Number Six (The Prisoner)

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Number Six is the central fictional character in the 1960s television series The Prisoner, played by Patrick McGoohan. In each episode, his attempts to escape his prison the Village would be foiled, either by Number Two, the place's chief administrator, who was changed on a regular basis, or by Rover, an enigmatic artificial guardian that resembles a weather balloon. Another central theme in the series was Number Two's attempt to discover why Number Six resigned from his position — despite the fact that this is already known to them (they want to confirm it).

Much of Number Six's background is kept a mystery during the series: not even his true name is revealed. In the first episode it is stated that he was born on March 19, 1928 (the same date as McGoohan's birthday), and that he held a position of some authority with the British government, possibly in some branch of British Intelligence, but the exact nature of his job is not known. Several episodes suggest that he was a spy or similar operative (code number ZM-73, as well as several other aliases).

He is known to have answered to at least two individuals known as simply "The Colonel", as well as to another long-time superior named Fotheringay. These men are shown as being in league with the Village to one extent or another.

It is known that he was engaged to be married to Janet Portland, the daughter of his superior, Sir Charles Portland, prior to his capture by the Village, though this doesn't stop Number Six from developing close relationships (if not necessarily romantic ones) with various women during his imprisonment.

Medically, Number Six appears to be the picture of good health. However, the episode "Free for All" reveals that he was required to eliminate sugar from his diet "on medical advice" (although he intentionally drops sugar cubes in his tea in "The Chimes of Big Ben" in order to confuse his captors).

During the episode "Once Upon a Time", Number Six undergoes an intense form of brainwashing/interrogation called "Degree Absolute" in which his mind is reverted to that of a child and he is made to relive major events of his life. Given the nature of this interrogation and the motive behind it, it is not known for certain what elements of Number Six's life so portrayed are real and which are fiction. Among these events presented is the suggestion that as a young man Number Six was driving a vehicle and speeding when he was involved in an accident in which there were fatalities. It is also suggested he attended some sort of private school and was once punished for not telling the headmaster about some of his friends' rule-breaking activities.

During "Once Upon a Time" it is also stated (with greater certainty) that Number Six flew a bomber in "the war"; exactly which war is not stated but evidently Number Six was shot down and captured by the Germans, which presumably means World War II, which is possible given his stated birthdate, if only just.

Many fans of The Prisoner believe that Number Six is really John Drake, the character that McGoohan played in Danger Man from 1960 to 1962 and then again from 1964 to 1966, but the actor has always denied this. Script editor, George Markstein, who co-created the series with McGoohan, always claimed that Number Six is John Drake. Official novels based on the series also make this connection, although these are generally not considered canon. In addition, the character of Fotheringay is played by the same actor who played Drake's superior in Danger Man, while Christopher Benjamin plays a secret service contact named Potter in both Danger Man and the "The Girl Who Was Death" episode of The Prisoner.

A few names are attached to Number Six in the series, but it's impossible to tell if any of them are real. In "Many Happy Returns" he identifies himself as "Peter Smith". Although it is possible that this is an alias, he does say it to a woman who possesses the maintenance log books for his car — something that would presumably include his name. In the episode "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling", it is learned that Number Six possesses numerous code names: Schmidt, Duval, and ZM-73.

The connection between Number Six and Number One — the entity presumably in charge of the Village — is left intentionally ambiguous and has been the subject of debate and analysis since the final episode of the series aired. In "Fall Out", Number Six encounters a man who is supposedly Number One: upon removing two masks worn by him, a person who is identical to Number Six is revealed. This man quickly escapes and never appears again. Speculation as to the identity of this person ranges from a twin brother of Number Six, to John Drake, to a hallucination.

In any event, following this encounter, Number Six appears to escape the Village. However, his ultimate fate is not revealed. In interviews, McGoohan has repeatedly maintained that the Prisoner "hasn't got [his freedom]".

• In a subsequent series of continuation novels (which aren't considered canon), he is returned to the Village.
• In a 1980s graphic novel by DC Comics, (sanctioned by McGoohan) it is revealed that Number Six fulfilled his promise to return to the Village and destroy it. After the Village was "liberated by U.N. troops," he remained alone until, 20 years later, he encounters a young woman named Drake stranded there — whom he dubs Number Six — and has a final encounter with the Leo McKern Number Two. The graphic novel ends with Number Two completing the Village's destruction by setting off one of its nuclear missiles. In an epilogue, the Prisoner is sitting in a park in London for a final ambiguous reference to who he really is. The new Number Six (Drake) asks him if his secrets (which Number Two claimed had all been declassified by that time) remain safe. "None of us would be here if they weren't," is his reply. It is then revealed that the entire sequence is being watched by an unseen character in a larger and more advanced version of the Number 2 control room situated in the Palace of Westminster.

[edit] Other references

• Number Six, played by Tricia Helfer, who appears on the television series Battlestar Galactica is apparently a tribute to the character.
• There is also an episode of The Simpsons entitled "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes", parodying The Prisoner, with McGoohan reprising his role as Number Six and Homer Simpson as Number Five.
• The Bionic Woman, Brazil, 1984, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5 and The Matrix all contain references to the character.
• The opening dialogue is sampled in the intro to the Iron Maiden song "The Prisoner", inspired by the series. The band has also recorded another song called "Back in the Village", similarly influenced.
• Sky One is scheduled to broadcast a new version of The Prisoner in 2007, it was confirmed in May 2006. The actor who will play Number Six has yet to be officially confirmed, but the BBC and other sources initially indicated that Christopher Eccleston was in negotiations. Eccleston's agent has since categorically denied these rumours [1].