Caroline Reynolds
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| Prison Break character | |
|---|---|
| Caroline Reynolds | |
| First appearance: | S1E02 |
| Last appearance: | S2E19 |
| Season: | 1, 2
Episode Count = 18 |
| Portrayed by: | Patricia Wettig |
| Crime: | Conspiracy to several murders |
| Sentence: | Unknown; presumed arrested |
| Occupation: | former 46th President of the U.S.; former Vice-President of the U.S.; U.S. Senator from Illinois |
| Family: | Terrence Steadman (brother), several grandchildren |
| Relationships: | Paul Kellerman (presumabely deceased), Terrence Steadman (Incestuous lovers) |
Caroline Reynolds is a fictional character from the American television series Prison Break, played by Patricia Wettig. She is a recurring character introduced in the second episode of the series as a mysterious woman (often seen performing culinary work) whose face was not shown until the eighth episode of the series, where she was revealed to be the Vice President of the United States. Her brother, Terrence Steadman, is the man whom Lincoln Burrows was convicted of killing. Reynolds thus becomes more prominent, becoming the main antagonist of the first season.
In the first season, Reynolds is affiliated with a covert organization known as "The Company" with whom she shares the same goal - to make sure that Lincoln Burrows is executed for her brother's "murder." Due to Patricia Wettig's commitment to another television series, Brothers & Sisters, the character's first appearance in the second season was in the nineteenth episode, "Sweet Caroline,"[1] for which Wettig was credited as a "Special Guest Star." Despite Reynolds's extended absence prior to this episode, the plot continued to develop around her, and Wettig provided voiceovers for the second season episodes "The Message" and "Chicago".
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[edit] Background
Caroline Reynolds entered politics at an early age and was very ambitious. At the start of her career, she was a member of the Illinois School Board and would later become a Senator. It was at this time that she met Paul Kellerman, a young former officer in the U.S. Army that had recently become a Secret Service agent. He would become one of her most loyal supports, serving her for 15 years. Eventually, she was elected in as Vice President of the United States. Her desire to become president through illegal means is at least 4 years old, shortly after her re-election as Vice President, and to that end she had assembled a small group of federal agents and operatives that would be loyal to her cause, Paul Kellerman being by far the most loyal henchman among them. As Vice President, her plans included illegal dealings through her brothers company, Ecofield, that were designed to fraud her way into massive campaign funds, funds that would ensure her victory in the next presidential election. She also begun a partnership with “The Company”, unknowingly selling her soul to the nefarious organization. When her brother’s role in the fraud was revealed, her loyal henchmen, Kellerman and his partner Daniel Hale, were told to fake his death and frame Lincoln Burrows for the crime (although the choice of Burrows as the fall guy was The Company’s and the entire reason behind it was unknown to her). She assured her brother that once Lincoln Burrows was executed, things would begin to return to normal. In the meantime, Reynolds had Steadman hidden in a safehouse in Montana.
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Season 1
Caroline Reynolds first appears in the second episode of the first season. When Kellerman calls her in Montana to inform her that Veronica Donovan, a lawyer and Burrows' ex-girlfriend, had began to threaten the conspiracy, Reynolds told Kellerman and Hale to stop her at all costs. She made it clear that anyone could be killed for the ultimate cause, and later ordered the two agents to murder several innocent people. When Hale later had a crisis of conscience and a heavy-hearted Kellerman was forced to shoot him, Reynolds only concern was that he wasn't killed sooner.
Towards Lincoln Burrows' execution date, Reynolds announced her candidacy for President of the United States in her hometown of Montgomery, Illinois. Her strategy does not execute according to plan when "The Company" threatens to abandon her and the president thinks that she is unsuited for the vice-presidency. After the President was poisoned, Reynolds was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. It was later revealed that she was behind the president's death, having killed him to take office.
Her relationship with Agent Paul Kellerman is peculiar as Reynolds is more than just Kellerman's superior. They know each other's personal history and Kellerman continuously comforts and reassures her that her plans for presidency will succeed. He also addresses her (in private, at least) by her first name, rather than "Madam Vice-President" or "Madam President", which would normally be the appropriate way for her to be addressed by a Secret Service agent. Furthermore, Kellerman's actions in the conspiracy projects not only his "dedication" to his country but also to Reynolds herself. He has stayed steadfastly by her side since the start of her political career. However, although he cares for her deeply, she does not appear to share the extent of his feelings. Instead she has taken advantage of them, making Kellerman into her devoted lackey.
[edit] Season 2
The character's absence for most of the season is compensated by introducing Secret Service Agent William Kim as an intermediary between her and Kellerman. The Company explicitly forbade him to contact Reynolds, and she apparently didn't care enough to object to this. Kellerman would soon start to resent Reynolds for her perceived betrayal. She would later nearly nominate Illinois Governor Frank Tancredi as the new Vice President, but withdrew the nomination at the last minute. It is implied in the episode "The Message" that Kim and The Company had effectively isolated her from anything regarding the conspiracy, including the order to terminate Paul Kellerman.
Reynolds finally returned in the nineteenth episode, "Sweet Caroline". When she visits Chicago, Michael slips her a note which says "We have the tape" - referring to a tape Lincoln and Michael have obtained of Reynolds talking to Steadman two weeks after his supposed murder. The content of the tape, in addition to implicating Reynolds in the conspiracy, strongly suggests that Reynolds and Steadman were incestuous lovers. Reynolds intervenes on Agent Kim's interrogation of Michael to talk to him personally. After Lincoln plays the tape to Reynolds over the phone, Michael demands a full presidential pardon for him and his brother, and Reynolds reluctantly agrees. Just before she is about to announce the pardon, however, Kim confronts her and reminds her that The Company can expose her secrets just as easily as Lincoln and Michael. Reynolds then announces she has a malignant form of cancer which forced her to resign the presidency.
While testifying at Sara Tancredi's trial, Kellerman revealed her role in the conspiracy to frame Lincoln Burrows. It's assumed that she was arrested since she hasn't been seen in the third season.
- "Anyone who gets in the way, is expendable."
[edit] Production details
In her first appearance in "Allen", President Reynolds is shown as having grandchildren who are staying with her at Terrence Steadman's hideout. She is credited as simply "Garlic Cutter" in the episode, and the children are credited as "Garlic Cutter's Grandchildren".
At the campaign rally in "Sweet Caroline", banners can be seen promoting Reynolds's campaign website, Reynolds-Again.com. This website, much like Europeangoldfinch.net, exists in the real world and can accordingly be viewed as an Easter egg. While Reynolds political party is never stated, based on her policies seen on the show and the tie-in 'Reynolds Again' website (http://www.reynolds-again.com/issues.htm), Reynolds appears to be a conservative traditionalist, with views most in line with the Republican Party. The belief she is Republican is further reinforced by an news broadcast which talks about her, then begins to speak about the Democratic side. The website reveals that Reynolds has previously served as a US Senator and as a member of the Illinois School Board.
[edit] References
- ^ Maloney, M, "Brothers & Sisters' Patricia Wettig Plots a Prison Break", TV Guide. January 26, 2007. Retrieved on February 16, 2007.
