Number 2 decides desperate
measures are called for and Number 6 must under a process known as
'Degree Absolute'. Its a risk which could result in either one of
them breaking.
Number 6 is put in a trance by an electronic process and then his mind is regressed back to his childhood.
What follows is a week in which Number 6 goes through his
childhood, growing-up, school days, first job, war years and finally
the top secret job he resigned from.
Still Number 6 will not reveal why he resigned and as the ruthless
questioning continues Number 6 and Number 2's positions become
reversed.
As the end nears, Number 2 dies and Number 6 appears to be getting ever closer to discovering who the mysterious Number 1 is.........................
Written by Patrick McGoohan
Produced by David Tomblin
Directed by Patrick McGoohan
Stars
Patrick McGoohan - Number Six
Leo McKern - Number Two
Angelo Muscat - The Butler
Much of Number 6's early life is based upon McGoohan's own.
John Maxim is listed as Number 86 in the credits by no such character appears in the finished episode.
During filming of this episode Leo McKern actually suffered a nervous breakdown. He also appears as Number 2 in 'The Chimes of Big Ben'.