Prisoner’s first episode opens in the early hours, with prison transport officer Amber Todd falling asleep while holding her baby. She is preparing at 6:30 a.m. for her first day back at work after maternity leave. Amber is paired with her colleague Joe and heads out, not knowing that the day will soon spiral out of control.
The Dempsey Crime Family
We meet Harrison Dempsey, leader of the Pegasus crime syndicate, who is now fighting a long list of charges in court. He’s on house arrest, but his son Declan is ready to step up and take over the organization. Meanwhile the National Crime Unit (NCU) are determined to secure a conviction and bring down the syndicate for good.
Tibor Stone: The Witness
At the heart of the case is Tibor Stone, a former Harrison hit man who knows the inner workings of the syndicate. His testimony could bring down the whole organization and makes him a high value target. Intelligence indicates Pegasus has found him and Director of Operations Alex Tebbit tells Tibor to be moved up the schedule.
A Hazardous Occupation
The responsibility falls on Amber and Joe due to their proximity. Amber is uncomfortable with the assignment, especially since much of Tibor’s file is classified. She finds he has a high IQ but fears his unpredictability. During the trip, Tibor makes Amber uncomfortable by correctly guessing that she is a new mother, which she denies.
The Setup
Soon things spiral out of control. Declan orders Nina and the other operatives of Pegasus to track the transport. The car stops, in a staged car crash inside a tunnel. A moment later, a drone strike triggers a massive explosion. Amber is left alone as Joe is killed in the explosion, and comes under heavy fire from armed assailants.
A Desperate Flight
Amber makes a bold decision to cuff herself to Tibor so he can’t escape. No time to think. They fight their way out in the confusion, and finally jump in the water to get away from their attackers. Back at NCU the failed operation causes an outcry and Alex Tebbit takes the rap for the disastrous decision.
The Chances of Survival
Amber and Tibor make it through, to shore, but Tibor is badly hurt. Amber pulled shrapnel from his back and stabilized him before calling headquarters. Help is at hand as if their luck has changed. Nina comes to their rescue. But the danger is far from over…
Episode Review
Prisoner starts off with a bang, a very intense opening episode that obviously wants to capture the gritty tension of shows like Gangs of London. The episode is a fast moving story, loaded with action and high stakes, not least in the tunnel ambush sequence.
The musical score is important in building tension, often taking scenes that might otherwise be routine and making them more exciting. But the story itself is still in its early stages, and some questions remain unanswered. The emotional impact is limited for now by the lack of depth around the Pegasus syndicate and Tibor’s true motivations.
Sometimes realism is put aside, too, especially with the visual effects during the explosion sequence that feel inconsistent. Still, the episode does manage to create some intrigue and conflict, giving viewers enough reason to keep watching.
Overall, it’s a solid start with plenty of room to grow, and the coming episodes will need to expand on the characters and their motivations to fully deliver on its potential.