James Whistler (Prison Break character)

Infobox Prison Break character|
name = James Whistler
imagesize =
first appearance = Orientación
first appearance num = S3E01
last appearance = Scylla
last appearance num = S4E01
season = 3, 4

Episode Count = 14
portrayer = Chris Vance
alias = McFadden (S3E05), Gary Miller (S3E08), Cole Pfeiffer (S4E03)
nickname =
occupation = Former Company Agent - Cover story: Fisherman
family =
relationships = Sofia Lugo (ex-girlfriend)

James Whistler is a fictional character from the American television series "Prison Break". He is played by Chris Vance. The character was introduced to the series as a regular in the premiere episode of the third season of the series.

Background

James Whistler is an agent of the vast "conspiracy" organization known as "The Company", who was incarcerated in Panamanian jail known as SONA for the murder of the son of the mayor of Panama City during a bar fight. Little is known about his background, though throughout season three he repeatedly claimed to be a simple fisherman from Kalbarri in Western Australia who ran charters between Panama and the Pacific North West. [Dialogue spoken by Chris Vance as James Whistler, "Good Fences", Prison Break season 3 episode 4.]

His incarceration for murder (which he claims innocence towards) resulted in a bounty being placed on his head, as the mayor offered to free (via a corrupt judge) any inmate who would kill Whistler, forcing Whistler to go into hiding in the sewers after he arrived at the prison. [Dialogue spoken by Carlo Alban as McGrady, "Fire/Water", Prison Break season 3 episode 3.] His only contact with the outside world was his girlfriend Sofia, who was oblivious towards her lover's true nature. Breaking him out of SONA became Michael Scofield's primary mission during season three, though Whistler and his mysterious background causes tension between both men as various aspects of Whistler's background (most notably the cover story that he is needed to be freed in order to deliver vaguely explained "coordinates" recorded within a bird watcher guidebook Whistler carries with him at all times) cause Michael to question whether or not he is helping an innocent man caught in the vast web of conspiracies of "The Company," as Whistler claims to be.

Whistler appears to have been cooperating with Gretchen Morgan. He knows her well and knows her sociopathic mind intimately. It's also revealed that the two had a sexual relationship, this is shown when Gretchen mentioned to T-bag that Whistler gave her the clap.

Appearances

eason 3

He is first seen in Orientación hiding within a crawlspace below the room of Lechero, the de facto leader of the prison. When he first saw Brad Bellick, he offered him food in return for a favor. When a fight broke out between two inmates (one of whom was Michael Scofield) Bellick was to place a note on each of the two inmates in order to get more food from Whistler. He was apparently attempting to send a message to Sofia Lugo. Sofia found the note, which read "VERSAILLES 1989 V MADRID", and lead her to a bank lock-box containing what appeared to be a bird guide. The book was then stolen by Lincoln Burrows.

The Company seems to have an interest in Whistler, and this is apparently the reason Michael's incarceration in Sona was arranged in the first place. Due to the political spotlight on him, the company were unable to get him out. Initially, Whistler is seemingly unaware of why The Company wants him. One of the Company's operatives, Elliott Pike, approached Michael and offered their support if he breaks Whistler out. When he refused, another operative, who called herself only by the obviously false name Susan B. Anthony, approached Michael's brother Lincoln Burrows and informed them that Lincoln's son L.J. Burrows and Michael's girlfriend Sara Tancredi were being held hostage by the Company and would be killed if Michael didn't break Whistler out within a week.

After the bounty on his head and his location is discovered by both Michael and Mahone, Mahone delivers him to prison boss Lechero. Fortunately, Lechero chooses to remove the bounty on Whistler at Michael's request, after Michael restores water to the prison. Whistler tries to befriend Mahone in an effort to get information on Scofield. Later he reveals why the Company is interested in him. They want to know where Whistler took a certain naturalist to during one of his charters. But he needs the bird guide, which is actually his trip log to retrace his steps and take the company to that location.

In Good Fences the bird guide is returned to him with the warning that he is running out of time. Meanwhile he asks Sofia to look into Scofield and Burrows because he doesn't trust any of them. Also he tells Sofia the Company is interested in him because of a charter he did in Seattle. Michael instructs Whistler to spy on one of the tower guards to learn their behavior. Whistler observes a window of 6 minutes where the sun's glare forces the guard to look away. When it is revealed he covers for Michael by claiming to be a bird lover. Meanwhile a new inmate, Tyge claims to know him, calling him by the name McFadden and seeing him in 1997 in Nice at the Ambassador hotel, thus casting doubt on his story in Michael's eyes.

Tyge is murdered and Whistler is suspected after McGrady tips off Lechero that the two had an argument. His life is in danger until Michael manages to intervene. In Vamonos it is later revealed that Whistler has been deceitful with Michael, and has actually been working with Gretchen (Susan B. Anthony), and that it is he who is orchestrating his break from Sona. Susan aka Gretchen tells him the plan Bang and Burn is in effect, which both dismissed as suicide until Pad Man says it is the only option after Michael failed to take James out of Sona. While James gets to the roof of Sona during a military helicopter rescue of him, Michael Scofield, knowing his position is dead without him, stops the prison break. Scofield was then taken away to confess what he knew about the helicopter squad.

Scofield's confession caused Whistler to be implicated. In the subsequent torture, Whistler revealed Gretchen Morgan, the woman who had been orchestrating the entire escape. After learning that Gretchen escaped from the Sona guards clutches, both Whistler and Scofield returned back to Sona. Whistler, Michael, Mahone, and McGrady later escape from Sona, Lechero is shot and injured, while T-Bag and Bellick are caught during the escape. He realizes he lost his book during his escape. After getting out of Sona, Whistler fakes hurting his leg to try to get away from Michael. He later escapes from Michael and Lincoln but is then caught again. The exchange L.J. against him goes well, but it is realized there never were coordinates in the bird book. He tries to explain to Sofia, but at this point she wants nothing to do with him. He escapes with Gretchen and the Company. He is later seen making a deal with Mahone to join up with the company and Mahone, Gretchen and he drive away.

eason 4

In the premiere episode of Season 4, Whistler was shot in the head and killed by Wyatt while in the process of telling Michael the location of Sara and warning him that she was in danger. Despite his alliance with Gretchen, he died trying to bring down The Company. Whistler is the fourth main character to be killed off in the series (after Veronica Donovan, John Abruzzi and Norman "Lechero" St. John).

References