Yesterday, I began watching the 1960s British sci-fi series The Prisoner (first five episodes) and have been quite enjoying it. Much of my enjoyment has been from the fact that it kind of feels like “What if The Cage was a whole series?”
In other words, like “The Cage”, it’s a prison environment in which a person can’t be certain of reality any more. It does diverge in all the torture on number 6, whereas the Talossian’s illusions are less flawed and sadistic a prison in some ways (you know, besides the purpose of breeding a bunch of human slaves). However, I feel like both “The Cage” and The Prisoner overall embody the same “everything might be fake” sense of reality. I almost feel like “The Prisoner” is somewhat a window into what Star Trek might have been if CBS hadn’t thought people would be too dumb to understand “The Cage”.
Besides the similar vibes with “The Cage”, another thing winning me over is the surreal set design, which has already won a place in my heart. I just wish I could make a replica of one of the signs in the village and have it not be so obscure no one would ever recognize it.
The main thing my 21st century brain finds fault with is the strong gender roles used in The Prisoner (there is always some woman that Number 2 sends to try and manipulate Number 6), although like TOS, I’ll give it a pass since it was in the same boat as most television at the time. However, I did like the twist in “Free for All” where Number 58 is revealed to be the real new Number 2.
It’s a great show. They tried to remake it a few years ago, but it paled in comparison to the original.
Be seeing you!
👁️👌
Be seeing you!
Such a reference of three oddly specific sci-fi shows. I knew Koenig was in Babylon 5, but I’ve never watched the show. It’s sort of on my mental classic/90s/early 2000s sci-fi watchlist, along with:
- The various Stargates
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Classic Who (I’ve only watched the reboot, and only up to partway through 12 at that. I’m working on it.)
- Perhaps the various Roddenberry concepts developed in the 2000s (I’ve watched part of Earth: Final Conflict, so I know they kind of suck but are just interesting enough to pull you through. Yes, I will probably watch them anyway.)
- Maybe Farscapes?
- I actually need to watch Enterprise at some point - it’s the only non-modern Trek I haven’t watched. Yes, I know it goes to a bit of a dumpster fire, especially near the end, but some of it is fun I guess.
That is a good list!
I was slow to warm up to The Prisoner when I started watching it, but The Schizoid Man, episode 5, won me over. What a fantastic premise and execution.
Loved that one too.
Fun fact: The TNG episode of the same name was originally intended to star Patrick McGoohan as Ira Graves.
That is a fun fact!
More fun than, “I’m gonna rip your eyes out!”, anyhow.
I’ve never heard of this show, but from what you’ve said and the quick research I’ve done it sounds like something I would be interested in. Thanks for the mention of it!
Very interesting comparison! I watched The prisoner a while back, and I was blown away by it, especially given the show’s age. I never considered this angle, though. Thanks for giving me an excuse to rewatch it 😆
