The Prisoner ('67-'68)- best mini-series Evah? by chrisisall

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

The Prisoner ('67-'68)- best mini-series Evah?

POSTED BY: CHRISISALL
UPDATED: Saturday, July 3, 2010 09:07
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VIEWED: 3175
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Monday, June 14, 2010 2:33 PM

I showed the series to my Son, & now he wants to see Number 6 before he resigned (he's seen every ep like three times now

).

So... I ordered Secret Agent (AKA: Danger Man) set 3 from a seller on Amazon- it was the only one cheap enough to afford.
Now I'm screwed. If he loves THAT too, I gotta get the new complete set due out Sept. 28.

In any case, how many peeps here think The Prisoner was WAAAAY ahead of its time?
Was it the best mini-series ever?
Did the last episode freak you out?
Did you see Ice Station Zebra just because McGoohan was in it & had the ep "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" written so he could take time off to be in it?
Was/is English TV aimed at a higher intellectual point than American TV?
Is Mal the overly-emotional equivalent of the anti-establishment #6?
Did Rover give you nightmares as a kid?

And of course, who was Number 1?

The not-a-number Chrisisall

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Monday, June 14, 2010 4:46 PM

CHRISISALL

Rover bump

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:13 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

To take your points in order:

How many peeps here think The Prisoner was WAAAAY ahead of its time? - That's a definite yes, perhaps it still is.

Was it the best mini-series ever? - Quite possibly, can't think of a better one right now.

Did the last episode freak you out? - Yes, as it was intended to do, and I loved it.

Did you see Ice Station Zebra just because McGoohan was in it? - IIRC, the only time I've ever seen Zebra was as a "sneak preview," meaning it ran in front of the advertised feature film and I didn't know what it was going to be. I may have seen it before I ever saw The Prisoner, can't say for sure.

Was/is English TV aimed at a higher intellectual point than American TV? - You're joking right? Ever seen Benny Hill?

Is Mal the overly-emotional equivalent of the anti-establishment #6? - Don't really see a connection there.

Did Rover give you nightmares as a kid? - I was a pretty big kid by that time, so no.

And of course, who was Number 1? - That would be telling.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:48 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Originally posted by chrisisall:

Quote:
In any case, how many peeps here think The Prisoner was WAAAAY ahead of its time?

Me!!! Still is.

Quote:
Was it the best mini-series ever?

Actually for British TV it was quite a long running show :D But yes. Possibly the most inventive and thought provoking. Best ever is tricky to say. There are folk who regard our period drama's as good and the best ever so tough to call.

Quote:
Did the last episode freak you out?

Certainly not. I loved the open ending. Something the writers on LOST learnt from. If a show ends things with all threads tied up then it really leaves you little to talk about thereafter. Fourty years later and we're still able to debate the shows finer points - which is key to it's longevity.

Quote:
Did you see Ice Station Zebra just because McGoohan was in it & had the ep "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" written so he could take time off to be in it?

No. I liked McGoohan. But I seldom watch a film for it's actor. Unless they're from the Firefly crew. (Sands of Oblivion anyone?)

Quote:
Was/is English TV aimed at a higher intellectual point than American TV?

Nahhhhh!!!! We have some high-brow stuff certainly - but so do you guys. Let's face it most British TV folk find the bulk of their work over in the States anyway, so It's not by any means exclusive.

Quote:
Is Mal the overly-emotional equivalent of the anti-establishment #6?

Hell no. I don't know if you can be 'Anti' if you join up?

Quote:
Did Rover give you nightmares as a kid?

Nah.... I loved that thing :D

Quote:
And of course, who was Number 1?

There is no number one - just like there is no SMOKE monster :P

Keep 'em guessing it's the best trick in the business

Cartoons - http://cirqusartsandmusic.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:05 AM

LWAVES

I'll take your points in order as well.

[i[How many peeps here think The Prisoner was WAAAAY ahead of its time?
Easily and to back up the others it still is. I think some shows have started to approach the ideas and themes seen in The Prisoner but none have got close enough yet.

Was it the best mini-series ever?
No. It was (and is) the most original series ever. But it's not the easiest show to watch, as much as I love it.

Did the last episode freak you out?
No. I love open endings which leave you thinking and wondering about them long after the show is over.

Did you see Ice Station Zebra just because McGoohan was in it
Yes actually I did. And I thought he was the best thing in Braveheart as well.

Had the ep "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" written so he could take time off to be in it?
I didn't actually know that so I've learnt something today.

Was/is English TV aimed at a higher intellectual point than American TV?
I think Brit TV aimed at a more intellectual level first and set the way but overall I'd have to say no, especially since the 90's. As for comedies then it would be a definite yes. Most US comedies I've seen are what I call 'dumb' comedies. Whereas Brit comedies {sometimes} seem to be on a different level of understanding. There are, of course, exceptions on both sides.

Is Mal the overly-emotional equivalent of the anti-establishment #6?
I think I see what you're getting at but have to say no. There are some similarities but that's it.

Did Rover give you nightmares as a kid?
No, but when I went to Portmeiron I was disappointed that I didn't get chased by one when I went on the beach.

And of course, who was Number 1?
I was, am and always shall be.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:07 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
who was Number 1? - That would be telling.

JUST in case you or anyone else here didn't read this on my other thread long ago (I know Lwaves & Som did), here's my literal interpretation (theory) of the last episode's reveal:

In the early sixties, a group of daring but foolish scientists decided to clone the finest secret agent on *our* side in the hopes of creating a super-army of elite agents/soldiers. Their clear choice was John Drake (Bond being just fiction, of course), but in cloning him (without his knowledge), they didn't realize that their clone would be quite mad, and it ended up killing the scientists & thrashing the op.
The clone then became obsessed with finding out who his "Original" was, but didn't like the idea meeting him personally. He infiltrated governments, and some year's time ended up creating "The Village" where he could wield his twisted power & keep sight of his doppelganger while supposedly keeping world state secrets safe.
When Drake resigned, this fascinated the clone, as giving up such a position of personal power was something he would never do. He seized the opportunity (and Drake) and began his vicious grilling. Drake's ability to resist drove the clone (#1) to the edge, destroying what little sanity he had left. He forsook all else in favour of "their most important member."
In "Fall Out" the farcical "transference of power" ceremony we see is actually the clone losing it (even though the participants believe this is another attempt to break #6). Later, after seeing "himself," the clone laughs hysterically as he & the Village will soon be destroyed by the missile that launches up, then comes down to confuse the tracking systems of the day as a wayward unidentified weapon during which the area is wiped clean. Confronting Drake was just too much for him.

I sometimes think too much, clearly.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:06 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
I liked McGoohan. But I seldom watch a film for it's actor.

What about Danger Mou-errr..Man?

I haven't seen it since I was my Son's age, but I remember liking it a lot. It'll be nice to see even just the eight episodes I ordered.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:18 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Y'know what 'C' - Dangerman and I have never crossed paths. I don't know why but I have completely missed it... I'll keep an eye out for it but it's one of those shows that just passed me by.

Still like your clone theory for The Prisoner :D But just what is the significance of the Pennyfarthing????????

Cartoons - http://cirqusartsandmusic.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:27 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
just what is the significance of the Pennyfarthing????????

Ummm... than money buys everything- except # 6???

just reachin' here...

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:34 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
What about Danger Mou-errr..Man?

I haven't seen it since I was my Son's age, but I remember liking it a lot. It'll be nice to see even just the eight episodes I ordered.

The laughing Chrisisall

I wasn't around when Danger Man was originally on (or The Prisoner for that matter) and I've never seen it repeated so I never got to see this show either, although I've always heard really good things about it and would like to see it.

As for your take on the Prisoner ending I can't remember what I originally said about it but I like it. I'd have to re-familiarise myself with the show before saying what I agree/disagree with.

And yes you probably have overthought it but I do that all the time with shows or movies that get to me in a good way. It's a peril of being pulled into the plot. I'd say at lot of folks on here suffer from that looking at how much Joss's work has been dissected.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:03 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Could it be that trying to ride a pennyfarthing is a futile and pointless means of travel, reflecting the endeavour by number six to try and escape?

Who were the other villagers?
...and why were they so content?

How many numbers are there?
Can their be a zero....?

Hmmm

Cartoons - http://cirqusartsandmusic.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:07 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

I wasn't around when Danger Man was originally on and I've never seen it repeated so I never got to see this show either, although I've always heard really good things about it and would like to see it.

I found the theme song on Youtube & the memories of seeing the show as a kid on Channel 5 in New York came flooding back. It WAS a great show! Very dark & serious. Think From Russia With Love with a TV budget & no sex or meaningless killing.
Or- an action version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:19 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Could it be that trying to ride a pennyfarthing is a futile and pointless means of travel, reflecting the endeavour by number six to try and escape?

Maybe it's simply that a pennyfarthing is difficult to balance on. And life in the Village is off balance, as is life in the world outside it, it turns out.
(?)

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:35 PM

CHRISISALL

Ec, have you ever seen Danger Man/Secret Agent?

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 12:57 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

I wasn't around when Danger Man was originally on and I've never seen it repeated so I never got to see this show either, although I've always heard really good things about it and would like to see it.

I found the theme song on Youtube & the memories of seeing the show as a kid on Channel 5 in New York came flooding back. It WAS a great show! Very dark & serious. Think From Russia With Love with a TV budget & no sex or meaningless killing.
Or- an action version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

The laughing Chrisisall

Chris you bar steward!!

Now I want to see it even more as you compared it to Tinker Tailor. That was a fantastic show with the late, great Sir Alec Guiness - a true gentleman of acting and I've heard he was a really nice guy as well. And funny.

As for the pennyfarthing maybe it's something about a person sitting up high (Number 1 or 2) controlling the big wheel (The Village) and trying to control the little wheel (Number 6) but the little wheel will always be seperate (the design of the pennyfarthing meaning that the two wheels don't directly connect via a chain etc) but the little wheel is needed for balance to make the rest work.
Does that make sense?

Or maybe it's just a strange bicycle that fits with the oddness of the village.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 1:27 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Ec, have you ever seen Danger Man/Secret Agent?

I saw a bit of it back in the mid-'60s but I think it was on a channel out of Dallas that we didn't pick up too well most of the time. I have next to no memory of any of it, but I was aware of it and loved the theme song. I naturally assumed No. 6 was John Drake.

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:28 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

Chris you bar steward!!
Now I want to see it even more as you compared it to Tinker Tailor.

Remember ACTION version...not quite LeCarre stuff.

Quote:

As for the pennyfarthing maybe it's something about a person sitting up high (Number 1 or 2) controlling the big wheel (The Village) and trying to control the little wheel (Number 6) but the little wheel will always be seperate (the design of the pennyfarthing meaning that the two wheels don't directly connect via a chain etc) but the little wheel is needed for balance to make the rest work.
Does that make sense?

Actually that's BRILLIANT!!!!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 3:37 PM

CATPIRATE

The IQ today with tv shows is not there. Ya have to go to HBO. But English shows are still better. One of my favorites was Cracker and the Irish one Bally Kissangel. Ice Station Zebra is topps. If anybody has a list of today shows I would like to check them out.

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Thursday, June 17, 2010 7:48 AM

CLJOHNSTON108

Ahhhh, yes! The folks watched it when I was six, and all I remember from then was jumping behind the sofa when Rover came on.

As I grew up, I tried watching it when it came on PBS and then CBS Late Night, but I'd kinda give up after 3 episodes or so.

Sometime between '87 & '90, when I was working at a gadget-y shop at the Westside Pavilion in West L.A., Mr. McGoohan came in!
I told him how much Rover terrified me as a wee lad, and he shrugged and said, "Yeah, well, they're still out there!" before amblin' off. How cool is that!

After he died, I tracked down that digitally-remastered 40th Anniversary DVD from Network, as well as every scrap of online info about the show and documentary/interview clips on YouTube, and spent a couple of weeks immersed in the realm of The Village.
http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=481

Then I got hold of Ice Station Zebra...

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Thursday, June 17, 2010 7:59 AM

CHRISISALL

This is one of the best interviews on The Prisoner I've ever seen from McGoohan.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Friday, July 2, 2010 11:08 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

Now I want to see it even more as you compared it to Tinker Tailor.

Okay, now that I've seen a few eps of Danger Man/Secret Agent for the first time in 35 years I have to say I can't think of why I liked it so much as a kid. It's very dry, with usually only one quick fight scene per ep to liven things up, otherwise it's very much like a talky stage play. Well written & acted, but very leisurely paced. I guess I just liked fairly intelligent stuff back then.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 12:13 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

Now I want to see it even more as you compared it to Tinker Tailor.
Okay, now that I've seen a few eps of Danger Man/Secret Agent for the first time in 35 years I have to say I can't think of why I liked it so much as a kid. It's very dry, with usually only one quick fight scene per ep to liven things up, otherwise it's very much like a talky stage play. Well written & acted, but very leisurely paced. I guess I just liked fairly intelligent stuff back then.

The laughing Chrisisall

Thanks for the update.
One day when I have nothing better to watch I might try and dig this show up and give it a go, but a part of the appeal of The Prisoner for me was that I didn't know what No.6 had done before. Whether he was actually based on Drake or not, the fact that I had no idea of what Drake had done before and No.6 wasn't talking about his past, added to the whole mystery of the character.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 3:45 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
Whether he was actually based on Drake or not, the fact that I had no idea of what Drake had done before and No.6 wasn't talking about his past, added to the whole mystery of the character.

In that case, McGoohan has stated many times that Number 6 is NOT Drake.
Let the mystery live on!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 7:27 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
In that case, McGoohan has stated many times that Number 6 is NOT Drake.
Let the mystery live on!

For that matter, if I interpreted the finale correctly, Number 6 wasn't even Number 6.

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 7:34 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
In that case, McGoohan has stated many times that Number 6 is NOT Drake.
Let the mystery live on!

For that matter, if I interpreted the finale correctly, Number 6 wasn't even Number 6.

That wasn't my take, but many theories are possible!

The laughing Chrisisall

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 8:44 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
Whether he was actually based on Drake or not, the fact that I had no idea of what Drake had done before and No.6 wasn't talking about his past, added to the whole mystery of the character.

In that case, McGoohan has stated many times that Number 6 is NOT Drake.
Let the mystery live on!

The laughing Chrisisall

Yeah, I've heard McGoohan say that a few times as well. And I don't know whether I believe him or not as he could be telling the truth, but....he was also a person that is very proud of The Prisoner and it's impact. If he thought that revealing his identity would take something away from the show then I think he'd cover it up by lying, and deepen the mystery. If nothing else it would make The Prisoner a spin-off or sequel and not a stand alone show in it's own right and I think McGoohan would prefer it seperate.

Am I right, Chris, that you believe it is Drake, despite McGoohan's denials?
Is there evidence in Danger Man to support it one way or the other?

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Saturday, July 3, 2010 9:07 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
Am I right, Chris, that you believe it is Drake, despite McGoohan's denials?

Oh, I think he is #6, yeah.

Quote:

Is there evidence in Danger Man to support it one way or the other?

Only a seeming concern for life that the characters share, and the same dry wit, as well as their preferred weapons of choice (fists).

The laughing Chrisisall

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