Podcast
The Prisoner's Dilemma
Hosted by Brendan McLeod & Matthew Guzdial · EN
A critical analysis of Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner, episode-by-episode: its creation, its themes, and its legacy. Hosted by Brendan McLeod and Matthew Guzdial.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
BONUS - Listener Q&A
Jul 5, 202501:32:02Tap to summarizeWe wrap up our coverage of The Prisoner by answering some of your questions. Thanks for listening! --- Matthew's list of Prisoner-alikes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1olVZvAkpC6qTYzt-XvLE1DNpnZY24lP6rN69BcXgS1g/edit?usp=sharing --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →Fall Out
Jun 21, 202502:37:56Tap to summarizeWe reach the final episode of The Prisoner as Number Six comes face to face with rebellion, authority, and a curious sort of praise for his private war in the name of individuality. But who's running the Village, anyway? And what will Number Six do now that he's won? He HAS won, hasn't he? Join us for a long discussion of the contentious, curious final episode: FALL OUT. Send your questions to theprisonersdilemmapodcast@gmail.com ! Next time: Listener Q&A and final thoughts --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →Once Upon A Time
Jun 7, 202501:43:31Tap to summarizeContent warnings for: alcohol abuse, motor accidents, psychological manipulation, nervous breakdowns A clash of wills! A favorite Number Two returns to put the screws to Number Six. Will the secrets of the spy's resignation be revealed with regression therapy? What will reveal about Six's life - or McGoohan's? Who really IS Six in this scenario, anyway? Learn all this and more as we go back to school in ONCE UPON A TIME. Send your questions to theprisonersdilemmapodcast@gmail.com ! Next time: FALL OUT. --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →The Girl Who was Death
May 24, 202501:37:45Tap to summarizeSometimes, when The Prisoner plays with the format of the show, it produces some interesting results - results that can give you a new lens with which to view the show. Sometimes it results in an episode like this one - a spy farce with uneven budget, odd performances, and even odder costume choices. Join us to find out how Number Six deals with THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH Next time: ONCE UPON A TIME. --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →Living in Harmony
May 10, 202502:04:04Tap to summarizeThe Prisoner! You know, the show about spies. Right? Or is the spy story simply one context of many? A genre that serves to surround the tale, a medium that serves to surface the message - that any of us might be made prisoners at any time, any where? Maybe even in a place far from here, in the frontier, where the might made right at the end of a shiny revolver. Join us for a trip to the old West in LIVING IN HARMONY. Next time: THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH. --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →BONUS - Ice Station Zebra
Apr 26, 202501:32:41Tap to summarizeAn American nuclear sub... A sky full of Russian paratroopers... a race for the secrets buried in the Arctic! In 1968, McGoohan was already looking ahead to what would happen beyond the Prisoner. Would military thrillers of Hollywood lie in his future? Would the spy that he'd played so well for so long translate to the big screen? Judge with us as we watch ICE STATION ZEBRA. Next time: LIVING IN HARMONY --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
Apr 12, 202501:35:04Tap to summarizeWhat happens to The Prisoner when you take Patrick McGoohan out of the equation? Has he used his power as auteur and leading man to create the scaffolding necessary to drive the show forward in his absence? Or does everything devolve into a form familiar for the era, where spies, ciphers, and sloppy kisses are the order of the day? Find out in the globe-trotting carnival that is DO NOT FORSAKE ME OH MY DARLING. Next time: ICE STATION ZEBRA --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →A Change of Mind
Mar 29, 202502:06:40Tap to summarizeContent warnings for lobotomies, aversion therapy I can't stand a podcast that doesn't know how to make a decent description. A lesson: The premise, rinsed out. Tease the plot, always. Now, the details: one for me, one for thee, one for the SEO, one for luck. Boiling interest, let stand for one moment - pour the milk, won't you? - cup, saucer, sugar, pour: A CHANGE OF MIND. Next time: DO NOT FORSAKE ME OH MY DARLING --- http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →It's Your Funeral
Mar 15, 202501:53:28Tap to summarizeSomeone's going to assassinate you! I know, it sounds crazy, but you must believe me! A stranger told me about it! Now, I know that doesn't sound super credible, but I had my hands on the bomb itself! What? No, I didn't do anything with the bomb. Why would I? Look, if you don't want to believe me, that's fine. After all .... IT'S YOUR FUNERAL. Next time: A CHANGE OF MIND. http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
Transcribe →BONUS - Columbo w/Nic Tringali
Mar 1, 202502:05:39Tap to summarizeWe take a break from McGoohan's most iconic work to examine the television that he'd be most known for in his later career: playing murderous villains in the murder mystery series COLUMBO, opposite Peter Falk as the scruffy, awkward, eponymous detective. Nic Tringali ( @nictringali.bsky.social ) joins us to talk about what makes the show work, how McGoohan's touch can be felt, and the price of cheese. Episodes watched: Identity Crisis, Agenda for Murder, and Ashes to Ashes Next time: IT'S YOUR FUNERAL http://the-prisoners-dilemma.com Music by Devin Nelson. http://devindecibel.bandcamp.com Art by Si Sweetman. https://sifsweetman.carrd.co/
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