The annual democratic Village elections are on and Number 6
decides to run(!) for the office of Number 2.
He soon discovers that he has no freedom of speech and the whole
thing is controlled by The Village. Number 6 is given a personal
assistant for the duration of the election campaign - a maid who has
a photographic memory and speaks only in a strange language.
After a council meeting at which Number 6 is ordered to attend he is subjected to an electronic form of brainwashing. Under this influence he becomes a model candidate. After a few lapses in which he attempts to escape Number 6 wins the election.
He takes on the role of
Number 2, but after coming out of his trance he sees it as a chance
to order a mass escape,but how long can it last.......?
Credits
Written by Patrick McGoohan
Produced by David Tomblin
Directed by Patrick McGoohan (under the pseudonym of Paddy Fitz)
Stars
Patrick McGoohan - Number Six
Eric Portman - Number Two
Rachel Herbert - Number 48 (The Maid)
Although shown as the fourth episode this was the second to be filmed - back to back with 'Arrival'.
This episode was one of two to be censored in 1967, the other being 'Living In Harmony', the fight scene in the 'Rover Cave' was deleted for transmission in the United Kingdom.
Director 'Paddy Fitz' was a pseudonym for Patrick McGoohan - the name came from his mother's maiden name of 'Fitzpatrick'.