Freshly incarcerated in Fox River, Michael is soon beginning work on his escape plan by attempting to acquire the first integral instrument for it, before hitting his first integral problem: Theodore 'T-Bag' Bagwell.
Serving life imprisonment without ever been eligible for parole, Theodore Bagwell is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous inmates in Fox River who prays on younger men as sexual victims and makes Michael one of his targets by offering him his 'pocket' - in exchange for protection from other inmates. On top of this, escalating racial tensions in the prison, Abruzzi's impatience for the location of Fibonacci and Dr. Tancredi's queries about whether or not Michael does actually have diabetes all make sure Michael is going to be in for one hell of a ride every episode: even if he can find the time to continue with the escape plan!
But Robert Knepper is the real star of this episode and plays the part wonderfully, by opting to portray the character from a more charming, and even at times, comedic perspective rather than showing T-Bag's more sadistic and cruel nature all the time. He also successfully manages to bring in his own (what Knepper describes as) 'animalistic' qualities to the role to show T-Bag's more menacing side. Overall, he does a terrific job in making what should be a vile, hateful creature into a real fan-favourite who returns in a regular role to the series.
Serving life imprisonment without ever been eligible for parole, Theodore Bagwell is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous inmates in Fox River who prays on younger men as sexual victims and makes Michael one of his targets by offering him his 'pocket' - in exchange for protection from other inmates. On top of this, escalating racial tensions in the prison, Abruzzi's impatience for the location of Fibonacci and Dr. Tancredi's queries about whether or not Michael does actually have diabetes all make sure Michael is going to be in for one hell of a ride every episode: even if he can find the time to continue with the escape plan!
But Robert Knepper is the real star of this episode and plays the part wonderfully, by opting to portray the character from a more charming, and even at times, comedic perspective rather than showing T-Bag's more sadistic and cruel nature all the time. He also successfully manages to bring in his own (what Knepper describes as) 'animalistic' qualities to the role to show T-Bag's more menacing side. Overall, he does a terrific job in making what should be a vile, hateful creature into a real fan-favourite who returns in a regular role to the series.