So this moment in Prison Break where the writers want us to notice a line Mahone just won't cross when it comes to Michael Scofield:
The writers want us to notice that in the season we've never seen this happen to Michael. Just beaten to a pulp and then shot dead.
How come I know that it's specificly about Michael?
Cause since when does Mahone keep "beating and beating around that bush" in general? Kim talks like Mahone is one to "hold back". When Mahone is like literally one the most violent characters in the show.
Matter of fact, here's a 5min compilation of Mahone dominating people (including agent Kim) and inanimate objects:
So what the writers really mean is Mahone keeps beating around that bush when it comes to Michael Scofield. Agent Kim sees Michael Scofield for the first time ever and Michael has not a scratch on him:
Like Mahone went out of his way to try to kill/stop Michael without ever touching him.
And the mild padding down in S02E22 doesn't count:
He touched clothes here rather than touching Michael. Michael won't remember this.
No the real first touch is in S03E10:
Pulling Michael away on his shoulder from machete guy. And then multiple touches to keep Michael from the door:
The entire time Mahone keeps standing between the door and Michael. So when the door should somehow open, the thugs have to go through Mahone first.
By the way absolutely love how gently Mahone keeps Michael away from danger. Rather than full on grabbing or hard pushing, he's moreso "obstacle"-ing himself so that Michael keeps running into a soft firm unmoving obstacle. With his arms just outstretched like this cat:
And vice versa, Michael is not one to plan on physically hurting Mahone. So his first touch is a barely-in-frame shoulder bump:
The fact Michael would remember every man BUT Mahone physically hurting him would've been a great foundation for a personal everlasting relationship, I must say.
The writers took a minute to point that out through agent Kim.