Ep 2. Ernest Cobb

Alcatraz season 1 episode 2, titled "Ernest Cobb," dials up the intensity as the team tries to track down a serial killer who mysteriously vanished from the prison 50 years ago. It becomes a race against time as Ernest Cobb starts to carry out his brutal killing spree in present day San Francisco.

The episode opens with a chilling narration from Cobb himself, talking about how he has always had a "talent" for killing. We then see him abduct a young woman and lock her up in a room filled with instruments of torture. Meanwhile, Detective Rebecca Madsen and Alcatraz expert Dr. Diego Soto are investigating the case, hoping to learn more about Cobb's history and how he managed to escape from Alcatraz.

They soon discover that Cobb was a notorious killer who was sent to Alcatraz in 1960 and then disappeared without a trace in 1963, along with several other inmates and guards. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they learn that a secret government agency called "Hauser's team" has been investigating the disappearances for years, and that some of the missing people have started to reappear in the present day with no memory of what happened to them.

Meanwhile, Cobb continues his killing spree, targeting young women who remind him of his first victim, a girl he killed when he was just a teenager. He leaves behind cryptic clues and messages, playing a twisted game of cat and mouse with the police.

As Madsen and Soto try to piece together Cobb's past, they find themselves up against Hauser and his team, who are keeping their own secrets and have their own agenda. The tension builds as the clock ticks down to Cobb's next attack, and the team must race to find him before he strikes again.

The episode is packed with suspenseful moments and plot twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The performances from the cast are strong, particularly from Sarah Jones as Madsen and Sam Neill as Hauser, who both bring depth and complexity to their roles. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, with plenty of dramatic reveals and intriguing hints at the larger mystery of the vanished prisoners.

Overall, "Ernest Cobb" is a thrilling episode that raises the stakes for the rest of the season. With its blend of action, mystery, and psychological horror, it offers something for every viewer and sets the stage for the ongoing battle between the Alcatraz team and its dangerous foes.