Customer Reviews

Highlander: Volume 1 [VHS]

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I was determined to hate this show. I mean, the Gathering was over, almost all of the immortals had been slain, and suddenly there was another Gathering? Whatever. Still, though, the very first episode of this series won me over (and I'm not just saying that because Adrian Paul looks good!). This TV series based on the cult Highlander films does justice to the movies, by including Connor MacLeod in the first episode and continuing on with a very fascinating story. This time, the focus is on Connor's kinsman Duncan Macleod (Adrian Paul), a fellow immortal who has come out of "retirement" to re-join the "game." Duncan spends most of this first season battling various immortals, but at the heart of it is his various relationships with the people he cares about, both mortal and immortal. It displays the problems that immortals must face once they choose to love a mortal, in this case, his relationship with his girlfriend Tessa. They live and grow together as time moves on, proving that "Just one year of love is better than a lifetime alone." In addition to the great cast, there is also the fact that the original music written for the movie by Queen is kept in. That really adds to the authenticity of the piece. I love the TV show and miss watching it, so I'm glad that it's out on video. It's worth buying, trust me.

This first episode of the great TV serie, is by far one the bset episodes of the series, not only because Connor McLeod (the original Highlander, played greatfully by Christopher Lambert) is in it, making with his brief -but welcomed- appearence, a linkage the movies with the series (unlike others television shows, that they are just take the basic theme of the film, and transfered to the series, making with that a GREAT bastardisation of the film), and provides the Immortal universe to the next step. However, this episode (as the whole series does) is centered to Duncan McLeod, a clansmen and student of Connor McLeod, who was out of the Game, and with the help of Connor, he returns in it. Adrian Paul is wonderfull as Duncan McLeod, a character verry different to Connors. Richard Moll is just good, but could be better. This episode, one of the best of the series (along with "Watchers" "The End of Innocense" and others), can be easily called as "The Other Highlander 2", because is verry much better than this AWFULL movie. It has more story, and the developments of the characters are just great. Its easily a better sequel of the original movie than the "Highlander 2: The Quickening"

The very first episode of Highlander: The Series featured the passing of the torch from Connor MacLeod to his younger kinsman, Duncan MacLeod. Adrian Paul plays an excellent Scottish immortal and Christopher Lambert is as cool as ever. This episode is easily better than the last two Highlander films.

AWESOME. After the firts Highlander movie in 1985, Connor MacLeod returns to action, as he realizes that he is not alone, and that he did not reaceived the Prize, but the Gathering, that Ramirez ones told him about, and the pursuit of the Prize has began in 1985, and it will be end until only one remains. So, Connor goes on search of Slan Quince, an evil and ruthless Immortal, who kills the mortal familys of other Immortals, trying to get them into his search, and winning them because of their phychical weakness (something like that might have happend to Connor in the past). And sfter his wife's death in 1987 by a car accident, and having left Ramirez's sword close to his grave (after he won the man who killed him - The Kurgan), Connor takes an old friend's "Silver Braid" katana, and goes on Seacouver, where he finds again his long-time friend and kinsman Duncan MacLeod, who was born 74 years after him. Duncan, who was also a student of Connor's, is living for the last 12 years with Tessa Noel, a artist. But now, Duncan must re-enter the Game, because if he don't, he must have to face the death of his girlfriend, Tessa.

This special pilot episode introduces to as Duncan MacLeod, a kinsman and student of Connor MacLeod, born in 1592 also in Scotland. Of course, Duncan's character is (not of course entirely) different to Connor's. Adrian Paul purposely made Duncan MacLeod a different man -- more passionate in most areas (love-making, a.o.) -- than Connor. He always wanted his character to be different from Christopher Lambert's character, as opposed to taking over an existing role and this has worked out well. For example: Unlike his kinsman Connor, Duncan has not always been such an active participant in the Gathering.  He lets other Immortals come to him rather than seeking them out. In any case, Connor and Duncan have a unique teacher-friend-student connection (and like Connor and Duncan SSOOO much more than the useles -but impresive- Methos or the boring Joe Dawson). Although, ieven 8 years after it first aired in Sci-fi Channel, this episode deserves many credits - The clothing, the music, the objet d'arts - all draw us in to what promises to be a visual feast. Clearly Connor and Duncan MacLeod are man of wealth and taste. The characters (and the actors they play them-espcially Chrsitopher Lambert and Adrian Paul) themselves are truly beautiful in the classic sense of the word. Slan stands out because he is so physically at odds with the beauty surrounding him (iven Kane in Highlander: The Final Dimension is better than him). He muddies and stains everything he touches. So - the episode satisfies me visually, emotionally and intellectually. Despite some seemingly silly things about the Game, it is enough of a good story to keep my interest. Especially when it flavors the mix with intimations of ethical dilemmas that will face the hero - in his friendships, relationships, obligations and beliefs.

The message is very clear to us - there is so much pain in these people's lives that they studiously seem to avoid letting people get too close to them. Duncan presents two distinct faces to the world. On the one hand he is the serious, no -nonsense business man. He rarely laughs and is very tight. But with Tessa he is a sensual delight. He nuzzles her neck continuously. He touches her and enfolds her and is joyful when he is with her.

So - at the end of this episode, we stand and watch as Duncan MacLeod sets off on his journey. Would I define it as ill-fated? No. He is immortal, as Joe will keep him reminding that in future episodes. He has his own path to travel, his own race to run. In this episode we see them all there, running with him or cheering him on. We know how many times he will fall and how many of those onlookers and supporters will falter along the way - or die.

But we also know, after Not To Be-the 119 and final episode, that Duncan will never, ever, give up.

For more Connor-Duncan interaction, wait until Highlander: Endgame (a sequel to the first and third Highlander movie, and Highlander: The Series) comes out in September 1st.

The Highlander Movie series has had many followers. However, for style and sensitivity, the TV series by far surpasses the its origins. Those who have seen the series and continue to watch the series on cable will agree that this series offers depth on many levels. My personal interests are the detailed costuming in the flashback sequences and the character development.

It was a fresh, well-written episode although it contradicted the Highlander movies. This episode was fantastic and memorable.

But i'm glad to see the Highlander, immortals and other stuff still survive so the highlander fans' appetite will satisfied.

The very first episode of Highlander: The Series featured the passing of the torch from Connor MacLeod to his younger kinsman, Duncan MacLeod. Adrian Paul plays an excellent Scottish immortal and Christopher Lambert is as cool as ever. This episode is easily better than the last two Highlander films.