We think we’re closer to solving one major mystery of this series, namely, why we’re not enjoying it nearly as much as we think we should be.

Like an old-timer lag who’s finally managed to file his way through a set of heavy iron bars and make good his escape, Alcatraz is beginning to hit its stride.

Alcatraz is improving, but still feels like the work of a talented JJ Abrams wannabe rather than the man himself.

Things are now beginning to kick off in an interesting way for Alcatraz, essentially because the characters are now beginning to have some personal investment in the over-reaching story.

Perhaps consciously striving to avoid Lost-style confusion, the script is still somewhat simplistic, which sometimes means that it ends up working against itself.

There are, no doubt, lots of little clues being sprinkled liberally in the background, which would be welcome, since the dialogue is still rather too simplistic in the foreground.

As fun and as enjoyable as this undoubtedly is, it remains to be seen if Alcatraz will hold you prisoner.

From executive producer JJ Abrams (Lost, Fringe), new US mystery drama Alcatraz launches in the UK tonight.

Alcatraz, the new thriller series from J.J. Abrams (Fringe, Lost), is going to air from spring 2012 in the UK exclusively on UKTV's entertainment channel, Watch.