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Breakout Kings

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Breakout Kings
Original promotional poster
GenreAction
Crime
Thriller
Created byNick Santora
Matt Olmstead
StarringLaz Alonso
Domenick Lombardozzi
Brooke Nevin
Malcolm Goodwin
Serinda Swan
Jimmi Simpson
ComposerRamin Djawadi
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersPeter Chernin
Matt Olmstead
Katherine Pope
Nick Santora
Gavin Hood
ProducersLauren Stein
Ed Milkovich
Joseph Patrick Finn
Production locationsToronto
Baton Rouge[1]
CinematographyDerick V. Underschultz
Fernando Argüelles
Jim Whitaker
EditorsEtienne Des Lauriers
Eric Seaburn
Paul Trejo
Scott Eilers
Chris Conlee
Running time43 minutes
Production companiesMatt Olmstead Productions
Blackjack Films
Chernin Entertainment
Fox 21
Original release
NetworkA&E
ReleaseMarch 6, 2011 (2011-03-06) –
April 29, 2012 (2012-04-29)
Related

Breakout Kings is an American drama television series that aired on the A&E network. It is a production of Fox 21. The series was created, written, and executive-produced by Nick Santora and Matt Olmstead, who previously worked together on Prison Break. Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, and Gavin Hood also served as executive producers.[2]

Though the guest appearance of Prison Break character Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell confirms a shared continuity between the two series, it is not a direct spin-off. Frank Grillo, who recurred in Prison Break's first season as Nick Savrinn, appears in the episode "Queen of Hearts" as a different character named Agent Stoltz.

The series premiered on March 6, 2011,[3] and was the most-watched original drama series in A&E's history among adults 25–54 and adults 18–49, delivering 1.6 million adults 25–54 and 1.5 million adults 18–49.[4]

The series was picked up for a second season which premiered on March 4, 2012.[2] The second-season finale aired on April 29, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET/PT and featured two back-to-back episodes, "Freakshow" and "Served Cold", instead of the usual one-hour installment at 10 p.m.[5][6]

A&E cancelled Breakout Kings on May 17, 2012, after two seasons.[7]

Premise

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The series follows a task force assembled by the U.S. Marshals to capture prison escapees. Several current convicts are offered a chance to aid in this effort, with the promise of a transfer to a minimum-security prison and a reduction in their sentences for every fugitive they catch. However, if any of them tries to escape, they will all be returned to their original prisons and their sentences will be doubled.

Cast

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Main article: List of Breakout Kings characters

The team

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  • Laz Alonso portrays Charlie Duchamp, a Deputy U.S. Marshal and head of the task force. He comes from the Department of Criminal Program Analysis and was assigned to a desk job for six years because of a congenital heart defect. He is under a great deal of pressure to produce results, since any failures in the task force would have led to his being permanently placed on desk work. In the season two premiere episode "An Unjust Death", Chief Inspector Craig Renner offers Charlie a promotion, but he turns it down for the sake of the team. He is killed by fugitive Damian Fontleroy near the end of the episode.
  • Domenick Lombardozzi portrays Ray Zancanelli, a former Deputy U.S. Marshal who lost his job after he was convicted of stealing money from a crime scene to buy his daughter a car. This information is originally kept a secret from the other convicts until Shea (see below) overhears Charlie discussing it with Ray. He appears to be able to relate better with the convicts than Charlie because he has been in a position similar to theirs. Ray is on parole throughout season one, living at a halfway house, and has been appointed a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. As such, he is allowed to carry a firearm, unlike the convicts. Ray is divorced, but maintains a good relationship with his daughter. Prior to his conviction, he came up with the idea for the task force. After Charlie's death, Chief Director Wendell reinstates Ray to his former position, having promised to do so if Charlie accepted a promotion.
  • Malcolm Goodwin portrays Shea Daniels, a former gang leader whose criminal enterprises (drug smuggling, weapons trafficking, etc.) covered most of the United States. His experience and "street smarts" allow him to provide a working knowledge of how convicts think and move. He originally comes up with the name "Breakout Kings" for the task force and designs a graffiti-style logo for it. In the Season 1 episode "One for the Money", he tells his girlfriend Vanessa that he cannot wait for another six years to get out of prison to be with her and that there is another way, but Vanessa replies, "We can't be fugitives again."
  • Serinda Swan portrays Erica Reed, a bounty hunter and expert tracker. She was raised by her father, who himself was a bounty hunter. He was tortured and killed in retaliation for the capture of a gang member, and Erica hunted down and killed five of the six people involved in the murder. Barely 20 at the time, she killed her victims and hid their bodies so flawlessly that she was only convicted of weapons charges. She has a daughter who currently resides with the child's father but she has little to no contact with her, despite her desire to be more involved with her. The murder of her father and the loss of her daughter causes her great pain and anger. In season two, she shows romantic interest in a neighbor Pete Gillies who works on the second floor of their building. She even sleeps with him at some occasions without the team knowing about it. She has proven to be an excellent athlete as well. In season 2 episode 7 she takes down a man three times her size, after he insulted her father, before the man could get a hit on her.
  • Jimmi Simpson portrays Dr. Lloyd Lowery, a former child prodigy and a behaviorist with a bachelor's degree (1993) and M.D. (1997) from Harvard.[8] He provides in-depth psychological evaluations of escaped convicts, which allow him to predict the movements and actions that an escaped convict may undertake before they get away. Lloyd also provides psychological help to Julianne and Erica on their various mental problems whenever possible. Ironically, Lloyd suffers from an addiction to gambling. His crime is not mentioned for most of the series, until he has to confront the families of one of his victims. To cover his gambling debts, he sold illegal prescriptions to college students, and took a plea bargain to surrender his medical license and serve 25 years in prison rather than face the parents of an 18-year-old girl with depression who overdosed on the pills he sold her. Throughout the series he has romantic feelings for Julianne and was at one point jealous of her feelings for Ray. In the episode "Ain't Love (50) Grand?", he told her that he is in love with her.
  • Brooke Nevin portrays Julianne Simms, a former student at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. She was first in her class until she was expelled for her various psychological disorders which include social anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. Julianne acts as an analyst, researching and determining the various resources at the disposal of the convicts; such as family, money, and property they may use to aid their escape. She and Ray have a close relationship, even at one point showing romantic interest in Ray. As he was there for her when she was expelled, he requested that she be assigned to the task force. Julianne and Lloyd share a very friendly relationship since Lloyd willfully attempts to help her overcome her disorders. In turn Julianne cares for Lloyd and considers him a very important friend.

The fugitives

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Main article: List of Breakout Kings characters § The Fugitives

Development and production

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Breakout Kings was originally in development for the Fox network. Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora wrote the pilot, after receiving a script commitment from Fox in August 2009.[9] In January 2010, Fox greenlit a pilot episode.[10] On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Fox did not pick up the series for the 2010–11 television season.[11] Fox attempted to sell Breakout Kings to other networks,[11][12] and in June 2010, it was reported that A&E had picked up the drama for 13 episodes.[13]

Production was expected to begin in fall 2010 in Toronto for a 2011 premiere.[14] Robert Knepper appeared as his Prison Break character T-Bag in episode 3 of season one.[15][16] The other characters from Prison Break are also mentioned as "the Fox River 8" in that episode.

Episodes

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Main article: List of Breakout Kings episodes
Season Episodes Originally aired DVD and Blu-ray releases
Season premiere Season finale Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Blu-ray
1 13 March 6, 2011 May 30, 2011 2012[17] March 21, 2012[18] March 28, 2012[19] —
2 10 March 4, 2012 April 29, 2012 — — — —

Broadcast

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U.S. Nielsen ratings

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The series premiered on March 6, 2011.[3] It premiered as the most-watched original drama series in A&E's history among adults 25–54 and adults 18–49, delivering 1.6 million adults 25–54 and 1.5 million adults 18–49.[4]

The series was picked up for a second season of 10 episodes on July 6, 2011 which premiered on March 4, 2012.[2] The season finale of the second season aired on April 29, 2012 at 9 pm ET/PT featured two hours of back-to-back episodes "Freakshow" and "Served Cold" instead of the usual one-hour episode at 10 pm.[5][6] One of the executive producer and creator Nick Santora once opined, "Our DVR+7-day numbers are really strong. A lot of people are watching the show; a lot of them just don't watch it on the night it premieres."[20]

Season Timeslot (ET/PT) # Ep. Premiered Ended TV season Viewers
(in millions)
Date Premiere
viewers
(in millions) 		Date Finale
viewers
(in millions)
1
Sundays 10:00 pm
13
March 6, 2011
 2.80[21]
May 30, 2011
 2.01[22] 2011 1.89[23]
2 10
March 4, 2012
 2.12[24]
April 29, 2012
 1.33[25] 2012 TBA

International distribution

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Country Channel References
 Australia One HD [26]
 Brazil A&E Brasil [27]
 Canada CHCH A&E (TV channel) [28]
 Finland Sub [29]
 Germany RTL Crime [30]
 France TF1 [31]
 India STAR World India [32]
 Japan Fox (Japan) [33]
 Mexico Azteca 7 [34]
 Netherlands RTL Crime / RTL 5 [35]
 Norway TV 2 Zebra [36]
 Philippines Chase (TV channel) [37]
 Lithuania TV3 Lithuania [38]
 Poland Fox (Poland) [39]
 Portugal Fox (Portugal) [40]
 Slovakia TV JOJ [41]
 Spain Fox Crime [42]
 United Kingdom Universal Channel (UK) [43]
 New Zealand TV3 (New Zealand) [44]
 Slovenia POP TV and FOX Crime [45]

DVD releases

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DVD Name Region 1 release date Region 4 release date Ep # Discs Additional information
Breakout Kings: The Complete First Season March 1, 2012[17] March 28, 2012[19] 13 4[17] Bonus material includes Audio Commentary on selected episodes, Deleted and Extended Scenes, "Good Cons, Bad Cons" Featurette, Bullpen Sessions, and T Bag: Dealt a Bad Hand.[46]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, season one holds an approval rating of 41% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 4.70/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Breakout Kings is a show that likes to take risks, but the execution is flat and other elements don't stand out from the rest of the procedural pack."[47]

The Daily News's David Hinckley opened, "This is what cable dramas can do well: a simple, stripped-down, focused drama with characters we like."[48] Jonathan Storm of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Breakout Kings, an exciting crime drama that adds to its appeal with some character types we don't often see, will attract a much wider audience, as our flawed heroes seek to round up escapees."[49] Mary McNamara of Los Angeles Times opined that "Breakout Kings starts out with a promising blend of character and plot, action and dialog, sweet and savory".[50] Maureen Ryan of Huffington Post opined that it "isn't a particularly creative drama but, as was the case with Prison Break in its early seasons, Breakout Kings is sustained by a workmanlike momentum. It has its share of clunky characters and predictable moments, but it also has a lot of earnest energy. It's enlivened by a terrific performance from Jimmi Simpson, who plays Lloyd Lowery, the show's all-purpose weirdo."[51]

Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "There are no television breakthroughs in Breakout Kings, a pretty pat procedural that tries a little harder than some of its predecessors. It has all the hallmarks of one of those shows that nobody talks about but plenty of people watch."[52] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter opined, "Kings is mostly closed-ended with snippets of each con's past revealed in the episodes, so there's enough interest to keep the show moving. The leads' backstories might have some meat on the bone as well. It's not The Wire or The Shield but falls comfortably within that basic-cable safe zone where a little edge and bountiful entertainment pass the time just fine."[53]

On the contrary, Hank Stuever of The Washington Post opined, "It doesn't work. There's a bit of banter well-delivered and some artful action, yet Breakout Kings lacks a certain vim and chemistry required for a real breakout series. It's all very quick but rather flavorless. They'll catch the escapee, no doubt, but they can't catch us."[54] Robert Bianco of USA Today opined, "Breakout Kings is an uninspiring attempt by the producers and their network to be the last on the procedural match. It's stamped with many of the Prison hallmarks: the same affection for intricate plot mechanics, the same flair for the dramatic—and the same disdain for logic and character motivation." Variety's Brian Lowry wrote, "The premise doesn't really make much sense. It's a tough, competitive cable world out there, and as the cons might testify, coming away with a big score requires risks. By that measure, Breakout Kings doesn't do enough to stand apart, diminishing its chances of breaking out."[55] Brian Ford Sullivan from The Futon Critic reviewed Breakout Kings in June 2010, calling the show a "violent version of Leverage" with colorful characters and a great performance by Jimmi Simpson as Dr. Lloyd Lowery, but with some inconsistencies like the character of Brooke Nevin and a bunch of ideas that don't quite fit."[56]

To garner more publicity, the network screened the show for a number of reviewers in the weeks prior to official airing. One such review came out on SpoilerTV on February 22, 2011 and echoed Sullivan's initial problems with characterization and writing. Indications were that Breakout Kings seems to suffer from rough writing in the pilot, but there was slight improvement in a subsequent episode. However, the overall impression was that the flaws of the show may handicap its success.[57] Echoing these issues, FlickDirect's review[58] points out that character background or explanation is lacking in many cases.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Groner, Joey (May 7, 2012). "Baton Rouge film industry sees steady growth". The Daily Isureville. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Seidman, Robert (February 6, 2012). "A&E's Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Returns for Its Second Season Sunday, March 4". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Gorman, Bill (January 18, 2011). "A&E's 'Breakout Kings' Premiere Changed To March 6". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Seidman, Robert. "'Breakout Kings' Scores Record Audiences for A&E". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda. "A&E's Hit Original Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Airs Two-Hour Season Finale Sunday, April 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "A&E's Hit Original Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Airs Two-Hour Season Finale Sunday, April 29 at 9 pm ET/PT". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 17, 2012). "A&E's 'Breakout Kings' Cancelled After Two Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  8. ^ "Breakout Kings: Season 1, Episode 6: Like Father, Like Son". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  9. ^ "Development Update: Friday, August 21". The Futon Critic. August 21, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 22, 2010). "Fox greenlights 'Breakout Kings'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  11. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2010). "PRIMETIME PILOT PANIC: Fox Picks Up 5 New Series & Renews 'Lie To Me', 'Target'; Passes On 'Breakout Kings', 'Breaking In', 'Tax Men', 'Strange Brew', 'Most Likely To Succeed' & 'The Station'". Deadline. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 15, 2010). "PRIMETIME PILOT PANIC: 'Breakout Kings' Looks For New Home After Fox Passes". Deadline. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  13. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 28, 2010). "It's official: Fox's 'Breakout Kings' moving to A&E". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  14. ^ "A&E Greenlights New Original Drama Series "Breakout Kings" from FOX 21 and Chernin Entertainment". The Futon Critic. June 29, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  15. ^ Rice, Lynette (November 5, 2010). "Exclusive: 'Prison Break' baddie confirms he's doing 'Breakout Kings' for A&E in early 2011". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  16. ^ "Development Update: Monday, October 11". The Futon Critic. October 11, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c "Breakout Kings: The Complete First Season". Amazon. March 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  18. ^ "Breakout Kings: Season 1". CDON.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Breakout Kings: Season 1". EZYDVD.com.au. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  20. ^ Lewis, Andy (April 28, 2012). "'Breakout Kings' Creator Nick Santora Touts New Novel, Teases Season Finale (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  21. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 8, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Tosh Leads Night + More 'Breakout Kings;' 'Shameless' Up & MUCH More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  22. ^ Gorman, Bill (June 1, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Tops Night; Plus 'WWE Raw,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Real Housewives of NJ', 'American Chopper,' 'Breakout Kings' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  23. ^ "Development Update: Wednesday, July 6". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  24. ^ "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Storage Wars,' 'Army Wives,' 'Real Housewives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  25. ^ Bibel, Sara. "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Rises, Ties NBA Playoffs + 'Real Housewives,' 'The Client List,' 'Army Wives,' 'Mad Men' & More". Tv by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  26. ^ Knox, David. "Airdate: Breakout Kings". TV Tonight. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  27. ^ "Breakout Kings on A&E Brasil". CHCH.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  28. ^ "A New Series from the Producers of Prison Break". CHCH.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  29. ^ "Pako-sarjan tekijöiden uutuusdraama Vankikarkurit alkaa Subilla torstaina 29.3" [Exhaust-new drama series of factors fugitives Sub begins on Thursday, 29.3.] (in Finnish). Sub. February 28, 2011. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2012. Translation Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine via Google Translate.
  30. ^ "Breakout Kings". rtl-crime.rtl.de.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  31. ^ "Breakout Kings". programme-tv.net. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  32. ^ "Breakout Kings on Star World India". Star World India. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  33. ^ "Breakout King". tv.foxjapan.com/fox. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  34. ^ "Breakout Kings (Series / Drama)". entutele.com. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  35. ^ "Crime for everyone". rtlgroup.com. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  36. ^ "Breakout Kings". Tv2.no. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  37. ^ "Chase". Retrieved May 4, 2012 – via Facebook.
  38. ^ "Breakout Kings". TV3 Lithuania. February 21, 2012.
  39. ^ "Breakout Kings". foxtv.pl. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  40. ^ "Kings Trail". fox.canais-fox.pt. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  41. ^ "Company credits for 'Breakout Kings' (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  42. ^ "Ex Convicts Wednesday at 21:25 pm". foxcrime.es. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  43. ^ "New Dramas for Universal Channel". Sky. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  44. ^ "Breakout Kings Every Wednesday at 21:30". tv3.co.nz.
  45. ^ "Poletje na POP TV". popnonstop.24ur.com.
  46. ^ "Breakout Kings – Fox Announces 'The Complete 1st Season' on DVD". TVShowsonDVD. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  47. ^ "BREAKOUT KINGS: SEASON 1". Rotten Tomatoes.
  48. ^ Hinckley, David (March 25, 2012). "The top 10 things on TV for the week of March 25, 2012". Daily News. New York. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  49. ^ Storm, Jonathan (March 3, 2011). "Jonathan Storm: 2 cable premieres. Sunday brings more Tosh, A&E drama". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  50. ^ McNamara, Mary (March 4, 2011). "Television review: 'Breakout Kings'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  51. ^ Ryan, Maureen (March 3, 2011). "Review: 'Breakout Kings' Follows 'Prison Break' Formula With Some Success". HuffPost. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  52. ^ Owen, Rob (March 6, 2011). "Tuned In: New mediocre crime drama 'Breakout Kings' bursts into prime time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  53. ^ Goodman, Tim (April 3, 2011). "Taking on Tyson/Breakout Kings: TV Reviews". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  54. ^ Stuever, Hank (March 4, 2011). "TV review: A&E's 'Breakout Kings,' where prisoners outsmart the escapees". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  55. ^ Lowry, Brian (March 2, 2011). "Breakout Kings". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  56. ^ "The Futon's First Look: 'Breakout Kings' (FOX)". The Futon Critic. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  57. ^ "Breakout Kings – Advance Screening". SpoilerTV. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  58. ^ "Breakout Kings Series Review". FlickDirect. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
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