This episode is possibly one of the most controversial in television: it has sparked countless theories, fan fiction, and speculation. At it’s core, most agree that it is a brilliant surrealistic art piece—much like the series as a whole. It’s creator was deeply passionate about philosophy and social questions—which to me rules out the possibility posed in Shattered Visage that the entire finale episode was merely fantasies of a broken mind. Obviously the following observations are purely conjecture, yet that is ultimately what this episode was meant to do—allow each person their own interpretation. I love abstract art for this same idea because though the artist brings much of their own philosophy and intention to the piece, the viewer also must do much of the work and can apply it to their own beliefs and life.
Without further ado, here are my running thoughts as I watch the final episode of The Prisoner. Think of it more as a written commentary, rather than a formal essay. Time code is based on the US edition of The Prisoner DVD from Netflix. Please feel free to disagree/discuss my thoughts in the comments area below! Be seeing you!
4:58 – Village jacket for personal jacket
This is a wonderful tie-in to the episode with a masquerade where Number 6′s “costume” was his own suit. For most of the series, he has been forced into wearing the Village attire—that which society expects. In some ways, our own personality is like a mask over underlaying principles and ideals learned subtly in our culture. For example, Marin County “Village” bumper stickers include: “Free Tibet,” “Coexist,” and “War Is Not the Answer”—they are what is expected and most people use. A deviation from them is considered out of place, odd, and suspected as being someone from out of the area or one of “them”. At the same time, occasionally things within society chafe at us, and we will openly rebel out of discomfort. What I see this scene as is society granting Number 6 a small victory to make him feel more comfortable within society as a whole, which softens rebellion. If you can make people comfortable that eliminates change—people simply don’t care.
5:55 – First look at underground chamber
I believe this is a concentrated look at the VIllage as a whole, which to me represents society in general, not just a place to stick super spies. Notice our first look has: Military (much of world power is still dictated by this), Medical/Science (we as a whole are driven by technology), and of course the white masked council.
6:03 – Democracy
Welfare, Pacifists, Activists, Identification, Security, Defectors, Therapy, Anarchists, Reactionists, Nationalists, etc. These represent the various aspects of different societies, but ultimately they are neither good nor evil, thus the half white and half black masks. Notice the loud applause they give to Number 6—just as society does often pull out an individual and lavish praise on them for very little reason. The controller puts on the mask and gown, demonstrating that each person is part of that group, no matter their job.
6:28 – Prisoners
Number 6 is welcomed and walks past the suffering Number 48, but does nothing. Often we will be quietly horrified by things society is doing, but just walk by and not comment. How often do you stroll by suffering on the way to an important appointment? What do you do about it? Or has “society branded you”?
7:50 – Protecting community
The idea that anyone outside the “norm” is a threat is very much a part of society, whatever society it may be. We fear the unknown and the different, and often react with violence, hatred, and distain, all for “their good”.
8:23 – Individuals
No matter how we may say otherwise, every individual is part of society, and the very fact we are individuals shapes that. Occasionally someone will rise up using their own strengths and passion to make drastic changes, or inspire an entire generation. Here we see Number 6 being put in that position, even though really he hasn’t done much to deserve it. But think about the movie actors (like Patrick), politicians, and athletes that have done little to deserve their constant spotlight from society as a whole. We put them on the blue throne just as much as Number 6 and often from less valid a reason. Why do we do that?
12:05 – Random thought
Okay how may people went “a Dalek!” during the resuscitation?
12:50 – Youthful rebellion in Number 48
The first type of person who lives contrary to society is that enthusiasm of youth—everyone has it to varying degrees during the major chemical changes in their body happening when changing between a child and grown human. When there are psychological pressures as well, it can cause major acts of rebellion. Like the masks, there are two outlets for it—violence, and positive social change. On the one hand, there are teenagers making major global strides toward a more sustainable planet, creating documentaries about the disasters caused by hate crime, and changing society for the better. On the other there is gang violence, neighborhood bombings, and other anti-social behavior. Is youthful rebellion wrong inherently or only when improperly directed? Notice the chaos Number 48 is able to cause in the robed figures of society that the judge can barely contain. Youth has great potential power, although usually it is “fixed” by society, often through the intervention of Number 6′s type of rebel against society—the sort that quietly semi-conforms and chooses its battles carefully.
14:26 – Youth tries to escape
Although Number 48 tries to run, eventually he is caught by the military and overwhelming force of society. Notice he briefly breezes by the scientists, grasping technology to communicate with. That is especially poignant now with social media and youth. Some young people literally try to run—leaving home to stay with friends when they don’t like it. Others run away emotionally and no longer connect with their parents or anyone but their peers.
15:27 – Status quo
The judge does not want to refer to Number 48 as anything other than a number, because “we must maintain the status quo”—education, government, and society might as well be shouting that from every rooftop. Status quo is what society is all about, which is ironic considering how constantly it appears to change. Remember the cavern walk with the juke boxes in the beginning of the episode? Another good example of it—the rock walls don’t change, but the “fluff” on top like the music does.
17:30 – Them Dry Bones
The song representing Number 48′s rebellious cause is slowly piped over the main loudspeaker, and one by one “society”—the masked figures joins in until the entire place is one resounding chorus. This is exactly how social change works. Someone speaks out against the status quo, until little by little the media picks it up, other people do, and eventually it is agreed upon as a whole and real alteration begins. But it takes an individual risking themselves and repeating their cause until someone listens. Look at William Wilberforce—spending his entire life working at a cause which finally society accepted and England freed its slaves.
18:30 – Charge
Questioning decisions, speech and dress not in conformance with general practice, and refusal to wear, or respond to his number. Society likes to give us a “Number”—tell us how we should act, what we should say, what we are expected to become. I’ve heard it referred to as our “script” as well. There are certain things your age, gender, culture, and geographic location expect of you—your “Number”. When we reject that and choose our own path, it upsets family, society, and others in general.
19:20 – Quiet rebellion
Number 6 speaks some of his few lines of the episode, “I note them,” and that he has no comment at that stage of the proceedings. There are many people in society that do not approve of labeling young people, or anyone, but they don’t want to bother doing anything about it. Or, like Number 6, they bide their time for the right moment to intervene and do not act purely on passion.
21:32 – Number 2
After being revived, he wakes to laughter and disdain from society, despite all he has done for it. He reacts by joining in—demonstrating how much a part of society he is.
22:08 – Butler’s rebellion
This began one episode ago, but we see it again here. Like Number 6, the butler has chosen a quiet form—he chooses his loyalties carefully, and does not do what people necessarily expect him to do. He doesn’t make a fuss, or carry on, or rant against the system, he simply ignores it.
22:30 – Respected member of society
Number 2′s instant connection with the audience and his abilities as a dynamic speaker are apparent when he takes the stand, putting the judge on the run with wit. Here is a leader of society and perfect conformist. So what happened? He admits to giving in to society’s pressures too quickly, “What is deplorable is that I resisted for so short a time.” Here we have people who grew up understanding society’s expectations and stepped up to them, not questioning their purpose. Toward the end of their life, after cynicism took over they finally speak out after it is too late and they will be able to do little save be laughed at. It was through a major failure that Number 2 realized how fickle society was. In his final act of defiance in 26:24 he cannot make change, only insult it in his final moments. He walks away happy and confident that he’s finally spoken his mind, but making no difference.
29:27 – Lead us or go
After having been offered almost everything, survived through manipulation, torture, and mind games, there was one remaining thing not yet being waved in front of him: power. But was it real or another “election” that was really a farce? Sometimes individuals arise who are so confident, brilliant, courageous, and driven that society cannot “fix” them, and there do remain two options “lead us, or go.” He begs Number 6 to make a statement, “we are all yours.”
32:41 – Statement
Whenever Number 6 attempts to speak, he is drowned out by shouts of “I, I, I” reinforcing the fact that no matter what sign is in front of a type of society, each only cares about itself. Both anarchists and democracies are selfish, there isn’t really anything that can be done about that, despite Number 6′s attempts to silence them and say what he needs to. Eventually he gives up and speaks his piece without hearing any part of it—entirely eclipsed by shrieks of “I, I, I” and he realizes nothing can be accomplished that way.
35:54 – Orbit 48, Orbit 2, and Orbit (Number 6)
Each form of rebel, other than the butler, is encased in glass underground where they cannot change anything. Society wishes to bury people who would see it changed, or blast them out so far they can’t be heard.
36:53 – Globes & Gorilla
Positioned over the Village are a series of globes, each showing a different part of the world—society is not just our local ones, but global. All humanity is ultimately one society, with many individuals. We cannot reject what we are as a whole. When Number 6 accepts the glass globe, he also accepts his position in society. We see him as a Prisoner in the Village, with “I, I, I” overlaid. He finally realizes no changes can be made until he realizes we are all part of society. When he sees the “1″ and the “I, I, I” grows into a fever pitch, he sees what must be done. He realizes that selfish thought only of oneself is what sickens society. He lets the globe prison smash, and rips off the mask. Underneath is a distorted monster—what he has personified Number 1 as. But once he faces that monster, he sees that it is merely another mask. I believe that when he sees the crazed version of himself, it shows what we become if our life is spent selfishly ignoring the problems of society and the suffering of other people. Inside we become twisted versions of ourselves—our very quest to be “unique” has ruined us. When Number 6 launches that part of himself into space he gets rid of his need to be a person at the expense of others, while also retaining his lack of Number—he is an individual, but now he is an individual within a whole—neither a Number branded by society or a crazed individualist.
38:22 – Fighting back
It is significant that he chooses to finally take action and save Number 48 and 2 after seeing Number 1. Now that he truly knows who he is, that gives him the ability to begin fighting against the ills of society. Notice the butler joins in automatically and quietly, in keeping with his form of rebellion. He, like the new Number 6, is not a number , yet also an accepted member of society.
42:12 – Evacuation
Can an overwhelmingly individualistic personality really do all that damage? The answer is yes—think of the major cruel dictators. They ceased to think about others, and allowed their, “I, I, I” to overwhelm them leaving as much destruction in their wake as a rocket blast. At the same time, this also shows how difficult it is for some people to give up their constant selfish rebellion. The four types of rebellion escape ironically in the very thing meant to break them into conforming.
44:29 – Freedom
The pure celebration going on at being free of the Village disturbs the “normal” motorists who are not used to seeing such random excitement. The rebels realize that together they can make a difference, but after accomplishing their escape and the end of Rover, they each depart back to their own lives. Number 48 returns to his on the cuff style of living by preferring to hitchhike, Number 2 heads for the Peer’s entrance, and Number 6 prefers to go home.
47:33 – Conversation
Note that Number 6 has a lengthy conversation with a police officer, but nothing serious appears to have happened. The song of Number 48 begins playing, but Number 6 seems relaxed and happy talking with the ultimate representative of society. Here we see the balance between personality and conformity. He is outside of “normal” but still within society and able to make changes, whereas Number 48 is left unable to find a ride—he cannot do anything significant with his type of rebellion. Number 2 appears dressed “properly”—he has come back to conform perfectly again, no longer with the wish to stick out or fight back.
49:00 – Number ?
A black sedan drives by but does not stop this time—Number 6 does not need to be taken back to The Village, although society is there as an ever-present shadow. The butler walks up to the automatic Village door, and while Number 6 does not notice, the number inscribed upon it is 1. He may have rejected numbers, but he no longer rejects society. He is allowed to return “home” now a safe member, yet at the same time he is “1″—he has the authority and ability to lead and make changes. Will he escape being the Number 1 of the rocket? Or will he need to be carted back to The Village for a reminder of his position? Who knows. For now, he finds freedom in who he is—back in his Kar and back in England.
Why did Number 6 resign?
We will never know because that reason is unique to each of us. What makes us walk away from our responsibilities for social change?
Who’s side is The Village on?
Like Number 2 pointed out, it doesn’t really matter. Whatever “side” it is will be out for itself, what we need to do is create a society that puts the needs and well-being of others first, but not through sacrificing each person and culture’s individuality.
Who is Number 6?
He is each of us in a way—that to me is why he is never given a name. He isn’t someone to be idealized or “stamped, indexed, filed, or briefed.”
Where do you fall in the spectrum of rebels? Or are you conforming too closely and selfishly following the crowd like a sheep? Do you remember that you are “not a number” but a person?
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