There have been those who have seen the episode ‘The Girl Who Was Death’ as being somewhat contrived, that it may actually be an indication what the people behind the Prisoner were thinking about when they were changing the creation of twenty-six episodes.
It might appear that ideas within the village were being exhausted, and that there was a new but unsatisfactory emphasis on episodes such as this, that were being used outside the village. This then has something in common with ‘Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling,’ although having said that, there is more of the village in the latter episode, than that of the former. But not of ‘Living In Harmony’, because although there is the American pioneer town of Harmony
But if ‘Living In Harmony’ is the most American of episodes, then ‘The Girl Who Is Death’ is quintessentially English. No.6 in the guise of Mr X takes his place in the batting order at the wicket in a game of cricket. He enjoys a quiet pint at his local public house, and even takes to the ring in a bout of the noble art of pugilism.
‘The Girl Who Was Death’ for me is an enjoyable break between the mind change No.6 went through during ‘Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling,’ and what was to come, the ultimate test sealed in that embryo room of ‘Once Upon A Time.’ A fairytale, all be it a dangerous fairytale, which takes us back to the days of John Drake and ‘Danger Man.’ Something to be taken for nothing more than what it is, pure escapism to be enjoyed between two torturous episodes. The one not knowing if he would be restored to the man he was, and the other having to be the one or the other, which could result in the death of either one of them. And believe you me, there won't be much fun in that!
The Lighthouse Is The Rocket!
Well of course Professor Schnipps had completely lost the plot, which is strange for such a clever man as he, yes I did say clever. Because even though the entire London area was to have been laid entirely in ruins, he still thought of giving Bond Street to his daughter, and Wembley football stadium to the Scottish Marshal, there is a thin line between insanity and genius, is there not? Now I know, and so do you, that the episode of The Girl Who Was Death is a fairytale told by No.6 to children everywhere. But last night as my wife and I sat watching the episode of The Girl Who Was Death, I couldn't help but wonder exactly how Professor Schnipps did it, put that rocket inside the lighthouse I mean.
The question is, was the lighthouse built up around the rocket, or was the top of the lighthouse removed, the interior then stripped out and the rocket lowered down inside? Whichever way it was done, it would have been a construction task and a half! That's what I mean by clever, or then again, perhaps a plan such as this, to actually see to a rocket hidden inside a lighthouse, could only have been devised by a madman in the first place. And only a case of sheer lunacy would think about it in the second place!
And now I intend to retreat to Moscow
Be seeing you
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