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{{work}}
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[[File:225px-Prisoner_sm.jpg|frame]]
 
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'''No.2:''' Information.
'''Prisoner:''' Whose side are you on?
'''No.2:''' That would be telling. We want information... information... information!
information... information!
'''Prisoner:''' You won't get it!
'''No.2:''' By hook or by crook... we will.
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'''No.2:''' [[You Are Number Six|You are Number Six.]]
'''Prisoner:''' I am not a number, I am a free man!
'''No. 2:''' <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Evil Laugh]] or Mocking Laugh, depending on the New No.2] }}
 
A celebrated 1967 British [[Science Fiction]] drama with [[Spy Drama]] elements, filmed in [[Wales|Portmeirion, Wales]] and produced by and starring [[Patrick McGoohan.]], '''''The seriesPrisoner''''' deals with the conflict between individuality and authority, told through an unnamed man's attempts to escape from a surreal [[Dystopia|Dystopian]]n penal colony. Almost uniquely (for a series of that era not based upon a novel), it had a distinct [[Story Arc]]. The episodes had no clear progression, but the series did have a distinct beginning, middle and end, capped off by the [[Grand Finale]] "Fall Out".
 
''[[The Prisoner]]'' is known for its obscure, confusing, yet intricate subtexts and plot twists, which culminated in the most notorious (and most beloved) [[Gainax Ending]] in British television history. Patrick McGoohan had almost complete creative control, a budget 40% larger than that of most other series, and ''no idea'' where the show was going from episode to episode. After what was broadcast as episode 11, the script editor, George Markstein, quit the series and was not replaced. Scripts and story ideas from that point on came from random people and places: a Western-themed episode was suggested by a video editor, and the infamous episode "The Girl Who Was Death" was an unused script from ''[[Danger Man]]'' (featuring characters, props and locations from said series). Finally, the series' infamous ending takes a turn for the surreal, fueled by McGoohan's wish to have "controversy, arguments, fights, discussions, people in anger waving fists in my face saying, ''how dare you?''". Let's just say the [[Gainax Ending]] could easily have been called the "Prisoner Ending" and leave it at that.
 
The characters:
 
* '''Number 6''': A nameless former spy who has resigned as "a matter of conscience". The only character to appear in each of the 17 episodes.
* '''Number 2''': A succession of leaders who live in the Green Dome. They all try in their turn to break Number 6. Each episode has a unique Number 2 (or in a couple of episodes, more than one per episode). Only those played by [[Leo McKern]] and [[Colin Gordon]] appeared more than once.
* '''The Butler''': A silent dwarf played by Angelo Muscat who serves Number 2. He appears in all but a few of the episodes.
* '''The Supervisor''': A nearly-emotionless balding gentleman with thick square glasses who runs the security room. He appears in many but not all episodes (and in a few of them his appearances are [[Stock Footage]]).
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A [[remake]], in the form of a six-hour miniseries with Jim "The Passionate Christ" Caviezel as Number 6 and Sir Ian "The White Wizard" McKellen as Number 2, ran in November 2009. This was not a direct remake, as characterization, atmosphere, and ending were almost entirely different. YMMV as to whether the miniseries worked taken on its own terms, and on whether it deserved to keep the name.
 
[[Ridley Scott]] has expressed interest in doing a [[The Film of the Series|film remake]] of the series since 2016, but as of mid-2021 there is no sign that it has ever gone anywhere past expressing interest.
 
----
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{{tropelist}}
* [[Actor Shared Background]]: One of the only pieces of information Number Six voluntarily gives the Village is his date and exact time of birth (19 March 1928, 3:15 a.m.) -- which coincides exactly with McGoohan's.
* [[Absentee Actor]]: "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" was filmed while McGoohan was off shooting ''Ice Station Zebra'', so a [[Freaky Friday Flip|mind swap]] plotline was devised that allowed another actor to play No.Number 6Six for the episode.
* [[Affably Evil]]: Most of the No. 2s
* [[All Just a Dream]]: The resolution of two of the later episodes, where the majority of the episode is revealed to be a simulated dream or a fictional story being improvised by a character. And then there's the episode where Number Two decides to invade Number Six's dreams...
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* [[Bad Boss]]: While the various Numbers 2 are like this, apparently not caring if their underlings die, it's apparent that Number One is a [[Complete Monster]] who is this to them. When some Numbers 2 fail, it's clear they're in utter dread of his wrath.
* [[Bavarian Fire Drill]]: In "Checkmate," Number Six impersonates a guard simply by acting imperious. The other prisoners, who have been conditioned to be subservient, buy it without question.
* [[The Beatles]]: Use of "All You Need Is Love" in the finale is a rare example of an original Beatles recording (as opposed to a cover) used in a soundtrack while the Fab Four still had a say in how their music was used. Also very creepy.
** [http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/11/the-prisoner-an-all-star-appreciation/ The band loved the series] (which is why they authorized the use of their recording), and were going to make a film before ''Magical Mystery Tour'', directed by McGoohan, based on ''The Prisoner'' - [[What Might Have Been|it never happened]].
* [[Becoming the Mask]]: The real threat represented by the Village. Yes, the people running it might torture or brainwash you, but eventually, they may not need to: the prisoners and jailers appear interchangeable, and the setting idyllic, with some prisoners eventually liking the place and choosing to serve it. {{spoiler|1=Leo McKern's No. 2 is eventually revealed to be a former inmate.}}
** Leo McKern apparently got very, very into the role as No. 2 in "Once Upon a Time", to the point where the on-screen stress No. 2 was enduring caused either a real heart attack or nervous breakdown for the actor (the accounts differ).
** In a bit of [[Fridge Brilliance]], this is probably why "Checkmate" represents Six's darkest hour. Not only did he fail utterly at his plan, {{spoiler|he did so because he proved he would be an incredibly effective jailer in his own right, having convinced the other prisoners he already is one.}}
** The end of "Living in Harmony" reveals that {{spoiler|the whole thing was a hallucination in a fake town, in which Number 2 and his assistant played the main villain and the psychotic "kid." However, the assistant has genuinely been driven insane by the experience.}}
* [[Bond One-Liner]]: Subverted. On the surface, Six is a [[Deadpan Snarker]] like Bond, but his "jokes" are always deadly serious.
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** It has been said that if the show had been given a second season, it would have been given a new format based on this where Number Six would be sent out on missions, but always pulled back in.
* [[The Butler Did It]]: As good a guess as any. (No, really. The show's production assistant literally said this. It's as good a guess as any.)
* [[But You Were There and You and You]] -: One episode turns out to be a story Number Six is telling to a group of children, and the two villains in the story are played by the same actors as Number Two and his assistant.
** Another episode plays out as a Western with the same [[The Reveal|Reveal]], but in this case it was [[All Just a Dream]].
* [[Calvin Ball]]: Kosho, a game involving trampolines, padding, martial arts, and a pool of water that Number Six apparently plays twice a week. The rules can be guessed at somewhat, but it's mainly there to contribute to the general [[Mind Screw]] of the series.
* [[Canon Discontinuity]]: McGoohan has gone on record stating that only seven episodes in the series ''really count''. <ref> Those episodes being: ''Arrival'', ''Free for All'', ''Dance of the Dead'', ''Checkmate'', ''The Chimes of Big Ben'', ''Once Upon A Time'', and ''Fall Out''</ref>.
* [[Catch Phrase]]: Several. "Be seeing you!", "Why did you resign?", "I am not a number, I am a free man!", "Who is Number One?", etc.
* [[Celibate Hero]]: Number Six is {{spoiler|engaged}}.
* [[Cold War]]: Subverted. See [[Government Conspiracy]] below.
* [[Comic Book Adaptation]]: A sequel miniseries (later collected into a TPBtrade paperback) called ''Shattered Visage''. Among other things, it provided an explanation for the show's infamous [[Gainax Ending]]. It also comes close to performing a [[Gender Flip]] by featuring n a new No. 6 who, this time, is a woman ({{spoiler|in this story, the original No. 6, apparently driven mad, takes on the role of No. 2 - at least, until one of the original No. 2's2s returns to the Village}}). As for whether it's canon, well... the most McGoohan ever said about it was that he "didn't hate it".
* [[Common Knowledge]]: When the character of the Prisoner is referenced in other works, it is common to see him placed in his black vest with white piping and the number six lapel pin. This may make serve to make the reference clear, but the original Prisoner took the No. 6 pin off practically as soon as he was given it; he ''never'' wore his number willingly, except under extreme duress (like being brainwashed into campaigning enthusiastically for himself in "Free For All").
* [[Cool Car]]: The Lotus Seven, even though it's rarely used outside the intro.
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* {{spoiler|[[Dance Party Ending]]}}
** DEM BONES, DEM BONES.
* [[A Day at the Bizarro]]: Basically every single episode after the first 11 - owing to a case of [[Franchise Zombie]]. "Bizarre" is relative, but "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" gives us the first real example in the series. It's immediately followed by "Living In Harmony", in which the ''entire'' show (including the iconic opening sequence) is transformed into a [[Western]]. The episode after ''that'' ("The Girl Who Was Death") turns out to be {{spoiler|a bedtime story told by Number 6}}. The reason for these stories is because the script editor, George Markstein, quit the series and was not replaced. Scripts and story ideas came from random people and places: the Western episode was suggested by a video editor and "The Girl Who Was Death" was an unused script from ''Danger Man''. All this adds to a dissonance of tone and distances the series from exploring life in the Village and Number Six's struggles.
** And after that, everything [[It Gets Worse|goes to hell]], [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|although some fans feel it happens in the best possible way.]]
* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: With The Village being an overpowering, Orwellian superpower, Number 6 does most of his fighting with words. Needless to say, he's very, very good at it.
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* [[Depending on the Writer]]: How independent and self-aware the other villagers are is determined by the needs of each episode's plot. In some, they're little more than lemmings, jumping to act ''en masse'' in whatever way their captors tell them. In others, they seem to be free-thinking individuals capable of resistance of against Number Two and his/her goons.
* [[Determinator]]: Number 6. He ''does not give up''.
** In "A. B. and C.," it's revealed that his dreams are an endless loop of his resignation... and nothing else. He doesn't even quit when he's asleep.
* [[Different in Every Episode]]: A subtle aural example: the section of the opening theme tune accompanying the scene where the future Number 6 confronts his boss is remixed to emphasize different instruments in each episode.
* [[Dramatic Unmask]]: Inverted in the final episode. {{spoiler|Twice}}.
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** In the episode "The General" {{spoiler|Number 12 - who controls Security that episode - immediately aids Number Six's efforts to stop the Instant-Learning program. No explanation for 12's turn is ever given.}}
* [[Hero Ball]] / [[What an Idiot!]]: Although No. 6 is the show's [[Only Sane Man]] ''most'' of the time, it's hard not to facepalm once he {{spoiler|ends up at Beachy Head with its famous lighthouse and ''doesn't recognise it'', falls asleep on a truck without even bothering to hide himself, and subsequently goes straight back to his own home, even though he already ''knows'' from previous episodes that his former friends are after him.}}
* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]:
* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]:* Number Six's method of looking for potential allies in "Checkmate" is the very thing that thwarts that episode's escape attempt.
** In "A Change of Mind," Number Six turns the villagers against Number Two with the same tactics Number Two used on him throughout the rest of the episode.
* [[Human Chess]]: "Checkmate"
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** McGoohan in the unbroadcast (but later released on DVD) early edit of the first episode, which shows him giving a somewhat more "animated" reaction to seeing the Village out his window for the first time.
* [[Laser-Guided Amnesia]]: In "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling", Number 6's memory of the Village is wiped completely. He gets it back by the end of the episode without much explanation.
* [[Leitmotif]]: In "'Hammer Into Anvil"' and "'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling"'.
** 'Pop Goes the Weasel' is used throughout the series. The episode "'Once Upon a Time"' establishes "'POP"' as an acronym for {{spoiler|protect other people}} and originally "'POP"' was to be a featured element of the show's closing credits, but this was never broadcast (you still see it in the early edit versions of some episodes that have been released on DVD).
* [[Life Imitates Art]]: The official Prisoner fanclub's leadership dissolved in a heady mix of paranoia, backstabbing, and accusations of people spying on each other in real life. Several tertiary members mentioned this trope when they heard of what happened.
* [[Lighthouse Point]]: "The Girl Who Was Death."
* [[Little People Are Surreal]]: The Butler.
* [[Locked in a Room]]{{context}}
* [[Logic Bomb]]: how the Prisoner defeats the General. {{spoiler|It turns out that the General is a room-sized computer which can answer any question. The Prisoner asks it "Why?". The General overheats and explodes trying to come up with an answer. This is probably the [[Trope Codifier]] for the "ask the AI an open-ended philosophical question" version of the trope.}}
* [[Loners Are Freaks]]: Subverted since in the Village, the fact that Number 6 is a stubborn loner is his greatest strength. Doubly subverted in the episode "Checkmate".
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** Many of the Village minders don't actually give a flying fuck about the answer -- what's important is that Number 6 surrenders by telling them.
*** This is supported in the very first episode where the first No. 2 encountered states outright that they know why he resigned, and proceeds to characterize the interrogation of No. 6 as "a double check".
*** No. 6 also {{spoiler|outright states why he resigned}} in "Once Upon a Time". ( {{spoiler|"Too many people know too much."}} Which is actually a reasonable reason for resigning.)
** Others, like the Number 2 in "A, B and C", set off the plot of the episode in question because they think they'll learn the true reason Number 6 resigned. They never do.
* [[Mind Probe]]: There are ''several'' different machines that can at least partially tap into Number Six's mind and tell what he's thinking (or force him to think what they want him to think), but they can't seem to dig out the one specific response they need of him.
* [[Mind Rape]]: Lots of episodes, probably most notably "The Schizoid Man," in which Number Six is brainwashed into believing that he is merely someone impersonating Number Six, and "Once Upon a Time," in which he is brainwashed into mentally regressing to childhood.
* [[Mind Screw]]: The series as a whole, individual episodes in particular and the [[Grand Finale]], of course, most of all. Eat your heart out, ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion|EVA]]''.
* [[Mind Screwdriver]] - The ''Shattered Visage'' comic. As stated before, however, it's canonicity is uncertain.
* [[The Mole]]: A lot of the [[Failure Is the Only Option|drama]] that arises is because either No. 6 believes someone to be this trope, or someone else believes No. 6 to be this.
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** "Once Upon a Time" includes a line of dialogue (confirmed by examination of the script) in which No. 2 (pretending to be a teacher) says to 6 "Meet me in the morning break." A common mishearing of the line is "Meet me in the morning Drake."
** Confusing things further, in the late 1960s three original novels were published based upon the series. The first two of these: "The Prisoner" by Thomas Disch and "Number Two" by David [[Mc Daniel]], explicitly refer to No. 6 by the name Drake.
* [[Noughties Drama Series]]: The [[Ur Example]], three decades before the [[Turn of the Millennium]].
* [[Ontological Mystery]]: Where exactly ''is'' the Village? Who runs it? Does it matter?
* [[Paranoia Gambit]]: Number Six does this to Number Two in "Hammer Into Anvil."
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* [[Salvage Pirates]]: episode "[http://tinyurl.com/4gj59w Many Happy Returns]". Number 6 escapes the Village on a raft and encounters a <s>fishing</s> gun-running boat whose crew steals his belongings. He ends up fighting them and eventually captures them.
* [[Sauna of Death]]: With Number 6 trapped inside. In "The Girl Who Was Death".
* [[Scenery Porn]]: The Village. [[wikipediahttps://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Portmeirion| You can always swing by for a stay]]...
* [[Shout-Out]] (in the series):
** In "The Girl Who Was Death," Number Six receives his orders in a manner mimicking that of Jim Phelps in ''[[Mission: Impossible (TV series)||Mission Impossible]]''.
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** Alexis Kanner played Number 48, "The Kid", and an unmamed photographer in different episodes.
** Also Patrick Cargill, who played a British government official in "Many Happy Returns", and Number 2 in "Hammer into Anvil".
** Christopher Benjamin appears as different characters in "Arrival" and "The Girl Who Was Death", and in the latter actually reprises a character named Potter that he played in an episode of ''[[Danger Man]]"''.
** Colin Gordon appears as No. 2 in the episodes "A, B and C" and "The General" and aside from McKern is the only actor to play No. 2 more than once. However, given the nature of the series, there is actually a case to be made that Gordon is playing two ''different'' No. 2's, if one compares elements such as characterization. The one-off appearance of Village workers in "Arrival" who look exactly the same (possibly twins, possibly clones) is cited as possible evidence in support.
*** The Colin Gordon question may depend on which order you watch the episodes. If "A, B and C" is seen before "The General", as it was during the show's original run, they may be different. If that order is reversed, they appear to be the same character who goes from highly confident to desperate to avoid punishment for failure.
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* [[Catch Phrase]]: discounting "Be seeing you", apparently avoided during production; when the series was first announced, much of the publicity involved the phrase "Seek the Six" being connected to the show in some way, but once the show was actually made and prepared for broadcast, this catch phrase vanished from all publicity and is never heard within the show itself (if it was ever intended to be).
* [[Enemy Without]] - Schizoid
* [[Evil Overlord List]] - 2's last gambit is remarkably similar to #143{{context}}<!-- The list liked to doesn't have a #143 -->
* [[Florence Nightingale Effect]]{{context}}
* [[Heroes Want Redheads]]{{context}}
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{{reflist}}
{{TV Guide's Top Cult Shows Ever}}
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[[Category:British Series]]
[[Category:Seiun Award]]
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[[Category:The Sixties]]
[[Category:Hugo Award]]
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[[Category:TV Series]]
[[Category:MultipleGURPS Works Need Separate PagesSettings]]
[[Category:Live-Action TV of the 1960s]]
[[Category:Noughties Drama Series]]
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