Prison Break seemed to lose its way as the series progressed, but the upcoming Prison Break reboot could fix its biggest mistake by bringing a character back. When it first aired in 2005, the series quickly became one of the most compelling crime shows of all time, with Prison Break spin-offs, and even a movie. Season 1 focused on Michael's mission to break Lincoln out of prison, and the subsequent escape of the "Fox River Eight." Season 2 dealt with the resulting manhunt, set against a wider conspiracy. This storyline introduced a more dangerous kind of villain to Prison Break.

Most of season 1's villains were sadistic guards and powerful inmates. However, when the main characters escape into the world again, they are pitted against a new set of villains, who have the law (and even the president) on their side. One of these is FBI agent Alex Mahone, whose intelligence and problem-solving ability match Michael's.