Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Koyaanisqatsi · 05-10-2003, 06:27 AM

Ok, I've seen about seven episodes now and still haven't the foggiest clue about what the hell is going on. Is there a Rosetta Stone I'm missing? Acid, perhaps? Or is it all just the warped narcissism of Patrick McGoughan (sp?)?

I get that he was some sort of government agent; that he retired and was subsequently kidnapped, possibly by an "evil' other, but also possibly by his own country; and that the whole world must desperately find out what he knows, though they never do.

So what the hell is with the overstylized, hopelessly opaque narratives? Has anyone been able to deconstruct what the hell is going on with that show?

If so, do tell, because although I consider myself highly adept at deconstructing even the most dense symbolism around, I am at a loss with this one.

Equal_Mark · 05-10-2003, 07:12 AM

Beware weather balloons and Lava Lites!

SULPHUR · 05-10-2003, 07:20 AM

IS it being shown again? I thought the deal was it would be shown once.I would like to see it again,I might have some idea what it was about.

Marduk · 05-10-2003, 08:14 AM

I think you can get it on DVD and I doubt if it was ever intended to make sense.
Wait till you see the last episode hee hee hee

Eudaimonist · 05-10-2003, 08:22 AM

What's not to understand? I'll admit, the show does get a bit too postmodernist at times, but it's usually possible to figure out what topics they are commenting on.

Perhaps these resources will help:

http://www.retroweb.com/prisoner.html

http://members.aol.com/joebrae/prisoner.htm

SULPHUR · 05-10-2003, 10:21 AM

It will take me along time to get over this.I have been waiting and hoping all my questions would be aswered. I feel like a christian finding there is no heaven.

Pierre Bezukhov · 05-10-2003, 01:48 PM

I heard Patrick Magoohan received a number of death threats after the original run in England. Be prepared to say "wtf?" after the final episode. (Still a cool show though.)

wordsmyth · 05-10-2003, 02:35 PM

From what I remember the very last episode explains everything. Although, the explanation it gives will definitely leave you saying, wtf?!?!

MilitantModerate · 05-10-2003, 10:51 PM

Unfortunately if you have seen 7 episodes and do not 'get it' you, likely, never will. Don't take it personally or anything; just treat it like something you may never aquire a taste for, eg. single malt scotch, fine wine, gourmet food, a great cuban cigar (OK I am rubbing it in a bit

)

-Prisoner DVD box set owner

Wounded King · 05-11-2003, 01:48 AM

Some episodes make a lot more sense than others of course. 'The Girl Who Was Death' simply seems to be an excuse for them all to get out of the Village for a while and stretch their legs. Some of them though, 'Living in Harmony' and 'Hammer into Anvil' come to mind, are absoloutely brilliant both as straight spy thriller type stuff and as a bit of social commentary subtext.

I think my favourite still has to be 'The Schizoid Man', keep up those needlessly byzantine plots No.2.

TTFN,

Wounded

05-10-2003, 06:27 AM	#1
Koyaanisqatsi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Yes, I have dyslexia. Sue me. Posts: 6,508	The Prisoner... WTF? Ok, I've seen about seven episodes now and still haven't the foggiest clue about what the hell is going on. Is there a Rosetta Stone I'm missing? Acid, perhaps? Or is it all just the warped narcissism of Patrick McGoughan (sp?)? I get that he was some sort of government agent; that he retired and was subsequently kidnapped, possibly by an "evil' other, but also possibly by his own country; and that the whole world must desperately find out what he knows, though they never do. So what the hell is with the overstylized, hopelessly opaque narratives? Has anyone been able to deconstruct what the hell is going on with that show? If so, do tell, because although I consider myself highly adept at deconstructing even the most dense symbolism around, I am at a loss with this one.

05-10-2003, 07:20 AM	#3
SULPHUR Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: hobart,tasmania Posts: 551	prisoner IS it being shown again? I thought the deal was it would be shown once.I would like to see it again,I might have some idea what it was about.

05-10-2003, 10:21 AM	#6
SULPHUR Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: hobart,tasmania Posts: 551	disillusionment It will take me along time to get over this.I have been waiting and hoping all my questions would be aswered. I feel like a christian finding there is no heaven.

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05-10-2003, 07:12 AM	#2
Equal_Mark Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Exit 109 Joisey Posts: 135	Beware weather balloons and Lava Lites!

05-10-2003, 08:14 AM	#4
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	I think you can get it on DVD and I doubt if it was ever intended to make sense. Wait till you see the last episode hee hee hee

05-10-2003, 08:22 AM	#5
Eudaimonist Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sundsvall, Sweden Posts: 3,159	What's not to understand? I'll admit, the show does get a bit too postmodernist at times, but it's usually possible to figure out what topics they are commenting on. Perhaps these resources will help: http://www.retroweb.com/prisoner.html http://members.aol.com/joebrae/prisoner.htm

05-10-2003, 01:48 PM	#7
Pierre Bezukhov Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 882	I heard Patrick Magoohan received a number of death threats after the original run in England. Be prepared to say "wtf?" after the final episode. (Still a cool show though.)

05-10-2003, 02:35 PM	#8
wordsmyth Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Des Moines, Ia. U.S.A. Posts: 521	From what I remember the very last episode explains everything. Although, the explanation it gives will definitely leave you saying, wtf?!?!

05-10-2003, 10:51 PM	#9
MilitantModerate Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 603	Unfortunately if you have seen 7 episodes and do not 'get it' you, likely, never will. Don't take it personally or anything; just treat it like something you may never aquire a taste for, eg. single malt scotch, fine wine, gourmet food, a great cuban cigar (OK I am rubbing it in a bit ) -Prisoner DVD box set owner

05-11-2003, 01:48 AM	#10
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	Some episodes make a lot more sense than others of course. 'The Girl Who Was Death' simply seems to be an excuse for them all to get out of the Village for a while and stretch their legs. Some of them though, 'Living in Harmony' and 'Hammer into Anvil' come to mind, are absoloutely brilliant both as straight spy thriller type stuff and as a bit of social commentary subtext. I think my favourite still has to be 'The Schizoid Man', keep up those needlessly byzantine plots No.2. TTFN, Wounded

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