Episode 12 -  A Change of Mind

The recap below contains plot spoilers about Episode 12, "A Change of Mind." If you haven't seen "A Change of Mind" yet, you can watch the full episode online.

No. 6 is the subject of a sinister plan to transform his mental processes by sound waves and drugs, with a beautiful girl as the operator.

Instant Social Conversion is the process by which hostile members of The Village have their attitudes changed, and the Prisoner (Patrick McGoohan) is the latest to be threatened with this sinister treatment.

It is the latest move on the part of No. 2 (John Sharp) to get the answer to this question: Why did he resign? The attractive No. 86 (Angela Browne) is one of the instruments used to trick him into joining the forces of the "unmutuals," who are reformed by a treatment combining drugs with ultrasonic waves directed against the brain and changing the mental processes.

No. 6, however, spots that No. 86 is attempting to drug his tea. He avoids this trap but nevertheless receives an injection that reduces him to smiling drowsiness utterly unlike his real personality. But his innate will power is still strong enough to resist giving the wanted answer.

He is taken to the ultrasonic theater. No. 86 is the operator, guided by the doctor (George Pravda). But dare No. 2 take the risk of changing his personality too completely and making him incapable of remembering why he resigned?

No. 2 is still frustrated. Twenty four hours must elapse before the treatment can be continued. This time, No. 6 is even more wary of attempts to drug him, and, when No. 86 makes the attempt, he switches cups. Under the influence of the drug meant for him, she accepts No. 6's suggestion that she should change sides.

When No. 6 tells No. 2 that he would like to tell everyone how grateful he is for removing the "unmutual" stigma, No. 2 sees victory in sight. But No. 6 has a deep hypnotic subject in No. 86, whose announcement swings public opinion against No. 2 in a sensational manner.