Prison Breaks Perfect Replacement Show Had Its Own Michael Scofield And Lasted 6 Seasons

The perfect replacement show for Prison Break not only lasted six seasons but had its very own Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller). Prison Break‘s nail-biting action and twists were, at their heart, facilitated by Michael’s many schemes as he attempted to prove his brother Lincoln’s (Dominic Purcell) innocence. Though the series only got more complex as time went on, the story ultimately came to a close with updates on a Prison Break reboot still being few and far between despite its still strong premise and characters.

Michael’s ability to come up with elaborate plans that, even when things went off the rails, somehow still prevailed was fascinating to witness. However, this kind of quick-thinking is not just reserved for the Fox crime drama. Several shows like Prison Break have at least one character who matches Michael’s mental acuity and propensity to get into trouble. One particularly notable Prison Break replacement show had a character who is just as smart as Michael, though his style was largely different: Neal Caffey (Matt Bomer) from White Collar.

White Collar’s Neal Caffrey Was As Smart Of A Protagonist As Prison Break’s Michael Scofield

Both Characters Could Improvise And Were Largely Empathetic

Neal Caffrey from White Collar was as smart of a protagonist as Michael Scofield from Prison Break as both characters are skilled planners who can improvise while also being empathetic. Though his knowledge laid in classical art over engineering, Neal’s intelligence is largely on Michael’s level as he assists the FBI in several cases, conning his way into and out of bad situations. Much like many episodes of Prison Break, these plans often go awry, forcing Neal to improvise, such as when he helps Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) maintain his disguise with a suspected femme fatale with a well-timed drawing.

Both characters’ technical knowledge is also strengthened by their empathy and creativity. Michael’s low latent inhibition gave him an increased sense of empathy, giving him the drive to solve any problem through his sense of morality and justice. In Neal’s case, his empathy allowed him to easily manipulate his targets as he could anticipate their desires. Both characters are also creative, using art in some form to help in their plans, such as Neal’s forgeries and Michael’s tattoos. These similarities not only made Neal a great protagonist but helped make White Collar great for Prison Break fans.

Why White Collar Was The Perfect Show For Prison Break Fans (Despite Being So Different)

White Collar Also Had Elaborate Mysteries Despite Its Lighter Tone

White Collar, much like Prison Break, had many elaborate mysteries within its narrative despite the series having a lighter tone. Many episodes of White Collar have a lighter feel to Prison Break, partially due to the subject matter focusing on white-collar crimes over intense prison breaks and large-scale corporate espionage. The gentler disposition of the characters is also a stark contrast to Prison Break, Neal’s sunnier and charming personality a parallel to Michael’s more subdued, intimidating presence. That being said, audiences who loved the Fox series found the elaborate plots of White Collar just as engaging.

The mystery of Kate (Alexandra Daddario) in White Collar persists throughout the series’ first season, echoing Michael’s mission to save Lincoln as Neal tries to find out what happened to her. That mystery spiraled outward, allowing many aspects of Neal’s past to come to the surface in intriguing ways. Episodes that did not heavily feature these overarching plots still showcased engaging crime-of-the-week stories for the characters to solve. Both types of episodes allowed White Collar to explore a storyline that Prison Break season 4 sadly failed to do justice.

White Collar Did Something Prison Break Season 4 Failed To

White Collar Explored The Criminal/Justice System Dynamic Better Than Prison Break

Prison Break season 4 failed to truly dig into the criminal/justice system dynamic that was the backbone of White Collar. The fourth season of Prison Break had the group working for the government in order to retrieve a powerful data card known as Scylla. The season also explored Michael’s backstory and Lincoln’s past, but never really got into the finer details of what it was like for a group of criminals to work for the government. Instead, the story focused on the action and dramatic twists, making it one of the weakest seasons of Prison Break.

Conversely, that dynamic was the main narrative of White Collar, with the series focusing heavily on Peter and Neal’s relationship. Neal questioned his identity and desires throughout the series as his desire to settle down and natural empathy clashed with the rush of the con. Peter, meanwhile, was forced to face the imperfections of the justice system while also trying to keep Neal on the right path. This contrast created a complex relationship that acts as the series’ backbone and a set of themes Prison Break was unable to truly elaborate on in its fourth season.