His true motive is revealed in flashbacks: his older brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), is on death row for the murder of Terrence Steadman, the Vice President’s brother. Lincoln maintains his innocence, and all legal appeals have failed. Michael, convinced of Lincoln’s innocence, has spent months meticulously planning an escape. The key? The prison’s blueprints—which he has memorized and turned into a full-body tattoo.
The pilot of (Season 1, Episode 1) is widely considered one of the most effective and high-concept television premieres of all time. Directed by Brett Ratner and written by series creator Paul Scheuring , the episode first aired on August 29, 2005, drawing over 10.5 million viewers and setting the stage for a global phenomenon. The Premise: A Brother’s Desperation prison break episode 1 season 1