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“The Prisoner”, a classic TV series, is apt lockdown viewing

Confinement is not all that makes the show timely

A MAN ANGRILY quits his job in London and drives his sports car home. He awakes the next morning, draws the curtains—and finds himself in a fantastical Italianate village. Confused, then indignant, he tries to leave. But the taxis and telephones provide “local service only”. The village and its inhabitants are nameless. Number 2 is in charge, though he answers to an unseen superior. The man is told: “You are Number 6.”

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline ““The Prisoner””

The new world disorder

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