From: websterm@uproar.enet.dec.com (Mike Webster)
Subject: INFORMATION
Reply-To: Mike.Webster@ime.mts.dec.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:38:13 GMT


This is long and should answer some of the questions I've seen here.
It's not a FAQ and is extracted from archives generated in the 80s.

Some points. Reproduced here without permission, appologies to orriginal
authors. These points orriginally made 1985-87.

	*) Patrick Mc Goohan, PM, also worked on Dangerman. This may or
	   may not be important.

	*) DANGERMAN was the name of the first secret agent series about
	   the character John Drake, a man who did not believe in using
	   a gun or getting involved with women on the job (contrary to
	   the typical James Bond type). The shows were 20 mins B/W.
	   When american distribution was desired, the series was filmed
	   as 60 minute SECRET AGENT b/w and color episodes (although
	   they were never released in color). The main plots were how
	   this agent dealt with the moral conflictions of his job.

	   Note: The mixed up "puzzle" letters that appear in the closing
	   credits of Secret Agent spell DANGERMAN.

	*) The car used in the film was a Lotus Seven series II, which was
	   available as a kit or assembled (hence why #6 claimed he built it).
	   As posted, the real KAR120C (which was the demo model series II)
	   was used and eventually sold to an Austrailian. When FALLOUT
	   was filmed, a quick "mock up" was made and used. Lotus, desiring
	   to termininate production of the car, sold the rights to Caterham.
	   Caterham re-named the car a "super seven", to reflect many structure
	   improvemts added. The car is still available (in kit only) in both
	   the U.S. and U.K. Until recently, I owned one. If you would like
	   info on how to get one, you can contact me. (cost is about 17k-23k).
	   The car is VERY VERY fast (0-50 in 4 to 4.5 secs) and tricky to
	   get registered.

	   Another funny point is that the car DOES have a problem history
	   of over-heating in traffic, the same one mentioned to #6 by the
	   woman in MANY HAPPY RETURNS.


	*) PM was asked to create 5 "fill in" episodes for U.S. release.
	   These are the ones with almost no (or re-used) shots of the village.
	   Living in Harmony, The Girl Who was Death, Do not forsake me...,
	   Many Happy Returns are 4 of the 5 (can't remember the 5th off hand).
	   These episodes can be removed from the series without impact to
	   the overall story.

	*) PM conceived the concept for ther series while filming an episode
	   of Dangerman in Portmerion (the village. Yes, a Dangerman took
	   place there). There is also a Secret Agent episode about a
	   "village" of agents training to become imposters that he also
	   used as part of the idea (this is the show with the typewriter/
	   camera).

	*) Although he intentionally used it to his advantage, part of the
	   reason a #1 appears on the home of the prisoner is because the
	   REAL apartment door used for the filming is apt #1, located on
	   Buckingham St in London. (I have seen it myself).

	*) PM does live in the north-western U.S.

	*) The order of the episodes changed because of the changes made to
	   CHIMES before airtime (hence why the lost episode exists). The only
	   difference in the order is where CHIMES falls in the series. The
	   officially accepted order places CHIMES as second.


More Information:

	*) Leo McKern (who has appeared in other films such as the Adventures
	   of Sherlock Holm's smarter brother and Blue Lagoon) had a
	   breakdown (because of the intensity of the episode) during the
	   filimg of ONCE UPON A TIME. This is why there was a "resurection"
	   scene in FALL OUT to help account for Leo's change in appearence
	   due to the passage of time (he had no beard and shorter hair),
	   and why there was a time lag before the last 2 episodes were
	   show in the UK. By the way, isn't it interesting that both PM and
	   LM made films with Gene Wilder (who was in Silver Streak)?

	*) There were plans last year to make a sequel Prisoner movie, taking
	   place years after the evacuation. No further news yet. Personally,
	   I think it would be neat to simply make a few more episodes in the
	   EXACT same setting as the previous series, episodes that logically
	   would occur BEFORE the evacuation and maybe even before #6.

	*) Using a weather balloon for rover was a last-minute decision. There
	   was suppose to be a robot-like device, but it failed to work
	   properly during filming. PM made an instant decision to use
	   something else on the set.

	*) The public was so outraged by the showing of the last 2 episodes
	   that PM had to go into hiding for a short while. Most people were
	   disappointed about the end (many wanted #1 to end up being the
	   butler).

	*) The "Man behind the desk" during the resignation sceen is George
	   Markenson (mis-spelled I'm sure).

	*) To celebrate the aniversary of the series, Caterham cars has
	   announced a limited release of the Lotus Series II used in the
	   film. The car will have a wider wheelbase and current cogsworth
	   engine, but will feature the same accessories, wood trim, and
	   steel wheels as the original. Patrick McGoohan has given his
	   approval for using his name in endorsement. I was lucky enough
	   to be present the day his phone call was received by the Caterham
	   Official during a Super Seven club event.

	*) There is a cute story in the 6-of-1 stuff, written by a fan,
	   called DR WHO MEETS THE PRISONER. In it, the TARDIS lands in the
	   village while #6 is being chased by rover. The Dr, familiar with
	   the life form, stops rover and offers #6 a lift. I
	   Believe I still have the story if anyone is interested.

	*) The pennyfarthing symbol was in use at Portmerion before the
	   Prisoner show existed and was adopted into the show by PM.

	*) Caterham Cars sells a metal miniture model of the Super Seven
	   for about $40 (It's about 3 inches long). I own one and can
	   supply the info for any interested parties.




Personal thoughts and observations:

   I studied each episode, looking for the information #6 gained
   about the village and his captors as time went on. I'm doing this
   from memory, so I will probably leave out some important things.

        ARRIVAL
                We see the sequence of events concerning his capture (a
                slightly longer version than that used in the rest of the
                series). It is interesting that the doors to the office where
                he is submitting his resignation are labeled WAY OUT. He is
                dressed in the same clothes typical of John Drake in Secret
                Agent.

                He Learns about the village. That guards disguise themselves
                as prisoners, and that all equipment is controlled and
                observed. He meets rover, and learns that it can kill or knock
                out, and that the village will result to medical methods to
                extract information.

                The village actually knows the real the reason for his
                resignation ("personally I believe your story and think it was
                a matter of principle"), but does not believe it (meaning he
                goes through the rest of the persecution for nothing). #6's
                reasons also match the personality of the Secret Agent series.
                This is also 1 of 2 episodes where #2 changes in the same show.
                This is the only show where #6 wears his number, and only
                for a few seconds.

                The village's first attempt to use female seduction to gain
                information flatly fails (the maid for his apartment was the
                attempt).

                The village has an old people's home, graveyard, privately
                labeled products (food, helicoptor, etc).



        CHIMES OF BIG BEN (Original and alternative versions)
                Learns that #2 and the other gardians are really prisoners
                also (they know too much to be let go). His reason for
                resignation is confirmed by his "almost" confession ("It was
                a matter of conscience, for a very long time now I felt
                that..."), the only time he comes close to confessing.
	        He learns that some of his old superiors are "in" on the
                village; but since he isn't really in London, it is too early
                to state which side runs the village. This is the second
                attempt to use female seduction. He also learns rover is
                bullet-proof.
			
                We learn that there is no alcohol in the village. We also
                learn that there are places in the village where you can be
                seen but not heard, that an "orange" alert releases rover,
                and that rover's "home" is the sea.

                This episode is also significant because it's the only one
                where #6 "gives in" a little and makes a deal concerning his
                stay (that he will settle down a bit, but not give infor-
                mation), setting the stage for the remainder of the series.
                The "polish border" and "baltic" information cannot be trusted
                as true because it was given by the girl who was really a
	        gardian, so the location is still secret.
                
                If the original episode order is used, this episode would be
                later in the series. This would suggest that #6 gave in a
                little after some time passed (not a thought I like, it's more
                in character that he decided to give in to simply help the
                girl). It is also interesting that the girl uses the same
                excuse for capture ("I resigned") as #6 to capture his trust.

		#6 is the only resident to enter the art exhibition without
                something that refers to #2 ("where is #2?"). We learn that #6
                cannot speak or understand polish.


	A B & C
                The village learns that #6 did not resign because of an intent
                to sell out. #6 learns that the village has the ability to
                drug his water supply. We learn that the village can monitor
                and manipulate dreams. (By the way, the male character at the
                party that he has a run-in with also played a similar "evil"
                character in Secret Agent).

		We learn that the reason #6 was packing just before his capture
                was to escape on a holiday after resigning

		I think the use of the mirror to straight out the dream was
                great!

		This episode has an error in that the female Dr.'s statement
                made earlier in the village does NOT correctly match the one
                made by the "dream" girl ("We all make mistakes, sometimes we
                have to"), which triggered #6's doubt about her identity.
                Listen and compare for yourself.


        FREE FOR ALL
		Physical violence is used against him (#2's thugs beat him in
                the end) in an attempt to deflate his hope/punish him/torture
                him, making this one of the most violent episodes in the
                series (second only to FALL OUT). He also learns that the
                elections are false. We learn that there is some sort of hidden
                society, accessable through #2's office (3 men around rover
                are seen). This is revealed in detail in FALL OUT. This is the
                first female #2, although it is not revealed until the very
end.
                #6 desires to rebel by finding and consuming alcohol. #6
learns
                about the existance of the caves.


	SCHIZIOD MAN
                Nothing really learned about the village here, except the depth
                of their ability to get all "citizens" to co-operate in the
		falsehood. We learn that rover can run on an "automatic pilot",
                and may kill when not desired. We learn that #6's beadroom lamp
                is also an elctronic mind control device (a fact he discovers
                later). We also learn that #6 is a boxing and fencing champ,
                and that he smokes (just as John Drake did).

		PM meant this episode to explore what exactly does make a person
                different and important.

		I feel that this show is THE BEST attempt EVER at having an
                actor play his double!


	THE GENERAL
		It actually seems like the village has discovered something
                more intersting than #6, and pretty much ignores him until he
                interferes. #6 learns that there are officials in the village
                who want to rebel (who are also prisoners?). This is also the
                first return of a previous #2.


        MANY HAPPY RETURNS
		Important show (strange when you realize that this is also one
                of the 5 "filler" episodes). #6 learns the location of the
                village by record keeping and tracking, and that his home and
                car are being maintained by the village. You can also deduce
                that the village is run by "his" side because there is no
                future attempt by to investigate his story after his re-
                capture (even though the next episode shows that the "outside"
                thinks #6 is dead, they would still have checked the village
                for others of their side). The fact that his "file" was so
		complete in episode #1, and that #6 was previously betrayed by
                friends in episode #2, add to the deduction. This is the second
                show with a female #2, and you are given the feeling that the
                reason he was allowed to escape was as a "birthday present".
		We also learn that it has been several months (a "gap" of
                months) since his capture.

		This is the only episode where he is referred to by a name
                (Peter Smith), but an obviously false one. This is the first
                time a cat is seen.


	DANCE OF THE DEAD
        	Great and complex episode. #6 learns that, as far as the
                outside world is concerned, he is dead (eliminating hope of
                an outside rescue). We learn that he can be seen through his
                TV and that it cannot be covered up, and that he can be seen in
		his bathroom. This is the third female #2. We get a real
                feeling for how lonely the village is for him, and the total
                lack of privacy prevailing. We learn that he is locked in at
                night, and forced to sleep by drugs, hypnosis, and possibly
                other means. We also learn that he does not know how the food
		arrives, and that every "resident" gets a person assigned to
                watch him regularly. #6 learns that his apartment lamp serves
                in hypnosis attempts.

		#6 uses the caves (discovered in an earlier episode) to hide
		a body.
                
		It is learned that the village will terminate people who have
                lost their usefulness (another incentive for the Prisoner to
                hold out and escape), and that the village does keep contact
                with the outside world (remember the telex).

		#6 befriends the cat seen in the previous episode, only to
                learn that it to belongs to the village.

		The Prisoner admits that he would never commit suicide as a
                means of escape.

		This episode is often considered one of the best episodes,
                second only to Once upon a Time. Many symbolisms exist (the
                only person with a name is dressed as a fool, the "judges"
                include Napoleon and Caesar, #2 is dressed as Peter Pan -
                implying that this is a never-never land, #6's costume is
		his old clothes - implying that his former self is fantasy).


	DO NOT FORSAKE ME, OH MY DARLING
		We learn that #6 was engaged to the boss's daughter, and that
                there are secrets he has kept from his own people in attempts
                to help others. His car is referred to as "His Lotus", and we
		learn that it has been a year since his disappearence (quite
                a long time).

		The opening sequence in this show is slightly different than
                the "standard" opening.

		PM meant this episode to question the importance of one's own
                body.

		This episode has a plot flaw: If the village was able to
                transfer a mind, why didn't the process work in reverse, and
                why didn't the village use it afterwards in any case (the
                process was still useful as is)? This episode was one of the
                "filler" shows.


	IT'S YOUR FUNERAL
		#6 learns that the village betrays (and kills) its own people,
                that the previous #2's were "TEMPS" while the real one was
                away, and that some people rebel by jaming (reporting false
                information). This is the second episode where there are two
                #2's in 1 show. We also see #6's busy daily schedule,
confirming
		that he has settled down and has some interaction with fellow
                villagers.

		We learn, through taped "glimpses" of past #2's, that there
                have been several #2's not seen in the actual series (including
                some females). This confirms that a longer passage of time
                exists than the series depicts.


	CHECKMATE
		#6 learns how to tell the gardians from the prisoners. He now
                knows that the shop keeper and some others we often see are 
                prisoners. Although this is VERY useful; remember that the
                village can "break" or manipulate people, causing people to
		change sides. This is probably why #6 does not use others in
                future escape/rebellion plans once the village learned of his
                discovery.

		We learn that the village has boats as well as helicopters.


	LIVING IN HARMONY
		Nothing learned, although the "youth" who fails to prove
                himself by this new procedure eventually re-appears in FALLOUT
                as a rebel, and with a different number (implying numbers
                change with status?). The plot of the western is much the same
		as The Prisoner show itself.

		This is one of the few episodes to open without the
                resignation sequence.


	CHANGE OF MIND
		We learn that many villagers resent and dislike #6, even to
                provoking fights. It is also confirmed that the village
                doesn't want to do permanent harm to him, with the hope that
                one day #6 will be on their side.

		We learn that the normal procedure for prisoners with #6's
                personality and methods is brain surgery, but this is being
                prevented by #2 and higher ups due to his importance.


	HAMMER INTO ANVIL
		We learn that the flag pole has a gun system.

		Also interesting is that the classical song by Bizet,
                referenced throughout the episode, is about a lover avenging
                the death of his girl - the same plot of the episode itself.


	THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH
		This episode revealed that there are children in the village,
                although they are never seen in any other episodes. This show
                is one of the few that does not open with the resignation
                sequence.


        ONCE UPON A TIME
		The village contracts, against his desire, the only #2 that
                was able to relate to #6 as a person - the #2 that came
                closest to getting a confession from #6. This is the second
		time a #2 returns. This #2 places his life on the line, and
                learns the most about #6. #6 learns that #2 is much like
                himself and rebelled, but was eventually broken. #6 again
                states his reason for resignation ("Too many people knowing
                too many things..."). We also glimpse #6's childhood, and see
		that he has rebelled all his life against conformity. We also
                see that #6 feels that some things are more important than the
                law. It is confirmed that #6 has boxing and fencing ex-
                perience. (By the way, it is a truth that most secret agents
                were previously accountants of some sort - good with figures).

		POP goes the weasle is a dominate theme of this show, possibly
                being a tie-in to the "POP" reference in the lost "CHIMES"
                episode.

		The bedroom lamp device is used again. Rover is seen in #2's
                sphere-chair. Some of the underground system is revealed (we
                learn that #2 sleeps there). It is mentioned that the large
                "cage" is a mobil home of some sort.
                
                We learn that the butler serves the position of #2, not the
                person (which is good, since the people keep changing). In
                the middle of this episode, when #2 starts to fall apart,
                the butler starts serving #6 (since whoever leaves the room
                alive is the new #2).
			

	FALL OUT
		This show is one of the few that does not open with the
                resignation sequence. The remainder of the underground system
                is revealed.

		The most violent of the episodes, where #6 actually results to
                murder to escape (John Drake didn't believe in it, so this is
                an extreme lowering of morals). He learns that the village can
                even bring people back from the dead (under certain conditions
                probably). He meets #1 and learns that all rebels who are
                hopeless cases are strapped into a rocket for explusion from
		the earth, and that there is an empty container for him
                (unlabeled). This proves that the village never intended to
                fulfill their offer of release.

		Leo McKern is the only #2 to appear in 3 episodes. The location
                of the village is confirmed not to be an island because it is
                accessable via road.

		There are LOTS of symbolism in this show (black/white face
                masks where the black side is smiling and white is frowning,
                name plates like "anarchy" and "education", #1 being #6, his
                apt door automatically opening (which it did not do in
                previous episodes that showed his apt), the ending show
                sequence matching the opening, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE playing
                while mass slaughter is taking place, etc). This is also the
		only episode where PORTMERION is mentioned. The village offers
                #6 a million in traveler's checks, helping prove it is a high
                finance operation (rockets aren't cheap either).

		The butler rebels against the village by first revealing to #6
                (armed with a fire extinguisher) where the guards are hiding,
                using the extinguisher himself, firing machine guns, driving
                the getaway "mobile home" truck, and finally entering #6's
home.

		The DRY BONES theme is PM's intentional reference to the DRY
                BONES chapter of the bible, Ezekile 37 (which is also what the
                song was based on). You may want to read this.

		The WELL COME sigh seems to be an apathetic answer by the
                village in ackowledgement of #6's triumph.

		Rover is destroyed in this episode (this is the only episode
                whose ending credits don't include rover, or prison bars). We
                also learn there are a FLEET of helicoptors in the village.

		Note: The dance that #6 performs in front of the cop is
                similar to the one #48 performed in the "courtroom".


End of text.