The Prisoner: Identity Is Not A Barcode 

The best TV show ever made. I was 9 when it was broadcast. I've watched it several times since. Patrick Mcgoohan is a genius.

The Prisoner is a prescient warning to us in modern times about how we are inevitably heading towards a surveillance state that is insistent about conformity to norms. If you doubt this I invite you to consider how many security cameras and listening devices are monitoring you in any major modern city in the world.

I don't care what anyone says: I remember watching "Fall Out" as a teen and having my mind literally blown. The most surreal, bizarre, and memorable hour of television I think I've ever watched: to this day, I can quote every line of dialogue, including The President's address to the Assembly.

Absolutely GENIUS how the show "ended" : as THE PRISONER discovered , the really is "No End To It" ( captivity). Here we are , almost 60s years later, discussing it, analyzing it and still feeling the influence & shock waves from the intellectual richness of this UNIQUE television series. Bravo to you, Sir Patrick, you made The World more aware --- and taught us to BEWARE --- of protecting our very basic rights of freedom & individuality . 😎🇬🇧

I remember watching this as a kid and loving it because it was so bizarre. But even as a kid, I could tell there was something deeper going on than what meets the eye.

I have to disagree on the observation on the quality of the sets. For 1968 the production value for this series was high. Not just my opinion…

“Arrival” is the greatest pilot of all time.

Watched it several times with my dad. We were never disappointed at the ending, just wowed. No one I’ve ever talked about with was mad at the ending

at the 4 minute mark, slight correction. The Butler does not have a number and is not the only re curring character, the Supervsior, Peter Swanwick , is another partially recurring role .

The idea about Number 6 being hoisted by his own petard by being put in the village of his design is a far inferior and more contrived version than what took place. I'm glad Markstein didn't get his way.

After all these years, I just realized that the way this show was sprung upon us, it is we, who must finish the script.

One of the things that has defined/molded me. My teenage brain was overloaded when I first saw this, loved it. Thanks for the video, mate.

My favorite tv show of all time. Period. Thanks.

This is perhaps the best analysis of the Prisoner that I've seen. Really outstanding. The editor of the Prisoner, Noreen Ackland, had the best short synopsis of the story line that I have heard. She said: "I think that the Prisoner was about Number Six being imprisoned within his own self." As are we all.

The foot bone connected to the leg bone, The leg bone connected to the knee bone, The knee bone connected to the thigh bone, The thigh bone connected to the back bone.......

I really enjoyed this presentation. The Prisoner was television like none other back then. McGoohan was brilliant!

It was quite a ride. I watched it when I was 21 (23 years ago). I got immensily hooked just on what the resolve of it all would be. The final episode, the I I I scene, the totally chaotic stuff, as if chaos was dissolving itself. I don't know, I never forgot about it, to this day. It was definitely a one of a kind watch.

I’m rewatching The Prisoner right now; along with the RU-vidrs Heelvsbabyface & Burnett network. I watched it as a kid never really understood it, but it was just extremely compelling. Watching is now it’s mind blowing! It’s way ahead of it’s time TV. There are so many sci fi themes explored here! For example episodes where it’s like the film Inception.... I mean serious no other modern show since I saw it as a kid has made me think so much. Nobody is making such complex themed show as this these days ! 🧐🧐🧐🧐

When I had my first summer job in 1985, I'd come home at 2am and flip this on a cable rerun channel named CKVR. I didn't understand a word of it at the time, but I was totally sucked in. A friend of mine visited the actual 'village', which is a tourist attraction in Wales. I once read that David Lynch used this as his main inspiration for Twin Peaks (Laura Palmer's murderer being his own Number One) I remember when Braveheart came out, when McCoohan walked on screen as King Longshanks I yelled out 'WHO IS NUMBER ONE!!' Someone actually clapped :)

The best and my all time favourite programme ever made

The series was NOT abruptly cancelled. McGoohan wanted a 7-episode serial. Lew Grade wanted 26 episodes, so that he could sell it to CBS. In a compromise agreement, McGoogan agreed to stretch the show out to 17 episodes. All the episodes had been sketched out in an 8-page format before production started. The final episode, “Fallout,” was NOT a hastily written conclusion prompted by an unexpected cancellation announcement. Why do you try to perpetuate these counterfactual notions?

Who is Number One? You are, Number Six.

I was so terrified by that giant bubble when i was a child !

Be seeing you!

You are the best kinda classic weird I love very much. You are trippy nostalgia as a RU-vid channel

Very surprised you didn't mention the comic book sequel "The Prisoner: Shattered Visage".

The very idea of "exhausting a premise" must sound like an alien concept now.

If the audience didn't feel cheated in 1967 (regarding the ending) we would probably be not talking about it in 2024. I love this Series.

One of my all time favorite shows

I'm more attracted to the "literal" interpretation you gave that The Butler is a representation of Number 1 and a part of Number 6. The fact that The Butler ends up with 6-and, from what we can see, will likely be serving him for life-is very hard to explain otherwise. The detail about door #1 opening on its own is very meaningful, and another video pointed out (although I haven't checked this) that while the Butler is frequently around each Number 2, he's never in the room when 2 is speaking with 1. Also, consider how 6 and the Butler hold hands as they run toward the city bus. On the psychological level, I would suggest that 6 has integrated himself, confronted and overcome his "demons," as dramatized in the climactic scene in the control tower. I don't consider the violence they commit while escaping to be pointless at all, but an overcoming of last resistance to his own escape-which is a genuine escape, a release and a transformation. It's true, of course, the the world 6 returns to is not free of all restriction or outside control; I think this is what the policeman represents who stops them and apparently won't let them continue driving the prison cell. 6, however, playfully talks himself out of the situation; he has a different spirit there. 6 returns to himself-we see him driving his own car in the same way as the series opens-but now on a higher plane of freedom and self-integration...My six cents.

some things...require a little thought...these days most people...can't do that..

I have hazy memories of this show from my childhood, need to sit down and give it proper watch. Great stuff as usual SBP.

Great show and Amazing soundtrack!!!! CLASSIC

They answered the question in every episode, "who is number 1?" "You are number 6"

Notice that the shape of the bicycle and the “Be seeing you “ gesture are both number 6s. Most of the important supporting characters are multiples of 6: 12, 48 ... SPOILER! The clue to one of the series’ mysteries is in the opening. It depends on how you read it: “You are Number 6” or “You are, Number 6” ...

The butler represents the little people, always at the bidding of those in power.

Where am I……..in the 15 minute city…….we want information…….. I say he nailed it………. Be seeing you.

Excellent discussion/analysis. You’re a real tonic in comparison to other YT channels that resort to adolescent lingo & vulgarity. Keep up the good work. Cheers

“The gadgets look non functional”. I working in a uk council in the late 80s and they still had the same communication things knocking around which were previously used instead of telephones. I suspect there was no PBX possible at the time of its introduction.

I can personally identify with Number Six, given what happened these last two plus years.

The idea that 6 'designed' the Village makes no sense at all. Not only because it runs totally contrary to his ideology, but because it's quite clear he doesn't know what's happening or where he is when he first arrives. He doesn't even know "whose side" they're on. I find it strange that you think he's somehow not particularly moral or that he's 'unlikable' simply because he believes in individual autonomy/sovereignty. The idea that heroism somehow has to involve altruism comes out of left field. It's perfectly heroic for a man to stand alone against tyranny. The show suggests it may be a naive position to take, but not an unheroic one.

Great explanation of the masterpiece "The Prisoner". I was hooked the first time I seen it on TV when I was about 10, and still fascinated with it.

" The Village ".....sounds exactly what is going on in the UK With their new 15 minute cities

Be seeing you

Who is number one ? You are number six , they tell you right at the beginning of every show , you are , number six !!! You Are !!!

The last episode when he’s killing everyone and All you need is love is playing in the background I’ll never forget. It blew my young brain.

I am loving the recent diversity of media you have been covering

I don't think that No.6 was a character who was somewhat unsavoury. He was certainly anti heroic at times and often aggressive, but this is directed at his captors who have taken away his freedom and trying to break him. He bonds with fellow prisoners (Checkmate), helps Alison (The Schizoid Man), and gets revenge for the murder of a girl that he didn't even know (Hammer Into Anvil).

Love The Prisoner

You should do a video on some European comics That or finally get that swamp thing voice work done for me!

I've just thought, prompted by your replaying the intro, the series finale is subtly given away in the intro: "Who is number 1?" "You (deliberate? slight pause... dialogue continues with "...are number six..."). Just a theory.

I love everything about this youtube channel. Absolutely top-notch work on everything you do here.

“Who is Number One?” “You are, Number Six.” That comma makes a lot of difference. Was it in the script?

This reminds me a lot of the initial backlash Evangelion director Hideaki Anno received with the conclusion of the original series.

I've always wondered - though never seen discussion - of "Be seeing you" as "Be sea in you." The sea represents the path to freedom in the show. It follows that "Be sea in you" is a recognition that we sea the pathway to freedom in others (and therefore in ourselves).

Please! Don't stop making video

It explains who number one is in the intro, you just need to think of the sentence in a different way. Who is number 1, you are number 6! Once you understand number 1 is number 6 and this is a struggle with one's self the series makes more sense. Do you conform to society or struggle against it, it is something most people struggle with I think.

I've seen the first two eps a bunch since I bought them on VHS, but only have watched the entire series once. I could stand to watch again. I can see the influence of this series all over. Invisibles & Lost come to mind immediately.

From Stack Exchange: "some fans have claimed that in the show’s opening sequence the ID card that 6 turns in is stamped with computerese that spells John Drake, & there is, indeed, the aforementioned alleged ‘slip’ of 2 (or actor Leo McKern?) in Once Upon A Time (18:44) where he calls 6 Drake by name (or not?). In the ‘I’m not a rat’ tete-a-tete does 2 say ‘Report to my study in the morning, Drake.’ or ‘Report to my study at the morning break.’? Also, I have read that in the official novelizations of the Prisoner, the character is referred to as "John Drake" Apparently McGoohan could not explicitly refer to Danger Man/Secret Agent man because he would have to pay royalities to do so. Slip up's or McGoohan toying with the audience?

Thank you for making this. I watched with my brother and walked away with more questions than answers. Very informative!

1:36 I'm on the run, I kill to eat I'm starving now, feelin' dead on my feet Goin' all the way, I'm nature's beast Do what I want and do as I please That's the extent of what I know about the subject 🤘🏻🤘🏻

Guests star: Angelo Muscat (assistent number 2) Peter Swanwick (supervisor) Leo McKern (number 2)(Space 1999, 1 episode) Alexis Kanner (number 48)(UFO tv serie) Kenneth Griffith Georgina Cookson (Ufo tv serie) Wanda Wentham (Ufo tv serie) Michael Billington (Ufo tv serie) Jeane Merrow (Ufo tv serie ) Derren Nesbitt (Ufo tv serie) Annetto Andre (Randall & Opkirk deceased serie tv) Peter Wyngarde (Department S serie TV, Jason King spin off) Brendan Fraser camera operator (ITC Jerry and Sylvia Anderson)

That one illustration of a highweel bicycle, a Pennyfarthing with a canopy. The Prisoner's end credits usually show it coming together piece by piece. But look at the proportions of that bicycle, especially with the canopy. How can an actual human being fit on it and ride it? Could it be a metaphor of the show itself?

It's a mysterious work of Art!

Thanks for this video - it is very insightful, I appreciated the analysis.

Producers: We need an ending for this show McGoohan: 50 minutes of _Dem_ _Bones_ should do the trick

One of the greatest shows ever made!

I gotta watch this show

That is why it is great. Everybody has their own interpretation, and none of them are wrong. Episode 2 to 15 does not have to watched in chronological order. I always thought village was purgatory. As a 15 year old rewatching it in 1979, has a huge influence on my mindset. It is kinda spooky now, with total constant surveillance. AM NOT A NUMBER! I AM A FREEMAN!

I just watched the series for the first time, and wow! It's a great show. It's definitely weird, but in a good way.

I kind of liked theory posted on twitter awhile back that 06 agreed to take on this game because they originally wanted him to lead the project to see if everyone can break and 06 said that wouldn't happened and set out to prove it. The butler was probably a red herring.

This was used in lecture studies by one professor in America.

Identity lost could not be reclaimed or re privatized.

i've always wanted to check this out, thanks for pushing me

So much influence on V For Vendetta. The BBC repeated this and Monty Python in their entirety in the late eighties, so for me these visuals are the dark side of Sgt. Pepper seen from afar by my teenage self.

Oh boy, I need to watch this now

Nice change of content. never knew about this show and I might check it out now.

The remake had the Prisoner succumbing.

You can’t name a more intelligent show on TV. He said he only did 17 because originally there was just 7 shows and the ten additional was the most he felt was reasonable to tell the story in order to meet the request of the network !!!

Great video! You forgot to mention on of the few characters who appears in more than one episode: the Professor, who does not wear a number and I has the looks of Michel Foucault.

Nice job ~~ Thanks for Poe sting !!

Surely I can’t be the wrong only one who keeps seeing Tony Hawk in that guy’s face.

C'mon, we all know that the information he was withholding was the bottomless peanut bag

What a tantalising appraisal of the series. Your description of Number Six is remarkably accurate of me in fact those iconic words are ok my Facebook profile

This episode was appropriately ominous. Starting with the favoring of an immediate deep dive over the opening theme music. Straightforward presentation over complex conspiracy theory. But--!! Who is this Overlord!?! What are they lord of? I want information...information...information.... I agree that the themes and ideas are timeless, but I'd love to see that put to the test. I'm talking about the 2012 remake by AMC starring Jim Caviezel as the prisioner, and Sir Ian McKellan as Number 2. What do you say, Strange Brain Parts? Does it measure up?

I have to disagree with their description of the prisoner. He is often the only person that we see trying to aid people. He is the only person who has not betrayed anyone to the authorities. He has often compromised his standards to save someone from the authorities.

Hey, If you enjoy *The Prisoner* like me you might find you also really like *Severance* (2022) which is not dissimilar to that show in its psychological mysteriousness, beautifully shot and acted - and honestly is one of the VERY few things on TV that is genuinely interesting nowadays. 👍

Be seeing you.

I've been a fan of the show since its initial run in the late sixties. As to who came up with the idea - Orwell and Huxley aside - the origins may very well reside in a Secret Agent / Danger Man episode called Colony Three,

When I found out the Village was a real place I was amazed. I hope I get to visit it.

This show scared the shit out of me as a kid

I'm surprised this wasn't a comic! Not a bad thing. This show was also re adapted in a modern version with Sir Ian McKellen playing Number 2. From what I've seen here the adaption appears quite different. This also make me think of a song by a band called The Jezebels, Prisoner.

This needs a british remake with someone truly competant at the helm, and with someone close to McGoohan's gravitas.

In 1967-8 we (public telly in America) watched and we said "bonkers". LSD was heavy in the culture.

I haven't read any of the comics but I watched the show a couple of years ago. Also, it's clearer now (with the topic of identity) why P. Milligan wrote a Prisioner comic book.

I love this video, I've seen it many times. Hope you can make more TV videos in the future.

I remember being introduced to this show from some cable channel as a teenager… may have been late night SciFi or something. It was entrancing and almost timeless because of how abstract it felt. It’s a feeling that permeates the series. It felt like a fever dream. Not sure why people didn’t like the finale at the time. It stuck to that fever dream feel. Does it make sense? Should it make sense?

There's an intense amount of masonic occult symbolism in this show. I feel Patrick was telling us something important about the Pharoahs of modern times.

No mention of Rover? The underwater weather balloon enforcer?

I am not a number I am a free man 👨 😌