Staff Recommendation #17: The Prisoner

"I am not a number, I am a free man!"

In June 1968, CBS broadcast The Prisoner, a show that was unlike anything that had been on television before, or, some may say, since. An English import, originally produced by ITC, it starred Patrick McGoohan as the prisoner. McGoohan was known to US television audiences as John Drake in  the successful Secret Agent (aka Danger Man).

The premise of The Prisoner is the story of a spy who, after resigning from the agency he worked for, wakes up in The Village (surrounded by the sea and mountains) where no one has a name and everyone is referred to by a number. Our agent is known as Number Six, a title he never uses for himself. The Village is run by Number Two, who isn't always the same person.

The goal of The Village seems to be to keep people with important information from sharing those secrets with the wrong people. As for Number Six, the authorities want to know why he resigned. Number Six is not about to tell them, even though they seem to know a lot about him and offer him a position of great authority if he reveals his reasons.

Throughout the series, many devices are used to get Number Six to share his secrets. Some of those devices are brainwashing, drugs, manipulation, and deceit. Number Six also tries to escape The Village on many occasions, but with little success. No one ever escapes The Village. Any attempts made are usually stopped by Rover, a large balloon-like object that smothers people.

Although not officially credited, Patrick McGoohan came up with the idea for the show during the final season of Secret Agent Man. McGoohan supposedly had five or six good script ideas, but ITC executives wanted 30 episodes, which was standard for the time. It's also been reported that McGoohan had a seven episode mini-series in mind, but ITC wanted 26. Seventeen episodes were made, which is an unusual amount. There are different reports as to why. Some say that they ran out of story ideas, and others say the show cost too much money and was taking too long in production.

Despite the choppy production schedule, the show is given a resolution of sorts. Of course, the ending is very open for interpretation and has been debated by fans and critics over the years.

Whatever the story behind the number of episodes or how the show ended, The Prisoner is still one of the most interesting and unique shows ever made. I discovered the show about 20 years ago and found it intriguing, entertaining, and thought provoking. The show reflected the issues of its time -- the Vietnam War, recreational drug use, and alternative life styles, among others. It also takes a look at the control that organizations can have over people. Number Six fights against whoever is trying to manipulate him. As he so famously says in many episodes, "I am not a number, I am a free man!"

The popularity of the show has endured for almost 50 years. Like many other cult shows, there is a fan club (Six of One) which holds an annual convention in Portmeirion, Wales, the filming location for the Village.

If you like your television thought-provoking as well as highly entertaining, then make sure to check out this incredible show.


-- Post by Tracy