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Highlander: The Series
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This SourceHighlander: The Series is an English language fantasy/sci-fi television series featuring Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul), of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander of the title. An offshoot of the Highlander movies, Highlander: The Series centered on the life of Duncan, who is a clansman to the main character from the movies, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). Christopher Lambert made a single appearance in the first episode to aid continuity, and his character is mentioned in several episodes throughout the six seasons. The series was a Canada/France co-production that was filmed in both countries. The primary Canadian location was Vancouver, British Columbia.
History
The pilot episode established Duncan as a simple man living quietly with his girlfriend Tessa Noël (played by Alexandra Vandernoot). They were co-proprietors of the antique shop MacLeod & Noël Antiques. The pilot introduced Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch) as a thief who entered Duncan's shop and witnessed the confrontation between Duncan, evil Immortal Slan Quince (Richard Moll) and Duncan's fellow clansman Connor MacLeod, the hero from the movies.It was established that Duncan had lived nearly 400 years, and that there were many such Immortals in the world. Connor had come to Duncan to ask him to return to The Game and help good win over evil, where "The Game" is the term used by the Immortals to describe their hunting of one another, seeking "Quickenings" by beheading their opponents. Duncan had hidden from other Immortals for some time, removing himself from The Game. Hunted by Quince, Duncan had no choice but face him and by the end of the first episode, Slan had been defeated and Duncan was clearly caught up in The Game again.
Most of the storylines revolved around Duncan MacLeod and his relationship with mortals and other Immortals. These relationships were a common theme in the series, especially Duncan MacLeod's relationship towards his friends, family, lovers and foes.(see Duncan MacLeod's relationships). As the series progressed, there were some changes in concept and normal growth in the characters and their relationships. Several recurring Immortal characters such as Amanda and Methos became frequent guests on the show and the Watchers like Joe Dawson were introduced in season 2.
In the final episode of season 5, "Archangel", Richie Ryan was killed and the supernatural demon Ahriman was introduced into the storyline. Some of the final episodes of season six did not feature Duncan at all, or showed him in little more than cameos, while the producers experimented with introducing a new female Immortal character for a spin off series. None of these actresses were chosen, and what came to be Highlander: The Raven would feature recurring character "Amanda" in a starring role, though it would be canceled after one season.
Characters
To view the list of the most important characters of the series, see List of Highlander characters.Immortals
All Immortals are foundlings. They age normally until their first deaths (which are always violent), at which time they "resurrect" for the first time. Afterward, they do not age, and can only be killed by beheading. All Immortals are also sterile. Immortals have normal susceptibility to the things that are fatal to mortal humans, and will "die" from them, only to resurrect shortly thereafter. Immortals sense the presence of nearby Immortals in a phenomenon called The Buzz.When an Immortal is beheaded, there is a powerful energy release from their body called the Quickening. This energy is signified by tearing winds and electrical arcs, and is destructive to electrical and mechanical items. This energy is absorbed by the Immortal who actually took the dead Immortal's head. When no Immortal is nearby, the Quickening dissipates. It is said to contain the power, wisdom, and experience of the beheaded Immortal. In a Quickening, although the basic personality of the Immortal normally remains at the fore, the personality of the other beheaded Immortal can be imprinted in their personality. This could be for good or ill.
Immortals are engaged in an ongoing struggle they call The Game. The ultimate goal is to kill all other Immortals until only one remains. This Immortal will then receive The Prize; no one knows what the Prize actually is, though many speculate as to its nature. The only firm rule in the Game is that there can be no fighting on holy ground (see Immortal (Highlander)).
The Gathering
According to Duncan's introductory voiceover, the series is set during the time of The Gathering. However, as ever more Immortals were introduced as the series continued, the concept of the Gathering started to not fit well with the format of the series and was quietly dropped as a theme.Watchers and Hunters
The Watchers are a secret society that covertly observes the lives of the Immortals without revealing themselves. Each Immortal is assigned a Watcher, whose sole job is to monitor and record their activities. The Hunters, on the other hand, are an offshoot of the Watchers, with the stated goal of killing all Immortals.Location
Although Immortals are scattered around the world, the locations in the series are most notably located in Seacouver, Washington and in Paris, France. Flashbacks during the series often brought the show to a variety of locations, however. The series often switched locations from Seacouver to Paris at the midway point of each season, with the exception of season six. While in Paris, Duncan lived on a barge located on the Seine river. In Seacouver, Duncan first lived in his antiques store and then in an apartment above his martial arts dojo.Narration
Each episode began with an opening montage of scenes from Duncan's life, over which was a narration giving a brief overview of the series' theme. The first few episodes of the first season were narrated by Duncan himself:I am Duncan MacLeod, born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For centuries we have waited for the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.
This narration was slightly changed in the show's seventh episode, "Mountain Men" (again by Duncan):
I was born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am immortal and I am not alone. Now is the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.
The narration changed again in the second season when Watcher Joe Dawson was introduced (narrative by Joe):
He is immortal, born in the Highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago. He is not alone. There are others like him, some good, some evil. For centuries he has battled the forces of Darkness, with Holy Ground his only refuge. He cannot die, unless you take his head and with it, his power. In the end there can be only one. He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.
The narration changed again at the beginning of the fourth season and remained until the end of the series' run (narrative by Joe):
He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander. Born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland and he is still alive. He is immortal. For four hundred years he's been a warrior... a lover... a wanderer; Constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death. The winner takes his enemy's head and with it, his power. I am a Watcher, part of a secret society of men and women who observe and record, but never interfere. We know the truth about Immortals. In the end there can be only one. May it be Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.
Contrast this with the opening narration by Ramírez (Sean Connery) at the beginning of the movie:
- "From the dawn of time we came, moving silently down through the centuries. Living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the gathering, when the few who remain will battle to the last. No one has ever known we were among you.....until now."
Episodes
DVD releases
Anchor Bay Entertainment has released all 6 Seasons of Highlander: The Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time.| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | November 12 2002 |
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| Season 2 | 22 | July 29 2003 |
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| Season 3 | 22 | November 18 2003 |
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| Season 4 | 22 | April 13 2004 |
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| Season 5 | 18 | August 10 2004 |
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| Season 6 | 13 | February 8 2005 |
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Spin-Offs
Movies
The story later continued in the Highlander: Endgame movie. A new movie called Highlander: The Source has been completed and was released in 2007. The movie features Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, Peter Wingfield as Methos and Jim Byrnes as Joe Dawson.The rights to the Highlander franchise fell back to Davis-Panzer Productions several years after Highlander: Endgame; when this happened Peter Davis approached Adrian Paul to star and executive produce the fifth movie. Adrian Paul had for some time wanted to come back and improve upon the fourth film which he admits was not put together as well as it could have been.
The Raven Series
Plans for a spin-off series led to a group of sixth-season episodes focusing on five new female Immortals (called Fimmies by fandom) in the original Highlander series. The candidates were introduced; such as Alex Raven (played by Dara Tomanovich), Katherine (played by Claudia Christian), Kyra (played by Alice Evans), Katya (played by Justina Vail), and Reagan Cole (played by Sandra Hess). Ironically, none of the new characters introduced in the spin-off episodes proved satisfactory, and the spin-off went to Elizabeth Gracen as the popular character Amanda. For a variety of reasons, including the changing market for syndicated drama and generally weak ratings, the spin-off only lasted one season. See Highlander: The Raven.The Methos Chronicles
The 2001 The Methos Chronicles was an animated Internet Flash-series based on Methos, a character drawn from the television series. Peter Wingfield was the voice actor for the main character of the short series, which lasted only one eight-episode season. There was some plan to develop a live-action series in the early 2000s, and Peter Wingfield was willing to participate. However, since then there hasn't been any significant news.Books and Comics
Books- Highlander: The Element of Fire, by Jason Henderson — The chronicles of Duncan's training days with Connor MacLeod; the friendship between the two Highlanders through the centuries. A bloodthirsty and immortal pirate Khordas vows to kill the Highlander, making up for a fearsome enemy that haunts them for hundreds of years.
- Highlander: Scimitar, by Ashley McConnell - When Joe Dawson receives an ancient sword, it triggers Duncan's remembrance of his involvement in the Arab Revolt in 1916.
- Highlander: Scotland the Brave, by Jennifer Roberson - Annie Devlin returns to draw Duncan into a new quest to win independence for Ireland. He is reluctant, given his history with failed attempts to free his homeland, including his culpability in the fate of the Stone of Scone.
- Highlander: Measure of a Man by Nancy Holder - In Venice, Italy 1655, Duncan meets legendary manipulator - and, apparently, Immortal - Niccolò Machiavelli. Duncan only narrowly escaped Machiavelli's machinations once; he may not be so lucky when the Prince of Lies resurfaces in 20th Century North America.
- Highlander: The Path by Rebecca Neason - In 1781 Duncan meets a different kind of Immortal - the Dalai Lama. Soon the Highlander embarks on the path to enlightenment and peace. But that peace may be short-lived when the Immortal Nasiradeen invades Tibet.
- Highlander: Zealot by Donna Lettow - Duncan MacLeod was there when Avram Mordecai fought the enemies of his Jewish people in World War II, as he has for two thousand years. Now he finds himself trapped between his honor and his loyalties when he protects a Palestinian diplomat from his old friend.
- Highlander: Shadow of Obsession by Rebecca Neason - Once Darius was a man of war, laying siege to Rome. Centuries later, as a man of God, Darius touched the life of Duncan MacLeod. Now a spurned lover from Darius' warrior days returns for revenge against all he called friend.
- Highlander: The Captive Soul by Josepha Sherman - Three millennia past, Methos aided the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs when the Hyksos invaded. He reluctantly becomes a spy inside the Hyksos royal house, when he meets the Immortal - and thoroughly insane - Prince Khyan. Methos misses his chance to take the madman's head, a mistake that returns to haunt him as the Oldest Immortal in New York when Khyan returns to find his sword, killing all in his path.
- Highlander: White Silence by Ginjer Buchanan - MacLeod, Hugh Fitzcairn and his young apprentice get trapped in the frozen Yukon. There they face their deaths... over and over and over again.
- Highlander: An Evening at Joe's - An anthology written by the cast and crew of Highlander: The Series.
Comics: In October 2006, comic stores saw the arrival of the first issue of a Highlander comic book based on the Highlander movies and TV series. Following the TV series's continuity, the first comic arc, written by Brandon Jerwa and Michael Avon Oeming, follows Connor MacLeod after defeating The Kurgan. Duncan Macleod is slowly introduced in a one-off issue teaming him with Connor Macleod, while the second arc Dark Quickening pairs the two immortals together. The last arc of the comic is set after Highlander: Endgame and features Duncan Macleod as the main character, with a ghostly Connor advising him. Methos, Joe, Amanda and Ceirdwyn also feature.
See also
References
- The Nitpicker's Guide to Highlander
- Highlander Page for Beginners
- The shows and movies summed up
- Highlander comics preview
- Unofficial Highlander WWW and Mailing list Archive Site
External links
- Parisian and Scottish locations at:
- http://www.phys.ualberta.ca/~jdejong/personal/hl/highland.html
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Last updated on Tuesday March 04, 2008 at 02:20:16 PST (GMT -0800)
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