**Episode 1. Arrival: **
Today, I begin my journey watching The Prisoner. After seeing criterion channels newest addition, and its constant comparisons to my favorite show of all time, Twin Peaks, I couldn’t wait any longer to start the first episode. It’s already clear, this is exquisite television, already sculpting one of the most immersive atmospheres within television. The first episode is a masterwork, and some of the most polished surrealism I’ve ever seen. The Prisoners Pilot episode is one of the strongest I’ve ever seen in recent memory, comparing only to the brilliance of Twin Peaks and Breaking Bad. It’s hard to explain, so I won’t, but this Pilot episode is like a combination of The Return and The Good Place. There is something special here, with The Prisoner, and with where I’m at currently, that’s all I have to say.
***92/100***
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*****Episode 2. The Chimes of Big Ben:**
The Prisoner episode 2, Chimes of Big Ben, is a masterpiece in surrealism. I already see the inspiration this had on David Lynch and Mark Frost, operating entirely on dream logic throughout this entire episode. In all honesty, I was completely fooled by this entire episodes storyline. Throughout the “escape journey” I completely believed that it was legitimate. The sailing flag of number two just made it seem like escape was likely the intent of the writers, so to say I was surprised when he opened the cupboard would be an understatement.** **
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*****96/100***
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*****Episode 3. A., B. and C.**
Episode three of The Prisoner luls the audience as our protagonist navigates through exceptional dream logic. The constant comparisons to Twin Peaks feel much more validated with each episode that I watch, and honestly, I’m already in love with this series.
***NOTE TO SELF:*** **This is an incredible reference point for dream logic. *( Read the screenplay!!)* **
***94/100***
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*****Episode 4. Free for All **
Free for All, Episode 4 of the prisoner continues through the streak of brilliance, now challenging the innards of this mysterious village through political manipulation. This episode took a bit longer to win me over than the last few, but when it did I was hooked. These episodes are definitely formulaic, yet each episode finds a new way to convince me to drop my guard, eventually shocking me at the end. This episode, Free for All, doesn’t operate under dream logic like the last two, which is primarily why I wasn’t hooked initially. Once Patrick McGoohan’s character wore number 2 under false belief I was hooked—overall, resulting in Episode 4 being just as genius as the three that preceded. As long as this formula doesn’t become stale, and the imprisonment stays innovative, I could easily see The Prisoner becoming one of my favorite television series of all time.
***90/100***
