Highlander: The TV Show

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I loved Highlander: The Series, they created an ASSLOAD of Immortals. Established new "rules," and had amazing plots for syndicated television. For example: the episode Manhunt.

 

 

Carl Robinson (From Run For Your Life) has finally become a big-league ballplayer. During Spring Training, he's challenged by an Immortal. He kills his enemey, but is now wanted by the Police; ending his baseball career. He comes to MacLeod for help and discovers that Matthew McCormick; an Immortal FBI Agent who is a swordsman on MacLeod's level, is after him. It seems that Matthew was Carl's teacher and was married to Carl's owner, but after he freed Carl, Carl returned and killed his former own and his former owner's son. McCormick vows to hunt him down. The episode brilliantly creates a conflict where there are no bad guys, and gives it a throughly satisfying conclusion.

 

 

Anyone else have a favorite episode?

[Guest wildpegasus]

I watched that baseball episode. I have a bad memory so I can't pick a particular favourite episode but Manhunt was definitely one of the better shows. One other accolade this show deserves is that it has perhaps the best starting of a TV show ever! How can you not get pumped up for the show after watching that?

Kung-Fu the legend continues also deserves props for being a fantastic syndicated show.

[Guest DrTom]

I heave Season 1 on DVD (Season 2 comes out in July), and I was working on a massive review for the site. I've watched 18 of the episodes in the first season (I've seen all but a handful of the entire series in its various syndication runs) for the review, but school is derailing those efforts at the moment. One of these days, it will grace the main page.

 

But yes, I have to give mad ups to the series. The sixth season was pretty forgettable apart from a couple episodes, and I think it peaked from seasons 3-4 (featuring lots of METHOS~!), but it's definitely a good series overall.

 

As for a favorite episode... wow, that's pretty tough. It would definitely have to be one of the ones with Methos in it, since he was my favorite character in the series. For pure sadist value, the episode when Richie dies is excellent because I never liked Richie, but I can't call that one my favorite in good conscience.

[Rendclaw 0]

I can't pinpoint a favorite episode, but I loved the Dark Quickening storyline, even if it did result in Richie's death. I liked Amanda's infrequent visits into and out of Duncan's life...

 

Its a shame that Adrian Paul's injuries were such a factor in stopping the series... as long as they had solid writing, that show could have lasted to the present day.

 

As for Highlander: The Raven....

 

While Elizabeth Gracen was good at playing Amanda, that abortion of a spinoff series was proof positive that Adrian Paul was the best for Highlander, right there with Lambert, who passed the torch in the pilot.

 

just as a closing note, some women do NOT look good as blondes; Elizabeth Gracen is one of those women.

[Guest DrTom]

The Raven was a terrible series, mainly because Amanda was the wrong choice for a spinoff character. She was a good supporting player in the main series, even effective in the more regular role she had in the last 2+ years. But the spinoff should have been based around Methos. He was by far the most interesting character in the series, and they had 5000 years of world history to play with. Pompeii is destroyed? Hey, Methos was there, and this is how he survived. The possibilities are endless.

 

As for Elizabeth Gracen's hair color, she definitely looks better as a brunette (I prefer brunettes to blondes in general, so I'm biased), but I wouldn't kick her out of bed even if she sported a rainbow-colored crew cut.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

The Raven was a terrible series, mainly because Amanda was the wrong choice for a spinoff character. She was a good supporting player in the main series, even effective in the more regular role she had in the last 2+ years. But the spinoff should have been based around Methos.

Come on Tom... the spin-off should've been called Watcher and starred Joe Dawson as a mortal who becomes aware of an Immortal conspiricy and decides to fight back. It could've been HUGE.

 

 

Another great episode was Dramatic License, it was part Highlander, part- parody of Danielle Steel. I loved it because it featured Terrence Coventry; a pompous ass of an Immortal who just couldn't help but love.

 

 

Coventry: "... as her hands went down to his britches..."

MacLeod: "Kilt."

Coventry: "BASTARD!" *slaps MacLeod*

 

 

I loved the psuedo-duel they had at the end, because it was a tribute to Robin Hood and it was clear they were just having fun with it, instead of really fighting.

[Rendclaw 0]

The Raven was a terrible series, mainly because Amanda was the wrong choice for a spinoff character. She was a good supporting player in the main series, even effective in the more regular role she had in the last 2+ years. But the spinoff should have been based around Methos. He was by far the most interesting character in the series, and they had 5000 years of world history to play with. Pompeii is destroyed? Hey, Methos was there, and this is how he survived. The possibilities are endless.

 

As for Elizabeth Gracen's hair color, she definitely looks better as a brunette (I prefer brunettes to blondes in general, so I'm biased), but I wouldn't kick her out of bed even if she sported a rainbow-colored crew cut.

I think a spinoff series around Methos would have by turns been fascinating and terrible.

 

Fascinating because yes, Methos is 5,000 years old and has been through countless events in history, and some of the people he would have met or known would have been fascinating to recap and see how it affects his life in the present day.

 

Terrible because it would have (in my opinion) destroyed the aura of wisdom and mystery (albeit wrapped up in a rather cynical package) that surrounded Methos. I have no doubt that Peter Wingfield would have pulled it off as an actor, but I don't think he has the martial arts/swordsmanship skill that Adrian Paul had, and that would have dragged the show down.... not to mention as many Immortals that came looking for McLeod's head, how many would have come for Methos? You could multiply that by an order of magnitude. Sure he has 5,000 years of experience, that in itself makes him a bigger target.

 

I'm truly conflicted about the possibilities of such a show... I guess it all comes down to the quality of the the scripts....

 

While we're on the subject, was anyone happy with Endgame? I thought it was pretty damn good, and I can watch Bruce Payne all day as an evil Immortal.

[Guest DrTom]

Come on Tom... the spin-off should've been called Watcher and starred Joe Dawson as a mortal who becomes aware of an Immortal conspiricy and decides to fight back. It could've been HUGE.

I don't like Dawson as an avenger. He's fine in his role as a Watcher, aiding MacLeod at times, even though he knows he shouldn't, and only acting directly against Hunters like Horton. I just don't think Dawson tackling an Immortal conspiracy would be a credible storyline.

 

Of course, the series didn't *need* a spinoff, but I maintain it should have been based around Methos. Methos is rule. All your base are belong to Methos.

[Guest DrTom]

I think a spinoff series around Methos would have by turns been fascinating and terrible.

That describes the main series, too. Sure, it was good overall, but it laid its share of eggs along the way. There were a few miserable episodes that spring easily to mind, but they were counterbalanced by the better episodes, and the show's deft touch with comedy.

 

Terrible because it would have (in my opinion) destroyed the aura of wisdom and mystery (albeit wrapped up in a rather cynical package) that surrounded Methos.

It's hard to say. We know he ends up that way, but life is a journey, not a destination, even when you're five millennia old. I think it would have been very interesting to see Methos at numerous parts along the journey. We know how MacLeod ended up, and there are some flashbacks that paint him in a different and much more negative light. It doesn't take away from the modern character, though.

 

I have no doubt that Peter Wingfield would have pulled it off as an actor, but I don't think he has the martial arts/swordsmanship skill that Adrian Paul had, and that would have dragged the show down.... 

He's a very accomplished actor, and I think he would have done an excellent job if given a chance to cut his teeth on a starring role with Methos. The martial arts and swordsmanship wouldn't be an issue. Wingfield wouldn't need to be a lifelong devotee like Paul; a summer crash course in karate and swordplay would probably satsify everything he had to do for the show. Matt Damon learned his martial arts for The Bourne Identity in six weeks, but you can't tell that just by watching him.

 

Sure he has 5,000 years of experience, that in itself makes him a bigger target.

Methos was always very good at hiding, though. How long did he hide out amidst the Watchers themselves, working on his own chronicle to make sure he would never be found?

 

While we're on the subject, was anyone happy with Endgame?

Eh. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't call it a great movie. It did what it needed to do, and it was pretty entertaining along the way. The script was lacking noticably in several areas, but maybe they'll get another movie with Duncan to do it better.

[Rendclaw 0]

QUOTE

Sure he has 5,000 years of experience, that in itself makes him a bigger target.

 

Methos was always very good at hiding, though. How long did he hide out amidst the Watchers themselves, working on his own chronicle to make sure he would never be found?

 

That was something that I never understood. Just how was Methos able to hide his aura from other Immortals? I must have missed an episode where it was explained.. either that or I don;t remember.

 

QUOTE

I have no doubt that Peter Wingfield would have pulled it off as an actor, but I don't think he has the martial arts/swordsmanship skill that Adrian Paul had, and that would have dragged the show down....

 

He's a very accomplished actor, and I think he would have done an excellent job if given a chance to cut his teeth on a starring role with Methos. The martial arts and swordsmanship wouldn't be an issue. Wingfield wouldn't need to be a lifelong devotee like Paul; a summer crash course in karate and swordplay would probably satsify everything he had to do for the show. Matt Damon learned his martial arts for The Bourne Identity in six weeks, but you can't tell that just by watching him.

 

Ugh, Matt Damon.... you have a point but don;t get me started on the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck Brotherhood of Below Average Actors...

 

QUOTE

While we're on the subject, was anyone happy with Endgame?

 

Eh. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't call it a great movie. It did what it needed to do, and it was pretty entertaining along the way. The script was lacking noticably in several areas, but maybe they'll get another movie with Duncan to do it better.

 

It played out like a 90 minute TV episode, which was good and bad. I do hope that they do another one, though.

[Guest DrTom]

Just how was Methos able to hide his aura from other Immortals? I must have missed an episode where it was explained.. either that or I don;t remember.

He wasn't. IIRC, another Immortal discovered that "Adam Pearson" wasn't who he claimed to be. Methos was shot in the stomach, and his subsequent revival ruined his gig for whomever was nearby (I don't recall exactly, since I only saw this ep once). This is also back when Methos had a distinctive Quickening. Eventually, he got the same sound effect everyone else did, but for a while, you KNEW it was him. Which seems appropriate, IMO.

 

Ugh, Matt Damon.... you have a point but don;t get me started on the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck Brotherhood of Below Average Actors... 

While I'm not a big fan of either, I also don't think they're as bad as they get (dis)credit for being. Damon was actually very good as Jason Bourne, I felt. His minimalistic approach to the part was perfect, and the constantly busy eyes were a nice touch.

 

It played out like a 90 minute TV episode, which was good and bad. I do hope that they do another one, though.

I hope so. They'd best hurry, lest Adrian Paul run into the same problem Christopher Lambert faced: he's hitting middle age, playing a man who doesn't grow old. I think Paul is ~44, so they're running out of time to really cash in on him. With the series' seasons being released on DVD, this would be a great time to cash in on any added visibility the franchise is getting.

[Rendclaw 0]

Just how was Methos able to hide his aura from other Immortals? I must have missed an episode where it was explained.. either that or I don;t remember.

He wasn't. IIRC, another Immortal discovered that "Adam Pearson" wasn't who he claimed to be. Methos was shot in the stomach, and his subsequent revival ruined his gig for whomever was nearby (I don't recall exactly, since I only saw this ep once). This is also back when Methos had a distinctive Quickening. Eventually, he got the same sound effect everyone else did, but for a while, you KNEW it was him. Which seems appropriate, IMO.

 

That makes sense.. It just seemed to me that he could hide anyplace from any Immortal, and chose to reveal his aura/presence when he wanted to...

 

Ugh, Matt Damon.... you have a point but don;t get me started on the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck Brotherhood of Below Average Actors...

While I'm not a big fan of either, I also don't think they're as bad as they get (dis)credit for being. Damon was actually very good as Jason Bourne, I felt. His minimalistic approach to the part was perfect, and the constantly busy eyes were a nice touch.

 

Aside from being overexposed, my dislike of Ben (granted I lump Matt in there because I haven't seen Bourne Identity yet and they're best friends) spiked after seeing Daredevil... He wasn't *bad* playing the role of Matt Murdock, but he didn't really bring anything to the role. It could have been a better movie with another actor playing lead, instead the studio played it safe with a marketable name.

 

I kind of have the same argument with Jennifer Garner as Elektra. It was a little difficult to believe her as a young woman of Greek descent with *no* ethnicity. I remember her back in her heyday inthe comics.. just by looking at her you KNEW she was Mediterranean.

 

It played out like a 90 minute TV episode, which was good and bad. I do hope that they do another one, though.

I hope so. They'd best hurry, lest Adrian Paul run into the same problem Christopher Lambert faced: he's hitting middle age, playing a man who doesn't grow old. I think Paul is ~44, so they're running out of time to really cash in on him. With the series' seasons being released on DVD, this would be a great time to cash in on any added visibility the franchise is getting.

 

He's 44? Damn, I didn't think he had topped 40 yet... the man has good genes, because I never would have put his age that high.... in that case, I agree... wrap up the whole thing and bring it to a close.. I would love to know what happens when Duncan is the only one left.

 

::sighs as he has a little trouble with the quoting system::

[Rendclaw 0]

on another note, TNN gets my respect for playing the Highlander series, in effing ORDER no less.

 

I had forgotten just how gorgeous Tessa was.

[Guest DrTom]

::blinks:: TNN? When is the series on?

[Rendclaw 0]

either 5 or 6pm EST...

[Guest DrTom]

It's 5:00, which sucks because I'm rarely home from work before 5:30, and it conflicts with Knight Rider on Sci-Fi.

 

Fuck, I need a Tivo.

[Guest Grand Slam]

Highlander, the first movie, was brilliant. Everything after has been, shall we say, less than good.

 

I enjoyed the show if I kept in mind that it had nothing at all to do with Highlander: The Movie. In fact, lots of stuff from the shows directly contradicted important parts of the movie. Like, you know, the whole "Conner wins the game" thing.

 

One other thing... you know what the most rare thing in the Highlander universe is now? A normal person still in the dark about all this Immortal stuff... only like 12 of them left.

[Rendclaw 0]

It's 5:00, which sucks because I'm rarely home from work before 5:30, and it conflicts with Knight Rider on Sci-Fi.

 

Fuck, I need a Tivo.

Or a simple VCR.... which reminds me I should be taping myself, if I can keep the damned cats from climbing behind the entertainment center and unplugging everything....

 

But this next week coming up, I have the morning shift, so I can watch it when I get home, which is a not a bad thing, its a GOOD thing.