tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post6959611190665591099..comments2022-11-02T08:54:08.295+00:00Comments on Number Six Was Innocent - McGoohan and The Prisoner: McGoohan introduces himself to his Fans: "I suppose I did a fair amount of things. I was executive producer, I wrote a number of them, I directed a number of them, and thought it up."Moor Larkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275057917684784541noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-685998215556457792016-04-17T03:48:15.754+01:002016-04-17T03:48:15.754+01:00Being a bit slow it's only just occurred to me...Being a bit slow it's only just occurred to me how internally contradictory it is that the fan establishment lauds Markstein at the expense of McGoohan.<br /> What the fans love about The Prisoner is the surrealism, the allegory etc. If it was "merely" a Danger Man sequel in tone and style they would be as uninterested in it as they seem to be about Danger Man itself - a series few of them seem to have even watched, let alone studied.<br /> Yet even in his own words Markstein wanted The Prisoner to be just that - a continuation of Danger Man in all but name. Even assuming that Markstein had had anything much to do with creating The Prisoner (which I'm convinced he didn't) he was creating the type of series these fans DIDN'T want. In their terms McGoohan was desperately trying to turn it into the show they did want despite Markstein.<br /> As I say the fans praising Markstein and disparaging McGoohan has no internal logic at all.<br />JohnSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-55731839765656472072015-12-14T21:33:25.978+00:002015-12-14T21:33:25.978+00:00It was not realised until after many Prisoner book...It was not realised until after many Prisoner books had been written that "Once Upon A Time" was in fact one of the earliest scripts and one of the original six scripts to be filmed.Moor Larkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05275057917684784541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-40056474324984154322015-09-29T17:57:07.688+01:002015-09-29T17:57:07.688+01:00Many of the people writing about TV and film fail ...Many of the people writing about TV and film fail to look at the practicalities and put themselves in the position of the people making the stuff.<br /><br />The Prisoner initially follows a very well-used path by following a newcomer into an unfamiliar situation. There is a reason this is so often used; we the audience learn as the newcomer learns. The newcomer asks the questions we want answering. The newcomer can react in ways which generate conflict and visually demonstrate the world of the story without us being dryly told about it. <br />If we are introduced to an unfamiliar situation where all the characters already know the ropes then the writers have to spend half their time avoiding the ghastly "As you know...." lines.<br /><br />Also, if you are going to end up in a very weird situation you are more likely to get the mainstream audience to go there with you if you start off in more familiar territory. <br />Start out with what could be just a slightly off-beat spy story and people might stick with you as things get seriously stranger. Hit full insanity in episode one and you will lose many of your potential audience immediately.<br /><br />It's also good writing to cross off some of the obvious audience questions early. You wouldn't want to leave the more straightforward escape attempts until episode 14 because a) characters try the easy (from their point of view) options first and b) because you don't want the audience sitting there for weeks wondering why No 6 doesn't just steal the helicopter or a boat. As a writer you want to close off those options early.<br /><br />This is all "story writing for beginners" stuff, which would be cheerfully admitted by any honest writer. <br />It's also the sort of practical craft which huge numbers of critics don't bother to find out about before coming up with unnecessary theories like The Prisoner "changing direction" as the result of a power struggle.JohnSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-88175386652244197022011-01-15T01:45:20.055+00:002011-01-15T01:45:20.055+00:00http://dr.library.brocku.ca/handle/10464/2897http://dr.library.brocku.ca/handle/10464/2897Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-64754116204598402972011-01-03T19:48:40.391+00:002011-01-03T19:48:40.391+00:00TWO: Oh, you’re the boss.
SIX: Number One is the b...TWO: Oh, you’re the boss.<br />SIX: Number One is the boss.<br />Then, seconds later,<br />TWO: If you win, Number One will no longer be a mystery to you – if you know what I mean…..<br /><br />Indeed when No.6 "wins" he finds himself shouting: "I AM IN COMMAND ! OBEY ME AND BE FREE!!" Note the "I" of No.1 is "no longer a mystery" ... if you know what "I" mean ...;-))<br /><br />Hello Jan<br /><br />I am glad you enjoyed the missing link between the two episodes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-50709040698458526222010-12-31T11:46:14.656+00:002010-12-31T11:46:14.656+00:00You're right, Anonymous...I hadn't thought...You're right, Anonymous...I hadn't thought to put those two together.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08294064868985130328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-37070790894017656642010-12-30T01:53:03.907+00:002010-12-30T01:53:03.907+00:00Another observation is that Mr. McGoohan uses the ...Another observation is that Mr. McGoohan uses the 'round peg in a square hole' device in his 'truth test' scene in Free For All.<br /><br />http://thevagabondset.com/blog/wp-content/the_prisoner.jpg<br /><br />This is further evidence of Mr. McGoohan's extensive writing on Arrival where the device is first seen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-58489765214874345482010-12-25T19:25:12.172+00:002010-12-25T19:25:12.172+00:00When McG cut out the "triumphant dance" ...When McG cut out the "triumphant dance" planned for No.6 as the original ending for Dance of the Dead and left No.6 at the mercy of a chattering machine McG showed he was in firm control of his vision to have No.6 struggle for his freedom ...and not just be another TV clone performing 'winner' heroics every week like The Saint(as suggested by CBS executives).<br /><br />No.6 was a complete original clearly created from the unique mind of Mr. Patrick McGoohan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665744582832084460.post-52377033238606848012010-12-24T12:03:35.106+00:002010-12-24T12:03:35.106+00:00Thanks for another very well written and insightfu...Thanks for another very well written and insightful post. I enjoyed your analysis of Arrival and Free for All and the pairing of the two episodes together. <br /><br />I am always eager to read your next installment. The middle of each month finds me checking this site daily, looking for a new post. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to you and your family, and a Happy New Year to all! And please keep writing!!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08294064868985130328noreply@blogger.com