Free for All
The Prisoner is running for election in the Village and Number 2 is cheering him on., The Prisoner is running for election in the Village and Number 2 is cheering him on. Prisoner: Patrick McGoohan. Number 2: Eric Portman., Number Six stands for election as the new Number Two, planning to use the position to learn the identity of Number One – but soon discovers the true nature of democracy in the Village., Number Six stands for election as the new Number Two, but discovers that even as a candidate for this position he has no freedom of speech., The celebrated “election episode” of The Prisoner, “Free For All” was directed by series star Patrick McGoohan, and also written by him under the pen name of Paddy Fitz. While the Village gears up for the election of the New Number Two, Number Six is encouraged to throw his hat in the ring. Curiously, Number Six is nominated by the incumbent, Number Two (Eric Portman) himself. At first balking at the “honor”, Number Six is persuaded to run on the promise that, if elected, he will learn the identity of Number One — thereby earning his freedom. Rachel Herbert plays the crucial role of maidservant Number Fifty Eight. “Free For All” made its British TV bow on October 22, 1967, and was first telecast in America on June 29, 1968.
