Terminal Island

Monk is a domineering prisoner who presides over a brutal faction on Terminal Island. He uses threat and force to maintain order and imposes his will on others, especially Carmen, highlighting the patriarchal code of the island. His leadership is punctuated by violence and a willingness to crush any challenge to his authority. His downfall exposes the fragility of power built on fear.

Carmen is a new arrival to Terminal Island who must navigate a brutal social order. She quickly learns the dynamics of coercion, labor, and sexual exploitation that structure island life. Carmen builds wary alliances and seeks agency within a collapsing system. Her resilience drives much of the island’s interpersonal drama.

Milford is a former doctor imprisoned for mercy killing, now a wary participant in the island’s grim ecosystem. He offers a counterpoint to the violence, showing intelligence and a practical approach to survival. Milford ultimately turns down an opportunity to return to the mainland, preferring to stay with the prisoners he understands. His presence provides a moral dimension amid brutality.

Lee is a revolutionary prisoner who pushes for resistance against the main faction. She organizes, strategizes, and shares crucial knowledge that enables the rebels. Lee’s leadership challenges the status quo and inspires others to question the island’s order. Her actions propel the island toward upheaval.

Bunny is initially catatonic but gradually regains her voice and agency. She becomes a focal point in the power struggles, used by some to lure guards and manipulate situations. Her arc moves from passivity to a more active role in the island’s drama. Bunny’s revival signals shifts in how prisoners perceive influence and control.

Joy is portrayed as promiscuous, navigating relationships that test loyalty and power structures. She forms bonds with multiple men, using personal connections as a resource within the prison system. Joy’s actions include seeking revenge and survival in a hostile environment. Her presence highlights the gendered dynamics of exploitation and affection on the island.

A.J. leads a rebel faction opposing the main camp’s authority. He pursues tactical advantage and forms relationships that influence decisions on the island. A.J.’s strategies reflect a pragmatic approach to rebellion in a setting where resources are scarce. His role drives key plot developments in the island’s power struggle.

Cornell is a captain within the rebel faction whose plans contribute to the island’s broader resistance. He participates in the major confrontations and is a casualty in the climactic battles. Cornell embodies the willingness to sacrifice for a larger cause. His death marks a turning point in the fighting.

Dylan is a male prisoner who clashes violently with Joy’s circle, attempting a brutal assault that is repelled. He represents the predatory threat within the island’s ecosystem. Dylan is killed in the ensuing battles, underscoring the lethal stakes of the island’s conflicts.

Bobby is a dominant figure who uses force and manipulation to control fellow prisoners and influence events. His tactics include luring guards to gain access to weapons, culminating in brutal confrontations. Bobby meets a violent end during the island’s climactic fighting, illustrating the high cost of power struggles.