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The Prisoner: It's Your Funeral
Number Six uncovers a plot to assassinate Number Two. In the interest of avoiding reprisals against the community, he warns the Village administrator about it. However, Number Six is unaware that he being used as a pawn. The plot thickens further when the incumbent Number Two is replaced by a much older man due to retire within days.
| 8/10 (1 Vote cast) |
Episode Info
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Episode number: 1x11 Airdate: Sunday December 17th, 1967 |
Uncredited
Recap
A woman approaches Number Six's flat and goes inside, while the Supervisor and the New Number Two watch on the monitors and note "At last." She sees Number Six sleeping and approaches, unaware he knows she's there. He grabs her and demands to know what she's doing there. She says she needs help but he isn't interested and orders her out. As the New Number Two wonders if they timed it correctly, the woman collapses, unaware she as given a triggered dose to render her unconscious. The New Number Two explains that they timed it so Number Six would view her as a lady in distress. When the Supervisor reveals that he unlocked the door, the New Number Two is angry, noting that Number Six will suspect they're involved...Read the full recap
Episode Notes
This is the final episode of the series to feature a female Number Two.
Derren Nesbitt was the youngest Number Two.
This episode features four different Number Twos, more than any other episode.
This is the only episode featuring a Number Two (Andre Van Gyseghem) leaving office.
This is the only episode in which two Number Twos share a scene.
Along with "The General", this is one of only two episodes to feature two related inhabitants of the Village: the Watchmaker (Martin Miller) and his daughter (Annette Andre).
Mark Eden (Number One Hundred) claims that Patrick McGoohan (Number Six) strangled him with such force in the final scene that he almost lost consciousness.
Charles Lloyd Pack (Artist) is the father of Roger Lloyd Pack, who is best known for his performances as Trigger in Only Fools and Horses and Owen Newitt in The Vicar of Dibley.
The closed captioning on the DVD release, at the 32:35 mark, gives the name of the Watchmaker's Daughter as Monique.
Episode Quotes
Number Six: Who are you?
Watchmaker's Daughter: I'm a number, just like you. Does it matter which?
Number Six: How'd you get in?
Watchmaker's Daughter: The door was open.
Number Six: Always is... to them, isn't it?
Watchmaker's Daughter: But I'm not one of them.
Number Six: No. What do you want?
Watchmaker's Daughter: Help.
Number Six: Go to the Town Hall. The Citizens' Council promises help and advice for everyone.
Watchmaker's Daughter: Their Citizen's Council.
Number Six: As far as I'm concerned, what's theirs is yours.
Watchmaker's Daughter: I am not one of them.
Number Six: No... no one is.
Watchmaker's Daughter: I'm a number, just like you. Does it matter which?
Number Six: How'd you get in?
Watchmaker's Daughter: The door was open.
Number Six: Always is... to them, isn't it?
Watchmaker's Daughter: But I'm not one of them.
Number Six: No. What do you want?
Watchmaker's Daughter: Help.
Number Six: Go to the Town Hall. The Citizens' Council promises help and advice for everyone.
Watchmaker's Daughter: Their Citizen's Council.
Number Six: As far as I'm concerned, what's theirs is yours.
Watchmaker's Daughter: I am not one of them.
Number Six: No... no one is.
Watchmaker's Daughter: You mean you'll condescend to listen?
Number Six: I'll listen, as long as what you're saying doesn't become too obviously phony, yes.
Number Six: I'll listen, as long as what you're saying doesn't become too obviously phony, yes.
Watchmaker's Daughter: This concerns the welfare of everybody in this Village.
Number Six: And welfare is our biggest consumer item, yes?
Number Six: And welfare is our biggest consumer item, yes?
Watchmaker's Daughter: So much caution in a man like you, it seems so wrong.
Number Six: Many times bitten, forever shy.
Number Six: Many times bitten, forever shy.
Computer Attendant: Good morning--I've brought you the activities prognosis you ordered.
New Number Two: Oh, good--how accurate are these? What is the percentage of right and wrong?
Computer Attendant: I'm afraid we don't know that.
New Number Two: Why not?
Computer Attendant: Well, twice we programmed our machines for a percentile appraisal of their own efficiencies. Each time they refused to give back the requested information.
New Number Two: Refused? How?
Computer Attendant: Simply by not returning the data to us.
New Number Two: They'll be wanting their own trade union next.
New Number Two: Oh, good--how accurate are these? What is the percentage of right and wrong?
Computer Attendant: I'm afraid we don't know that.
New Number Two: Why not?
Computer Attendant: Well, twice we programmed our machines for a percentile appraisal of their own efficiencies. Each time they refused to give back the requested information.
New Number Two: Refused? How?
Computer Attendant: Simply by not returning the data to us.
New Number Two: They'll be wanting their own trade union next.
The Watchmaker: You refuse to understand. What I'm doing is for a principle. We are in this prison for life, all of us, but I have met no one here who has committed a crime. I protest in a manner they cannot ignore.
Number Six: Some other way, then--not by an act of murder.
The Watchmaker: Assassination.
Number Six: Call it what you like--the important matter is that the entire Village will be punished.
The Watchmaker: Maybe it is what they need to wake them up, to shake them out of their lethargy. To make them angry enough...
Number Six: That's assuming they survive the punishment!
Number Six: Some other way, then--not by an act of murder.
The Watchmaker: Assassination.
Number Six: Call it what you like--the important matter is that the entire Village will be punished.
The Watchmaker: Maybe it is what they need to wake them up, to shake them out of their lethargy. To make them angry enough...
Number Six: That's assuming they survive the punishment!
Number Six: They should have told you there are some unhappy people here.
New Number Two: Yes, well, I have seen the list of malcontents. But it might interest you to know that you happen to be top of the bill.
Number Six: I'll do my best to live up to it.
New Number Two: Yes, well, I have seen the list of malcontents. But it might interest you to know that you happen to be top of the bill.
Number Six: I'll do my best to live up to it.
Number Two: Will you find out for me? The laugh will do me an awful lot of good.
Number Six: You may find out yourself. Quite suddenly. In which case, you wouldn't be laughing!
Number Six: You may find out yourself. Quite suddenly. In which case, you wouldn't be laughing!
Retiring Number Two: Tomorrow, after I've handed over office, I'm to be assassinated..
Number Six: For "assassinated," substitute "executed."
Retiring Number Two: Since it's arranged by my own people, you mean.
Number Six: You don't mind?
Retiring Number Two: Of course I mind. It's just that... well, I never thought it would happen to me.
Number Six: It never does--to anybody. But it can be prevented.
Retiring Number Two: Preventing is only postponing. You never understood us, Number Six. We never fail!
Number Six: For "assassinated," substitute "executed."
Retiring Number Two: Since it's arranged by my own people, you mean.
Number Six: You don't mind?
Retiring Number Two: Of course I mind. It's just that... well, I never thought it would happen to me.
Number Six: It never does--to anybody. But it can be prevented.
Retiring Number Two: Preventing is only postponing. You never understood us, Number Six. We never fail!
Retiring Number Two: The Seal is the ceremony.
Number Six: It's hollowed out, it's packed with explosives.
Retiring Number Two: And before I hand it over to my successor...
Number Six: It will be detonated by radio.
Retiring Number Two: I can think of better ways to die.
Number Six: And better causes to die for.
Number Six: It's hollowed out, it's packed with explosives.
Retiring Number Two: And before I hand it over to my successor...
Number Six: It will be detonated by radio.
Retiring Number Two: I can think of better ways to die.
Number Six: And better causes to die for.
Retiring Number Two: They'll get me eventually.
Number Six: Fly now, pay later.
Retiring Number Two: They'll find me, wherever I am.
Number Six: As long as it's not here.
Number Six: Fly now, pay later.
Retiring Number Two: They'll find me, wherever I am.
Number Six: As long as it's not here.
(to the New Number)
Number Six: Yes, and so the great day is nearly over. Went rather well, I thought--better than planned. And now youi can look forward to your own retirement and I'm sure they'll arrange something equally suitable for you when the day comes.
Number Six: Yes, and so the great day is nearly over. Went rather well, I thought--better than planned. And now youi can look forward to your own retirement and I'm sure they'll arrange something equally suitable for you when the day comes.
Analysis
Insurrection
Another episode where Number Six finds himself in the position of protecting the Villagers from the authorities. The difference here is that the authorities themselves (unwisely) involve Number Six in their scheme. If they hadn't involved him, he wouldn't have become involved. Instead they justify involving him to convince the Retiring Number Two there's no plan against him... except that Number Two sees through the ruse in a couple of minutes anyway and figures out their plan! The idea of Jammers is an interesting one, but overall it serves as a disappointing backdrop to the episode as a whole.
Another episode where Number Six finds himself in the position of protecting the Villagers from the authorities. The difference here is that the authorities themselves (unwisely) involve Number Six in their scheme. If they hadn't involved him, he wouldn't have become involved. Instead they justify involving him to convince the Retiring Number Two there's no plan against him... except that Number Two sees through the ruse in a couple of minutes anyway and figures out their plan! The idea of Jammers is an interesting one, but overall it serves as a disappointing backdrop to the episode as a whole.
Other Episode Crew
| • Creator | George Markstein | Patrick McGoohan |
| • Executive Producer | Patrick McGoohan |
| • Producer | David Tomblin |
| • Editor | John S. Smith (3) |
| • Casting | Rose Tobias Shaw |
| • First Assistant Director | Gino Marotta |
| • Music | Ron Grainer |
| • Music Editor | John S. Smith (3) | Albert Elms |
| • Costume Designer | Masada Wilmot |
| • Hairstylist | Pat McDermot |
| • Make-up | Eddie Knight (1) |
| • Camera Operator | Jack Lowin |
| • Set Decorator | Kenneth Bridgeman |
| • Other | Doris Martin (2) (Continuity) |
| • Director of Photography | Brendan J. Stafford |
| • Story Editor | George Markstein |
| • Art Director | Jack Shampan |
| • Production Manager | Bernard Williams |
| • Sound Editor | Ken Rolls | John Bramall |
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