"The Prisoner" is by far the best TV show of all time. It is intelligent, provocative, stimulating, exciting, funny, and gripping -- on more levels than I could possibly list. Most importantly, it respects the audience's intelligence and asks the audience to work -- to figure things out, to watch and listen carefully, in short, to think.
How many other TV shows have ever done this? There are a few good ones, but not like "The Prisoner." I won't go into the storyline -- that is already described elsewhere on this site -- but I will say that the issues of politics, philosophy, science, human nature and even religion that the series raises are fascinating, and it manages to raise them while still keeping the surface story very exciting. It is not a ponderous or academic show. It is not solely "about" those issues I just listed. Instead, they are there, underneath the action, for one to think about if one chooses to. (And it's hard not to!)
Even if you aren't interested in all the subtext, the metaphors, or the symbolism, you can still enjoy an exciting, very well-made story. On a purely aesthetic level, "The Prisoner" is extremely imaginative. The sets, costumes, use of color and music, and innovative camera angles and editing are all intelligently thought-out and employed. It's a great-looking show.
Finally, re: Patrick McGoohan.... The man is a genius. His acting is first-rate, and furthermore he created the show, and wrote and directed several episodes, including the mind-blowing finale, "Fall Out," the strangest and most surreal hour of network television ever shown! The strength and presence of his character, No. 6, drive each episode, and surely McGoohan's own strength drove the series. TV is a collaborative medium, to be sure, but "The Prisoner" is clearly the result of one bizarre genius' drive and imagination.
How many other TV shows have ever done this? There are a few good ones, but not like "The Prisoner." I won't go into the storyline -- that is already described elsewhere on this site -- but I will say that the issues of politics, philosophy, science, human nature and even religion that the series raises are fascinating, and it manages to raise them while still keeping the surface story very exciting. It is not a ponderous or academic show. It is not solely "about" those issues I just listed. Instead, they are there, underneath the action, for one to think about if one chooses to. (And it's hard not to!)
Even if you aren't interested in all the subtext, the metaphors, or the symbolism, you can still enjoy an exciting, very well-made story. On a purely aesthetic level, "The Prisoner" is extremely imaginative. The sets, costumes, use of color and music, and innovative camera angles and editing are all intelligently thought-out and employed. It's a great-looking show.
Finally, re: Patrick McGoohan.... The man is a genius. His acting is first-rate, and furthermore he created the show, and wrote and directed several episodes, including the mind-blowing finale, "Fall Out," the strangest and most surreal hour of network television ever shown! The strength and presence of his character, No. 6, drive each episode, and surely McGoohan's own strength drove the series. TV is a collaborative medium, to be sure, but "The Prisoner" is clearly the result of one bizarre genius' drive and imagination.