I’ve been watching an episode of Star Trek a day, starting from the beginning, so last night I watched “Dagger of the Mind”. It’s pretty similar to “A Change of Mind,” and that reminded me of something else from The Prisoner…

There are at least two episodes, “Free for All” and “A Change of Mind,” where the Villagers have “spontaneous,” organized reactions that also line up with Number Two’s plans. In “Free for All,” Number Six’s campaign was ready-made, with an army of supporters with posters and chants. In “A Change of Mind,” everyone is quick to shun the Unmutual, and just as quick to welcome back the Reformed.

There are obviously agents among the Villagers, but the premise of “Checkmate” is that the prisoners are afraid of the guards.

So what do you think is the deal with how easily the Villagers coalesce around Number Two’s schemes? Are they being coerced, are Number Six’s campaign crowds mostly guards, is it “Pavlovian” (such that coercion is no longer necessary), or is this just a statement that most people have accepted the terms of their imprisonment and will die like rotten cabbages?