The Prisoner: episode 09: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling

we seriously need to get on this, girl. reviewing this and viewing more :)

Angelica's long overdue entry: I'm not sure if it's the time that has passed since the last Prisoner viewing or that I was more observant this time (or perhaps more awake?), but this episode felt much less familiar on its second viewing. It was definitely a clever way to work around Patrick McGoohan not being there for the episode and a good use of minimal filming in the Villiage. It was nice to get a few more glimpses into his personal life (a girlfriend?) and nice to go along on a little roadtrip. It felt like a nice easing back into some sort of Prisoner schedule...like an interlude before we launch into a full dose of Patrick McGoohan.

Dave's take: i can't help but watch this episode and wonder what was happening in McGoohan's life that he would leave his pet show for an episode of filming, put all kinds of creative work into making it as McGoohan-populated as possible, and leave viewers knowing something was up. i have learned that it was Ice Station Zebra that took him away. He was, after all, an actor looking to make the biggest name for himself. Suddenly, i see parallels between the experience of an actor and that of this episode's character. Both trying to figure out who they are, how to convey it, who will believe it... believe in them! Our hero wakes up with a new exterior, completely transformed to the audience eyes. Success. Our hero seeks allies and faith. Security. Our hero seeks re-transformation, a return to his true exterior, but he is a spy, a made liar among an audience of actors. i wonder if McGoohan conceived himself a man behind an actor playing an actor playing roles, and this episode, playing out allegorical mirror layers that wrapped around the layers spoken to. i think so; McGoohan seems complicated. As was the process of discovering the location of the mad scientist (slide show) and transferring minds across bodies (Metropolis Lite F/X). It really is no wonder to me that i didn't follow this episode the first time.

(this is the only picture i could find of Nigel Stock - Number 6 of this episode. note: he does not sport tweed or pipe in the episode.)

sandwiches: round 09: Do Not Forsake Me theme

Our theme was supposed to refer to some ingredient that might be forsaken from a familiar sandwich. In DM's case, the traditional pork and apple sauce of Britain (home of Number 6) was transposed to canape format and coupled (strangely?) with cranberry. In the case of our appetizer, marmelade is not the most popular of condiments (in spite of repeated effort over the decades, i still cannot tolerate it).

Dave's Alt_Brit P&A Canapes: Rosemary Ham; Golden Delicious scratch apple sauce with cinnamon and rosemary; on white rice bread; topped with the nicest cranberries i could find in the bulk aisle.


Angelica's Cozy Chicken & Pancetta Dinner Sandwich: rotisserie chicken wrapped in pancetta, pan fried Japanese eggplant brushed with Ponzu, shredded Asiago cheese mixed with mayonnaise, homemade red pepper jelly.

Appetizer: Orange Whisky Marmalade atop cream cheese and rice crackers

Sides & Drinks: oven roasted cherry tomatoes on the vine and yellow zucchini tossed with olive oil, red Hawaiian salt, fresh ground pepper and herbs de provence; port in rollie-pollie glasses.

Sandwich Making Soundtrack: Phontaine (DJ)

AS on AS: Hearty, complex and packed with flavour, this sandwich was a self contained meal all on its own. I had worried about the structural soundness given its height and weight, but it held together well, resulting in a perfectly proportioned mix of flavours in every bite. And every ingredient came in complementing flavour/texture pairs: sturdy chicken wrapped in delicate salty pancetta, tender eggplant brushed with lively citrus ponzu, sharp asiago blended with smooth mayo, and both spiciness and sweetness in the red pepper jelly.

AS on DM: another blending of contrasting flavours in these small sized, but large flavoured canapés. What impressed me the most was their versatility...their savory flavours came out when eaten pre-other sandwich (more like an appetizer) and their sweetness came out post-other sandwich (more like a dessert). In fact, every flavour could be easily isolated due to the skillfulness of this sandwich's creator.


DM on AS: i begin with the meal-sandwich. reading AS's own review of her sandwhich, i don't know how to proceed; she says it all and says it well. (it's high time i produced the the first set of reviews.) indeed, it was a hearty creation whose size belied its integrity and whose complexity seemed boundless - i'm sure that each half tasted a little different, as each combination of distinct tastes manifested novel impressions. i was impressed with the taste to be sure, and that comes as no surprise at round 09, but it was especially marvelous to have everything hold together through the final bite. this was a blue-ribbon special.

DM on DM: i was very happy with how this came out. i have to give myself a pat on the back for avoiding my typical pitfalls (i.e. not enough 'pop,' buried flavour in the case of one component). everything appeared to shine through the way i had hoped, and one of my favourite meals was interpreted well to the appetizer format. what can i say? i am happy with how things went and wouldn't want to improve on this one.

The Outcome:

AS: how does one choose between two sandwiches that were so clearly complimentary to each other, rather than competitive? Each sandwich simply made the other better.

DM: it might be the pre-blog talk we had together... i again agree with AS that these were compimentary and not competitive pieces. if i had to put them up against all the creations to date though, i think Angelica's sandwich would take teh prize. as much as i loved my work this time, her meal-worthy creations deliver on taste as well as the time:satisfaction ratio. but kudos to the both of us for concocting a four course masterpiece for the evening.

The Prisoner: episode 08: Dance of the Dead

Angelica's side: I still feel a bit like have just awoken from a strange dream every time I think of this episode. Between the pixie-likeNumber 2, the body on the beach, the black cat, the observer, the dance, the trial, the chase, the secret room and the invincible computing machine, this episode drifted in and out moments that were clear and completely plausible (for the Village) and others that were far beyond any of the absurdities encountered by Number 6 so far. One could never really predict what would come next as new events started just as abruptly as others ended and seemed to only loosely be linked together. I enjoyed this change of pace though, this unpredictability and contrast to more recent episodes (particularly episode 7 which seemed the most grounded in reality of all the episodes). I haven't yet seen an episode that I didn't look forward to seeing again, and so look forward to a second viewing of this one. And as I said earlier this week, I feel some momentum coming on in the Prisoner project.

Although I am sure this was not the intent, I would like to think that this episode was all the mad imaginings of the drugged up and wired up Number 6 that we saw at the beginning of the episode. And that the abrupt ending (with no real resolution on the execution order - I assume Number 6 will be well and alive for episode 9) was a jarring wake up back from one absurd existence to another. And so, on this episode I still wonder, am I awake or am I still dreaming...is Number 6 awake or is he still dreaming?

Dave's Side:
Final lines of the episode:
6: "You'll never win."
2: "Then things will be very uncomfortable for you then, won't they?"

Surely this episode was meant to be aired earlier, at least to establish this ever-present thread by which we viewers ought to be guided. As long as #6 has it in his mind that he is at odds with the community, he is both the irritant and irritated, a saw moving against the grain.

The court procession and subsequent executioners' chase were nightmarish, leading #6 back underground through the rabbit hole, under the morgue, and yet again into the omnipresent hands of the elfish #2. Just before the prophetic final lines of the episode are uttered, #6 tears out the innards of message-creating computer, stopping it. Just afterward, it resumes typing, and #2 laughs. The Village, which has been around for "a very long time" cannot be ended - certainly not by one man. And like the typing machine, its source of power is not likely to be uncovered. Even with its apparent guts ripped out, the community of the Village will persevere.

This is the daunting obstacle before #6. He is a hero of the highest order, settling not for mere escape, but for the eradication of the Village at the least. Escape is proving hard enough, and his ultimate goal may be nearly impossible to achieve if he cannot discern pawn from puppet master, left from right, and perhaps dream from waking life.

#6 walks through the decorated carnival in his own clothing - he is, in the context of the Village, the only one in costume, the only actor among stage sets and props. i think that if i were #6, i would consider entering the dream to gain the footing to gain ground. But is there any way out of the dream once a part of it? It stands to reason that many of community thought so.

sandwiches: round 08: italian theme

Inspired by the best rice bread to date, a Focaccia, an Italian theme tonight...

Dave's Fietza: canned pizza sauce, gypsy salami, salty black olives*, cheese**, nectarine, on rice focaccia














Angelica's Pesto (Almost-)Panini: roasted turkey breast, smoked applewood cheddar, pesto, tomato, green onion, post-baking mayo, on rice focaccia














Sides & Drinks: pistachio ice cream, fizzy Merlot

In the Background: episode 7 re-run

Angelica on Angelica's' Pesto Almost-Panini: this sandwich was a bit of a mystery to me. The flavours were all separated out by layer and yet every bite, every mouthful tasted identical throughout. One could not pick out any individual flavour the next, despite some of the flavours normally standing out on their own quite easily. I haven't decided yet if I liked this property or not. There is something to be said for consistency (especially when the flavour is fantastic), but then again, there is something appealing about the progression of flavour throughout a bite or an expected flavour in a bite. I did enjoy the flavour medley of this sandwich very much, but it bordered on pleasant, rather than wow. And I think it could have benefited from an open face format...I think that that somehow that format alone might have elevated it to more of a wow.

Angelica on The Fietza: in contrast to my wallflower panini, this sandwich bounded in with flavour screaming out in various proportions in every bite...olives one moment, cheese the next, the pepper rind of the salami the next, the meaty part of the salami the next and then moments of subtle nectarine sweetness. All fantastic flavours, but there were moments of flavour overload and richness that could have done with a pause, a more simple, more balanced bite inbetween to separate one decadent moment from the next. But overall, this sandwich knew how to wow.


DM on Angelica's' Pesto Almost-Panini: hearty and tasty is a combination not easily achieved, but it is here. Angelica and i diverged in our approaches, creating (as we have both noted in person) a difficult time comparing our creations. but i like where she went with the Italian theme and tasted the 'Italy' in this one. this was a great achievement, i think, as the theme was experienced on two important levels: taste and heartiness.

DM on the Fietza: i remember thinking that the bread could have been wider. otherwise, i would have had to put less on this piece of bread to get the correct proportions. on the other hand, maybe a towering mound of ingredients is the best way to prepare a Fietza (fiesta pizza). i think it worked out in any case, and like most sandwiches, the fall-out is my ante-appetizer, a chance to try some of the ingredients on their own after the event. i enjoyed the combination of sweet and spicy, as always, and i can see how widely contrasting flavours are becoming my pursuit and signature. i was happy with this one.


AS's pick of the night: I feel my choices tonight are really between not enough of a good thing and too much of a good thing with tonight's sandwiches. One good as comfort food and one for moments of decadence. In the spirit of this competition though, I have to go with decadence. And Number 6 too, I think would have gone for decadence.

DM's pick of the night: this is a tough one for me, as i really liked Angelica's creation. though i like where i am going with the Fietza concept, i think, as Angelica said, less might have been more. her sandwich on the other hand hit the mark she aimed for and was a piece that in its exact form i would like to have again. on that basis, i give the win to the Pesto Almost-Panini.

The Prisoner: episode 07: Many Happy Returns

DM's thoughts:

i loved this episode because it started with a twist, progressed rapidly through plot points, and continued to deliver twists right up through the final scene. A break-neck pace, ascending questions answered by rushes of surprising storyline; it felt like a roller-coaster, and i'm looking forward to getting back on it.

*Another femme fatale for the faith and mental fortitude of our Number 6.
*A clever bit of dialogue writing to keep Number 6's true name concealed from the audience.
*Suspension of disbelief required to accept that Number 6, man of all-around savvy, would so poorly restrain his newly captive captors. And why did he head out to sea rather than follow the coastline more closely?
*Lingering confusion about Number 6's reasoning for trusting his old colleagues, as well as the allegiance to Number 6 on the part of those colleagues.
*And a question that will poke at every episode from here on in: does Number 6's knowing now where the location of the Village help him in any way?

Overall, a most satisfying episode. i can't wait to see how it looks after 17 episodes, and to hunt down the novels and comic books. Isn't there a new movie coming out soon? Is it a remake, a new chapter, a reinvention? i'm sure i could find out, but i am fearful of spoilers - for which reason i am resisting the urge to read the Prisoner guidebook given to me by AS for my birthday!


AS's thoughts: what are the chances that I would share the same birthday as Number 6? Well, 1 out of 365 in a non-leap year, but still, it's kind of cool that March 19 was chosen as a significant day in the story (It's Patrick McGoohan's actual birthday too). But on to the episode...it was the first half of this episode that I enjoyed the most...the deserted village, the adventure at sea, the lack of dialogue...it was refreshing to have a somewhat quiet and almost reflective start to this episode. What was he leaving behind...what could he be returning to? I have to admit, that I had hoped for a different second half...I wasn't sure that I understood why he would trust his old bosses...why he would go back to them instead of go underground or head for that tropical island. Of course it was clear that he would have to go back and that those who he thought were helping him would betray him, so I suppose I had to just go along with it. But still, I liked the change of pace of this episode, and am looking forward to the next round of being back in the village.

sandwiches: round 07: many happy returns theme

Dave's Sandwich: Revisiting my first one, the grilled cheese with brie and capers. This time, minus the pepper (an oversight), more capers, capers mixed into mashed brie, topped with a slice of brie, topped with caper juice, and slightly burnt on the bottom (a fortunate accident). The bread was a heavy white rice bread. Fried with butter.

Angelica's Sweet Repeat: cinnamon and pepper cream cheese, 9 blueberries apiece, melted semi-sweet chocolate, and a sprinkling of salt on buckwheat bread.

Music accompaniment: Deathcab for Cutie, Truckasaurus, The Battles.

Sides and Drinks: tortilla chips and mango salsa, shiraz

Intermediary event: The Festival of Lights fireworks finale, viewed from a rooftop deck.

AS on Caper Grilled Cheese: While I am still puzzled that the capers faded into the background on this sandwich, it was definitely a huge leap from its first showing. The brie oozed out in exactly the right way and the later addition of the caper juice brought is flavour up from a tab bit too subtle to just the right kind of subtle. The return of this sandwich was very much welcome.

AS on Sweet Repeat: my two earlier sweet sandwiches were either too bland or too sweet; I was hoping for a better balance this time. I had had my heart set on cherries rather than blueberries, but it seems we are at the end of cherry season and the pickings are slim. So blueberries it was and they were a more than adequate substitute. The flavours blended perfectly for me on this one and the additional dollops of chocolate on the last few bites took the sandwich up a notch into a dessert I'd gladly finish off any meal with.

DM on Sweet Repeat: Sublime (full stop)

Nota Bene - i maintain that the most effective manner in which to approach this open face meal is thusly: name the 9 blueberries with numbers starting at 1, moving upward in chronological order from left to right and row by row, resulting in the following pattern (which touch-tone telephone users will be familiar):

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

Holding the bread with thumb at a position between 1 & 4, index and middle fingers at 3 & 6, and letting the ring and little fingers support the bread from beneath position 9, bite the entirety of blueberry number 7, including the bread beneath it, taking care to avoid brushing chocolate topping with the upper lip or teeth. Follow similarly with blueberry numbers 9, 8, 4, 6, 5, allowing your fingers to retreat so as not to be also consumed. While blueberries 1 through 3 may be consumed in chronological or anti-chronological order, good form dictates that 1 be eaten first and 3 last. Attempting to eat 2 first will curry favour only with the lower order.

DM on Caper Grilled Cheese: That's what i was talking about in the first place! Though the pepper may have driven this winner into mythical status, it was nice to see what the capers and brie could do unaided and unmasked. Half way through our halves, i took the sandwich back to the kitchen to add the caper juice, as it seemed (yet again) that the capers' flavour abandoned ship at the sign of heat. i agree with AS that the brie to bread balance was nicely done, and has to measured against the character of the bread - in this case heavy and biscuit-like; perhaps all the cheese held it together.

AS verdict: Any sandwich that leaves me wanting more is a fine, fine sandwich. I wanted more of both...last night...and now. These sandwiches are too different to compare to each other so I will compare them to their respective categories. While I think I would stand by my original winners (AS for grilled cheese and DM for sweet), these would have been a very close second.

DM verdict: i will repeat what i said last night: this was less a competition than a collaboration: dinner and dessert made a well formed evening of eating (rounded out, of course, by appetizers and wine). i think i might have called a tie on the grilled cheeses if this entry could go back in time to replace it's malformed predecessor. And AS's Sweat Repeat, i think, would have taken the prize if it too had access to my time machine toaster.