Summary

• Prison Break's popularity stood the test of time despite initial concerns from Fox about its longevity.
• Season 4's "Quiet Riot" episode impresses with a gripping heist and unexpected twist.
• Season 1's "The Key" sets the stage for greatness with a rescue mission and key escape plan reveal.

In its five-season run, Lost and 24 eventually convinced Fox to give Prison Break a shot.

Like most long-running shows, Prison Break could not sustain its quality throughout its five seasons. But despite this, the series remained interesting enough throughout its runtime and garnered strong viewership ratings till the end. The show was so successful that a Prison Break reboot project has also been announced. While the fate of the reboot still seems uncertain, audiences can always experience the FX show's narrative highs by rewatching its best episodes.

15 "Quiet Riot"

Season 4, Episode 11

Serving as the 68th episode in the series, "Quiet Riot" only tells viewers about the team's intention to attack Scylla. However, in its early moments, it reveals little about their plan, which keeps one intrigued about their next step throughout its runtime. The whole breaking sequence is also well-executed in the episode and almost convinces the viewer that the team has achieved the seemingly impossible task before introducing an unforgettable twist. Overall, Prison Break season 4 may not be among the show's best installments, but in moments like these, it seems to have the spark that made its early seasons incredibly gripping.

14 "The Key"

Season 1, Episode 19

Aptly titled "The Key," Prison Break season 1's episode 19 features a nail-biting chapter where Lincoln gets rescued while Michael learns how Sara might hold the key to the overarching escape plan. Episode 19 is among the first few episodes of the series that highlight its potential for greatness. It not only discloses the truth about the stranger Lincoln encounters but also dares to take one step back from the central prison escape narrative to prepare viewers for the season's final arc.

13 "Sona"

Season 2, Episode 22

Compared to season 1, Prison Break season 2 experiences a noticeable dip in quality. However, even though season 2 fails to match season 1's highs, its conclusive arc arguably seems as satisfying as season 1's. Although it is slightly marred by its rushed pace and the show's growing loopholes, Mahone, Michael, T-Bag, and Sucre's cathartic story arcs serve as its saving grace. Despite its narrative inconsistencies, season 2's finale, in hindsight, seems like one of the best installments in the show because, unlike season 3's unnecessary fillers, it sticks to expanding the overarching narrative.

12 "Manhunt"

Season 2, Episode 1

After Prison Break season 1's epic ending, season 2 also begins on a strong note by walking through all the provisions the inmates make to ensure they do not get caught. To further raise the stakes for the main character, the show also adds a new character, FBI Agent Alexander Mahone, to the mix, who is convincingly established as a highly intelligent man. Instead of slowly drifting into the drama, the episode also does not hold back from featuring several casualties, which perfectly sets the stage for the gritty drama ahead.

11 "The Killing Box"

Season 2, Episode 13

While the shadow of Manhone's murderous intentions looms over Michael and Lincoln in Prison Break season 2's episode 13, Bellick finds himself in trouble when his bail gets denied, and the new warden uses him as a ploy to show how the new istration works at the Fox River. These two story developments alone make "The Killing Box" a highly entertaining addition to the show's second installment. It is further elevated by a twist that shows how Michael and Lincoln find from an unexpected character when Manhone sets out to eradicate them.

10 "Killing Your Number"

Season 4, Episode 22

In more ways than one, Prison Break Season 4's episode 22 brings a satisfying closure to the entire series and arguably should have been the perfect place for FX to pull the plug on the show. After unfolding some high-stakes action, the episode also features an emotional final arc that marks the end of Michael's journey. Because of how conclusive and well-rounded it seems, Prison Break season 4's episode 22 is far more memorable than most episodes from season 5 and Prison Break: The Final Break, making it one of the best episodes of the entire series.

9 "Flight"

Season 1, Episode 22

Written by Paul T. Scheuring, Prison Break season 1's finale may not match the quality of its predecessor, but it still manages to bring a satisfying closure to the show's first chapter. Although it features a cliffhanger in its final moments and even ignores some underlying plot points, it strikes the perfect balance between giving audiences a semblance of resolution and paving the way for another season. One of its most memorable moments is when Abruzzi ruthlessly chops off T-Bag's hand, reminding viewers that no character is safe from perilous situations and narratives of its high-stakes world.

8 "Greatness Achieved"

Season 4, Episode 9

Prison Break season 4's episode 9 unfolds more as a journey for the main characters as they make their way through a 30,000-gallon water main. What makes this episode memorable is how it perfectly flips the script for Brad Bellick. A character who remains in the shadows almost through the show's runtime gets to be in the limelight when season 4's episode 9 makes a hero out of him. Despite being a relatively forgettable character in the show's previous installments, Bellick becomes a compelling focal point in the episode when he takes one for the team with his ultimate sacrifice.

7 "Selfless"

Season 4, Episode 12

Directed by Michael Switzer, "Selfless" primarily follows Michael and the crew's efforts to execute the Scylla heist. In its 44-minute runtime, the episode seemingly packs everything that audiences have grown to love in Prison Break: unexpected betrayals, Michael's ingenious ideas, and clever dialog. Perhaps the only downside to season 4's episode 12 is that it seems derivative of several other highly acclaimed installments of the overarching series.

6 "Hell Or High Water"

Season 3, Episode 12

Almost midway through its runtime in episode 12, Prison Break season 3 reaches its highest point in of quality when Michael, Whistler, McGrady, and Mahone plan to escape Sona before facing several critical turning points. Given how the show's third installment has way too many filler episodes, episode 12 offers a breath of fresh air by returning to the series' original tone and quick pace. Unfortunately, it is followed by another series of underwhelming installments that rank season 3 among the series' weakest seasons.