ALCATRAZ, Episodes 1.12 ("Garrett Stillman") & 1.13 ("Tommy Madsen"): Thoughts & Theories

A few housekeeping notes before we dig in. First of all, the writers revealed to TVGuide that the transfusion man tracking the colloidal silver-infused inmates is named Dr. K. Second, most of this was written on little sleep, on several planes and in various countries at all hours. So please excuse any omissions or errors! In addition, I was unable to take screen captures while abroad so there are not as many photos as I would have liked to include.


While it would be easy for me to gloat about the fact that several of my theories since the first episode are now coming true, that is not my style. I am honestly thrilled and very satisfied to be on the same wavelength with regard to any speculation. 

“Even though you’re in their world, you’re not of their world.” – Lucy 

The 302/63’s

1. Herman Ames, inmate #2178
2. Pinky Ames, inmate #2177
3. Dr. Lucille Sengupta/Lucy Banerjee
4. Sonny Burnett, inmate #2088
5. Dr. Milton Beauregard 
6. Mrs. Beauregard (questionable)
7. Ernest Cobb, inmate #2047
8. Donovan, guard
9. Guy Hastings, guard
10. Warden Edwin James
11. Dr. K
12. Joseph "Ghost" Limerick, inmate #?
13. Tommy Madsen, inmate #2002
14. Johnny McKee, inmate #2055
15. Clarence Montgomery, inmate #2214
16. Kit Nelson, inmate #2046 
17. Paxton Petty, inmate #2223
18. Webb Porter, inmate #2012
19. Garrett Stillman, inmate #2109
20. Cal Sweeney, inmate #2112
21. Jack Sylvane, inmate #2024

Not all inmates among the 256 who disappeared on 3/21/63 were selected to receive a colloidal silver blood transfusion. The Warden clearly chose those he deemed worthy based on their skill sets (which would come in handy both during the escape and upon re-entry to society).  The map in Dr. K’s lair illustrated the inmate numbers of those they were tracking, but the prisoners without colloidal silver must have simply rejoined modern day to wreck havoc on their own, sans programming. However, it is also possible that the Warden killed them, as ageless inmates (without missions/purpose/resources) reappearing would draw unnecessary attention. 


MIGHT AS WELL JUMP

“The jump was caused by a geothermal event, possibly tectonic plate slippage.” – Warren 

Doc had previously mentioned that was of his theories about 3/21/63 was a “quantum thing.” Hauser’s lead nerd herder Warren suggested that time dilation, quantum tunneling or cryogenics were also possibilities. I have explored a few of these theories in previous posts, but will now drill down further.


CRYOGENICS


I believe it is possible that the 302 who vanished in 1963 were cryogenically frozen in time. They were subjected to myriad chemicals during the process, which made a particular subset of inmates appealing to the Warden: the Korean War veterans. It is my theory that those prisoners were previously exposed to elements that prepared their systems for the cryogenic process.  

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

Comic book expert Doc knows that Captain America spent decades frozen in a block of ice, in a state of suspended animation.  He was injected with a super soldier serum that replenished itself, a virus-like organism that altered his genetic and biochemical makeup. The 302, cryogenically stuck in time from 1963-2012, were likely injected with a serum designed to reanimate them on very specific dates in the future. And in addition to Dr. K, the Warden must have had an entire team dedicated to unfreezing both himself and his subjects. 


When guard Guy 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. 


EARTHQUAKES, QUANTUM TUNNELS (WORMHOLES) & TIME DILATION


Time dilation is a difference of elapsed time between two events; in this case, between 1963 Alcatraz and 2012 San Francisco. Applying the theory of time dilation, one can travel thousands of light-years and their lifespan will increase.


The quantum mechanics of the Casimir Effect can be used to produce a region of space-time, and that negative effect could then be used to stabilize a wormhole to allow faster-than-light travel.  On 3/21/63, if Dr. K and the Warden were somehow able to use the Casimir Effect beneath Alcatraz – it may have resulted in a geothermal event, causing tectonic plate slippage.  In other words, they created a wormhole that caused an earthquake…their great escape route. My theory is that they built a tunnel deep beneath Alcatraz after the quake and wormhole opened up that space, creating a massive location to store and transport 302 people…unbeknownst to anyone up above.  [Side note: I believe this tunnel was located much lower than the one under the lighthouse that was constructed during the Civil War.]


The tunnel beneath Alcatraz may actually connect 1963 with 2012. On one end of the wormhole, an exit point from 1963. On the other end of the wormhole, a re-entry point to 2012. I am starting to believe that the 302 in 1963 were frozen in time right beneath the very location where they vanished; that the Warden’s hidden cryogenic lair, equipped with reanimation technology, has been dispersing inmates and guards one by one from below the Rock. Along that line of thinking, it is entirely possible that the Warden himself still resides/hides down there. At some point after the 302 vanished in 1963, he had someone seal off the dungeon door where the colloidal silver tracking map was located. But he needs to access it once again; thus, the programmed inmates seeking his 3 keys.


If we stop to think about how 302 people vanished without a trace, it sounds logical that they all traveled down the same rabbit hole after being knocked out by chemicals dispersed throughout the island.


BLOOD MAKES NOISE

“Water: elixir of life!” – Dr. K

Blood consists of 92% water.  Colloidal silver suspends silver in water. But it may have been mixed in the blood of some on Alcatraz in methods other than blood transfusions…


It is possible that some of the inmates, guards and staff among the 302 who vanished in 1963 without previously receiving any blood transfusions were instead quietly dosed via their drinking water. Colloidal silver may have been added to the water filtration system on Alcatraz (electrolytically dissolved silver has been used as a water disinfecting agent in the past).


For what it’s worth, I think the concept of colloidal silver as a liquid GPS is quite clever.  


KOREAN WAR  

“I’ve had my eye on you since 1952.” - Mr. K

“You were in Korea too?” – Tommy Madsen 

As I had pointed out in previous posts, several returning Alcatraz inmates (and one guard) had served in Korea: Guy Hastings, Tommy Madsen and Paxton Petty.  Given the revelation about Dr. K’s interest in Madsen dating back to the 1950’s, I am now certain that the future 63s were “recruited” to serve time on Alcatraz based on their exposure to specific chemicals from biological attacks during the Korean War, in preparation for their abduction (and for the “fog” that likely knocked them out en masse on 3/21/63). 

Alcatraz inmate Garrett Stillman was a military strategist for the British SAS. In 1950, the British SAS deployed a squadron to the Korean War. In 1959, they deployed a regiment comprised of experts in escape and evasion.  That Stillman wound up on Alcatraz is no surprise, and was very likely the Warden’s personal strategist for the great escape in 1963. After all, he “enjoyed moving pieces around” – 302 chess pieces, to be exact. Tommy Madsen had said to Stillman that, “you worry about the chess pieces, I’ll worry about the board.” In 1960, Stillman was playing chess when the Warden appeared and moved some pieces on the board. 2012, Madsen was trying to re-collect the pieces (inmates, guards) and reconfigure the Warden’s board/game. 


It is not a coincidence that Hauser is working with the military to help recapture the 63s…


LOST AND FOUND

Of course Stillman’s stolen armored truck was numbered 481516 – the numbers are bad, after all. 


MUSIC

“We want to move on, to move forward. But the trauma blocks us. So we repeat it, like a skipping record.” – Dr. Lucille Sengupta (“Clarence Montgomery”)

“You’d be surprised how fast you adapt to what a record player and a phone looks like.” – Dr. Lucy Banerjee (“Garrett Stillman”)

We have seen two record players in 2012, purposefully placed for Lucy (Dr. B’s infirmary in New Alcatraz, Lucy’s original hospital room), as well as one in 1960 at the Warden’s house during the dinner party she attended. Given her use of a record player as an example while describing her experience during the last 50 years, I am certain that music played a role in her reintegration process.   


EMERSON HAUSER


In 1960, young SFPD officer Hauser advised his paramour Dr. Lucille Sengupta to back off when she was inquiring about the blood letting on Alcatraz. So Hauser KNEW about the Warden’s experiments from someone other than Lucille. My two best guesses: his friend Deputy Warden Tiller, who may have been aware of but disapproved of said experiments, or young Alcatraz guard Ray Archer – who was trying to help his brother Tommy Madsen and may have also been friends with Hauser at that time.

“Does this mean the Warden is back?” – Secretary of Defense

“That is the first question I’ll be asking Madsen after I catch him.” – Hauser

Someone as high up as the Secretary of Defense knows about the 63’s, which helps explain why Hauser’s team is a) able to escape media and local authority questions and b) so well funded. I found it very interesting that the Secretary referred to Lucy as Lucille – which makes me question whether he used to work with Hauser in the 1960’s with the SFPD or as a guard on Alcatraz….

“Paraguay is complicated for me, given the last time.” – Hauser

We now know that at some point during the last 50 years, Hauser traveled to Paraguay. My theory is that the Warden chose to place his pet project Dr. Sengupta back in modern society in that location, where he thought she would be unable to communicate with or find anyone she knew/loved.  Thus, Lucy’s referral to “some unmapped wireless Cambodian village.” But Hauser, with his military and financial resources, was actually able to locate his beloved. 


REBECCA MADSEN

“Detective Madsen has proven her worth, just like I knew she would.” – Lucy

In the Pilot, Lucy revealed that "she found us, and she won't stop until she finds him. We need her."  But do they any more? I am a big fan of Sarah Jones and I love her in on this show, but I wondered if they possibly killed her character because Hauser and co. will use the relative of another former inmate next season to assist their search.  That being said, Tommy Madsen is still out there and although it is VERY bold to off your lead after one season – I seriously doubt that Rebecca Madsen is actually dead. At least I hope so. 

Tommy Madsen pulled a John Locke, stabbing Rebecca in the same basic location as Jack Shephard. But while we won’t see Rebecca joining her BFF’s in a church next season, I believe that we will see her reanimated. Her grandfather specifically used a silver knife, which the camera lingered on, leading me to believe that he knew she’d live…and possibly activated colloidal silver in her blood. Of course we do not know how and when she received such a transfusion, but I have a suspicion that her parents were involved. Tommy had brought the death of her parents to Rebecca’s attention right before stabbing her…likely not a coincidence.


Throwing a serious wrench into that theory, however, is the fact that Harlan Simmons was paying Rebecca’s former partner to keep eyes on her. If she did indeed have colloidal silver in her blood, they could have been tracking her – and would not need a fellow detective to do so…


I appreciated the nod to and consistency with the Pilot – when Rebecca was chasing Tommy and he paused to eye her from above. They had the same shot in their chase scene together in the season finale. 


Side note: watching Jack Bender direct the car chase scenes and homage to Bullit in the streets of San Francisco last month was an unbelievable experience. The only way to describe standing so close to speeding cars jumping hills right in front of me: kick-ass. Here is a video behind the scenes, taken on my iPhone. 

THE PRISONERS

TOMMY MADSEN

“This is your future. You’re going to be our advance man.” – Dr. K

As early as 1952, Madsen was on Dr. K’s radar. This was long before he was used as a guinea pig for the colloidal silver blood infusion on Alcatraz, so we have to ponder what made Madsen so special. 

“The silver emits a frequency. The problem is, I can’t separate it. The silver attaches itself to platelets and it becomes one and the same.” – Dr. B

In 2012, it certainly appears as if Madsen is no longer traceable. He somehow went rogue, off mission, escaping the clutches and programming of the Warden. I have a strong feeling that he is able to remove any traces of colloidal silver from his blood, using an antidote that he discovered upon his return in 2012. After all, there have been many technological medical advances in the 50 years since he vanished. 

“Give me the key and I’ll protect you from Harlan.” – Tommy Madsen

I would not be at all surprised to see that Madsen is working with and for Harlan Simmons. Together they could be attempting to retrieve the keys to the tracking dungeon, united against the Warden’s maniacal end game.


When Hauser and Lucy discovered Dr. K in 2012 behind the sealed dungeon door where he was tracking the inmates, his first word was “Madsen?” Dr. K was expecting Tommy Madsen to be the one who had all three keys…

“Consider me a genie; the power to offer you one perfect day, right now. What do you want most in the world?” – Warden James

Madsen chose family when offered the chance to make one wish. While he confessed to Ray that he had indeed killed his wife, I believe that he was lying and pushing his brother away – convincing him that Tommy’s son was much better off with Ray as his guardian. 


HARLAN SIMMONS


They used to refer to a section of Alcatraz cells as Broadway – so it was a nice touch that Harlan’s company was called Broadway Mutual. 

“Mr. Simmons won’t be eligible for parole again until 1965 and I’d like him off my island before that time.” – Warden James

Billionaire Simmons is likely the man who financed both the Warden’s 1963 vanishing act and 2012 reappearing act. That is why Warden James went out of his way to ensure parole for Simmons three years before the main event took place. 

“Harlan broke a promise to Warden James.” – Tommy Madsen

Simmons has not been seen in public since the 1970’s. So perhaps Simmons became a recluse when he discovered that the Warden had re-appeared and was coming for him.  [Side note: yes, I believe it is possible that the Warden re-integrated himself into society long before reactivating his inmates to do so...giving him ample time to set up his operation.]

Although we did not witness Simmons’ infamous visit with the subterranean visitant (Dr. K) in 1960, it preceded the Warden’s decision to arrange for his parole.  Whatever Dr. K said or did to Simmons, it resulted in the Warden’s trust. 


THE GUARDS

It does not appear as if the Warden subjected any of the guards to colloidal silver transfusions, at least not at first glance of the tracking map with inmate numbers only. I find it fascinating that he did not feel the need to track the men who were likely smarter than the returning inmates and may have felt compelled to investigate their own disappearances...

THE WARDENS

EDWIN JAMES

“In any Faustian tale, a devil is often needed…however misunderstood.” – Warden James

Upon their re-entry, Jack Sylvane, Cal Sweeney and Garrett Stillman were all programmed to retrieve the 3 keys to Dr. K’s Alcatraz dungeon. The Warden needed those keys in order to access the tracking equipment and monitor his subjects in their various locations around the country.


However, Tommy Madsen was working with Stillman to retrieve the final key – so it is possible that his rogue mission involved finding the keys before the Warden did. Perhaps Madsen’s end game is to deactivate the tracking equipment so that the Warden will no longer be able to find his subjects and potentially reprogram them. Or Madsen himself may want to locate his fellow inmates to instruct them how to proceed in life under the radar/out of the reach of the Warden, or how to deactivate the colloidal silver.  


The Warden gave Harlan Simmons the phone number of “a friend; someone who will help you find your feet on the outside. He’ll know how to get us in touch when the time arrives.” Add this mysterious accomplice to the long list of Why Alcatraz Deserves a Second Season. 


E.B. TILLER


Before Ernest Cobb shot HIS target, Lucy – Jack Sylvane had killed HIS target, E.B. Tiller. The Warden’s first order of business upon the 2012 reentry of his subjects was to kill his former right hand. The Warden needed to silence the two people who knew too much, starting with the skeptical and suspicious Tiller. 
---

TOP 10 REASONS FOX SHOULD GREEN-LIGHT SEASON 2 OF ALCATRAZ

1. Warden James: To see him in 2012, as well as when/where he first re-entered modern day. 
2. Warden James’ Man on the Outside: To reveal who he is and if he’s still working with either the Warden or Harlan Simmons.
3. Tiller & Hauser: To show how and when Deputy Warden E.B. Tiller and former SFPD officer Emerson Hauser became friends (in the 1960’s or 2000’s).
4. Rebecca Madsen: To reveal whether she lived or died, and also what really happened to her parents. 
5. Re-entry & Reunion: To see when/where Lucy and Dr. B reappear, as well as when/where Lucille first sees with the aging Hauser again.
6. Medical Examiner Nikki: To see if she is indeed a plant, working with the Warden, conveniently assigned to any cases relating to the 63s. 
7. New Alcatraz: To see the moment when the colloidal silver tracking map is reactivated; to see the look on the face of Doc and Rebecca, Tommy Madsen, Warden James or Harlan Simmons when all of the prisoners are traced to the same exact location and the map illustrates the inmate numbers crowded in one single area. That would be one hell of a way to discover/uncover New Alcatraz. 
8. Harlan Simmons: To show not only his visit with subterranean visitant Dr. K in 1960, but also what the recluse looks like in 2012. 
9. Doc Soto: To further explore his childhood trauma, and whether or not his abductor had either been incarcerated on Alcatraz or had connections to someone there. 
10. Alcatraz, 1961-1963: To witness the Warden’s further actions leading up to the 3/21/63 disappearance.

Like you, I am really hoping that FOX renews ALACATRAZ and we are gifted with a second season. Expect an announcement from the network either way in the next few weeks, and definitely by May. 


Whether this will be my last post until the second season or the final post for a single season, I wanted to express my gratitude for your support . Without you, this would have been yet another site discussing a television show. Your interest and participation elevated and enhanced the experience for me, and for that I am grateful. The number of fans who visited this site over the last four months is double the number who visited my LOST site in the first two years it existed. That is an amazing and humbling statistic. 

To thank you for your feedback and the word-of-mouth, I am giving away an autographed copy of Michael Esslinger's book Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years and a limited edition Warden DING poster created by @Zort70! If you're interested in either, simply leave a comment below with your email or Twitter name - I will randomly draw two names by April 6 and announce the winners on Twitter.

Regardless of what happens, it truly has been an honor and joy for me to cover ALCATRAZ so extensively. In addition to the many hours watching and writing about the show, I had the privilege of attending both the premiere on Alcatraz and the filming of the finale in San Francisco. I believe in and support the vision and direction of this series, in the creative minds who have planted seeds that I hope to see grow in future seasons.  Should ALCATRAZ end after one season, I will continue to follow those both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, wherever they land. And so should you. Mark my words – Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt are the next Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis. 


As always, if you'd like to leave any feedback or comments, please do so in a constructive manner! Until we meet again...


-Jo 

ALCATRAZ WonderCon Photos & Schedule Update

WONDERCON


Yesterday I attended the official ALCATRAZ panel at WonderCon in Anaheim, and also had the opportunity to interview the cast and creative team. I am editing the videos and aim to post those later this week. Because this site is 100% spoiler-free, I will not be sharing any of the season finale hints and teasers that were unveiled, nor will I post any videos that might reveal any details you would consider spoiler-ish. Trust me - we're all in for one hell of an exciting ride with these last three episodes, and will enjoy it so much more without knowing any details in advance!


While we await tonight's new episode, here are photos from the panel, autograph session and press room! They are in chronological order, and I recommend viewing them in Slideshow mode.

As a general courtesy, all I ask it that you please do not copy and paste any of these photos without providing a link back to me.


EPISODE & ANALYSIS SCHEDULE


Tonight: 
Episode 1.11 "Webb Porter"
- My analysis will be posted tomorrow night


March 26 (2-hour Season Finale): 
Episode 1.12 "Garrett Stillman" & Episode 1.13 "Tommy Madsen"
- My analysis will be posted on Friday, March 30 (after I return from abroad)


Special thanks to Jeff, Noreen, Steven and Lindsay, Bryan and Katie, Kiran and Parminder, Jorge and Beth, Jonny, Sarah, Robert and everyone involved with the show for making yesterday such a memorable and entertaining experience!


-Jo

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

** 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