This is one of my very favorite episodes and the first one I fully recorded on audio tape during the 1969 run. I listened to it countless times, enjoying the music, sounds and story.
Number 6 awakens to a completely deserted village. Everyone is gone, but for one small creature. It is the first appearance of the Village Cat, a black feline who observes the prisoner from a distance. Seeing this as his chance, Number 6 builds a raft and sets sail hoping to make it back home. At sea, he encounters gun-runners who he battles in a sequence reminiscent of SECRET AGENT. After finally reaching land, he makes his way back to London and his home. It is now occupied by kindly Mrs. Butterworth, who also now owns his car, KAR 120C. She helps him, and afterward he returns to another set of former associates, but can they truly be trusted?
The episode contains some of my favorite incidental music - as when Number 6 searches the village, the raft/sailing sequence and the haunting theme heard as he approaches his house. There are many beautifully photographed scenes such as the lighthouse, mountains and countryside. Also of note is the interesting lack of dialogue during the first third or so. It's a different kind of PRISONER episode, with its own unique atmosphere and look.
Six vs Village: This one is definitely all Village. The prisoner is fooled completely through out, and the ending is even more heart-wrenching than THE CHIMES OF BIG BEN as this time he really did make it all the way home, only to be air-mailed back to the village. How ironic and chilling to hear “Be seeing you” in this superb episode.
"I’m not sure which side runs this village." ~ Number 6
PRISONER SCORE BOARD:
Village: 4
Number 6: 3