Having taken the bait, Number 6 asks Number
2 what physically happens if he wins.
“You’re the boss” Number 2 tells him.
“Number One’s the boss” Number 6 informs
him.
“Join me. If you win Number One may no longer be a mystery to you if you know what I mean.”
“Join me. If you win Number One may no longer be a mystery to you if you know what I mean.”
This could be a productional indication that
Number 6 is Number 1 on the part of Patrick McGoohan, since he wrote the script
for ‘Free For All.’ How this would have been achieved is unknown, but perhaps
if Number 6 had telephoned Number 1 he may have recognised the voice as being
that of his own. On the other hand Number 2 could be suggesting that he is
elected as the new Number 2, that
eventually he will get to speak with Number 1 on the telephone. Just as both
Number 2’s do during this episode!
Be seeing you
On the one hand I would assume that at this early stage of the series No. 6 would not be allowed, under no circumstances, to meet No. 1. So, No. 2's proposal is "only" trying to allure him into taking part in the fake election campaign. On the other hand there's a certain truth in this proposal, the promise of getting to know No. 1. Because, if really No. 6 is No. 1 then it would well be an act of self-awareness or self-consciousness, no doubt. Wouldn't it. - BCNU!
ReplyDeleteIf you take into consideration what Number 2 says next the hint who Number 1 seems even stronger, in my opinion: "Anyway, I'll introduce you properly, and we'll see how you feel after assessing the madding crowd." Even if McGoohan wasn't sure about who Number 1 would be in the end one could take the scene as a nice little joke on himself...
ReplyDeleteHello Arno and Jana,
ReplyDeleteThe thing is we cannot be absolutely sure what Number 2 means by "If you win Number One may no longer be a mystery to you if you know what I mean.” At best, even if Number 6 had been properly elected as the new Number 2, all that would happen is he would speak to Number 1 on the telephone. In 'Fall Out' the Prisoner asked Number 2 if he had met Number 1, to which Number 2 laughs at the absurdity of the idea of actually meeting Number 1. Judging by Number 2's remark in 'Free For All, "If you win Number One may no longer be a mystery to you," perhaps if Number 6 got the opportunity to speak with Number 1, he might recognise 1's voice as being that of his own. Perhaps Number 2 recognised that voice when he spoke to him on the telephone while in the Control Room. And yet at that very early stage in 'the Prisoner's' production, no-one knew who Number 1 was going to be. But I like your idea of "if really No. 6 is No. 1 then it would well be an act of self-awareness or self-consciousness."
Ah, when did Number 2 propose the promise of getting to know Number 1? As far as I can hear he didn't. Because when Number 2 tells Number 6 "Anyway, I'll introduce you properly, and we'll see how you feel after assessing the madding crowd," he takes Number 6 outside and introduces Number 6 to the "madding crowd" as an election candidate. Not in any form does 2 introduce 6 to 1, only to the electorate. That's how I have always read the situation.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hi David,
Deleteyes, that's right of course, Number 2 introduces Number 6 to the madding crowd, but I like the ambiguity. He might as well be talking about the madding crowd when Number 6 is introduced as Number 1.
Also, I like Number 6s intonation when he tells that "Number 1 is the BOSS." It only works if you know Fall Out, but still... it seems to work either way. It can be interpreted in a way as if Fall Out is predicted, but it doesn't have to be taken this way.
Best wishes,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteThat's too much ambiguity for me I'm afraid.
"He might as well be talking about the madding crowd when Number 6 is introduced as Number 1," sorry, I don't see that at all.
I can see there is a conflict of ideas here. As Number 6 saying "Number 1's the boss," does work no matter who is Number 1, because at the time of 'Free For All' there was no 'Fall Out." They say hindsight, knowing 'Fall Out,' is a wonderful thing, on some occasions it can also be a burden!
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
ReplyDeletethat's fine, it's just a mind game. And I agree, knowing Fall Out can be a burden although I really prefer it this way. I just like that both ways of looking at it are possible.
Very kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteThat's fine also. After all if we all thought the same thing about 'the Prisoner' there would be nothing to discuss!
Very best regards
David
BCNU