Monday, 27 April 2015

Number 1’s The Boss!

   Number 6 is given the opportunity to “run for public office,” well he might as well while he’s waiting. Waiting for what, the next chance to escape? That next chance came a little later in the episode, this time by jet boat as Number 6 struck out for the open sea whilst at the same time fighting off two motor mechanics! Rather in the same way he attempts an escape in a Village taxi, fighting off two Guardians, and ending in much the same result!
   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.”
   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
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7 comments:

  1. nr6de27 April 2015 at 09:46

    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!

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  2. Jana27 April 2015 at 11:02

    If 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...

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  3. David Stimpson28 April 2015 at 08:50

    Hello Arno and Jana,
    The 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

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous28 April 2015 at 11:17

      Hi David,
      yes, 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

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    2. David Stimpson29 April 2015 at 08:14

      Hello Jana,
      That'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

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  4. Jana29 April 2015 at 10:59

    Hello David,
    that'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

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    Replies
    1. David Stimpson30 April 2015 at 08:35

      Hello Jana,
      That'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

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