Why Writing Off "Prison Break" Was a Good Call

You know, the problem with writing a show off is that there’s always that nagging doubt that you’re going to miss something.

So it’s always nice when something happens that confirms you made the right decision. And that happened for me on last night’s “Prison Break.”

Now because I’d already given up on it, I didn’t see it; but I read about it online today…

Warning: If you have not yet seen last night’s episode of “Prison Break,” stop reading now…

After two years of hoping to see them get together, but only getting a couple of kisses and heated looks. After Michael went to jail to protect her, Sara is now dead. You’ve got to be kidding me!

If you missed it, Lincoln was given a box with her head in it.

Now, I’m a “24” fan, so I understand all about killing people for dramatic effect, but this is a little ridiculous. However, there’s a little more to this story…

Sara was actually killed last night for two reasons that have nothing to do with story: network interference and a good old-fashioned contract dispute.

Here’s the deal, courtesy of my TV scoop hero, Michael Ausiello of “TV Guide”…

When last season ended, Sara’s portrayer, Sarah Wayne Callies was pregnant and planned to take some time off at the beginning of the season. Then the writers planned to make her a major part of the season three storyline. But the show’s final pitch was rejected by FOX and the writers were forced to come up with something else. That something else was to kill Sara to change Michael’s motivations. They planned to do it mid-season after they had a chance to do a proper goodbye.

But Callies wasn’t interested in doing 13 episodes, or 10, or four, or even one. She passed on every offer, and the show was forced to pull the trigger earlier than they had planned (Callies did allow the show to use her image for the death.).

In Callies’ defense, she did think she was going to be a part of the entire season, so to hear that was getting cut had to be a major slap in the face and may have led to her decision to not uproot her new family for just a limited run. But it’s a HUGE slap in the face for the fans.

I’m really glad I’m not one of them anymore, because I would be REALLY ticked off right now…