Watch Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a gripping sci-fi thriller show that aired on FOX in 2012, starring Sarah Jones as a San Francisco police detective named Rebecca Madsen. The show follows Rebecca and her partner, Detective Diego Soto (played by Jorge Garcia), as they investigate a strange case involving a group of former Alcatraz inmates who mysteriously reappear after 50 years of being missing.

The show begins with a chilling scene in which a group of Alcatraz prisoners vanish without a trace in 1963, leaving behind empty cells and confused guards. The show then fast-forwards to the present day, where Rebecca and Diego are investigating a homicide that leads them to a secret underground chamber, where they discover a hidden room filled with stacks of inmate files, each with a shocking note indicating that the prisoner has returned - unaged and with no explanation. They soon realize that the previously thought dead and missing inmates, who "vanished" in 1963, have all started appearing across the city and are, in fact, alive and well, but with their lives spanning over many decades.

As Rebecca, Diego, and another key character, Dr. Lucy Banerjee (played by Parminder Nagra), delve deeper into the mystery, they discover a secret government agency that was formed in the 1960s to track and recapture these missing prisoners. The show introduces the agency, The Hauser Institute, and its shadowy figure, Emerson Hauser (played by Sam Neill), who used to work at Alcatraz and is now leading the hunt for the inmates who have returned. However, as the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that there is more going on than meets the eye, and the secrets of Alcatraz are far more vast and obscure than anyone could have ever imagined.

The storytelling of Alcatraz is woven through the narratives of the cast that effectively keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. The show dives deep into the dark and eerie ambiance of the prison to reveal a host of hidden secrets and eldritch powers. The show puts forth numerous cliffhangers and plot twists, which will have viewers yearning for more.

One of Alcatraz’s main themes is exploring the idea of time and the way it can be manipulated. The storyline effectively delves deeper into the mystery, questioning the inmates' motives while having a nuanced handling of the time jumps that take place. The show navigates these jumps really well without leaving room for plot holes. The soundtrack also needs a mention, as it complements the story and its eerie ambiance perfectly.

The chemistry between the main characters plays a central role in the show. Jones, as Madsen, provides the perfect balance between fearless and vulnerable, conveying empathy and morality in equal measure. Garcia, in his role as Soto, effectively plays the humorous sidekick who provides the show with some levity. Neill brings a nuanced and magnetic performance as Hauser, and Nagra provides depth to the show as Dr. Banerjee. The relationship between the main characters is believable without being too forced, which goes to the show's quality.

However, despite its imaginative and strong storylines, the show was discontinued after its first season, and the audience was not given the resolution to their queries. The viewers were not given a proper ending, which left many things unsolved, and there was no justification for not renewing the show for its second season. Although the show tries to cover up its middle-of-the-road plot with superb foray into mystery and complexities with nonsensical characters, it fails to cater to a broad audience.

Despite being a prime show for buffs of conspiracy theories, fans of mystery and sci-fi lovers will surely get their money's worth from this show. The enthusiastic and well-produced first season thoroughly explores the intricate storylines of Alcatraz, leaving fans begging for a continuation. Alcatraz is highly recommended to those who enjoy high tension and thrilling mysteries who will enjoy the unpredictability of the show.

Alcatraz is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between January 16, 2012 and on FOX