The Prisoner: episode 15: The Girl Who Was Death

Angelica's thoughts: Like some of the other episodes, I wasn't quite sure where this one was going for the first few minutes...and not sure when the twist would come and what it would be, but I was glad to get caught up in the story. I really, really liked this episode. Sometimes when they go out of the village for an episode, I am eager to go back. But with this episode, I was on the edge of my seat with every new path that Number 6 went down. The story kept a quick pace, had interesting characters and involved many fantastic outfits (really, really great outfits...this episode easily gets the prize for Best Dressed). I wasn't sure if this was going to turn out to be a dream or an experiment inside of Number 6's head...and no, it was neither. I didn't quite pick up on the storybook element until later...could not have guessed it was simply about seeing if Number 6 would drop his guard with children. Perhaps it wasn't a story I would tell children, but it certainly gave some good insight into Number 6's character, and it's a story I wouldn't mind being told over again a few times.
Whoa, wild, wacky, whimsical. Another tricky bit of writing that allowed the creators to film outside of the Village without letting Number 6 out of the Village. And the strings that come with that: i was pretty confused right up until the end when i was assured that the oddities of character, costume, and physics were due to the imagination of children. Whew.

So, i liked this one. i'd probably will like any episode in this series. how can you go the wrong way in a place with no rules? the only rule is that the prisoner can't leave... ultimately.

Anyway, what i liked was seeing #6 in what must be something like his real life world, wandering about London like he owns the place, infiltrating ranks with clever disguises, using machines large and small as tools, solving riddles, escaping terrible traps, besting the baddies with bravado. and though i missed the Village and it's quirky denizens, these odd episodes out make the returns all the more happy.

i'm writing this after watching Once Upon a Time (which is on in the background again now), and the comparison is clear: the heavy, impenetrable psychological tours de force benefit from intermission. Give me London, give me a western town, give me a fairy tale and i'll be happy if it gives me a rest from the mental obstacle course that is Once Upon a Time.

My review here is more about types of episodes. In itself, The Girl Who Was Death is fun... and it reminds us in the end that clown dolls are creepy and do not belong in children's rooms. Number 6 is the kind of hero who takes the clown away from the kids and puts it in front of the guards' camera like, "Hey, you evil ne'er do wells, stop peeping, stop your clowning, and take a good look into this mirror."

sandwiches: round 15: Last Wish Indulgence aka The Last Meal

We went with a sort of episode linked theme tonight...if you had to choose your last meal, and if it just happened to be a sandwich...

Sides: melted brie and fresh blackberries on rice crakers; artichoke cheese squares

Drinks: Cabernet Sauvignon



Angelica's All In: lean prosciutto, spiced gouda and pecans candied in holiday syrup, all fried in a whole lotta butter on brown rice bread.


Dave's Last Meal in a Central American Slam: rice bread slightly fried, then toasted; chicken spiced with chili powder and cinnamon; strong cheddar cheese toasted melted; guacamole with pepper mixed in; served with side of fresh blackberry sauce with cinnamon.


AS on AS: there could have been too many flavours here, seeing as I put in all the flavours that I love - salty, smokey, sweet, buttery - but this all blended into a more heavenly taste experience than I could have hoped for. All the contrasting flavours simply made each other stand out. The homemade candied pecans is what put this one over the top for me...the unexpected taste of apple sweetness (from the holiday syrup) was the right kind of surprise for what looked like was going to be just another grilled cheese, and a very heavy one at that.

AS on DM: if there is one word that I would use to describe this sandwich, it would be "fresh". Even the cinnamon and spiciness tasted fresh and with every bite, I could taste summer. I loved the layers and the colours and the extra sauces to spread or pile on top. This sandwich literally felt like it could float up off the plate and into my mouth, which I think it might very well have actually done.

DM on DM: I don't feel like I have as many big successes as AS when it comes to my taste buds, but this one was really tasty and turned out as I had hoped. So, on a personal note, I was pleased with the concept-to-construct result as well as the food satisfaction. The cinnamon and chili powder seasoning was my favourite element of the sandwich, adding a little south america to the more central american tastes i went with. the leftovers were great too to the next day.

DM on AS: I called it a top 3 of the prisonersandwiches adventure and right now, a week later, I can't disagree because thinking about it makes me want another. It was a taste bonanza. Great balance, powerful tastes, lasting effect. AS has a great sense of what will work and has the proven ability to bring it to the plate.

The Verdict

AS: the judging seems to become harder and harder every episode. We seem to have, over the past 9 months, become skillful and ever more creative sandwich makers. Both sandwiches were amazing....but I think I have to give the edge to mine this round. I could not get its flavour out of my head, so much so, that the next night I could think of no better dinner than to use the left overs to make an entire one for myself and eat it all up. Which I did. And loved every bit just as much as the night before.

DM: Indelible, AS's takes this one. I have to say that I could have picked a better episode to make one of my favourite creations! But that makes for great evening of food.

The Prisoner: episode 14: Hammer Into Anvil

Dave's side: This was a great one. I'm sure the plot's been done many times, but the timing in this case made it so welcome. The tide was turned on one of the least likable Number Twos, soundly. It all reminded me of one of my favourite episodes of MASH where the ultimate prank is pulled: the prankster tells his foe that a brilliant prank awaits... and as time passes without a sign of it, paranoia blooms into sleepless, friendless, agonizing obsession. Number Six saw his opportunity in Number Two's fear of Number One. He turned the force of Number Two's clenched fist against him. And Number Two was cut down by the near edge of his own sword. Safely in my top 3 favourite episodes of The Prisoner, memorable enough to make my all-time TV list, and includes a trampoline battle scene with Asian background music. Over the top awesomeness.

Angelica's side: I really liked this episode and I really liked Number 6 in it. In this episode, it felt like he found a meaningful purpose within the village. In this episode, he found himself, at least for me, not as man trying to escape The Village, nor as man defending himself against the system of The Village, but rather as hero. He's out to avenge a death, to stand up to a challenge and to bring a man down. And that he does - with a little trickery here and a little trickery there - with a little looking for a pretend message here and leaving a pretend message there. And I ate it up. Every last bit of it. I liked watching Number 2 begin to suspect everyone around him, watching his paranoia set in - watching him dismiss everyone, one by one. And watching Number 6 run all over the Village setting up all his little deceptions everywhere. What would Number 6 think up next, what would Number 2 fall for next? This episode had me from the beginning and carried me right through to the end.

sandwiches: round 14: foundation room roams with the buffalo

Many a recent night have been spent at Foundation Room, indulging on nachos and attempting to balance things out with some healthy vegetarian dish or other...most usually Molten Tofu. So, what better sandwich inspiration than these two dishes, well, with a slight run in with some buffalo.
Angelica's Molten Tofu Buffalo Ikebana-wich: leftover Molten Tofu (tofu, black sesame paste, broccoli, spinach) mixed with ground buffalo, crushed garlic, green onion, chili sauce, rice flour, egg, salt & pepper to form a burger, served atop toasted sourdough rice bread with mayo and melted brie, garnished with broccoli/tofu ikebana.
Dave's Mexican Machete Burger Sandwich:
in the burger: ground buffalo, crushed corn chips, diced green spiced olives, shredded cheddar cheese, strips of salsa salami;
between the toasted sourdough rice bread: the burger, stuffed with a chunk of cheddar cheese and a spread of mayo, corn chips, green spiced olives, cheddar cheese, and salsa salami.

Drinks: gin cocktails

Background: episode 13 re-run

AS on AS: moist and flavourful, but missing the flavours of the dish which inspired it. But still, tasty and consistent to the last bite. And really, it's hard to go wrong with anything sandwiched between a layer of mayo and a layer of oozing, melted brie.

AS on DM: bright and lively flavours, just like a plate of nachos. The cheddar centre was a nice touch and great interpretation for the topping. This was no little nacho appetizer, but a full and satisfying meal.

DM on AS: i don't think i can say it better than above. i really like this one. looking back, i think this patty - with a little more moistness - would make for memorable canape appies.

DM on DM: turning out better than expected, i was more pleased with this creation than most if not all of my others to date. i liked the savoury, slightly sharp, nicely salty initial tastes and the apicy aftertaste was just what i was after when i conceived this one.



The Verdict: for DM, i'm going to go with my own on this. i am biased by two factors: the personal satisfaction being higher than usual and the craving of the night being satisfied. it's tough giving oneself the nod, but i just have to do it this time.

AS: my vote too goes for DM's sandwich. While both were really good, his just simply tasted better.