The Anorak Zone Forums

[Apparatchik]

Arlen was the double agent in Blake, who "suddenly" turns from a criminal turned rebel into a "Federation Officer". I think in the commentary Boucher said that Sasha Mitchell didn't really do what he wanted in portraying a double-agent. It really contrasts with Rachel Hebert's No. 58 in Free for All. I found her the creepiest character in The Prisoner. Still I would rather watch Blake more times than Free for All. Funny how that goes.

[Anorak]

Is what you're saying is that they're both carved from the same tree?

[Apparatchik]

Well they both have the same function; pretend to be one thing, in order to lure the target, and then turn into another when the time comes. Hebert just pulls it off better. When I first watched Free for All, I did not suspect her. The quirky slavic language and bubbly personality threw me. Then notice her look when No. 6 is freaking out at No. 2's control station. Theres a controlled malice as she leads him away, strips the no. 2 badge from his coat and then proceeds to slap him, 7 times as you Anorak pointed out in the review.

Sasha Mitchell did not seem to change much and I guess I figured she was federation from the gitgo. The clumsy dialogue between her and Blake on how she got a Federation gun was just too much a clue. Also Villa took her out much too easily. Maybe I am being too hard. I think I will watch it again and see. The character concept is fascinating and belongs to both Blake's 7 and The Prisoner. Both shows are about power and trust.

[Anorak]

Oh sorry I was thinking of the plank from The Schizoid Man.

[dcampbell]

Also Villa took her out much too easily.

<Somewhat tangentially>

I think that says more about Vila than it does about Arlen.