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The Prisoner

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TV Series

The Resume

    (October 1, 1967-February 4, 1968)
    Aired on ITV
    Starred Patrick McGoohan as Number Six
    Created by McGoohan and George Markstein
    Premise: A former secret agent is held captive in a strange seaside village and attempts to escape while resisting efforts to break his will

Why The Prisoner might be annoying:

    McGoohan insisted that Number Six and the secret agent he played in 'Danger Man,' John Drake, were different characters, and 'Danger Man' creator Ralph Smart received no credit or payment for 'The Prisoner.'
    However, two authorized novels spun off from 'The Prisoner' explicitly state that Number Six is Drake.
    McGoohan said, 'I thought the concept for the thing would sustain for only seven [episodes],' but he extended the show to 17 episodes at the insistance of producer Lew Grade.
    In one episode, Number Six's mind was transplanted into another man's body so McGoohan could go to America to film 'Ice Station Zero.'
    The final episode was so confusing, McGoohan went into hiding to avoid viewers demanding an explanation.
    Series co-creator Markstein said of the finale, 'I think it was bit of gross self-indulgence.'

Why The Prisoner might not be annoying:

    McGoohan was inspired in part by the surreal appearance of the Welsh resort of Portmeiron, which now hosts an annual fan convention.
    Several episodes delve into psychological themes, such as the conflict between authority and freedom.
    McGoohan said he did not want a typical James Bond ending for the series, and he succeeded in spades.
    McGoohan appeared in an episode of The Simpsons that parodied 'The Prisoner.'
    A survey of movie and rock stars by 'Uncut' magazine listing the films, books, music and TV that changed the world featured 'The Prisoner' at #10, the highest ranking for any television show (2006).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 80 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 114 Votes: 50.88% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 97 Votes: 50.52% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 127 Votes: 42.52% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 146 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 137 Votes: 56.93% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 24 Votes: 95.83% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 28 Votes: 46.43% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 26.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 112 Votes: 58.93% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 83 Votes: 36.14% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 50 Votes: 38.00% Annoying