A life time fan and Prisonerologist of the 1960's series 'the Prisoner', a leading authority on the subject, a short story writer, and now Prisoner novelist.
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Teabreak Teaser
What did the President in 'Fall Out' hope to achieve by facing the former No.6 with himself?
It is my perception that 'Fall Out' is the final attempt, the final manipulation of No.6 by No.2 who we see in the role of President of Judge, to break No.6 by facing him with himself. So your comment would be correct. However if one's perception of 'Fall Out' is that the offer of ultimate power is a truthful one, then to face No.6 with himself in order to break him, makes foul both the Presidents words all complimenting the former No.6, in that they had found a man magnificently equipped to lead them. Why try to break such a man who had only recently passed the ultimate test? I can sense that I'm, about to hoist myself on my own petard if I'm not careful! But of cousre we only have the President's word that the events of 'Once Upon A Time' had been the ultimate test, No.2 might very well still be playing a game with No.6.
Here's a thought, had it been No.6 who had supposedly died in 'Once Upon A Time,' would 'they' have resurrected him in the same way they did No.2?
It's an interesting question. Why do they want to break Number 6 after he passed the ultimate test? I'd like to think it is a game of "If yu can't beat them, join them". When all other attempts fail they try to get rid of their biggest rebel by making him their leader. Making him king and breaking him are one and the same in this moment, in my opinion, for if he no longer rebelled against the village he would be broken. This would have happened if No6 would have taken the crystal ball from Number 1, and if both had been (re)united.
The way Number 6 chose, to insist on rebelling even when he recognized that it is himself he is rebelling against, was a posiibility they did not take into account, or maybe the plan was that Number 1 should chase Number 6 into the rocket. Therefore fulfilling his dream to be the first man on the moon.
Well that's a fair point, as you say, when all other attempts fail they try to get rid of their biggest rebel by making thim their leader. Isn't that what they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer? I became a rebel in Six of One in 1999, at one point I was told that my name was brought up for a position as a co-ordinator. But then it was rejected because I would not be a "yes man," in rubber stamping everything the lead co-ordinator wanted to do...they were right!
I like what you said about No.1 and No.6 being re-united. Of course in that crystal ball No.1 was showing the Prisoner his future, a future The Prisoner rejects by allowing the crystal ball to slip through his fingers and shatter on the floor. Well that's my personal take on it.
I like your idea of No.1 chasing No.6 into the nose cone of the rocket, thus No.6 fulfilling his dream of being the first man on the moon. But what if No.6 had not been successful in sealing No.1 in the nose cone of the rocket. What if No.6 has been overpowered and sealed in that third 'Orbit Tube' like No.2 and No.48. What then? Where originally had that rocket been destined for, and would No.1 have remained aboard? That is one question I have never been able to figure out.
To lure him with ultimate power, or to break him for good? If this isn't the same..
ReplyDeleteBCNU
Jana
Hello Jana,
DeleteIt is my perception that 'Fall Out' is the final attempt, the final manipulation of No.6 by No.2 who we see in the role of President of Judge, to break No.6 by facing him with himself. So your comment would be correct.
However if one's perception of 'Fall Out' is that the offer of ultimate power is a truthful one, then to face No.6 with himself in order to break him, makes foul both the Presidents words all complimenting the former No.6, in that they had found a man magnificently equipped to lead them. Why try to break such a man who had only recently passed the ultimate test? I can sense that I'm, about to hoist myself on my own petard if I'm not careful! But of cousre we only have the President's word that the events of 'Once Upon A Time' had been the ultimate test, No.2 might very well still be playing a game with No.6.
Here's a thought, had it been No.6 who had supposedly died in 'Once Upon A Time,' would 'they' have resurrected him in the same way they did No.2?
Kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
DeleteI enjoyed this comment!
It's an interesting question. Why do they want to break Number 6 after he passed the ultimate test? I'd like to think it is a game of "If yu can't beat them, join them". When all other attempts fail they try to get rid of their biggest rebel by making him their leader. Making him king and breaking him are one and the same in this moment, in my opinion, for if he no longer rebelled against the village he would be broken. This would have happened if No6 would have taken the crystal ball from Number 1, and if both had been (re)united.
The way Number 6 chose, to insist on rebelling even when he recognized that it is himself he is rebelling against, was a posiibility they did not take into account, or maybe the plan was that Number 1 should chase Number 6 into the rocket. Therefore fulfilling his dream to be the first man on the moon.
Kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteWell that's a fair point, as you say, when all other attempts fail they try to get rid of their biggest rebel by making thim their leader. Isn't that what they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer? I became a rebel in Six of One in 1999, at one point I was told that my name was brought up for a position as a co-ordinator. But then it was rejected because I would not be a "yes man," in rubber stamping everything the lead co-ordinator wanted to do...they were right!
I like what you said about No.1 and No.6 being re-united. Of course in that crystal ball No.1 was showing the Prisoner his future, a future The Prisoner rejects by allowing the crystal ball to slip through his fingers and shatter on the floor. Well that's my personal take on it.
I like your idea of No.1 chasing No.6 into the nose cone of the rocket, thus No.6 fulfilling his dream of being the first man on the moon.
But what if No.6 had not been successful in sealing No.1 in the nose cone of the rocket. What if No.6 has been overpowered and sealed in that third 'Orbit Tube' like No.2 and No.48. What then? Where originally had that rocket been destined for, and would No.1 have remained aboard? That is one question I have never been able to figure out.
Kind regards
David
BCNU