The Prisoner Under the Spotlight

    The Girl Who Was Death, 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, No.6 never actually left the village. Not with Harmony actually being part of the village, you will have noticed the Recreation Hall in both ‘Living in Harmony,’ ‘The Schizoid Man’ and ‘The Chimes of Big Ben.’

   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!

   Potter was Mr.X's contact man in the episode ‘The Girl Who Was Death.’ Potter who should have been looking out for Colonel Hawke-Englishe, instead of pretty girls with long slender legs!

   Perhaps if Potter had been paying better attention of what was going on around then the Colonel might still be alive. But for this error Potter was sent to their form of Siberia, out in the cold cleaning shoes!

   Potter the shoe-shine boy, a job which he is even less suited to as he cleans Mr.X's suede shoes with a black brush! And worse, how the devil did a chap get such muddy shoes walking along a town's high street.... ridiculous as Potter might say. But putting a real downer on the job in hand for Potter!

   Potter was also Drake's contact man in the ‘Danger Man’ episode ‘Koroshi’ in a record shop there, and it was as Mr. X's contact man who he sent to the Magnum Record shop in The Girl Who Was Death. Either both Potter’s are the same character, of Christopher Benjamin had been typecast in the role!

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