Why did the
Prisoner resign? That doesn’t seem all that important in the scale of things. As
Number 2 once said, if one can’t chuck up a job things have come to a pretty
pass. He seemed to be somewhat sympathetic towards Number 6 at that point.
Later he seemed to understand what Number 6 wanted, what we all want
ultimately.......to escape!
But there is no escape, and Number 6 isn’t telling anyone anything, so he’s in The Village for life, until death do they part. And only even then if he’s lucky! I mean look what they did to Number 2, resuscitated him they did, couldn’t even let him rest in peace they couldn’t! But for why? So to afford him the opportunity to plead his case at his trial, the man was dead for heaven’s sake. But who else was there? Number 48 and the former Number 6, they wouldn’t have used up all the time, and even then the former Number 6 wasn’t permitted to be heard!
So Number 1 turned out to be Number 6 all the time. Who would have guessed it? Number 1 must have known all the time, but he made no attempt to stop Number 6’s ordeal. Perhaps the idea was for Number 6 to stop Number 1. An ordeal to see which of them was the better man. A struggle within himself, and everyone else merely players who have their exits and their entrances, and in their time they play many parts, and sometimes the same part more than once. If Number 6 was the agent provocateur, what does that make Number 1?
But there is no escape, and Number 6 isn’t telling anyone anything, so he’s in The Village for life, until death do they part. And only even then if he’s lucky! I mean look what they did to Number 2, resuscitated him they did, couldn’t even let him rest in peace they couldn’t! But for why? So to afford him the opportunity to plead his case at his trial, the man was dead for heaven’s sake. But who else was there? Number 48 and the former Number 6, they wouldn’t have used up all the time, and even then the former Number 6 wasn’t permitted to be heard!
So Number 1 turned out to be Number 6 all the time. Who would have guessed it? Number 1 must have known all the time, but he made no attempt to stop Number 6’s ordeal. Perhaps the idea was for Number 6 to stop Number 1. An ordeal to see which of them was the better man. A struggle within himself, and everyone else merely players who have their exits and their entrances, and in their time they play many parts, and sometimes the same part more than once. If Number 6 was the agent provocateur, what does that make Number 1?
Be seeing you
Why did The Prisoner resign? I'm sure I heard him say, in one episode or another (this being the closest he ever got to an explanation), that it was "a matter of principle", can you recall which episode that was?
ReplyDeletesam
Hello Sam,
ReplyDeleteNo-one actually is required to say why they resigned. No.2 was using the question “Why did you resign?” as a tool, that if No.6 answered that one simple question all the rest would follow. It was in ‘Once Upon A Time’ when No.6 intimated that he resigned for peace, for peace of mind. Because too many people know too much! It was as much as we got, and I think we only get that because he was tired and exhausted from the week long deliberations with No.2!. Yes it was a matter of principle, No.2 in ‘Arrival’ recognized that much.
David
Thanks David.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought about whether or not anybody can be required to give reason for resigning, that's very interesting. I see your point on the importance of No.6 answering that single question, as a means to getting him to talk more generally, and to participate fully in 'village life'.
I watched Dance of The Dead again last night and was struck by No.2's remark, "I don't want him broken, he must be won over." And again, "This man has a future with us."
sam
That’s right Sam, the new No.2 in ‘Arrival’ said in his report that no extreme measures to be used yet. No.2 in ‘Chimes of Big Ben’ said he doesn’t want a man of fragments. And yes you’re right, as you say No.2 in ‘Dance of the Dead’ that she didn’t want him broken, that he must be won over as he has a future with them. But then by the time of ‘Many Happy Returns’ I’ve always thought what a terrible risk they took with No.6, to leave him all alone at sea on an open raft. Mind you he didn’t tie himself to the raft with a life-line, he could have been swept overboard and lost at sea. Especially when he was asleep in those four hours out of each twenty-four!
DeleteDavid
Yes, good point, there's definitely some mixed messaging there. I wonder if that's still the case, when viewing the series minus the filler episodes? Again, I bow to your superior knowledge on that one!
ReplyDeletesam
You make a good point, one which I had not thought about before. As you say, take out the filler episodes, view the series as a min-series, and there is no mixed messaging!
DeleteDavid
Cool! Perhaps that just goes to show how commercial pressures can really mess with the work and the message a creator is seeking to communicate.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have to say, it's brilliant to be asking questions of someone so knowledgeable on this, especially so long after it was last broadcast!
sam
Good afternoon Sam. Well quite. In fact by the time production had begun on the first of the last four episodes McGoohan had gone to America to work on 'Ice station Zebra' in order to earn money to put into the production. And during that time members of the production crew were putting their own wages into the production just to keep it ticking over! The trouble being McGoohan produced the first four episodes in production 'Arrival,' 'Free For All,' Checkmate, and 'Dance of The Dead' like feature films spending £75,000 on each episode, far too much money that’s why they ran out of cash!
DeleteThank you for you kind remarks, they are much appreciated. I have only gained the knowledge I have after spending a life-time with the Prisoner!
David