Be Seeing You: Watching The Prisoner

After finishing the 2009 Miniseries we took a few weeks off, recovered, and now present you with this look back at our best-of and worst-of picks from The Prisoner. What was the Most McGoohan Moment? Most Questionable Technology? Best Number Two? It's all here and more.

This concludes the 2009 miniseries remake of "The Prisoner" leaving more questions than answers, much like the original. Unlike the original, here Number Six decides to replace Number Two voluntarily after an appeal from The Village's founder.

Both Number Six and Number Two develop disturbing alter egos in this penultimate episode. 11-12 confronts his mother, and we get further glimpses of 313's past.

Number Six's village existence and his life as Michael in New York draw closer together when he is introduced to 415 (Lucy in NY) through a dating service.

Number Six is persuaded to train to be an "undercover" in the village. He learns of the surveillance villagers are subject to, including the scrutiny of their own children.

Here we continue our discussion of the 2009 miniseries adaptation of The Prisoner. In this episode Number Six is introduced to his alleged brother, searches for the ocean, and winds up imprisoned in the infamous clinic.

Here we cover the first episode of The Prisoner Miniseries, produced in 2009 by AMC and ITV. Starring Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel, this updated effort plays occasional homage to the original while changing to reflect the times.

In the final episode of The Prisoner, all becomes clear. Number Six finally meets Number One. We find out why he resigned, and who exactly runs the Village. No wait that's rubbish. We don't learn a damn thing, and all that's left is to hound McGoohan and pound on his door demanding answers.

In this short minicast we discuss the lasting influence of The Prisoner on popular culture and television.

In this penultimate episode, a familiar Number Two returns to subject Number Six to the ultimate interrogation technique. The question is answered: will our hero successfully berate a man to death?

Here are two super-fun YouTube videos that give a little taste of what it would be like with Number Six played by a woman. First, a shot-for-shot remake of The Prisoner opening credits as a music video for the band Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbUhmwSObto And secondly, Jess Erskine's hilarious remake of those opening credits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4eUSmUWsUY

A bedtime story in the Village. Number six tells young children a jolly tale of WWII munitions, exploding cricket ball assassinations, a gauzy femme fatale, and a delusional mad scientist with a Napoleon complex hell-bent on launching his red rocket into the heart of London. Good night secret agents everywhere!

This week on Secret Agents of the Old West... random kids in the middle of fistfights...homicidal mime manchildren...veiled anti-Vietnam war agitprop...and yet more weeping and Pennyfarthing-stroking. Patrick McGoohan always wanted to star in a western, and he got his way!

Nigel Stock stands in for Patrick McGoohan in this unusual The Prisoner. Mind transference, forgotten fiances and an especially potent scientist are featured on this clip show episode while McGoohan filmed Ice Station Zebra in Hollywood.

Indulge us for a quick notice about our previous podcast, which will cease hosting soon.

In this short podcast we explore the history of The Prisoner's odd vehicular mascot. Why the big wheel? And why were they replaced by the "safety" bicycle we all know and love? 

Outraged by his sadistic tendencies, Number Six sets out to capitalize on the new Number Two's paranoia and weakness. We're also treated to another Kosho match.

Number Six foils a plot to assassinate Number Two, fearing reprisals against the village. A highlight of this episode is the ancient, totally authentic martial art of Kosho.

Waking up to a deserted village, Number Six sets about making a raft and escaping. Despite an encounter with German arms smugglers he makes it to London and his old flat, where he obtains a surprising amount of help from its charming new tenant. Alas, he finds himself deviously ejected from this happy homecoming and back into the village. At least he gets a birthday cake out of it!

A new Number Two launches an assault on Number Six's identity with a combination of psychological conditioning and an identical double. It's a festival of doppelgängers, manly pursuits, facial hair and 60s ESP experiments.

The Village overseers plan mass mind control under the guise of an educational breakthrough called SpeedLearn. Number six manages to thwart their scheme but is scarred with a puncture wound and an encyclopedic understanding of European history (Napoleon - WWII).

Every night the dreams of Number Six are hijacked and taken to a swanky Parisian party where Number Two hopes to witness the real reason for his resignation. This episode features Herb Alpert, some 1960s oscilloscopes with terrifying powers, and a "meta" ending far ahead of its time.

The exterior filming of The Prisoner takes place in an unlikely location: the picturesque Welsh village of Portmeirion. This brief minicast explores the history and cultural significance of the unique Mediterranean resort on the Welsh coast.

Nadia, new prisoner in the Village, gains Number Six's trust and helps him escape to London in a cozy packing crate. He realizes at the last minute that he has been deceived.

Theresa surprises John with some Be Seeing You: Watching The Prisoner merchandise.

After witnessing a renegade Rook take matters into his own hands in a human chess game, Number Six realizes their are other rebellious villagers who yearn to escape. How to tell them from the lackey guardians who work for Number Two? Our hero assembles his team of insurgents while avoiding the attentions of a lovesick brainwashing victim, but ultimately even maritime fisticuffs cannot prevail against Rover.

It's carnival time in The Village! Enjoy cats, throngs of bloodthirsty suety Brits in fancy dress, and corpses washed up on the beach. Do you understand? It is important you understand...

Number six is persuaded to stand for election, but it's unclear that he can actually win. Throw in an escape attempt, various mind control drugs and things that spin and we have ourselves a Free For All.

We arrive in the Village! It's very international, and the breakfasts are good, but why can't one leave? Join us as we follow Number Six's introduction to his new home. Everyone gets a complimentary lava lamp.

In this brief podcast we introduce ourselves and the concept behind Be Seeing You: Watching The Prisoner.