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The pilot episode established Duncan as a simple man living quietly with his girlfriend Tessa Noël (played by Alexandra Vandernoot). They were co-proprietors of the antique shop MacLeod & Noël Antiques. The pilot introduced Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch) as a thief who entered Duncan's shop and witnessed the confrontation between Duncan, evil Immortal Slan Quince (Richard Moll) and Duncan's fellow clansman Connor MacLeod, the hero from the movies.
Methos, Amanda and Duncan MacLeod.It was established that Duncan had lived nearly 400 years, and that there were many such Immortals in the world. Connor had come to Duncan to ask him to return to The Game and help good win over evil, where "The Game" is the term used by the Immortals to describe their hunting of one another, seeking "Quickenings" by beheading their opponents. Duncan had hidden from other Immortals for some time, removing himself from The Game. Hunted by Quince, Duncan had no choice but face him and by the end of the first episode, Slan had been defeated and Duncan was clearly caught up in The Game again.
Most of the storylines revolved around Duncan MacLeod and his relationship with mortals and other Immortals. These relationships were a common theme in the series, especially Duncan MacLeod's relationship towards his friends, family, lovers and foes.(see Duncan MacLeod's relationships). As the series progressed, there were some changes in concept and normal growth in the characters and their relationships. Several recurring Immortal characters such as Amanda and Methos became frequent guests on the show and the Watchers like Joe Dawson were introduced in season 2.
In the final episode of season 5, "Archangel", the character of Richie Ryan was killed off and the supernatural demon Ahriman was introduced into the storyline. Some of the final episodes of season six did not feature Duncan at all, or showed him in little more than cameos, while the producers experimented with introducing a new female Immortal character for a spin-off series. None of these actresses were chosen, and what came to be Highlander: The Raven would feature recurring character "Amanda" in a starring role, though it would be canceled after one season.
Characters
To view the list of the most important characters of the series, see List of Highlander characters.
Immortals
All Immortals age normally until their first deaths (which are always violent), at which time they "resurrect" for the first time. Afterward, they do not age, and can only be killed by beheading. All Immortals are also sterile. Immortals have normal susceptibility to the things that are fatal to mortal humans, and will "die" from them, only to resurrect shortly thereafter. Immortals sense the presence of nearby Immortals, according to the commentary on the first season boxed set, in a phenomenon that the writers of the series called[citation needed] "The Buzz". This term was, according to the season one, episode one commentary, never actually used in the series.
When an Immortal is beheaded, there is a powerful energy release from their body called the Quickening. This energy is signified by tearing winds and electrical arcs, and is destructive to electrical and mechanical items. This energy is absorbed by the Immortal who actually took the dead Immortal's head. When no Immortal is nearby, as in the case of an immortal's head being removed in an accident, suicide or murder by a mortal, the Quickening dissipates. It is said[citation needed] to contain the power, wisdom, and experience of the beheaded Immortal. In a Quickening, although the basic personality of the victorious Immortal normally remains at the fore, the personality of the beheaded Immortal can be imprinted in their personality.
Immortals are engaged in an ongoing struggle they call The Game. The ultimate goal is to kill all other Immortals until only one remains. This Immortal will then receive The Prize; no one knows what the Prize actually is, though many speculate as to its nature. The Game has two firm rules: that there can be no fighting on holy ground (see Immortal (Highlander)) and that once a battle between two immortals has been joined, no one may interfere. In one episode, Watcher Joe Dawson hinted that in all recorded Watcher history there was only one case where two immortals fought on holy ground, in Pompei in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted.
The Gathering
According to Duncan's introductory voiceover, the series is set during the time of The Gathering. However, as ever more Immortals were introduced as the series continued, the concept of the Gathering started to not fit well with the format of the series and was quietly dropped as a theme.
Watchers and Hunters
The Watchers are a secret society that covertly observes the lives of the Immortals without revealing themselves. Each Immortal is assigned a Watcher, whose sole job is to monitor and record their activities. The Hunters, on the other hand, are an offshoot of the Watchers, with the stated goal of killing all Immortals.
Location
Although Immortals are scattered around the world, the locations in the series are most notably located in Vancouver, British Columbia and in Paris, France. Flashbacks during the series often brought the show to a variety of locations, however. The series often switched locations from Seacouver to Paris at the midway point of each season, with the exception of season six. While in Paris, Duncan lived on a barge located on the Seine river. In Seacouver, Duncan first lived in his antiques store and then in an apartment above his martial arts dojo.
Narration
Each episode began with an opening montage of scenes from Duncan's life, over which was a narration giving a brief overview of the series' theme. The first few episodes of the first season were narrated by Duncan himself:
“ 'I am Duncan MacLeod, born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For centuries we have waited for the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.' ”
This narration was slightly changed in the show's seventh episode, "Mountain Men" (again by Duncan):
“ 'I was born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am immortal and I am not alone. Now is the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.' ”
The narration changed again in the second season when Watcher Joe Dawson was introduced (narrative by Joe):
“ 'He is immortal, born in the Highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago. He is not alone. There are others like him, some good, some evil. For centuries he has battled the forces of Darkness, with Holy Ground his only refuge. He cannot die, unless you take his head and with it, his power. In the end there can be only one. He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.' ”
The narration changed again at the beginning of the fourth season and remained until the end of the series' run (narrative by Joe):
“ 'He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander. Born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland and he is still alive. He is immortal. For four hundred years he's been a warrior... a lover... a wanderer; Constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death. The winner takes his enemy's head and with it, his power. I am a Watcher, part of a secret society of men and women who observe and record, but never interfere. We know the truth about Immortals. In the end there can be only one. May it be Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.'
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