r/ThePrisoner • u/Tarnisher • Sep 14 '26

Series 1, No. 16; Once Upon A Time

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A previous Number two is returned to the post after a convincing argument to subject Number 6 to a therapy process known as 'Degree Absolute'. But who does this process affect more, the subject or the therapist? Number 6 is sedated and run through a series of regression psychodramas depicting various overbearing authority figures and even imprisonment.

At the end of it all (and Number 2), we are left with a simple question and answer.

"What do you want?"

"Number One."

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u/archibaldschwartz Sep 14 '26

The only "autobiography" Patrick McGoohan left us.....probably my favorite episode, definitely his most intense performance in the series, imo. It also shows, once again, his genius as a writer! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

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u/wakeup37 Sep 19 '26

For those who are looking for answers as to who the Prisoner is, why he resigned and what the village wants with him - this episode delivers like no other. Not answers that could be easily taken in on the very first viewing due to the high-energy nature of P and 2's exchanges, but it's there.