[The following is the first draft of Part II. Input is needed from the public -- espeically episode synopsis - kgb] The Prisoner FAQ (Part II) - Show Spoilers THIS FAQ CONTAINS SPOILERS! HIS JOB RESIGNATION McGoohan has made it plain in several interviews and books that The Prisoner is not a sequel to Secret Agent. Although there are those that believe #6 is called "Drake" in "Once Upon a Time" - according to the script, the line reads "... in the morning break" [No, I don't have the script. This information was obtained during my attendance at the 6-of-1 convention at Portmeirion. Contact 6-of-1 to see if scripts exist - kgb] There is much evidence indicating however that #6's previous job was as a government agent. It's known that #6 held "one of the most top-secret positions" within Britain, and that this involved "field work". In "Schzoid Man", one of the advantages that Curtis has to help him impersonate #6 are his abilities as a top agent and a field man. "Fall Out" reveals that he is given "A top secret confidential job" and it in- volved state secrets. It is also a fact in real life that most agents are mathematical or accounting specialists, and #6 does admit that he's "good with figures". If you include the 4 part comic book sequel (Ok, Ok, "Graphic Novels"), The main character's name is Alice Drake and it is implied that she is a relative of #6's. But remember, mis-direction is always a possibility. Some of the early paperback books have taken liberty and actually called him John Drake, but these books are so filled with even the most basic errors concerning the series and the village that most fans discount them Number Six has given his reasons for his job resignation several times, it's just that the village either doesn't believe him or believe there is more to it; so in some respects #6 has no choice but to resist his captors because even if they got what they wanted it might not help. In "Arrival" it's mentioned that his reasons "were a matter of principle". In "Chimes of Big Ben", he states that "it was a matter of conscience", and he also begins to say "I resigned, because for a very long time now I...". In "Once upon a Time", he states that his reasons were for "Peace of mind because too many people knew too much; I know too much", and that he eventually rejected these moral contradictions. Also, in "A B & C", he states he DIDN'T resign to sell out. "A B & C" also reveals that he was going on an immediate holiday (vacation) after his resignation - just what someone resolving an internal conflict would need to do. It's more in line to say that the Village has taken the position that they wish to break him and that getting him to reveal the details behind his resignation is the first step. It has been made clear that the people don't wish to cause any "permanent damage" because they believe that if they can win him over, he "has a valuable future with us". WHO RUNS THE VILLAGE? You are never given a direct answer to this question, but there is a large amount of evidence pointing to "his own side", or to "both sides". Certainly his own people are in on it. Many people from #6's past (some having indications of authority) appear and work for the village. This happens in "Arrival", "Chimes of Big Ben", and "Do not forsake me...". Even after #6 is found ("Many Happy Returns") and reveals the presence of the village; you can bet that if his previous position was as an agent, his side would seek out such a place after he vanishes the second time. Even if he was believed dead, they'd still search for it (especially if there was a possibility other agents could be there). It would also not be an easy manner for Mrs. Butterworth to occupy his home unless she could pass the security investigation that would probably take place. Also, in "Do not forsake me..." it is revealed that it's been a year since his capture; yet his home is still maintained for him to wake up in. WHERE IS THE VILLAGE? In real life, it's a seashore resort called "Portmeirion Village Hotel" (formally "Hotel Portmeirion Hotel") in North Wales, and built by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. It is located in the town of Penrhyndeudraeth. In the show, ignoring the information stated in "Chimes of Big Ben" (the girl was working for the village, so her statements are untrust- worthy), "Many Happy Returns" and "Fall Out" reveal the most about it. In "Many Happy Returns", it's narrowed down to an area that #6 begins searching and eventually finds (a fact that doesn't help him any). "Fall Out" reveals you can get there via road, so it's not an island. A route number appears in FALL OUT also. The "Sea" indicates it's on a coastline. WHAT ABOUT THE PENNY FARTHING? In interviews, Patrick McGoohan states it's a symbol of progress. In the alternative version of "The Chimes of Big Ben", a wheel on the bicycle become the planet earth and eventually you see the word "POP". There is also a story that the penny farthing symbol was already in some sort of use at Portmeirion, and PM adopted it for use in the show. UNIFORMS AND NUMBERS There are signs that a person's number is an indication of status within the village. That being the case, then the number 6 would indicate that he is considered valuable. There are also indications that numbers are recycled, In CHIMES OF BIG BEN, the new arrival is referred to as "the new #8" (with the old #8 being dead). Using an available number rather than having a unique number is certainly more in line with the village's practice of not identifying people as individuals. If you believe that #48 in FALL OUT is the same lad in LIVING IN HARMONY (who has a lower number), then his number was changed after his experiment was a failure. Certainly the #2 has been recycled numerous times. There are also a few oddities. Roland Walter Dutton in DANCE OF THE DEAD doesn't seem to have a number (perhaps suggesting that you only get one if there is an intention you are going to live there), Alison in SCHZOID MAN is referred to by name, the two newspaper reporters in FREE FOR ALL identify themselves as #113 and #113B. In CHECKMATE, one individual is only identified throughout the show as "rook"; and you never learn if the butler has a number. Finally in FALL OUT, a large number of people are identified by a belief or occupation rather than names or numbers, but it is implied that they do also have numbers. Ignoring the few exceptions; there seem to be 2 popular types of uniforms among the "citizens" of the village. The turtleneck shirt and jacket with colored piping, and a striped shirt with a sailor's hat (sometimes worn with a multi-color stripped cape). There seem to be color variations of both types, as there are also black pennyfarthing badges and white ones. You're never told whether this has any significance or not (it may just be for contrast with the black or white jacket). In a few shows (especially in THE GENERAL), you also see some sort of uniform composed of a top hat, black shades, and tails. It can be deduced that this indicates some sort of official position in the village (board member perhaps), and that anyone serving these roles wears these outfits during official events. The guards also wear a single color jumpsuit with shades, white sneakers, white club, and a white helmut. Other items seen are multi-color umbrellas, loafers, bland slacks, pullovers, and sunglasses with narrow slits or b/w checkers. There were also the maid uniforms, the butler's clothes, the Doctor coats, and in FALL OUT we see white hooded coats with b/w masks, and the judges outfit. EPISODE GUIDE [to be built here. I need a generic writeup, along with cast and date info - kgb] EPISODE ANALYSIS [The following is an analysis I did years ago - from memory believe it not not. It's a view of the village, as seen mostly from #6's eyes, as we learn more and more as the episodes progress - kgb] ARRIVAL We see the sequence of events concerning his capture (a slightly longer version than that used in the rest of the series). It is interesting that the doors to the office where he is submitting his resignation are labeled WAY OUT. He is dressed in the same clothes typical of John Drake in Secret Agent, and later shown in FALL OUT. He Learns about the village. That guards disguise themselves as prisoners, and that all equipment is controlled and observed. He meets rover, and learns that it can kill or knock out, and that the village will result to medical methods to extract information. He also learns there is no way out and there is also a nice graveyard. The village actually knows the real the reason for his resignation ("personally I believe your story and think it was a matter of principle"), but does not believe it (meaning he goes through the rest of the persecution for nothing). #6's reasons also match the personality of the John Drake of the Secret Agent series. This is 1 of 2 episodes where #2 changes in the same show. This is the only show where #6 wears his number, and only for a few seconds. The village's first attempt to use female seduction to gain information flatly fails (the maid for his apartment). The village has an old people's home, graveyard, privately labeled products (food, helicoptor, etc). CHIMES OF BIG BEN (Original and alternative versions) #6 learns that #2 and the other gardians are really prisoners also (they know too much to be let go). His reason for resignation is confirmed by his "almost" confession ("It was a matter of conscience, for a very long time now I felt that..."), the only time he comes close to confessing. He learns that some of his old superiors are "in" on the village; but since he isn't really in London, it is too early to state which side runs the village (his "friends" could simply be double agents). This is the second attempt to use female seduction. He also learns rover is bullet-proof. We learn that there is no alcohol in the village. We also learn that there are places in the village where you can be seen but not heard, that an "orange" alert releases rover, and that rover's "home" is the sea. This episode is also significant because it's the only one where #6 "gives in" a little and makes a deal concerning his stay (that he will settle down a bit, but not give any information), setting the stage for the remainder of the series. The "polish border" and "baltic" information cannot be trusted as fact because it was given by the girl who was really a gardian, so the location of the village is still secret. If the original episode order is used, this episode would be later in the series. This would suggest that #6 gave in a little after some time passed (not a thought I like, it's more in character that he decided to give in to simply help the girl). It is also interesting that the girl uses the same excuse for capture ("all I did was resign") as #6 to gain his trust. #6 is the only resident to enter the art exhibition without something that resembles #2 ("where is #2?"). We learn that #6 cannot speak or understand polish. We see that there are 2 smaller Rovers that help in transporting individuals. A B & C The village learns that #6 did not resign because of an intent to sell out. #6 learns that the village has the ability to drug his water supply. We learn that the village can monitor and manipulate dreams. (By the way, the male character at the party that he has a run-in with also played a similar "evil" character in Secret Agent). We learn that the reason #6 was packing just before his capture was to escape on a holiday after resigning This episode has an error in that the female Dr.'s statement made earlier in the village does NOT correctly match the one made by the "dream" girl ("We all make mistakes, sometimes we have to"), which triggered #6's doubt about her identity. Listen and compare for yourself. [Personal note: I think the use of the mirror to straight out the dream was great! Anyone else notice that the image in the mirror had a different facial expression than #6?] FREE FOR ALL Physical violence is used against him (#2's thugs beat him in the end) in an attempt to deflate his hope/punish him/torture him, making this one of the most violent episodes in the series (second only to FALL OUT). He also learns that the elections are false. We learn that there is some sort of hidden society, accessable through #2's office (3 men around rover are seen). This is revealed in detail in FALL OUT. This is the first female #2, although it is not revealed until the very end. #6 desires to rebel by finding and consuming alcohol. #6 learns about the existance of the caves. We also get a feel for the gardian's ability of incorporating the use of the "citizens" in the plot. We see again the 2 smaller Rovers that help in transporting individuals. SCHIZIOD MAN Nothing really learned about the village here, except the more about the depth of their ability to get all "citizens" to co-operate in a falsehood. We learn that rover can run on an "automatic pilot", and may kill when not desired. We learn that #6's beadroom lamp is also an electronic mind control device (a fact he discovers later). We also learn that #6 is a boxing and fencing champ, and that he smokes (just as John Drake did). PM meant this episode to explore what exactly does make a person different and important to himself and others. [Personal note: I feel that this show is THE BEST attempt EVER at having an actor play his double!] THE GENERAL It actually seems like the village has discovered something more intersting than #6, and pretty much ignores him until he interferes. #6 learns that there are officials in the village who want to rebel (who are also prisoners?). This is also the first return of a previous #2. MANY HAPPY RETURNS Important show (strange when you realize that this is also one of the 5 "filler" episodes). #6 learns the location of the village by record keeping and tracking, and that his home and car are being maintained by the village. You can also deduce that the village is run by "his" side because there is evidence of a future attempt by his people to investigate his story after his recapture (even though the next episode shows that the "outside" thinks #6 is dead, they would still have checked the village for others of their side that are missing). The fact that his "file" was so complete in episode #1, and that #6 was previously betrayed by friends in episode #2, add to this deduction. This is the second show with a female #2, and you are given the feeling that the reason he was allowed to escape was as a "birthday present". We also learn that it has been several months (a "gap" of months) since his capture. This is the only episode where he is referred to by a name (Peter Smith), but an obviously false one. This is the first time a cat is seen in the village. DANCE OF THE DEAD Great and complex episode. #6 learns that, as far as the outside world is concerned, he is dead (eliminating much hope of an outside rescue). We learn that he can be seen through his TV and that it cannot be covered up, and that he can be seen in his bathroom. This is the third female #2. We get a real feeling for how lonely the village is for him, and the total lack of privacy prevailing. We learn that he is locked in at night, and forced to sleep by drugs, hypnosis, and possibly other means. We also learn that he does not know how the food arrives, and that every "resident" gets a person assigned to watch him regularly. #6 learns that his apartment lamp serves in hypnosis attempts. #6 uses the caves (discovered in an earlier episode) to hide a body. It is learned that the village will terminate people who have lost their usefulness (another incentive for the Prisoner to hold out and escape), and that the village does keep contact with the outside world (remember the telex). #6 befriends the cat seen in the previous episode, only to learn that it to belongs to the village. The Prisoner admits that he would never commit suicide as a means of escape. This episode is often considered one of the best episodes, second only to Once upon a Time. Many symbolisms exist (the only person with a name and acts as his character witness is dressed as a fool, the "judges" include Napoleon and Caesar, #2 is dressed as Peter Pan - implying that this is a never-never land, #6's costume is his old clothes - implying that his former self is fantasy). DO NOT FORSAKE ME, OH MY DARLING We learn that #6 was engaged to the boss's daughter, and that there are secrets he has kept from his own people in attempts to help others. His car is referred to as "His Lotus", and we learn that it has now been a year since his disappearence (quite a long time). The opening sequence in this show is slightly different than the "standard" opening. PM meant this episode to question the importance of one's own body to their identity. This episode has a plot flaw: If the village was able to transfer a mind, why didn't the process work in reverse, and why didn't the village use it afterwards in any case (the process was still useful as is)? This episode was one of the "filler" shows. IT'S YOUR FUNERAL #6 learns that the village betrays (and kills) its own people, that the previous #2's were "TEMPS" while the real one was away, and that some people rebel by jaming (reporting false information). This is the second episode where there are two #2's in 1 show. We also see #6's busy daily schedule, confirming that he has settled down and has some interaction with fellow villagers. We learn, through taped "glimpses" of past #2's, that there have been several #2's not seen in the actual series (including some females). This confirms that a longer passage of time exists than the series depicts. CHECKMATE #6 learns how to tell the gardians from the prisoners. He now knows that the shop keeper and some others we often see are prisoners. Although this is VERY useful; remember that the village can "break" or manipulate people, causing people to change sides. This is probably why #6 does not use others in future escape/rebellion plans once the village learned of his discovery. We learn that the village has boats as well as helicopters. LIVING IN HARMONY Nothing learned, although the "youth" who fails to prove himself by this new procedure eventually re-appears in FALLOUT as a rebel, and with a different number (implying numbers change with status?). The plot of the western is much the same as The Prisoner show itself. This is one of the few episodes to open without the resignation sequence, and is a "filler" episode. CHANGE OF MIND We learn that many villagers resent and dislike #6, even to provoking fights. It is also confirmed that the village doesn't want to do permanent harm to him, with the hope that one day #6 will be on their side. We learn that the normal procedure for prisoners with #6's personality and methods is brain surgery, but this is being prevented by #2 and higher ups due to his importance. HAMMER INTO ANVIL We learn that the flag pole has a gun system. Also interesting is that the classical song by Bizet, referenced throughout the episode, is about a lover avenging the death of his girl - the same plot of the episode itself. THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH This episode revealed that there are children in the village, although they are never seen in any other episodes. This show is one of the few that does not open with the resignation sequence. ONCE UPON A TIME The village contracts, against his desire, the only #2 that was able to relate to #6 as a person - the #2 that came closest to getting a confession from #6. This is the second time a #2 returns. This #2 places his life on the line, and learns the most about #6. #6 learns that #2 is much like himself and rebelled, but was eventually broken. #6 again states his reason for resignation ("Too many people knowing too many things..."). We also glimpse #6's childhood, and see that he has rebelled all his life against conformity. We also see that #6 feels that some things are more important than the law. It is confirmed that #6 has boxing and fencing experience. (By the way, it is a truth that most secret agents were previously accountants of some sort - good with figures). POP goes the weasle is a dominate theme of this show, possibly being a tie-in to the "POP" reference in the lost "CHIMES" episode, or "Protect Other People" The bedroom lamp device is used again. Rover is seen in #2's sphere-chair. Some of the underground system is revealed (we learn that #2 sleeps there). It is mentioned that the large "cage" is a mobil home of some sort. We learn that the butler serves the position of #2, not the person (which is good, since the people keep changing). In the middle of this episode, when #2 starts to fall apart, the butler starts serving #6 (since whoever leaves the room alive is the new #2). FALL OUT This show is one of the few that does not open with the resignation sequence. The remainder of the underground system is revealed. The most violent of the episodes, where #6 actually results to murder to escape (John Drake didn't believe in it, so this would be an extreme lowering of morals if it was the same man). He learns that the village can even bring people back from the dead (under certain conditions probably). He meets #1 and learns that all rebels who are hopeless cases are strapped into a rocket for explusion from the earth, and that there is an empty container for him (unlabeled). This proves that the village never intended to fulfill their offer of release. Leo McKern is the only #2 to appear in 3 episodes. The location of the village is confirmed not to be an island because it is accessable via road. There are LOTS of symbolism in this show (black/white face masks where the black side is smiling and white is frowning, name plates like "anarchy" and "education", #1 being #6, his apt door automatically opening (which it did not do in previous episodes that showed his apt), the ending show sequence matching the opening, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE playing while mass slaughter is taking place, his escape using a mobile prison, etc). This is also the only episode where PORTMERION is mentioned in the credits. The village offers #6 a million in traveler's checks, helping prove it is a high finance operation (rockets aren't cheap either). The butler rebels against the village by first revealing to #6 (armed with a fire extinguisher) where the guards are hiding, using the extinguisher himself, firing machine guns, driving the getaway "mobile home" truck, and finally entering #6's home. The DRY BONES theme is PM's intentional reference to the DRY BONES chapter of the bible, Ezekile 37 (which is also what the song was based on). You may want to read this. The WELL COME sigh seems to be an apathetic answer by the village in ackowledgement of #6's triumph. Rover is destroyed in this episode (this is the only episode whose ending credits don't include rover, or prison bars). We also learn there are a FLEET of helicoptors in the village. Note: The dance that #6 performs in front of the cop is similar to the one #48 performed in the "courtroom". MISCELLANEOUS FACTS Although he intentionally used it to his advantage, part of the reason a #1 appears on the home of the prisoner is because the REAL apartment door used for the filming is apt #1, located on Buckingham Place in London. Currently, Patrick McGoohan lives in the north-western U.S. Leo McKern had a breakdown during the filming of ONCE UPON A TIME because of the intensity of the episode. FALL OUT was filmed and aired months after ONCE UPON A TIME. This is why during the "resurection" scene of #2 his beard is shaved off, and why Leo had shorter hair. Isn't it interesting that both PM and LM made films with Gene Wilder? Using a weather balloon for rover was a last-minute decision. There was suppose to be a robot-like electronic device, but it failed to work properly during filming. The decision was made at the last minute to use something else on the set, so a large number of weather balloons were obtained. The public was so outraged by the content of the last episode that PM had to go into hiding for a short while to avoid being badgered by the press. Most people were disappointed about the end (many wanted #1 to end up being the Butler). The "Man behind the desk" during the resignation sceen is George Markstein In real life, the "village" (Portmeirion, Wales) is VERY small and seems larger in the show because of film editing. Those that have visited the place get a kick out of seeing #6 take routes that don't really lead to the shown destinations. McGoohan also wrote/directed episodes under the name "Paddy Fitz", and directed some under the name of Joseph Serf. Ron Grainer, who did most of the supporting music for the show, also did the theme for Dr. Who and other U.K. TV shows. The garage that PM drives his Lotus into where he passes underneath the gate before it lifts is located in London. The episodes of SECRET AGENT where "The Village" is featured are episode 1 ("View from the Villa"), and episode 37 ("Under the Lake"). The episode that featured the basic "Prisoner" theme was "Colony Three". YES YES! That IS #6's face behind the mask in FALL OUT! PM even states so in "The Prisoner Puzzle", a Canadian publication of the 70's. The ape mask was an intentional reference to evolution. For corrections or additions: Keith G. Barrett barrett@aminet.uucp The NEW number six ;-) [end]