Living in Harmony
Encyclopedia
"Living in Harmony" is an episode of the 1967-68 television series The Prisoner
. It differs from most other episodes of the series in that it does not begin with the show's standard opening credits sequence. In fact, in a situation considered somewhat unique for a 1960s television programme, the actual title of the series does not appear on screen until the closing credits, and there it is actually presented in Patrick McGoohan
's acting credit as his character's name. This episode was not aired in the United States for the series' initial network run.
of the other episodes of The Prisoner. There, Number 6 is a non-conformist and refuses to be a number, or blend in with the other members of the village. He refuses to accept things the way they are, wants to escape and expose the village. This episode applies those same concepts in a Wild West setting.
The episode begins with a Western
paraphrase of the regular opening sequence, with Number 6, dressed as a sheriff, turning in his badge and his gun (resigning). Leaving town, without a horse but still carrying his saddle, he is attacked by several men in the countryside as the episode title "Living in Harmony" appears on screen, where one would expect to see the series' name. Following this teaser, the usual "I am not a number" dialogue from other episodes is omitted. Number 6 wakes from his beating and finds himself to be in the middle of a strange town. A Mexican tells him that he is in the town of Harmony. Number 6 goes into a local bar and meets the mayor of the town, also called The Judge. He also meets with a silent young man known as The Kid who guards the jail. We are also introduced to a saloon girl, Kathy. After unintentionally stirring up some trouble and getting a mob after him, Number 6 is taken into "protective custody." To satisfy the mob's bloodlust, the Judge allows them to lynch Kathy's brother. Kathy, fearing for Number 6's life, goes into the jail, distracts the Kid, steals the keys then passes them to Number 6 who then escapes, only to be caught and brought back.
The Judge then sets up a trial. The Judge quickly announces that Number 6 is free to go as he was only in protective custody but Kathy is guilty of aiding a prisoner to escape, as she did not know he was just in protective custody. The Judge then makes Number 6 a deal, if he will become the sheriff of the town, Kathy is free to go. The Judge insinuates that she may not be safe with the Kid watching over her. Reluctantly, Number 6 agrees and takes the badge. However, he refuses to wear a gun. The Judge, disappointed, thinks of a way to get him to carry a gun. Number 6 asks Kathy to escape with him, but while he is clearing the way the Judge gets the Kid to kidnap Kathy. However, the Kid takes it too far and strangles her to death. Number 6 finds her and buries her. He then turns in his badge but picks up the gun and enters a shootout with the Kid. Number 6 wins and goes into the saloon. The Judge arrives with several armed men and upon learning of Kathy's death gives Number 6 the ultimatum to work for him or be killed. Although Number 6 picks off the Judge's men he is then shot by the Judge. Suddenly Number 6 awakens in his normal Village clothes and a device on his head, lying on the floor of the empty saloon. All the characters that he saw appear only to be paper cutouts.
After coming to his senses, he wanders out of Harmony and finds it is just part of the Village. Number 6 rushes to Number 2's office and finds the Judge is the new Number 2, the Kid is number 8. Number 6 angrily approaches them and then notices Kathy as Number 22. Number 6 hesitates and then walks out. Number 2 and Number 8 discuss the failure of their experiment. Number 22 is obviously distressed and she rushes out as well. Number 8 follows Number 22 back to the saloon, he calls her Kathy and starts strangling her, screaming. Number 6 hears his screams and rushes over, but it is too late. Number 22 dies in Number 6's arms, her last words saying she wishes it had been real. Number 2 arrives and Number 8 runs away in a panic calling him the Judge before throwing himself off the balcony and dying.
" and "It's Your Funeral
", claimed that this idea was his and that he was responsible for most of the script, with David Tomblin
's writing contributions limited to adding the lynching scene and a few minor revisions. Rakoff further wrote that during McGoohan's absence from this series' production while starring in the feature Ice Station Zebra
, Tomblin not only grabbed the lion's share of the credit (which Ian did not complain about at the time because he found the lynching sequence very distasteful), but also tricked him into signing away his residuals. Rakoff does share an on-screen story credit with Tomblin, whose name comes first. Prisoner stuntman Frank Maher
has also claimed part of the credit for this episode in that he suggested at one point to Patrick McGoohan that the series should include an episode with a cowboy/western style theme.
Interviewed in the documentary Don't Knock Yourself Out, Ian Rakoff said that his story idea was accepted by McGoohan in view of a lack of suitable scripts, and a desire by all to bring the series to a conclusion as soon as possible. Rakoff and David Tomblin
spent several months working out the details of the story, only for the final writing credit on the episode to be given to Tomblin. Rakoff sought a further meeting with McGoohan regarding this, only to be told by Tomblin that McGoohan was too busy and wouldn't see him. Rakoff said he never saw McGoohan again after that point.
, in 1968 and 1969. According to Robert Fairclough in The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Vol. 2 (Reynolds and Hearn, 2006), the episode was most likely pulled due to its apparent anti-war stance at a time when the Vietnam War
was at its height. The network's own stated reason, the episode's drug use content, is disputed by Fairclough on the grounds that several other episodes of the series also make drug references, yet were still broadcast by CBS. However, this instance is unique. All the other drugs used by The Village against The Prisoner have very specific effects not related to recreational use, and are furthermore acknowledged by Number Two and/or the involved scientists to be dangerous to administer. Neither statement is made here (there is one exception to each: In "A. B. and C.
," simple knock-out drops render The Prisoner unconscious without any mention of potential harm, and in "A Change of Mind
," a decidedly dangerous drug is used simply to muddle Number Six's thinking as part of a plan to convince him he has undergone a lobotomy--he slips a follow-up dose intended for him to the much smaller scientist, who "trips out"). A further factor may well have been the fact that the climactic fast-draw showdown between "The Sheriff" and "The Kid" is staged, filmed and edited in direct violation of US TV censorship policies of the time (when one man shoots and kills the other, both are on-screen in a single, continuous take throughout, whereas cutting from a shot of one to another of the other was among the anti-violence requirements in the aftermath of the spring 1968 assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy
and Martin Luther King, Jr.
).
The episode was syndicated in the US from 1971. Some twenty years later, CBS reran the series as part of their late-night line-up, and this time did include "Harmony."
The Prisoner
The Prisoner is a 17-episode British television series first broadcast in the UK from 29 September 1967 to 1 February 1968. Starring and co-created by Patrick McGoohan, it combined spy fiction with elements of science fiction, allegory and psychological drama.The series follows a British former...
. It differs from most other episodes of the series in that it does not begin with the show's standard opening credits sequence. In fact, in a situation considered somewhat unique for a 1960s television programme, the actual title of the series does not appear on screen until the closing credits, and there it is actually presented in Patrick McGoohan
Patrick McGoohan
Patrick Joseph McGoohan was an American-born actor, raised in Ireland and England, with an extensive stage and film career, most notably in the 1960s television series Danger Man , and The Prisoner, which he co-created...
's acting credit as his character's name. This episode was not aired in the United States for the series' initial network run.
Synopsis
This episode is an allegoryAllegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
of the other episodes of The Prisoner. There, Number 6 is a non-conformist and refuses to be a number, or blend in with the other members of the village. He refuses to accept things the way they are, wants to escape and expose the village. This episode applies those same concepts in a Wild West setting.
The episode begins with a Western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
paraphrase of the regular opening sequence, with Number 6, dressed as a sheriff, turning in his badge and his gun (resigning). Leaving town, without a horse but still carrying his saddle, he is attacked by several men in the countryside as the episode title "Living in Harmony" appears on screen, where one would expect to see the series' name. Following this teaser, the usual "I am not a number" dialogue from other episodes is omitted. Number 6 wakes from his beating and finds himself to be in the middle of a strange town. A Mexican tells him that he is in the town of Harmony. Number 6 goes into a local bar and meets the mayor of the town, also called The Judge. He also meets with a silent young man known as The Kid who guards the jail. We are also introduced to a saloon girl, Kathy. After unintentionally stirring up some trouble and getting a mob after him, Number 6 is taken into "protective custody." To satisfy the mob's bloodlust, the Judge allows them to lynch Kathy's brother. Kathy, fearing for Number 6's life, goes into the jail, distracts the Kid, steals the keys then passes them to Number 6 who then escapes, only to be caught and brought back.
The Judge then sets up a trial. The Judge quickly announces that Number 6 is free to go as he was only in protective custody but Kathy is guilty of aiding a prisoner to escape, as she did not know he was just in protective custody. The Judge then makes Number 6 a deal, if he will become the sheriff of the town, Kathy is free to go. The Judge insinuates that she may not be safe with the Kid watching over her. Reluctantly, Number 6 agrees and takes the badge. However, he refuses to wear a gun. The Judge, disappointed, thinks of a way to get him to carry a gun. Number 6 asks Kathy to escape with him, but while he is clearing the way the Judge gets the Kid to kidnap Kathy. However, the Kid takes it too far and strangles her to death. Number 6 finds her and buries her. He then turns in his badge but picks up the gun and enters a shootout with the Kid. Number 6 wins and goes into the saloon. The Judge arrives with several armed men and upon learning of Kathy's death gives Number 6 the ultimatum to work for him or be killed. Although Number 6 picks off the Judge's men he is then shot by the Judge. Suddenly Number 6 awakens in his normal Village clothes and a device on his head, lying on the floor of the empty saloon. All the characters that he saw appear only to be paper cutouts.
After coming to his senses, he wanders out of Harmony and finds it is just part of the Village. Number 6 rushes to Number 2's office and finds the Judge is the new Number 2, the Kid is number 8. Number 6 angrily approaches them and then notices Kathy as Number 22. Number 6 hesitates and then walks out. Number 2 and Number 8 discuss the failure of their experiment. Number 22 is obviously distressed and she rushes out as well. Number 8 follows Number 22 back to the saloon, he calls her Kathy and starts strangling her, screaming. Number 6 hears his screams and rushes over, but it is too late. Number 22 dies in Number 6's arms, her last words saying she wishes it had been real. Number 2 arrives and Number 8 runs away in a panic calling him the Judge before throwing himself off the balcony and dying.
Squabble over writing credits
In his book, Inside The Prisoner (Batsford Film Books, 1998, pp.81-86), Ian Rakoff, assistant editor on the episodes "The GeneralThe General (The Prisoner)
The General is the sixth episode of the television series The Prisoner. The central themes of this episode are rote learning and indoctrination.-Synopsis:...
" and "It's Your Funeral
It's Your Funeral
It's Your Funeral is the eleventh episode of the television series The Prisoner. In this episode, a young successor to Number 2 plots to assassinate the retiring Number 2 and ensure his own success in the organization. -Plot summary:...
", claimed that this idea was his and that he was responsible for most of the script, with David Tomblin
David Tomblin
David Tomblin was a producer and assistant director born in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. He was probably best known as the producer, director, and writer of The Prisoner .-Director:...
's writing contributions limited to adding the lynching scene and a few minor revisions. Rakoff further wrote that during McGoohan's absence from this series' production while starring in the feature Ice Station Zebra
Ice Station Zebra
Ice Station Zebra is a 1963 thriller novel written by Scottish author Alistair MacLean. This was the last of MacLean's classic sequence of first person narratives which began with Night Without End, and represented a return to that earlier novel's Arctic setting...
, Tomblin not only grabbed the lion's share of the credit (which Ian did not complain about at the time because he found the lynching sequence very distasteful), but also tricked him into signing away his residuals. Rakoff does share an on-screen story credit with Tomblin, whose name comes first. Prisoner stuntman Frank Maher
Frank Maher (stuntman)
Frank Maher was a British stuntman, most famous for his roles as a stuntman or stunt coordinator in a vast range of British TV shows in particular the TV series Danger Man in which he frequently acted as a stunt double for the series star Patrick McGoohan.-Early career:He was born in London on 18...
has also claimed part of the credit for this episode in that he suggested at one point to Patrick McGoohan that the series should include an episode with a cowboy/western style theme.
Interviewed in the documentary Don't Knock Yourself Out, Ian Rakoff said that his story idea was accepted by McGoohan in view of a lack of suitable scripts, and a desire by all to bring the series to a conclusion as soon as possible. Rakoff and David Tomblin
David Tomblin
David Tomblin was a producer and assistant director born in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. He was probably best known as the producer, director, and writer of The Prisoner .-Director:...
spent several months working out the details of the story, only for the final writing credit on the episode to be given to Tomblin. Rakoff sought a further meeting with McGoohan regarding this, only to be told by Tomblin that McGoohan was too busy and wouldn't see him. Rakoff said he never saw McGoohan again after that point.
Additional guest cast
- Town elder: Gordon TannerGordon Tanner-Selected filmography:* Campbell's Kingdom * The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw * The Green Helmet * Where the Spies Are * The Return of Mr. Moto * Caravan to Vaccares...
- Bystander: Gordon Sterne
- Will: Michael Balfour
- Mexican Sam: Larry Taylor
- Town dignitary: Monti Delyle
- Horse dealer: Douglas Jones
- Gunman: Bill Nick
- Gunman: Les Crawford
- Third Gunman: Frank MaherFrank Maher (stuntman)Frank Maher was a British stuntman, most famous for his roles as a stuntman or stunt coordinator in a vast range of British TV shows in particular the TV series Danger Man in which he frequently acted as a stunt double for the series star Patrick McGoohan.-Early career:He was born in London on 18...
- Horseman: Max Faulkner
- Horseman: Bill Cummings
- Horseman: Eddie Eddon
Controversy
This episode was not broadcast during the first two American broadcasts of the series on CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, in 1968 and 1969. According to Robert Fairclough in The Prisoner: The Original Scripts Vol. 2 (Reynolds and Hearn, 2006), the episode was most likely pulled due to its apparent anti-war stance at a time when the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
was at its height. The network's own stated reason, the episode's drug use content, is disputed by Fairclough on the grounds that several other episodes of the series also make drug references, yet were still broadcast by CBS. However, this instance is unique. All the other drugs used by The Village against The Prisoner have very specific effects not related to recreational use, and are furthermore acknowledged by Number Two and/or the involved scientists to be dangerous to administer. Neither statement is made here (there is one exception to each: In "A. B. and C.
A. B. and C.
"A. B. and C." is the title of the third episode of the British science fiction-allegorical series, The Prisoner. It originally aired in the UK on ITV on 13 October 1967 and was first broadcast in the United States on CBS on 22 June 1968....
," simple knock-out drops render The Prisoner unconscious without any mention of potential harm, and in "A Change of Mind
A Change of Mind
A Change of Mind is the twelfth episode of the television series The Prisoner, originally broadcast on 15 December 1967.-Synopsis:Number 6 is seen pursuing his daily exercise routine in the woods. Two thugs arrive and accuse him of being antisocial for not using the community gym, and a fight...
," a decidedly dangerous drug is used simply to muddle Number Six's thinking as part of a plan to convince him he has undergone a lobotomy--he slips a follow-up dose intended for him to the much smaller scientist, who "trips out"). A further factor may well have been the fact that the climactic fast-draw showdown between "The Sheriff" and "The Kid" is staged, filmed and edited in direct violation of US TV censorship policies of the time (when one man shoots and kills the other, both are on-screen in a single, continuous take throughout, whereas cutting from a shot of one to another of the other was among the anti-violence requirements in the aftermath of the spring 1968 assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
).
The episode was syndicated in the US from 1971. Some twenty years later, CBS reran the series as part of their late-night line-up, and this time did include "Harmony."