Fans of the 1960s TV spy series,
The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan, will be pleased to know that the series continued multiple times beyond the 17 hour-long television episodes. When
The Prisoner premiered on U.S. television, it brought forth from viewers more debate and enthusiasm than any other TV show within memory. Many became cult fanatics for the clever plots and controversial ending. Not precisely science-fiction, but more of a spy caper, the series gained popularity over the years following the initial telecasts. One fan licensed action figures and pre-sold them through Kickstarter. Others wrote fan fiction and posted such stories on the Internet. AMC produced a three-part remake (which was terrible, sad to say). Comic book artists have created their own rendition with new stories. But none could be better suited than the 2016 - 2018 series of audio adventures produced by Big Finish.
A talented cast and crew went into the studios to record brand new audio dramas, reviving the series that took place in 1967, in which a secret agent resigned without giving a reason. In his attempt to leave the country, he is knocked out and wakes to find himself incarcerated in "The Village," a seaside community located who-knows-where. Everyone is designated with a number, not a name, and our secret agent is labeled "Number Six." The top head is Number One, but all commands are given out by Number Two. In every episode, the evil organization attempts to extract information out of Number Six -- including the answer to the big question: "Why did you resign?" And, in every episode, Number Six attempts to use their schemes against them to escape and flee "The Village."
In three separate volumes, with a total of 12 hour-long adventures,
The Prisoner returns with brand new stories and concepts with updated technology to advance the science-fiction aspect of the premise. At first I found Mark Elstob to mimic Patrick McGoohan's voice and mannerisms admirably but half way through the first episode I found he nailed the impersonation perfectly.
Big Finish, located in Berkshire, England, has been producing Doctor Who audio dramas for more than a decade, with the original television cast, with new adventures for fans of the television program. Like The Prisoner, I find these dramas a fantastic way to pass the time during long drives. But if you are a fan of The Prisoner, do not overlook these twelve audio dramas. The ending, incidentally, is different from the one featured on the television series!
