The Greatest Sci Fi/Fantasy TV Shows: Considering the case for the sci fi and fantasy television shows that should be counted among the greatest of all time.
What Is It?
A secret agent abruptly resigns from his position for reasons unknown, and he is abducted and taken to a place known as “the Village” which is designed to contain and get information from people who “know too much”. He is given the designation of Number 6 and then put through a nightmarish sequence of events designed to break his will.
Aired 1967-68. ITV (Syndicated in the U.S.), 1 Season Totaling 17 Episodes
Starring: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat, Peter Swanwick, Leo McKern
Created By: Patrick McGoohan, George Markstein
Argument to Count It as One of the Greatest Sci Fi TV Shows:
The Prisoner delivered one of the early moments when television was turned on its head. Linked to the spy fi series Danger Man (aka Secret Agent) by its central actor, the show took television audiences from action-adventure tales of espionage and intrigue to a nightmarish, Kafkaesque setting that offered a window on society at that time. The show delivered intricate stories that delivered allegory and social commentary as it ventured into territory rarely attempted on the small screen. It was some heady stuff, demanding the full attention of the audience, and it pushed the boundaries of television. And this was the original sci fi entry that offered mysteries upon mysteries and a story arc–things that are now expected from genre shows. Plus, it wrapped up its story (to a degree) with its final episode, something that was uncommon at that time (and that also delivered one of the most mind-boggling hours of television ever produced).
But in addition to that, The Prisoner delivered some pretty good drama. There was plenty going on in each episode that really jogged the grey matter, but it all boiled down to the battle of No. 6 against an oppressive system as he fought to hold onto his identity and his free will. So even if you did not dig into the multiple layers of story-telling, there was plenty to enjoy from the dramatic progression of the series alone. And of course, Patrick McGoohan was up to the task of carrying the lead, delivering a high mark in his storied career. The Prisoner arrived with a bang–definitely making an impression during its short run–and counts as an important genre entry and possibly one of the greatest sci fi TV shows of all time. (Read more about the show at this link.)
Argument Against:
The Prisoner definitely made its mark when it arrived on television in the late ’60s, and it definitely challenged the audience members who tuned in for its seventeen-episode run. But it also left plenty of people scratching their heads, especially after the finale. It delivered multi-layered stories and thought-provoking allegories, but quite often it was just too smart for its own good. At times it offered intricate plots, but it also became convoluted and obtuse far too often with whatever message it was trying to convey lost in obscure symbolism. Patrick McGoohan also seemed to have contempt for his audience, and that came through with the overly intellectual writing as well as his haughty performance as No. 6. And then there is that finale that left the audience more frustrated than satisfied at the end of the show’s run. The Prisoner certainly had its moments and it is a notable genre entry, but there are quite a few other shows that stand above it when ranking the best sci fi TV entries.
Johnny Jay’s Take:
The Prisoner certainly is a challenging show to watch and it takes some time to digest all of its parts. But that is part of its brilliance and that is what makes it worth watching over and over. It did get too smart for its own good at times, but more often than that it delivered truly intelligent television, taking full advantage of the medium and breaking away from the story-telling standards that had come to dominate Prime Time. And along with all that, it delivered some good, hard-hitting drama. Heck, the intro sequence alone is enough to get your heart pounding. Watch episodes like “Hammer into Anvil”, “Living in Harmony” or “Once Upon a Time” and tell me you don’t find yourself on the edge of your seat. And then, if you are looking for some bat-shit-crazy moments, watch “The Girl Who Was Death” and “Fallout”. The Prisoner was an accomplishment for its time, and few shows–sci fi or any genre–have successfully been able to push the boundaries of television like it did. This is a must-watch genre entry and certainly one of the greatest of all time.
Where Can You Watch It?
The entire series was released on DVD but those are the out of print and fetching pretty high prices these days. You can purchase it VOD and it is available for streaming free (with ads) at Tubi TV (along with Danger Man) as well as other services like The Roku Channel and FreeVee.
Do you consider The Prisoner to be one of the greatest sci fi TV shows of all time, or is it just a curio from its era? Chime in with your thoughts below.
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