In anticipation of the reimagined The Prisoner, coming to AMC November 15th, and in celebration of the new blu-ray release, I’m re-watching all 17 classic episodes. Join me, won’t you?
Ah, yes, I now reflect on “The Chimes of Big Ben (Big Bill),” episode number 2. And how appropriate that his episode also brings us the best Number 2 the series ever had, in Leo McKern. He was so good that he was the only one to come back more than once, appearing in the last two episodes… but more about those later.
“The Chimes of Big Ben”
McGoohan gets a neighbor, the new Number 8, and she’s got a suspicious hairstyle that set me on edge right away. McGoohan was also suspicious, but somehow her June Foray-style Russian accent got through his defenses. As we shall see, big mistake.
McKern as the New Number 2 is just wonderful – bustering and loud and oh-so-over the top. His laugh alone elevates the episode beyond typical 60’s spy fare. His scenes with McGoohan are where the episode really crackles, and the casual conversation by the water about his theories – “The whole world, as The Village?” “That is my hope.” – both entertains and makes me shudder at the same time.
The Village has an art competition – primarily to give them something to do, methinks – and McGoohan joins in order to get Nadia, who attempted escape, out of the “hospital” (really a place of physical and psychological torture in The Village). Number 2 considers this a victory, and states that maybe McGoohan is mellowing and growing less resistant to his warders.
Not a chance.
His entry in the contest, an abstract piece that he carved out of really bad stock footage of a tree that was cut down, was in actuality a boat, and the sail is made of a tapestry another Villager made (that shows a regal Number 2). Nadia had let him know they were in Lithuania, and they set off for Poland.
Six and Nadia escape Rover, meet up with a colleague of Nadia’s (which was mighty damn suspicious, but McGoohan was obviously too water-logged to notice) and they are smuggled back to London, where they arrive in his old boss’ office – the cracked tea cup from the opening resignation scene notably absent.
His boss, Fotheringay, starts questioning him as to why he resigned, and McGoohan is just about to spill the beans when… Big Ben strikes eight.
The thing is, McGoohan’s watch ALSO reads 8, and the jig is up, cause the watch is from Nadia’s friend in Poland… and Patrick knows his time zones.
He never left The Village – the office is a ruse, and his old boss is In On It. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. McGoohan walks away, glaring and staring at Nadia as she and Number 2 sigh at the results of their failed plan.
This is probably the best episode one can use to introduce someone to The Prisoner. The acting of the two leads McKern and McGoohan are great, and the twist at the end is really well done. Is it the best Prisoner episode ever? Maybe – at the very least, it’s a personal favorite of mine. Here’s Prisoner-in-a-minute, for those ADD readers out there…