Worth Watching

Released at the same time as 2001, how does this Cold War classic starring Patrick McGoohan hold up for modern audiences? The movie was not commercially successful, but that's okay, because we rewrite it for you to come up with an approach that would have been a big hit! Also, should this movie be considered a part of The Prisoner canon? Listen to hear our surprising conclusion! Us Twitter: @Worth...

Here are the final two of the four episodes Ron cruelly left out of his ordering. Was he wrong to do so? Only Guy can decide! Also, our epic discussion about re-ordering the episodes based on this listening experience. The resulting order: Arrival Free For All Checkmate Schizoid Man The General A.B. and C. Chimes of Big Ben A Change of Mind Living in Harmony Hammer into Anvil It’s Your Funeral Man...

Here are the first two of the four episodes Ron cruelly left out of his ordering. Was he wrong to do so? Only Guy can decide! Listen as your co-hosts try to navigate the shoals of disagreement to come up with the perfect ordering (or as Guy says, eh, he doesn't really care about the perfect ordering...) Hint: Ron has a change of mind about at least one of them!... Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Faceb...

Wow, we made it to the final two episodes of The Prisoner, which, let's face it, are the definition of controversial. What made the British so angry that Patrick McGoohan had to flee into the mountains and disappear? Who is #1, after all? A rocket or a monkey? Andrew Heaton, of Alienating the Audience , helps us figure it all out. Listen to the very end for a very special coda... Us Twitter: @Wort...

Ron describes this as the "last narrative episode", whatever that means. But there's no question this is an amazing story, half of it being silent, the other half very consequential. Why is the milkman the most significant character in The Prisoner? Can #6 ever come closer to escaping than this? Also, listen to the very end for some very personal stories, involving actual death, and, believe it or...

What's a Jammer? How much can you trust your underlings? Just who is out to get you, and why do they want you to wear that shiny medal? You can only find out by listening to this episode! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

This is a dark one! It starts with suicide and ends with a career shattered. Whose suicide and whose career? Listen on to find out! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

It's the Prisoner episode that exists because Patrick McGoohan had always wanted to do a Western... Is a fast gun or a fast horse more important in the Wild West? Can you change a man's soul without changing your own? Is refusing to wear a gun equivalent to protesting the Vietnam war? As always, all the answers are contained within! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If...

Who are the black pieces, who are the white? Who are the guardians, who are the prisoners? Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to win against a chess master (satisfaction not guaranteed) or how not to treat your employees if you'd like to escape The Village! We had a really fun discussion with this episode -- join us! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If yo...

Wow, turns out The Social Network is not the movie anyone would make about Facebook these days. But is it Worth Watching for a modern audience? Robby Soave, Senior Editor at Reason and guest host of the YouTube channel for The Hill, and author of Tech Panic, helps us sort it out. Is Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg fair and accurate? Did the Winklevoss twins deserve their windfall? Is Lar...

Want to hear lots about psychedelics in general and Altered States in particular? Want to know what to think of Hippies, the surprising true story of Woodstock, and the one shocking thing George Harrison refused to do on film? Intrigued yet? Listen to get all life's answers! Sarah is an expert on psychedelics, a comedian, and an all around great person. We had a blast talking to her. Sarah:   @srs...

When is a man not a man, but instead is his twin? How important is the choice between a white and black jacket? If you see two versions of your friend in a fight, which one would you shoot? These and other philosophical questions are answered (or not answered) in this episode! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

Nothing is more important in The Village than the democratic process! If you want to know who to vote for, join us as we discuss the most important election of our times. (Warning: Candidates may make promises they can't actually keep once in office...) Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

Per Ron, this is a foundational episode, really what people think of when they think of The Prisoner. Is Leo McKern the bestest #2 ever? Can art represent both the profundity of the religious experience and a rickety boat at the same time? Is it ever a good idea to allow for illegal weaponish items in the Village? Can a woman ever be trusted? You won't know the answer to any of these questions if...

It's the episode that dares to ask, "Who the heck is C?" -- and does that mean this story is based on algebra? As we'll discover, the world is but #6's dream, and we're all just players on his sleepy stage. Join us to discover whether this is a worthy entry in the series, and don't forget to bring your bow tie! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

We're joined by our very first guest, Andrew Heaton! We had a great conversation covering a wide range of topics like... Is Speed Learning the next big fad? Who the heck is The General? How did Napoleon accidentally shape modern education in the US? And most importantly, what kinds of logic questions can you use to short out your computer? Check out Heaton's podcast, Alienating the Audience ! Us T...

Join us for the conclusion of our discussion of the first episode of The Prisoner. Is one of the most influential TV shows in history actually Worth Watching? Only one podcast is qualified to tell you! Stay for the very end for a bit of a treat... Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

And so it begins! The mysterious spy is kidnapped to The Village and renamed to #6. Has Guy figured out who #1 is yet? Will #6 escape in the first episode? There's only one way to find out! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com

Why did we choose The Prisoner? What's the secret to the perfect episode order? How did the first episode of Danger Man/Secret Agent lead directly to the most iconic aspect of The Prisoner, and is that earlier show that made Patrick McGoohan famous worth watching for a modern audience? The answers can only be found here! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook This is a public episode. If you would l...

SEE the movie that kicked off the classic British series of Carry On Films! EXPERIENCE William Hartnell playing the kind of military role that stereotyped him and drove him to risk playing Dr Who! HEAR two very American blokes try to puzzle through Britishisms! Is this William Hartnell film Worth Watching for a modern audience? There's only one way to find out! Us Twitter: @WorthWatching4 Facebook...

Do we agree with the Dr that the Reign of Terror is the perfect vacation destination? Does the podcast formally support authoritarianism? The answers to these mysteries and more, given by the jaded Dr Who addict and the new guy who is finishing his first season of Doctor Who! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit b...

Uncover the mystery of the powerful Sensorites, the scariest aliens since the Terminator! They control people's minds, they float through space...what can't they do? Also, what's the fate of England in 400 years? To find out the answers to this and more, join the know-it-all Dr Who addict and the new guy who's not quite sure why he let himself get into this mess to see what we think!   This is a p...

Listen now (61 mins) | Does The Aztecs live up to its reputation? Is it really the template for Dr Who stories going forward? Does it have the best bad guy ever? Finally, is it worth watching for a modern audience? Join the jaded Dr Who addict and the new guy who's warming up to the series to see what we think! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

Terry Nation's first story after his incredible success with The Daleks. Can he do it again? And will his new diving suit monster survive the test of time? Listen to the jaded Dr Who junkie and the somewhat intrigued new guy debate the matter! (This was originally released as two episodes, which will explain some statements that would be otherwise nonsensical…) This is a public episode. If you wou...

We originally skipped this story, as we weren’t covering reconstructions (stories where episodes are missing and fans have put together still shots to go along with the audio), but eventually we changed our minds. So this episode was recorded as two episodes much later, and is being brought back in time... Let's find out if it was worth it! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...