The Prisoner's Dilemma

Brendan McLeod & Matthew Guzdial

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.

  1. 07/05/2025

    BONUS - Listener Q&A

    We 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/

    1h 32m

  2. 06/21/2025

    Fall Out

    We 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/

    2h 38m

  3. 06/07/2025

    Once Upon A Time

    Content 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/

    1h 44m

  4. 05/24/2025

    The Girl Who was Death

    Sometimes, 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/

    1h 38m

  5. 05/10/2025

    Living in Harmony

    The 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/

    2h 4m

  6. 04/26/2025

    BONUS - Ice Station Zebra

    An 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/

    1h 33m

  7. 04/12/2025

    Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling

    What 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/

    1h 35m

  8. 03/29/2025

    A Change of Mind

    Content 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/

    2h 7m
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brendan McLeod & Matthew Guzdial
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    The Prisoner's Dilemma