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Sunday 18 December 2016

Generally Speaking!

   Number 2 has been speaking to Number 1. Well we assume its Number 1, certainly Number 2’s caller is male as he calls him sir. He makes a number of reassurances, that there is no problem, that they are getting a hundred percent co-operation from everyone, and Number 2 is anticipating a truly exciting result. And about the Professor, well that was just a mild aberration, a couple days rest and adjustment and he’ll be doing everything they’ll need. And Number 2 will keep in close touch, in the closest touch.
   “Probably the most important human experiment we’ve ever had to conduct, he’s treating it like a military exercise.” If I were Number 2 I’d keep my thoughts closely guarded, let alone speak them out loud, even to just myself, you never know who might be listening!
   Just a minute! That telephone……it’s the normal ‘L’ shape, not that over-sized red curved phone this Number 2 is forced to use in ‘A B and C,’ why’s that then? Is it an indication that ‘A B and C’ should have featured in the series after ‘The General?’

    I should have imagined that once Number 2 had used that curved phone in the one episode he’d have to use it in the other. But then ‘The General’ was produced before ‘A B and C,’ so that phone must have come in later. Only two actors were forced to use that over-sized red telephone, Colin Gordon and Patrick Cargill, although there was another two Number 2’s to have the phone on their desk. That was in ‘Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling,’ and ‘The Girl Who Was Death,’ except in those episodes we do not see either Clifford Evens or Kenneth Griffith use the telephone. Number 1 also had that same red, curved, over-sized telephone but he was never seen to use it!

Be seeing you

4 comments:

  1. Technically speaking, why would one need such a huge device? Although I never took notice as to how many time this particular telephone has been seen in the series, it appears reasonable that its almost sole purpose would have been to signalise how much No. 2 was under the thumb of the unseen No. 1. - BCNU!

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    1. Hello Arno,
      It's a ridiculously over-sized telephone. It's interesting that only two actors actually use that telephone in the entire series, Colin Gordon and Patrick Cargill. And when they do they look ridiculous themselves, is that the point, Patrick McGoohan making them both look ridiculous? I've often wondered.

      Best regards
      David
      BCNU

      Delete
  2. Honestly, I've never given that a thought. But it's true. Much depends on the character - perhaps not just the role's but also the actor's... Will we ever know? - BCNU!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Arno,
      I shouldn't think we'll ever know now, its all too long ago now, and far too late!

      Best regards
      David
      BCNU

      Delete