“A Change of Mind” is episode twelve of The Prisoner.
Number Six is exercising in the woods when two men arrive. They ask him why he doesn’t use the Village gymnasium. Six suggests he prefers privacy. He’s told that could be seen as being antisocial. Not the action of a public-minded citizen. The Committee will not like that. The two fight Six and lose, and one says that Six will face the Committee for this.
Six is waiting in the council chambers. A voice is speaking to 93, telling him to go to the rostrum and confess. They will tell him what to say, and he does. Six is called in. He’s asked if he’s completed his written questionnaire. He asserts, then tears it up. Six is told by the Committee’s president that they deal with complaints. Six has several. Six is told there have been charges levelled against him regarding his attitude towards fellow citizens. His spirit of disharmony. All they want is his complete confession. The president says they are ready for a tea break. This will resume following the Social Group and medical reports. They leave, as does Six.
The Tally Ho has an article on Number Six needing further investigation. Number Two is waiting at his cottage. Two warns this is only the beginning. Number Six is tolerated, but if necessary, he will be shaped to fit. Do not defy the Committee; if the hearings go against Six, Two is powerless to help him. A woman, Number Eight-Six enters. She says Six has a busy schedule. She warns him that his frivolous attitude towards the Committee is dangerous. He must try to cooperate, join in with the group spirit.
Number Two is watching with the Supervisor; he’s concerned they will lose Number Six.
At the Social Group. Six is not cooperating. He’s then taken for his medical. The doctor tells him he’s fit for anything. Six sees a man undergoing aversion therapy and another patient tells him to relax. The other has a scare on his temple. He says he was unmutual.
At the next meeting of the Committee, Six is told that the Social Group classed him as unmutual. Any further complaints and he will get instant social conversion. Outside, the man handing out The Tally Ho leaves; the article says Six is declared unmutual until further notice.
At Six’s cottage, no-one answers the phone when he picks it up. Four ladies turn up at the door, representing the appeals subcommittee. Six’s behaviour leads them to conclude that it’s premature to look for contrition in him.
Number Two is watching with the Supervisor. Two wonders how their loner will withstand real loneliness. People are now ignoring Six, and leaving when he’s around. Back at his cottage, the appeals subcommittee have another go at him. If he refuses help, there’s only one course open. Number Two calls; he warned Six that the community would not tolerate Six indefinitely. Six asks if they are going to use drugs. No; something permanent. Isolation of the aggressive front lobes of the brain. The announcer says that those wishing to study the conversion of Number Six should report to the hospital, as he’s dragged there.
Number Six will undergo instant social treatment for being unmutual. Like so many things at the Village, it’s smoke and mirrors.