'Prison Break' ending isn't the end

Q: I watched or taped every episode of "Prison Break." However, my recorder did not work on the final episode. Do you know how I could get a copy of that episode, or could you tell me how it ended?

A: Explaining how "Prison Break" ended is not unlike explaining the ending of "The X-Files." We thought we had one, and then we did not.

"Prison Break" began on Fox in 2005 and ran until 2009. You can find it on disc, digital and Netflix, although watching it wrap up is a little complicated. The fourth-season episode "Killing Your Number" near the end jumps ahead four years to show what the main characters are up to and that Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) has died. To find out how, and what was in some of that four-year gap, you have to watch what's sometimes billed as a special movie, "Prison Break: The Final Break," and sometimes as the series' last two episodes, "The Old Ball and Chain" and "Free." (Netflix has it the latter way, with the two episodes tied together as one.)

Now, why is that not the end? Because Fox is bringing back "Prison Break" for another run in the 2016-17 season, with all the original cast. The new season, says Fox, "picks up after Michael's apparent death," Sara is raising her and Michael's child with her new husband (Mark Feuerstein). Then, "when clues surface that suggest Michael may be alive, Sara teams with Lincoln to engineer the series' biggest escape ever."

Q: What happened to "Rookie Blue"? It was the best all-around cop show. It had excitement. Comedy. Family. A little bit of everything.

A: The Canadian-made drama has ended after six seasons. A statement from the production company last fall said in part: "After six seasons the series reached a natural conclusion and this season's finale was the perfect wrap-up for both our rookies and for fans, especially with the marriage of our favourite couple, Sam and Andy."

Q: I am wondering what happened to the PBS series "Mercy Street." It just ended abruptly.

A: Once again, this is a case of a show that made a short season. The first run of the Civil War drama consisted of six episodes, all of which have aired and are now on disc and digital. A second season has been ordered.

Q: Will "Tyrant," "The Americans" and "Turn" be back?

A: FX drama "The Americans" is already back; new episodes began on March 16. "Turn" resumes on AMC on April 25. "Tyrant" has been picked up for a third season on FX; I have not seen an airdate yet but the previous two seasons began in June.

E-mail questions to rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com.