This was the first of the Four final filmed episodes from August to December 1967 (Post Production took things to February 1968). The first 13 had finished in April 1967 (With `Many Happy Returns the 13th in Production order). By August different Production staff were on the series, Script Editor George Markstein had left due to disagreements with McGoohan over the direction that McGoohan was taking the series in. As others here have stated, Patrick was filming "Ice Station Zebra" in the United States and put his fee for his role to bolster the `Prisoner` Production costs.
I like this episode. It has a sadness to it and some lovely performances, plus a great science fiction concept of mind swapping. Only 4 episodes left! Glad you enjoyed this one. Great reaction. Blake’s 7 is heading to Blu-Ray this November, season one. New effects etc.. you may have heard. I’ve just remembered it’s Nigel Stock in this from Time-Flight! Professor Hayter!
Nigel Stock is probably best known for playing Watson in the BBC TV series "Sherlock Holmes" in the 60s. You can find the few remaining episodes where he appears opposite Peter Cushing on TH-cam.
While this was a different episodes, for many reasons, and not originally intended, I find it offers one track one can take to understand Number 6 and why he is not talking at all.
The Seltzman machine is quite interesting, and I think it would need a lot of intermediate storage - A’s brain patterns into intermediate storage, B’s brain pattern into A, then A’s pattern from intermediate storage into B. But I imagine that ten years earlier, the prototype, being a bit simpler, could only _copy_ one person’s brain into another. Hmmm.
In past episodes, you've mentioned how the plots start getting a bit "formulaic" in the sense of there being a limited number of ways to make it interesting that "No. 6 tries to escape but the Village prevails." You've now reached the point where the stories really start getting away from that formula...
One of the major issues I have with this episode is that Nigel Stock is no Patrick McGoohan. Body-swap episodes can work just fine: The Avengers did one in the same year that this came out, and the guest cast did an excellent job of convincing me that they were Steed and his associate, but in DNFMOMD I rarely get the impression that I’m watching the same character as in the preceding twelve episodes.
Problem is, there has never been any hint of a fiancee before. Many Happy Returns, he gets back to London and makes no effort to contact a fiancee. And if this Sir Charles is his boss, where was he in Many Happy Returns?
A great reaction, as always, Marie Clare. This is something of a Prisoner-lite episode, for reasons explained elsewhere. Some say, it's the first major indication McGoohan is getting bored of the series. While not the strongest, the episode isn't without merit and still has its moments. ............................................ Off topic but I'm sure you will be pleased to hear about the Blake's 7 Blu Ray collection, which has just been announced.
With McGoohan filming "Ice Station Zebra", the bodyswap was a last-minute idea. But it does show that The Village will risk harming him if they have to, it's still risky. Hmmm, have you ever seen Red Dwarf? Definitely is not my favorite episode, as the sci-fi element stretched the people behind The Village too much. Or it didn't feel interesting or engaging enough. It's not awful, though. But being 17 episodes, from an original 7 and as compromise for a full season (24) that another network wanted (from what I remembered) they were scrambling for ideas for some episodes and this feels like one of the few that had...
This was the first of the Four final filmed episodes from August to December 1967 (Post Production took things to February 1968). The first 13 had finished in April 1967 (With `Many Happy Returns the 13th in Production order). By August different Production staff were on the series, Script Editor George Markstein had left due to disagreements with McGoohan over the direction that McGoohan was taking the series in. As others here have stated, Patrick was filming "Ice Station Zebra" in the United States and put his fee for his role to bolster the `Prisoner` Production costs.
McGoohan is largely missing from this episode as he was busy filming his part in the film "Ice Station Zebra"🎩
I am so living for the reaction to the last 4 episodes, especially the finale!
I like this episode. It has a sadness to it and some lovely performances, plus a great science fiction concept of mind swapping. Only 4 episodes left! Glad you enjoyed this one. Great reaction. Blake’s 7 is heading to Blu-Ray this November, season one. New effects etc.. you may have heard. I’ve just remembered it’s Nigel Stock in this from Time-Flight! Professor Hayter!
This is one of those episodes which seems to have a title more suited to another. And *this* one could be called "Change of Mind" of course.
Episodes 12, 13 and 14 are all interchangeable.
Nigel Stock is probably best known for playing Watson in the BBC TV series "Sherlock Holmes" in the 60s. You can find the few remaining episodes where he appears opposite Peter Cushing on TH-cam.
This episote was so refreshing.Its kind of renewing the series and actually very innovative👍
While this was a different episodes, for many reasons, and not originally intended, I find it offers one track one can take to understand Number 6 and why he is not talking at all.
i adore that episode to
The Seltzman machine is quite interesting, and I think it would need a lot of intermediate storage - A’s brain patterns into intermediate storage, B’s brain pattern into A, then A’s pattern from intermediate storage into B. But I imagine that ten years earlier, the prototype, being a bit simpler, could only _copy_ one person’s brain into another. Hmmm.
Episodes 15, 16, and 17 I am so waiting for your reaction!! 12, 13, and 14 never really captivated me.
Who is Number One? Standard answer, that most people hear: You are Number Six.
Alternative answer, something to think about: You are, Number Six.
Was hoping my favourite line of the episode might appear, when Seltzman is back in The Village, making his demands: “For once, I am dictating!”
❤❤❤❤❤ love your videos
In past episodes, you've mentioned how the plots start getting a bit "formulaic" in the sense of there being a limited number of ways to make it interesting that "No. 6 tries to escape but the Village prevails." You've now reached the point where the stories really start getting away from that formula...
One of the major issues I have with this episode is that Nigel Stock is no Patrick McGoohan. Body-swap episodes can work just fine: The Avengers did one in the same year that this came out, and the guest cast did an excellent job of convincing me that they were Steed and his associate, but in DNFMOMD I rarely get the impression that I’m watching the same character as in the preceding twelve episodes.
Problem is, there has never been any hint of a fiancee before. Many Happy Returns, he gets back to London and makes no effort to contact a fiancee. And if this Sir Charles is his boss, where was he in Many Happy Returns?
BTW The ‘Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling’ reference is from the 1952 western High Noon. Not sure what this episode has to do with that though
The title was first meant for the next (14th) episode, but it got put on this one instead. This episode had a `working` title of "Face Unknown".
Ah yes, a childhood favourite... =:o}
th-cam.com/video/28qZlaUc9VE/w-d-xo.html
Re, the next (14th) Episode. My bet is that it will be the one in the series that Marie Clare will dislike `intensely!`. Let`s wait and see!
A great reaction, as always, Marie Clare. This is something of a Prisoner-lite episode, for reasons explained elsewhere. Some say, it's the first major indication McGoohan is getting bored of the series.
While not the strongest, the episode isn't without merit and still has its moments.
............................................
Off topic but I'm sure you will be pleased to hear about the Blake's 7 Blu Ray collection, which has just been announced.
It's a mistake to watch this show expecting a progressing narrative. That's not the point at all.
With McGoohan filming "Ice Station Zebra", the bodyswap was a last-minute idea. But it does show that The Village will risk harming him if they have to, it's still risky. Hmmm, have you ever seen Red Dwarf?
Definitely is not my favorite episode, as the sci-fi element stretched the people behind The Village too much. Or it didn't feel interesting or engaging enough. It's not awful, though. But being 17 episodes, from an original 7 and as compromise for a full season (24) that another network wanted (from what I remembered) they were scrambling for ideas for some episodes and this feels like one of the few that had...
I think this is regarded as one of the weakest episodes. It picks up from here, only 4 episodes to go
The episode no one likes lol. Its so weak due to ya man's (almost) non presence. A filler.