Give Me A Number
The clap of thunder followed by a maddening rush of clouds. The rage of a storm wrecks the skies above.
“The Prisoner” begins. It sets up the entire mood for the rest of the 17 episode series. And It broke new boundaries for science-fiction television. The storm. The rage. The angry man.
“The Prisoner” becomes an allegory.
It’s also a statement. May it be political or satirical, it doesn’t matter. It’s about one man's struggle against society. Loneliness becomes the greatest enemy.
The ITC series was shown in color in England during 1968. Probably thirty years ahead of its time. It chronicles the secret agent who led a brilliant career, played by Patrick McGoohan. He abruptly resigns from the government. They don’t like it.
So the government kidnaps him. And brings him to a strange, idyllic place simply known as the Village. It takes on a sinister turn. The big question? They want to know why he resigned.
So he’s given a number. Number Six. Very enigmatic. And the rest of the series follows as he fights to keep his identity.
The world swallows us whole. It diminishes us. It makes us anonymous. We’re all given numbers in our society that runs like clockwork. We have social security numbers. We use credit card numbers. Phone numbers. Room numbers. As society grows larger, our sense of being becomes numbered.
Perhaps this is what McGoohan is trying to tell us when he created and starred in this program.
Number Six tries to escape the Village in the first few shows. He’s like a caged animal that wants to get out. He’s unable to control his anger. He breaks things. He shouts at the authority. His demands grow: he wants his freedom. And he never lets go of this idea.
Throughout the series, Number Six turns the tables on the authorities. He shows his leadership. When his fellow prisoners become threatened by the authorities, he comes to their help. Soon everyone recognizes him as one thing: a hero. And a leader. Number Six matches everyone with wit and cunning. His individualism couldn’t be dampened.
The entire series is a gem. So few things on television are. Filmed in the Portmeirion in Wales. From start to end, it is really an entertaining piece that is thought-provoking. It makes you think. That makes “The Prisoner” above standard fare.
I would recommend the whole of the series if you could ever catch it. It ran on Arts and Entertainment a couple of times. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on Sci-Fi channel. But worth the time if you get a chance to see this very creative show. You can get it on DVD.
Several good episodes? Try “Arrival” which gives Number Six his first taste of the Village. “Free For All” mocks the democratic system. Who could forget the final episode “Fall Out” which raises more questions? I’ve always liked “Hammer Into Anvil” which shows Number Six testing his skills against the authority.
Who runs the place? Us? Or Them? Is there is third party?
There are many questions. Few answers.
It was brilliantly conceived. At first people didn’t know what the hell they were watching. You can’t be a casual viewer. The series draws you in and puts your brains through a grinder. You’re left wondering.
It spawns many discussions. Several websites. Endless outrages. And an appreciation society. Even college courses.
Is the individual threatened by society? Or is it the other way around?
No one is really sure.
Be seeing you.
“The Prisoner” begins. It sets up the entire mood for the rest of the 17 episode series. And It broke new boundaries for science-fiction television. The storm. The rage. The angry man.
“The Prisoner” becomes an allegory.
It’s also a statement. May it be political or satirical, it doesn’t matter. It’s about one man's struggle against society. Loneliness becomes the greatest enemy.
The ITC series was shown in color in England during 1968. Probably thirty years ahead of its time. It chronicles the secret agent who led a brilliant career, played by Patrick McGoohan. He abruptly resigns from the government. They don’t like it.
So the government kidnaps him. And brings him to a strange, idyllic place simply known as the Village. It takes on a sinister turn. The big question? They want to know why he resigned.
So he’s given a number. Number Six. Very enigmatic. And the rest of the series follows as he fights to keep his identity.
The world swallows us whole. It diminishes us. It makes us anonymous. We’re all given numbers in our society that runs like clockwork. We have social security numbers. We use credit card numbers. Phone numbers. Room numbers. As society grows larger, our sense of being becomes numbered.
Perhaps this is what McGoohan is trying to tell us when he created and starred in this program.
Number Six tries to escape the Village in the first few shows. He’s like a caged animal that wants to get out. He’s unable to control his anger. He breaks things. He shouts at the authority. His demands grow: he wants his freedom. And he never lets go of this idea.
Throughout the series, Number Six turns the tables on the authorities. He shows his leadership. When his fellow prisoners become threatened by the authorities, he comes to their help. Soon everyone recognizes him as one thing: a hero. And a leader. Number Six matches everyone with wit and cunning. His individualism couldn’t be dampened.
The entire series is a gem. So few things on television are. Filmed in the Portmeirion in Wales. From start to end, it is really an entertaining piece that is thought-provoking. It makes you think. That makes “The Prisoner” above standard fare.
I would recommend the whole of the series if you could ever catch it. It ran on Arts and Entertainment a couple of times. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on Sci-Fi channel. But worth the time if you get a chance to see this very creative show. You can get it on DVD.
Several good episodes? Try “Arrival” which gives Number Six his first taste of the Village. “Free For All” mocks the democratic system. Who could forget the final episode “Fall Out” which raises more questions? I’ve always liked “Hammer Into Anvil” which shows Number Six testing his skills against the authority.
Who runs the place? Us? Or Them? Is there is third party?
There are many questions. Few answers.
It was brilliantly conceived. At first people didn’t know what the hell they were watching. You can’t be a casual viewer. The series draws you in and puts your brains through a grinder. You’re left wondering.
It spawns many discussions. Several websites. Endless outrages. And an appreciation society. Even college courses.
Is the individual threatened by society? Or is it the other way around?
No one is really sure.
Be seeing you.
posted by K.M. Paters at 9:26 PM
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