Diego’s Soul Patch: ALCATRAZ Podcast 1.04 Summary

Jorge Garcia and Bethany Shady deliver another entertaining look at this week’s episode of Alcatraz for the new edition of the podcast which includes a special appearance from Jason Butler Harner aka E.B. Tiller. As before, there’s some more insight into the historical Alcatraz from Michael Esslinger and the pair clear up some key points for 1.04, including the Warden’s line at the end.

This week Jorge and Bethany talk about;

Opening

Addresses volume issue.

Beth’s last night in Vancouver, podcast will continue with Beth and Jorge communicating via Skype.

Are the prisoners in Alcatraz real historical prisoners? No, they’re fictional but references are made to real inmates though there names aren’t used. Alcatraz prisoner numbers.

There’s now a sign on the real Alcatraz indicating that the TV show features fictional locations to stop tourists from wandering off and trying to find them. Points out that Diego Soto’s book is also fictional.

Episode Analysis

Hanging out with Eric Johnson who played Cal Sweeney, night shoot at the bank.

Sweeney looks for specific numbers of the safety deposit boxes. There was a gag in the script where he would punch out the boxes in an order that represents his Alcatraz number which would later be deduced by Rebecca and Doc Soto, but got cut out.

Teller turns off the security cameras but the door’s still open and the bank manager walks in.

Inmate Pinkner, nod to LOST/Fringe producer Jeff Pinkner.

Why is Cal Sweeney stealing things and then finding out the stories from their owners?

E.B. Tiller’s birthday scene, special guest Jason Butler Harner offers insights and talks about working on the show.

First meeting between Dr Beauregard and Lucille Sengupta. Talks about erasing memories and rewiring prisoners. Possible hint? Assignments, what was Kit Nelson‘s?

Theory that solitary confinement/the hole has something to do with the prisoner’s coming back.

The size of Sam and Sarah’s badges, scenes which get compressed. The Doc Soto/Rebecca air vent scene is an example of this.

Jorge got to drive the Mustang, him and Sam steaming up the windows. Inconsistency where Sweeney says the Mustang has been following them, but the Mustang wasn’t introduced until 1964.

Sweeney had the black bag with they key in it. The hall of prisoners scene. Kit Nelson died so it doesn’t say anything by his name.

Laser-cut key, Hauser’s easy way and hard way. Jorge’s ADR, “I guess he trusts his scientists more than us”.

Hauser’s nerd committee. Refers to the prisoners jumping.

We find out what they keys open. What did the Warden say at the end? – Clarification: “your recent palace coup has caught the eye of a certain subterranean visitant who wishes to have a parley”. Meaning of visitant.

Michael Esslinger – Alcatraz Expert

Talks about visitors trying to find fictional places from the show. Questions he got asked about real Alcatraz have turned into questions about the show.

Foundation of show is fictional but Alcatraz is a central character. Officers used to use myths about the prison to get inmates to conform to rules and regulations.

1934 – 39 dungeon style cells located between A and D blocks were used for two to three day stints. Inmates who saw them go down never saw them come back up.

Misc