Prison Break ... !!

One of the most thrilling TV shows that I have ever seen ... that would be an understatement. One that has kept me glued to my DVD player/laptop for the last 2 weeks. Here is a brief run through of the show.

Michael Scofield is a stuctural engineer who wants to rescue his brother Lincon Burrows from the Fox River jail in Chicago. Lincon has been falsely charged with the murder of the Vice President's brother. Apparently, there is an organization called The Company who is behind this incorrect framing of Lincon. They have trapped him in such a way that the video tape of him shooting the Vice President's brother looks very real. All attempts to prove him innocent go a begging. There is Lincon's ex-girlfriend (Veronica, who is an attorney) who is giving it a last shot at the behest of Michael.

So what about it? Well, Michael knows the internal path map of Fox River jail and has inherent "genius" capabilities. By this, I don't mean that he is a magician but he has an amazing analytical mind. He has the blueprint of the jail tattooed on his upper body. The only thing remaining is that he needs to get into the jail. He does so by attempting a armed bank robbery. And Michael enters Fox River.

But life is not rosy at the jail. He has to share his secret with his cell mate, played fantastically by Fernando Sucre (reel name). But then various other characters flare up unknowingly who also want to get away. Each character is well penned and has a telling impact on the storyline. Parallely, Veronica is being hounded by the Company at every step. Michael also falls in love with the jail doctor, Sarah.

The first season is all about creating the path out of jail for Michael and his co-conners. The build up is immaculate and leaves you wanting for more. The climax to the first season is mind boggling. They leave the prison after another potentially disastrous secret is leaked out(I don't want to spoil the fun).

The second season basically deals with the conners running all around America trying to escape the police as well as the FBI (headed by Alexander Mahone). The conners go their separate ways (Michael and Lincon go together of course) but its apparent their paths will cross again since all of them now know about the secret. Its a bit odd to start watching season 2 with the focus shifting to outside the prison since you are so used to seeing the prison all the time.

Michael trains his mind on proving the innocence of brother, which is no trivial task. This includes a wild manhunt for all the Fox River detractors across the map of America. In the meantime, all conners meet again as destined at the place of the secret. The way each one of them ends up there is amazing. This is one of the most thrilling phases of the series. Although, they unearth the secret, not everything goes according to plan for Michael and his brother. The conners separate again.

Michael and Lincon get their hands onto some crucial evidence which can exonerate Lincon of all charges but the story takes a crucial twist which again sends the brothers on the run. Season 2 ends on a fantastic note and Season 3 promises to be just as lively.

My personal favorites from the series are ...

1). Sucre's undying love for MariCruz.
2). T-Bag's ruthless and cunning character.
3). Michael's determination to save his brother.
4). Mahone's relentless pursuit of the brothers. He matches Michael punch for punch in Season 2.
5). Kellerman's character
6). C-Note's love for his family
7). Their first attempt to escape
8). The way Sarah prevents herself from expressing her love for Michael
9). The camaraderie between the brothers
10). Michael's plan on his tattoo
11). The Dont-Trust-Anyone attitude of every escapee.
12). Fox River. I would love to end up there. Its beautiful ... :).

My top 3 characters from the series would be Sucre, Lincon and T-Bag.

I can go on and on. I start Season 3 tonight ... Cheers ... !!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S frenzy ... !!

I have been thinking of posting this for some time now. During the month of March, my wife and I happened to experience all 10 seasons of the iconic Friends series. I had seen it quite a few times but it never gets boring. For my wife, it was the first time so she was in splits 25 hours every day. Watching Friends is extremely addictive. You just cant stop. Weekends were consumed finishing off atleast 20 episodes. By the end of it, it felt miserable especially the last episode when the entire apartment is empty.

Anyway, I have posted this for some of my most favorite hilarious dialogues ... here they come ...

"You are 18 and she is 44 ... when you are 36, she will be 88" - Joey to Frank (Phoebe's brother) (Frank replies with - "You think I dont know that?")

When Ross is playing the bagpipe horribly ... "Why is your family Scottish" - Monica to Chandler. Chandler replies with ... "Why is your family Ross?" (since Ross is Monica's brother)

During Ross and Emily's wedding, this is how Emily's Dad introduces Ross's parents to his wife ... "Darling, meet the Gellers ... this is one and this is the other one" (Ross's surname is Geller)

"Its OK Pheebs" - Phoebe to Rachel. Rachel says ... "Pheebs is your nickname". Phoebe says ... "Oh, is it? I thought thats what we all call each other lovingly"

"Ducks is heads and Clowns is tails" - Joey to Chandler when they lose little Ben and start finding him. They get 2 babies and cant decide which one is Ben. One of the babies in wearing a shirt with Ducks and the other baby is wearing one with Clowns. So they decide to flip a coin and choose which one is Ben. Chandler asks "Why heads for Ducks?" ... Joey replies ... "Coz Ducks have heads" ...

When Frank brings his 44 year old teacher cum girlfriend to the Cafe and they start kissing in front of everyone ... Chandler says ... "If that doesnt keep kids in school then what will?"

When Phoebe enrolls for a job for a telephone operator to sell something called Toner, the person in charge explains everything to her about how to speak, how to market Toner, etc and finally she asks Phoebe ... "Ok ... all fine?" ... Phoebe replies ... "Yes, but just one thing ... what is Toner?"

Joey to Chandler ... "Imagine if our Duck and Chick have a kid, what will we name them ... Chuck" ... Chandler replies ... "or ... Dick"

Chandler is watching Yasmeen Blith on Baywatch and his Chick is making some noise ... he starts talking to the Chick ... "You both are chicks (Chick and Yasmeen Blith) ... I love you both ... but in very different ways"

Monica is a cleanliness freak and she doesnt like anyone tinkering with the arrangement of her apartment. Chandler plans to surprise her by changing the arrangement. Ross walks in and tells Chandler that Monica will freak out. Chandler gets worried and suddenly Monica knocks on the door. Chandler goes upto the door and says ... "You cant come in because Ross in naked" ... then he goes upto Ross and tries to explain ... "Ross, I had to take your name coz Monica has seen me naked millions of time" ... Ross asks ... "Why does anyone has to be naked?"

Joey to Ross - "If they homo-sapiens were indeed HOMO sapiens, is it the reason why they are extinct?"

I am sure there are many more but these are the ones at the top of my head. I think the best lines have been given to the guys ... Chandler and Joey pull off every dialogue remarkably.

It doesn't annoy me seeing any episode of Friends any number of times ...

Cheers ... !!