The Prisoner - Checkmate

Episode Name: Checkmate
Original Air Date: November 24 1967
TV Airing Order: 9
KTEH Airing Order: 3
Summary - Number Six thinks he has a means to tell the prisoners from the warders, and assembles a group for an escape attempt.

Checkmate continues the trend of logical episode reorderings. Number 6 still takes a brute force approach, asking people he runs into basic questions about the Village and the identity of Number One, even though we know that nothing will come of it other than canned, Orwellian responses from the citizenry. An early scene shows a game of chess played with human pieces, in which the players (sans 6 and his questionee) believe they are playing with some semblance of skill and tactics, rather than simply following orders of the two players. Quite frightening, especially when one of the players makes a move on his own, and is taken away for "reconditioning". The Village really does have a hell of a vicegrip on its populace. The mental conditioning continues when they take 6's new friend and potential ally, and brainwash her into a "lovestruck" spy.

However, Number 6 is starting to learn, and amidst all of this he begins to try and recruit other Villgaers to help him escape, by determining which citizens are captives, and which are the Guardians that keep an eye out on everyone. The plan goes off with little complication, and 6 is able to keep away from his spy with startling efficiency. Everything looks to be going all too well, and by the time the escape is "finished", we discover that this quite is true.

Checkmate's ordering as episode 3 is a double edged sword, depending on how you look at it. It is the third time in a row that a woman has been used as some sort of bait, as well as the third time that Number 6 has looked toward the sea as a means of escape. We also get an even better peek at how much control the Village has on the minds of its captives. A pattern is starting to form, one that risks repetition. On the other hand, it makes sense to place them in this order. We can explain Number 6's actions as the result of him still testing the waters, coupled with his continued (but lessening) underestimation of his situation. The same can be said for the Guardians and their mind tricks. We'll have to see if the plots start mixing it up in the future.

Despite the feelings of retread, this episode was a good one. Even though we know the scheme is going to fail, it is difficult to hold back those feelings of "he's going to make it this time!" Checkmate's chess based symbolism is also an obvious but much needed allegory that helps reinforce the idea of the Village, as well as the show's opinions on government control.

Next episode goes back to the second show in the TV ordering. Will we get the same old song and dance, or will something new pop up entirely? You'll have to come back for the next post.

Be seeing you....