TVSquad

If it took place in one of the "non-existent" CIA prisons, then we'd know which side is running the place. One of the great mysteries of the original series was that we don't know which side of the Cold War was running "The Village"; whether he was being held by the enemies of the "Free World", or by his own government. Nowadays, we'd have to consider other alternatives as well - some alliance from the Third World or even some kind of corporate empire.

I count myself as one of the original show's biggest fans - it will always be my favorite TV show - and I applaud the idea that if it has to be remade, only six episodes are being produced.

Only 17 episodes were made for the original; and even at that, some of them could have been considered filler - produced to pad out the total to make a summer series sale to America. ('Living In Harmony', 'The Girl Who Was Death', and 'Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling' would fall into that category I think.)

With just six episodes, this new version can get to the essence of the series and make this one powerful nugget of a TV series. (If only 'Twin Peaks' had concentrated on the basic mystery of "Who Killed Laura Palmer" and then came to a natural conclusion when that was solved. It would have been remembered as being great television, rather than as a meandering novelty.)

I don't know if they're going to actually remake specific episodes, or just the basic concept of 'The Prisoner', but if I had to choose six episodes to make up the total:

'Arrival'
'Chimes Of Big Ben'
'Checkmate'
'Hammer Into Anvil'
'Once Upon A Time'
'Fall Out'

Anyway, we'll see what happens. All I know is that no matter how this new version turns out, it can't ruin my memories of how great the original was and still is: nearly forty years old and still twenty years ahead of its time....

Reply

I've looked over the list of the original episodes and now I'm thinking 'Schizoid Man' should have been included in my selection. Probably at the expense of 'Hammer Into Anvil', to make the basic series more focused on Number Six.

Reply

What horrible news. Some things should just be left alone in their classic, brilliant uniqueness. I would definitely include "The Prisoner" in such a group.

And there's simply no way that anyone could (or even should) the insane chaos of the final episode.

Why don't they just re-run the original? Why do they have to ruin it with remakes? Does anyone have the crazed intensity of Patrick McGoohan, anyway?

Reply

Karen, if any actor can match McGoohan's "crazed intensity" it is Christopher Eccleston. If you haven't been watching *Doctor Who* on the SciFi Channel (Friday at 9pm and repeated), you can catch up when the DVD box set hits the market "officially" after the 4th of July (you can buy it from Amazon's Canadian website now). It will be on a long wait list through NetFlix though if you decide to rent.

I'd highly recommend that you tune into the show and pick up the DVDs. At the very least, you will learn why Eccleston is the perfect choice for the remake, and at best, you'd become a new fan of Britain's hottest show.

IMHO, Eccleston is the man that should be chosen to portray THE JOKER in the upcoming sequel to last year's *Batman Begins*.

Reply

I have to agree with no. 3 on this. There's no reason to remake something that's already brilliant. If you want to celebrate the anniversary of the show, I'm all for it, just air all the original episodes and hype it up so that more people will (hopefully) finally see what they've missed out on. I suppose it's intended to be flattering, showing that the concept still holds up 40 years later, but that doesn't mean it should be done.

Reply

I am not a number!

Reply

They'd better have William Shatner as one of the Number 2s, he'll be perfect!

It's such a pity that Hervé Villechaize is dead.

Reply

Let us not forget the great Prisoner-esque show from UPN's early days....*Nowhere Man*...

Reply

If we have to have a remake of the most brilliant series ever produced on television let then do it properly and keep to the original spirit of the series or don't bother. Like the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the films were in my view disappointing (despite the excellent special effects) as they did not keep to the original books as much as they should.

The only thing which dates "The Prisoner" is the technology, for example "The General" would probably be a desktop PC today, and we dont have rocker switches, banks of lights and oscilloscopes on computers but never mind eh??

I am extremeley wary of any "remakes" of anything as unwanted variations creep in. While I am delighted that "The Prisoner" is being talked about I doubt if they could remake it to my satisfaction. Things these days tend to be "dumbed down" to appeal to a wider audience and rake in more money.

Still we'll see.

Reply

Oh the irony of Rupert "I own more media than any one man ought to be allowed to" Murdoch's Sky remaking the Prisoner.

Don't expect much in the way of anti-globalisation in there (which I am sure Pat McG would write in if consulted).

I rather liked the idea of the graphic novel being made (where a lost round-the-world-solo yachtswoman stumbled upon the village and where Pat McG was now number 2!).

Reply

what great news! finally, I won't have to keep retelling (and inviting people over to watch the DVDs)...though I'll probably have Prisoner viewing parties anyways....Yayayayayay! (Can you tell I'm happy to hear the news?) I definitely cross my fingers that an appropriate, accurate and entertaining remake (yep remake or remodel) be put together.

Be seeing you,

V

Reply