For some reason, this episode was never seen in the series' original run on CBS, and did not surface until syndication in the early '70's.
It was not initially aired because it was felt to be too strong a commentary on the War in Vietnam.
And it had people under the influence of drink . . .
Apart from that cool episode and great intro.
This is one of my favourite 'Prisoner' episodes, always has been. Trying to get the truth through drugs, an excellent story, but number six wins again...
I'm presently contributing after doing research on and becoming increasingly fascinated with "The Prisoner" series. To date, I'm heavily immersing myself in the late-night Friday showings of each episode on Channel 13.
I hate to challenge your argument, but I was asking myself more of what the point was of this entire episode. I really didn't feel it was one of the best episodes. I believe even Patrick McGoohan remarks that it votively came about so that he could do a Western. The character of "The Kid" was just plain, outright psychotic. I was actually getting embarrassed with every scene that featured him. It surprised me, though, that Number Six used a gun for the first time in his beloved series. I realize he's anti-gun and even refused to equip himself with one during his "Danger Man" run. Three episodes left until the two-part series finale!
Number 8 said: "Interesting...that he was able to separate fact from fantasy so quickly." First of all, a lot of stuff happened: No. 6 gets taken to Harmony, tries to escape, is dragged back to town, gets in a big fight, guns down the Kid, etc. That doesn't seem quick to me. How long were they expecting this experiment to last, anyway? Secondly, No. 6 doesn't exactly figure it out; he wakes from the simulation because No. 2 shot him. There was absolutely nothing previous to that to indicate that No. 6 doubted the reality of the situation. Who knows how long it would have taken him to wise up if No. 2 hadn't shot him?
When No. 6 sees the cardboard cutout of the Judge after he wakes, it's not in the same location where he (and we) last saw the Judge. Also, when he first sees the cutout, it's color, but when he grabs it, it's black & white.
I'm not sure it's a wise thing to do to rush at someone who's pointing a gun at you. No. 6 should have tried to hide or run.