I don’t understand the notion that the money we saw being paid were for Thomas’ release and that Flint was escorted in chains so he could see with his own eyes that Thomas is alive. It doesn’t make any sense. They didn’t have to bring him inside, they could’ve paid for Thomas’ release while Flint waited outside the gates. It was money paid for Flint’s imprisonment. The looks Morgan and the guard exchanged were like “we brought a prisoner”.

Yeah – I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade or claim that’s not a valid interpretation, just I can’t put the same conviction that he was in fact being imprisoned there out of my head either. And it’s not that I think that any place would actually succeed in keeping him there – if James Flint wants to leave, he’s leaving with Thomas probably helping him mastermind the escape plan, but they shouldn’t have to fight for their freedom. Like you, though, I can’t shake the suspicion that they’re going to have to (although I’m still grateful that they’re both alive and that we’re left with a story to be told rather than James dead and Thomas either dead or alive but never to see James again. I approve of the fact that I can write fic after fic where they get the hell out of there and they’re all canon compliant in that respect).