Top Ten: Science Fiction and Fantasy!

Welcome to our new Top Tens series in celebration of I Think, Therefore I Review's Tenth Anniversary! These monthly lists will highlight special themes and topics from our extensive archive of reviews.

This time I Think, Therefore I Review presents in chronological order...

 Our Top Ten Science Fiction and Fantasy!

Fantastic Voyage

The Last Starfighter

Somewhere in Time

The Beastmaster

The Princess Bride

The Witches (1990)

Highlander: The Series

Soldier

Maleficent

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Don't forget to visit our Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Kid Friendly labels for still more genre entertainment!

I Think, Therefore I Review began as the blog home for previously published reviews and reprinted critiques by horror author Kristin Battestella. Naturally older articles linked here may be out of date and codes or formatting may be broken. Please excuse any errors and remember our Top Tens will generally only include films, shows, books, or music previously reviewed at I Think, Therefore I Review. 

Highlander: The Series Season 6

Highlander Season 6 Disappoints

By Kristin Battestella

Well, as my husband said, “It’s all downhill from here.”  After continued improvement, top notch syndicated television, and impressive immortal capabilities in its first five seasons, Highlander: The Series limps through its 97-98 shortened final season for a very unfortunately discolored conclusion.

After the murder of his friend and fellow immortal Richie Ryan, Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) retreats to a Southeast Asian monastery for a year and mentally prepares for his battle against the demon Ahriman.  Ahriman taunts MacLeod by appearing in the guises of the Highlander’s late enemies: the rogue watcher James Horton (Peter Hudson) and the leader of the four horsemen, Kronos (Valentine Pelka).  The friendships between Duncan, ancient immortal Methos (Peter Wingfield), and watcher Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) also become strained as MacLeod retreats to his Parisian barge, aides several female immortals from his past, and tries to find himself again.

Yeah, that is kind of a sucky summary of Highlander: The Series’ 13 episode final season.  Unfortunately, this season itself is kind of sucky and should most definitely not be used as judgment for the series as a whole.  Year 6 begins a little hokey with the two-part Ahriman opener “Avatar” and “Armageddon,” then concludes with an It’s A Wonderful Life cop out in “To Be” and “Not to Be.” Yes, it’s too abstract, David Lynch-esque, and mystical, but the Ahriman storyline- carried over from the finale of Season 5- both takes too long to get over with and yet seems to be too easily wrapped up and tidy.  While a fan of the series can see the importance of MacLeod going this route, questioning the meaning of his immortal life, and despairing over the death his longevity causes; this critical turn is only explored in half the episodes this season.  Highlander: The Series just gets too weird here, departing from all that made it so great in favor of bad immortal crime and female revenge crap.  This tiresome stretch of chicks all seem the same and drive this season into the ground. We’ve never seen any of these women before- at the very least why should we care about them when the immortals we know and love have so much more to tell?  If anything, Season 6 has me feeling a little bit of resentment for these guesting women who do nothing but waste the precious time being taken away from our real players.  Though a lovely piece in of itself, only MacLeod ends up with some small resolution in the series finale- which seems more like a mid-season two-parter by magically presenting the alternate possibilities of the rest of our company.  Yes, the show is supposed to be about The Highlander.  However, over the previous 5 seasons, we saw just how much MacLeod both rose and fell based on the mortal and immortal support about him.  To simply have the others smile as the sun sets is a little unfair for all the characters- and certainly unkind to the audience.  But again, it is still a lovely final episode, complete with a tear-jerking Highlander: The Series goodbye montage.  Sniff.

Fortunately, there are a few goods to be had this season.  “Diplomatic Immunity” and “Black Tower” are worthy MacLeod centric episodes.  “Unusual Suspects” with Roger Daltry returning as Hugh Fitzcairn is also great in another fun, all in the past delight that again proves more could have been done historically instead of resorting to these immortal women follies. And let’s talk about all these guesting female immortals.  Isn’t it amazing that in 13 episodes, it seems like we’ve had more lady immortals than in all the previous seasons combined? Hmm, why is that? Some of these gals are, unfortunately, seriously bad.  Dara Tomanovich (Bio-Dome) as Alex Raven in “Sins of the Father” is kind of cool, perhaps the first female immortal who can actually fight and likes it.  Her plot and motorcycle style, are however, a bit Renegade; and again, I wonder why Highlander: The Series would choose to retread this route.  Highlander I have on DVD, Renegade I do not.  No one is rerunning Renegade anywhere, Highlander is being remade, and Lorenzo Lamas can’t even keep a reality show about his crazy family on E!.  Even more tragic is Alice Evans (Her claim to fame is the way she ruined the career of her husband, Hornblower’s Ioan Gruffudd) in “Patient Number 7.”  While it’s not a bad premise, the episode is just very badly done, and Evans most definitely cannot carry one show, let alone an entire spin off. Likewise, “Justice” and “Deadly Exposure” just stink.  Claudia Christian (Babylon 5) is lovely, but her backdoor pilot “Two of Hearts” is just…no. Not only does it have none of the regular players, but also the subsequent episode “Indiscretions” exclusively features Dawson and Methos and thus proves just how unnecessary all this Star Search for the next female immortal really was. You want another gal in the cast? It might have been nice to see more of Joe’s daughter Amy (Louise Taylor, Eyes Wide Shut) as a player in Highlander: The Watcher Adventures.  Anything would have been better than how Season 6 actually turned out, I’m just saying.  

Of course, the MacLeod specific episodes are still the best, but remember, Duncan is, well, barely there in Year 6.  Of course, we’re sorry to see him go, but in many ways, one can understand star Adrian Paul’s readiness to depart towards bigger and better things. He even cuts his hair, people!  Seriously, what else was left for Mac? Why did they need to reduce the character to a shadow of his former self this season anyway? Did they really have so little faith in the rest of the cast without him?  Why couldn’t Duncan have stayed monking it out in his temple while Joe, Methos, Amanda, and a new watcher or young immortal or two had adventures searching the globe for the elusive Highlander? Although it’s kind of silly, I want to say Season 6 is a little underhanded in the way MacLeod is treated. After 5 years, he can go through whatever serious stuff he wants this season- so long as he gets over it in 3 episodes? It’s almost cruel to end Highlander: The Series this way.  As I wrote in my Season 5 essay, I would watch “The Modern Prometheus,” skip the Year 5 finale “Archangel,” and the Ahriman plot, then pick up “Unusual Suspects” and “Indiscretions” here before the series conclusion.   Everything else is kind of a slap in the face for longtime viewers. 

Previously, I’ve also mentioned my continued chagrin over the irregular cast credits and character appearances in Highlander: The Series.  Now that Elizabeth Gracen and Peter Wingfield are at last included in the main credits, they don’t %^&*# appear!  And their opening clips are some crappy shots, too. There were so many great scenes to choose from and this is what they get? Ironically, Roger Daltry as Fitzcairn- guest star of 3 episodes- appears more than Amanda and Methos! Jim Byrnes appears in count ‘em 5 measly shows this year, and I just find that unacceptable!  Why couldn’t he be the one helping some of these unnecessarily troubled chick immortals, huh?  Did they only have the new Le Blues Bar set for a few days or something and wrote Joe out along with it? Why make the big stink of him transferring to Paris to watch MacLeod if we are hardly ever going to see him?  I can imagine someone tuning into Season 6 on television and seeing some of these regular-less episodes and simply saying, ‘What the hell?’

Much as I love Amanda, the format taken for her brief spin off Highlander: The Raven again inexplicably returns to all the cop and crime pitfalls that hampered the first two seasons here.  Why why why?  Excuse my French, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Honestly, I really don’t understand why Amanda, Methos, Joe, and perhaps a new immortal or a returning cool like Carl Robinson couldn’t continue Highlander: The Series as it was without MacLeod.  Sure, it is supposed to be about the titular Scot, but Season 6 and perhaps even another year could have been great immortal fun in a search for Duncan or even film Highlander Connor (who gets no mention in the finale whatsoever) ala Blake’s 7. Heck, give us another new immortal MacLeod to carry on- incorporate Quentin from The Animated Series.  Why not return Kristin Minter as Mac’s kissing cousin Rachel MacLeod if you want a woman so badly? My goodness, even Joe sitting at his desk browsing the Watcher Database and introducing us to a flashback could have been fun- especially if it was something unseen from Methos’ few thousand years. Then perhaps we could have had an investigator coming onto the Game and the Watchers and let that segue into a separate Amanda show.  They could have continued in a series of 90-minute movies with some of our favorite immortals from the past, too. You have 5,000 years of Methos and instead you make a spin off with contemporary cop plots? Wow, that isn’t like every other show on television, no, not at all. Hell, I’m not buying that, and The Raven was cancelled because no one else bought it, either. I know I’ve spent more time complaining than properly reviewing, but there were so many other possibilities for Highlander: The Series to take before choosing to just whimper away with a half season of mistakes and a spin off that was flawed at the start. It’s just so effing sad to end like this!

Fortunately, we spend this shortened season exclusively in Paris, and the European locations and period flashbacks are great as always.  We see a lot of pre-MacLeod times and places in a good portion of the flashbacks- thanks to our rotating door of 1,000 year old immortal gals (Didn’t we already have a 1200 year old immortal gal? coughamandacough) Still, it’s nice to see that the historical style holds up without the eponymous man himself.  Unfortunately, the action suffers this season thanks to all those guest ladies who can’t hold a sword to save their lives.  They all also seem to wear the exact same pair of black jeans with a zippered up black leather motorcycle bomber, too.  And again, chick Quickenings are a Hell No. Even Duncan’s sweet Barge suffers- losing all its wonderful art and décor so Mac can have a more Zen like environment.  What did they do, sell all the stuff to pay for this clunky half a season? 

 (Black Leather can actually save you money!)

While season 6 may leave a bitter taste even in the Highlander completist’s mouth, it’s more important to look at the gem of the series overall.  Most shows have crappy first and last seasons.  In today’s instant ratings obsession, we wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to get past the first half of Season 1.  Though sometimes it might have made financing and production difficult, it’s wonderful that syndication and foreign formats allowed this show much more room to breath, explore, and be true to itself for full 48 minutes episodes for as long as it did.  Personally, I’d have to say I like Seasons 3 and 4 the best, followed by Year 5 and a step down to 2, and then Season 1.  We’ll give this 6^th Year an ‘iffy’ at best. 

Of course, the extras, interviews, audition tapes, bloopers, extended episodes, retrospectives, timelines, behind the scenes, scripts, and more on the DVD sets can’t be faulted for any lack of goodness.  Die-hard fans or new fans tempted to turn away from this season can always go back and enjoy all the wealth of supplemental material included with this series.  Perhaps that’s why the errors in Season 6 feel so strange, the Highlander: The Series powers that be showed so much love and appreciation previously with all these features and delightful treats.  Oh well, I suppose having this abbreviated disappointment should have been expected.  With 119 episodes, we were bound to have a few clunkers.  It’s just a pity all of Highlander: The Series’ badness came all at once. 

Damn, I can’t end these critiques on what is largely such a wonderful television series on a down note!  Whether familiar with Highlander or not, fantasy and adventure fans young and old who are looking for quality entertainment beyond special effects or bland visuals can definitely find the humor, romance, action, drama, emotion, and complexity they are looking for with Highlander: The Series.  I miss it again already!

Highlander: The Series Season 5

Highlander Peaks for Season 5

By Kristin Battestella

The immortal suave and sword fighting style of Highlander: The Series continues for Season 5 - from BC to the nineties and then some.   

Immortal Highlander Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) struggles with who he is and who is friends are- thanks to prophecies of good and evil and secrets withheld by the 5,000 year old Methos (Peter Wingfield).  Watcher Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) also wrestles with his immortal friendships and the mortality they so often harbinger.  Unfortunately, Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen) and Richie (Stan Kirsh) must also face immortal fame, infamy, and religion.  Can’t all these immortals just get along?

 One might think Highlander: The Series would retread a topic or two after such a solid syndicated tenure- but no.  Faith and hope in immortal pacifism are tempted in “Little Tin God” and “The Messenger”; the uses and wastes of immortality are  examined in “Haunted” and “The Modern Prometheus”; “The End of Innocence” questions the immortal mentor and student relationships.  Yes, the season opener “Prophecy” and the finale “Archangel” do stray into a little mythical and magic fantasy much- but hey, what do you expect in a show about folks who live forever? Fortunately, there’s plenty of fun, too, especially in the period piece treats “Money is No Object” and “The Stone of Scone.”  Despite its reduction to 18 episodes, Year 5 nicely balances one-off immortal explorations with ongoing storylines and multiple part shows. Instead of growing old and withered, Season 5 is the culmination of Highlander: The Series.  The audience knows the mythos and the players well enough by now, so there’s no need for filler or fluff or straying beyond the exploration of our Immortal repertoire. 

While some of the Depression era hijinks are oft played, at least Duncan MacLeod has some fun in the past, from time to time, occasionally- just so long as he doesn’t get too fun and crazy in the present!  MacLeod seems increasingly tired, weary, burned out beautifully by the likes of “The Valkyrie,” “Forgive Us Our Trespasses” and “Duende.”  Perhaps part of that was indeed the growing stress of Adrian Paul- naturally so much rides upon him.  However, it’s understandable that Mac gets tired of being the good guy after 400 years- in the same way he remains haunted by when he wasn’t always the good guy and made costly, nay deadly mistakes.  Duncan clings to his friendships in an attempt to deal with all this routine death- the cost for his long life- but even his support system carries tragic consequences.

 One thing that has always bugged me about the Watchers- you know the secret organization watching Immortals that isn’t really so secret and that isn’t supposed to interfere but always does- is that they’ve blindly keep their presence hidden from immortals. I’m so glad Joe Dawson at last gets his friendship with Mac out in the open.  Why can’t the Watchers share on a case-by-case basis with immortals?  Hey, he’s a good guy, I can ask him some questions about The Bronze Age and get the facts right!  “Glory Days” again gives us a beautiful peak into Joe’s life thanks to Duncan and likewise, Joe provides wonderful reflection in, well, every episode he appears!  By contrast, Amanda allows for more sexy fun and tongue in cheek cool with “Dramatic License.”  Not without their immortal drama, it’s also great to see her and Mac wonder what their relationship really is under all the laughter and if their difficulties could not only survive mortal conventions, but immortal lifetimes. Then let’s toss in some competition from Nicholas Lea (The X-Files) as Cory Raines in “Money for Nothing” just to keep the romance on its toes.  Of course, seeing Amanda and Roger Daltry’s Hugh Fitzcairn go head to head in “The Stone of Scone” is so, so sweet, too! 

I know I’ve mentioned some of the same episodes more than once- hey, they bear repeating- but most viewers probably remember ‘the horsemen ones’ most from Season 5, if not the entire series.  Peter Wingfield guests in count ‘em seven episodes this year, and “Comes A Horseman” and “Revelation 6:8” finally give us a piece of the Methos mythos (hee). Not that “The Messenger” and “The Modern Prometheus” don’t, but seeing the wild side of Methos is an exceptional antithesis to do-gooder MacLeod.  Toss in the lady scorned Tracy Scoggins (Babylon 5, The Colbys, and I always remember Watchers II for some reason) for 3 shows as immortal witch Cassandra, and oh me oh my! These storylines add to MacLeod’s own legend and the ancient presence of immortals without having to disastrously explain where they all come from- as in the various versions of Highlander 2. They are, they f*ck up, they move on.  Highlander: The Series needs nothing else, indeed. Although I must say, I always thought I liked Fitz more than Methos, but now I’m not so sure.  The Methos possibilities are just too interesting- be he good or evil, selfless and righteous for the greater good, or downright arrogant and self centered.  And does any one else think Colin Morgan on the new Merlin looks like he could be Wingfield’s son?  

 (This picture just cracks me up for some reason!)

Unfortunately, Richie always gets the short end of the sword and never quite gets a head above the rest.  “The End of Innocence” tries to backpedal on Richie’s off screen whereabouts from last season- but if the audience is supposed to find all this so important, why weren’t we seeing snips of these adventures then? How ironic he’s a regular character who also appears in only 7 episodes. Sadly, in this rewatch, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t really like Richie.  He isn’t treated as any more significant than the guest immortals, he’s kind of a jerk who always screws up or never really learns anything, or if so, the changes never stick as he comes and goes.  All that being said, when Richie gets a spotlight show like “Haunted,” Highlander: The Series still can’t go wrong. Here’s a lovely episode again exploring what exactly a Quickening may be- is it the spirit or the soul? Does it live on in the immortal who takes the victor’s head; do they obtain the quirks and characteristics of their beheaded comrades?  If that is the case, immortals must fight to the death in order to pass on all their greatness in one culmination towards The Prize.  In a way, it’s almost as if the Quickening is a unique form of…procreation towards one glorious being. Such Intriguing thoughts like this, however, are given a backseat so Richie can have another one off romance and then disappear. Snark.  The visiting Bruce A. Young’s (The Sentinel) Carl Robinson in “Manhunt” is far more interesting as the slave turned ball player with political hopes who can’t quite get past his own immortal racism. I would have loved to see Young return as a recurring player had the series gone on properly- but we won’t talk about those bads until Season 6.

Some of the narrations leading into the flashbacks this season are, however, a little unusual.  Show don’t tell, after all. Some exotic locations like Peru or unexplored times and places like Andersonville, the 1970s, and Spain add more zest and fun to the always lovely and upscale period design.  Again, perhaps Depression era crime and Nazi motifs are over played- and the dojo really looks ready to retire.  How can a members only gym be open all the time yet be so empty?  How can it close down and get wrecked all the time and expect to keep such bare clientele? Then again, episodes like “The Stone of Scone” make one wonder why Highlander: The Series didn’t do an entirely period episode at least once a season- or continue on with stand alone totally in the past television movies or multipart miniseries.  Of course, some of these answers are probably in the immense special features within these sets.  I confess I’ve yet to get through them all.  Thanks to the shorter episode order here, enthusiasts are treated to two entire discs devoted to interviews, convention footage, alternative episodes and deleted scenes, bloopers, character features, commentaries- plus a CD-Rom with scripts, trivia, and more. Yowza!

 Those who know and love the Highlander franchise will absolutely adore Season 5.  However, knowing how this year ends and considering the inferior Sixth Season, the lackluster spin off Highlander: The Raven, the split decision feature Highlander: Endgame, and the woeful direct to video Highlander: The Source; some fans may actually want to leave the franchise before the “Archangel” finale.  For myself I usually let it go at “The Modern Prometheus” and then pick up with the series finale. For once they start bringing in famous figures as immortals; you know the writing is on the wall.  It’s like when Quantum Leap had Marilyn Monroe and Elvis plotlines. Highlander: The Series need not go that way, and new viewers can’t come into the immortal universe this late, either.  Where have you been? Fantasy adventure fans young and old can live forever with Highlander.

 

Highlander: The Series Season 4

Still Plenty of Goods for Highlander Season 4

By Kristin Battestella

 

The goodness continues in 1995 for the fourth season of Highlander: The Series.  In fact, the immortal angst just keeps getting better and better- and dare I say it- even great.

 

Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) and his on again off again immortal love Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen) must face deadly rogue immortals and even a Dark Quickening while 5,000 year old Methos (Peter Wingfield) falls in love with a dying mortal woman.  When the Watcher Tribunal investigates watcher Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) for his friendship with Duncan and fellow immortal Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch), Joe must fight for not just his status in the secret organization sworn to observe immortals but never interfere- but also for his very life.  

 

Well, Highlander: The Series is now a class unto itself, complete with some seriously sweet opening credits.  Everything you need to know about immortals, Duncan MacLeod, and the Watchers is swiftly tressed out in style with this introduction!  At this point, Highlander: The Series is a completely separate entity from the inferior sequel films, even the sword sparring shot of theatrical Highlander Connor MacLeod is gone from the opening designs.  Season 4’s opener “Homeland” rekindles Duncan’s Scottish roots in fine form, exploring not just immortals freely beyond the film series’ restraints but also filling in Duncan’s timeline with both new places from the past and contemporary individual dilemmas.  Not oft touched subjects such as Vietnam are mixed with lovely immortal examinations on war, death, and revenge.  Mental illness is debated in “The Innocent,” creativity and human genius versus immortality are questioned in “Timeless,” and immortals seeking fame compared to those who are best left forgetting their immortal transgressions are contrasted in “The Immortal Cimoli” and “Through a Glass, Darkly.”  I think I’ll stop there; otherwise, I may end up chatting about all 22 episodes! 

 Oh dear oh dear, Duncan MacLeod can certainly be a melancholy bloke, can’t he? His continued somber stance and high road in each weekly dilemma is a wonderful contrast to his dishing out periodic beheadings.  Can he be both a warrior and loyal to moral oaths he has promised to himself and other immortals over the years? “Reluctant Heroes,” “The Wrath of Kali,” and “Chivalry” put Mac between the mortal rock and the immortal hard place again and again.  Sure, there may be great action and battles when we meet an immortal villain of the week, but Highlander: The Series is more wonderful when it brings immortal friends together and puts MacLeod in the middle.  Naturally then, it’s just great to see Mac go bad in “Something Wicked” and “Deliverance.” Not only can Paul- who also directed two episodes this season- be crazy cool, but it is so sweet to see Duncan knowingly struggle against doing wrongs he has fought against for centuries. Golly, Dark Duncan does a lot of using and abusing of any and all in his wake!  Likewise, the restored MacLeod pains over being called to assassinate in “Promises.”  Wow, immortality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be- who knew?   

 

 

Fortunately, MacLeod’s sexy run and gun lady foil Amanda adds some much needed cheerfulness and fun in “Double Eagle.” We even get to see a more tender and loving side to Elizabeth Gracen’s vixen in “Reunion,” where she bonds with Mac’s pregnant ex, Lisa Howard guesting as Dr. Anne Lindsay. “The Colonel” provides some great WWI action that comes back to haunt Mac- with Amanda being the one who saves the day for a change! By contrast, Peter Wingfield as Methos is wonderful as the angry and pesky advocate to MacLeod.  Despite his often sidelined observant and pacifist stance, Methos is not afraid to do what Mac cannot for the good at hand- or even the personal if it suits him.  He wouldn’t have gotten very far without being selfish would he? It’s never out right stated, but you have to wonder if Amanda and Methos have met before. “Methuselah’s Gift” may be one of the best non-MacLeod centric episodes of the series, and every time I watch it, it drives me insane that Wingfield and Gracen are not series regulars.  Why can’t they be in the credits?  These two appear in the same amount of episodes, if not more, than credited regulars Stan Kirsch and Jim Byrnes do. If all four were listed, it wouldn’t seem like such a disparity, but rather a rotation of supporting players.  Yes, its stupid things like this that keep me up at night!  

And yes, Richie finally has something to do in “The Innocent” and “Leader of the Pack.”  Even if it’s goodness at the time, he always ends up disappearing. Lisa Howard’s final appearance as Anne in “The Blitz,” tells us so much more than Richie’s sporadic appearances. If Kirsch is actually used like a guest star as needed, then why does he get to be in the ^&*(%#@ opening credits? Ahhh!   Fortunately, Roger Daltry and Roland Gift also return for “Till Death” and “Double Jeopardy.”  Even if there are 7 immortals in one episode, it seems no more than 4 or 5 are ever onscreen together- what’s up with that? Is that some sort of rule like Holy Ground that we don’t know about? This season I also feel like we don’t get enough of Joe Dawson- especially because what we do get teases us with the notion that there’s so much more to tell.  “Brothers in Arms” wonderfully highlights how Dawson came to the Watchers while also giving closure for Philip Akin and his Charlie DeSalvo.  Although they are almost clip shows recapping some of the immortal and watcher hijinks, the two-part finale “Judgment Day” and “One Minute to Midnight” recap the best parts of Highlander: The Series thus far. All those times you have questioned how Joe and MacLeod got away with all the death and secrecy have indeed come back to haunt them. 

 

I’ve already commented previously that some of the Quickenings in Highlander: The Series seem a little orgasmic, to say the least.  However, in this recent rewatching, I’m also seeing more homosexual innuendo and gay subtext than I used to notice.  Bare butt shots and picking out wallpaper together? Some of the relationships implied here and in Season 5- both male and female- even the entire notion of men cutting off each other’s heads to take one’s essence, the swordfights themselves, each immortal having a teacher or mentor who shows them the ways of it all.  Dear Lord, the way they hide on Holy Ground and become Priests with secrets!   Maybe I’m just older and wiser on seeing such themes onscreen now, or perhaps it is bemusing for some to look for such tongue in cheek goodness. It isn’t so overt to ruin Highlander: The Series for those not interested in such topics, but audiences who enjoy the male bonding and non traditional relationships may find some frank discussion of true companionship- with immortal twists of course.  For the series not to acknowledge the special life long relationships immortals can share would simply be unrealistic.

(This is how MacLeod greets Richie?) 

Again, I must say those opening credits are sweet- capturing the essence of the show in proper 90s style.  We simply don’t get fine introductions like this anymore! The period designs are again great, from the French Revolution to the Old West and World War II.  The house that Mac rebuilds is also neat- even if the real estate prices and square footage given onscreen don’t quite match up! The leather jackets and trench coats still look cool and timeless compared to some of the more colorful and crazy fashions from some immortals. What were they thinking?  The jazzy period music and Swing styles are also sweet as are new times and places like India.  Even past places we are used to seeing look good, more than good, high end even.  Fans who want to know all the behind the scenes ins and outs are again welcome to a smorgasbord of features.  Almost every episode offers some or all of the following: an audio and/or video commentary, a 5 or 10 minute behind the scenes and/or retrospective interview with cast and crew, Watcher’s Chronicles, deleted scenes, bloopers- and there’s a CD with every script and the series call sheets.  Mother Hubbard!

Simply put, if you are a fan of intelligent timeless action and adventure fantasy, there is no reason you shouldn’t love Highlander: The Series.  We’re done Season 4 now, come on get with it before you loose your head!

Highlander: The Series Season 3

Yes! Highlander Season 3 Rocks.

By Kristin Battestella

After a few growing pains and struggles to find its footing and players in its first two seasons, Highlander: The Series’ third year sends the heads rolling with plenty of fine drama, sweet action, and immortal style.

Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) once again faces Kalas (David Robb) - an evil immortal enemy from his past- in a battle that threatens to expose the existence of Immortals and the secret Watcher organization to the world.  Watcher Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) struggles between his oath to not interfere with immortal confrontations and his continuing friendship with Mac.  Richie (Stan Kirsch) takes up bike racing- a risky prospect despite his immortality while 1,200-year-old thief Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen) just can’t stay on the right side of the law.  However, is Dr. Anne Lindsey’s (Lisa Howard) budding romance with Duncan just as dangerous or is it the exact solace he needs?

At last, Season 3 establishes some internal consistency for Highlander: The Series and the result is a damn fine season with nary a bad episode in sight. The mortal crimes and drama in “Blackmail” and “Take Back the Night” are fresh and dynamic, tying in nicely with the immortal deceptions and relationship angles presented in “Line of Fire” and “Shadows.”  The Watchers are made useful and brought into the forefront, particularly in “Those Who Serve,” where we get a chance to see the Immortal Game from their supposedly uncolored perspective.  Consequences to one’s actions and inactions are investigated wonderfully this season with immortals debating their ability to change for good or evil. Can worthwhile redemption for horrid past doings be found for them? Whose place is it to forgive and judge immortals?  Religion, spiritual motifs, and even immortal drug use are examined in “Courage,” “Blind Faith,” and “Mortal Sins.”  Normal life issues such as parenting and the difficulty with computers also carry through Season 3, along with thoughts on the extreme price of perpetual youth in “The Lamb.”  While die-hard Highlander fans may know an episode title when they see it- even if you don’t recognize the titles, almost every show had me saying, ‘Oh yeah! I remember this one!’

We learn a lot about our titular Highlander this season, beginning with the 1994 opener “The Samurai” and going straight through to the two-part “Finale.”  Paul shows plenty of layers in Duncan through his past loyalties and contemporary justices. The sword fights and kick ass are without a doubt kick ass indeed, but there’s plenty of time for questioning immortality and space for 400 years of melancholy to get to someone. While he’s often shown enjoying himself in the flashbacks, Mac is afraid to open up again to another mortal girlfriend like Anne Lindsey.  Of course, the audience knows there will be trouble thanks to all those pesky immortal secrets!  While some may not like Anne simply because she follows Tessa in Duncan’s heart, its nice to have someone unaware who can be good for MacLeod.  Howard (Earth: Final Conflict) keeps Anne independent, intelligent, confident, and likeable.  But could the good doctor deal with immortality? Her job is to save lives, so a man devoid of a medical history and no immunization scars is just too much of a mystery for Anne. Fortunately, Elizabeth Gracen adds some spice and familiar fun as Amanda in “The Cross of St. Antoine” and the two-part season ender. Her duck and run immortal loyalty and devotion to MacLeod are perfectly at odds with her inability to go legit and not screw things up.   

Unfortunately, once again Richie and Philip Akin as Charlie DeSalvo get the short end of the supporting stick.  Charlie is written out of Season 3 nicely- not that his leaving is super good, but the episode “The Revolutionary” is sublime.  The character should have been a guest player as necessary all along, rather than been squeezed in willy nilly.  Likewise, Richie, despite being in the opening credits, only appears in half the episodes this year.  While the youthful immortal needed to go off and explore, sure, it’s tough to care again when he does come around for some motorcycle action.  The stock footage for the races and the intercut of Richie and his pals getting rough doesn’t help either. Why not let him have a season off so we can enjoy when he returns with heavy, living forever angst? Sometimes we see recurring players more than the folks actually in the opening credits.  Despite such a cool opening scheme, Highlander: The Series never seems to balance its core players or its ensemble repertoire properly in its listings. Michel Modo’s lovable but often drunk chef Maurice is also downgraded to a guest star this season, and it’s wonderfully that his few special appearances give him respect and something to do.

Watcher Joe Dawson again doesn’t appear as much as I might have liked, but the growth of the watchers as a help, hindrance, or detriment comes along wonderfully in Season 3.  Dawson is there for MacLeod despite the rules, and Duncan likewise.  Joe’s new bar is also a great place for mortals and immortals to mingle, and the neat introduction of Peter Wingfield (24) as Methos adds a separate watcher buddy angle for Dawson to explore.  Thankfully, this crack team unites wonderfully against David Robb (Swing Kids, I Claudius) as the Highlander’s bane this season, Kalas.  His midseason trilogy of “Song of the Executioner”, “Star-Crossed,” and “Methos” is perhaps when Highlander: The Series truly becomes great TV.  There’s not a crappy Renegade knock off plot in sight- just awesome immortals like Hugh Fitzcairn and Xavier St. Cloud- both played by cool rockers Roger Daltry and Roland Gift.  By time things get juicy for the two-part “Finale” there isn’t anything in this season of Highlander: The Series not to like.

I dare say it, but even the styles this season are catching up, with toned down dojo action, great blues music, and sweet French locations.  But my goodness they use that same Tudor house for every frickin’ thing!  Anne dresses a little edgy for a doctor- with short skirts and tall boots; but hey, it looks good and is actually still in relatively recent fashion.  Of course, the period piece scenes are top notch again, and we spend more time in the past- even having flashbacks within flashbacks. The times and places we visit also vary it up some, but a few return nicely to places and people we’ve already seen.  The transitions to the flashbacks are also nicely done; sometimes they are set up in crafty ways but other times they know the viewer knows and just cut right to it.  The audience isn’t underestimated with excessive montages and unnecessary action anymore.  Although sometimes entire swordfights and quickening flashbacks from previous episodes are revisited, I’m glad they now put the dates, times, and places onscreen for the past storylines. Some of those orgasmic quickenings still amuse me - but there are some seriously good ones this season as well.  I must, however, quibble: where do those industrial stairs stuck in the middle of Joe’s bar go? Why does their register face out from the friggin’ bar?

 
 

 (Why?!)

Once again, the DVD features for Highlander: The Series Season 3 are packed to the gills with bloopers, deleted scenes, interviews, audio and video commentaries, scripts, and more.  The interface is a little dated, but its fun to go through the embedded Watcher’s Chronicles and look for all their treats within the episodes.  Again, new fans or those who wish to remain unspoilt are better served with rental or online options or a features marathon post- series.  If you’ve been remiss on the first two seasons, new audiences can still jump in here as well.  Honestly, there’s no reason for anyone not to give this season a chance.

Highlander: The Series Season 2

Highlander Season 2 Finds Its Legs

By Kristin Battestella

Spring boarding from the pluses of its debut season, Highlander: The Series opens its second season strongly.  Though struggling midseason with some of the same growing pains as Season 1; the 93-94 Season 2 handles character departures and the introduction of the Watchers in fine form- allowing Highlander: The Series to come into its own away from the film franchise.

Immortal Highlander Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) becomes increasingly suspicious of Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) and his Watchers- a secret organization who are pledged to observed immortals and never interfere.  Someone, however, is breaking the rules and killing immortals, making life more difficult for MacLeod after the loss of his mortal girlfriend Tessa (Alexandra Vandernoot). Richie (Stan Kirsch), now also immortal, has problems of his own learning how to fend off evil immortals after his head, and mortal dojo manager Charlie DeSalvo (Philip Akin) grows more and more curious about his new boss and Macleod’s secrets.

 

I don’t mean to be so spoilerly here, but Highlander: The Series hits the ground running in this sophomore season with critical departures and the establishment of its own mythos from here on out. The premiere episode ‘The Watchers’ introduces the critical organization and Season 2 stays strong thru ‘The Darkness’ and the exit of Tessa.  Unfortunately, midseason the show’s writers David Abramowitz and David Tynan flounder when Highlander: The Series once again returns to the action textbook crime of the week or immortal in the regular drama ho hum.  Issues about racism, sexism, injustice, and abused women are indeed handled very nicely thanks to MacLeod’s wise and chivalrous immortal angles. But again, these debates are on every other show then and now. Drastic character changes and internal fantasy mythology are enough for Highlander.  After such fine framework, Season 2 need not fall back on these stock scripts and filler episodes.  Smartly however, this season distances itself from the internal inconsistencies of the film franchise by dropping mentions of The Gathering.  The development of the Watchers, their deadly rogue faction the Hunters, and the wonderful observations and angst both provide pulls The Series away from the films once and for all.  Further examinations of mortals dying after having full lives versus immortals who are numb to life also establish great drama beyond the standard crime villainy. Grief, infertility, and child loss also add extra depth and dimension, again proving Highlander: The Series is at its best, nay superior, when it adheres to the quality of its own immortal design.

Yes, it is a little weird when MacLeod suddenly starts bagging some chicks so soon after Tessa’s exit, and there’s still a touch of those nineties hang ups with plenty of sweaty, shirtless dojo training montages.  However, it’s nice to see less Action Mac and more on the consequences of immortality.  He’s had plenty of time to develop his strict sense of honor and justice, but he also unhappily warns those around him that being his friend is deadly. Paul handles the kick ass, the somber, and the tears wonderfully. We think just as much of him when he cries as when he beheads the bad guy.  The loss of Tessa Noel is also very nicely done in character and performance.  Even though the leaving was largely Vandernoot’s decision, I don’t wonder if the exit of Mac’s steady girlfriend would not have happened in the future anyway. Obviously, there are so many more women and immortal bachelor angles to explore.  Sometimes, MacLeod may even seem to get over Tessa too quickly, but his new cynicism and pains of mortality make their presence well known during Season 2 and beyond.  Vandernoot’s exit and subsequent guest appearance in the two part finale ‘Counterfeit’ may even have the audience missing Tessa more, but her mortality reiterates that nothing on Highlander: The Series is sacred.  

Though I don’t really have a preference one way or another, I like Charlie DeSalvo and his lack of immortal awareness- and I like Richie’s new immortal status, too.  However, Season 2 seems unable to handle both characters at the same time.  Despite Philip Akin’s (War of the Worlds) initial antagonism and wonderful sardonic humor, it’s strange to see another man become MacLeod’s new best friend- especially when we already have two men in the cast who know his secrets.  Charlie’s continued questions and seemingly alternating appearances with an uneven and barely there Richie makes no sense. Why do something so huge like making a character immortal, and then have him largely disappear after learning the ropes of immortality?  These budding immortal questions and experiences are far more interesting to fantasy adventure audiences than oft seen dojo fu crime. Besides, isn’t that what Highlander is really supposed to be about?  The perfect Jim Byrnes (Sanctuary) as watcher Joe Dawson is also nearly non-existent in the first half of the season. Why set up the Hunters and the Watchers with such zest and intrigue only to string them along with random wrist tattoos for ten episodes?

Fortunately, returning favorites and guest villains raise Season 2 to a new level. The titular ‘Return of Amanda’ and ‘Legacy’ has Elizabeth Gracen’s immortal con visiting for some much needed humor and female familiarity post-Tessa. Forever Knight alum Geraint Wyn Davies also has some wicked fun in ‘Turnabout’, and rocker Roland Gift returns as Xavier St. Cloud to join rogue watcher James Horton (Peter Hudson, Cousin William) in the stand out ‘Unholy Alliance I and II’. Recurring regular Michel Modo as the bemusing and pesky French neighbor Maurice also provides some balance when the immortal life gets a little too heavy, and truly, I love the spooky Victorian joy of ‘The Vampire’.  

Though still a little dated with the pleated pants and too much denim, the styles of Season 2 are much improved.  The sweat suits and work out gear are kind of weird, but we’re in a more relaxed leather and jeans phase now thanks to the dojo. No high-end shoulder pads here!  Although I once again am hung up on exactly where those stairs in the dojo lead to, Mac’s new loft is a sweet pad. You can imagine him still living there today- and he even has a television now!  Again, the required latter half of the season French locations add ambiance and foreign immortal intrigue to Highlander: The Series. Even with some more of the iffy French dubbing, I think I wish they would just remain in France.  The period recreations are again wonderful, but I do wonder if they also follow a pattern of production.  Generally, it seems more recent past and American West motifs share with Seacouver; 18^th century and earlier designs are always in the second half of the season with France.  Some of the Quickening designs are also still better than others are.  Richie’s first one pops a few paint cans, wow. Eh, on a lighter note, where do they keep their ^$&*(%%# swords?

Highlander: The Series can be found online at sites like Hulu and for rent as well.  While the sets are affordable enough, again Season 2 provides an exhaustive amount of interviews, commentaries, and trivia that is best left for the complete franchise enthusiast and not newbies.  A few kinky scenes and some good old-fashioned violent beheadings might also be too much for super young audiences.  However, overall I am continually impressed with how well this series has held up in story telling and entertainment.  Highlander: The Series – learn it, live it, love it with Season 2.