HLS3: Methos

[ithildin]

Highlander Season Three

Methos, Air Date: March 1995

When two Watchers end up dead by Kalas' hand, Joe realizes that Kalas is looking for Methos, the mythical "oldest Immortal." MacLeod knows that, with Methos' quickening, Kalas would finally be strong enough to defeat him. Kalas and MacLeod race to be the first to find Methos. Meanwhile, Richie muscles his way onto a top level motorcycle racing team and the champion, Basil, starts to get nervous. ~ recap via tv.com

Next week: Take Back the Night

Comments

[amberleewriter.livejournal.com]

This is an example of the A/B story formula that, IMHO, didn't work. After the emotional death of Fitz in the prior episode, to have half of this episode focus on Richie in a rather pointless story arc seemed more than a touch anti-climactic. To top it off, the introduction of Methos in this episode overshadowed everything and made a weak B story even weaker.

That being said, it was nice that the writers tried to give Richie a purpose independent of Mac no matter how little it worked. The sidekick that gets into trouble/kid that doesn't listen routine was getting rather old. At some point they had to let Richie grow up and move out from under Mac's shadow (or kill him, which is what they ended up doing). Having him get a "career" was a good move even if the execution failed.

Instead, this episode is all about its namesake -- though the percentage of screen time he gets is not that large. The scenes with Methos and Duncan jump off the screen (even if you aren't a shipper) and give hints of things to come. Peter plays Methos with such subtlety compared to the heavy-handedness of David Robb's Kalas. He is quite likable so that when the infamous scene under the bridge occurs, you feel betrayed along with Duncan. Later you easily empathize with Methos and his desire to ensure his quickening doesn't end up with a "lesser" man. Finally, when he manages to bring the police and end the fight (and when he disappears after) you see a glimpse of the elusive pragmatic chameleon we'll come to know and love.

Overall, not the strongest episode Highlander ever made, but without it the show would have been very different indeed. As such it has to go onto the list of "must see episodes."