Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
A straight remake would not have been very compelling IMO.
A straight remake would not have been very compelling IMO.
The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discussion
- Thread starter Aragorn
- Start date
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I wouldn't be surprised if 93 was meant to be McGoohan or an homage to him. Of course, if you subtract 3 from 9 you get 6, but that may be just a coincidence...
It may also be just my imagination but I thought the music in the nightclub 6 first goes into after arriving in the Village was playing a techno/trance version of the original series theme music in the background.
I rather liked it. Caviezal's 6 isn't channeling McGoohan's by any means, but he has a fire of his own. The mind games begin...
I wouldn't be surprised if 93 was meant to be McGoohan or an homage to him. Of course, if you subtract 3 from 9 you get 6, but that may be just a coincidence...
It may also be just my imagination but I thought the music in the nightclub 6 first goes into after arriving in the Village was playing a techno/trance version of the original series theme music in the background.
I rather liked it. Caviezal's 6 isn't channeling McGoohan's by any means, but he has a fire of his own. The mind games begin...
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I think this time the Village exists only in virtual reality - i.e. Six is being hooked up to some machine which is making him dream all of this.
I think this time the Village exists only in virtual reality - i.e. Six is being hooked up to some machine which is making him dream all of this.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I would agree. I think the 93 homage to the original should have been left out. I loved it, especially the decor of 93's apartment. But the two are different so why try to link them?
I like the new one and I liked the old one. So I am content.
I would agree. I think the 93 homage to the original should have been left out. I loved it, especially the decor of 93's apartment. But the two are different so why try to link them?
I like the new one and I liked the old one. So I am content.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I was kind of hoping that Jim would drive a Lotus though, even if a modern one.
I was kind of hoping that Jim would drive a Lotus though, even if a modern one.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I hope we find out what exactly the hell was going on with 147 and his wife. They go to the clinic, they give 2 the cake (as requested), then they don't do anything else? Is that all they were at the clinic for, the cake?
I hope we find out what exactly the hell was going on with 147 and his wife. They go to the clinic, they give 2 the cake (as requested), then they don't do anything else? Is that all they were at the clinic for, the cake?
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
The towers are an obvious parallel to the World Trade Center as well (since Six is from New York City), although I wonder why they picked that, given that there hasn't BEEN a WTC since 9/11...
The towers are an obvious parallel to the World Trade Center as well (since Six is from New York City), although I wonder why they picked that, given that there hasn't BEEN a WTC since 9/11...
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I never saw the original, so I can't compare the two. I'm enjoying this one though. It didn't hit the ground running, but it really picked up after about 30 minutes or so and had me hooked the rest of the time. I want more already.
I never saw the original, so I can't compare the two. I'm enjoying this one though. It didn't hit the ground running, but it really picked up after about 30 minutes or so and had me hooked the rest of the time. I want more already.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
Caviezel doesn't nearly have the screen presence of McGoohan. Out of all the problems with this version, that's the biggest drawback.
On the bright side, McKellan has all the screen presence and more of the best Number Two's, save, perhaps, Leo McKern.
I'm not loving what I'm seeing so far, but I don't hate it, either. I'm curious to see what the next episodes will bring.
At this point, I think Number Six is imagining the Village, or is under the influence of drugs. The many flashbacks (the meaning of which will likely take time to become clear) support this. Some of the private moments with Number Two do not support this theory, however. We'll see. I'm waiting for somebody to ask for Number One...
Caviezel doesn't nearly have the screen presence of McGoohan. Out of all the problems with this version, that's the biggest drawback.
On the bright side, McKellan has all the screen presence and more of the best Number Two's, save, perhaps, Leo McKern.
I'm not loving what I'm seeing so far, but I don't hate it, either. I'm curious to see what the next episodes will bring.
At this point, I think Number Six is imagining the Village, or is under the influence of drugs. The many flashbacks (the meaning of which will likely take time to become clear) support this. Some of the private moments with Number Two do not support this theory, however. We'll see. I'm waiting for somebody to ask for Number One...
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
Oh, my God. What a suckfest.
I would say I'm disappointed, but it's not that far off from what I expected. No feel of the original at all.
At least I've still got my Prisoner TOS DVDs.
Which, BTW, I now need to watch to get that taste out of my mouth.
Oh, my God. What a suckfest.
I would say I'm disappointed, but it's not that far off from what I expected. No feel of the original at all.
At least I've still got my Prisoner TOS DVDs.
Which, BTW, I now need to watch to get that taste out of my mouth.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
Jim is a bore.
Never saw the original.
Jim is a bore.
Never saw the original.
MeanJoePhaser
Admiral
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
I'm not impressed with what I've seen.
A mystery should pull you in, 2 hours and it still hasn't. I'm tempted to read spoilers and save myself the time.
I'm not impressed with what I've seen.
A mystery should pull you in, 2 hours and it still hasn't. I'm tempted to read spoilers and save myself the time.
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
So far I'm liking it. As I said earlier, I was against the idea of a remake, but if they're going to do it, then do it well. And so far it's working for me.
I also have a theory that this show takes place in the same "universe" as the McGoohan show. Between having the original Rover to having the original Number 6 -- complete with his original apartment (barring some minor changes) -- making an appearance (yeah I know he's Number 93. But 9 minus 3 equals 6), it's starting to feel like a follow-up more than a remake.
I'm not too sure what to make of the Lost-style NYC flashbacks, though I will say the girl is a lot more attractive than any old mist-through-the-keyhole. Not sure if I like the idea of us knowing so early on what he did for a living, though.
The doctor is also an interesting character, though knowing the series the words "Cobb's girlfriend" keeps coming to mind. That and "Nadia". If you know the original you know what I'm talking about. Keep an eye on the actress, though. She's only done a few other things before this and I'm getting a "Carey Mulligan Mk. 2" vibe from her.
The music is cool. It's idiosyncratic - especially the backwards nightclub music and the "Village Theme" - and that's another connection to the original.
If I had a criticism 2 episodes in, it would be AMC's hand-holding with those commercials saying "figure out the pills to solve the mystery" and all that. They shouldn't be doing that. If people can't figure things out for themselves, that's their problem and you didn't have anyone holding viewers' hands for the original series. I'm also concerned about Number 2's "aliens" comment. It better not be. If AMC pulls a "Life on Mars US" with the ending of this one I will become a basher of the remake, no matter how good it is.
There are still 4 hours left in which they could drop the ball. But so far it's working for me. And just like the original, people who love it really love and people who hate it just hate it.
Alex
So far I'm liking it. As I said earlier, I was against the idea of a remake, but if they're going to do it, then do it well. And so far it's working for me.
I also have a theory that this show takes place in the same "universe" as the McGoohan show. Between having the original Rover to having the original Number 6 -- complete with his original apartment (barring some minor changes) -- making an appearance (yeah I know he's Number 93. But 9 minus 3 equals 6), it's starting to feel like a follow-up more than a remake.
I'm not too sure what to make of the Lost-style NYC flashbacks, though I will say the girl is a lot more attractive than any old mist-through-the-keyhole. Not sure if I like the idea of us knowing so early on what he did for a living, though.
The doctor is also an interesting character, though knowing the series the words "Cobb's girlfriend" keeps coming to mind. That and "Nadia". If you know the original you know what I'm talking about. Keep an eye on the actress, though. She's only done a few other things before this and I'm getting a "Carey Mulligan Mk. 2" vibe from her.
The music is cool. It's idiosyncratic - especially the backwards nightclub music and the "Village Theme" - and that's another connection to the original.
If I had a criticism 2 episodes in, it would be AMC's hand-holding with those commercials saying "figure out the pills to solve the mystery" and all that. They shouldn't be doing that. If people can't figure things out for themselves, that's their problem and you didn't have anyone holding viewers' hands for the original series. I'm also concerned about Number 2's "aliens" comment. It better not be. If AMC pulls a "Life on Mars US" with the ending of this one I will become a basher of the remake, no matter how good it is.
There are still 4 hours left in which they could drop the ball. But so far it's working for me. And just like the original, people who love it really love and people who hate it just hate it.
Alex
Re: The Prisoner: "Arrival" and "Harmony" 11/15/09 - Grading & Discuss
This is my take on it also. I'll keep watching to see how it all unfolds.
This is my take on it also. I'll keep watching to see how it all unfolds.
