Adrian
Paul
Stan Kirsch
Alexandra Vandernoot
Jim Byrnes
Peter Wingfield
Elizabeth Gracen
...
Duncan MacLeod
... Richie Ryan
... Tessa Noel
... Joe Dawson
... Methos
... Amanda
This series took the Immortal mythos originated in the Highlander
movie and built it. It followed Duncan MacLeod, a distant relative to the movies'
Connor MacLeod. The episodes usually broke down into two parts: the present
and a parallel flashback story set in a historical period. The episode would
maintain the same style and music in both parts. The series also introduced
The Watchers, mortals who knew about Immortals, which added more intrigue and
not solely rely on a "Weekly Immortal Showdown." Immortal mythos was explored
with dark quickenings, new immortals, child immortals, the mentoring of Immortals,
and insane Immortals.
The series had strong writing and the acting was more than credible. Adrian
Paul, as Duncan MacLeod, potrayed a barbarian one week and a James Bond knockoff
the next week with equal ease. He had a background in martial arts, which added
credibility to his character. The show also created several memorable recurring
characters. Amanda was a beautiful thief. Fitzcairn (played by The Who's Roger
Daltrey) was a rascal. Joe was Duncan's mortal Watcher, who broke the rules
by admitting the Watchers' existence to Duncan. Methos, the oldest living immortal,
usually conflicted with Duncan over MacLeod's sense of chivalry and honor.
The final season of the show was a bit disappointing, although it did explore
the supporting characters. The show crossed genres and was part science fiction,
part historical fiction, part anthology. It crossed styles as well from comedy
to swashbuckling romance to action-thriller. It frequently discussed faith,
religion and God, which are topics that most shows won't delve into nowadays.
Somehow, in basing a show around fictional Immortals, it created some of the
most realistic characters and stories.
