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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5
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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10
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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14
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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18
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.*

20
21
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…

24
 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.

25
26
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.

29
30
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.

32
33
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…

35
36
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.

39
40
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.

42
43
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.*

45
46
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…
48
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.

51
52
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
55
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.

58
59
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.

62
 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*

63
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.

64
65
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.

67
 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.

68
69
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.

71
72
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.