Appreciative examination
Free For All - Freie Wahl
Certainly, the very episode of THE PRISONER with the strongest intellectual input is "Free For All". To McGoohan it is one of seven that "really count". According to Max Hora's "The Prisoner Of Portmeirion" the playlist of this McGoohan mini-series would read as shown below:
1.
Arrival
2. Free For All
3. Dance Of The Dead
4. Checkmate
5. The
Chimes Of Big Ben
6. Once
Upon A Time
7. (The
Conclusion) Fall Out
"Free
For All" in parts is a surreal nightmarish and disconcerting story,
full of twistings and with lose ends that the viewer must grasp all
by himself. Because of the scenes that involved plenty of people it
is also the most colourful and most lively episode that makes the most
of the visuals of the Portmeirion location.
Because this episode was never dubbed German viewers were unaware of
the fact that there is a pub in the Village, the Cat & Mouse
Club, where non-alcoholic drinks are served that "look the same
and taste the same". One scene was deleted before the episode was
finished. It showed a singing Number Six inside the pub entertaining
the guests.
RA!
RA! RA! ...
NO MATTER WHICH WAY YOU PUT IT, ELECTIONS WHERE THERE ISN'T A CHOICE.
THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS ONE OF THE MOST FAVOURITE RE-ENACTMENTS
DURING THE PRISONER-CONVENTIONS IN PORTMEIRION.
It is about democratic rituals like election campaigns, it is about the power of manipulation as it is about being manipulated by power, the use and abuse of the word by the press. And, as always, it is about self-determination and individual identity. Those issues just weren't quite popular with the German public in 1969. Little wonder that this episode didn't make it to the German screens.
It
isn't that Number Six were forced to be an election candidate. But there
is Number Two's insinuation that Number One would be no mystery to him
that was also a temptation. Each of his steps he moves he does so as
if being under remote control. And in a sense this is true. He gets
mangled mentally and physically. After which viewers get the impression
that he must have become a different person.
After
his "rotten
cabbages"
speech, as an announcement to run for office for the Number Two position,
which is held in a relatively serious manner Number Six later fully
manifests the campaigner who promises heaven on earth:
There are those who come in here and deny that we can supply every conceivable civilised amenity within our boundaries. You can enjoy yourselves and you will. You can partake of the most hazardous sports and you will. The price is cheap. All you have to do in exchange is give us information. You are then eligible for promotion to other and perhaps more attractive spheres. Where do you desire to go? What has been your dream? I can supply it. Winter, spring, summer or fall - they can be all yours at any time. Apply to me and it will be easier and better.
The two campaigns meet a short time later in the Village. A battle of words ensues in front of the enthusiastic audience:
Place
your trust in the old régime: the policies are defined, the future
certain. The old régime forever... and the old Number 2 forever?
Confession by coercion, is that what you want? Vote for him and you have
it! Or, stand firm upon this election platform and speak a word without
fear! The word... is "freedom". They say "six of one and
half a dozen of the other"... not here.
It's "six for two and two for nothing" and six for free... for
all... for free for all! Vote! Vote!
Number Two asked by Number Six what he would do in his sparetime replies he couldn't afford sparetime. Number Six exaltedly turns to the crowd:
Do
you hear that?
He's working to his limit! Can't afford spare time! We're all entitled
to spare time! Leisure is our right!
Number Two:
In your spare time, if you get it, what will you do?
Number Six:
Less work... and more play!
the cowd:
Six! Six! Six! Six!
The end of this episode leaves no illusions. Election winner Number Six is allowed to enter Number Two's famous control room - just to turn the switches. But this still doesn't mean he's in control now.
