A Change of Mind - Recap

Number Six is exercising in a makeshift gymnasium that he has put together in the woodlands. Two Villagers approach him and wonder why he doesn't use the Village gymnasium. When he says he prefers privacy, they accuse him of being anti-social. They warn that the Committee won't like his actions. They attack him and he soon defeats them. They run off, warning that he'll face the Committee for his actions.



Number Six waits to be attended to by the Council Committee. They insist that they must publicly acknowledge their shortcomings and confess, saying what the committee wants them to say. As Number Forty-Two sobs out of guilt, Number Ninety-Three is forced to confess and breaks into tears as the others applaud his behaviour. Number Six is called before the Committee and tears up the written confession questionnaire. Unimpressed, they say they are there to deal with complaints against him. They warn him that he is not there to defend himself but to provide a confession. The Committee then takes a tea break, assuring him they will review all the appropriate records when they resume their meeting. They leave and Number Six sardonically applauds their departure. The Butler enters and allows Number Six to leave. As he goes through the waiting room, he steps to the rostrum, listens to Ninety-Three's recorded confessions, and departs.



In the streets, Number Six finds that the Villagers are ignoring him and the Tally Ho is publishing opinion polls saying he's up for further investigation. Going to his flat, he finds Number Two waiting for him. Number Two warns that no one is above investigation and that Number Six will receive no special treatment despite his value to the authorities. Number Eighty-Six arrives and explains that she was posted as disharmonious. She explains that she will represent him and take him to a social group. She says he must enter into the group spirit, as they're the only ones who can help him. Number Two watches from the Green Dome and is worried that if she makes one mistake, they'll lose Number Six.



The social group insists there are no exceptions to the Committee's ruling and try to rehabilitate Number Forty-Two. Number Six mocks the procedure and they shout at him before leaving. Number Six walks past Number Eighty-Six only to find the medical guardians waiting for him. They take him to the Hospital for medical testing and find him suitable for any contingency. Number six walks past a smiling man going for treatment and watches another man undergoing aversion therapy. Number Six tries to get in to the room without success and the smiling man tells him to calm down. Number Six notes he has a scar on his forehead, and the man says he was unmutual but he's one of the lucky ones.



The Committee reviews the social group's report and classifies Number Six as unmutual. They warn that if another complaint is filed against him, he'll be sent for immediate social conversion. The lights go out and the Committee disappears, and the Butler releases Number Six. Walking through the Village, he sees another Tally Ho headline declaring him unmutual. The announcer declares him unmutual and tells anyone to report any suspicious incidents. Returning to his flat, Number Six is unable to call anyone or get the operator to respond. The ladies of the Appeals Subcommittee arrive with Number Forty-Two having joined them, but Number Six is unrepentant and they quickly leave. Number Two watches, satisfied and interested to see how long Number Six can handle real loneliness.

Number Six walks in the woodlands but soon becomes frustrated and angry. He's unable to order coffee and all of the patrons leave the cafe and gather to watch him from a distance. They follow him through the Village, unspeaking, and he arrives at his flat to find the Appeals Subcommittee waiting for him. They believe he's unredeemable and say there's only one course of action. Number Two calls and says that he tried to warn Number Six. He says that Number Six won't care once he undergoes social conversion and explains that it involves isolation of the frontal lobes of the brain. A new announcement informs all medical staff they can observe Number Six's conversion on the television monitors. Going outside, Number Six finds the Villagers assembling. They club him and haul him away to the Hospital where he is sedated. He is strapped to an operating table, his head fastened in place, Number Eighty-Six explains the procedure for the benefit of the viewers. They are using sonic waves to cut through a board and then locate the necessary area of Number Six's brain. Number Eighty-Six increases the bombardment to the point of permanent dislocation.



Number Six wakes up in a hospital bed and the doctor warns him not to excite himself. Number Eight-Six promises to keep an eye on him. The doctor advises him to keep a bandage on as a reminder and a smiling Number Six leaves. As he goes, he watches the smiling man undergo the same aversion therapy but is smilingly unconcerned. The Villagers are waiting for him outside and greet him all along the route back to his flat. Number Two is there to welcome him as Number Eighty-Six makes him a cup of tea. Number Two says they can chat later and leaves, and Number Eighty-Six has Number Six lie down. However, he catches a glimpse of her adding a pill to his tea before serving it to him. Before he drinks the tea, he demands a rug against the cold and she goes to get it. Once she goes to the closet, he dumps the tea in a potted plant. She takes the cup from him and covers him over, then takes her leave. Number Two comes in and tries to get him to say why he resigned. Number Six feigns confusion and plays Number Two along. Number Two leaves it until later rather than upset Number Six.



Once he's gone, Number Six goes to the mirror and removes the bandage, revealing a scar. He puts the bandage back on. In the Green Dome, Number Eighty-Six observes him and realises that Number Six already suspects something, even though the drug should preclude such symptoms. Number Two notes that the operation was fake and Number Six has no reason to believe otherwise. He tells Number Eighty-Six to repeat the dose four hours early and she hastens to obey. He dumps the tea and demonstrates how to make it in the proper fashion. He makes them both tea and has her pour the milk. He sees her drug the milk, takes the cup, and asks her for sugar. While she's distracted, he switches cups and Number Two, watching, notices nothing unusual.

Number Eighty-Six becomes passive and distracted and Number Two realises something is wrong. He tells her to report to the Green Dome but believes that Number Six is still drugged. Outside, he meets the lobotomised man from earlier. The lobo man, smiling, wonders why Number Six is asking him about how he's feeling when he should know. Number Six goes to his homemade gymnasium and attempts to exercise his aggressive tendencies. The men from earlier arrive and attack him for revenge. He fights back and is restored to his old self. He tracks down Number Eighty-Six, who is still under the effects of the drug and picking flowers. Number Two is unable to locate her and puts out a general call to find her. The Supervisor informs her to report over the loudspeakers and she starts to rush off. Number Six has her sit down and then uses his wristwatch to hypnotise her. He has her give her report to him and she informs him that the operation and the scar were faked. Number Six then gives her a post-hypnotic command to say something when the Village tower chimes 4 p.m.



Number Two receives word that Number Six has come to visit. Number Six wants to continue their little chat but feels he should tell everyone as an example. Number Two agrees and calls a meeting at the Village Square. Everyone assembles and Number Six stands before them. Noticing the time, he stalls and thanks Number Two for his efforts on his behalf. The Villagers and Number Two begin to wonder what he's talking about, but Number Six prepares to reveal his secret. The bells chime 4 p.m. and Number Eighty-Six steps forward and declares that Number Two is unmutual. Number Six rallies the Villagers against Number Two and they turn on Number Two, who makes a hasty exit. Number Six follows and observes them, while the Butler walks by, umbrella in hand.




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