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29 Av/9 August, 2010
Aug. 9th, 2010 11:00 pmHighlander. “Blind Faith” and Kalas arc. Four episodes up to “Methos”. Finally.
“Blind Faith” was interesting conceptually, since the question of redemption is well raised. Can a person really change and is that enough to atone for past crimes. Duncan is always a judgmental sort – that is how plays the Game, only killing those he thinks deserve it. And in this case he personally witnessed horrible things this guy did – not of innate cruelty but because he only cared for money and did not regard humans as anything. Because it was personal for Mac, it is harder for him to walk away. Because it wasn’t personal for Joe, it is easier for him to cast judgment. The situation will be reversed in Horseman arc a bit. There, because Joe knows Methos and it all happened so long ago, Joe is much more willing to believe in redemption and possibility of genuine change. For Mac, knowing and loving people on both sides of the situation really tears at him. While he is very judgmental of Methos, he doesn’t want to kill him, he just ends their friendship (or at least tries too). In”Blind Faith” the circumstances around redemption are different, but Mac does learn that he can’t bring himself to kill the guy he used to hate. He does want to believe that people can be better. I think that ethical questions with no right or wrong answer is what makes this show really stand out.
Kalas arc – part 1. Three episodes. Kalas arc was really well done. Yes, Kalas is evil and all and was taking advantage of Holy Ground Monastery. But it is not like he really cheated, he did fight the guys fairly enough. Mac is a bit self righteous there. And Kalas does have a very genuine grudge against Mac, since Duncan took away his one gift, his ability to sing. No wonder he is bitter. Kalas’ evilness comes from trying to hurt Mac through people he is closest to, people he loves. He tries to set up Anne and Joe and later Fitz, whom he kills in a real combat (so at least that was fair). But, of course, in trying to hunt Mac and taking away Fitz, he also leads Mac to Methos – so Kalas serves a very great narrative push there. Kalas is also a great nemesis for Mac and his later storyline works really well too. There is a sense that Mac can lose, or he at least makes Mac suffer. (I’m ignoring Richie’s racing storyline, since that is the only boring part of the Kalas episodes). And, of course, we finally get to Methos, which is very much a plus for me. And I like when the show moves to Paris.
“Blind Faith” was interesting conceptually, since the question of redemption is well raised. Can a person really change and is that enough to atone for past crimes. Duncan is always a judgmental sort – that is how plays the Game, only killing those he thinks deserve it. And in this case he personally witnessed horrible things this guy did – not of innate cruelty but because he only cared for money and did not regard humans as anything. Because it was personal for Mac, it is harder for him to walk away. Because it wasn’t personal for Joe, it is easier for him to cast judgment. The situation will be reversed in Horseman arc a bit. There, because Joe knows Methos and it all happened so long ago, Joe is much more willing to believe in redemption and possibility of genuine change. For Mac, knowing and loving people on both sides of the situation really tears at him. While he is very judgmental of Methos, he doesn’t want to kill him, he just ends their friendship (or at least tries too). In”Blind Faith” the circumstances around redemption are different, but Mac does learn that he can’t bring himself to kill the guy he used to hate. He does want to believe that people can be better. I think that ethical questions with no right or wrong answer is what makes this show really stand out.
Kalas arc – part 1. Three episodes. Kalas arc was really well done. Yes, Kalas is evil and all and was taking advantage of Holy Ground Monastery. But it is not like he really cheated, he did fight the guys fairly enough. Mac is a bit self righteous there. And Kalas does have a very genuine grudge against Mac, since Duncan took away his one gift, his ability to sing. No wonder he is bitter. Kalas’ evilness comes from trying to hurt Mac through people he is closest to, people he loves. He tries to set up Anne and Joe and later Fitz, whom he kills in a real combat (so at least that was fair). But, of course, in trying to hunt Mac and taking away Fitz, he also leads Mac to Methos – so Kalas serves a very great narrative push there. Kalas is also a great nemesis for Mac and his later storyline works really well too. There is a sense that Mac can lose, or he at least makes Mac suffer. (I’m ignoring Richie’s racing storyline, since that is the only boring part of the Kalas episodes). And, of course, we finally get to Methos, which is very much a plus for me. And I like when the show moves to Paris.