Oh Methos, laughing at Duncan struggling with yet another moral dilemma. But it does intrigue me, that this is actually the episode that comes directly after The Messenger. Both of them are about when it is right to kill and when it isn't. Last episode argued that there are times when killing is right. This episode is refining that argument, to say that killing actually isn't always the right response to evil, that it's more complicated than that.
Also: fascinating moral discussions between Methos and Duncan: about whether Hitler was Hitler because the time was ripe, or whether Hitler was Hitler because he was Hitler; about whether the ends justify the means, and believing that you're making the world a better place makes it okay ("What was his name? Adolf... something or other"); about what's the difference between Duncan killing Ingrid and Ingrid killing those other people ("Good question! Right up there with chicken and egg").
This show... I went into it expecting lolarious 90s cheese with added bonus awesome character, and there keep on being these startlingly good episodes among the cheese. It's impressive!
Also, Methos telling Joe "Pretty smart...for a kid" made me think again about how this show, like Doctor Who, does interesting things with one's perception of age. Methos looks all young and helpless and young, while Joe looks old and grizzled and experienced. But compared to Methos' age, Joe's hardly been alive long at all. It's so easy to get drawn into thinking about someone being the age they look, instead of the age they are, and reacting to them as such. It makes for fascinating dynamics! (And reminds me of how much I'd love it if the Doctor had someone old along as a companion on a semi-longterm basis. I loved seeing him interact with Wilf, for instance, but that was not for long at all.)
ANYWAYS. I do wonder about the "there can be only one" thing too. I mean, the immortals are forever killing each other on this show. But the immortals are ALSO being friends, lovers, acquaintances. There's community and fellowship among the immortals -- it's obviously NOT just all about trying to be the only one left. Gina and Robert marrying, Duncan mentoring Richie, Methos and Duncan being friends, all the other instances of friendship that have been showcased in individual episodes. So it seems clear that although The Game is an important part of immortal life, it's not the be-all and end-all. And Methos may be the oldest immortal still alive, but I don't think he was the first immortal. I'd be willing to bet that the Game was alive and kicking long before Methos was born.
I think Duncan just sort of expects the people he hangs out with the do the right thing! So when he manages, time and again, to convince Methos to do what Duncan thinks is right, he doesn't think anything of it, when to an outside observer it is SO OBVIOUS that Duncan has Methos whipped.
Apparently I don't pay enough attention to the clothing of people other than Amanda! Because I couldn't tell you what Duncan tends to wear, other than generic guy clothes and a really kickass long coat. (mmmm, this show really panders to my thing for long coats. I LOVE IT.)
Re: FLAILY TIME!
Also: fascinating moral discussions between Methos and Duncan: about whether Hitler was Hitler because the time was ripe, or whether Hitler was Hitler because he was Hitler; about whether the ends justify the means, and believing that you're making the world a better place makes it okay ("What was his name? Adolf... something or other"); about what's the difference between Duncan killing Ingrid and Ingrid killing those other people ("Good question! Right up there with chicken and egg").
This show... I went into it expecting lolarious 90s cheese with added bonus awesome character, and there keep on being these startlingly good episodes among the cheese. It's impressive!
Also, Methos telling Joe "Pretty smart...for a kid" made me think again about how this show, like Doctor Who, does interesting things with one's perception of age. Methos looks all young and helpless and young, while Joe looks old and grizzled and experienced. But compared to Methos' age, Joe's hardly been alive long at all. It's so easy to get drawn into thinking about someone being the age they look, instead of the age they are, and reacting to them as such. It makes for fascinating dynamics! (And reminds me of how much I'd love it if the Doctor had someone old along as a companion on a semi-longterm basis. I loved seeing him interact with Wilf, for instance, but that was not for long at all.)
ANYWAYS. I do wonder about the "there can be only one" thing too. I mean, the immortals are forever killing each other on this show. But the immortals are ALSO being friends, lovers, acquaintances. There's community and fellowship among the immortals -- it's obviously NOT just all about trying to be the only one left. Gina and Robert marrying, Duncan mentoring Richie, Methos and Duncan being friends, all the other instances of friendship that have been showcased in individual episodes. So it seems clear that although The Game is an important part of immortal life, it's not the be-all and end-all. And Methos may be the oldest immortal still alive, but I don't think he was the first immortal. I'd be willing to bet that the Game was alive and kicking long before Methos was born.
I think Duncan just sort of expects the people he hangs out with the do the right thing! So when he manages, time and again, to convince Methos to do what Duncan thinks is right, he doesn't think anything of it, when to an outside observer it is SO OBVIOUS that Duncan has Methos whipped.
Apparently I don't pay enough attention to the clothing of people other than Amanda! Because I couldn't tell you what Duncan tends to wear, other than generic guy clothes and a really kickass long coat. (mmmm, this show really panders to my thing for long coats. I LOVE IT.)