The Therapy Zone

The Prisoner in Danger.........

.......... Of being drawn to the 'dark-side!'

    It has been both said and written of ‘the Prisoner’ that Number 6 was the alter ego of Number 1, who he was trying to beat. A good versus evil syndrome which has taken place many times in literature, television and films alike over the years, decades and past centuries. But which side exactly, was which?

   The anger, hate, and aggression displayed by Number 6 are feelings of the dark-side, which I suppose he was trying to expunge. But in displaying such aggression as he did during the episode ‘A Change of Mind’ for example, would simply draw him to the dark side. It is these that Number 6 has to fight and beat within himself if he is to achieve the freedom he so craves.

   But are such emotions really represented by the cowled figure of Number 1, Number 6's dark-side as some see him to be? Certainly No.1 is no Darth Vader, more of a monk type of character, the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi if you like. Okay at the end Number 1 does laugh maniacally and dash about like some demented maniac, but he does not show signs of aggression, hate, or anger towards Number 6. But really we don't see that much of Number 1, he is only mentioned on the telephone by Number 2. It's Number 6 with the aggressive tendencies, the feeling of anger and hate towards the village, and often his feelings for the citizens is no better. Only later as he finally begins to adjust to like in the village, does Number 6 begin to mellow towards his fellow citizens.

   Could it be that we've got it wrong? That it is Number 1 who is trying to beat Number 6, and not the other way round. I suppose it all depends on your own personal interpretation on the series.

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