He’s Having A Laugh!

    So ‘the Prisoner’ isn't exactly a barrel of laughs, but then you wouldn't expect it to be, because torture, human experimentation, and the extraction of information by fair means or foul is a serious business. However there is humour within ‘the Prisoner,’ and humour, according to No.2, is the very essence of a democratic society. And again according to No.2, No.6’s sense of humour has remained strong and unimpaired.

   No.6 said of No.2 at the suggestion that he run for public office, No.2's position in fact "You have a delicate sense of humour." And the episode ‘The Girl Who Was Death’ is teeming with humour, although I fear Mr. X doesn't find it at all funny! There is a vein of humour which runs throughout ‘the Prisoner’ series. No.2 of ‘The Chimes of Big Ben’ can find the humorous side of most things "I'll make you a handle for this door" No.6 tells him "Ha, ha, ha, ha" laughs No.2. Even during ‘Fall Out’ No.2 maintains his sense of humour "A strange thing happened to me on my way here, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha" he laughs, and his laughter becomes infectious, even to members of the Assembly. And even when sealed up in that Perspex Orbit Tube No.2 still sees the funny side of his situation "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

   Humour however can be a subtle thing at times, as when in ‘Hammer Into Anvil’ when No.2 is confronted by the bomb disposal operative and a small cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo! And "we even have our own little newspaper" No.2 informs the Prisoner on the morning of his arrival "You must send me a copy" quips No.6. And whilst doing as the caveman did, No.6 quips to No.2 "I may even invent fire!" And when No.2 and his man makes a search of No.6’s cottage, No.6 suggests to No.2 that his man should look in the wardrobe, but finds nothing, “Very amusing!” No.2 tells him.

   No doubt you yourself have a favourite humorous moment within ‘the Prisoner’ series.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha........ be seeing you."