Number 2 (Prisoner)
Number 2 is the name given to a number of characters in The Prisoner.
Contents |
History
Original
Number 2 was the public chief of the organization that ran the Village. Number 2 was often a different person from day to day, but all of them were focused on the goal of breaking Number 6.
The last known Number 2 died in a confrontation of wills with Number 6, and was later resurrected at the apparent behest of Number 1. He escaped with Number 6 after the apparent destruction of the Village, and was last seen heading for the Houses of Parliament in London.
Reboot
Number 2 invited Number 6 to spy on his fellow villagers under the tutelage of Number 909. Each man investigates the other and 2 investigates both - it appears as if all the villagers are spying on each other and privy to one another's foibles. Number 2's son, Number 11-12, is meeting secretly with 909, and feels compelled to cover up these interactions by literally stabbing him in the back.
Number 6 and Number 2 engaged in a psychological battle involving their doppelgangers, but their final showdown reveals their doubles to be unreal - either imagined or hallucinated, bringing 11-12's concerns about the very fabric of reality to the fore, and further his existential crisis.
Number 6 pleads with Number 2 to release the villagers before they succumb to the holes tearing apart the Village; instead he reveals a version of the truth - that they are all prisoners - as Michael learns about Sarah, who also resisted the Village and sacrificed her sanity.
Overview
In appearance, Number 2 was a title and code name held by the chief administrator of the Village. One version of events showed that the person assigned to the position was frequently changed. (Episode: Arrival)
Number Two appeared to be directly answerable to unseen superiors, the shadowy "They" or "Number One" pulling all the strings from behind the scenes, with direct contact via a red phone. It appears that Number Two is continually being observed by hidden cameras. As commented by one Number 2, they were as much a prisoner of the Village as any of its other occupants. However, despite that being the case, they had decided to willingly work for the unseen masters of the Village.
Number Twos often vary in personality, methods and aims. Most seek to extract information from Number Six, but others may seek to cause Number Six to accept his role in the Village, or to be recruited into the organisation running the Village. Most are intensely focused on Number Six, but others simply seek to maintain order and control in the Village, and will generally ignore Six beyond preventing his escape attempts. Most Number Twos are congenial and polite, but some are sadistic or simply brusque and rude. The schemes of the various Number Twos range from deception, intimidation, and elaborate role-play to the use of drugs and outright mind control. Number Twos are often seen reporting by telephone to an unseen higher authority, presumably Number One, who has the power to remove them; some Number Twos live in terror of their superiors, while others appear to have good or even personal relationships with them.
The various Number Twos make use of several symbols of authority. One of these is the Seal, a large golden medallion, somewhat in the style of a mayoral chain, with the penny-farthing logo and the official title Chief Administrator. Two more visible signs were a black, yellow and white scarf. In addition, they wielded a colourful seat stick umbrella that was used as a cane.
It appeared as if the post of chief administrator was appointed by an election in the Village. (Episode: Free For All)
Notes
- Number 2 was created by Patrick McGoohan and George Markstein where it featured in the setting of The Prisoner universe.
- TV Guide included the character in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Tim
In other media
Television
- In The Simpsons, Number 2 appeared as part of a parody of the Prisoner in the animated television series in the episode "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes" where he was voiced by actor Hank Azaria.
- In The Prisoner, Number 2 appeared in the setting of the 2009 live-action television series remake where he was portrayed entirely by actor Sir Ian McKellen.
Comic Books
- In The Prisoner: Shattered Visage, Number 2 appeared in the setting of non-canon sequel published by DC Comics. Former secret agent Alice Drake came to be shipwrecked on the shores of the Village where she encountered an aged Number Six. This was whilst the decades-old conflict unfolded between Six and Number Two who were secret agents in London that had their own plans regarding the intelligence mine that was the Village, as well as the secret lying at its very core.
Audio Books
- In The Prisoner, Number 2 appeared in the setting of the audio drama series produced by Big Finish Productions.
Appearances
- The Prisoner:
External Links
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