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Saturday 30 April 2011

Thought For The Day

   During their, what shall we call it,  role-playing between No.6 and No.2 in Once Upon A Time, I was wondering if the Butler actually gave No.6 six-of-the-best, a good caning? I mean the Butler was swishing that cane about pretty realistically, what's more No.6, as the pupil, had asked for twelve, so that he could remember. And as the headmaster was closing the door, No.6 can just be seen, bending over the organ stool!
BCNU

8 comments:

  1. Hi David,
    somehow I think the butler wouldn't have hesitated. Maybe he looked sorry after the job was done, but I might imagine he did it. Otherwise they had needed a substitue action in order not to interrupt the illusion.


    Best wishes
    Jana
    Be seeing you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jana,

      You may very well be right. Another case perhaps that this will hurt the butler, more than it will No.6! Somehow I doubt it!

      Kind regards
      David
      BCNU

      Delete
    2. Hello David,

      I doubt it too, I have to admit. But I'm not sure. If I think about it it is also possible that he gave No6 some of the best but maybe as gentle as possible.

      On the other hand the butler didn't hestitate to knock No6 down when he strangled No2. Or was this to protect No6 from becoming a murderer?

      Best wishes
      Jana
      BCNU

      Delete
    3. Hello Jana,

      Yes, the butler did stop No.6 from strangling No.2 to dead. Perhaps because No.2 was not supposed to die at the hands of No.6! But I do not see it as the butler protecting No.6, but No.2. Beacsue at that time No.2 was still the butlers master.

      During that struggle between No.6 and No.2 in 'Once Upon A Time, Patrick had really lost the plot, he was going at Leo with a real vengence. So much so that Leo thought Patrick was going to actually kill him!

      Kind regards
      David
      BCNU

      Delete
  2. Hello David,
    that's a good point, that No2 was still the butlers master. Therefore the butler certainly protected him.

    I think Once Upon A Time is disturbingly intensive. It's frightening to imagine that Patrick really might have lost the plot.. But it would also be frightening to image that he exactly knew what he was doing the whole time and acted just on calculation, in a way. Sometimes it's hard to tell whom of them is still acting, and whom is really reacting to the situation, isn't it? Poor Leo McKern has suffered a lot to make Patricks nightmare come true for him.

    Kind regards
    Jana
    BCNU

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Jana,

    In having suffered a nervous breakdown because of 'Once Upon a time,' I'm surprised that Leo Mckern allowed himself to be talked into coming back for 'Fall Out.' After his experience of acting with Patrick McGoohan in 'Once Upoin A Time, he said he would never act with him again!

    Kind regards
    David
    BCNU

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello David,
    yes, it would be very interesting to know why Leo McKern changed his mind. Maybe he saw - despite all troubles - that there's something in it. A missing link, so to say.

    Kind regards,
    Jana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jana,

      You could be right by what you suggest. But one thing is clear, if Leo McKern had said "NO" then that would have meant changes to the 'Fall Out' script, and I wonder how McGoohan would have handled that? Certainly if Leo had said no, then 'Fall Out' would simply have not been the same {although if he had we would never have known 'Fall Out' as it stands} because Leo McKern adds greatly to the episode through his acting and his character. I'm sure you will agree.

      Kind regards
      David
      BCNU

      Delete