Highlander: Reviews

Previously Posted Reviews
Season 1: Eps 1 - 11

Updated 7/1/99

 

THE GATHERING  #92102-1

MOUSER's Review-4stars   ****

Now here is an episode with about everything in it.  Connor, Duncan, Richie, and Tessa. Richard Moll makes an interesting villian, but I can't rate him above a 3star star. You get the feeling he was having more fun than being evil. It was interesting to rewatch this show from a later perspective. All the familiar things are there, but you notice that everyone
seems a little off pace in the show. But to give em credit, it was the first show and they hadn't quite gotten all the characters settled. Other than that,if you wanna see Highlander watch this one. I would like to see Chris and Adrian play together again now that the show has found its feet. HEY you guys at rysher pay attention.....that would be a good first movie....the meeting of Conner and Duncan......hmmmmmmmmmmm. Definetly a 4star (well they were new) ep .

BASAXL's Review-FIVE STARS *****

This is the ep that started it all and set the standard for the eps to come.This one had it all,Duncan shirtless,a beautiful woman,a wonderful villian,and the best swordplay of all the eps.  Forget the fight between Slan and Duncan or Connor.Watch Duncan and Connor at play.It was a real treat to see two master swordsmen having fun.  I would have rated it a five star ep for the swordplay alone.  I could have watched several hours of the two of them
playing around.I keep thinking this is an two hour show.  I dont see how they packed so much action into so little time.Connor and Duncan have great chemistry and play superbly off one another.  The whole cast is likable as a whole.  We meet Duncan,Tessa, and Richie for the first time.  Watching Connor and Duncan you get the feeling that if they are the last ones left,they'll go looking for answers instead of one another's head.  Hey...new series...grin.Richard Moll makes a wonderful villian.  I've given him a 5 stars rating,not because he is such a bastard, but because I really like him and he is so much fun to watch.  The show is action packed, fast paced, well written,and very well played.  I watch this one very often, it ranks up there with Finale, Counterfeit, the Watchers, Homeland and Chivalry.THIS IS A NO MISS!


 

FAMILY TREE, #92106-2

Due to technical problems, this episodes reviews are being delayed.  Please forgive....


 

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN, #92108-3

MOUSER's Review-4stars.  The Road Not Taken........surprisingly for a first season ep this one had more of the feel of true Highlander magic. Another immortal has developed a drug that causes blind loyalty in mortals.....now for the bad news...it also kills em. Ok, so it has a few little bad side effects. It has also been an obsession for this immortal for a long time. Enter a subordinate.....hey haven't we seen him a little farther down the line as another character.....must be short of asian types in Vancouver......who takes the drug and tries to create a gang of pain impervious robbers to enrich his life....monetarily that is. Standard
storyline so far....whats good about this ep is the fun that is apparent in Duncans face as he takes on the others in battle. Now that's the Duncan we all like and admire. Sometimes I do think they tend to make him too moral...but in this one we first see him as the ready to take em on and enjoying the battle Duncan. Watch for the smile on his face. The emi-villian....ok I forgot his name.....immortal is a potentially high rated foe....but only a 3star here...still too middle of the road...and the mortal villian while good with a sword....one of the better fights we've had in the series tho short....rates only a 2stars, after all hes only mortal and is no threat to our hero. All in all tho.....I rate this one 4 stars just for being truly loyal to the classic immortal genre.

BASAXL's REVIEW-3stars. parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme , feverfew, jalepino...nope....lets try lemon verbena, Melissa Officinalis, tansey, comfrey,rue....no causes a rash...canibas,  catnip, banana peels, nope not an herb.. Did he say vervain or valarian.... sniff, sniff, sigh!  Where's a good herbelist when you need one. Kim has been trying to perfect the receipe for three centuries, and its still good only for short periods of time, and the biggest shortcomming??? the host must also be expendable, because it will  kill  them. Kim's dupes  need to live so he can be another comic book hero with legions to do his bidding and fight for him so he can rule the world...benignly of course.  Back to the morter and pestle.  Duncan finds out and hits the ceiling, he does not like drug induced dupes and lets Kim know it.  Flash to modern day.One of Kim's students  steals the concoction so he can become rich off the (combo pcp/belladonna/lsd/stp XtC?????) potion.  You know,rob a few banks, jewelry stores, the Allsups on the corner...or even send out a few hundred bikers to mug old ladies crossing the streets.  He aint picky!Duncan and Kim must get the potion back before we have bikers dropping like flys on top of the little old ladies they mugged.  (..think of the lawsuits...) I liked Kim,he has a sweet face,and the martial arts are very enjoyable as well as the sword work, thats why I gave this turkey three stars...otherwise its a filler as far as I'm concerned.  Except for the immortal aspect,this could of very well been a McGyver or Renegade episode.  Nice way to pass an boring afternoon but don't expect it to be one you'll go back to over and over.  Kim isnt really evil so I cant give him a bastard rating and his student...throw him in the recyler so he can come back as another obnoxious mortal down the road.  I will give him 3stars for figuring out which end of the sword use, something sadly lacking in the fourth season.


 

INNOCENT MAN, #92103-4

MOUSER's Review-3stars.  Well even season one had its filler type stories.  This episode is definetly one of them.  Not overly long on plot... one step below hicks-r-us but really close in the running.  The really redeeming parts of this show are the scenes of Richie trying to steal Mac's car.....  and the restaurant when Duncan tells off one of the local bullies. No scenes
for the ladies in this either....tho Duncan does look very good in it.  I  like him in jeans(or out of them).  This is early series so some of the "usual" effects are missing.  No buzz when another immortal is about...... altho you don't need a script to tell you who the evil immortal really is in this one.  Chalk one up to the obvious.  Only a 2star rating for the
villian.... he's a walking cliche without much delving into what makes him tick and only 3 for the whole show.  Ho hum on this one see it once and then avoid it when you can.

BASAXL's REVIEW-4stars.  Season one had a lot of good episodes.  I look back and am impressed anew at how well this fledgling series was done.  An old friend writes that all is not well in his neck of the woods and Duncan decides he and Tessa should go see his old friend.  He and Tessa are almost to the cabin when Duncan gets knocked down by the residue of the quickening released by his old friend.  He takes Tessa home and  grabs Richie (bribing him with the chance to drive the T-Bird) and goes to find out WHY Lucas was murdered,and if there's a chance to collect a head.  He takes one look at the bewildered old Namn vet accused of the crime and the hunt is on.  The scene in the diner is priceless, Richie has some great lines, and Duncan's take on whats wrong with the redneck bully's world is a scream.  The ep is fairly predictable but it is still great ep.  I tuned in in the middle of Duncan confronting the klan like lynch mob and I was hooked, this is the ep that
started it all for me.  Duncan was more than impressive, I'd finally found a man I could cheer for.  I've been hooked every since.  The sword work is nice in the final showdown.  The evil immie rates two stars for being a typical redneck prey on the weak immie.  He's no match for Duncan.  I'd like to see more of Duncan on the hunt with the wonderfully witty and comedic lines Duncan's so good at.  My bastard rating is 2stars.


 

FREE FALL, #92101-5

MOUSER's Review-Free Fall.......this is a 3star ep. Good acting and the story flows. I
like Joan Jett, she's a chick with guts.....maybe not much brains in this one but guts. As a villain tho she just can't rate above 2stars. Sorry Joan but you just didn't come across as evil enough. And don't even ask about the fight with Deveroux.....that never should have been put in the show...sorry but I can't seem to equate the difference between them.  He's way to big and way too strong..not to mention he looks like he knows one end of the blade from another (wonder if it runs in the family? ahem). Felicia (btw Joan's character) would never have been able to take him. That's my gripe about this one. One scene that stands out....Tessa threatening to give Felicia a facial. Now why did they start with Tessa so strong and much more likeable and respectable and then start wimping out with her in the next eps. That's how she shoulda stayed ....strong and not about to take guff off of anyone. That's my oft repeated critism about her.

BASAXL's REVIEW-5stars. Yo Rysher....you have been troting recycled actors by us for four years now and not once used Eli Gabay again. WHY??????? The guy has looks class and style. Our little Joanie would have been able to take any of the fourth season k-immies with no problem, (I have a bet she could have taken Tyler, Cimoli, and Case even if it had been three on one) but I don't think she could have actually taken Claude. Oh they made it look good, but I didn't buy it. I think he could have given Adrian a workout.. (say Adrian,is he one of your long lost brothers?) I loved the scene where Richie wails "who do you
think you are pushing around?" and Claude snickers...."You" He wasn't a bad guy, he just wanted answers. I really liked Eli and hated to see him go to waste..especially with the poor excuses for nemesises they've tossed at us last season. Now that my whining, gripe (pleading) session is over concerning Eli, I really liked this episode, and I've always liked Joan, she's a tough, scrappy Lady who can handle herself. You don't make it in hard rock by being a wilting violet. I've always admired her and respected her. She is at least aggressive. What she lacks in skill she makes up in ferocity. What can a fella do when a hot looking woman begs for help, especially when she has "take me" written all over her,....exactly what Richie does, move her in before she changes her mind. Tessa is on to her from the start. Mac is suspicious but willing to see what her game is. (This is first season and Joe is not around to not interfere and feed Mac the info he needs). He takes her on as  a student and begans to teach her the fine art of immiisem. I could have watched fencing 101 as taught by Macleod all day. I love the weapon anyway and would like to see more blade work with COMPETENT OPPONENTS THIS YEAR. Sure enough she turns out to be head hunting, and we see what a nasty little b*tch she is in the flashback. She drowns an innocent mortal and her baby to get to Claude. She gains the edge by destroying all her selected target loves. It supposely works with Claude. She decides to use Richie to get
to Mac, and kill Tessa. I wish they'd have continued to write Tessa as strong as she was in this ep. She took care of herself with no help from the guys. (We need more strong women desperately) She offers a facial using a blowtorch. You go girl! Felicia wisely declines and goes to meet Mac, all and all a very good episode.  Felicia earns a 4star villian rating...because shes strong and aggressive.


 

BAD DAY IN BUILDING A, #92107-6

MOUSER's Review-3stars.  Bad Day in Building A.......ummmmmm ahem......cough....ok I liked this ep. I know it's first season and the villian is not immortal. Just an.....well i can't say that in public..... Grin. At least this was one of those shows where altho she's anxious, Tessa is not a wimpering simpering bimbo. She really comes across as stronger here. Nowadays, if the villian isnt immortal, I think we tend to dismiss them as no threat to Duncan.......forgetting that others can be dangerous to those he cares about and the innocent. The bad boys in this one are mostly no match and competition for Duncan again....but it is fun to see him weed them out one by one. And to not moralize over weather this is a good or bad deed. Classic interaction between Duncan and the little girl .....watch his face closely. All in all, a solid show and you get to see the baddies get it without much sympathy from anyone.....hey they made thier choices...and Duncan makes his.  A 3star show....with 3star villians....good rollicking fun.

Sorry, Basaxl's review was not available, but we will see if we can't get one from our moustache twirling friend :)


 

MOUNTAIN MEN, #92110-7

MOUSER's Review-3stars.  Well what can i say about Mountain Men. The villians in this one tho well played, are straight out of Hicks-r-us. The obivious stereo-types made my teeth ache. Mark Singer is better off playing the Beastmaster role. I found him more pathetic than threatening....You get the feeling that his character needed to be more educated.....that he was lacking in the brains department. The best part of this episode was it gave an excuse to see Duncan stripped to the waist. Ladies this is a keeper for that reason. The sight of Duncan running around the forest in just jeans will keep you enthralled.  Although hes a little on the dirty side, he loses none of his sex appeal. More of these..back to  nature.. appearances please. My biggest gripe about this episode....Tessa. Its shows like this that make me wonder what they wanted her to be. A strong willed woman who bravely confronted horney backwoods hunters....shes NOT. She came across as little more than window dressing. A reason for Duncan to fight more or less. A fair episode with a nice look at Duncan for us ladies, but the stereotypical hicks are more annoying than anything else.
My Bastard rating is 3stars.

Sorry, once again, Basaxl's review was not available, but we will see if we can't get one from our moustache twirling friend :)  Some of the origional reviews that Mouser and Basaxl gave to us came up missing in transport.  We will attempt to get new ones when ever possible.


 

DEADLY MEDICINE, #92111-8

MOUSER's Review-2stars.  oh no....please mom...not that bad tasting icky awful gunk...I'd rather get sicker than take some more...awww mom.....oh sorry....had a terrible flashback to my childhood. But then, other than seeing Duncan...who can make me drool over just about any of the shows...I think I would rather take the medicine again. This show left me with the same taste in my mouth as that medicine. Please..I would rather watch Mikey again......well not really. But it's a close one.....Mikey...trains...deadly medicine...mikey ....argh. Only 2stars for this show and I'm pushing it. Come on the mad scientist routine would work if the lines were funnier and the show kitzyier...but unfortunatly we get niether in this one. One of the throw away filler eps of the first season...they could'nt have em all be winners now could they. See it once......don't see it twice..unless you've had a lot of  liqour and a mute button.

BASAXL's REVIEW-Pardon me while I throw up.  I have a bad stomach ache.  Please don't make me digest another turkey like this one, it's beyond dog and turned  feathered.  It and The Innocent are the only eps where I changed the channel.  You'd have to strap Duncan naked on the table to get me to  watch this one again.  The only way I can forgive this one at all is that it was first season and they were still getting the feel of  Highlander.  Duncan would have lost his head a long time ago if he'd  had been this careless and clueless.  I do love hearing him speak Italian tho.  Only because AP is in this one will I hold a gun to my
own head, take a shot of morphine and urge you to give this one a try.  Please don't hurt me after enduring this pain in the ....nevermind...the villian is comic book material and bad material at that.  Reminds me of a trash bag commercial.  Whimpy, whimpy, whimpy, and surely not enough to take Mac even on his worst day...or worst ep....somebody call the pound to come pick up this mutt.  urp erk...back to the toilet


 

THE SEA WITCH, #92112-9

MOUSER's Review-The Sea Witch.....ah comrades, this is an enjoyable ep. 3stars for a show that combines a lot of the immortal mythos (not methos...so you Peter Wingfield fans take a deep breath). Alexi is delightful villian....a solid 4stars for him....even if the dialogue was a bit on the stilted side. Bite the inside of your cheek and bear it. By this show, they were getting the feel of the series. Come on lets face it, the show IS about immortals and the unique lifestyles they live. Maybe that was the problem with the first few shows......they were trying to put the immortals in the context of normal lives. Hey folks, get a clue this is what the show is about. Immortals dont have normal lives, they live life a little grander than normal folks. Also they begin to touch on the fact that Duncan is not your normal run of the mill hero. Yes there are some inconsistencies...by now it wouldn't BE highlander if there weren't. One of the few enjoyments regular fans have is to find these ......makes the rewatching more fun. Sit back and enjoy the fight between Duncan and Alexi.....for the first time in the run....its a classic in how to make sure you hook your opponent...and in my opinion more true to life fighting.

BASAXL's REVIEW-3stars. This is a fair episode,well written and well acted.  I could not warm up to Richie's ex girlfriend.  I had a real hard time trying to dredge up even a little sympathy for her.  On the other hand, Alexi, the villian, gives a solid 4star performance, accusing Duncan of saving ships... er uh sheep.  Any man that kisses Duncan(this was a total adlib unknown to Adrian cooked up by the actor playing Alexi and the director) is a brave man.  Adrian the trooper that he is.. carries on magnificently but get a load of the look on his  face.  The ep is worth a view due to this scene alone:>  It also brings home how much Tessa is giving up to be with Duncan.  The ending battle between Duncan and Alexi is brutal and bloody, and a rough quickening follows.  Not the best,but certainly not the worst episode of the first season.


 

REVENGE IS SWEET, #92109-10

MOUSER's Review-2stars.  First off....this was a passable story. Rhinehart was a passable villian.....I'd give him a 2star rating for trying at least. Even the underlying story of Richie trying to make it as a used car salesman is passable.....tho I don't care all that much about used car salesmen and thank God Richie doesn't try this again in any more eps. Even Tessa is watchable in this one.....she doesn't wimp out on us. What makes this ep really  really unbearable is obvious from the start. No one should have ever convinced Vanity that she could even hold a sword much less use one. Her "workouts" with the sword are pathetic if not laughable......please don't fence with me....I'd lose a match with her...not that I'm that bad....but I'd never make it thru her trying to use a sword....I'm afraid I'd crack up and never be able to regain a straight face. Not only is her sword work the pathetic part......this woman's acting abilities are almost nil. A wooden pole would have been more convincing as a bereaved fiance than Vanity. Please someone get this gal some acting lessons. I'm sorry but if anyone ever deserved a dog rating it's Vanity for her terrible acting and fencing that does nothing for the credibility of the show

BASAXL's REVIEW-2 and a halfstars.  Duncan made the mistake in fighting Walter and letting him get away in the first place.  Now the diobotical turkey is playing nasty little games, and he delights in using women to do his dirty work. His s.o. is led to believe that Duncan has already done the world a favour by dispatching his miserable soul. She comes after Duncan. Meanwhile, Richie still under the influence of Scanlan, decides to become a used car salesman.  Tessa has some really great lines in this ep refering to Mac's four hundred year old anatomy.grin!  She's on to Vanity from the first. Now as for our guest star.  Vanity turns in the performance of her life....See Duncan....Bad Duncan Bad! See
Vanity, Vanity is mad...mad,mad,mad! See fencing foil...oh that's deadly! swishy swishy swishy!,jiggle jiggle jiggle,wiggle wiggle wiggle...I was not impressed! The only acting ability the girl has is in her hoot..er uh the part that attracts Duncan's four hundred year
old anatomy.  Still she is pretty and nice eye candy for the men.  This is not the greatest ep and I cringed at the quickening..all those beautiful flowers destroyed:<The villian is of the garden snake variety...not a threat at all,just a little snake in the grass.  I'll be generous and give him 2stars for at least being smart enough to try and finish Duncan without endangering himself.


 

SEE NO EVIL, #92114-11

MOUSER's Review-See No Evil......hear no evil, speak no evil, have no fun. And boy do
you not have any fun with this one. Dreary, drab, and completely unriviting is how I'd describe this one. The only good part was the flashback to the evil immortal. To be perfectly blunt, and i'm always that.....this one sucked....big time. A bright spot in it was Tessa being strong in this one. I thought it was poetic justice and damn well time when Tessa took out the baddie.  It's really a pity, that they haven't found a strong female like that for Duncan.
I'm not being wishy-washy either. When TPTB portrayed Tessa as strong they did a good job.....but then they'd turn around and have her totally wimp out. Take the end scene......where Tessa gets the baddie then turns around and cries somebody get an ambulance. I'd say someone get this guy a bodyguard....cause he's dead meat where I'm
concerned. Only 1star for this ep.....you can watch it if ya want.

BASAXL's REVIEW-2 and a halfstars.  This is not one of my favourites, it's too dingy for my taste, and I hate seeing women that do nothing to protect themselves, if somebody's
going to kill you,for god's sake at least let him know you are not  going down without a fight.  If it were me,I'd try to knaw his throat out.  My favourite scene in the ep was the adlib Duncan or should I say Adrian made....the Indian (said in an Indian accent)  It was a bright spot in a dismel show.  Maybe I disliked this ep because women are helpless victims....and finally when Tessa runs over the s.o.b.she crys"call an ambulance."  I agree more with Randi, tape the bastard and let him squirm.

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