Free For All (The Prisoner)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Free For All
Series = The Prisoner
Season = 1
Episode = 4
Guests = Number Two - Eric Portman
Number Fifty-Eight - Rachel Herbert
Writer = Patrick McGoohan [using pseudonym Paddy Fitz on the episode credits]
Director = Patrick McGoohanepisode credits]
Photographer=Brendan J. Stafford
Production = 2
Airdate = Start date|1967|10|22
Episode list = List of The Prisoner episodes


Prev = A. B. and C.
Next = The Schizoid Man

Free For All is a television episode of the British science fiction-allegorical series, "The Prisoner". It originally aired in the UK on ITV on October 22, 1967. This episode was filmed second, and was titled "Episode Two". It is usually broadcast fourth, but is located second in The Prisoner DVD Megaset.

The central theme of this episode is the difficulties with the democratic election process.

Plot summary

Presented with the opportunity, Number Six runs for election to the post of Number Two. He was promised to meet Number One if he won. Number 2 encourages him to run, giving him a foreign speaking woman to use for assistance. She cannot speak English, but communicates with number 2 in a non-verbal fashion as well as using some indistinct phrases. Both men campaign for the office, with Number 6 offering freedom if he is elected. He eventually wins, but not before he is drugged [ [http://prisoner.gigacorp.net/knotes.html Kents Notes on The Prisoner] Kent A. Meyer] and coerced into believing he is part of the Village. As he and his assistant go to the dome, the assistant destabilises him by playing with the buttons on the control panel before stunning him with bright lighting. As Number 6 attempts to broadcast to the Villagers that they are free to go, he is beaten up by a group of mechanics and the assistant, speaking perfect English, reveals herself as the real incoming Number 2. Number 2 heads off the island and gives his regards.

Additional guest cast

* Labour Exchange manager: George Benson
* Reporter: Harold Berens
* Man in cave: John Cazabon
* Photographer: Dene Cooper
* Supervisor: Kenneth Benda
* Waitress: Holly Doone
* 1st Mechanic: Peter Brace
* 2nd Mechanic: Alf Joint
* The Announcer/Telephone Operator: Fenella Fielding (voice only)

Trivia

* The photograph of Number 6 on his election poster is the same as that used for his former role as a spy and is seen being filed away at the beginning of each episode.

Notes