First off, let me start off by writing that I thought the Prologue was amazing. It was a bit short and it left me wanting more but, it was highly entertaining, original, and actually quite revealing.
In case viewers missed it, Josh Stewart's character makes a very brief appearance towards the beginning when he hands over Bane and his henchmen to the CIA. From what we saw of leaked set pics we know that Stewart's character works for Bane. In his brief appearance he looked tired and worn down and I seriously got a "Renfield"-like vibe from him (him being Renfield and Bane being Dracula).
This little appearance underscores Bane's plan of "being caught" and it gives us an idea as to what Stewart's character does for Bane.
When Bane is revealed, the CIA agent asks Bane about his mask and we learn that Bane can live without the mask but he would be in extreme pain.
Through Bane's dialogue and later moments of fighting we see how arrogant he is and how he views those around him as lesser than him. We also see how manipulative he is. All of his henchman are well trained, almost SWAT-like, but they are also completely devoted to Bane, even willing to give their lives for him.
Now a lot of people have been asking about why Bane grabs Pavel and transfuses blood from him to a corpse. My idea is that they needed a body with Pavel's DNA so when people searched the wreckage those people would think that Pavel was among the casualties.
I think what sets the TDKR Prologue apart from the TDK Prologue is that the TDKR Prologue has a lot of connections to the rest of the film whereas the TDK Prologue has almost no connections to the rest of the film (there are no later plot points that stem from the bank scene). We know Stewart will appear later on and we know Pavel is of great importance to Bane's plan in regards to Gotham City. It is for this reason, and also because of the Prologue's originality, that I believe the TDKR Prologue is better than the TDK Prologue.
Lastly, just some last thoughts that possibly could raise more questions. Did anyone else feel that Gordon's ending remarks at Dent's funeral and Gordon's general appearance show a burden on Gordon (because Gordon knows Dent's secret)? I think that if Gordon looked that distraught then, I am sure 8 years later that Dent's secret has ate at him quite a bit. I also wanted to mention that I think Hardy will do an amazing job as Bane. He has really captured the arrogance and superiority-complex that defines the comic book Bane. I actually love the voice. He sounds like he is at death's door which reminds me a bit of Darth Vader, how the two are extremely powerful and strong but also very vulnerable.
I'm rambling now, I apologize, and I hope my words helped a bit. If there is something from the Prologue that I did not address, feel free to ask away.