I'm a little behind on my viewing of The Prisoner, but I'm up to episode three, "Anvil," and really digging it so far. It's like The Twilight Zone, Road Warrior, and The Truman Show all rolled into one. And I don't have the slightest idea where it's headed. I haven't seen the original 1960s series, but will definitely have to check it out. If it's anything like this one -- and many say it's better -- I'm sure I'll love it. Not only is the series an intriguing mystery, but it also seems to be a social commentary on fear, guilt, conformity, and control.
Are we all prisoners of something, one way or another? Are we all striving to break free of the social norms that shackle us? Am I off my rocker and reading a whole lot more into this show than is necessary?
Are you liking The Prisoner so far? I'm sort of hoping they turn it into a regular TV series.
Check out Jason's great reviews of The Prisoner.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-19-2009 @ 11:48AM
Mike said...
When you get to the end you'll see why this wouldn't work as a regular series... However, it would work as a continuing set of mini-series. And in so doing, it would actually become more like the originals.
I don't want to spoil you on what's coming, but I'll put it this way... in the original, there was a new 2 every time to face off against 6... In the next mini-series, if they made one, that theme could remain...
Anyway, you should post a review when you're all done... at least it seems like you understand the show, contrary to the impression I got from the actual reviews on this site.
This was the most complex and cerebral sci-fi project in years... maybe since 12 Monkeys... I'd like to discuss it with some other people that actually understood it.
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11-19-2009 @ 12:21PM
Jeff N. said...
The Original was way ahead of it's time. Patrick McGoohan was excellent in it. Probably one of the best done shows like this of it's time. Worth watching again.
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11-19-2009 @ 12:21PM
Nathaniel said...
Glad you're enjoying it. I'd like to second the fact that I'd love to see a review from you when you're done... I've been too afraid to read the other reviews from TV Squad's "experienced" (as in, has seen the original) reviewer because he or she (can't remember who) keeps making references tot he original, and I don't want to be spoiled for my eventual viewing of that one. Plus it's cool to get both perspectives.
I also really loved it... so much, in fact, that it totally threw off my usual Monday and Tuesday TV viewing because I just had to catch each next part as it first aired! I also agree that this would make a great ongoing series or could have a good sequel, if they can figure out a good way to do it.
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11-19-2009 @ 1:07PM
Bertrand Russell said...
I agree with Mike, the original reviewer missed a lot of the connections made in the end.
I'm sure I'm in the minority of people who loved the original in saying that I actually enjoyed this one more. Everything is explained in the end, and nothing in the series was unnecessary. It all came together perfectly. I can't wait to watch it again now.
My only gripe is with the last 30 seconds. I would have left the "at any cost" part out.
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11-19-2009 @ 3:19PM
Mike said...
Not me... that's how we get our new 2 for next time!
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11-19-2009 @ 5:40PM
Bertrand Russell said...
*Possible Spoilers*
I guess, but I don't think that a sequel would work. Everything has been revealed. There wouldn't be much of a story to tell. Everything that made this miniseries great is already used up.
Another reason is that Caviezel gave the weekest performance. I don't think him playing 2 for 6 hours would make for great television.