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TV Wasteland: The Prisoner Arrives
Brought to you by the number 6. By
Rob Vaux
November 09, 2009
The Prisoner arrives in the TV Wasteland
© Bob Trate
Before we begin, I want to mention that Sesame Street turns 40 on November 10th. Massive props to Big Bird and the gang for teaching us all about letters and numbers.
Speaking of numbers, one of the most famous gets a big make-over this week. The Prisoner--Patrick McGoohan's psychedelic landmark which continues to defy all efforts at categorization--is the latest cult classic to receive 21st century threads. This time, it's Jim Caviezel as the defiant Number 6 and Ian McKellan as his nemesis Number 2. McKellan should justify tuning in all on his own, as should the set six-hour running time (spread across three nights). It provides enough room to seriously muck with our heads and yet avoids the open-ended structure of a full series, which might otherwise sound the death knell for such an endeavor.
The question remains, why do it at all? Certainly our brave new world caters to an air of paranoia, with constant surveillance practically a way of life and neighbors watching neighbors with zealous intensity. But the original Prisoner was as much a product of its time as the Beatles, and divorced from that context, something vital may be lost. On the other hand, a proper updating could render the themes and ideas more timeless, while introducing a new generation of fans to Number 6s both old and new. Also, there's Ian McKellan. As Number 2. And that rocks on freaking toast.
The Prisoner starts next Sunday, November 15, at 8:00 PM EST on AMC.
Monday
Heroes (NBC, 8:00 PM EST)
One of the reasons why Claire (Hayden Panetteire) is a hero is because she cares about attacks on a sorority house, while the rest of us would probably give the culprit an appreciative golf clap.
Kung Fu Hustle (Spike, 7:00 PM EST)
Stephen Chow's affectionate send-up to the chop-socky genre gives Shaun of the Dead a run for its money as the best parody of the last ten years.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (Oxygen, 8:00 PM EST)
It's hard to say "weakest of the trilogy" with a series of films that aren't exactly Hamlet to begin with, but here we are. Also, what the hell is it doing on Oxygen anyway?
Tuesday
V (ABC, 8:00 PM EST)
Chad (Scott Wolf) decides he wants to be a real journalist after all and actually investigate the Visitors, while Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Father Jack (Joel Gretsch) are targeted by a Visitor "seeker."
The Universe (History, 9:00 PM EST)
The nebulous topic of energy is explored, along with the way it transfers from one state of being to another.
Ghost Lab (Discovery, 10:00 PM EST)
Having successfully assassinated the most beloved leader in U.S. history, John Wilkes Booth has apparently retired to a Texas opera house to spend his afterlife. Whether that constitutes the Ninth Ring of Hell or not is up to you, but Ghost Lab endeavors to look him up and ask him about it anyway.
Wednesday
Ghost Hunters (Syfy, 9:00 PM EST)
New Hampshire's Amos J. Blake House Museum has witnessed disembodied voices and toys which come to life. The TAPS team checks it out.
Ghost Hunters Academy (Syfy, 10:00 PM EST)
A new spin-off to the Ghost Hunters franchise features a group of aspiring spook snoops learning the ropes under the tutelage of veterans from the other show.
Nostradamus Effect (History, 9:00 PM EST)
Before Satan shows up to kick off the end of the world, we'll be beset by natural disasters of all varieties. We'll see how accurate Nostradamus was in predicting them tonight.
MysteryQuest (History, 10:00 PM EST)
MysteryQuest takes another look at the Jack the Ripper murders, though I'm guessing they still can't tell us who he was.
The Changeling (IFC, 8:00 PM EST)
Not the dreadful piece of Angelina Jolie Oscar bait, but the very spooky haunted house movie starring George C. Scott. Definitely worth a look.
Kingdom of the Spiders (IFC, 10:00 PM EST)
One of the funniest movies of William Shatner's career… and back before he was in on the joke too. Enjoy!
Thursday
FlashForward (ABC, 8:00 PM EST)
With a wedge growing between them, the Benfords try to patch things up with a romantic vacation, only to be cut short by another piece of the puzzle glimpsed in his flash forward.
Fringe (Fox, 9:00 PM EST)
Massive Dynamic rears its head again in the midst of a hostage stand-off in New York.
The Vampire Diaries (The CW, 8:00 PM EST)
The evil Damon (Ian Somerhalder) finally reveals his purpose in returning to town (besides just being a great big dick, that is).
Supernatural (The CW, 9:00 PM EST)
The Winchesters inadvertently appear at a convention in their honor, only to find some real phantoms mixed in with all the make-believe ones.
Friday
Smallville (The CW, 8:00 PM EST)
So it's come to this: Zan and Jayna are making an appearance on Smallville. No word on whether space monkey Gleek will be with them, but I know we're all hoping and praying for it. Or not.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 8:00 PM EST)
Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) follows a spirit to the site of his corpse, embroiling her in the search for his killer.
Medium (CBS, 9:00 PM EST)
I know every parent's had that moment where they believe their daughter is dating a crazed murderer, but in Allison's (Patricia Arquette) case, she may actually be right.
Stargate Universe (Syfy, 9:00 PM EST)
An away team on a jungle planet finds a kino which apparently shows footage of their future deaths.
Sanctuary (Syfy, 10:00 PM EST)
Formerly gentle abnormals turn vicious, forcing Dr. Magnus (Amanda Tapping) and the team to search for the cause.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Cartoon, 7:30 EST)
Apologies for the misinformation about Brave and the Bold last week. It's back, it's on at 7:30 EST (just before our normal primetime beat), and it appears to be full-speed ahead for the foreseeable future. Batman teams up with Dr. Fate this week to stop Equinox from reshaping the universe.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures (NickToons, 7:00 EST)
Rhodey gets a chance in the Iron Man suit, only to lose it to Happy Hogan, which I'm guessing leads to a lot of mumbled apologies for Tony.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon, 8:00 PM EST)
It's diversion time as Anakin takes down a passel of Separatist tanks while his always-irritating apprentice goes after the droid production facility they're guarding.
Die Hard (FMC, 8:00 PM EST)
Even after twenty years, I still get chills whenever Alan Rickman says, "You ask for miracles, I give you the Eff. Bee. Eye."
Saturday
Megafault (Syfy, 7:00 PM EST)
Since we apparently can't get enough of Brittany Murphy playing a renowned seismologist, Syfy is bringing her back for an encore. Followed by…
Ice Twisters (Syfy, 9:00 PM EST)
When your scientific experiments go horribly wrong and create lethal tornados made out of ice, who better to call in than a genre novelist to solve all of your problems?
The Matrix (AMC, 8:00 PM EST)
AKA The One That Made Us Believe In Science Fiction Again Before Crappy Sequels Ruined It.
Sunday
The Prisoner (AMC, 8:00 PM EST)
It's Jesus Christ vs. Gandalf the Grey in the ultimate cage match of doom. ¿Quien es mas macho? See the top of the article for more.
Dexter (Showtime, 9:00 PM EST)
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) takes a little road trip when the Trinity Killer heads out of town.
Serenity (Syfy, 6:30 PM EST)
Joss Whedon fans lamenting the absence of Dollhouse can find respite in the well-regarded theatrical follow-up to his cult TV series Firefly.
Interview With the Vampire (Syfy, 9:00 PM EST)
Anne Rice did it before Stephanie Meyer. That is all.
The Prisoner was rumored to be brought to the big screen by Chris Nolan, that’s when I first heard about and read up on the concept. It sounds dope and I’ve been looking forward to the series. I like the two leads plus I think the guy that played Hawkins in Jericho is supposed to be in this too. I wish Jericho would get back on TV or someone would remake it, that series was awesome. Anyway, put me down as a new generation of fans that will be introduced to The Prisoner with this remake.
On the FlashForward front, I’m getting tired of seeing Benford’s flash forward. They show it almost every damn episode.