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The Prisoner: Once Upon A Time

It's a battle of wills when Number Two decides the only way to break Number Six is to enter into "Degree Absolute" with him. If Number Six triumphs, he will meet Number One. If he fails, he will die.


7/10 (1 Vote cast)

Episode Info


Episode number: 1x16
Airdate: Sunday January 28th, 1968



Guest Stars
Leo McKernLeo McKern
As Number Two
Recurring
Angelo MuscatAngelo Muscat
As The Butler
Recurring
Peter SwanwickPeter Swanwick
As The Supervisor
Recurring
John CazabonJohn Cazabon
As Umbrella Man
Recurring
John MaximJohn Maxim
As Number Eighty Six
Recurring

Uncredited
Fenella FieldingFenella Fielding
voiced Loudspeaker Announcer
Recurring
Main Cast
Patrick McGoohanPatrick McGoohan
As Number Six

Recap

At the Green Dome, the Butler brings breakfast in and Number Two's chair rises from below, to reveal a guardian sphere seating in it. The Butler ignores it and sets out the dishes. He then rings a bell and a prior Number Two (from "The Chime of Big Ben") rises from beneath. He checks the food and, dissatisfied, orders it removed. The Butler momentarily ignores him and Number Two repeats his demand. Number Two tells him to remove the guardian sphere as well, insisting he isn't an inmate. Picking up the red phone, he tells his superiors that he told them they used the wrong approach before to break Number Six. He tells them either he does it his way, or they find someone else. He monitors Number Six, who is eating breakfast in his flat. He wonders why Number Six cares, demanding an answer from the unheeding image. Number Two calls Number Six and asks why he cares. Number Six recognizes his voice and Number Two repeats his question. Number Six says he'll never know and hangs up, then goes outside. Walking through the Village, Number Six snaps at a man with an umbrella, engaging him in an enigmatic conversation about the man's number...

Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Many of the facts about Number Six's life revealed in this episode are taken from Patrick McGoohan's real life.

The working title of this episode was "Degree Absolute".

This was the sixth episode of the series filmed, directly before Leo McKern's first appearance, "The Chimes of Big Ben".

Angelo Muscat is listed as Featuring in the opening credits, the first and only time he is so credited.



Episode Quotes
(on the phone)
Number Two: Why do you care?
Number Six: I know your voice.
Number Two: I have been here before. Why do you care?
Number Six: You'll never know.

Number Six: How?
Umbrella Man: Don't do that.
Number Six: What?
Umbrella Man: Inquire.
Number Six: What's your number? Your number--what is it?
Umbrella Man: Be careful.
Number Six: One two, three, four, five, six seven?
Umbrella Man: Quiet!
Number Six: Eight, nine ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16?

Number Two: You know who it was?
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: Who was it? That is cowardice!
Number Six: That's honor, sir.
Number Two: We don't talk about such thing.
Number Six: You should teach it, sir.
Number Two: You're a fool!
Number Six: Yes, sir. Not a rat.
Number Two: A rat?
Number Six: Rat.
Number Two: I'm a rat?!?
Number Six: No, sir. I'm a fool, not a rat.

Number Two: Society...
Number Six: Yes, sir?
Number Two: Society is a place where people exist together.
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: That is civilization.
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: The lone wolf belongs in the wilderness.
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: You must not grow up to be a lone wolf.
Number Six: No, sir.
Number Two: You must conform.
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: It is my sworn duty to see that you do conform.
Number Six: Yes, sir.
Number Two: You will take six.
Number Six: Six, sir?
Number Two: Of the best.
Number Six: I'm not guilty, sir.
Number Two: Ten!
Number Six: Twelve.
Number Two: What?
Number Six: Twelve, sir, so that I can remember.

Number Six: I am a man, not a unit of society.



Other Episode Crew

CreatorGeorge Markstein  |  Patrick McGoohan
Executive ProducerPatrick McGoohan
ProducerDavid Tomblin
EditorLee Doig
CastingRose Tobias Shaw
First Assistant DirectorGino Marotta
MusicAlbert Elms  |  Ron Grainer
Music EditorEric Mival
Costume DesignerMasada Wilmot
HairstylistPat McDermot
Make-upEddie Knight (1)
Camera OperatorJack Lowin
Set DecoratorKenneth Bridgeman
OtherDoris Martin (2) (Continuity)
Director of PhotographyBrendan J. Stafford
Story EditorGeorge Markstein
Art DirectorJack Shampan
Production ManagerBernard Williams
Sound EditorWilfred Thompson  |  John Bramall
 

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