HIGHLANDER: SEASON TWO
“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. ..”
EPISODE 2.1: THE WATCHERS
Written by Marie Chantal-Droney
Directed by Clay Borris
Duncan hasn’t really recovered from the loss of Darius and though Richie tries to keep him out of trouble, MacLeod positively welcomes any excuse for a fight – taking out his misery on a group of skinheads that dare to challenge him and beating them severely.
Convinced that the book Darius left him may hold a clue to the organisation that ultimately killed him, Duncan wants to head back to the States to see if any of the cryptic clues in the book’s pages mean anything. Tessa promises she and Richie will finish up in Paris and follow him.
While comparing various leads – most of which are dead-ends – MacLeod finds himself in a bookshop run by a man named Joe Dawson who seems momentarily surprised at his customer’s presence. Duncan notes he’s been spied upon from across the road and after leaving the bookstore he corners the men who were watching. Joe appears before there can be any fatalities on either side and realises he has no choice but to tell MacLeod at least some of the truth.
He is part of the organisation known as The Watchers who have chronicled Immortals for centuries – secretly watching but never interfering. Joe refuses to believe that the watchers had anything to do with the death of Darius… but Duncan later meets the man who formally runs the organisation – and it’s Horton.
While Horton seems willing to kill his nearest and dearest to hide his own murderous secret agenda and continue to kill off Immortals, Joe knows that the death of Horton or MacLeod could be a disaster and ignite serious repercussions – but a confrontation is looming and MacLeod may not be prepared to let Horton escape again…
Starring: Adrian Paul (as Duncan MacLeod), Alexandra Vandernoot (as Tessa), Stan Kirsch (as Richie Ryan), Jim Byrnes (as Joe Dawson).
Also featuring: Peter Hudson (as James Horton), Kehli O’Byrne (as Lynn Horton), Cameron Bancroft (as Robert), Douglas Arthurs (as Joey), Brad Loree (as Belson), Ajay Karah (as Busboy)
EPISODE 2.2: STUDIES IN LIGHT
Written by Naomi Janzen
Directed by Peter Ellis
Duncan, Tessa and Richie visit a photographic exhibit where Duncan’s old friend Gregor Powers (Joel Wynor) is showing his work. Duncan not having seen his Immortal friend for a long time, is pleased to meet up again, surprised that the man who once a doctor curing pain is now a photographer capturing it on film. Tessa finds the exhibit’s images beautiful in their own right but also quite dark and violent. But Duncan is drawn to an old photograph by another exhibitor – showing a man carrying a child out of a burning building.
The year was 1938 and the man is Duncan. Linda Plager was the photographer and, for a time, Duncan’s lover. He presumed she was long dead, but here she is, frail but alive – for the moment. She recognises him, though her nurse believes it’s her medication talking because… well, how could he be the same age as when she met him?
Gregor is not subtle in his weathered, blunt and almost nihilistic attitude to life – talking frankly to Tessa about how she’ll grow old and die while Duncan remains the same and asking Richie how he’d feel if he was going to live forever.
As Gregor continues to ponder how bored he is with his life…Duncan must decide if he can save his lost friend… and whether he should reveal his real identity to the dying Linda.
Also featuring: Sheila Moore (as Linda Plager), Gillian Carfra (as Young Linda), Shane Kelly (as Jonathan), Dwight McFee (as Ray Holstrom), Patti Allan (as Nurse), Mikal Dughi (as Mother), Cayde Ritchie (as Frightened Boy)
EPISODE 2.3: TURNABOUT
Written by David Tynan
Directed by Clay Borris
It’s 1963 and murderer Quenten Barnes is captured and sentenced to death in the electric chair. He laughs in the face of death and won’t repent to the prison’s priest before electricity courses through his veins.
Now: Duncan and Richie visit a rundown gym run by Charlie DeSalvo (Philip Akin) who may be looking to sell the business but is wary of new members. He says that if MacLeod can beat him is a friendly bout, he’ll allow him to join. Both men are good, but Charlie gets the upper-hand (and leg) when Duncan is distracted by the appearance of Joe Dawson. Dawson tells him that everyone involved in Quentin Barnes murder have been murdered and needs to be stopped – but Duncan reminds him that Macleod isn’t there to police Immortals and suggests the Watchers step in if they’re concerned.
An old friend of Duncan, mild-mannered Michael Moore (Geraint Wyn Davies) returns, looking into the Quenten Barnes – after all, the man is responsible for killing his wife, Jeanette. Duncan never met Barnes face-to-face but knows the pain that Michael went through and decides to help.
But how is Barnes able to keep one step ahead of everyone, Immortals and Watchers alike? Tessa helps Michael reminisce about better times and assures him things get better, but Barnes continues to taunt from the shadows. With the help of the Watcher files, Duncan and Michael find out where Barnes may be hiding and head to a final confrontation that is not what any of them expect…
Also featuring: John Tierney (as Old Father Morton), Alan Robertson (Judge Marvin Singer), Gaetana Korbin (as Jeanette), Brittaney Edgell (as Nurse), Ian Alden (as Young Father Morton)
EPISODE 2.4: THE DARKNESS
Written by Christian Bouveron and Lawrence Shore
Directed by Paolo Barzman
A woman is held captive in a pitch-black cellar, her movements only seen by her captor, Pallin Wolf (Andrew Jackson), who is wearing night-vision goggles and appears to have a watcher tattoo on his wrist.
The woman is a mortal named Michelle and her husband is James, an Immortal. And his rescue attempt is all part of Pallin’s plan. Pallin lures Immortals using their mortal loved ones as bait and then uses the lack of light and his goggles to put himself at an advantage. In short, he cheats… and once again, his plan works perfectly.
Meanwhile, Richie is getting his palm read by Greta and she is telling him everything he could hope to hear about his love-life. However when Greta reads Tessa’s palm there’s a rush of imagery and she tells Tessa that she sees her in mortal danger, caught in a battle between swords – that she must leave the city immediately. Tessa is shaken up, but Duncan remembers when he was told, centuries ago, that a gypsy curse means he would never be married. To show that he believes people make their own destiny… he proposes.
The next day, Duncan Tessa and Richie put the finishing touches to the antique store before it reopens for business but Macleod sees someone spying at the window and gives chase. He realises too late that it’s a distraction. When he returns, Richie has been knocked out and Tessa is missing.
Pallin Wolf has chosen his next victims. As time begins to run out, will Macleod be able to beat not only a well-armed mortal opponent but also the fickle whims of fate?
Also featuring: Traci Lords (as Greta), Frank C. Turner (as Harry), Lisa Vultaggio (as Carmen), Richard Lautsch (as Roman), Kendall Cross (as Michelle), Adrian Hughes (as James), Travis MacDonald (as Kid).
EPISODE 2.5: EYE FOR AN EYE
Written by Elizabeth Baxter and Martin Brossolet
Directed by Dennis Berry
Duncan has bought the De Salvo gym and wants Charlie to stay on to run it. He’s still desolate after the loss of Tessa, but accepts Richie’s offer of lunch – even if it is just a hot dog with everything. Richie isn’t sure whether he should talk about Tessa or not, but now he’s an Immortal, MacLeod tells him he’ll have to get used to losing people he cares about.
Nearby, Irish terrorist Annie Devlin (Sheena Easton) is planning an assassination on the doors of the British Consulate. Duncan recognises Annie and Richie stop the killing of the ambassador but Richie’s grappling with Annie causes her to shoot her own husband. Now Annie swears revenge against Richie. As a new Immortal, Richie thought he was invulnerable but Duncan knows that the day’s efforts have made him an instant target for Annie’s wrath and her ‘beautiful war’.
Duncan’s history with Annie is complicated, but still raw from his own grief, he’s now in the middle of a situation where he knows there will only be more losers… and all he can do is begin to train Richie as well as he can.
* Philip Akin is formally added to the opening credits (as Charlie DeSalvo), replacing Alexandra Vandernoot.
Also featuring: Andrew A. Cavadas (as Mick), Callum Keith Rennie (as Sam), Eric Schneider (as O’Hara), Kris Keeler (as Tommy), Brian Furlong (as Kerry), Terry Arrowsmith (as Rawls)
EPISODE 2.6: THE ZONE
Written by Peter Mohan
Directed by Clay Borris
While observing an expensively-attired provocateur named Canaan (Santino Buda) trying to stir up trouble in an area of the city known as ‘The Zone’, a young Watcher is murdered. Joe comes to MacLeod to tell him of the death and express some concern that the agitant is an Immortal. Duncan, once again, reminds Joe that there’s a certain hypocrisy in getting others to investigate and take action and that he’s not a one-man police-force for the Immortal community at Joe’s disposal.
Duncan appears to be one of the few people who haven’t heard of The Zone and Canaan’s hold over it. He’s not an Immortal but clearly has nefarious plans for the downtrodden of the area. It reminds Duncan of his time in a small Pennsylvania mining town of the 1920s in which a group of miners try to unionise and are quashed by the owners looking for any excuse to lose any trouble-makers. His friend Jesse, secretly the owner’s son who wants to help, works in the mine but Duncan knows that this may be a battle he can’t win.
In the modern day, several of Canaan’s thugs jump Macleod and Charlie sees the body thrown into the river and Duncan has to make up a reason he actually survived. Canaan may not be an Immortal but now Duncan is invested ins topping his reign for good…
Also featuring: Sandra P. Grant (as Asia), Michael G Shanks (as Jesse Collins), Alphonso Quijada (as Tio), Leam Blackwood (as Tom McGee), Ken Camroux (as Judd Collins), Tom Heaton (as Old Man), Brian McGugan (as Mark Wells), Lorena Gale (as Woman)
EPISODE 2.7: THE RETURN OF AMANDA
Story by Guy Mullay. Teleplay by David Tynan
Directed by Dennis Berry
Berlin, 1936 and a sultry cabaret singer entertains the customers of a seedy underground club. Her performance finished, she is given counterfeit money plates from a customer with promises of an intimate reward later. Minutes later, the official is shot dead by the German authorities and Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen)realises her performance may be far from over…
In the present, Duncan and Richie are training in the art of fencing, but a suitably-attired figure arrives at the dojo and challenges Macleod. It turns out to be Amanda, come to pay a visit and offer Duncan some ‘sympathy’ in the wake of Tessa’s death.
Naturally, trouble isn’t far behind – two men ransack Amanda’s hotel room and are disturbed by her return. Duncan and Amanda escape their gunfire and Duncan remembers the time in pre-War Germany when she involved herself in Duncan’s plan to smuggle a scientist out of Berlin.
Amanda claims she has no idea who the men from the hotel were. Duncan subsequently tells Amanda about the Watchers, wondering if their pursuers are part of Horton’s rogue group. It turns out that they’re actually FBI agents, though one of them Agent Palance (Don S. Davis)has scheme of his own – all to do with decades old counterfeit plates that date all the way back to a night in Berlin…
Also featuring: Robert Wisden (as Werner), Jano Frandsen (as Rutger), Michael Puttonen (as Lev Arkin), Mitchell Kosterman (as Jeffries), Ewam – Sudsy – Clark (as Heinrich), Joe Maffei (as Harry), Curtis Bechdholt (as Busboy)
EPISODE 2.8: REVENGE OF THE SWORD
Written by Aubrey Solomon
Directed by Clay Borris
Late at night, as a storm rages outside, Charlie is locking up the dojo when – suddenly – he’s attacked by ninjas after protection money and…wait… what?
It’s actually all the shooting for a sequence in an action movie where Charlie’s old friend Jimmy Sang (Dustin Nguyen) is the star – and not a particularly humble one. However out of the fictional drama comes a real crisis when one of the fake ninjas fails to get up again and is found to be dead. It turns out he’s been poisoned after drinking some ginseng tea meant for Jimmy.
Jimmy has lots of signature moves with a sword that look great on camera, but Duncan isn’t as impressed with him as Jimmy tends to think he should be. Jimmy refuses to lie low for a few days while the investigation takes its course – after all, his stardom depends on the film proceeding. He’s not a bad kid – just hungry for success.
Charlie convinces Duncan that Jimmy had a hard time when his father kicked him out – something Duncan can relate to – so MacLeod agrees to keep an eye on him from a distance. When another attempt is made of on Jimmy’s life and the set is trashed, it becomes clear that everyone on the production could be at risk. Is there a connection with the local Asian gangsters known as the ‘Tong’, that think the film’s script is a little too accurate? Remembering his own problems with protection rackets in early 20th Century New York, MacLeod knows the risks of challenging such groups – and the risk of not…
Also featuring: Robert Ito (as Johnny Leong), Debbie Podowski (as Lisa), Frank Crudele (as Giuseppe), Mina E. Mina (as Lao), Johnny Ma (as Hong), Vernon Rieta (as Soo), Jai West (as Kid)
EPISODE 2.9: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Written by Naomi Janzern
Directed by Dennis Berry
In the Louisiana of the 1920s, MacLeod comes across a scaffolding in which several black men are about to be hanged by members of the KKK. He destroys the scaffolding, allowing the men to escape but takes a bullet to the chest. Later he picks up one of the men, an Immortal named Carl Robinson (Bruce A.Young) in his car.
Carl has spent years suffering the hardships of slavery and knows how slowly things change – but he still has plans and dreams… and the time to wait for them to come true or make them happen.
In the present Charlie and Duncan are out when Charlie’s car is stolen… and Duncan recognises Carl as the thief. Robinson has just broken up a drug-deal in his neighbourhood but pocketed the money. It’s clear his dreams may have come and gone – his glory days over, but he‘s still surviving.
He wears a chip on his shoulder that’s bigger than his expansive wind-cheater coat, loudly proud of his skin-colour but taking every opportunity on blaming it for his every misfortune. But when it’s noted that the cops are looking for him after a claimed murder in Arizona, Carl claims he’s never even been in that state and it’s a set-up. Maybe Carl has a point… especially when one of the local cops really does appear to have an agenda against him.
And a tattoo on his wrist.
Also featuring: Deejay Jackson (as Officer Warren), Mark Acheson (as Billy Ray), Bill Mackenzie (as Sheriff), John Destry (as Bobby), Susan McLennan (as Betty), Adrian Holmes (as Johnny), Mary Poyser (as Ben)
EPISODE 2.10: EPITAPH FOR TOMMY
Written by Philip John Taylor
Directed by Clay Borris
Duncan finds himself in a fight with an Immortal called Anthony Gallen (Roddy Piper) on the outskirts of a closed fairground. When Gallen escapes, his erratic driving sees him plough into a man with a suitcase, killing him. Though it wasn’t directly his fault, Duncan feels guilty at the apparently needless death of a mortal bystander and after identifying him as Tommy Bannon, decides to go to the man’s funeral.
Duncan remembers a duel he was forced into by a young girl’s fiancé in the 1800s and which accidentally led to her death when her suitor caught her with his blade.
It appears that Tommy was an investigative reporter and at his graveside, Tommy’s mother tells Duncan she was already scared for his life. Was his death quite as accidental as it first appeared? Duncan also meets Tommy’s boss, newspaper magnate Mike Honniger and his daughter and Vice President at the paper (and Tommy’s girlfriend) Suzanne – and is not particularly impressed with their lip-service condolences.
When it also transpires Tommy’s position in the company wasn’t quite as claimed, Duncan smells an even bigger story… but just how is Anthony Gallen involved?
Also featuring: Andrea Roth (as Suzanne Honniger), Jan D’Arcy (as Betty Bannon), Robert Collins (as Johnson), Gabrielle Miller (as Bess), Nicholas Harrison (as Ned), Bill Dow (as Harry), Paul McLean (as Frank), Patricia Dahlquist (as Mother), Jane Sowerby (as Claire)
EPISODE 2.11: THE FIGHTER
Written by Morrie Ruvinsky
Directed by Peter Ellis
Tommy ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Bruce Weitz) is a mover-and-shaker, a spitfire boxer-turned-trainer and a very old friend of MacLeod’s. Charlie and Duncan visit him after his protégé’s latest successful bout and Sully tries to get them to invest in George’s fighting future. Unfortunately two other people are interested in buying a stake In George, in fact taking him completely out of Sully’s management, and they may be harder to dissuade.
Duncan remembers the various fights and troubles that Sully has got him into in the past, including fighting the likes of the massive, title-hungry Joe Brock (Rick Faraci). All those schemes usually led to bruises.
In the present day, Sully and Charlie try to give Sully some pointers in flirting (at which he proves useless), but there may not be a lot of time for fraternising if Sully can’t control his temper and if doesn’t pay attention to the needs of his own fighter’s future. In the world of hard-knocks, quite a few people are going to get schooled…
Also featuring: Cali Timmins (as Iris Lange), Tom McBeath (as Coleman), Wren Robertz (as George Belcher), Nicholas Lea (as Rodney Lange), Russell Roberts (as Wilson), Charles Payne as ‘Thunder’ Rodriguez, Topaze Hasfal-Schou (as Marilyn), Ken Roberts (as Wallace)
EPISODE 2.12: UNDER COLOR OF AUTHORITY
Written by Peter Mohan
Directed by Clay Borris
A young woman, Laura, is being chased down a foggy back-street, her tormentor gaining ground. She crosses pass with Richie who is on his bike who senses that the pursuer is Immortal. Not waiting to encounter him at close quarters, he whisks the girl off and to safety.
From Richie’s description of the stranger’s facial scar, Duncan believes that the Immortal is Mako, whom he last encountered as a 600 year old Federal Marshall in Alaska in the 1880s, when he came to arrest one of MacLeod’s friends, Tim. There’s no love lost between the men and their different approaches to getting their jobs done, but Duncan knows that Mako follows the letter of the law and so won’t overtly interfere – even if he assists Tim in attempting to flee.
In the present Duncan has doubts about Laura’s story and the reasons for her being chased and so enlists Joe Dawson to snoop around, especially given the Immortal connection. The last Dawson heard, Mako was now a bounty hunter who tended not to ask questions about innocence. After further investigations, it turns out Laura is actually wanted for murder.
Is Laura an abused victim or just a manipulator? As Mako steps up his pursuit, Duncan and Richie will have to make some serious decisions about the nature of justice and how far they will interfere in mortal law.
Also featuring: Deanna Milligan (as Laura Daniels), Lochlyn Munro (as Tim Ramsey), Howard Storey (as Sheriff), Gregory Smith (as Kid)
EPISODE 2.13: BLESS THE CHILD
Written by Elizabeth Baxter
Directed by Martin Brossollet
Camping in the woods, Duncan and Charlie witness a car veering off the road and they rush to help. The driver is Sara Lightfoot (Michelle Thrush) who is fleeing from her home with a young baby and they drag both out just in time before the car is consumed by flames.
Sara tells them her pursuer is Avery Hoskins (Ed Lauter), her deceased husband’s father who doesn’t think she’s ‘white enough’ to raise the child. When Avery turns up, Duncan tries diplomacy but gets shot at for his troubles and they are forced to flee into the woods. Giving the armed men the slip, Duncan suggests they now travel across the canyon and cut the time to the nearest town. However one of Avery’s men has secrets of his own and kills his partner, telling Avery it was Macleod who is responsible.
It’s a case of babes and bears and bullies, oh my, as Charlie rhapsodises about the nature of one day having a baby son, something he doesn’t realise is impossible for his friend and MacLeod remembers how the inability of Immortals to bear children cost him a relationship decades before…
As Avery’s men close in, MacLeod, Charlie, Sara and the baby are literally stuck between a rock and hard place but will one more secret lead to a way out of the situation without anyone else having to die?
Also featuring: Doug Abrahams (as Luke Hoskins), Dean Wray (as J.J.), Johnna Wright (as Margaret), John Cuthbert (as Billy Hoskins), Carolyn Dunn (as Nora Fontaine).
EPISODE 2.14: UNHOLY ALLIANCE (PART ONE)
Written by David Tynan
Directed by Peter Ellis
In Paris, Anton Legris senses another Immortal nearby and assuring his love Catherine, he departs to face whatever challenge may come. In the darkened alley he sees Xavier St.Cloud (Roland Gift) waiting for him, but he is unarmed (well, technically still with one), or so it appears. Suddenly two men leap from a parked van, spray Anton with bullets and leave him an easy mark for the triumphant Xavier. A few days later, a similar scenario is played out in an underground car-park in New York with Jason Talbot also beheaded.
Later Duncan spots he and Charlie being followed but when he surprises their ‘tail’ it turns out to be an old army friend of Charlie’s… Rick Davis. Duncan is still suspicious and it turns out he has every right to be. Meanwhile, Joe visits the dojo with news of the Immortal deaths and the peculiarity that mortals seem to have been involved because Quickenings occurred immediately thereafter. He warns MacLeod to watch his head.
Xavier comes a’calling… shooting up the dojo. Duncan and Charlie are literally saved by the bell.
Joe has a lead and Duncan heads to confront Xavier but Charlie tails him to a warehouse. Both Duncan and Charlie are shot but once again, Xavier is forced to forestall taking Duncan’s head. But before Duncan plummets down an elevator shaft, he sees… Horton. Alive and well.
With Charlie fighting for his life in hospital and Duncan believing he’s been betrayed by Joe, what choices does he have left? Possibly a Special Agent called Renee Delaney can help?
Also featuring: Peter Hudson (as James Horton), Stacy Tracis (as Renee Delaney), Phillipe Agael (as Anton Legris), Alexandra Stewart (as Catherine Legris), Terry Barcley (as Rick Davies), Roark Critchlow (as Jason), Judith Maxie (as Surgeon), J.B. Bivens (as George), Gerard Smurthwaite (as Auric), Franc Dubosc (as Michel), Steven Hilton (as Barton), Beverley Elliott (as Supervisor).
EPISODE 2.15: UNHOLY ALLIANCE (PART TWO)
Written by David Tynan
Directed by Peter Ellis
Charlie lies in a hospital bed waiting for a second operation needed to save his life – but he’s aware enough to know he saw MacLeod take a bullet to the chest and walk away. Renee is still after the truth and if means the sacrifice of a dinner-date with Duncan MacLeod then… so be it.
Duncan told Joe their next meeting would be their last, but the Watcher offers him an address where he can find Horton and St. Cloud (Roland Gift). Once again, the rematch is unresolved as Horton whisks Xavier away in a handy helicopter.
Duncan hears they’ve headed to Europe and arranges to fly back to Paris in pursuit. When he hails a ‘taxi’ on arrival, it turns out to be Renee who has also followed him across the Atlantic. The barge has been moved due to the Seine overflowing, but when he sees it again it brings back memories of Tessa. His melancholy is disturbed by local Maurice (Michel Modo) who has taken use of its facilities while he’s been gone and Duncan demands he clear up the mess . When Duncan visit’s Anton’s widow, Catherine, she begs him to be careful – there’s been far too much death recently for all of them. However Maurice could have a solid lead on the caviar-loving Xavier..
Horton’s unholy alliance with St. Cloud might be dangerous and temporary, but while a final confrontation between the Immortals is inevitable… Horton’s fate could be in the hands of someone else.
Also featuring: Peter Hudson (as James Horton), Stacy Tracis (as Renee Delaney), Alexandra Stewart (as Catherine Legris), Denis Fouqueray (as Detective Malle), Pierre Lacan (as Henri Martin), Manuel Bonnet (as Cavalry Captain), France Anglade (as Shop Owner), Jean Francois Pages (as Luc Bergon), William Cagnard (as Marc Cluny).
EPISODE 2.16: THE VAMPIRE
Written by J. P. Couture
Directed by Denis Berry
Record producer Barry Piper is murdered in his own indoor swimming pool by an unknown assailant, though the police will later go on the assumption that he slipped and fell, hitting his head. At his wake, Duncan and Barry’s business partner Peter Wells remember their wild-living mutual friend.
Outside, Duncan senses, then sees another, even older ‘friend’ Nicholas Ward (Jeremy Brudenell) but he disappears into the night fog. However Duncan is surprised by another figure that turns out to be Joe Dawson… Dawson nearly losing his own head in the process. Dawson was following Ward, not MacLeod.
Duncan remembers being in 1840s Paris when there were a series of murders. One of MacLeod’s business associates, Henry, owner of Bellaire Imports, believed they had a supernatural, vampyric explanation – perhaps a curse since they illicitly imported relics from Transylvannia.
It was the foppish lawyer Nicholas Ward who was secretly the murderer, though his high-society connections and tendency to not stay dead didn’t hurt the myth around his activities. Duncan will have none of the ‘monster’ explanations, however a vampire-hunter named Baines, unaware of the Ward connection, says he is sure of his quarry’s supernatural origins… though his amateur forensics may be of more practical use in finding proof of the truth.
Ward was killing off the rich and marrying into the business, but Duncan makes every attempt to make sure that Ward would never become the dark prince of Bellaire, however his enemy escapes.
In the present, Duncan tells Dawson he believes Ward is just about to start another killing spree. Can he stop a similar murderous money-grabbing scheme playing out once more?
*Michel Modo is added to the opening credits (as Maurice), replacing Philip Akin.
Also featuring: Jack Galloway (as Peter Wells), Denis Lil (as Baines), Trevor Peacock (as Henry Jacom), Nathalie Presles (as Helene), Tonya Kizinger (as Juliette), Peter Vizard (as William Stillwell), Claire Keim (as Waitress), Michel Feller (as Gentleman), Nigel Nevinson (as Doctor), Chrystelle LaBaude (as Clerk).
EPISODE 2.17: WARMONGER
Written by Christian Bouveron and Lawrence Shore
Directed by Bruno Gantillon
Arthur Drake (Peter Firth) is the head of security for an East European President in the midst of a peace deal. But Drake, or Drakov as MacLeod once knew him, doesn’t want peace – war is far too lucrative a business to give up easily. He kills his boss and frames the President’s girlfriend, also disposing of her.
While picking up tickets for a ballet, at which Drakov will also be attending, Duncan sees a man, Eli, ready to make an attempt on Drakov’s life, but quietly stops him. The would-be assassin sees in Duncan’s face the same disdain for Drakov and can’t understand why MacLeod would stop him.
A reporter, Bath Vaughn, seems just as interested in Drako but MacLeod isn’t of a mind to give her any information. Eli is also following MacLeod and wants to show him why Drako’s death is so important to him. Eli has been tracking Drakov and all the underhand, pure evil machinations that have cost a lot of innocent people their lives – including Eli’s wife and children.
When Drakov’s men arrive to ‘talk’ to Eli, Duncan saves him but doesn’t want to get further involved. A long time ago, as a lesser of two evils and to save more lives, Duncan made Drakov a promise to never interfere in his future plans… but how long can a promise last – and at what on-going cost?
Also featuring: Angeline Ball (as Beth), Tom Watson (as Eli Jarmel), Alexandre Klimenko (as Bartov), Andre Ourmansky (as President Chescu), Jerzy Rogulski (as Vice President), Daniel Breton (as Bodyguard), Frederic Witta (as Nikov), Anna Miasedova (as Katarina), Julie da Page (as Nicole), Dominique Hulin (as Ivan) Chinko Rafique (as Cashier).
EPISODE 2.18: PHAROAH’S DAUGHTER
Written by Elizabeth Baxter
Directed by Dennis Berry
A truck is hijacked by masked men, but later, as it makes its way through Paris, MacLeod feels a ‘buzz’ from it as it passes and curiosity leads him to follow it. It’s clear the people hauling the crates inside are up to no good and quickly dealing with them, Duncan realises that the ‘buzz’ is coming from a crate containing an ancient sarcophagus.
MacLeod opens the ancient artefact and finds… an alive (and naked) Nefertiri (Nia Peeples), handmaiden to Cleopatra, who immediately demands to know if Rome still rules the world. While Duncan whisks her off to the barge for safety, the owners of the crate arrive with the police at the warehouse – but Constantine (James Faulkner) mysteriously denies anything is missing.
Duncan and the new arrival visit the sights of Paris where she learns the history of the world after she was put to rest in Ancient Egypt, but as they leave the museum, they both sense another Immortal. It is Constantine – and he seems as surprised as anyone… though Duncan prevents him pursuing Nefertiri. It turns out Marcus Constantine was a Roman general … and his assistant, unbeknownst to him, happens to be one of the Hunters.
Constantine says that while he once made history, he is now merely someone who wants to make sure it survives – and he bears no ill-will towards Nefertiri. Duncan is initially sceptical, but it seems, thousands of years of anger are not easily satiated.
Also featuring: Jerry di Giacomo (as Victor Benedetti), Diane Bellego (as Angela Constantine)
EPISODE 2.19: LEGACY
Written by David Tynan
Directed by Paolo Barzman
Rebecca Horne (Nadia Cameron) is reassuring her mortal husband John that he is the love of her life, despite the fact he thinks she will eventually grow tired of him. But her pledge is disturbed by the arrival of a ruthless Immortal known as Luther (Emile Abossolo M’bo). He was once one of her students, but went down a much darker path. Luther grabs John and says that unless Rebecca lays down her weapon, the man she loves will die. She agrees and Luther takes her head, her crystal necklace falling to the ground.
Later, a woman dressed in black walks towards the barge and MacLeod senses her presence. It is another of Rebecca’s students… Amanda. Rebecca was the Immortal who took a newly-minted Amanda off the streets in 850 AD, where (and when) she would surely have not survived any better as an Immortal than she had before her first death. She taught her how to survive, training her in the art of the sword… but also the finer things in life: books, art, culture – tempering Amanda’s light-fingers with some real heart. Duncan met Rebecca and Amanda nearly eight hundred years later, a memorable – if amicable – encounter for all concerned.
Duncan takes Amanda to an exhibition to cheer her up. She wears one of the crystals Rebecca gave all her students and Duncan hopes that will distract her from pilfering any of the displays herself. However armed robbers already have their eye on the exhibition – and also Amanda’s necklace.
Why, Duncan wonders, did they take that particular item when there was a chance to grab more obvious treasure?
With Rebecca’s crystal stolen and Amanda’s snatched, Duncan seeks out the only other student of Rebecca’s he can find. He’s vanished, though Duncan and Amanda locate his crystal. Can the legends of even greater Immortal powers, being gained by reuniting the crystals, be true? Duncan doesn’t believe a word of it… but if Luther does, they may all still be in peril.
But this time, Amanda doesn’t want to let anyone else fight her battles…
Also featuring: James Smillie (as John Bowers), Pierre Martot (as Raynaud), Roger Bret (as Vendor), Joseph Rezwin (as Paul Millet), Louise Vincent (as Alice Millet), Alan Brandon (as Retailer), Bernard Herve (as Hooded Leader), Guy Dhers (as Hooded Man).
EPISODE 2.20: PRODIGAL SON
Written by Christian Bouveron and Lawrence Shore
Directed by Dennis Berry
Driving across France, a tired and weathered Richie finds he and his motorcycle are constantly being followed by a mysterious car and its driver, a buzz alerting him to the fact it’s another Immortal. At the petrol/gas station where he is filling up, an attendant is killed with a sword and Richie is forced to flee.
Richie finally reaches Paris where Duncan meets him, cautious but concerned. Richie tells Duncan that after leaving him, he journeyed around the States and then hopped a freighter to Europe. But since Madrid, he’s been followed and framed for various crimes, but never directly challenged. Duncan recognises the tactics of an Immortal called Martin Hyde (Michael Siberry) who once tried to manipulate him to find the more ‘seasoned’ Connor back in the 1600s… and Duncan suspects this isn’t about Richie, but someone trying to find him, herding Richie ‘home’.
Hyde alerts the Parisian police that Richie is on the barge and despite attempting to escape, Richie is arrested. With Hyde finally considering Macleod worthy of battle, there’s a dilemma for Duncan. He is far from confident he can win a battle with Hyde… but if Hyde dies, so does Richie’s alibi and if Hyde wins, MacLeod is dead…
Also featuring: Nicholas Chagrin (as Segur), Michelle Seeberger (as Wife), Clement Harari (as Scientist), Blake Dawson (as Clerk), Xavier Jaillard (as Attendant)
EPISODE 2.21: COUNTERFEIT (PART ONE)
Story by David Tynan. Teleplay by Brad Wright
Directed by Paolo Barzman
While at a funfair, Richie spots men with Watcher tattoos and makes a quick exit. He finds his bike’s tyres slashed, but – unable to get to holy ground – is saved by a young man he’d been chatting to earlier. Pete Wilder takes a bullet to the shoulder for his help but Duncan is still somewhat suspicious of how conveniently Richie was ‘saved’, especially as a burn on Pete’s arm might be hiding the removal of a certain tattoo in itself.
Meanwhile a prisoner, murderer Lisa Halle, is being taken across rural Paris when her transport is hijacked by several men – including Pete. The man behind a very audacious plan involving Pete and Lisa is… Horton. But when Pete is killed, Richie resents MacLeod constantly believing that his saviour would have been part of any conspiracy. Horton’s ‘divide-and-conquer’ is working perfectly…
Meanwhile Lisa is getting some bodywork done. No-one will recognise her as the woman she was – however Duncan may well recognise the face she has been given.
Also featuring: Peter Hudson (as James Horton), Peter Rutherford (as Denny Ponance), Godfrey James (as Charles Browning), Roger Bizley (as Sheriff), Bruno Raffaelli (as Police Driver), Jean Paul Solal (as Alphonso), Less Clack (as Doctor), Dominique Jephcott (as Victim), Hugues Profy (as Guard), Roger Bret (as Brother Andre), Robert Hewett (as Operator 1), Abraham Ferguson (as Operator 2), Vivienne Avramoff (as Coach)… and Alexandra Vandernoot as ‘Tessa’.
EPISODE 2.22: COUNTERFEIT (PART TWO)
Written by David Tynan
Directed by Dennis Berry
Pete is buried in a foggy Parisian graveyard – with Richie still angry that Duncan’s suspicions probably got him killed. It’s the same graveyard in which Tessa is buried and Duncan takes the time to visit her tombstone and remember their life together. But when he glances across the graveyard… surely that can’t be… Tessa? Before he can speak to her, she’s gone.
He sees her again in the city and the woman identifies herself as Lisa Milon. A mixture of emotions leads Duncan to ask her to dinner and there certainly seems to be a chemistry between them. Now it is Richie’s turn to think this is all too convenient, but Duncan, overcome by emotion, wants to see how it all plays out.
Duncan saves Lisa when she seems to be snatched by Horton’s men and Lisa says she wants to see Tessa’s grave so that Duncan can love her as a separate person, not merely a ‘ghost’ of his lost love. It is, of course, a trap.
A final confrontation with Horton is now inevitable and Duncan is taking no chances that his enemy will ever walk away from a fight again…
Also featuring: Alexandra Vandernoot (as Tessa / Lisa Milon), Peter Hudson (as James Horton), Jean Paul Solal (as Alphonso – uncredited)