TV Verdict

“Everything you say is a trap.”

No. 6 sees that right off at the beginning of The Prisoner, Episode 3, “Anvil,” but he still accepts No. 2’s offer of undercover work, seeking out other “dreamers.” No. 6 takes a job as a teacher, instructing the next generation in surveillance. For homework, he asks his class to suss out the secrets of “who we’re working for.” Eventually, you’ll see that they’re learning.

“Is everyone here living in fear?”

“Yes.”

No. 6 asks 313 a little more about The Village, and learns that anyone who thinks differently gets “treatment.” His relationship with her could suffer once she realizes he’s joined the undercovers.

“Once you’re a suspect, you’re guilty.”

No. 6 gets a lesson in the undercover philosophy from his handler in surveillance, No. 909. The lesson gets harsher when the suspect realizes he’s being observed and attempts suicide.

“Our boy grew up.”

No. 2’s bedridden wife finally gets up and shares a meal with him. Wraps, of course. From listening to him tell her about their son, it sounds like she’s been out for a while. No. 2 finds out he’s under surveillance as well.

“He must survive, but he can suffer.”

No. 2 talks with 909. They’ve noticed No. 6’s deep conviction, and they’re worried. No. 2 is also worried about the possibility that the newcomer has an influence over his son.

“Anvil” turns out to be a lesson in paranoia in a state of surveillance. The dialogue is clearly Cold War, but the high-tech aspect makes the cautionary tale modern. The tie back to No. 6’s CCTV employer in flashbacks and the murder that No. 2’s son commits to conceal his homosexuality emphasize that angle.

No. 6 finally gets to see what “treatment” is like when he goes in to save 313. It looks like a vision of hell, a cave filled with half-alive people. It’s also got a Rover to prevent escape.

That’s what happened. Or maybe not. If you’ve been watching, you know that there’s more than one way to look at everything. It’s nice to see a show that could stump even the most modern, nonlinear, tech-savvy multitasking viewer. It’s also keeping in the spirit of the original.