Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is hands-down my favorite character on FOX's Prison Break. Some argue that the star of the show and the main character is Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) but I would propose that it's his brother Lincoln who is the real reason to tune in on Monday nights. Yes, Michael is very attractive. Yes, Michael is very intelligent. Yes, Michael has cool tattoos ... all over his body (cool tattoos that have cool secret codes and secret maps). And finally, yes, Michael uses said attractiveness, intelligence, and tattoos to break his brother out of prison. This is show of brotherly love is, to put it lightly, generous of him.
Okay, so I went through the reasons one might argue that Michael is better than Lincoln. Continue reading for my reasons why Lincoln is truly better than Michael.
1. He's got a really nice body (one that is tan and muscular and often sweaty). If Grey's Anatomy has "McDreamy" and "McSteamy," then Prison Break has "McBeefy."
2. He's one of the few actors I have ever seen that looks good with five o'clock shadow ... on his whole head.
3. He's the main reason for the plot of the show. (If he was never set-up by the company, Michael would never have had to get sent to Fox River and bust him out. You can't really call it Prison Break if the main characters don't need to escape from a prison. Oh wait, unless it's season two of Prison Break.)
4. He gets into good fight scenes. (I seem to remember an awesome head butt in season one as h.jpg)
e protected a newbie guard from T-Bag and his cronies. Anyone who uses a head butt is cool.)
5. He's got all ten toes. (I seem to remember a certain mob boss cutting a toe off of Michael's foot. Did that ever get reattached?)
6. He's a good older brother. (In season three so far, Lincoln has encouraged a forlorn Michael to continue on his quest to get Whistler out and save Sara and LJ. Lincoln even went so far as to say that he wished that they could change places. Lincoln would gladly take Michael's place in Sona, the deadliest prison in Panama.)
7. He's tougher than Michael. (Michael may have the MacGyver smarts but he is so whiny at times. It often takes a brother who has been on death row to readjust Michael's perspective.)
8. Have I mentioned the muscles?
9. He's clever. Michael is obviously the one with more creativity and ingenuity but Lincoln's resourcefulness is on the rise. (This season he is proving to be a valuable asset to Michael outside the prison. He tricked Susan B. Anthony by buying a second bird book and keeping the original for himself and Michael. Also, he figured out that Sara was pointing at a clue in the photos taken by the kidnappers.)
10. His love story with Veronica Donovan (Robin Tunney) totally trumps the Michael and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) plotline. (The one tender moment in the prison cell that Lincoln and Veronica is better than all the lovey-dovey-makey-outey moments that Michael and Sara have. I just can't get into them.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-02-2007 @ 1:18PM
D said...
How about adding, "Uhh, Dominic Purcell is the worst actor in prime time TV." to the multiple choice box?
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10-02-2007 @ 1:40PM
khamel said...
I agree with D. The reason he'd switch spots with Michael is because hes the REASON MICHAEL IS IN JAIL! He was the criminal and only because Michael has that disease where he has too much empathy (i will never forget that plot point, its in the pantheon on deus ex machina) is Michael in Sona. And hes not clever, hes just not the stupidest person ever. Getting another copy of the book isn't that brilliant a move, getting the prison water - now thats a brilliant move.
And as a heterosexual man, i'd totally take Wentworth Miller over Purcell anyday. But maybe its because im not a woman...
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10-02-2007 @ 2:34PM
mandraski said...
So, three of the ten reasons involve his looks, and if we count reason #5 (about his toes), that's 40% of your argument.
Well-played. Bravo.
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10-04-2007 @ 5:22PM
CJ said...
11. He's John Doe!
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10-02-2007 @ 3:47PM
radwimp said...
does anyone really like Lincoln more than Michael? lol
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10-02-2007 @ 4:11PM
Kristin Sample said...
Let's not get into the acting...that's a whole other list. I'm simply comparing the characters.
Plus, it's Prison Break. Compared to the other actors (with the possible exception of William Fitchner and the guy that plays T-Bag whose name escapes me), Dominic Purcell isn't that bad. He certainly nails the always-intense-flexing-the-neck-muscles delivery of his lines. Miller seems to have only two registers: pensive and more pensive.
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10-02-2007 @ 3:56PM
Gordy said...
The last time I noticed, Dominic has top billing this season. Wentworth's brooding gets old fast, and I only enjoy this show because of Linc's character.
Put me in the 'Lincoln Rocks' column.
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10-02-2007 @ 5:01PM
Ang said...
Top Eleven Reasons Why Michael is better than Lincoln.....
1) Brains always beats Brawn.
Yes, it is always great to have a Mc Beefy or a Mc Steamy around but one of the reasons that makes Mc. Dreamy dreamy and Michael so amazing is the fact that there is more beyond the muscles and the brawn. Ask most women which muscle we find the sexiest and we will say the heart. What would conversations be like after Lincoln rips your clothes off?
2) If it was not for Michael, Lincoln would be dead.
3) He is a man of his convictions..
Yes, he may have masterminded a escape that also allowed a murderer and rapist to go free. But Michael is dealing with those demons and feels responsible for the blood that T-Bag has shed.
4) Engineers make more money than construction workers... Remember where Michael lived...
5) Lincoln comes with baggage... Yes, LJ is practically a adult and now is somewhat more well adjusted but how long until he pulls the stuff he was pulling with his Mom & stepdad?
6) Michael is the ultimate man, he is good looking, has a heart of gold, could build you a building, save your life, or build you your own garden of paper flowers. If that does not do it for you which girl does not have a fantasy for a guy with tattoos?
7) Usually a hot, tan, sweaty man also equals a STINKY man... (see Matthew Mc.Conaughey for examples)
8) Michael is the guy you marry and can take home to Mom & Dad... Lincoln is the guy you cheat on the guy you married with.
9) Sara Tancredi and Michael are a better relationship than Lincoln and Veronica... While relationships that are built on lies, deceit, and overall drama usually do not work, this couple has pretty much been through it all. They share a fair amount of chemistry and golly do they need a chance to work... Plus if she is dead Lord, help anyone in the Company or Sona when Michael gets ahold of them
10) His Eyes... while Lincoln does have nice brown eyes also Michael's (ok Wentworth's) blue eyes are one of his best feature. They convey trust, hope, danger, and lust all in one look. They can bore into you like lasers and soften when you mention the good doctor. If eyes are the window to the soul.. Michael's eyes speak volumes on this complex character.
11) (sorry one more) Michael's voice. (ok, Wentowrth's voice) What can I do to have Michael/Wentworth just send me a tape of him reading? Seriously, it could be the phone book and he could make it intresting. From when he gets choked up over the Good Doctor to when he is focused on getting Whistler, his voice stays smooth and dreamy like caramel. Lincoln does have a deep voice... but can you imagine sitting by a fire with Lincoln reading a book on a snowy night? Did not think so... Ladies (and Gents) when it comes to the brothers of PB it's all about Michael... he got us into this and he's going to get us out.
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10-02-2007 @ 8:25PM
Quarkz said...
Ang FTW. I didn't even think there was a contest. Michael trumps Lincoln, obviously. But we all have our opinions, no?
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10-03-2007 @ 9:43AM
fred said...
"You can't really call it Prison Break if the main characters don't need to escape from a prison. Oh wait, unless it's season two of Prison Break"
I just don't get that one. I was called "Prison Break" because they did break out, and now were on the run.
Makes much more sense to me that just trying to "re-do" season one by having him sent to a new prison, and he has to escape again...
That's the lamest thing ever, lack of creativity and plot development IMO.
AFAIC season two, despite all its flaws, was a better season than this one. And made more sense, plotwise, too.
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10-03-2007 @ 5:11PM
Carolina Kelly said...
Fred, I'm totally with you on this season. Season two still had plot twists and turns and kept you tuning in every week. This season, if something doesn't happen really good within the next episode or two, I'm through.
This is the worst storyline ever, and I'm really disappointed.
Frankly, right now, I am only tuning in to watch BOTH Michael and Lincoln. Hey, you have a guy to satisfy WHATEVER mood you're in, caring and soft-hearted or hard and sweaty!!
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10-09-2007 @ 1:35PM
lisalee said...
I agree!! Lincoln looks like someone from a trailer park and I like my males a little more upscale than that.
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10-04-2007 @ 9:13AM
Jen said...
Ang, well put!!! Michael (Wentworth) all the way for me!
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