The "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" reboot of the 1980s was an okay series. But too often the shows were remakes of the original episodes and you can't help but compare the two versions...and in the case of "Final Escape" the original was so much better. But this remake has a score of 8.1...so I only have to assume most of the people scoring this one never saw the better original.
The story begins with Lena being sentenced to life in prison for a whole bunch of crimes...including murder. While she acted quite innocent in this appeal hearing, as soon as the judge sentences her, she shows that down deep she is a monster. However, her cockiness is shortlived once she arrives in prison, as it ends up getting her beaten up and threatened with more when she gets on the bad side of a nasty convict. At first, the warden is willing to believe her smooth lies...but she soon is revealed to be a manipulator and ends up back with the rest of the prisoners....and gets the snot beat out of her. But this only solidifies her drive to find a way out...and as soon as possible.
The biggest problems with this episode are twofold. First, the original is among the greatest episodes of the original series...and you can't help but compare it negatively. The original was just perfect. Second, Lena is played with LESS subtlety than a nudist showing up at a Baptist picnic! I am sure the director and script told Season Hubley to overact and play the character VERY broadly...but it really detracts from the show...making Lena seem more like a caricature than a person you can care about or believe is real. Do yourself a favor...just see the first version.
