The Prisoner's Dilemma
by Brendan McLeod & Matthew Guzdial
Latest episode
BONUS - Listener Q&A
BONUS - Listener Q&A
About this podcast
A critical analysis of Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner, episode-by-episode: its creation, its themes, and its legacy. Hosted by Brendan McLeod and Matthew Guzdial.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 23 episodes
- BONUS - Listener Q&A · 1 h 32 minWe wrap up our coverage of The Prisoner by answering some of your questions. Thanks for listening! --- Matthew's list of Prisoner-alikes…
- Fall Out · 2 h 37 minWe reach the final episode of The Prisoner as Number Six comes face to face with rebellion, authority, and a curious sort of praise for his private war in the name of…
- Once Upon A Time · 1 h 43 minContent warnings for: alcohol abuse, motor accidents, psychological manipulation, nervous breakdowns A clash of wills! A favorite Number Two returns to put the screws to Number…
- The Girl Who was Death · 1 h 37 minSometimes, when The Prisoner plays with the format of the show, it produces some interesting results - results that can give you a new lens with which to view the show. Sometimes…
- Living in Harmony · 2 h 4 minThe Prisoner! You know, the show about spies. Right? Or is the spy story simply one context of many? A genre that serves to surround the tale, a medium that serves to surface the…
- BONUS - Ice Station Zebra · 1 h 32 minAn American nuclear sub... A sky full of Russian paratroopers... a race for the secrets buried in the Arctic! In 1968, McGoohan was already looking ahead to what would happen…
- Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling · 1 h 35 minWhat happens to The Prisoner when you take Patrick McGoohan out of the equation? Has he used his power as auteur and leading man to create the scaffolding necessary to drive the…
- A Change of Mind · 2 h 6 minContent warnings for lobotomies, aversion therapy I can't stand a podcast that doesn't know how to make a decent description. A lesson: The premise, rinsed out. Tease the plot…
- It's Your Funeral · 1 h 53 minSomeone's going to assassinate you! I know, it sounds crazy, but you must believe me! A stranger told me about it! Now, I know that doesn't sound super credible, but I had my…
- BONUS - Columbo w/Nic Tringali · 2 h 5 minWe take a break from McGoohan's most iconic work to examine the television that he'd be most known for in his later career: playing murderous villains in the murder mystery…
- Hammer into Anvil w/Michael Hansen · 2 h 5 minWe often joke that it's a Number 2's greatest ambition to get Number 6. You know, to REALLY get him. But what if ... just this once ... it was Number 6 who was doing the getting?…
- Checkmate w/Em · 1 h 42 minThis week, Number 6 gives up the solo-secret-agent act in favor of being a battlefield commander: a strategist who moves his pieces across the board, anticipates his enemy's…
- No Episode This Week! · 1 minSorry for the last minute notice, but no episode this week, due to some sickness and conflicting schedule. We'll be back in two weeks with CHECKMATE!…
- Dance of the Dead · 2 h 26 minWhy must Number 6 always try and escape? Why don't we just get to see him sample the local culture, or some modern radio? Why not simply enjoy some tranche de vie? Or must there…
- Many Happy Returns · 1 h 57 minFellas, has this ever happened to you? You sail across the seas eating nothing but beans and you get to your home and a cool lady has moved in and bought your hand-built car? And…
- The General · 2 h 23 minIt's exam time. Have you studied? Ha ha, yes, of course, I studied too - by watching my television!! What kind of sick, twisted world is this? Find out as we enter a world of…
- The Schizoid Man · 1 h 48 minI'm not you, I'm me! I mean, wait - I'm you! Except you're me! Wait, no, you're not me! Wait, which one are you again? Well, whoever you are, join me as we tune in for Patrick…
- BONUS - Danger Man · 2 h 5 minWe take a break from Number 6's plight in the Village to examine the entirely-unrelated career of John Drake, who is a... secret agent ... guy? Fellow? A man employed by…
- Free for All w/Karla Zimonja · 2 h 12 minIt's election season, and you know what that means: it's time for some good old fashioned brainwashing. Just really scrub that thing down until it's as clean as a whistle. We're…
- A, B, and C · 1 h 50 minThis is a dreamy party, baby! Just the sort of place for some classic Cold War cat-and-mouse. But why's the logic of this place feel a bit ... unnatural? Could this be a dream? A…
