It is quite on the cards, that the reason why the Prisoner resigned was of secondary importance to the Village administration. It wasn't the reason why the Prisoner resigned that eventually saw him abducted to the Village, it was the act of resigning that did that.
Few No.2's were charged with obtaining the reason behind No.6 resignignation, and finally when No.2 did actually obtain that information, it didn't seem to matter. No.6, in 'Once Upon A Time,' told No.2 why he resigned. "For peace of mind. Becasue too mnay people know too much, I know too much about you!" he told No.2. But apparently No.2 wasn't listening, because he asked No.6 to tell him again, but No.6 wsn't one for reapeating himself, "You've been told."
I wonder if the reason why the Prisoner resigned was simply a quest for information, to make up the Priosners personal file, after all No.2 od 'Arrival' told the Prisoner that they like to know everything, and the Prisoners persoanl file would be missing the reason why he resigned, as it was supposedly missing the Prisoner time of birth, althoiugh that was deliberate. No.2 thought that if the Prisone would give the time of his birth, that all the rest would follow, he was wrong, and his predecessor during 'The Chimes of Big Ben' was also wrong!
Be seeing you
Regarding 'Caught On Camera' dated April 3rd, here's one of my takes on the resignation sequence...
ReplyDeleteRemember David Davis's portrayal of Professor Moriarty in 'Star Trek TNG' - particularly the episode 'Ship In A Bottle'?
In this episode, Moriarty wishes to escape from the holodeck and live out his life in the real World as a real person with a new identity.
If we transfer this fascinating context to 'The Prisoner', it would appear that the character John Drake has similar allusions and is confronting his script editor George Markstein in a similar manner in which Moriarty confronted Captain Picard!
John Drake's fictional B&W world is symbolised in his resignation photo, but he is denied the real World (eventhough it's in colour)just as Moriarty was denied in Star Trek. Like Moriarty, John Drake merely enters what APPEARS to be reality and is doomed to be a prisoner for ever!
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Hello Steve,
DeleteI was never really a fan of 'Star Trek TNG' too much talking for my personal liking, and not enough action. But I like your way of thinking, such imagination, I feel there's a short story in that, or a cartoon strip at the very least, Drake escaping forever to be a Prisoner.
I myself wrote a short story, thus far un-published, about Ryker being in 'the Prisoner.' Suffice to say that the Village had been created on the Holodeck.
Regards
David
BCNU
Like you, my obsession for 'The Prisoner' as far as collecting is concerned has more or less come to an end. I still collect McGoohan's films on DVD but I no longer cut out every article I see or squat over the DVD recorder waiting in vain for a promo or ad to air. I used to get cramp as week in and week out I'd prepare to hit 'record' during tv quiz shows and interviews. Occasionally I'd be rewarded with a clip of 'Hammer' or a mention of McGoohan. Once - even team of contestants dressed up as 'Villagers' on 'Telly Addicts' to represent their tv show.
ReplyDeleteNaturally, I will always hang onto my Annuals, Paperbacks, DVD's, Autographs ...etc...etc... but there comes a time you ask yourself "Do I really NEED that?" or "Do I ever LOOK at that?" It's like leaving 'Six Of One'. You grow wings and feel strangely cleansed.
These days I can enjoy 'The Prisoner' without actually BEING a prisoner!
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Ah Steve, those were the days,collecting neswspapers, magazines, anything which only briefly mention 'the Prisoner,' collecting newspaper and magazine cuttings, recording any TV programme that has anything to do with 'the Prisoner,' like you I've been there, and wondered why? But I don't do it any more. I've even had a purge of McGoohan's films I've collected over the years, keeping less than a handful.
DeleteLike you I have spread my wings since leaving Six of One, and having done, my enthusiasm, my appreciation of 'the Prisoner' was renewed, reinvigorated, but unfortunately, I'm still a Prisoner of 'the Prisoner, like Number 2 and Number 6, I am definately a 'lifer.'
Kind Regards
David
Be seeing you
By placing 'A, B & C' after 'Schizoid' (in my screening order, 'Returns' sits between them due to dates and the reappearance of Mrs Butterworth) we can assume that No14 is catching up on 'Village' activities as she's seen reading the same edition of The Tally Ho that No6 looks at in 'Schizoid'.
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Hi Steve,
DeleteYes, perhaps reading about the Village activities such as The Village Festival, and news that No.6 has died in an accident at sea, as the original script for 'Many Happy Returns' has it, No.6's death in an accident at sea, reported in The Tally Ho!
Regards
David
BCNU
Frustratingly, I only managed to take part in reinactments at conventions ONCE! I played No2 on the balcony scene from 'A Change Of Mind' so although I ended up getting chased - I never got to utter a single line!
ReplyDeleteMy last convention would have been in 1992, and so I don't recall David's performances I'm afraid. I was always critical at the way No6's lines were delivered, particularly when he's announcing he's running for office. There's a particularly sarcastic way McGoohan says 'election' in the line "I intend to run for office in election!"
The only time I DID manage to play No6 was on one of many London Walkabouts. It was the scene with the policeman on the street corner overlooking the Houses of Parliament - so once again...NO LINES!
Hello Steve,
DeleteI would have been at the 'Con' in 1992, and one of citizens chasing you along the street to the Green Dome, if memory serves. It is a pity you had no lines as Number 2.
As far as I can recall, one of my first perfomances was playing No.6 opposite to Steve Dix as No.2 in a re-enactment during Max's Village Tour in 1990. But before that I was the tally Ho reporter No.113 in the Election parade, my first ever role in a re-enactment that same year.
What amazed me is, how people performing in re-enactments said their lines without any sense of feeling, while at the same time often reading their lines from the script!
Regards
David
BcNu
I'm reminded of the pianist in 'Q9' reading his lines during the sketches. That's the only time it worked!
DeleteAt least Tony Hancock tried to disguise it!
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