HLS5: 'The End of Innocence'

[ithildin]

Highlander Season Five

The End of Innocence
Air Date: Oct. 1996

The last time Richie Ryan saw Duncan MacLeod, MacLeod was about to take his head. He was stopped by Dawson's bullet, but Richie's world was shattered. Now Richie's back -- kicking butt and taking heads. One of those heads belonged to Carter Wellan, and now Wellan's good friend Haresh Clay is out to avenge his comrade. MacLeod has his own long-time grudge against Clay, who humiliated and destroyed one of MacLeod's finest teachers. MacLeod must try to rebuild Richie's trust while they vie to be the one to face Clay in combat.
~ recap via TV.com

Next week: Glory Days

Comments

[amberleewriter.livejournal.com]

In the end, it was a real risk to encourage Joe to rejoin the Watchers. How could Joe not find himself betraying his oath again and again, how could there not be more irreconcilable conflicts potentially costing more lives?

I felt as if there was a shift for Duncan with this episode and that he gained a certain level of acceptance about the existence of the Watchers and their purpose (or what that purpose should be at any rate). Prior to the "tag" at the end of this episode I always felt Duncan partly resented the very idea of the Watchers; that if they disappeared or the organization imploded/was wiped out it would have been just as well in his book. While he had a certain respect and like for Joe, the fact he was a Watcher only really came to the forefront of his mind when he wanted information. I felt like this was a natural outgrowth from the episode "And They Also Serve" when Joe offered up an actual chronicle -- not as a weapon or information in a hunt, but as a reminder of a happy time in Duncan's life.

I also felt that Duncan might be making a calculated risk with Joe for his own gain. With Joe inside he could keep an eye on a group in turmoil which had faction(s) that might be a threat to him (and all other Immortals). Joe is a known quantity to Duncan. While they might have tension because of the fact that Joe's a voyeur to Duncan's life, Duncan has come to respect Joe and think of him as a man with honor and principals. Duncan knows that Joe will stand up for "the right thing" even if it means going against what the Watchers have to say about it. I think Duncan would far rather have Joe inside where he can be a force for change (and somewhat of a spy) than outside where he can only be just a friendly neighborhood bartender.

And I kept wondering why Joe didn't say, "And you couldn't have said something before I ripped the skin off my arm? Shit! It fuckin' hurt! And now I have to get a new tattoo? Thanks for nothin', Mac." *g*

Overall, I really like how the tension played out. Yeah, it's not very nice and they all are rather hurtful to one another but I think that's actually the reality of the situations. You often hurt the ones you love.