Paul Scheuring Interview

In this interview with Paul Scheuring, he reveals some insights into Prison Break…

How much of the plot do you plan in advance? For example, did you know when you started to film the first few eps that a pipe was going to be in the way in series 1?
“As a writing staff, we plan ahead for virtually all of the main ‘tentpole’ moments. In the case of the pipe being in the way in season one, we definitely planned that from the outset. Major turning points are always well-scripted in advance. What comes out of T-Bag’s mouth of course isn’t. The structure is largely known in advance, it’s just the smaller particulars that get worked out as we go along.”

How do you think the second season compares to the first?
“They’re two very different beasts. There’ll always be a nostalgia for the first season, because it was first and fresh out of the box. But season two has a scope, a sense of wide-open American lands, that’s sort of fresh in its own right. I guess it’s like having children. They’re different. But you love them the same. Usually.”

Do you know how this season is going to end? Are we going to get a cliff hanger ending?
“Of course and of course!”

Are you still on course to wrap up the main plotlines by the end of this series?
“I’d say about 80 percent of the plotlines are resolved this year. Certainly the mystery behind the president and Terrance Steadman, as well as the President’s fate. And most of our characters’ fates as well.”

How can the plot go on (into a third series) if you’re wrapping up the main plot at the end of the current season?
“Re-invent, just like we did in season 2. The only thing I will say at this stage is that it will be a much more stripped-down, brutal, violent version of the show than we’ve seen in the past. Seasons one and two will seem tame in comparison.”

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•