MovieChat Forums > Highlander: The Animated Series (1994) Discussion > Here's which episodes to see if you want...

Here's which episodes to see if you want to check if you'd like the show

posted 8 years ago by Alfabeta
3 replies | jump to latest

If you don't have the time or interest to see all 40 episodes (it does turn into a bit of a grind after a while), here are 11 episodes that sum up the show pretty well.

1-01 The Last of the MacLeods; 1-05 The Sound Of Madness; 1-06 The Suspended Village; 1-09 The History Lesson; 1-11 Fallout; 2-02 The Eye Of Heaven; 2-04 The Treasure In The Sand; 2-08 Orion's Reign; 2-15 The Survivors From Outer Space; 2-19 The Revenge Of The Shantytown; 2-25 Matsuda.

If you want to see how goofy the show could get, then search no further than 2-18 Isle Of Grans.

If you don't want to watch more than a couple of episodes to see if you like the show, then try 1-01 The Last of the MacLeods; 1-06 The Suspended Village; 1-11 Fallout, but you're missing out. When it comes to movies for adults being adapted into kid or teen or YA shows, this is arguably one of the better examples of that.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 7 years ago

I think the show reached its peak between "Oblivion" and "The Survivors from Outer Space". It was a succession of very original and complex stories that watched Mogonda's politics closely and gave nice depth to the villains. I think the show wouldn't have been nearly as interesting if it weren't for the Arak-Asklepios rivalry: the stories that focused on that ("Lord for a Day", "Blood of My Enemy", "Valka") could cleverly deviate from the more schematic heroes vs villains route and fully develop any party's interests inside Mogonda's hierarchy and give the scripts some interesting twists and less predictable solutions (usually the result of interesting strategic alliances between the characters.) I think Kortan and Malone had one of the most interesting and curious relationships in the show and "Oblivion" perfectly captured the essence of it. "The Survivors From Outer Space" is my favourite episode for being so unique in being seen through Kortan's perspective and making him the prime star (I love the character).

If you want to see how goofy the show could get, then search no further than 2-18 Isle Of Grans

Agreed. The fight scene between Gaul and the other Gran(s?) is the single worst moment in the show. Pity because the episode features some nice Arak moments otherwise.

I'm still very fond of the show, particularly the second season.

[–] Alfabeta 7 years ago

All good points. I didn't like those three episodes as much as some others because they of course use the accursed reset button after each of them and all this character development doesn't really end up having much of a long term payoff. For instance, in episode 2x14 "Valka", she gives the rebels information that the villain has on their positions and nothing comes out of it. Not a thing. When it comes to ridiculous episodes, the episode 1x03 "Last Weapon" has a good idea but makes no sense when it comes to basic physics. There's no way that a gun that old would work, especially not that well. But my favorite example when it comes to ridiculous moments in the show is the first season finale 1x13 "The Setup" when Quentin agrees almost out of the blue to become a warlord himself just because a kid he barely knows told him he'd be good at it.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 7 years ago

all this character development doesn't really end up having much of a long term payoff. For instance, in episode 2x14 "Valka", she gives the rebels information that the villain has on their positions and nothing comes out of it. Not a thing

Well, Valka gave the information to Quentin and Ramirez in order to lure them into a trap. The real plan was to deliver the Highlander to Kortan, therefore ensuring the bureaucrats' victory. Ramirez informs the members of the resistance group so that they relocate.

However, Valka implies that the bureaucrats may be of use to Quentin in the day of the final battle with Kortan if they choose to stay neutral. Maybe we would have seen some of this, had the show received a proper ending.

Anyway, even if Arak, Asklepios, Valka and Malone all get to show a more human side in some instances, they all appear to be ultimately loyal to Kortan. They've been part of his order of things for too long to be likely candidates for a change of heart/mind.

When it comes to ridiculous episodes, the episode 1x03 "Last Weapon" has a good idea but makes no sense when it comes to basic physics. There's no way that a gun that old would work, especially not that well.

Well, it's 700 years into the future; you may argue that they've repaired and perfected the browning. It may not be too realistic in the graphic depiction of its anti-gun message, but the parts in the aircraft carrier/iron city with the priest presiding over the ceremony to worship the gun is original and suggestive.

But my favorite example when it comes to ridiculous moments in the show is the first season finale 1x13 "The Setup" when Quentin agrees almost out of the blue to become a warlord himself just because a kid he barely knows told him he'd be good at it.

I wouldn't say it was exactly out of the blue: in the aforementioned "The Last Weapon" before that, Quentin had already showed a dark side, stating in a moment of feverish megalomania that he would've liked to conquer Mogonda. In the 1st season he seems to be marked by his reckless arrogance added to occasional delusions of grandeur because of his newfound immortal state. At least he's always able to realize his mistakes in time and stop. Only in "The Price of Freedom" early in S2, he seems to mature and show potential for good and wise leadership.