Not a number.

[eldritchhobbit]

My post yesterday (and a lovely new icon from queenbamfie!) left me in a nostalgic mood for The Prisoner. So my quotes for the day are my very favorites from that series.


The Prisoner: I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own.
- from the episode "Arrival"


Number 240: I have my duty.
The Prisoner: To whom?
Number 240: To everyone. It's the rules: of the people, by the people, for the people.
The Prisoner: Takes on a new meaning.
Number 240: You're a wicked man.
The Prisoner: Wicked?
Number 240: You have no values.
The Prisoner: Different values.
Number 240: You won't be helped.
The Prisoner: Destroyed.
Number 240: You want to spoil things.
The Prisoner: I won't be a goldfish in a bowl.
Number 240: I must go... I may see you later?
The Prisoner: Can you avoid it?
- from the episode "Dance of the Dead"


No.2: Are you going to run?
No.6: Like the blazes, first chance I get.
No.2: No, I meant run for office?
- from the episode "Free For All"

Comments

[randomalia.livejournal.com]

Number 240: You have no values.
The Prisoner: Different values.
Number 240: You won't be helped.
The Prisoner: Destroyed.
Number 240: You want to spoil things.
The Prisoner: I won't be a goldfish in a bowl.

Ooh, yes, I like that a lot. Very succinct way of drawing a conflict that seems to be repeated often in our human history, and is also relevant today (Australia included).

No.2: Are you going to run?
No.6: Like the blazes, first chance I get.
No.2: No, I meant run for office?

:D That one made me laugh.

Great quotes, thank you!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Very succinct way of drawing a conflict that seems to be repeated often in our human history, and is also relevant today (Australia included).

Yes indeed! It's impressive to me how a British series from over thirty-five years ago continues to be relevant in so many places and times. As you say, the issue seems to be a repeated theme over human history.

One of the other bits I love from the show is that the wardens often say "Feel free!" ironically, as if in pleasant invitation. But the implication is clear: you may do your best to pretend you're free, but the reality is that you're not. Yikes!

Great quotes, thank you!

Thank you for the great comments. :)

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

That's what makes it such a great show, and keeps people returning to it. It's actually about something. What's your favorite episode? Mine is usually "Hammer into Anvil" aka "The care and feeding of Paranoia." :)

It ticked me off that when BBC America ran it recently, they didn't run the whole series, just a few episodes.

As for freedom, it's becoming more of an illusion every day, and most people are far too willing to give it up these days.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

It's actually about something.

Very true!

I do love "Hammer into Anvil," especially the way he says "Disgust" when Number Two levels the sword at his eye. Great stuff. I'm pretty partial to "Dance of the Dead," because I think the chemistry with Number Two is great there (and the imagery with the costumes, too, with him dressed as himself and her dressed as Peter Pan, etc.). It has my favorite sequence, when Number Two and the observer find him with his radio on the tower (the whole "I won't be a goldfish in a bowl" bit).

I also love "Many Happy Returns," because we are allowed to see his humanity and his hope, and he gets sooooo close before getting crushed again. There were some deeply moving sequences in that episode. What fun! It's great to "meet" another fan. Do you have a favorite Number Two?

And I agree with you about the series' particular applicability in these times. :-/

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I also love "Many Happy Returns," because we are allowed to see his humanity and his hope, and he gets sooooo close before getting crushed again. There were some deeply moving sequences in that episode. What fun! It's great to "meet" another fan. Do you have a favorite Number Two?

That was one of the brave parts of the show. It let Number Six lose sometimes.

As for a favorite Two, well everyone loves Leo, as do I. I'm also partial to the first one, and the Number Two from "Free For All". Both of them, actually. ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

That was one of the brave parts of the show. It let Number Six lose sometimes.

Indeed! Very good point.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

One of the best shows, ever. One of the things that made me happiest when I went to Dragon*Con in '03 was seeing the Prisoner room filled to capacity, and the number of people wandering around dressed as villiagers.

And while I may not swing that way, I have to admit that McGoohan is one of the most intense and attractve men ever. I'll watch anything he's in. I'm still pissed at Disney for yanking "The Reverend Dr. Syn"'s DVD release back in August. I love that flick.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

One of the best shows, ever.

Yea!!!

I have to admit that McGoohan is one of the most intense and attractve men ever.

You'll get no argument from me. I did rank him in my top four on my Revolution Science Fiction "Hunks" list. :) Even older - for example, as Longshanks in Braveheart - he's utterly mesmerizing.

I haven't thought of Dr. Syn in ages. What a great film! (And freaky laugh.) Do you happen to know what the status is on the DVD? Surely they didn't yank it for good? Thanks for reminding me of another great McGoohan vehicle.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

You'll get no argument from me. I did rank him in my top four on my Revolution Science Fiction "Hunks" list. :) Even older - for example, as Longshanks in Braveheart - he's utterly mesmerizing.

Wow, that was yours? COOL! It was a great article and I shared it with my crew.

And he rocked as Longshanks. I still remember the "OH WOW! It's HIM!" moment when I realized it was him when I saw Braveheart.

I haven't thought of Dr. Syn in ages. What a great film! (And freaky laugh.) Do you happen to know what the status is on the DVD? Surely they didn't yank it for good? Thanks for reminding me of another great McGoohan vehicle.

I hope it's not yanked for good, just delayed. His laugh was great in that flick. If you get the Starz channels, Family Starz runs it about every three months, usually on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I have my tape copy. Well, it's my second copy, I lent my first copy to a friend and never got it back. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was yours? COOL! It was a great article and I shared it with my crew.

*blush* Thanks so much! I appreciate it. It was loads of fun to write. I'd never before written anything that got me called a "shameless hussy" in feedback letters. :) (But "shameless hussy" in a good way, of course!)

And he rocked as Longshanks. I still remember the "OH WOW! It's HIM!" moment when I realized it was him when I saw Braveheart.

Me, too! And he stole every scene he was in. Such an amazing performance.

Thanks for the tip on Dr. Syn, by the way. I'll keep my eyes open so I can make a tape for myself to enjoy until - fingers crossed - the DVD becomes available.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I try to make sure that "Shameless" is an adjective that can apply to me every day. :)

"But sir! We'll hit our men!"

"Yes, but we'll hit theirs as well."

OoooOOoooOOoo....

I hate to say it, but I'm still kind of glad the Prisoner movie that Gibson was going to do fell through. Some things are perfect and don't need to be redone.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

"But sir! We'll hit our men!"

"Yes, but we'll hit theirs as well."

LOL! Great stuff. How about "Bring me Wallace. Alive, if possible. Dead... just as good." :)

I agree with you about Gibson's plans falling through. He'd probably "get it" better than your average star, as I understand he was a fan of the original, but still... As you say, perfection doesn't need improvement! And it's not as if the underlying ideas need to be updated in any way. They're still applicable.

Love your "shameless" philosophy, by the way. Good words to live by! :)

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

LOL! Great stuff. How about "Bring me Wallace. Alive, if possible. Dead... just as good." :)

Mmmmm, let's face it, he rules every scene he's in. :)

And while Gibson would get it, more than likely, I think the studios wouldn't and would demand more action, more sex and definate answers. Those would ruin the show. The ambiguity and examinations that help give the show legs. You know they would want a definate answer to who Number One is, and who runs the Village, which would take away from the magic of the show.

Love your "shameless" philosophy, by the way. Good words to live by! :)

There's a quote that matches it that I like: "Life is not a dress rehersal." :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm, let's face it, he rules every scene he's in. :)

Indeed. Now after talking about it I'm going to have to get out my DVD...

The ambiguity and examinations that help give the show legs. You know they would want a definate answer to who Number One is, and who runs the Village, which would take away from the magic of the show.

Very good point! I agree 100% that the ambiguity was the key to the whole show. Better no movie at all than a movie that undoes the series' genius.

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Hi - you deleted your comment in my journal, so I hunted you down like a tapir! (Not a dog, nothing against dogs, I just have a thing for tapirs at the moment).

Anyway, I'm glad our "I love you, Spock! Jim Jim Jim" letter made your day.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

ROFLOL! My apologies. I realized it was probably rather rude to just burst into your LJ (your post had been recommended to me), so I was going to introduce myself, and then the phone rang and I was distracted and... well, I'm sorry for the amazing vanishing post! :) It did make my day, though. So I thank you. And I think tapirs aren't given nearly enough credit these days, so more power to them! :)

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Oh, never mind about bursting into LJs! I do that all the time. Me and my unholy tapir army of the night.
I never thought anyone would consider that rude...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh, good! I'll remember that - and bring tapir treats with me next time. :) Thanks!