Part of the fun of "The Prisoner" is that there's no definitive viewing order for these episodes. Different sequences yield (somewhat) different results. For this run-through, I'm trying the KTEH order; and in the past, I've seen 'Dance of the Dead' a bit later in the run (7th episode or thereabouts), but it works just as well immediately following 'Arrival'.
This has a rather dark feel to it, its issues of justice and democracy are heavy and the idea of state-imposed happiness goes a long way in showing just how much danger Number 6 is in. This week's Number Two (Mary Morris) leads a female cast, and the tone runs somewhat misogynistic - but she's highly effective as an administrator that lays down her rule as law. It sets the stage; she'll be swapped out for another Number Two next week, who will play this game again his own way.
It's an episode that runs high on dramatic stakes alone, and emphasizes the peril of Six's fight.
8/10
This has a rather dark feel to it, its issues of justice and democracy are heavy and the idea of state-imposed happiness goes a long way in showing just how much danger Number 6 is in. This week's Number Two (Mary Morris) leads a female cast, and the tone runs somewhat misogynistic - but she's highly effective as an administrator that lays down her rule as law. It sets the stage; she'll be swapped out for another Number Two next week, who will play this game again his own way.
It's an episode that runs high on dramatic stakes alone, and emphasizes the peril of Six's fight.
8/10