'Studies in Light'

[ithildin]

Highlander Season Two

Studies in Light, Air Date: October 1993

A fellow Immortal, Greg Powers, invites MacLeod to his photography showing. At the gallery, MacLeod becomes deeply disturbed by the violent images of his friend's work, but what becomes more disturbing than the fact that Greg's personality has been replaced by that of a hardened cynic. As he reviews Greg's work, he comes across a photograph taken of himself 50 years ago which triggers a flashback of a time he spent with a young photographer, Linda Plager. In a chance meeting, the now 73-year old Linda recognizes Duncan as her old mentor and lover of 50 years ago, which thoroughly convinces her nurse that she's senile. Upon learning that Linda is dying, MacLeod longs to tell her the truth.

Meanwhile, Greg seduces Richie into his destructive lifestyle and coaxes Richie into a dangerous motorcycle stunt. After a confrontation with Macleod, Greg snaps...frustrated by his inability to feel any real emotion because of the insulation from death his immortality gives him, he attacks Richie, and Linda, then fights MacLeod on the roof of the hospital. Only when MacLeod's sword is inches from his neck does Greg break down and face the truth that he doesn't want to die. ~ recap via tv.com

Comments

[mackiedockie.livejournal.com]

I think Duncan's role as expediter may fit in well with his earliest training as the son of a clan chief. He's been trained to look at a situation from all aspects. He knows that a doctor cannot save as many lives if his basic supplies of medicines, bandages, clean water and food are choked off. Roles such as ambulance driver and sutler give him far more leeway to bypass bureaucratic channels in ferrying needed supplies in an emergency situation. His martial skills are a huge advantage in intimidating those who would otherwise commandeeer valuable assets.

The expediter roles also give him many options for independent action without being subject to military chains of command. While he cut a fine figure in uniform at Waterloo, I think he took Darius' words to heart and began to move beyond the role of pure warrior. In the long run, he may feel he makes more of a difference to the living as an independent operator, helping the experts like Gregor do their jobs with the best tools available.