But as the seventeen part series unfolded it did become more and more bizarre, turning into a meta-fictional, psychedelic trip, apparently exploring the human condition, and underpinned with several allegorical themes, most of which probably went completely over the head of most of that sixties TV audience, who weren't really used to having to go to the trouble of thinking about what they were watching.
However, as fans like me, watched repeats of the series much later, The Prisoner did begin to make a sort of sense, and its basic premise of the manipulation and control of the individual by faceless governing authorities certainly had me thinking .
For those who are prepared to stick with, and explore the rather outlandish aspects of The Prisoner it does become a televisual masterpiece which allows the viewer to interpret its imagery however they want to enjoy it.
So for me, The Prisoner is a dramatic mix of sci-fi and espionage , and a continuation of the John Drake character, as seen in Patrick McGoohan's previous TV series, Dangerman!
'be seeing you'
Looks superb Scoop. I loved the Prisoner but I'm not sure that I will have appreciated all the subtleties at the time. I went to Port Meirion as a kid when we stayed in Abersoch. I returned to the Lleyn peninsula last summer but the admission into PM was way too steep so left it. Have you been recently Scoop?
ReplyDeleteI been there a few times, Woodsy. Last time was around 2 yrs ago.
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