When you dream, genuinely speaking, you put people you either know or have met before. So during No.6's dream during the episode of A B & C, which appears before ‘Many Happy Returns’ in the series screening order, how is No.6 able to place Mrs. Butterworth-No.2, whom he had not met before, in his dream? "No.6. I just know it's your lucky number" the woman tells the Prisoner in his dram at the Roulette table. So if the woman didn't know that his number is 6, how did she know? Unless the Prisoner was putting words in her mouth!
Be seeing yoand''
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteinteresting questions! I think it may have been the Prisoner who put words in her mouth since the last dream could be seen as an example of lucid dreaming. Or maybe it was an in-joke put there by the people who created the "tape" for the dream machine. Regarding the possibility to meet people the Prisoner hasn't met before I think that maybe in this case the authorities were in control about whom he would met. They could have shown him anyone, I think.
Very kind regards
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteTrue enough, but in the last dream it is No.6 who is in control of his dream, putting people in it, and words in their mouths, making people act outrageously, like juggling with an orange in the background of that dreamy party! And do not forget, in straightening that mirror, the Prisoner made the room crooked!
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
At first I couldn't remember the scene, Georgina Cookson being in it. But I don't believe she or: the character was meant to be the later No. 2 of MHR. Otherwise we would have been made aware I'm sure. As with many other actors they were emplyed not only once. There has been discussion and dispute about Colin Gordon's appearance in 2 epsiodes but not here. The dream, however, was certainly manipulated to some degree, thus hinting to the 6 as No. 6's "lucky number" cannot be other than purposeful. - BCNU!
ReplyDeleteHello Arno,
DeleteThat is true enough about the actors being used more than once in 'the Prisoner,' and yes casting-wise Thorpe may not be No.2 in 'Hammer Into Anvil,' and yet fictionally speaking he could be.
A few years ago I put out of my mind the screening order of 'the Prisoner,' and put my mind to putting the episodes of the series in another order using dates, times, the seasons of the year, anything. And in that order 'Many Happy Returns' has to take place before that of 'A B and C,' therefore fictionally speaking the woman in the casino at Engadine's party could be that of a former No.2, and that way she knew that the Prisoner's number is 6, and why the Prisoner put her in his dream because he had met her previously.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
But then, shouldn't we think No. 6 would have recognised her? Unless a brainwashing session has taken place before and certain moments or persons were erased or altered. - BCNU!
ReplyDeleteHello Arno,
DeleteThat's a good question, perhaps so, I'm not sure! Was there any need for him to recognise her? But were they her own words, or was No.6 putting words in her mouth? The more I think about it, the more vexing it becomes!
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI think the third dream is influenced by the Prisoner, but the setting is still defined by the tape. If Many Happy Returns was to be screened prior to A, B and C it would make sense that Mrs Butterworth occured in both dreams, but I think it's not neccessary. And however you take it, if Gerorgina Cookson plays the same character in both episodes on can always ask if he shouldn't have recognized her in the other episode. Because of this I prefer to think that she's another character in both episode.
Best wishes,
Jana
Hello Jana,
DeleteThat's true enough, and a fair enough comment.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU