The Therapy Zone

Playing It By The Numbers

   Ronald Radd, No.53-the Rook in ‘Checkmate.’ Pity the poor Rook, his mind tortured, his body tortured. Yet he preserves enough of his spirit to band together with his fellow conspirator, No.6. His is the portrayal of an anxious man who fears recapture by those holding captive, which is deftly carried off by Radd. His early nervousness comes off well, he is suspicious of everyone and has good reason to be. A man whose mind is almost at breaking point, who likes to obey the rules, and not upset anyone. He is a scared man, scared of saying the wrong thing, to be heard by a guardian saying the wrong thing.

   His relief comes when he realises that he is being interrogated by someone like himself, a prisoner-No.6. Much of the performance of the Rook comes through tormented facial expressions and the actor with this part suitably deserves praise.

   Christopher Benjamin as the labour Exchange Manager in Arrival, assistant to No.2 during ‘The Chimes of Big Ben,’ and contact man to Mr.X/John Drake in ‘The Girl Who Was Death.’ Comedy and light relief are expertly provided by this actor. From twiddling that wooden contraption in his office of the Labour Exchange, to polishing Mr.X's suede shoes at his 'shoe-shine' stall. Benjamin brightens up the series with he performances. As for his role of "Potter," Benjamin had already played this part before in the series of ‘Danger Man,’ in the episode of Koroshi, when he was Drakes contact man, where incidentally, they met in a record shop! Although Benjamin always denied this was the case, as the two characters of the Potters are different.

   It might very well have been Benjamin's performance in ‘Danger Man’ which made him a natural choice for the Prisoner. In any event, it is a welcome decision, for his amusing antics add some dashes of colour to the sombre backdrop of the Village.

   John Sharp takes us from the amusing to the sinister and menacing with his portrayal of No.2 during ‘A Change of Mind.’ A more sinister character you would not wish to meet. Your worst nightmares would be difficult to equal this man, whose rotund shape and chubby face may give off a kindly appearance, but it is the cold piecing eyes one remembers. There is something cold and brooding about this man, and we cheer with relief when he is chased through the village, after being denounced by No.86 as being unmutual!

    When he speaks, the quiet tones of his voice sends shivers down the spine, even enough to freeze the blood in the veins of the listener. His is the face on the Orwellian style of poster, which at the same time is reminiscent of the First world War Kitchener poster.        "Your Community Needs You."

   This No.2 character who knows what is good for you, whether you like it of not.

    Over the past decades there has been something called "Whys and Wherefores", question and answer if you prefer, regarding the Prisoner. The only thing is, for every one question you might receive five different answers or interpretations, But then if you will ask questions......

   Why is Fotheringay so excited at news of No.6's return in Chimes?  

    Perhaps Fotheringay was speaking on the phone before being sent to the village as part of the set-up. Presumably the office where Colonel J questions the Prisoner is an exact replica of the one in London. Fotheringay may have expressed pleasure at being told he would be joining the others on the trip to the village.

    Why is No.2 so surprised that Nadia is an Olympic Bronze medallist? No.6 was also an Olympianist, on the Olympic fencing team!

    Even though Nadia is on the side of the village, it is possible that No.2 would know every detail about her. To keep the set-up as authentic as possible, she may not have told No.2 the actual means of her staged escape attempt.

    Who speaks to No.2 on the phone in ‘A B & C’ to inform him of No.6's arrival?

    An unseen aide, {such as No.100 in Its Your Funeral} could have made the call from outside the chamber. Or maybe it was the Butler. Just because he never speaks on screen, it doesn't prove he is mute.

    Are Thorpe and the Colonel working for the village in ‘Many Happy Returns?’

    We know that one of their men questions Mrs. Butterworth. However, this man is the same man who, {tally ho note: no he's not!}disguised as the milkman, replaces the Group Captain as pilot of the aircraft. Even if Thorpe and the Colonel are not working for the village, it is obvious some of their men are. I believe the Colonel is on the side of the village, but Thorpe is not. Notice the way the Colonel readily accepts the Prisoners story while Thorpe remains sceptical.

    In ‘Many Happy Returns,’ why didn't the Prisoner try to escape by land using the Mini-Moke? With no guards, surveillance or Rover to stop him, surely he would have stood a good chance of driving to freedom.

    Alternatively, having decided to escape by sea, why didn't he use the fuel from the Moke and others he could have found to destroy the village by fire without loss of innocent life?

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