The opening sequence to 'the Prisoner' makes for powerful imaging. Dark clouds, the clash of thunder as though a storm is on its way, a long and deserted airstrip, and coming out of the distance hurtling towards the camera a green and yellow nosed Lotus Seven. This opening sequence appears at the very beginning of every episode of 'the Prisoner' except for three, one of those being 'Living In Harmony.' And yet the opening sequence of 'Living In Harmony' is a re-imaging, a reinterpretation of the regular opening sequence. A lone rider crossing the open prairie on horseback. A Marshal sits writing a report at his desk. The Man With No Name puts down his Sheriffs badge on the desk, no words are spoken as he takes off his gun belt and lays that down on the desk beside his badge. The Sheriff has resigned his job!
The Man With No Name is then see walking, carrying his saddle, perhaps his horse went with the Sheriff's job! Then further on the trail the Man With No Name is attacked by a bunch of desperado's, and over powered and then abducted to the town of Harmony. As a friend of mine commented a few days ago, this is paraphrasing the original opening sequence.
It would have been nice to have seen George Markstein reinterpreting his role as the Marshal sat behind the desk, but he and Patrick McGoohan had long since fallen out, with Markstein having left the production long before 'Living In Harmony.'
Be seeing you
It's been written that this very episode, not only, represents the post-modern aspect of The Prisoner series in general. Because it works as a "usual" Prisoner episode regarding the framework but at the same time it crosses the borders constituted by the genres, into a western in this case. And that's for the most part of it. Another example would be the "Girl" episode where we have a comic approach on various spy and crime stories. Even "Free For All" could be mentioned because it ventures into the realm of political satire. - BCNU!
ReplyDeleteIn the opening sequence we see TMWKN’s sheriff's badge thrown onto the desk by way of resignation. In contrast to the usual opening, there is no shouting and pounding of the desk (no cup is shaken). He simply stares at the seated man. In saying nothing, action alone speaks for him.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this shows that detailed explanation or no detailed explanation, information or no information, TMWKN would still be taken “somewhere”.
BCNU
Hello 42,
DeleteGood to hear from you, and thank you for taking time to comment.
That's a good observation about the fact there's no shouting or pounding of the desk, no upset teacup and saucer. In this case, as you say, action speaks louder than words!
There's no explanation, no information, hence we still do not know why the Sheriff resigned!
Very best regards
David
BCNU
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn “Living In Harmony” TMWKN eventually yields to an offer he can’t refuse. He agrees to wear the badge of Sheriff again. But that’s not enough: he must also (as everyone in town expects) wear the six-shooter to do the job properly.
ReplyDeleteAs part of his resignation process at the start of the episode, TMWKN removes his holster belt with gun and lays them down on the Marshal’s desk. Thus, TMWKN makes it clear what he will no longer do.
Although the “six” in “six shooter” is not emphasised in this episode, there are several instances of playing with and referencing the number six in the Series. This includes, most notably, the village assigned identity number for the Prisoner himself.
It seems that this particular ex-sheriff is being forced back into his previous identity and role in life.
Although we may refer to TMWKN, he does seem to respond (instinctively?) to being called “Sheriff” by the Judge when they first encounter each other in the Saloon. This is a clear reference to TMWKN’s very recent occupational identity. In the Judge’s eyes at least, that identity has not really changed. The “Sheriff” identity is not new to TMWKN.
But what if the number given to the Prisoner in the Arrival episode was not new to him? What if he had been assigned the number six for his identity (in his former secret services role) prior to coming to the Village?
Village officialdom, in using “six” would be coldly confirming to the Prisoner that, no matter what he thinks, he has failed in casting off his secret services identity and that his claim to be “a free man” is ridiculous!
BCNU
Mike
Hello Mike
DeleteI have to admit I had not thought of the "Six" in "Six shooter," what's more if memory serves, I have not read of it either. So for me this is a first.
The Man With No Name is coerced into wearing the badge, but it takes the murder of Cathy for him to put on the gun and kill! But at the same time he hands in his badge once more. So when he kills the Kid and the three Judges men, he does so outside the law!
What I have always thought to make the Sheriff hand in his badge and gun, is that he's become tired of putting his life on the line every day. Fed up with every young gunslinger coming to town trying to make a reputation for himself. The Sheriff may also be becoming slower on the draw, which could be fatal in his line of work.
And you are right, it does loook as though "they" are trying to force the Man With No Name back to his former identity, to his former work, but for a currupt Judge!
That's also an original idea of yours, that the number 6 wasn't new to the Prisoner, that he might have been assigned that number working for British Intelligence. Its a nice idea, the number might have had a couple of noughts in front of it 006 for example. No I'm not being flippant. But of course there is another code number to be taken into consideration with the Prisoner's former work ZM73. And yet having said that, ZM73 didn't come to light until the epsidoe 'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling,' so I suppose anything is possible.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU