The episode's title refers to the hex key that Michael makes from a screw, the key being named "Allen Schweitzer 11121147". Also, Marshall Allman, despite credited, does not appear as L. Robert Knepper makes his first appearance as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, but was not yet billed as a regular character until the following episode, " Cell Test".
"Allen" was written by series creator Paul Scheuring and directed by Michael Watkins. The episode is the second to air alongside the Pilot episode as part of the two-part start of the series. " Allen" is the second episode of the first season of the television series Prison Break, which was first broadcast on television on August 29, 2005. Brian Hamman as Jason "Maytag" Buchanan.John Conrad as Garlic cutter's grandson.Ashley Boettcher as Garlic cutter's granddaughter.Robert Knepper as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell.Overall I still thoroughly enjoy this show even if there are tons of things I would do differently if I was writing it.
Similarly, T-Bag’s degrading himself for protection and status makes perfect sense and is full circle from his forcing young men to hold his pocket for protection at Fox River. His willingness to do anything (including betraying Michael– the only person he can trust) to survive in relative comfort is reminiscent of his time as a CO, taking bribes from the inmates. Unlike Mahone, Bellick is consistent in character. Though he drives me crazy, the writers have done a great job throwing Bellick into a completely different world than the one in which we were introduced to him but keeping him true to his character. I also love Mike and Linc, as corny as it may be I love seeing them swear to go to the ends of the earth for each other.
In the audio commentaries on the season 1 DVD you can hear him talk about the techniques he uses to develop the character. Its amazing to see how he transforms himself (a funny, happy-seeming, kindly man) into the snake that he portrays on screen. Robert Knepper is impeccable as the villain you love to hate. On the good side- I love T-Bag, he’s one of the coolest characters ever.
We lost Abruzzi, Tweener and Haywire to that (no one cared at all what happened to C-Note) and the series survived- so lets off Mahone and be done with him. The second season was great for that- they killed off beloved characters because there’s no way all 8 of them could have made it, they showed no qualms about losing them. Instead, he’s clinging to an immoral strategy that he thinks will get him out of prison but which even he admits doesn’t sound like it will work- what? Id rather just have Mahone killed. With all he went through last year he would know that he can’t beat Michael and that his only chance for survival would be to work with him. I disagreed with the direction they took for the character in the first place but they’ve taken him to idiotic extremes that someone of his supposed intelligence would never stoop to. And I can’t stand what the writers have done with Mahone. I’m also tired of Sucre already (who we’ve only just been re-introduced to) though perhaps he’ll be better once this Marie- Cruz thing is over.
I hate it when Michael doesn’t have a plan- its not nearly as interesting. Susan B Anthony is clearly ridiculous- first off she’s completely unbelievable as an agent of whatever she’s an agent of, she’s also played by the bitchy prom queen from She’s All That, please. The sleuthing should not be left to Lincoln. Last night’s second episode of the Prison Break season was certainly meh.