The Prisoner, Revisited A fresh look at the cult classic
Joseph Dickerson
Copyright*2011*Joseph*Dickerson,*all*rights* reserved. 1st*Edition*published*December*2011* ISBNC13:*978C1463784454
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Table of Contents Introduction ..............................................................6 Part 1: Whereas McGoohan glares at various people, places and things .......................................11 Part 2: Wherein McGoohan (almost) meets his match in Rumpole of the Bailey ............................15 Part 3: This episode sponsored by the letters “A, B and C”.....................................................................19 Part 4: Wherein McGoohan runs for office and, by winning, loses.........................................................22 Part 5: Wherein McGoohan chews up twice the amount of scenery as usual ....................................27 Part 6: Where we find higher education in The Village is not all its cracked up to be. ....................31 Part 7: Wherein McGoohan finds that you can’t go home again .............................................................34 Intermission: “So, what’s it all about” for me? ......37 Part 8: Where not all the masks are worn ..............41 Part 9: Wherein some pawns move themselves .....44 Part 10: Where Hammer meets Anvil ....................47 Part 11: Where McGoohan changes his mind ........49 Part 12: When McGoohan wears spurs and chaps .53
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Part 13: All the World’s a stage in a strange bedtime story .......................................................................56 The End: Where we find out who Number One really is ...................................................................60 Patrick ....................................................................66 Closing Thoughts: Why was the Prisoner in The Village? ..................................................................70 About Joseph Dickerson ........................................73
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Introduction What*drives*you? It's*a*simple*question,*one*that*reveals*a* lot*about*ourselves*in*how*we*answer*it.* Some*of*us*are*driven*by*pride,*others*by* enlightened*selfCinterest;*many*are*driven*by* fear.*Some*of*us*are*simply*compelled...* Compelled*to*create,*compelled*to*make* things.*That's*why*many*of*us*become* architects,*construction*workers...*And,*for* me,*a*writer*and*designer.* Writers.*Creatives.*We*are*dreamers,*we* deUine*new*things...*we*tell*stories.*And*we* are*often*quite*passionate*about*the*stories* we*are*compelled*to*tell. As*we*create,*we*look*at*our*peers,*our* fellow*storytellers*and*creators,*and*are* inspired*and,*sometimes,*awestruck.*Inspired* by*the*work*that*these*people*do,*we*are* driven*to*do*better.*And*sometimes,*when*we* look*at*the*work*of*those*who*come*before* us,*and*we*are*gobsmacked.*More*than*just* inspired,*we*become*students...*And*embrace*
the*work*because*it*touches*something*inside* ourselves.*It*helps*form*who*we*are. This*is*what*happened*to*me*in*response* to*the*work*of*Patrick*McGoohan. Patrick*McGoohan*was*an*actor/writer/ producer/director*who*gained*worldwide* fame*playing*John*Drake,*the*protagonist*of* the*TV*series*Secret*Agent.*A*distant*popC culture*memory*now,*the*series*was*wildly* popular,*and*it's*popularity*gave*McGoohan* the*opportunity*to*play*the*world's*most* famous*secret*agent*James*Bond.*An* opportunity*that*he*turned*down...*not*once,* but*twice. McGoohan*wanted*to*do*something*more* than*play*a*spy*the*rest*of*his*life...*which*was* ironic,*because*he*made*his*greatest*mark*on* pop*culture*in*the*series*he*spearheaded*as* an*unofUicial*"sequel"*to*Secret*Agent,*playing* a*spy*who*would*have*no*more*of*the*world* he*had*been*a*part*of.*The*Prisoner. In*The*Prisoner*McGoohan*created* something*that*was*bold:*A*thinking*man's* action*adventure*series,*a*program*that* pursued*ideas*just*as*the*warders*of*the* Village*pursued*him.*What*is*freedom?*What* 7
do*we*owe*society,*ourselves?*Why?*The*fact* that*the*show*was*able*to*underline*the* philosophy*with*Uist*Uights*made*it*all*the* more*entertaining. And,*even*though*it*was*very*much*a* collaborative*effort*(as*all*series*are)*it*was* the*result*of*a*singular*vision:*McGoohan*was* passionate*about*his*ideas,*and*that*passion* shows*in*the*episodes*themselves.*Only*17* were*made,*and*of*those,*McGoohan*later* said*that*only*seven*"really*mattered"*C*and* many*of*the*rest*were*created*as*a* contractual*obligation*in*order*to*get*funding* for*the*series*in*the*Uirst*place.*Even*though* there*are*some*lesser*tales*told*in*the*series,* all*are*noteworthy,*and*in*this*book*I'll* comment*on*the*ones*I*Uind*particularly* worthwhile. This*is*not*an*episode*guide,*so*anyone* who*expects*that*can*turn*away*now.*This*is*a* series*of*essays,*l*reUlections*on*the*series* and*my*thoughts*on*it.***This*focuses*on*the* original*series,*and*will*not*discuss*the* abortive*AMC*miniseries*of*a*couple*of*years* back*C*that*effort*I*will*not*even*damn*with* faint*praise,*because*it*lacks*the*key*element* C*the*singular*vision*of*Patrick*McGoohan. 8
This*is*a*very*personal*document*to*me,* because*as*I*note*above*the*work*of*this*man* was*an*inspiration*to*me,*and*as*I*grew*up* with*out*a*father,*the*strength*and*lessons* that*McGoohan*gave*me*has*provided*me* both*joy*and*some*level*of*enlightenment*and* selfCawareness*I*would*not*have*had* otherwise.* The*opinions*expressed*are*mine,*alone,* and*I*parrot*no*other...*and*I'm*sure*that* Patrick*would*have*it*no*other*way. My*life,*and*my*thoughts,*is*my*own.* Be*seeing*you.
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Part 1: Whereas McGoohan glares at various people, places and things “Arrival” Wow,*McGoohan*is*ticked*off. (Oh,* and* while* I* know* that* the* scripts* referred*to*his*character* as*PRISONER,*I* will* in* my* musings* on* the* series* call* him* McGoohan*–*his*character*and*his*own*views* are* so* intertwined* that* I* just* consider* the* character* on* the* show* a* reUlection* of* the* actor,* and* the* man* –* hence,* to* me* he’s* McGoohan*–*and*not*John*Drake,*or*Prisoner,* or*Number*6.) We* begin,* and* before* titles* start,** McGoohan* glares* at* EVERYTHING,* starting* with* you,*as*he* drives*his*Lotus*through*the* London* desert* (!)* –* this* is* a* man* not* to* be* triUled*with. Driving* out* of* the* desert* and* back* to* London,* McGoohan* resigns* from* some* doubleCaught* spy* organization* at* the* beginning* of* the* series,* and* he’s* so* mad* he* bangs* the* desk*of* his* superior* and* breaks*a* tea* cup.* When* an* englishman* does* something* like* THAT,* you* know* he* means* business.* As* he* arrives* at* his* Ulat* (after* glaring* at* the* door),*he* passes* a* hearse* and* before* he*
can* pack*his*scuba* gear*and*copy*of* Esquire* for* the* Ulight,* gas* pours* in* the* keyhole* and* he’s*knocked*out.* He*wakes*up*in*The*Village. Which,* we* will* Uind* out* as* the* series* progresses,*is*everywhere.*And*nowhere.*We* are* all* in* The* Village,* in* some* way* or* another…*and*McGoohan*is*the*only*one*who* is*angry*with*that. The*Village*is*for*people*who*have*secrets* –*information*that*should*not*be*“let*out”*and* must* be* controlled* by* the* Powers*That* Be* –* Powers* we* all* report* to,* in* one* way* or* another. After* stumbling* around* to* try* and* Uind* out* where* he* is* and* what* has* happened,* McGoohan* meets* the* head* of* the* Village,* Number* 2,* who* does* a* great* bit* of* “monologuing”* to* explain* the* basic* premise* of*the*show*to*the*viewers.** (We* also* get* a* wonderful* “tour”* of* Portmeirion,*in* Wales,*where* the* series* was* Uilmed* –* the* unique* landscape* and* mixed* architecture* being* the* perfect* setting* for*the* series.*I*hope*to*go*there,*someday.) McGoohan*resigned,*and* the* Powers*that* run* The* Village* want* to* know* why.* McGoohan’s*response?*Surprisingly,*he*glares* 12
at* him.* Number* Two* tells* him* “You* can’t* escape,* Number* Six”* –* the* number* he* is* assigned* in* The* Village* –* McGoohan,* of* course,* then* immediately*tries* to*do* so,* and* runs*across* a* weather* balloon* with* attitude* called*Rover*(the*weather*balloon*was*a*lastC minute*replacement*for*a*mechanized*vehicle* that* ended* up* sinking* the* Uirst* time* the* producers*tried*to*use*it). Knocked* out,* McGoohan* wakes* up* in* hospital,*meets*an*old*spy*friend*Cobb*–*who* then* proceeds* to* jump* out* the* window.* Or* did*he?*The*Village*is*Uilled*with*secrets. Later,*at* Cobb’s*funeral,*Mcgoohan*sees*a* woman*crying*–*a*friend*of*Cobb*he*confronts* and* asks* what* she* knows.* Apparently,* she* doesn’t* know* how* to* respond* to* glaring* because* she* bursts*into*even* more* tears*and* promises* to* help* him* escape.* Which…* is* a* trick.* You* see,*they*are* trying* to* demoralize* McGoohan,* and* make* him* realize* that* he* can’t*escape. We’ll*see*about*that. All* in* all,* a* great* start* for* the* show* –* McGoohan* is* wonderful,* the* premise* is* terriUic*and*the*show*will*go*on*to*bigger* and* better*things.*
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Part 2: Wherein McGoohan (almost) meets his match in Rumpole of the Bailey I* now* reUlect* on* “The* Chimes* of* Big* Ben* (Big* Bill),”* episode* number* 2.* And* how* appropriate* that* his* episode* also* brings* us* the*best*Number*2*the*series*ever*had,*in*Leo* McKern.*He*was*so*good*that*he*was*the*only* one*to*come* back*more*than*once,*appearing* in* the* last* two* episodes…* but* more* about* those*later. “The,Chimes,of,Big,Ben” McGoohan* gets* a* neighbor,* the* new* Number* 8,* and* she’s* got* a* suspicious* hairstyle* that* * set* me* on* edge* right* away.* McGoohan*was*also*suspicious,*but*somehow* her* June* ForayCstyle* Russian* accent* got* through* his* defenses.* As* we* shall* see,* big* mistake. McKern* as* the* New* Number* 2* is* just* wonderful* –*blustering* and* loud* and* ohCsoC over* the* top.* His* laugh* alone* elevates* the* episode* beyond* typical* 60’s* spy* fare.* His* scenes* with* McGoohan* are* where* the* episode* really* crackles,* and* the* casual* conversation* by*the* water* about*his*theories* –*“The*whole* world,*as*The*Village?”*“That*is* my* hope.”* –* both* entertains* and* makes* me* shudder*at*the*same*time.
The* Village* has* an* art* competition* –* primarily* to* give* them* something* to* do,* methinks* –*and* McGoohan* joins* in* order* to* get* Nadia,*who* attempted* escape,*out* of*the* “hospital”* (really* a* place* of* physical* and* psychological*torture*in*The*Village).*Number* 2* considers* this* a* victory,* and* states* that* maybe* McGoohan* is*mellowing* and* growing* less*resistant*to*his*warders. Not*a*chance. His*entry*in*the*contest,*an*abstract*piece* that*he*carved*out* of*really*bad*stock*footage* of*a*tree*that*was*cut*down,*was*in*actuality*a* boat,* and* the* sail* is* made* of* a* tapestry* another* Villager* made* (that* shows* a* regal* Number* 2).* Nadia* had* let* him* know* they* were*in*Lithuania,*and*they*set*off*for*Poland. Six*and*Nadia*escape*Rover,*meet*up*with* a* colleague* of* Nadia’s* (which* was* mighty* damn* suspicious,* but* McGoohan* was* obviously* too* waterClogged* to* notice)* and* they* are* smuggled* back* to* London,* where* they* arrive* in* his* old* boss’* ofUice* –* the* cracked*tea*cup*from*the*opening*resignation* scene*notably*absent. His* boss,* Fotheringay,* starts* questioning* him*as*to*why*he*resigned,*and*McGoohan*is* just* about* to* spill*the* beans*when…* Big* Ben* strikes*eight. 16
The* thing* is,* McGoohan’s* watch* ALSO* reads*8,*and* the* jig* is*up,*cause* the* watch* is* from* Nadia’s* friend* in* Poland…* and* Patrick* knows*his*time*zones.* He* never*left* The* Village* –*the* ofUice* is*a* ruse,* and* his* old* boss* is* In* On* It.* Meet* the* new*boss,* same* as* the* old* boss.* *McGoohan* walks* away,* glaring* and* staring* at* Nadia* as* she*and*Number* 2*sigh*at*the* results*of*their* failed*plan. This*is*probably*the*best*episode*one*can* use* to* introduce* someone* to* The* Prisoner.* The* acting* of* the* two* leads* McKern* and* McGoohan*are*great,*and*the* twist*at*the* end* is* really* well* done.* Is* it* the* best* Prisoner* episode*ever?*Maybe*–*at*the*very*least,*it’s*a* personal*favorite*of*mine.*
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Part 3: This episode sponsored by the letters “A, B and C” “A,,B,and,C” This*was*an…*interesting*episode. The* premise* was* simple* –* The* New* Number* 2* (who* sweats* and* gulps* a* lot)* thinks* that* McGoohan* resigned* in* order* to* “sell* out”* and* so* he* decides* to* test* that* theory*–*by*making*him*dream*about*it. Which* is* kind* of* an* amazing* premise.* If* the* warders* of* The* Village* can* watch* (and* even* inUluence)* the* dreams* of* their* prisoners,* is*there* any* hope* for* them*at* all?* They* can* GET* IN* THIER* MINDS* and* INFLUENCE* DREAMS,* for* pete’s* sake.* A* capability* that* was* never* mentioned* on* the* series* again.* In* affect,* this* was* the* Uirst* “holodeck* episode,”* ever* –* airing* the* same* year*that*Star*Trek*Uirst*did. I*hate*holodeck*episodes. So,*sufUice*to*say,*this*is*not*a*favorite.*The* rest* of* the* premise,* that* they* use* this* technology*to*see* if*McGoohan*would*sell*his* secrets*to*one*of*three*suspected*agents*–*“A”,* “B”*or* “C”*–*by*creating* such* an*opportunity* in* his* dream…* well,* it’s* weak.* Yes,* if* McGoohan* reveals*any* secrets* in* his* dream,*
then* he* is*one* step*closer* to* being* “broken,”* but* we*all*know*that* ain’t*gonna*happen.*HIS* LIFE* IS* HIS* OWN!* There’s* no* real* drama* here.*Most*of*the*episode*is*A*DREAM. In* the* end*the* only*character* who* is*any* danger* is* Number* 2,* because* he* is* under* direct*orders*to*get*the*answers*in* this*affair* from*Number*I*himself*(the*Uirst*time*we*see* any*character*talk*to*Number* I* on* the*phone* is* in* this* episode),* and* grave* misfortune* would* befall* him* if* he* doesn’t* deliver* –* which,*of*course,*he* doesn’t.*McGoohan* is*so* cool*he*can*even*control*his*own*DREAMS. (Of*course,*he*must*not*have*been*in*TOO* much* danger* because* the* same* Number* 2* reappears* in* another* episode* later* in* the* series). Meh.* The* next* episode* is* much* better.* Much,*MUCH*better.*
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Part 4: Wherein McGoohan runs for office and, by winning, loses. “Free,for,All” “Obey*me*and*be*free!” That’s* a* very* quicklyCspoken* statement* McGoohan* says* at* the* end* of* “Free* For* All”,* the*fourth*episode*of*The*Prisoner*broadcast,* and*it*goes*by*so*fast*I*never*noticed*it*until*I* rewatched* it* last* night.* And* if* you* pay* attention,* it* was* dubbed* in* to* the* show* in* postCproduction*and*not*recorded*“live.” That* quote* is* a* big* Key* to* the* puzzle,* I* think,*and*captures*the*subtext*of*the*episode* nicely.* An* episode* that* is* about* as*damning* an*indictment*of*the*electoral*process*as*ever* created. (A* quick* sidebar* –* since* I* consider* Number* 6* to* affectively* BE* McGoohan* –* as* the* show* was* his*vision* and* all* I* have* read* about*him*sounds*like*he*was*a*glaring*raging* guy* in* real* life* too,* I* refer* to* the* main* character*as*McGoohan*in*these*posts.*I*think* that* is* especially* appropriate* when* discussing* this*episode,*as*he* also*wrote* and* directed*it). Here’s* a* short* plot* summary:* The* New* Number* 2* is* running* for* reelection,* and* he*
wants*McGoohan* to*run* against* him*“for*the* good* of* Village* morale.”* Skeptically,* McGoohan*accepts,*and*soon* after*his*public* declaration* is* saddled* with* an* assistant,* Number* 58,* a* cute* young* maid* who* can’t* even* speak* English.* McGoohan* then* gets* swept* up* in* a* bizarre* council* meeting* with* Number*2*and*his*“cabinet”*–*2a,*2b,*2c,*etc…* when* he* speaks* back* to* the* council* he* is* drugged* and* subjected* to* The* Truth* Test,* where*they*ask*him*why*he*decided*to*run. We* never* hear* McGoohan’s* responses,* but* the* person* administering* the* test* seems* to* as* he* monitors* a* visual* of* McGoohan’s* proUile*and*two*sliding*indicators*on*the*wall.* “You*want*to*help*them?”*The*man* asks,*and* McGoohan* both* agrees* and* disagrees* simultaneously* –* a* key* point* to* note* –* he* wants*his*own*freedom,*but* he*also*wants*to* help* his* fellow* Villagers* “wake* up”* and* escape. After* The* Truth* Test* (and* making* sure* they* don’t* “damage* the* tissue”)* he’s* brainwashed,* and* becomes* a* “puppet* candidate”* who* starts* talking* about* how* he* will* bring* “freedom”* to* the* Village…* not* literal* freedom,* of* course,*but* freedom* from* fear*and*worry*–*security.*Sounds*familiar? McGoohan* Uights* the* brainwashing,* and* tries* to* escape* –* I* love* that* in* the* midst* of* even*the*weightiest*of*topics*on*The*Prisoner* 23
they* always* try* and* work* in* an* action* sequence* or* two.* After* his* capture* and* reC brainwashing,*McGoohan* wins,* becomes*the* new* Number* 2,* but* we* soon* Uind* that* he’s* really* lost* –* the* New* New* Number* 2* is* his* assistant,* who,* after* McGoohan* is* beaten* (and* posed,* ChristClike)* asks* him* in* perfect* English,*“Will*you*ever*learn?” Interestingly,* though* the* last* episode* “A,* B,*and*C”*was*set* mostly*in*a*dream,*it*is*this* episode* that* is* dreamClike.* It’s* more* a* nightmare,* and* the* instance* that* McGoohan* is*drugged*before* the* Truth*Test* all* the* way* through* the* end* is* a* blend* of* both* the* realistic* and* the* surreal.* It’s* powerful* and* provocative*stuff,*and*one*way*of*interpreting* it*–*that*elections*only*give*us*the*illusion* of* control*–*is*eyeCopening. Now,*back* to* that* quote.* McGoohan* says* it* after* he* is* “woken* up”* so* that* is* not* programming* –* that’s* his* raw* emotion* coming* through,* when* he* thinks* he* has* a* chance* to* control* The* Village* as* Number* 2.* It’s*both*altruistic*and*egotistical*at*the*same* time*–*why*do*people* run* for* ofUice?* To*help* people?*Yes,*some*do…*but*many*do*it*for*the* power,* and* that* quote* –* “Obey* me* and* be* free”* –* refers* to* that* darker* egocentric* reason.*To*be*in* charge,*to*take*over,*because* you*know*what’s*best*for*someone*else…
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To*become*Number*1. It’s* that* ego,*that* part* of*him*that* makes* him* free* and* independent,* also* makes* him* susceptible* to* this* type* of* plot* –* a* lesson* those* in* charge* of* The* Village* learned* here* and* will* reapply* later* (in* the* last* episode* “Fall*Out”). I* could* write* hundreds* more* words* on* this* one,* but* I’ll* stop* here.* It’s* one* of* my* favorite* episodes* of* any* show* EVER,* and* is* one*of*the*7*core*episodes*that*are*mustCsees* for* viewers* if* they* want* to* even* attempt* to* “get”* what* McGoohan* is* saying* in* his* series.* Though* I* love* this*episode* it’s*one* that* I* can* see* some* people* not* liking* because* of* its* structure*and*subtext.* Like* the* best* Art ,* it* is* open* to* interpretation.*Your*reaction*may*vary.
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Part 5: Wherein McGoohan chews up twice the amount of scenery as usual “The,Schizoid,Man” Ah,* the* inevitable* “Evil* Twin”* episode.* I* think* that* all* producers* of* television* in* the* 1960s* and* 70s* had* to* sign* a* contractual* agreement* to* write* and* air* at* least* one* of* these* before* any* production* work* would* be* allowed*to*commence.*Fortunately*for* us,*the* one* that* Patrick* McGoohan* produced* is* not* your*runCofCtheCmill*take*on*the*idea. The*way*they*do*it* is*pretty*ingenious:* In* order* to* mess* with* McGoohan’s* mind,* they* try*and*convince*him*that*HE* is*the*impostor* trying* to* disrupt* Number* 6’* mental* state.* They* reprogram* him* to*change* his*behavior* and* his* preferences* by* using* shock* treatment,* drugs,* hypnosis,* and* repeated* exposure*to* episodes* of*Jon* and* Kate* plus*8.* After*a*casual*afternoon*of*ESP* practice*with* a* beautiful*lady*Villager* (more* on* her* later),* McGoohan* is* taken,* conditioned* for* several* days,*and*then*put*in*the*home*of*Number*12* –*where* he* is*then* told* of*the* scheme.* They* refer*to*his*other*life,*and*even*give*him*hints* on* how* to* be….* well,* himself,* to* upset* “the* real”*Number*6. The* fake* Number* 6* arrives,* and* McGoohan*plays*him*as*well*–*a* little* louder*
and* more* broad* that* he* normally* plays* the* lead* character,* and* that’s* saying* something.* McGoohan’s* character* yelled* at* doors,* for* pete’s*sake.* They* duel,* with* electric* pistols* and* rapiers* (which* would* make* a* great* band* name,*if*anyone* is*looking)*but* McGoohan* is* off*his*game*because*he*can’t*decide*whether* he* is*right*or*left*handed*(they*“trained*him”* to*think*he*was*a*southpaw). At* any* rate,* if* it* wasn’t* for* photographic* evidence* of* a* bruise* underneath* one* of* his* Uingernails,* which* almost* complete* healed* “overnight”,* McGoohan* may* have* been* broken* –*instead,*he* breaks*the*conditioning* (courtesy* of* a* faulty* lamp* –* electroshock* therapy*on*the*cheap!)*and*beats*up*the*Fake* Number* 6.*When* McGoohan* decides* to* take* over* as* the* Fake* Number* 6* to* escape,* he* is* helped* by* Rover* who* accidentally* kills* the* imposter* (!).* Alas,* he* can’t* get* away* with* it,* because,* unlike* The* Fake* Number* 6,* he* did* not* have*a*lot* of*information*to*go*on*and*so* he*is*found*out*in*the*end. Two*quick*sidebars*–*the* Fake* Number*6* also* made* one* critical* mistake* –* he* claimed* the* Number* of* 6* for* his*own,* something* the* real*McGoohan*would*never*do.*And*the*idea* of*ESP*playing* a*part* in*the*episode*looks*so* very* dated* today…* But* it* does* work* in* the* 28
context* of* the* plot* (especially* when* its* revealed* the* girl* with* ESP* is* working* with* Number*2). A* good,* solid* episode,* with* three* Uight* scenes*and*some* Uine* sharp* dialogue.*One* of* the*top*10,*for*sure.
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Part 6: Where we find higher education in The Village is not all its cracked up to be. “The,General” “You’re*never*too*old*to*learn.” A* university* level* degree* in* three* minutes?*Sign*me*up!*Well,*after*this*episode,* actually…*let*me*think*about*it. This* is* a* lesser* episode,* one* in* which* M c G o o h a n* t r i e s* to* d e s t roy* a* g i a n t* i n s t r u c t i o n a l* ( a n d* p o t e n t i a l* m i n d C controlling)* computer* called* The* General.* It* has* a* couple* of* good* moments,* especially* when*one*of*the*core*lessons*of*the*episode*–* that* information* without* context* and* understanding*is*useless*–*is*revealed.*But* at* the*end* its*just* kind*of*“meh”*with*a* “reveal”* of*The*General*at*the*end*that* is*rather* dates* (it’s*very*similar*to*every*third*episode*of*the* original*Star*Trek). And,*like*in*Star*Trek,*McGoohan*does*his* best*Captain*Kirk*impression* (not* literally,*of* course* –*boy*would* I*have* paid* good* money* to* see* that)* and* makes* the* super* computer* blow* up,*because* he*asks*it* the* one*question* that*cannot*be*answered…*“Why?” The* key* to* this* episode* to* me* is* that* wisdom* comes* with* time,* that* knowledge*
and*understanding*is*different*than*facts.*I’ve* read* essays* that* state* that* Google* and* the* Internet* has*reduced*our* collective* ability*to* reason,* that* instant* access* to* facts* means* that* we* invest* less* in* them* than* we* would* have* if* we* had* undergone* the* time* consuming* effort* to* research* them.* An* interesting*thesis,*and*the*fact*that*a*TV*show* in* the* late* 1960s* provided* a* similar* viewpoint* C* well,* that’s* not* just* prescient,* that’s* downright* eerie.* Especially* when* you* realize* that* the* General*is*a* giant* networked* computer… But,*when* it* comes* to*the* episode:* like* I* said,*meh.* So* far* this* is* the* shortest* episode* recap* because,*well,* it* just* didn’t* do* much* for* me.* The* episode* after* this* one,* thankfully,* is* a* different* story.* And* I’ve* begun* to* sense* a* trend* on* these* shows*–*every*other* episode* tends*to*be*better*than*the*one*that*preceded* it.*I*think,*since* the*shows*were*Uilmed*out* of* sequence* that* this* was* a* decision* of* the* producers* to* make* sure* they* had* some* degree*of*consistent*quality*throughout…*but* it’s*still*peaks*and*valleys.
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Part 7: Wherein McGoohan finds that you can’t go home again “Many,Happy,Returns” ‘You*can’t*win,*you*know.”* Number,2,,Arrival McGoohan* wakes* up* in* a* Village* that* is* completely* deserted,* and* so* he* quickly* makes* plans* to* escape,* constructing* a* raft* and* setting* off* for* sea.* Sounds* pretty* straightforward,* right?* Well,* it’s* not,* of* course…*McGoohan’s*escape*boat*is*captured* and* looted* by* another* boat’s* captain* and* crewmate*while*he*sleeps,*and*the*obligatory* Uight* scene* between* the* three* men* soon* follows. When* McGoohan*Uinally*makes*it* back*to* civilization,* he* ends* up* within* walking* distance* of* his* old* home,* which* he* Uinds* is* now* under* new* ownership…* by* a* woman* who*also*now*owns*his*old*car*which*he*built* “with* his* own* hands”.* Her* name* is* Mrs.* Butterworth*and*she*is*not*who*she*seems*to* be*–*she*also*makes*a*GREAT*syrup. Obvious*joke*is*obvious. I*won’t*detail*any*more*of*the*plot,*cause*I* particularly*like* how* this*one* ends*up…* but,*
needless* to* say,* our* hero* does* not* truly* escape* in* the*end.*Duh,*there’s*still*ten*more* episodes*to*go… One*of*my*favorite*parts*of*this*episode*is* that* the* Uirst* act*(and*most* of*the* second)*is* without* any*dialogue* and* the* tale* is*all*told* visually,* with* fantastic* acting* work* by* McGoohan* and* some* great* cinematography* and* editing.* On* the* new* bluray* set* that* was* just* released* this* episode* is* especially* beautiful*–*a*real*feast*for*the*eyes. A* great* episode,* start* to* Uinish.* And* the* next* one* is* one* of* the* “7* episodes* that* matter”* –* that* is,* according* to* a* Mr.* Patrick* McGoohan…
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Intermission: “So, what’s it all about” for me?
Recently*I’ve*become*quite*reUlective* and*introspective*about*many*things,*about* who*I*am*as*a*person,*about*what*drives*me.* About*who*I*am. I*think*I’m*a*good*person.*I*care,* sometimes*too*much.*I*speak*too*much*as* well,*sometimes*to*Uill*the*empty*spaces,* more*often*than*not*to*draw*attention*to* myself.*I’m*still*insecure,*still*trying*to*prove* myself…*I*still*struggle,*at*42*years*of*age,*to* feel*like*I*belong. I’m*less*insecure*than*I*was,*though.* I’m*good*at*what*I*do,*and*I’m*decisive.*I’m* witty,*and*when*I*write*I*play*with*words*to* make*my*point.*I’m*occasionally*charming.* One*of*my*favorite*sayings*is*from*the*Dalai* Lama,*a*saying*that*rings*true*for*me,*in*that* “my*religion*is*kindness”.*I*try*to*be*a*good* loving*husband,*and*I’m*not*nearly*as*good*as* a*father*as*I*want*to*be. I’m,*above*all*else,*human…*And*I*try* to*be*humane. I*also*obsessively*love*this*TV*show.* The*Prisoner.*I*speak*of*it*often,* recommending*it*to*friends*and*family.*I*have*
written*hundreds*and*hundreds*of*words* about*it*over*the*years. Why? What*is*it*that*draws*me*to*the*series?* Of*all*the*many*hundred*of*hours*of*content* that*I*have*seen*in*my*lifetime,*The*Prisoner* is*the*show*that*I’m*always*brought*back*to.* It*strikes*at*some*core*part*of*me…*hitting* the*right*note,*if*I*was*the*instrument.*So,* why? What’s*it*all*about? Escape. That*to*me*is*the*essence*of*The* Prisoner.*Escape*from*the*trappings*of*the* establishment,*resigning*from*a*job*that*goes* too*far…*running*away.*The*Prisoner*resigns* because*he*is*no*longer*comfortable*playing* the*game*that*he*was*a*vital*part*of…*A*game* he*may*have*had*an*active*hand*in*creating. Is*that*why*I*like*the*show*so*much? Again,*my*life*is*my*own.*I*have*much* to*be*grateful*for,*but*then…*I’m*not*free.*I* have*responsibilities,*obligations*to*me*and* 38
mine.*And*sometimes*it’s*really*hard.*So*the* idea*of*escaping*the*status*quo,*it*has*some* appeal. The*Prisoner,*as*McGoohan*played* him,*never*looked*comfortable.*He*Uidgeted* as*if*he*was*wearing*an*IllCUitting*suit.* Obviously,*he*was*a*prisoner,*not*the*most* relaxed*situation*to*be*in.*But*he*never* belonged*in*The*Village.*And*I*never*feel*I* belong,*either.*Hmm. I’m*currently*working*away*from*my* family,*in*another*country.*It*has*a*different* culture,*and*I*can’t*help*but*feel*like*an* outsider.*Again,*that*I*don’t*belong.*Yet…* While*I*miss*my*family…*I*am*free.*Free*from* that*familial*routine.*Sometimes,*it*feels* good.*And*that*scares*me. So,*are*these*reasons*that*I*love*The* Prisoner?*Maybe.*At*the*very*least,*it’s*part*of* it.*But*maybe*I*shouldn’t*ask*any*more* questions. Because*questions*are*a*burden*to* others,*and*answers*a*prison*for*oneself.
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Part 8: Where not all the masks are worn “Dance,of,the,Dead” Well,*this*episode*is*messed,up. McGoohan* is* drugged,* ostracized* and* generally*has*a*really*bad*day.*An*example* of* how* bizarre* this* episode* is:* In* the* end* The* New*Number* 2*is*dressed*like*Peter*Pan*as*a* Halloweenesque* carnival* (where* McGoohan* is* the* only* one* not* in* a* costume)* that* devolves* into* a* mock* trial.* McGoohan* is* sentenced* to*death* and…*well,*it’s*not* death* as*we*know*it.*It* is*the* sentence* of* isolation,* as*the*inhabitants*in*The*Village*turn*on*him.* Where* before* McGoohan* had* worked* to* help*him,*now*he*is*shut*off*from*them…*and* this,* along* with* the* loss*of* an* old* colleague* Dutton* (that* was*introduced* in*this*episode)* is*a*heavy*weight*as*the*bars*close*on*him*at* the*end*of*the*episode. You* may*note* there*is*not* much*of*a*plot* synopsis* here.* That’s* correct,* because* the* plot* is*not* important* here* –*the* themes* and* visuals*presented* are.*I* won’t* describe* them* or* analyze* them* C* like* all* Art,* it’s* better* to* experience* for* oneself.* It’s* a* good* episode,* though* not* a* favorite.*It* is*more* provocative* than*some*of*the*prior*episodes*(high*praise,*
that)* and* the* notCsoCsubtle* subtext* of* death* is*not*one*that*appeals*to*everyone. It*ends,*as*with*many*episodes*before*and* after,*rather*hopelessly*for*our*hero.*It* gets*a* little* better* in* the* next* episode…* but* not* much.
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Part 9: Wherein some pawns move themselves “Checkmate” Now* this* is* another* great* episode,* with* McGoohan* leading* a* miniCrebellion* against* The* Village…* one* that* is* thwarted* when* his* own*leadership*abilities*and*charisma* makes* one*of*his*coCconspirators*think*he*was*not*a* prisoner* but* a* warder…* Hmm,* like* in* “Free* For* All”,* McGoohan* leading* members* of* The* Village…*Another* theme* that* will*have* a* big* payCoff*in*the*Uinal*episode. Two* major* highlights* of* this* episode* –* Uirst*is*the*chess*game*that*starts*the*episode,* that*uses*Villagers*as*living*pieces.*When*one* pawn* decides* to* move* himself,* there* are* severe*repercussions,*and*of*course*the*game* itself* is*an* obvious*metaphor* for*The* Village* itself…* obvious,* but* perfect.* The* second* highlight* is* Peter* Wyngarde* as* the* New* Number* Two*–*his*performance*is*one*of*the* better* ones*in* the* series,*and* many* think* of* him*as*the*“best”*Number*Two.* Wyngarde,* like* McGoohan,* had* a* great* run* as*a* TV* spy*in* the* shows*Department* S* and* his* character’s* spinoff* show* Jason* King* (some* say* Austin* Powers* is* his* direct* descendant).*He*is*also*well*known* as*Klytus* in*the*cult*classic*Flash*Gordon.
Not* a* “mustCwatch”*episode* of* the* show,* but* this,* like* the* previous* episode,* is*one* of* the*seven* episodes*that*“count”* according* to* Patrick*McGoohan*–*so*there*is*that.*
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Part 10: Where Hammer meets Anvil “Hammer,Into,Anvil” Another* great* episode,* with* (not* surprisingly)* a* New* Number* 2,* who* starts* the*episode* by*forcing*a*female*prisoner*into* suicide* (he* was* going* to* read* her* sections* from*the*Twilight*novels*to*make*to*conform,* apparently).* McGoohan* does*not* take* kindly* to* this* and* decides* he* is* going* to* take* his* revenge*upon*this*new*cruel*Number*2. The* way* he* does* it* is* brilliant* –* he* decides* to* play* on* Number* 2s* paranoia,* by* pretending* to* be* a* doubleCagent* who* is* investigating* the* management* of* the* Village.* Knowing* he* is* being* watched,* McGoohan* listens*to*multiple*copies*of* the* same* record* to* get* a* “secret* message”,* he* leaves* strange* coded* messages* and* calls* other* Villagers* to* implicate* them* in* his* plot…* he* even* buys* a* cooCcoo* clock* and* through* his* behaviour* makes*Number*Two*thinks*is*a*bomb. In* the* end,*McGoohan* confronts* Number* 2*with*the*truth.*He* even*forces*Number*2*to* resign*his*post*–*a*“failure*of*command.”*It*is* an* absolute* victory*by*McGoohan*against* his* warders,* and* a* very* entertaining* episode.* It* is* also* one* of* the* few* victories* we* see* him* have*in*The*Village…
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Part 11: Where McGoohan changes his mind , “A,Change,of,Mind” Patrick* McGoohan* himself* directed* this* one.* Using* a* pseudonym,* one* that* I* really* really*like. “Joseph*Serf.” Give*you*a*couple*of*guesses*why. This* is*the* most* Orwellian* episode*of*the* series,* with* scenes* where* Villagers* are* expected* to* confess* their* sins* by* repeating* the* words* of* an* unseen* announcer.* McGoohan* is* also* aggressively* antisocial* in* this* episode,* mocking* all* that* sees* before* him.* He’s* part* revolutionary,* part* Grouch* Marx. God,*I*love*that*man. Such* behavior* makes* him* “Public* Enemy* Number* Six”* as* his* behavior* against* The* Committee* (yet* another* reUlection* of* the* p o w e r* s t r u c t u re* o f* t h e* V i l l a g e )* i s* “disharmonious”*and*“unmutual.” So,* this*is*just* Uiction,* right?* A* weird* SF/ spy*show*from*the*sixties? Tell*ya*what.*Go*to*any*social*group.*A*bar,* a* business* meeting,*a* group* of* friends.*Start*
being* contradictory.* Speak* openly* and* without*trying*to*respond*to*the*expectations* of*those*around*you.*Don’t*conform.*Be*free. And*then*see*what*happens. McGoohan* ends* up* being* declared,* formally,* “unmutual”,* in* this* episode.* He* is* then* completely*ostracized* from* the* society* he* is* reveling* against…* And* his* life* is* now* truly*his*own.*He*is*alone. “The*lone*wolf*belongs*in*the*wilderness!”* McGoohan*was*told*in*an*earlier*episode*by*a* New* Number* 2,*and* in* this*episode* he* sees* what* that* means.* He* is*cast* out,* like* Lucifer* from* Heaven…* And* he* resists.* Always,* he* resists. But* the* system* is*what* it* is.* He* is* beaten* down* by* the* citizens* of* The* Village* and* delivered* to* (another)* brainwashing…* And,* once* that* “medical* recovery”* is* complete,* well,* the* citizenry* are* welcoming* and* friendly* to* him* once* more.* They* have* been* conditioned*to*welcome*him,*and*he*has*been* conditioned*to*act*welcoming. Yeah,*just*a*TV*show.*Pay*it*no*mind. W h i l e* b ra i nwa s h e d* a n d* d r u g g e d* McGoohan* is* interrogated* by* the* Newest* 50
Number* 2* around* the* “trivialities”* of* his* resignation…* Which* was* an* overreach.* The* resignation*is*a*core*aspect*of*him,*and*drugs* cannot*bury*away*that*core*decision*that*was* an*absolute*reUlection*of*his*Self. It’s* a* reUlection* of*his*Core* Beliefs,* which* you*cannot*defeat*or*tame.*His*life*is*his*own. As* he* Uights* the* brainwashing,* he* returns…*To*his*wilderness*training*area,*one* we*see*he*has*setup*in*an*earlier*scene*in*the* episode.* The* Lone* Wolf.* There,* he* (again)* Uights*Village*thugs*and*this*time*it*is*a*quick* snap*to*reality…*He*is*who*he*was,*again. Then,* using* his* own* brainwashing* techniques,* McGoohan* connives* to* have* Number* 2* declared* unmutual…* And* a* small* victory* is* achieved.*One* of* the* few* that* will* be* won* against* the* power* of* society…* Err,* I* mean,*the*Village.
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Part 12: When McGoohan wears spurs and chaps “Living,in,Harmony” The*most* unique*episode* of*The*Prisoner,* ever,* and* for* a* show* like* this,* that’s* saying* something. It’s* actually*an* episode* that* is*absolutely* simple*and*also*incredibly*complex.*You*have* McGoohan*in* the* role* of*a* lone* gunman* in* a* wild*west*setting,*a*man*who*has*given*up*his* badge* and* then…* He’s* ambushed.* Knocked* out,* and* taken* to* Harmony…* Where* he’s* asked* by* The* Judge* to* become* the* new* sheriff.*He*refuses*and*resists…*Of*course. It* is,* of* course,* a* mind* game,* a* hallucination* that* is* provided* using* Village* technology,* but* this* is* found* out* late* in* the* episode.*For*most*of*this*episode*you*have*to* just* accept* what* is* happening* with* no* explanation* whatsoever.*It’s*a* risky*prospect* for* any* television* series…* It* uproots* and* potentially* alienates* the* viewer.* They* did* it* anyway. The*most* intriguing* aspect* of*the*episode* is* that* McGoohan* wins* in* the* end…* The* technology*that* was*used* to*make*him*think* he*was*in*the*old*west*ends*up*destroying*the* mind*and*lives*of*the*two*Villagers*who*were*
in*the* same*hallucination.*Number* 8,*who*in* the* hallucination* was*the* mute* Kid,*ends*up* losing* his* identity* and* his* mind,* killing* the* woman* he* had* also* killed* in* the* fantasy* (Number*22).*A*bittersweet*victory,*but*still*a* victory. This* is*a*provocative*episode,*in*that* it* is* absolutely* focused* on* the* sense* of* self.* McGoohan* is* still* McGoohan,* whether* he* is* wearing* chaps* or* the* modern* clothes* that* was* imposed* on* him* by* the* Village.* The* others?* They* lost* themselves,* and* by* doing* so,* died.* A* lesson* on* the* importance* of* individuality?*From*this*show?*Well,*duh. Other* aspects* of* this* episode* that* is* noteworthy:* Alexis* Kanner,* who* plays* Number* 8/The*Kid,*returns*in* the*Uinale*as*a* new*character,*Number*48.*Or* does*he?* Does* Number* 22* really* die* at* the* end* of* this* episode,* or* is* it* part* of* a* Long* Con* that* the* Village*warders*are*playing*out?*Additionally,* this* episode* was* not* shown* in* the* US* because*the*network*said*that*it*“encouraged* drug* use.”* Really?* Or* was* the* point* of* McGoohan*not* wanting* to*take*up/use*a*gun* in*the*western*segment*of*the*story*too*close* to* the* antiCwar* sentiment* that* was*brewing* in*the*country*at*the*time?*We’ll*never*know. One*of*the*essential*mustCwatch*episodes,* and*one*of*the*best. 54
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Part 13: All the World’s a stage in a strange bedtime story “Once,Upon,a,Time” Once* Upon* a* Time* is* unique* in* several* aspects.* It* again* features* the* great* Leo* McKern,* reprising* his* Number* 2* from* the* second*episode*(effectively*“bookending”*the* series).* The* majority* of* the* plot* takes* place* in*a* single*room,*and* it*is*also*one*of*the*few* episodes* that* doesn’t* feature* a* female* character.* It’s* also* an* episode* that* drops* some*very*clear*clues*as*to*why*McGoohan*is* in*the*Village…*a*topic*I*will*cover*later. Finally,* it’s* an* amazing* piece* of* storytelling.* The* premise* is* simple* –* the* new/old* Number* 2* returns,* apparently* not* by* choice.* He* calls* McGoohan* and* asks,* directly,* “Why* do* you* care?”* About* what?* People?* Principles?*Why*do*you*resist?* Or*all* of*the*above. He* shouts*out* to* his*master* (Number* 1?)* on* the* phone* “We* have* to* use* extreme* measures…*I*am*a* good* man…*But*he* will*be* better.”
He* speaks* about* recruitment,* and* a* transition* of* McGoohan* to* a* leadership* position…*Not*about*interrogation.*Hmm. “Degree* Absolute.* Deny* it,* please.”* Number*2*asks, His* master(s)* do* not* deny* it,* and* so* he* and* a* (brainwashed* and* brand* wiped)* McGoohan* have* to* face* each* other* in* the* Embryo* Room,* where* McGoohan* evolves* through* the* seven* stages* of* man,* from* Shakespeare,* from* As* You* Like* it:* infant,* schoolboy,* lover,* soldier,* justice,* pantaloon,* and* second* childhood.* Well,* he* actually* doesn’t* go* through* all* seven.* He* only* goes* through*the*Uirst*Uive.*One*could*argue*that*he* becomes*a*pantaloon*in*the*Uinal*episode… Is*McGoohan*reliving*his*own*life*in* these* scenes?* Or* are* they* metaphors?* We* don’t* know*but*they*are*still*riveting. In* the* end* McGoohan* ends* up* as* judge* over* Number* 2…* And* calling* for* his* execution.*Or*does*he? “Die,* Six,* Die!”* is* the* words* McGoohan* uses*as*Number*2*literally*runs*out*of*time.*Is* he* killing* Number* 2,* or* striking* out* against* the* number* the* warders* have* given* him?* I* think* it’s*the*later,*and* that* the* death* of* 2* is* not* a* result* of* any* action* on* McGoohan’s* 57
part.*At* some* point*I’ll*seek*out*the*shooting* script*to*see*what*it*says*about*this*scene. In* interviews* about* this* episode* McKern* stated* that* it* was* one* of* the* most* grueling* acting* efforts*he*had*ever*done* and*it* almost* drove* him*to*have*a*nervous*breakdown.*You* can* tell* –* the* electricity* and* the* tension* between* he* and* McGoohan* is* palpable* on* screen,*and*it*makes*for*riveting*viewing.
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The End: Where we find out who Number One really is “Fall,Out” This, episode, is, not, intended, for, All, Audiences, –, any, viewer, who, needs, things, Spelled,Out,For,Them,need,not,apply. One* thing* I* love* about* The* Prisoner* is* how*it* resets*viewers’*expectations*at* almost* every* turn.* Think* that* the* hero* will* win?* Nope.* Think* that* the* show* will* follow* conventional*narratives?* Uh…*no.*Think*that* the*bad* guy*will*be*revealed*in*typical*James* Bond* spy* fashion,* like* Uinally* seeing* Blofeld* in*You*Only*Live*Twice?*Well… As* many* reading* this* may* know,* the* reaction* of* viewers* when* this* episode* was* Uirst* aired* in* the* UK* was…* let’s* just* use* the* word* “unhappy”* as* a* catchCall.* People* were* pissed* off.* McGoohan* was* assaulted* on* the* street* by* viewers* the* month* following* the* episode’s*airing.*I*can*only*imagine*what* was* screamed*at*him*during*the*incident. “What* was* all* that?* You* call* that* an* ending?*What*the*hell*did*it*MEAN?” Quite* a* lot,* actually,* and* McGoohan* famously*never* tried* to* explain* it* to* anyone* for* the* rest* of*his*days* on* earth…*though* he*
did* use* one* phrase* in* describing* Number* I* that*is*descriptive*in*its*simplicity: “Number*Six’*alterCego” That*in*the*end*is*what*I*think*is*the*point* of*all*of*it*–*that*the*rebels*ultimately*become* the* leaders,* and* that* individuals* are* drawn,* ultimately,* to* become* members* of* the* collective* –* often,* to* lead* them.* “Lead* us,* show*us*the*way”*the*judge*says*in*the*Uinale,* playing* to* the* ego* we* see* on* display* in* so* many* episodes* before.* McGoohan* accepts…* and* then* rejects,* violently,* which* in* turn* brings*us*back*to*square*one*–*the*last*shot*of* the*series*is*the*same*as*one*of*the*Uirst*shots* of* the* series* –* McGoohan* driving* his* car* through*a*desert,*deUiant*and*about*to*resign,* again…*and*so*it*goes,*forever.* “You*accepted” “I*rejected!” “You*accepted*before*you*rejected!” C*Dialogue*from*“Once*Upon*a*Time” The*independent*man*rebels,*conforms….* and* then* rebels* again…* Because* he* needs* society* as* much* as* society* needs* him.* As* much*as*he* resists,*he* eventually*conforms…* but*sometimes*it*is*not*without*a*Uight. 61
“ T h e* l o n e* w o l f* b e l o n g s* i n* t h e* wilderness!” ,–,Number,2,,Once,Upon,a,Time Who* is* Number* I?* Well,*it’s*McGoohan* –* the* free* man,* who*became* the* leader* of*the* very* thing* he* rebelled* against* –* the* establishment.*The* power*of*control*was*too* tempting,* so*he* accepted..* then* he* rejected…* Like* a* moebius*strip,*the* show* folds*into* its* own* self…* he* was* rebelling* against* his* own* ego,*his*own*prison,*all*the*time.* The*ego*of*self.* I. The* being* we* observed* through* all*17* of* these* episodes* was* a* leader* –* and* we* all* crave* leadership.* That* is* the* secret* of* the* Village* –*that* to* some* extent* all* of* us* want* someone* to* take* charge* and* be* in* control* –* it’s* EASIER* than* being* responsible* to* your* own* self.* Being* free* comes* with* its* own* burdens…* * if* you* fail,*no* one* helps* you.*You* are*all*alone.*Wouldn’t*it*be*easier*if*someone* took*care* of* things*for* you?* That*is*what*the* Village* represented.* That* is* what* many* people* want* our* world’s* government* to* provide.
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That*is*what*I*am*afraid*we*have*become:* Children* who* want* someone* else* to* take* Control*for*us.*So*we*can*enjoy*our*bread*and* circuses* –* read* our* cheesy* novels* like* Twilight,* watch* American* Idol…* A* world* where*we*can*have* all*of*our*needs*attended* to. Like*healthcare,*for*example. “So,*what’s*it*all*about?!”* O,McGoohan,,“Arrival” What*does*it*mean?*Well,*it*means*what*it* is,* as* McGoohan* stated* in* the* episode* “Chimes* of* Big* Ben”.* It* is* an* epic* of* imagination* and* a* singular* vision,* a* series* that* spoke* to* the* need* of* individuals* to* be* individual,*no*matter*what*the*consequences.* It* is* a* series* that* in* alternating* episodes* rejects* violence* and* then* embraces* it,* as* a* necessary*part*of*revolution.*It*is*a*show*that* will*be* remembered* and* referenced* decades* from*now*(unlike*the*recent*AMC*remake).* It*is.*Like*all*art,*it*needs*to*be*interpreted* and* understood* on* its* own* merit.* Is* the* Mona* Lisa* smiling?* And* why?* We* bring* our* own* answer* –* and* my* answer* to* what* The* Prisoner* means* is* as* legitimate* as* anyone*
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who* approaches*the* series* with* any*degree* of*seriousness. So,* did* he* escape?* Yes* and* no…* but* as* Patrick* McGoohan* is* no* longer* with* us,* we* can* at* least* say* with* some* degree* of* conUidence*that*he’s*on*parole. Be*seeing*you.
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Patrick Originally,published,January 13, 2009 What*should*I*believe? It’s*an* odd*question,*but* it’s*one*we*have* all*had*at*one*point*or*another.*We*may*have* not*even*expressed*this*question*consciously* C* we* may* have* absorbed* what* other* people* told* us,* and* adapted* their* belief* system,* making* it* our* own.* We* get* it* from* our* parents,*our*friends,*or...*Some*of*us...*well... Some* of* us* get* a* large* part* of* what* we* believe* in*C* what*is*right,*wrong,*or* neither* C* we* get* it* from* a* piece* of* entertainment.* An* album.*A*movie.*A*TV*show. Obviously,*this*is*not*the*way*most*people* do* it,* and* sometimes* it* can* be* a* VERY* BAD* THING* (see:* Charles* Manson)* C* but* nature* abhors*a* vacuum.*The* need* is* there,*to*have* SOMETHING*to*believe*in. I*believed*in*Patrick*McGoohan. Not* as* a* person,*really*C* I* believed* more* in* what* he* messaged*to* me* and* many* many* others* through* his* performance* in* and* writing*of*the*classic*TV*show*The*Prisoner.*
That* the* rights*of*the* individual*to*BE* an* individual*is*the* most* important* right* any*of* us*have.* That* knowledge,* without* context* and* wisdom,*is*useless*trivia. That*we*are*not*numbers. That* we* are* beholden* to* no* one* save* ourselves. That* our* life*is*our*own,*to*do*with*as*we* see*Uit. That* the* government,* the* mob,* cults* of* any*kind*C*they*are*NOT*on*your*side. That*we*make*our*own*prisons. That*you*can’t*escape*yourself. And*so*on. I* would* have* loved* to* have* been* near* McGoohan*in*1968*to*see*his*reaction*to*how* the*Uinale*of*The*Prisoner*was*received*by*the* public* C* when* they* expected* some* type* of* James* Bond* Villain* reveal*as*to*who* #1* was.* The*leader* of*the*Village,*the* warden,*the*Big* Bad.
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In*the*end...*it* was*#6*himself,*behind*the* mask...*The*monkey*mask*of*"I"... The* viewers* were* outraged.* The* press* wrote*scathing*critiques. He*probably*laughed*his*head*off. Patrick* McGoohan* died* today* at* the* age* of* 80* after* a* prolonged* illness.* I* am* incredibly* remorseful,* as* I* never* had* the* chance* to* meet* him* in* person* and* tell* him* the*impact* of*and* my*enjoyment*of*his*work.* And* of*course* *he*did*much*much*more*than* The* Prisoner* (I* loved* his* appearances* in* Columbo,* his* work* in* a* littleCknown* movie* called* The* Hard* Way,* and* his* Academy* AwardCnominated* role* as* Longshanks* in* Braveheart). But* The* Prisoner* is* the* work* that* impacted* me,*that*had* a* huge* role*in*making* me*who*I*am* today...*and*the* reason*my*Uirst* born*son*has*the*middle*name*Patrick. Rest*in*peace,*sir.*And*thanks.
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Closing Thoughts: Why was the Prisoner in The Village? Let's*go*to*the*clues*in*the*show,*shall*we?* In*the*Uirst*episode*Arrival,*the*Prisoner*(I* will*call*him*the*Prisoner*here*because*that*is* what* his*character*is*named*in*the*scripts)*is* told*by*the* New*Number* Two*that*"I* believe* you,*that*it*was*a*matter*of*conscience."* So* what* does* that* mean?* I* refer* you* to* this* link* and* suggest* you* consider* the* implications* of* the* content* there* (and* think* of* the* many* religious* subtexts* throughout* the*series):* Did*the*Prisoner*realize*that*he*was*living* a*life*that*contradicted*his*beliefs?* If*so,*then* that* is* a* reason* to* change* C* to* resign,* as* it* were. Then* we* have* the* penultimate* episode* "Once* Upon* a* Time"* where* the* Prisoner* answers* the* question* directly:* "Because* too* many* people* know* too* much."* Enigmatic,* of* course,* but* think* about* it* for* a* moment.* Governments* use* spies* to* spy* on* people,* to* know*things*about* them.*The*Prisoner* was*a* human* camera,* spying* on* other* people* just* like* the* hidden* cameras* spy* on* people* that* are*in*The*Village.
People* knew* too* much.* He* saw* the* Village*in*the*making,*and*he*saw*he*as*a*spy* was*having*an*active*hand*in*its*creation.* Prisoner:* "The* whole* world,* as* the* Village?" Number*Two*"That*is*my*hope." CThe*Chimes*of*Big*Ben So* he* resigned,* and* was,* ironically,* trapped* in* a* world* of* surveillance,* wiretapping,*interrogation,*and*control*C*The* Village.* Where* too* many* people* know* too* much. A*world*he*wanted*to*destroy*because*he,* directly* or* indirectly,* had* helped* create* it* C* and*this*(guilt?)*caused*him*to*resign. The*ending* of*the*show*is*the*beginning*C* it* shows* Prisoner* in* the* same* car,* the* same* shot*as*the*beginning*of*the*Uirst*episode,*the* shot* of* him* in* his* car* driving* towards...* Where?*Why,*to*resign,*of*course.* Again.*Forever.
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About Joseph Dickerson Joseph* Dickerson* is* a* writer* and* User* Experience* Architect* focused* on* improving* the* usability* of* onCline* and* mobile* applications* who* has* made* it* his*mission* to* make*technology*easier*for* people*to*use.*He* writes* about* design,* pop* culture* and* a n y t h i n g* t h a t* s t r i k e s* h i s* f a n c y* a t* josephdickerson.com.
