A looming race riot inside Fox River complicates Michael’s first major blueprint objective. He must retrieve a specific bolt from a yard bleacher to create a makeshift Allen wrench. Michael bargains with white supremacist leader T-Bag to gain access to the bench. Outside the walls, Veronica discovers a hidden surveillance tape. It shows Lincoln shooting the Vice President's brother, Terrence Steadman.
Season 1 is a study in escalating stakes. It doesn't treat the escape as a season-finale event; instead, it makes the process the story.