1. ARRIVAL - DIE ANKUNFT

The Author and his source of inspiration
George Markstein and David Tomblin present a "beautiful new world" which at the same time is dangerous and intimidating. Patrick McGoohan at once accepted this draft and put his own treatment aside in favour of this realised conception.
Subject and contents of the episode
Introduction into the modern-day community - an idyllic holiday resort that turns out to be an entire surveillance-laden prison, too.
Continuity of action
The start of the adventure of a nameless hero who finds himself in an unknown place, his fight for freedom and self-confidence begins.
Methods employed by the system
The unseen authorities of the Village want to know the reasons behind his resignation from duty. Various and ingenious methods, technical manipulations are used in order to achieve this aim.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Two escape attempts by Number Six are failures. Thereby Number Two demonstrates to him that escape is impossible.
Personal remark
No doubt, ARRIVAL is the start of the series. An anonymous society is introduced inhabited by people who are addressed not by names but by numbers. No one can be trusted. What does freedom mean to Man?
Climactic progression S
1. deprivation of personal freedom

2. FREE FOR ALL - FREIE WAHL

The Author and his source of inspiration
Patrick McGoohan himself, under the name Paddy Fitz, is the author of the episode's script and also director of the episode. A distinctive episode in commenting on society.
Subject and contents of the episode
Democracy and free elections fundamental to a free society
Continuity of action
In his new world Number Six experiences the rules of the democratic game: empty promises, induced hysteria of the masses, ongoing manipulations.
Methods employed by the system
Our hero is brainwashed into uttering empty phrases and propagating the system's slogans.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
At the end of the episode Number Six is physically and mentally defeated. He learns from the new Number Two that this "is just the beginning".
Personal remark
FREE can be taken for McGoohan's PRISONER pilot episode in its own right. Both FREE and ARRIVAL can be seen as one single (or rather: double-feature) episode. McGoohan, Markstein and Tomblin set up the premise for more drama to come.
Climactic progression S
2. brainwashing

3. THE CHIMES OF BIG BEN - DIE GLOCKEN VON BIG BEN

The Author and his source of inspiration
In his first script author Vincent Tilsley deals with personal fears of a globalized world.
Subject and contents of the episode
Trust and creative competition in a society of entertainment
Continuity of action
It's Number Six's first tentative attempt to join community activities. He takes part in an artistic competition.
Methods employed by the system
The arts & crafts competition and the appearance of fellow inmate Nadia are a mere decoy set up by the Village.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
It's a bitter defeat for Number Six, who thought he'd successfully reached London. His trust in Nadia has been misplaced. And the Village shows itself to be the identical mirror image of the free outside world.
Personal remark
The casting of Leo McKern as a humorous Number Two was very lucky, also in respect of those future Number Twos to come, because he is Number Six' ideal counterpart. Placing this episode very early on also results in the "social life" subject as well as in the Number Two character who will return in the finale of ONCE and FALL OUT.
Climactic progression S
3. fraudulence

4. THE GENERAL - DER GENERAL

The Author and his source of inspiration
Lewis Greifer, under the pseudonym Joshua Adam, inserts one more puzzle piece of life in the Village.
Subject and contents of the episode
Education and manipulative misuse of the media
Continuity of action
Number Six quickly learns about manipulation and "alignment" - gleichschaltung - of free thought in the community. He tries to find the mysterious "General" who is in control of the knowledge people are bound to receive through the public Village media.
Methods employed by the system
Science and technology are at the mercy of the system (Village). All techniques are used to gain control over the mind.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
There is one small victory for Number Six as he asks the General one unsolvable question, unsolvable to man or machine.
Personal remark
In this initial stage it's Number Six' only victory and an exception from the rule that he is defeated all the time. Why this episode is put on position 4, after CHIMES, is due to the Number Two character. Later in the series actor Colin Gordon is called again (in ABC) in order to take over the mind and dreams of Number Six.
Climactic progression S
4. misuse of technology and the media

5. CHECKMATE - SCHACHMATT

The Author and his source of inspiration
Writer Gerald Kelsey's idea of a real-life game of chess, acted out by inhabitants on the Village lawn, was based on an event he experienced in 1959 when he saw such a game in Munich.
Subject and contents of the episode
Chess is an impressive metaphor of social life and applied psychology. Black and white chess pieces are the players (pawns) within a larger psycho-game.
Continuity of action
Number Six learns more about the Village: the chess game with living pieces. He joins the game, always attentive to meet someone reliable enough for an escape plan.
Methods employed by the system
Here a woman is brainwashed into thinking she's desperately in love with Number Six, so she follows him anywhere he goes. Further psychological tricks and rather technical manipulations are employed to trap Number Six.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Again it's a defeat for Number Six - checkmate. But the game goes on, as told by Number Two. The players will be back on the board - as pawns.
Personal remark
Further aspects of social life in the Village here: playfulness and non-reflective behaviour. People are used to following guidelines regardless of how meaningful they are, who set them up, or controls them. Much knowledge of psychology is needed to decide who is black or who is white, who a prisoner and who a warder.
Climactic progression S
5. Psychology

6. THE SCHIZOID MAN - DER DOPPELGÄNGER

The Author and his source of inspiration
In his first script writer Terence Feely depicts how an authoritarian system treats strong individuals.
Subject and contents of the episode
Doubling of identity and encountering oneself is the shock therapy used by the Village to create an identity crisis.
Continuity of action
Number Six meets an 'identical twin', while Number Two tries to make him believe he is someone else - Number 12. It is his job to unmask the double as an impostor and to extract information.
Methods employed by the system
Again the Village utilizes brainwashing and behavioural techniques in an attempt to shatter Number Six' self-assurance.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Rather unexpectedly Number Six wins over his adversary, who is on par with him, and gets on the waiting helicopter. But his ultimate defeat is inevitable.
Personal remark
This is the first real assault on Number Six' identity after having experienced social Village life. The Village uses an ingenious plan and confronts him with an identical twin. This doubling device of PHASE S is complementary to PHASE T where a split of identity is conducted.
Climactic progression S
6. doubling of identity

7. DANCE OF THE DEAD - DIE ANKLAGE

The Author and his source of inspiration
Author Anthony Skene, in his first of three scripts, uses Jean Cocteau's movie ORPHEE (1950) and Orson Welles' THE TRIAL (1962) as the basis and source of his inspiration.
Subject and contents of the episode
A bizarre trial is at the centre of this episode and various states of death: physical, mental, spiritual.
Continuity of action
Number Six is invited to the annual carnival event which, all of a sudden, turns into a historical tribunal.
Methods employed by the system
4 women are assigned to observe Number Six. A trial is prepared by the authorities, the charge: illegal possession of a radio receiver. 3 judges in historical garbs sentence him to death.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Number Six manages to evade being executed by the crowd but is told by Number Two that he is already dead in the eyes of the world "outside" he keeps dreaming of.
Personal remark
The "dance of the dead" of the title doesn't really take place, at least not in front of the camera. The scene was never filmed. Fragments of it, however, appear in the episode during the carnival activites. This time Number Six' defeat is quite severe: he is declared dead. No way out. This episode foreshadows events of the penultimate episode ONCE UPON A TIME, either Number Six or Number Two must die. Also, the trial is resumed in FALL OUT when "revolt" is on the agenda.
Climactic progression S
7. death sentence

8. MANY HAPPY RETURNS - HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH

The Author and his source of inspiration
Anthony Skene's second script reverts to another Greek mythology: Homer's "Odyssey".
Subject and contents of the episode
At the episode centre is the adventurous wandering of the hero and his dangerous return home.
Continuity of action
After the death sentence Number Six wakes up in a deserted Village. Because there is no one around he prepares for a journey into a different, better world. Indeed, he returns to his desired home.
Methods employed by the system
The system seems to be powerless on Number Six this time. But is it really without influence - in London, in his private home, with his former superiors?
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Having traveled on sea, land and air in his odyssey Number Six in the end experiences a real big birthday surprise:"Many happy returns!"
Personal remark
It is legitimate to regard RETURNS as the successor of DANCE even though this wasn't envisaged by the author. Both episodes were aired in reversed order on UK TV and that's the same way they are included on the German DVD. Similar to FALL OUT there is an adventurous journey back home to London. Dialogue covers only about 20 minutes, so the images count. In both episodes Number Six is allowed to drive his Lotus Seven sportscar and enjoy London and freedom. Or could it be those rides are announcements of just another beginning?
Climactic progression S
8. Odyssey

9. IT'S YOUR FUNERAL - DAS AMTSSIEGEL

The Author and his source of inspiration
Michael Cramoy's script, for once, sheds light on the internal structures of power in the Village displaying those in charge engaged in struggles for power.
Subject and contents of the episode
Tribute and scheming for Number Two on the day of transition of power to the new Number Two.
Continuity of action
Number Six is back in his prison. He reinforces his fight against the inhuman society and its inscrutable methods.
Methods employed by the system
Number Six becomes a tool in a murder plot by which he gains insight into the gaping hole of power ready to devour not only him but the Village officials, too.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
He successfully thwarts the assassination of the current Number Two who he helps to leave the Village alive - "fly now, pay later."
Personal remark
During his long absence from the Village a plot is set up. Faked film clips show Number Six alarming every former Number Two of being assassinated. Who is scheming who? The message is clear: There is no trust among the prisoners and within this system officials, too, cannot be sure whether to rely on anybody.
Climactic progression T
9. schemes

10. THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH – ---3-2-1-0

The Author and his source of inspiration
Terence Feely wrote his second script after a story by David Tomblin which originally was to be a DANGER MAN episode.
Subject and contents of the episode
Fantasy adventure beyond the boundaries of the Village
Continuity of action
Number Six seizes the opportunity to leave his prison. A woman dressed in white who calles herself "Death" uses every conceivable method to kill him. Number Six meets her in the ghost town of Witchwood and in a rocket, too.
Methods employed by the system
The Village storybook and some children are used by the Village to trick Number Six.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Commencing countdown and a small victory for Number Six, born survivor: He wins over the born killer.
Personal remark
The RETURNS episode marks the beginning of a small batch of "outside Village" stories, and so does GIRL. It's a fairy-tale, a crazy nightmare where Number Six is able to leave the Village behind. At the same time this episode also pokes fun at the agent-and-spy genre and the James Bond image.
Climactic progression T
10. Fancy

11. A CHANGE OF MIND -
SINNESWANDEL

The Author and his source of inspiration
Roger Parkes explores the troubles an individualist encounters in a repressive community.
Subject and contents of the episode
Isolation and conversion of an outsider to make him part of the community.
Continuity of action
Number Six is isolated from social life and declared "unmutual" by a "Committee".
Methods employed by the system
The Village uses a "brain surgery" to achieve "instant social conversion" and the reintegration of Number Six.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Another small win for Number Six as he, during a public confession of guilt, manipulates doctor Number 86 into proclaiming, "Number Two is unmutual." Number Two then hastily flees the Village.
Personal remark
This episode is the dark counterpart of CHECKMATE in its depiction of a loner driven into total isolation by society. Brain surgery as a means of treatment was considered too dangerous in CHECKMATE. But here it is conducted even on closed-circuit TV - although the procedure, it turns out, is a fake, staged for the Village masses.
Climactic progression T
11. brain surgery

12. LIVING IN HARMONY - HARMONY

The Author and his source of inspiration
Writer Ian L. Rakoff conceived of the characters as western archetypes and put them in the PRISONER environment, the wild-west town of Harmony. Producer-director David Tomblin reworked the script and made Rakoff co-author.
Subject and contents of the episode
Troubles of conscience and manipulations in a violent place
Continuity of action
Number Six finds himself a stranger in the wild west. He resigns from duty as a Sheriff, leaves and is caught and taken to the town of Harmony where there is no escape.
Methods employed by the system
There is a highly influential Judge urging Number Six to resume his post. He does so but refuses to carry a gun in order to care for public security. There is Kathy, a saloon singer, and The Kid, a gunslinger, causing trouble in mind for Number Six. In the end Number Two explains the method that is employed to break Number Six, not only in this episode: "Give him love - take it away. Isolate him. Make him kill, after that confront him with death. That'll break him. Break his mind and the rest will be easy."
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Number Six is gunned down by the Judge, but he then awakes wearing his Village clothes and with earphones on his head. They wanted to make him talk by the use of hallucinogenic drugs it seems. But Number Six’ alert mind uncovers this game which dramatically ends in disaster.
Personal remark
Another "outside Village" story, conceived by Rakoff as an allegory. Nothing in the town of Harmony is "harmonious" in any way. Dangerous psycho-active drugs are used here for the manipulation of the mind - but none can be seen onscreen. The line between fact and fiction dissolves and is hardly discernible for the characters involved.
Climactic progression T
12. manipulation by drugs

13. DO NOT FORSAKE ME, OH MY DARLING - 2:2=2

The Author and his source of inspiration
Vincent Tilsley in his second script was required to find a story without the principal actor present, since Patrick McGoohan at the time was in the USA filming ICE STATION ZEBRA, his entry into the big movie business. He also hoped thus to back-up THE PRISONER financially.
Subject and contents of the episode
Split identity and dramatic quest for one-self in order to re-establish his identity
Continuity of action
One more grave assault on the identity of Number Six, who is split into body and mind. It is hoped that he (in the body of a different man) would then track down the inventor of the device for his own sake and that of the Village, too.
Methods employed by the system
Number Six's memory is erased until the time of his resignation. The Seltzman machine splits his identity: his mind is transferred into the body of "the Colonel" who awakes in his (Number Six') London home. He then seeks assistance from his former superior and his ex fiancee in order to find Prof. Seltzman for the reverse process.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Professor Seltzman dies on performing the reverse process. But this time he cleverly manages to exchange not only two but three minds. So he now lives on in the Colonel's body and is free to get on with his own research and without being pressured.
Personal remark
This "outside Village" story leads into familiar London. FORSAKE can be seen as the radical counterpart of SCHIZOID, where a doubling of identity took place. Here it is a splitting of identity. The drastic separation into body and mind (soul) needs to have the vital search for the self to regain identity. - Tilsley's draft was considerably rewritten by David Tomblin. Without any notice also the title was changed from FACE UNKNOWN to DO NOT FORSAKE ME OH MY DARLING. And when McGoohan had returned from the US the script was altered once again. McGoohan himself has only a minor part at the end of this episode.
Climactic progression T
13. split of identity

14. HAMMER INTO ANVIL - HAMMER ODER AMBOSS

The Author and his source of inspiration
After the FUNERAL episode we get further insight into the system of power in the Village. Roger Woddis script shows the structures of power depend on the personality of the particular Number Two in charge.
Subject and contents of the episode
Delusion and a cat and mouse game with a volatile despot
Continuity of action
After being massively tortured using isolation (CHANGE), mind-changing drugs (HARMONY) and split-identity (FORSAKE) it's enough-is-enough for Number Six. He turns the tables and attacks the inhuman system after the suicide of a woman caused by the paranoiac Number Two.
Methods employed by the system
This time Number Six utilizes the system's own methods against his tormentors. In this elaborate game he manages to raise mistrust and beat the authorities on their own ground. A merciless Number Two hunter becomes a paranoia-driven prey.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
In the end Goethe's quote "Be anvil or hammer" turns against the one who propagated it. Number Two the hammer has finally become the anvil, a weak link in the chain of leadership waiting to be exchanged. Number Six leaves it to the very Number Two to report his failure (and breakdown) to his superior - Number One.
Personal remark
HAMMER initiates the finale in this drama. The "society" subject is abandoned in favour of a classical confrontation of two. We get a notion of the things to come in ONCE UPON A TIME. Number Six is propelled by revenge and retaliation - or penitence - for Number Two's wrongdoings towards the innocent victim Number 73. At the same time it is a continuation of attacks on the cruelty of the system.
Climactic progression T
14. Paranoia

15. A. B. AND C. - A, B UND C

The Author and his source of inspiration
Anthony Skene's third script exposes the human subconsciousness as the basis of man's actions. He also explores the power of dreams and thoughts.
Subject and contents of the episode
Drug influence on the consciousness of man; the question: can dreams purposefully be manipulated and can secret thoughts be made visual?
Continuity of action
After some minor victories won by Number Six, having outmanoeuvred the mad despot Number Two, the Village authorities strike a counterattack. A retired Number Two is reactivated as their penultimate trump in the effort to break Number Six.
Methods employed by the system
Number Two is a little nervous. Aided by female doctor Number 14 he gains power over Number Six' mind. His thoughts are displayed on a screen. In his dreams Number Six is expected to meet three people, one of whom he might have confided, or perhaps sold, the best kept secret of his resignation from duty.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Even in his sleep Number Six is ever "wide awake" and in control of his mental powers. He gets suspicious ("How do talk to somebody you’ve met in your dream?") and seemingly plays Number Two's game of (still untested) drugs. In the end he unmasks the one pulling the wire - a shocking revelation to all those involved!
Personal remark
It is with this episode A. B. and C. that the ellipse comes to a close. The system is running out of people suitable for the position of Number Two, and so former holders of that position are called in again. Milk drinking Number Two (Colin Gordon) seems to be experienced enough from the mass-media teaching programm (GENERAL) to solve the case this time and extract Number Six's information. He failed again, it shows.
Climactic progression T
15. manipulation of dreams and thoughts

16. ONCE UPON A TIME - PAS DE DEUX

The Author and his source of inspiration
Patrick McGoohan wrote his second script after FREE FOR ALL under the working title DEGREE ABSOLUTE and like the other two over a period of 36 hours. In it he uses much autobiographical data.
Subject and contents of the episode
It's a classical stage drama of two antagonists, Number Two and Number Six, a psychological fight of life and death. It will lead the hero to find his self prior to victory or into destruction.
Continuity of action
Just one trump card remains for the Village authorities as they reactivate their best Number Two holder. He chooses"Degree Absolute", one week during which he intends to reach the final decision on Number Six: total victory or total defeat.
Methods employed by the system
In a sealed-off underground chamber called the "Embryo Room" Number Six is regressed into his childhood and youth and lives through the "Seven ages of Man" (according to Shakespeare). Number Two takes on the roles of his father, teacher, instructor, bank executive, judge, army officer, prison warder. Number Six plays the role as himself being son, student, sportsman, bank clerk, defendant, airman, prisoner of war.
Victory or defeat for Number Six
In this intensified psycho-duel one question is repeatedly asked by Number Two, "Why did you resign?" And every time he is denied an answer by Number Six. In finding his self Number Six sees through the psycho-analytical situation and both persons exchange roles to eventually enter the final countdown. Number Six even gives an answer to the crucial question: "For peace of mind."
Personal remark
Because McGoohan had liked the way actor Leo McKern had played Number Two in CHIMES so convincingly he wanted him back for another episode, ONCE, to allow him an even better performance. ONCE was the sixth script and should have become episode 13, conclusion of the planned first season. (...) But instead of a second season only four more episodes were made, the first part of the finale being ONCE, the second FALL OUT.
Climactic progression T
16. duel

17. FALL OUT - DEMASKIERUNG

The Author and his source of inspiration
Patrick McGoohan also wrote the script of FALL OUT, the conclusion of the series that many people had been awaiting with high expectations. But rather than staying with a classical solution to the PRISONER puzzle he went into a very different direction and brought about an allegory.
Subject and contents of the episode
It's about the 1960s, revolt and revolution. McGoohan tries to find an answer to the question, "Who is man's worst enemy? (...) the evil side of his self." Ultimately it's about self-awareness of the individual.
Continuity of action
Number Six has survived and overcome the final test - of episode ONCE, the only time an episode continues from the previous one. Now he has the right to be an individual, to be a free man. In a subterranean cavern filled with masked people and armed guards he is returned his own black suit, the symbol of his identity: "We thought you'd feel happier as yourself."
Methods employed by the system
The President of the assembly first lectures on the "democratic crisis" they were witnessing and introduces three people
as examples of three different types of revolt:
- Number 48, a young man and hippie who rebels against any authority;
- the former Number Two, a successful member of society who "bit the hand that fed him";
- and Number Six, who has gained the right to be an individual, a free man who is thus addressed "Sir".
Victory or defeat for Number Six
Number Six is offered his freedom and total power over the community. He receives a big applause for having been defiant. He is allowed to speak to the assembly but his words are submerged into a big noise caused by the masked audience. "Sir" finally gets to meet Number One - and looks into the face of absolute evil. He escapes the cavern and the Village and reaches London, drives his Lotus Seven - he won, he's free, or is he?
Personal remark
McGoohan did not answer any of those unsolved questions. His decision to abandon a conventional ending to THE PRISONER provoked infuriation and rejection. Rather than being an end this last episode looks more like a new beginning.
Climactic progression T
17. Revolution