tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post5230172166028379500..comments2024-03-28T11:24:13.222+00:00Comments on theatre of noise: The Prisoner Episode Orderrobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-41541216671826987342020-04-26T22:21:44.695+01:002020-04-26T22:21:44.695+01:00Does anyone have any thoughts about placing "...Does anyone have any thoughts about placing "Schizoid Man" somewhat later in the cycle due to the obviously friendly connection between #6 and the mind-reading villager that begins that episode? When and how did that arise? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-75628701624823211822017-10-10T00:18:56.925+01:002017-10-10T00:18:56.925+01:00I am just rewatching this show after a few year hi...I am just rewatching this show after a few year hiatus, and although I have very few opinions on the order, I think that the Chimes of Big Ben needs to be put at least a few episodes later. Why? Well at the end, when he realizes that he is NOT in London, he calmly walks out the door, knowing full well he is back in the village. That measure of calm would not be were he new, but only after repeatedly failing and getting so close would he act as such upon such a discovery. Either way, thanks for the discussion.Hockey momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13760116016150457887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-66422766002519037492017-04-29T03:35:20.075+01:002017-04-29T03:35:20.075+01:00Wow, a blast from the past... eight years to be ex...Wow, a blast from the past... eight years to be exact. Thanks for the reasoned response and yes... the joy of the series is in part how it denies completion, consistency, or even the usual forms of rebellion against these. Be seeing you! robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-57091936819177018642017-04-28T20:04:29.311+01:002017-04-28T20:04:29.311+01:00A very well-explained article, and rightly shows t...A very well-explained article, and rightly shows the idea that episodes contain deliberately-contrived evidence of the order. I myself subscribe to the theory that each episode represents approximately one month in the Prisoner's captivity, and I accept producer-writer-director David Tomblin's assertion that the first five episodes are ordered as filmed. My order is thus:<br /><br />'Arrival' (Midsummer, probably July)<br />'Free For All' (August)<br />'Checkmate' (September)<br />'Dance Of The Dead' (October; Hallowe'en)<br />'The Chimes Of Big Ben' (November)<br />'The General' (December; end of school term)<br />'A.B. and C.' (January; worst weather in Village)<br />'The Schizoid Man' (February; calendar indicated)<br />'Many Happy Returns' (March; 6's birthday month)<br />'It's Your Funeral' (April; early spring depicted)<br />'Living In Harmony' (May; flowers blooming)<br />'A Change Of Mind' (June; many flowers)<br />'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling' (July, 1 year)<br />'The Girl Who Was Death' (August; festival season)<br />'Hammer Into Anvil' (September; fall depicted)<br />'Once Upon A Time' (October; late fall)<br />'Fall Out' (October; late fall)<br /><br />I normally watch the series using this order, and have found no overt difficulties or contradictions. However, I am disturbed that 6 fails to recognize 'Many Happy Returns'' 'Mrs. Butterworth' as the 'Blond Lady' in 'A. B. and C.'. Was he too heavily drugged? Also, if we accept that all guest characters appearing multiple times in the series are single characters, then I have yet to hear a good explanation for Alexis Kanner's '8/48', or the issue that an irrevocably insane man might be dropped off on the M1 in the final episode... shame, since I have always felt Kanner's performances to be standouts of the series. With Thorpe being the No.2 of 'Hammer Into Anvil' I have no problem, since it's well-established that neither this 2 nor 6 likes the other very much, and 6 is portrayed as particularly hostile to turncoats and defectors. I place 'The Girl Who Was Death' late in the run as it depicts 6 comfortable and confident in the Village, cheekily lampooning the current administration in a child's bedtime story. Its lighthearted approach makes this episode a good companion to "Hammer Into Anvil', where a moody, angry, and vengeful 6 systematically destroys the arrogant, sadistic, and paranoid No.2/Thorpe. The implication that 6 is now happy to destroy the Village from within, without attempting escape is, to me, sufficient to warrant the risky 'Degree Absolute' of 'Once Upon A Time'. On the other hand, the truly great thing of this series is... you can make up any explanation you like, and it tends to work. Cheers!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746700226514995528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-88954383020783746782015-02-21T13:25:16.071+00:002015-02-21T13:25:16.071+00:00It's true... the loyalties are never spelled o...It's true... the loyalties are never spelled out. We are kept guessing. Even the sides are not explicitly spelled out. It seems likely Cobb has defected from the UK to "the other side" by which we can assume Russia. But several episodes do imply rather strongly that the village is controlled by the UK. "The Chimes of Big Ben" is one of these. It is fantastic to think that a foreign power could have so much control over so many people No. 6 knows and worked with. A far simpler explanation is that his own side had control of him as an employee and still does now that he is a prisoner. But the main evidence is in the title sequence. Who knew that No. 6 resigned, and could put in motion the sequence of events leading to his abduction? Especially in so short a time span? (A trip across central London to his flat.) Only his own organisation.<br /><br />On the other hand, we can keep adding up all the double agents until everybody is, in fact, a double of themselves. The series also works with this idea, explicitly in "The Schizoid Man". No possibilities should be off the table!<br /><br />Thanks for your comment. I am sure people are still reading this post, even though I long ago stopped tracking the stats. robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-91227139009403219562015-02-21T06:04:18.940+00:002015-02-21T06:04:18.940+00:00Don't know if anyone will see this but what th...Don't know if anyone will see this but what the heck. You make a lot of well thought out, convincing points but how do you reconcile this statement <br /><br />"I think it is also important to indicate early on in the series that it is likely his own side that has imprisoned No. 6. So "The Chimes of Big Ben" comes first. "<br /><br /> when at the end of "Arrival" Cobb (referred to by #6 as "a friend" and "a good man") says "Mustn't keep my new masters waiting, Auf Wiedersehen"? Auf Wiedersehen is German literally meaning "until we see again" (or be seeing you?) IMHO the true loyalties of the Colonel and Fotheringay are not at all clear, they could be double agents themselves! Or perhaps Cobb is not such a good man as 6 thinks....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-61339592427367544282014-05-23T12:31:22.143+01:002014-05-23T12:31:22.143+01:00I am not sure the cat appearances need to be toget...I am not sure the cat appearances need to be together. :-)robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-19038064717989135942014-05-21T19:04:57.145+01:002014-05-21T19:04:57.145+01:00Looked over your list with interest as I just got ...Looked over your list with interest as I just got the blu-ray set.<br /> <br />I agree about The General et. al. and the one No. 2 who was in 2 eps, BUT something else I noticed - the black cat. It's only in 2 eps I think and in the original order Dance Of The Dead and Many Happy Returns are next to each other which makes sense BUT your list puts them way apart.<br /> <br />Thoughts?<br /> <br /> <br />drc :)<br />darrel.christensen@tx.rr.com<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-84337906502243985002012-06-21T14:16:47.011+01:002012-06-21T14:16:47.011+01:00Let me know how it works out!
P.S. Love that sho...Let me know how it works out! <br /><br />P.S. Love that shot of the girl with her pet reptile.robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-18043150802636196372012-06-21T02:39:16.471+01:002012-06-21T02:39:16.471+01:00It's been awhile since I've watched this. ...It's been awhile since I've watched this. I have the DVD Megaset, but just ordered the Bluray. I'm going to watch this in your preferred order. Your reasoning is sound and addresses those issues I remember bugging me. (Like the order of Schizoid Man, The General and A,B & C) Thanks. <br /><br />Jeffrey L. Shipley<br />www.UnpopularPublications.com<br />www.TalesofBloodandRoses.comUnpopular Publicationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182707229599684910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-24604185977334793242009-10-15T16:38:07.689+01:002009-10-15T16:38:07.689+01:00The great thing is that new people are discovering...The great thing is that new people are discovering The Prisoner all the time. Oh to be unaware of this show and stumble across such brilliance!robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08743788064455642852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307486.post-79090775419071929532009-10-15T10:40:09.263+01:002009-10-15T10:40:09.263+01:00I found the article regarding the exact order of &...I found the article regarding the exact order of "Prisoner" episodes to be intriguing. I own the A&E collection which sequenced the stories based on their logic, as it was identical to said sequence when the program was aired on A&E during the autumn of 1991. I prefer the network's airing to the ones listed in the article, even though the reasoning was indeed very thought-provoking. I will always welcome such critique as "The Prisoner" was meant to be open to various interpretations. I do agree on one point: "The General" should have been aired before "A B & C". And, I agree that the program was wonderfully brilliant and is my all-time favorite. And, as they say...Be seeing you....WillTramehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14290314384808436321noreply@blogger.com