In episode two of Prison Break, one of the lessons contained is getting along. It is being mentioned clearly and loudly by the character Warden Henry Pope to every inmate, and by Charles West Moreland directly to Michael J. Scofield. Actually getting along is in the middle of a continuum. The lowest point is staying out of trouble, and the highest point is living a life within order and harmony.
However staying out of trouble, or just getting along in our life is not enough. Each individual shall contribute to order and harmony in our relationships with every other individual, within the societal structure from the base of dyad, upward to team, group, association, organization, state, nation, world, and the apex is the universe.
So the pertinent question at this moment is, do we ever wish that this world is a composition of only one race, one color, one culture, one language, one religion, and every individual is the same and similar in all aspects and characteristics?
What then is the God’s wisdom of this clearness in the variations, differences, and features, and distinctive characteristics that we are? Perhaps our common aspiration is unity in diversity, rather than uniformity in conformity.
It is clear that upholding unity in diversity, then we shall study the similarities and the differences between living a life inside and outside of a prison. The similarity is the likelihood of physical and metaphysical imprisonments. While the outstanding difference of course is total freedom. Surprisingly, where there is total freedom, then that shall be the best place to live in.
Uniquely between the parting walls of any prison, on the outside, relationships exist between those representing the police, the court, and the hospitals, in addition to the entire private and public intra-and-inter departments. On the inside, relationships exist between the inmates, the guards, the officers, the infirmary, and the prison top administrators. Also relevant is the relationship between those on the inside and those on the outside, including relationship between family members.
In this episode of Prison Break, the audience views Michael at the center, and his dyadic relationships include:
* A relationship of brotherhood with Lincoln Burrows. They share the joyous kinship any two brothers can have. Especially they keep no secret between each other, and they are always on a look out protecting each other with concern and love.
To a certain extend Lincoln is seen to be pushing almost everybody away, because he considers himself like an anchor, sinking together individuals having a relationship with him. Also there is a definite contrast between the present relationship between Michael and Lincoln; and the past relationship between Lincoln and Veronica Donovan; and a past-to-be relationship between Veronica and Sebastian.
* A close relationship with Fernando Sucre, his cell mate. Being cell mates, Michael is aware of the importance of this relationship, especially Fernando’s key role in his action planning. However, the initial closeness that they share encounters a sudden blockage after activities of testing in trust, proceeds to distance these two. Perhaps Fernando is concern about his relationships with Maricruz Delgado, involving a challenging Hector Avila to win her for marriage.
* A possible relationship with Dr. Sarah Tancredi. In this relationship, is Michael using momentarily the good doctor to fulfill his action planning, or will these two develop a lasting love relationship that rises above rules and regulations imposing forbidden a relationship between a prison official and an inmate.
* A relationship with Captain Brad Bellick who shows power and authority, also instilling suspicion and fear. Especially when Brad realizes the awkwardness of Henry developing a relationship of liking and providing a few favors to Michael.
Yet, what similarity we can see in Brad extending privileges to John Abruzzi in a special relationship with him, and John’s extended relationship with his associates outside the prison wall.
In addition there is tension in the relationship between Brad and Henry, especially in terms of their leadership styles and approaches, is like the difference between the night and the day.
* A nice tie with Charles. Both are gaining continuous respect and trust. Charles share with Michael about the relationship between the groups of black and white. Inside the prison they never get along.
Overall Michael can be straight forward and simplistic about establishing relationships with other individuals. In the earlier episode Dr. Sarah Tancredi alerted him about trust. Then in this continuing episode Lincoln did the same, alerting Michael about trusting any blacks in their relationship with them. Yet to Michael, their relationships transcend race. Michael is seen to bind a relationship between him and any individual is only on the basis of breaking out of prison in accordance with his action planning. His assessment, judgment, and decision making is thus.
Yet, at this stage, a few do not share his nature especially four prominent leaders, namely John Abruzzi – leading the kinship fraternity; Theodore Bagwell- leading the whites; Benjamin Miles Franklin leading the blacks; and Brad partly leading the prison officers and guards. All four are a major influence in their own individual territory, and they are after Michael, for their own reason, and in their own way.
Michael is perceived by Theodore as mingling with the blacks, and he is accused as a confused individual who is perhaps white on the outside but black on the inside. In addition Michael is perceived by Benjamin as a white who shall remain with the whites and cannot be amongst the blacks. Next, Michael is perceived by John as a blabber who has nothing he needs, and should he needs it, his power enables him to pressure Michael and inflicting him with excruciating pain. Michael is perceived by Brad as a smart individual who is up to crumble the well guarded system of the prison.
Michael has been given a statement by each of them, such as “which side are you on?” “come and be on our side,” and “why you choose the wrong side?” While in the background, on the opposing side is the unique relationship between Special Agent Paul Kellerman and Carolyn Reynolds.
In the entire relationships presented through this episode of Prison Break, the audience can clearly see how vital information is, and how individuals experienced a change in their relationships after they change their perception in light of new and incoming different information.
Above and beyond this, it is interesting to note that the relationships between Lincoln and Crab Simmons; Veronica in a relationship with Wendy her assistant, another lawyer, and La Tisya; Dr. Sarah Tancredi in a relationship with Nurse Katie Welch; and more, surely there is an opening of hope, while a bright light shinning on the avenues for all whites, blacks, colored, and others to go beyond getting along in our relationship, to achieve order and harmony on this earth within our entire universe.
A direct benefit shall you obtain after you have watched Prison Break series, particularly episode two, is your preference in the option to contribute order and harmony in your own relationships with other individuals in your life.