The question was posed, as to why so many ladies are drawn to what is usually seen as a masculine series – ‘the Prisoner.’
Well...... I could say it is because it is a series worthy of watching. I could praise many things about it, the story-lines, the human and political comment. The wonderful setting etc etc etc. You know all that is good about the Prisoner. This is what keeps us enthralled, but what actually draws women to the series, in the first place is the handsome hero No.6. What woman has not at some time imagined herself in the place of Nadia with No.6 outside his cottage at 'curfew time' or concocted imaginary scenarios in the woods or on the beach, or just taking coffee with him? These are the things that draw us, but it is the series that holds us. Had No.6 not had the magnetism he had, I wonder whether there would have been quite so many female fans.
What do you ladies out there think? I would love to hear from you
Miss Penny Farthing
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI guess there is a truth in this, that Number Six was one reason to watch and love the series. But for me it was not so much or only in his heroism or his appearance. I did not see myself sitting with him in front of his cottage. I admired him, of course, but I also liked the possibility to think or laugh about him. His difficult character and his failures where interesting and gripping. Seemingly I even enjoyed to see him suffer, at times, despite all sympathy. So, never trust a woman, even the single-minded variety.
;)
Kind regards,
Jana
Hello Jana,
DeleteSo, you even enjoy seeing No.6 suffer at times. Perhaps you would have made a good No.2!
You may admire him, but would you trust him?
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hi David,
Deletetrust Number 6? Yes, I certainly would, absolutely. As long as I was not Number 2 or rather as long as I think that he trusts me.. I guess at least one knows what he is thinking about one.
I've wondered whether "enjoy" was the right word. Certainly I enjoyed the episodes, most of all Once Upon A Time, when he suffered most, I guess. In a way like one enjoys horror stories, that is.
As a Number 2 I hope I would be a Marry-Morris-like type..
Kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteI can see that you have fallen for the charms of No.6, in the fact that you say you would trust him. But could No.6 trust you? I suppose that would all depend upon your position in the Village, upon whose side you might be on.
I'm not sure if No.6 suffered the most in 'once Upon A Time,' yes it was certainly a gruelling ordeal for him, having first been regressed to his childhood. But is that any worse than having had his mind, his psyche, put in another man's body, with the possibiltiy that he might have to remain in that state for the rest of his life if it had all gone wrong in 'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.'
A Mary-Morris-like tyope No.2, not Rachel Herbert then? I have always thought it a pity that there is not the continuity of having Rachel Herbert carrying on her role as No.2 in 'The Schizoid Man.' She looks a hard woman to me, and I'd hate to think what she might have had done to No.6 during her term of office!
Kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
Deleteit's not so much because of Number 6's charm that I would trust him, it's more because of his frankness. He seems to be quite fortright if he doesn't like you, so that you know when you have to be careful. I think Number Six doesn't expect you to like him, or to adore him. That's one point that I really like about his character. He might be a difficult man, but he also doesn't pretend to be manageable.
You are right, that's a good point, "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" is certainly worse for him, and maybe also his situation in "Free For All", not ot mention "A Change Of Mind".. I think it's difficult to decide which episode is - from Number 6 point of view - the worst one.
I agree, it would have been really interesting to see Rachel Herbert as Number 2. But her in charge in "Schizoid Man"? I don't know.. it's an interesting question.. I think it would have made another episode.
Kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteA very interesting comment, thank you for sharing more of your thoughts on the matter, quite revealing.
I don't think 'A Change of Mind' could be placed in the same league as 'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.' Yes in 'A Change of Mind the tissue did get a bit bruised again, but there was never any real danger of a luecotomy having been operated on Number 6. And all through the ordeal he had simply been heavily sedated. But this train of thought we have shared here, has given me an idea for a piece of blog!
Yes, I agree, to have used Rachel Herbert again would have meant another episode after 'Free For All, but of course 'The Schizoid Man' is the next episode, well in the screening order at least. But in the library order for the production of the series, that would have been 'Dance of the Dead,' I think, where's that damned list!
Kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
DeleteI'm enjoying this train of thought, makes me think.
Yes, in A Change Of Mind there is no "real" danger for Number 6. But I think in this episode the real cruelty in is created by fear. It must have been pure horror for Number Six when he was tied down to the operation table and thought that he was lobotomized, and before that it must have been a bad experience to be shunned by everyone. In my opinion in a way this episode is more violent than many others.
Dance Of The Death could have followed Free For All? Thats interesting.
Kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteYou see the thing is one has to take so many things into account, and that is what I failed to do and having read your comment, I can see I should not have dismissed 'A Change of Mind' so dismisivly. As you say the episode was a bad experience for Number 6, the horror he experienced at the thought he was to undergo Instant Social Convertion. Mmmmm I can see this subject needs more thinking about on my part. It could take some working out, the worst episode for No.6!
At one point 'Dance of the Dead' was put on the shelf by McGoohan. Originally the final scene of the epsidoe was never shot, and subsequently under ran by several minutes.
Kind regards
Be seeing you
David
Hello Miss Penny Farthing,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jana in all but the penultimate sentence as I did not like to see him suffer and couldnt watch those bits when I was 12 years old.
You must remember that I was 8 years old when I became enamoured with Danger Man and I could imagine myself being involved with his assignments, he was definitly more of a father figure back then.I would also have loved to help Napoleon Solo and The Lone Ranger{the horse was the attraction here though :)}
In the present; Yes - I would like to take coffee with him as long as he had a wordy story to tell me and I could just sit and listen to his voice,which to me is his most attractive feature.
I do wonder, if I had been older when first encountering him,whether this would have affected the way I view him now??What do you think?
What is your view of his magnetism may I ask ?
Best Regards,
Anna.
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about the questions I asked you in the above comment,and I do not think them suitable to ask and answer in a blog comment.Sorry if I have been awkward!
I think essays could probably be written about them :)
Sincerely,
Anna
Hello Anna,
DeleteThat's no problem, we can always discuss them in an email if you prefer.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU