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EnigmA Amiga Run 1996 June
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EnigmA AMIGA RUN 08 (1996)(G.R. Edizioni)(IT)[!][issue 1996-06][EARSAN CD VII].iso
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1996-02-17
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From barrett@aminet.uucp Fri Jun 12 04:18:36 1992
From: barrett@aminet.uucp (Keith Barrett)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.prisoner
Subject: Re: guide
Keywords: Reply-To: nuconvex.com!aminet!barrett
Date: 11 Jun 92 05:10:14 GMT
Reply-To: nuconvex.com!aminet!barrett
Distribution: alt
Organization: Waterbury USENET/UUCP
X-Copyright: (c) 1992 Keith Barrett; All rights reserved. Not for resale.
X-Disclaimer: Statements expressed are not representitive of any employer
X-NewsSoftware: XRN V6.15 Amiga SVR4
In article <1992Jun8.1312.1671@dosgate>, dale.clayton@canrem.com (dale clayton) writes:
>
> I've seen a FAQ list posted here, but has anyone written an episode
>guide that they wish to post?
> I would very much like to have one. THANKS!
>
This is something I did a long while ago - before A&E's broadcast. This is
a personal analysis of the episodes as seen from #6's perspective and ours,
as it applies to what we learn about the village. This is in official
episode order.
ARRIVAL
We see the sequence of events concerning his capture (a slightly longer
version than that used in the rest of the series). It is interesting that
the doors to the office where he is submitting his resignation are labeled
WAY OUT. He is dressed in the same clothes typical of John Drake in Secret
Agent, and later shown in FALL OUT.
He Learns about the village. That guards disguise themselves as prisoners,
and that all equipment is controlled and observed. He meets rover, and
learns that it can kill or knock out, and that the village will result to
medical methods to extract information. He also learns there is no way out
and there is also a graveyard.
The village actually knows the real the reason for his resignation
("personally I believe your story and think it was a matter of principle"),
but does not believe it (meaning he goes through the rest of the
persecution for nothing). #6's reasons also match the personality of the
Secret Agent series.
This is also 1 of 2 episodes where #2 changes in the same show.
This is the only show where #6 wears his number, and only for a few seconds.
The village's first attempt to use female seduction to gain information
flatly fails (the maid for his apartment).
The village has an old people's home, graveyard, privately labeled products
(food, helicoptor, etc).
CHIMES OF BIG BEN (Original and alternative versions)
Learns that #2 and the other gardians are really prisoners also (they know
too much to be let go). His reason for resignation is confirmed by his
"almost" confession ("It was a matter of conscience, for a very long time
now I felt that..."), the only time he comes close to confessing. He
learns that some of his old superiors are "in" on the village; but since
he isn't really in London, it is too early to state which side runs the
village (his "friends" could simply be double agents). This is the second
attempt to use female seduction. He also learns rover is bullet-proof.
We learn that there is no alcohol in the village. We also learn that there
are places in the village where you can be seen but not heard, that an
"orange" alert releases rover, and that rover's "home" is the sea.
This episode is also significant because it's the only one where #6 "gives
in" a little and makes a deal concerning his stay (that he will settle
down a bit, but not give information), setting the stage for the remainder
of the series. The "polish border" and "baltic" information cannot be
trusted as true because it was given by the girl who was really a gardian,
so the location of the village is still secret.
If the original episode order is used, this episode would be later in the
series. This would suggest that #6 gave in a little after some time passed
(not a thought I like, it's more in character that he decided to give in
to simply help the girl). It is also interesting that the girl uses the
same excuse for capture ("all I did was resign") as #6 to capture his trust.
#6 is the only resident to enter the art exhibition without something that
refers to #2 ("where is #2?"). We learn that #6 cannot speak or understand
polish.
We see that there are 2 smaller Rovers that help in transporting
individuals.
A B & C
The village learns that #6 did not resign because of an intent to sell out.
#6 learns that the village has the ability to drug his water supply. We
learn that the village can monitor and manipulate dreams. (By the way, the
male character at the party that he has a run-in with also played a similar
"evil" character in Secret Agent).
We learn that the reason #6 was packing just before his capture was to
escape on a holiday after resigning
This episode has an error in that the female Dr.'s statement made earlier
in the village does NOT correctly match the one made by the "dream" girl
("We all make mistakes, sometimes we have to"), which triggered #6's doubt
about her identity. Listen and compare for yourself.
[Personal note: I think the use of the mirror to straight out the dream
was great! Anyone notice that the image in the mirror had a different
facial expression that #6?]
FREE FOR ALL
Physical violence is used against him (#2's thugs beat him in the end) in
an attempt to deflate his hope/punish him/torture him, making this one of
the most violent episodes in the series (second only to FALL OUT). He also
learns that the elections are false. We learn that there is some sort of
hidden society, accessable through #2's office (3 men around rover are
seen). This is revealed in detail in FALL OUT. This is the first female
#2, although it is not revealed until the very end. #6 desires to rebel by
finding and consuming alcohol. #6 learns about the existance of the caves.
We also get a feel for the gardian's ability of incorporating the use of
the "citizens" in the plot. We see again the 2 smaller Rovers that help
in transporting individuals.
SCHIZIOD MAN
Nothing really learned about the village here, except the more about the
depth of their ability to get all "citizens" to co-operate in a
falsehood. We learn that rover can run on an "automatic pilot", and may
kill when not desired. We learn that #6's beadroom lamp is also an
electronic mind control device (a fact he discovers later). We also learn
that #6 is a boxing and fencing champ, and that he smokes (just as John
Drake did).
PM meant this episode to explore what exactly does make a person different
and important.
[Personal note: I feel that this show is THE BEST attempt EVER at having
an actor play his double!]
THE GENERAL
It actually seems like the village has discovered something more
intersting than #6, and pretty much ignores him until he interferes. #6
learns that there are officials in the village who want to rebel (who are
also prisoners?). This is also the first return of a previous #2.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Important show (strange when you realize that this is also one of the 5
"filler" episodes). #6 learns the location of the village by record
keeping and tracking, and that his home and car are being maintained by
the village. You can also deduce that the village is run by "his" side
because there is evidence of a future attempt by his people to investigate
his story after his recapture (even though the next episode shows that the
"outside" thinks #6 is dead, they would still have checked the village for
others of their side that are missing). The fact that his "file" was so
complete in episode #1, and that #6 was previously betrayed by friends in
episode #2, add to this deduction. This is the second show with a female
#2, and you are given the feeling that the reason he was allowed to escape
was as a "birthday present". We also learn that it has been several months
(a "gap" of months) since his capture.
This is the only episode where he is referred to by a name (Peter Smith),
but an obviously false one. This is the first time a cat is seen.
DANCE OF THE DEAD
Great and complex episode. #6 learns that, as far as the outside world is
concerned, he is dead (eliminating much hope of an outside rescue). We
learn that he can be seen through his TV and that it cannot be covered up,
and that he can be seen in his bathroom. This is the third female #2. We
get a real feeling for how lonely the village is for him, and the total
lack of privacy prevailing. We learn that he is locked in at night, and
forced to sleep by drugs, hypnosis, and possibly other means. We also
learn that he does not know how the food arrives, and that every "resident"
gets a person assigned to watch him regularly. #6 learns that his
apartment lamp serves in hypnosis attempts.
#6 uses the caves (discovered in an earlier episode) to hide a body.
It is learned that the village will terminate people who have lost their
usefulness (another incentive for the Prisoner to hold out and escape),
and that the village does keep contact with the outside world (remember
the telex).
#6 befriends the cat seen in the previous episode, only to learn that it
to belongs to the village.
The Prisoner admits that he would never commit suicide as a means of escape.
This episode is often considered one of the best episodes, second only to
Once upon a Time. Many symbolisms exist (the only person with a name and
acts as his character witness is dressed as a fool, the "judges" include
Napoleon and Caesar, #2 is dressed as Peter Pan - implying that this is a
never-never land, #6's costume is his old clothes - implying that his
former self is fantasy).
DO NOT FORSAKE ME, OH MY DARLING
We learn that #6 was engaged to the boss's daughter, and that there are
secrets he has kept from his own people in attempts to help others. His
car is referred to as "His Lotus", and we learn that it has now been a year
since his disappearence (quite a long time).
The opening sequence in this show is slightly different than the "standard"
opening.
PM meant this episode to question the importance of one's own body to
their identity.
This episode has a plot flaw: If the village was able to transfer a mind,
why didn't the process work in reverse, and why didn't the village use it
afterwards in any case (the process was still useful as is)? This episode
was one of the "filler" shows.
IT'S YOUR FUNERAL
#6 learns that the village betrays (and kills) its own people, that the
previous #2's were "TEMPS" while the real one was away, and that some
people rebel by jaming (reporting false information). This is the second
episode where there are two #2's in 1 show. We also see #6's busy daily
schedule, confirming that he has settled down and has some interaction
with fellow villagers.
We learn, through taped "glimpses" of past #2's, that there have been
several #2's not seen in the actual series (including some females). This
confirms that a longer passage of time exists than the series depicts.
CHECKMATE
#6 learns how to tell the gardians from the prisoners. He now knows that
the shop keeper and some others we often see are prisoners. Although this
is VERY useful; remember that the village can "break" or manipulate people,
causing people to change sides. This is probably why #6 does not use
others in future escape/rebellion plans once the village learned of his
discovery.
We learn that the village has boats as well as helicopters.
LIVING IN HARMONY
Nothing learned, although the "youth" who fails to prove himself by this
new procedure eventually re-appears in FALLOUT as a rebel, and with a
different number (implying numbers change with status?). The plot of the
western is much the same as The Prisoner show itself.
This is one of the few episodes to open without the resignation sequence,
and is a "filler" episode.
CHANGE OF MIND
We learn that many villagers resent and dislike #6, even to provoking
fights. It is also confirmed that the village doesn't want to do permanent
harm to him, with the hope that one day #6 will be on their side.
We learn that the normal procedure for prisoners with #6's personality and
methods is brain surgery, but this is being prevented by #2 and higher
ups due to his importance.
HAMMER INTO ANVIL
We learn that the flag pole has a gun system.
Also interesting is that the classical song by Bizet, referenced
throughout the episode, is about a lover avenging the death of his girl -
the same plot of the episode itself.
THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH
This episode revealed that there are children in the village, although
they are never seen in any other episodes. This show is one of the few
that does not open with the resignation sequence.
ONCE UPON A TIME
The village contracts, against his desire, the only #2 that was able to
relate to #6 as a person - the #2 that came closest to getting a
confession from #6. This is the second time a #2 returns. This #2 places
his life on the line, and learns the most about #6. #6 learns that #2 is
much like himself and rebelled, but was eventually broken. #6 again states
his reason for resignation ("Too many people knowing too many things...").
We also glimpse #6's childhood, and see that he has rebelled all his life
against conformity. We also see that #6 feels that some things are more
important than the law. It is confirmed that #6 has boxing and fencing ex-
perience. (By the way, it is a truth that most secret agents were
previously accountants of some sort - good with figures).
POP goes the weasle is a dominate theme of this show, possibly being a
tie-in to the "POP" reference in the lost "CHIMES" episode, or "Protect
Other People"
The bedroom lamp device is used again. Rover is seen in #2's sphere-chair.
Some of the underground system is revealed (we learn that #2 sleeps there).
It is mentioned that the large "cage" is a mobil home of some sort.
We learn that the butler serves the position of #2, not the person (which
is good, since the people keep changing). In the middle of this episode,
when #2 starts to fall apart, the butler starts serving #6 (since whoever
leaves the room alive is the new #2).
FALL OUT
This show is one of the few that does not open with the resignation
sequence. The remainder of the underground system is revealed.
The most violent of the episodes, where #6 actually results to murder to
escape (John Drake didn't believe in it, so this would be an extreme
lowering of morals if it was the same man). He learns that the village can
even bring people back from the dead (under certain conditions probably).
He meets #1 and learns that all rebels who are hopeless cases are strapped
into a rocket for explusion from the earth, and that there is an empty
container for him (unlabeled). This proves that the village never intended
to fulfill their offer of release.
Leo McKern is the only #2 to appear in 3 episodes. The location of the
village is confirmed not to be an island because it is accessable via road.
There are LOTS of symbolism in this show (black/white face masks where the
black side is smiling and white is frowning, name plates like "anarchy"
and "education", #1 being #6, his apt door automatically opening (which it
did not do in previous episodes that showed his apt), the ending show
sequence matching the opening, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE playing while mass
slaughter is taking place, his escape using a mobile prison, etc). This is
also the only episode where PORTMERION is mentioned in the credits. The
village offers #6 a million in traveler's checks, helping prove it is a
high finance operation (rockets aren't cheap either).
The butler rebels against the village by first revealing to #6 (armed with
a fire extinguisher) where the guards are hiding, using the extinguisher
himself, firing machine guns, driving the getaway "mobile home" truck, and
finally entering #6's home.
The DRY BONES theme is PM's intentional reference to the DRY BONES chapter
of the bible, Ezekile 37 (which is also what the song was based on). You
may want to read this.
The WELL COME sigh seems to be an apathetic answer by the village in
ackowledgement of #6's triumph.
Rover is destroyed in this episode (this is the only episode whose ending
credits don't include rover, or prison bars). We also learn there are a
FLEET of helicoptors in the village.
Note: The dance that #6 performs in front of the cop is similar to the one
#48 performed in the "courtroom".
-kgb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UUCP: nuconvex.com!aminet!barrett Keep circulating the tapes! - MST3k
DDN: barrett%aminet@decwrl.dec.com // My life is my own - the prisoner
Alternate: barrett@pamsrc.enet.dec.com \X/ Amiga 3000UX - The Next Generation
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