Warden Henry Pope initially refused Michael's transfer order, but Hale and Kellerman "convinced" him with a confidential document. Michael, Lincoln, Sucre, and Abruzzi gathered in the shed to review escape details, unaware that Michael's transfer had already been approved.
Although the transfer order temporarily disrupted the escape plan, Westmoreland advised Michael to file a formal appeal—a move that bought them at least 30 days.
Veronica and Nick consulted expert Frick to analyze a copy of the surveillance tape from the murder scene. Frick discovered that while the video showed no signs of editing, the gunshot sounds had clearly been fabricated in post-production. Encouraged by this breakthrough, they immediately requested the original tape, only to be told that a burst pipe had flooded the evidence room, rendering the master tape unusable.
The tunnel behind the cell toilet had been partially dug. Hale and Kellerman pressured Pope by threatening to expose his illegitimate child, forcing him to destroy Michael's appeal. Meanwhile, with help from Sucre and Abruzzi, Michael successfully rehearsed the escape process, timing the route and testing police response speeds.
At the last moment as Michael was being taken out of Fox River, Pope intervened and halted the transfer, having resolved to confess his past to his wife. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Veronica discovered the copy of the tape had been stolen—and she began to suspect Nick.
Hale and Kellerman reported their failure to their mysterious superior. The shadowy woman ordered them to shift their focus to Lincoln: "There are many ways to eliminate a death row inmate besides the electric chair."