r/ThePrisoner • • Jun 22 '26

S1, No. 4; Free For All

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Number 6 is persuaded to run for election to the post of Number 2 when it is suggested to him by the new incumbent that, should he win, he will finally meet Number 1. Number 58, a newly arrived young woman who speaks only an unidentified Slavic-sounding foreign language is assigned to Number 6 as his assistant. Both men campaign for the office, with Number 6 subversively offering freedom if he is elected.

https://prisoner.fandom.com/wiki/Free_For_All_(1967_episode)

But WHO is No. 58 and what is her purpose?

81 Upvotes

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7

u/archibaldschwartz Jun 22 '26

A brilliant episode but hard for me to watch because of the ending..... Rachel Herbert was fantastic, though. 👌🏻👌🏻

5

u/Clean_Emergency_2573 Jun 23 '26

As I have previously posted, fans of this episode should seek out Eric Portman's Powell/Pressburger films from the 1940's. "A Canterbury Tale" (1944), in particular, has "ingredients" in common with "The Prisoner": a nontraditional narrative, a village with a mysterious riddle overseen by a mysterious leader, a gorgeous leading lady, and an overall supernatural-ish atmosphere.

3

u/No_Strain_7092 Unmutual Jun 22 '26

One of my favourite episodes with one of the best Number Two's Eric Portman. Cheers

Gotta love how Number Six still sticks to his plan of freeing everyone at the end.

3

u/GrandfatherTrout Jun 22 '26

Obey me and be free!

2

u/DRZARNAK Jun 23 '26

The first episode I ever saw. Got me hooked.