The Therapy Zone

Why The Cross Piece?

    I recall that a little two decades ago there was much discussion about the religious content to be found in the Prisoner series within the realms of Prisoner appreciation. Much of the discussion came from those of a high religious disposition, and not being of such, I never became involved.

    Yet according to it's creator Patrick McGoohan, who is on record as saying there was never meant to be any religious content to be found in the Prisoner  series. Well I suppose there is the church door mention at the exhibition of 'Arts & Crafts' during The Chimes of Big Ben when it came to the committee discussing No.6's abstract piece of sculpture. But that was only a guess about the church door, and instantly agreed upon by No.6 about this aspect of his sculpture, this as he then makes some, off the cuff, symbolic declarations about the sculpture. Yes, there is also the 'cross piece,' not a cross in the religious sense, but a spar which would be attached to the mast via ropes, and in turn for the sail to be fixed to. The sail being No.38's tapestry with the face of No.2, which gave the sail an almost Viking look about it.

    Although there is no church in the village, no chapel, Mosque, or any other place where those of a religious disposition can go to worship. There was the song "Dem Bones" or "Dem Dry Bones" sung by No.48 during his trial in Fall Out, and from Ezekiel chapter 37 verse 14 where the Prophet Ezekiel visits the valley of dry bones. But of course "Dem dry Bones" was turned into a pop song, sung by The Four Lads, after re-recording a special recording for the Prisoner, along with the Mike Sammes Singers. Certainly this song, along with No.48, causes mayhem and distraction for not only the members of the assembly, but the President and security guards alike. Although I think for the songs own sake, rather than for any religious aspect the song might conjour up.

 Blown To Bits At The Wicket – That Must Have Been A Bit Nasty!

   I can think of better ways to die, and better causes to die for. But the Colonel- Colonel Hawke-Englishe was a brave man, and a man in the field - being on the trail of the mad Professor Schnipps as he was at the time of his untimely death. Well it certainly wasn't cricket!

   So here we have another side to the Prisoner - horror - and all it takes is a little imagination. Because try to imagine if you will, what those spectators would have seen as the bowler bowls the ball, and with a bounce on the wicket makes contact with the Colonel's cricket bat. Then the loud report, smoke and flame, blood and guts all over the stumps and wicket-keeper. It must have been a terrible sight to look upon, for players and spectators alike. Almost as devastating, I should think, as the bomb, concealed in the Great Seal of Office in the episode Its Your Funeral, would have been - if it had been detonated on the balcony during the "Appreciation Day" ceremony.

Be seeing you