“Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling” is episode thirteen of The Prisoner.
For the only time in the series, it starts with a teaser. Several men are looking at a slideshow of photographs. Some are overexposed, some under, the rest are okay. One suggests there is no clue to find. Another, Charles, doesn’t accept that. And asks if they know where Seltzman is.
There is no Number Two scene either. Number Two is watching Number Six in the latter’s cottage as the helicopter is coming in. Two says it won’t be long now. A man, just called Colonel, is shown in to see Number Two. The Colonel would appreciate knowing what his duties are. All he knows is that he was sent on the highest authority.
Number Two asks the Colonel if he’s heard of Professor Jacob Seltzman. A neurologist, specialising in thought transference. He was able to transfer the mind of one person to another. Nobody knows where Seltzman is, and the last person to be in contact with him was Number Six. Two says that the major powers have each other’s spies in prisons. These are often swapped diplomatically. Seltzman’s process would allow a spy to be sent back with a mind of their choosing. They could break the security of any nation. Two shows the Colonel the amnesia room, where they can erase memories up to any point in time. Then a Seltzman machine. Six has been bundled off by goons.
Number Six awakens at home in London, and seems to have no recollection of the Village. He’s thinking to himself about his plans and Janet’s birthday present when he passes a mirror. And sees the Colonel’s face. The door goes and Janet arrives. She wants to know where Number Six is. Six, as the Colonel, doesn’t outright say who he is, but mentions a fitting for her birthday dress. Which, it turns out, was last year’s birthday. Janet hasn’t seen Six since. Number Six says Janet must be aware of the work he, the absent Six, does; for Janet’s father, as it happens. Six says it isn’t always possible for, well, himself, though he doesn’t say that, to always contact her and he may be out of contact for a year or longer. But there may be a message soon from Six. Janet’s fiancée.
Janet heads to see her father – Charles – who also doesn’t know where Number Six is. Six heads in as well. The first person he meets calls security, but Six knows a lot about the man, Danvers. A higher-ranking person arrives, and Six mentions Seltzman. After the man has cleared the room, Six says that Seltzman can swap minds between bodies. And shows a photo of Number Six.
Number Six is taken to see Charles. He says he can prove he is the man, by repeating personal matters. Such as when Six asked Charles for his daughter’s hand. Charles tells him that information could have been extracted from the real person. He agrees that nothing Six can tell him would prove that he is the real Six. Only to make him concerned enough to have him followed.
Number Six now needs to find Professor Seltzman, so he can be put back into his real body. And that’s what Number Two wants him to do; find Seltzman.
Patrick McGoohan doesn’t appear for much of the episode, with the Colonel being Number Six, as McGoohan was filming Ice Station Zebra at the time.