Tensions rise as the group realizes they have one too many people for the escape. Lincoln is thrown into solitary confinement.
| Episode # | Title | Original Air Date | Key Plot Points | |-----------|-------|-------------------|------------------| | 1 | Pilot | Aug 29, 2005 | Michael robs a bank; arrives at Fox River; meets Lincoln; reveals his tattoo as a prison map. | | 2 | Allen | Aug 29, 2005 | Michael tests the prison’s infirmary route; first encounter with John Abruzzi and Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell. | | 3 | Cell Test | Sep 5, 2005 | Michael digs through his cell wall; begins recruiting inmates: Sucre, Abruzzi, and T-Bag. | | 4 | Cute Poison | Sep 12, 2005 | Lincoln’s execution date set; Michael fakes diabetes to access the infirmary. | | 5 | English, Fitz or Percy | Sep 19, 2005 | Michael secures a chemical to weaken the pipe; Veronica uncovers conspiracy evidence. | | 6 | Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1) | Sep 26, 2005 | Prison riot; Dr. Sara Tancredi trapped; Michael saves her. | | 7 | Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 2) | Oct 3, 2005 | Riot ends; Michael gains Sara’s trust; Lincoln’s execution stay granted. | | 8 | The Old Head | Oct 24, 2005 | Michael uses a homeless inmate (“old head”) to verify tunnel exit; plans delayed. | | 9 | Tweener | Nov 1, 2005 | Pickpocket “Tweener” joins the escape; Abruzzi threatens Michael’s family. | | 10 | Sleight of Hand | Nov 8, 2005 | Michael steals a credit card to bribe a guard; conspiracy deepens. | | 11 | And Then There Were 7 | Nov 15, 2005 | Escape team finalized: Michael, Lincoln, Sucre, Abruzzi, T-Bag, C-Note, Tweener, Haywire. | | 12 | Odd Man Out | Nov 22, 2005 | Tensions rise; Michael tries to drop T-Bag; failed attempt. | | 13 | End of the Tunnel | Nov 29, 2005 | Tunnel completed but exit is blocked by a guard’s desk. | | 14 | The Rat | Mar 20, 2006 | Michael re-routes tunnel; informant (“rat”) threatens the plan. | | 15 | By the Skin and the Teeth | Mar 27, 2006 | Dental appointment subplot to hide digging debris. | | 16 | Brother’s Keeper | Apr 3, 2006 | Flashback episode: Lincoln’s framing; Michael’s pre-prison preparation. | | 17 | J-Cat | Apr 10, 2006 | Michael becomes “J-Cat” (prison tutor) to access locked rooms. | | 18 | Bluff | Apr 17, 2006 | Abruzzi betrays Michael; phone call to sister reveals conspiracy. | | 19 | The Key | Apr 24, 2006 | Michael retrieves a key from a prisoner’s stomach; pipe burst delays escape. | | 20 | Tonight | May 1, 2006 | Final preparation; Sara leaves the infirmary door unlocked as requested. | | 21 | Go | May 8, 2006 | The escape: 8 inmates flee through the tunnel and over the wall. | | 22 | Flight | May 15, 2006 | Manhunt begins; Veronica discovers the real killer; Michael and Lincoln board a plane but are chased. | prison break episodes season 1
– Michael targets the prison's older inmates for help with the break. Ep. 9: Tensions rise as the group realizes they have