I suppose the definition of “Rover” would be a watchdog, or prowler. I was asked in a couple of emails recently what I thought the origin of the membranic white mass of the Village Guardian is. If we are speaking factually, then I suppose the answer lies with meteorological weather service. Or failing that the actual manufacturer of such meteorological weather balloons.
However, if we are speaking fictitiously, well one could say that the Village Guardian “Rover” is some alien creature. But then that poses the question where did “it” come from, and how did “it” arrive on Earth? It doesn’t look capable of physically flying an interstellar spacecraft. Certainly the Village Guardian gives a good impression of inhabiting an alien planet, just after the rocket blasts off out of it’s silo in ‘Fall Out.’ It is at that scene when we see “Rover” seeming to recede into a crater, that a number of fans of ‘the Prisoner’ have described it as the death of Rover! But then if that scene is the death of “Rover,” then surely it’s birth is witnessed in the opening sequence and at the end of the closing credits. And yet none of this actually gets close to the origins of the Village Guardian, apart from “it” being a meteorological weather balloon.
So what else fictionally speaking, could the white membranic mass of the Village Guardian be? Well seeing as how it’s form is mostly membrane, I have in recent years come to subscribe to the idea that “Rover” was created through some genetic engineering programme. Born in a Petri dish in some laboratory somewhere by genetic scientists and biological chemists. After all synthetic skin is grown in much the same way, for the treatment of burns victims. Synthetic skin was invented by John Burke, chief of Trauma services in Massachusetts General Hospital. In the 1970’s a polymer with collagen fibres and sugar molecules was created. In the late 1970’s, medical researchers began experiments with sheets of artificial skin that could be permanently grafted onto patients. In 1981, surgeons discovered a successful new artificial skin design that is known as Integra.
Synthetic skin was invented by John Burke, chief of Trauma services in Massachusetts General Hospital. In the 1970’s a polymer with collagen fibres and sugar molecules was created. In the late 1970’s, medical researchers began experiments with sheets of artificial skin that could be permanently grafted onto patients. In 1981, surgeons discovered a successful new artificial skin design that is known as Integra.
Synthetic membrane is a synthetically created membrane that is usually intended for separation in laboratory or in industry. Synthetic membrane has been successfully used for both large and small-scale industrial processes since the middle of the 20th century. Synthetic membrane can be produced from organic materials such as polymers and liquids, as well as inorganic materials. The membrane structure of a dense membrane can be of a rubbery or glassy state at a given temperature.
It was once suggested by a friend of mine, that the Archangels {who sit amongst the delegates of the Assembly in Fall out} brought Rover with them to Earth from another planet. But that bodes the question what would Archangels be doing in the Village? Where do they come from? Well for one they were sitting amongst the delegates on the Assembly in ‘Fall Out.‘ One purpose for the Archangels was put forward, that they are attempting to do battle against evil here on Earth, and that they brought the Village Guardian with them! Perhaps to protect “One.” But with “One” I should think that in his case it’s more the Devil looking after his own!
Here I am writing an article about the origins of the Village Guardian, from meteorological balloons, to synthetic membrane, to genetic engineering, and now medieval archangels are brought into the equation. The definition of an Archangel is 1; a high ranking angel. 2; Archangels, the eight of the nine order of angels in medieval angelology. Such is the diversity of ‘the Prisoner.’ Well perhaps it’s not completely down to ‘the Prisoner’ series itself, but to a persons individual interpretation which might very well have something to do with it. But then some of the blame can be laid at the door of the person who placed the tile “Archangels” amongst the positions on the Assembly.
One thing about the Village Guardian is, that it’s a constant presence, almost as constant as the Prisoner, the Butler, and the Supervisor-No.28! Also the Village Guardian is a protector, it serves and protects the Village as suggested by the word guardian. It acts like a policeman, stopping anyone from escaping. It does this by suffocation. Either by suffocating it’s victim into unconsciousness, or to death. But how does Rover know how far to go when subduing it’s victim? Can this membranic being be capable of independent thought? Can it think for itself?
We have seen in ‘Arrival’ what happens when the Village Guardian is attacked, it demonstrates balloon like qualities. In that when attacked, it’s defence is that it offers no resistance! And when shot at, the membrane punctured by the bullets is self-sealing. And that bodes the question, does the Village Guardian feel pain? We know the Guardian emits sound, something crossed between a roar, a bicycle pump, and someone breathing through an aqualung, and Gregorian chant! But does it have the power of communication? It’s all very well the Supervisor in the Control Room issuing an “Orange Alert,” but what then activates the Village Guardian? How much membrane does the parent Guardian know to release from itself? And what is it that makes the Village Guardian return to that place of confinement somewhere at the bottom of the sea, when it is de-activated?
Why is it we only here Rover’s name twice in the whole series? It is because No.6 called the Village Guardian Rover in view of its “guard dog” like qualities, the name “Rover” being used as a euphemism, and therefore No.2 simply follows No.6’s lead? If so what might the Supervisor have thought in the Control Room when he received No.2’s order to deactivate Rover immediately? And if “Rover” is the Village Guardian’s name, how did No.6 know it?
There is something else to observe about this white membranic “thing,” and it is this. A Guardian of the Village it might be, but it is just as much a Prisoner as anyone in the Village. Confined in some containment area somewhere beneath the sea. A segment of which is released when necessary, only to be returned to the place of confinement, to rejoin with the main body of the creature. The creature is a thing of perpetual motion. It never once stops moving. It forms many round blobs, globules all of different sizes, and long streaks. It appears not to excrete any waste matter, therefore it does not ingest nourishment. And if it does not ingest nourishment, how does it exist?
More then this there is another alternative for the existence of the Village Guardian. A theory once suggesting that the Village Guardian is a representation of, or symbolises our own worst fears. Meaning that when one is confronted by the Village Guardian, it’s victim is actually confronted by that which he or she fears most! In THEPRIS6NER 2009 series, it is suggested that the Village Guardian is conjured up by what is inside us, our fear! And does that not fit in with the theory fans of the original series have put forward over the years and decades?
It’s quite enigmatic as to why No.2 should have the perpetually moving Village Guardian displayed on the wall screen of his or her office. Perhaps it is a form of therapy. It does seem to have a quiet and soothing effect, and may help No.2 relax. That may well be the reason why there is a small segment of the Village Guardian in lamps in rooms of the building in the Village. To help sooth and quieten the citizens. Or is it a constant reminder of what lies outside, constantly on patrol, to serve and protect. Yet capable of hunting down and rendering unconscious its victim, even to the point of oblivion?
The Village Guardian, call it Rover if you will, is very much like ‘the Prisoner’ series itself. You can make of it what you will.
I’ll be seeing you
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