabeth Sarnoff show. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her work as a writer/executive producer on two of my favorite shows of all time, Deadwood and Lost. My expectations are certainly high for Alcatraz; thus, a new site dedicated to it.

Filming for the pilot of Alcatraz is now underway in Vancouver. So far, the cast includes Jorge Garcia (Lost), Sam Neill (The Tudors), Parminder Nagra (ER), Robert Forster (Heroes), Sarah Jones (Sons of Anarchy), Jason Butler Harner (Changeling) and Jeffrey Pierce (The Nine).

For a quick look at what we know about Alcatraz so far, I recommend this io9 article.

[image courtesy of io9]

My intent with this site is to keep you up to date with the latest news about Alcatraz and to provide episode analysis once the series debuts. In addition, I will be pursuing interviews with the creative team and cast when those opportunities become available.

Are you ready to take a look inside with me?