'The Modern Prometheus'

[ithildin]

Welcome to the sixteenth installment of Methos Episode Discussion. You can find the last one, for Forgive Us Our Trespasses here. All prior episode discussion links can be found over on the sidebar.

The Modern Prometheus, Air Date: May 1997

Lord Byron, the brilliant Romantic poet, is alive and well and living the decadent life of a rock star. He lives life way over the edge and has taken some promising young musicians over the edge with him. When following in Byron's footsteps tragically ends the life of Dawson's protege, MacLeod is faced with a decision -- is the beauty and genius that is Byron worth the cost? ~ recap and quotes via tv.com

Quotes below the curtain





Duncan: Duncan: Cut the crap - Mike is dead because of him.
Methos: No, Mike is dead because of Mike.
Duncan: The kid idolized him. Maybe he didn't pull the trigger but he sure as hell put the gun in his hand. "To live like me you have to be like me." Come on, Methos, Mike couldn't do that, he wasn't Immortal.
Methos: And that is not Byron's fault
________________________

Byron: My task is done. My song has ceased. My theme has died into an echo...it is fit.
________________________

Byron: Would you rather have a tombstone that says "he lived for centuries', or one that says 'for centuries, he was alive"?
Methos: You're not listening to me - I don't want a tombstone.
________________________






Next up will be Indiscretions aka The Methos & Joe Show 'Archangel'.

Comments

[iocaste212.livejournal.com]

In case this wasn't said before and I missed it --

At least one commenter above said that Duncan didn't come off as judgmental until this episode; I think, however, that the HL writers really went out of their way to make Duncan judgmental in several eps, it's just that until TMP, you couldn't really disagree with his judgments. I was rewatching Valkyrie, CAH/Rev, and FUOT, and it's interesting how the theme of judgment and forgiveness is explicitly stated in all of them -- there was some real planning there, which I appreciate.

TMP, however, was the first time where you really question Duncan's judgment, because the "threat" Byron poses is, as everyone has said, merely influential.

As for why Duncan has different standards for mortals and immortals, I think that's simple: Mortal justice can deal with mortal criminals, but not immortal ones. That's why Duncan has to step in when immortals are posing threats.

[eveningblue.livejournal.com]

I very much agree that Duncan's judgments start to be called into question around the time of "Valkyrie." The first time I watched that, I thought he was absolutely right in doing what he did. The second time, not so much. Why is it his business? Who made him god? That final bit, with him asking Methos "Who will judge me?", is prescient, I think.