One of the recurring themes in The Prisoner is the struggle of good over evil. Although Number 6 scores some small victories, as in Hammer into Anvil, or A Change of Mind, it often seems that evil has the upper hand. Is there hope in the series? Or is there only betrayal and deceit?

If sin is so well displayed, can we also find examples of grace?

If grace can be defined as a moment of regret, of repentance, of change, a second chance to change one’s attitude or willingness to alter one’s behavior, then we can find several instances in which characters in the Village are open to grace.

In Arrival, we see that Number 6 is betrayed by both a woman and his past associate, Cobb. The woman expresses regret for what she has done.

In Dance of the Dead, we see that Number 6’s observer becomes emotionally involved when she sees the injustice that will be committed against him.

In The Schizoid Man, Alison goes so far as to tell Number 6 that if she had it to do over, she wouldn’t betray him again.

In Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling, Dr. Seltzman comes out of retirement to right the wrong that has been perpetrated against Number 6 using the machine he has developed.

In Living in Harmony, Cathy takes Number 6’s part, even though she is actually a Village guardian.

Finally, in Fall Out, we see Number 2’s regret that he “resisted for so short a time.”

Patrick McGoohan once said that heroes should be moral, and one of the telling effects of morality is that it opens moments of grace for others who come into its orbit. Characters in The Prisoner who were “just doing their jobs” and in doing so were acting on the side of evil were given an opportunity to see and feel differently in the present or to resolve to act differently in the future. Truly these moments of grace are signs of hope, both in the series as a story, and as an allegory for us in the Villages in which we live.

Interesting points. It is something I think we may see less of in the new series. They are slightly outdated devices in TV nowadays. Not sure that is a good thing though!

More's the pity if it's not there.