Good Morning, Number 6 Forum John Drake and Number Six

Dan Hiland

John Drake and Number Six 10 Years Ago One of the aftereffects of The Prisoner broadcasts was a huge and devoted fan base. And with that fan base evolved many theories about the episodes, the overall intent and meaning of the show, and even the supposed connections between that program and two television series that appeared to lead up to, and introduce, the setting and rationale for the existence of The Village. Prior to his stint in the Village as Number Six, Patrick McGoohan starred in Danger Man (1960-62), and Secret Agent Man (1964-66). In both roles he played John Drake, an agent specializing in espionage. In the first series he worked for NATO, in the second, M9, based in London. While Patrick always denied, at least in interviews, that Drake was not Number Six, many fans, including the McGoohan's script editor, George Markstein, are adamant in their belief that Drake and Number Six are one in the same. But why does this even matter? It's only a TV show, right? Because there is a multitude of Prisoner fans out there professing allegiance to the 17-episode series. To believe that there is more to the story gives them the same thrill any Beatles fan would have upon uncovering previously unknown recordings of the Fab Four. Given the mysterious origins and purposes of the Village, admirers of the series will leave no stone unturned in a search for answers. I am sure that there are also those demented few who wish the Village existed and that they could live there. That in Number Six's position, they would have fought harder than he to bring down the hidden leadership there. If there was nothing to go on, with regard to the “connection” between the two characters, all the fuss would be for naught. But one has to wonder. While John Drake is not mentioned by that name in The Prisoner stories, he is a secret agent in all three series. Same mannerisms, same talents, and similar missions. And as fans of the first two shows will attest, John’s relationship with his superiors gets more strained as time passes. He begins to feel remorse about what he is being asked by his country to do. Betrayals, corruption, ruined lives, and death go hand in hand, all the while John’s circle of trusted friends growing smaller. Instead of “My country right or wrong”, his mission statement becomes more a question of who he can trust. Who is he serving? Elitists covering each other’s backsides while John, the Good Soldier,  cleans up one mess after another? Remember: The Prisoner begins with an agent resigning his position, which is the logical direction John Drake was headed as Secret Agent Man wound to its conclusion.   Be seeing you...