Nowadays, the creative minds behind TV series - especially serial dramas and sci-fi shows like "The X-Files" - exercise control over myriad aspects of their productions, including running order. But during production of "The Prisoner," more practical considerations dictated the narrative flow. At times a tight production schedule required that the next episode to spooled be whatever happened to be completed and ready to run. There also was a desire to maximize location footage by interspersing episodes shot mostly at Portmeirion with those shot mostly at Shepperton Studios.

These outside influences have ensured that the "proper" ordering of the 17 episodes remains a source of lively debate among fans of the show. Where do the original seven shows belong? What cues exist within individual episodes to time-stamp them? Do the few shows that significantly deviate from McGoohan's vision enhance or diminish the narrative flow? Even expanded beyond its original scope, "The Prisoner" behaves more like a miniseries than a traditional episodic drama, and devotees want to find the key that will weave 17 different stories into one.

This is not a new debate, and what follows is not a definitive re-ordering of the series. It's meant to provoke thought, spark disagreements, and encourage modifications. After all, a still tongue makes a quiet life...but what fun is that?

Ready or not, here they come...

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This essay is © 1998, 2000, Theresa Donia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.