HL comment of the day

[hafital]

Since getting back from VividCon I've had the attention span of a gnat. I blame astolat because I try to blame her for something at least once a day. *g* (kidding. mostly. heh)

Anyhoo, have been reading the wonderful MacGeorge's episodic comments of the Highlander season 2 DVDs, three of which (and the others to follow) can be read online at Carmel's totally awesome Highlander site. And then I read a thread on one of the mailing lists comparing Duncan's behavior regarding Gregor and Byron, why Gregor walked away alive while Byron gets his head wacked off, whether his reaction to Byron was out of character, etc etc. Honestly, every single time the Byron discussion comes up (and it comes up a lot) I am totally and completely perplexed.

Seriously, I'm confused and I wonder sometimes if it's just me. I mean, Byron? I'm sorry, but I just don't get how one can even remotely justify any of his actions. Why are we even discussing this? I ask myself. LOL. I mean, it makes perfect sense to me why Gregor lives and Byron becomes one head shorter. And I think it's totally in character of Duncan. And why does this discussion always get boiled down to "Idiot #1 and Idiot #2 have all the right to kill themselves, with the indirect help of Byron, if they so choose. It's not Byron's fault."?

Yes it is. It's all his fault!! I blame everything on Byron. heh.

I don't see how Byron could not have been absolutely and perfectly aware of exactly what he was doing. He played with Idiot 1 and 2's lives, willingly, and lead them to their deaths, directly or indirectly. And how does saying Byron's actions weren't deliberate make him any less responsible for them?

Don't get me wrong, I really like this episode. I think the actor's portrayal of Bryon is really quite good. I love the moral dilemma presented and I love seeing Duncan give into his righteous side. Also, I'm not without feelings for Byron. I remember watching this episode for the first time and feeling all torn up about it. As Duncan says, it's a total waste of immense talent. Nor am I particularly fond of Gregor, either. And I still think Bryon deserved what he got and that if Duncan had gone through with it and killed Gregor, that would have been OOC. Obviously there is much varying mileage regarding all of this.

This is where I get the sharp realization that the world doesn't live
inside my head and thus see things the way I do. I hate that. *g*


I hope anyone reading this wasn't expecting actual analysis. I did mention the gnat-sized attention span, right? *g*

Comments

[astolat]

Hey!!!! *g*

[hafital.livejournal.com]

Aw, you know I love you. *g*

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

Aside from the fact that, surprise surprise, I agree with you (in spite of the fact that I have HUGE fondness for Byron and J. Firth), can we just discuss for a moment the fact that Duncan gave both of them fair warning, and more than a fair chance to try to get it together; Gregor did, Byron didn't, end of story. I don't understand why anyone would be in any doubt that Byron wanted Duncan to kill him, and chose the precise path that would lead to that end -- which would explain the grin when he sees Duncan show up at the concert hall. Why else would he leave Mike's dead body where he left it? If Duncan hadn't found Mike, the cops would have, and Byron's rock star fame would have crashed and burned -- but Byron knew very well what he was doing, and what the result would be.

Also? Byron shot him. That's neither here nor there, I'm just saying. *g*

[hafital.livejournal.com]

Hey! You live in my head! *g*

Duncan gave both of them fair warning, and more than a fair chance to try to get it together; Gregor did, Byron didn't, end of story.

Totally. And certainly Bryon seemed to be inviting Duncan to do just what he did. And Methos didn't try very hard to stop either of them.

The one thing that gets me though, is that Duncan takes on this responsiblity. I adore him (obviously) but I hurt for him always stepping up to police the bad immortals and it obviously weighs heavily on him.

And I *adore* J. Firth! (and his brother...) I want him to act more in shows I watch. :)

[luminosity]

PREACH IT, BABY! PREACH IT!

[hafital.livejournal.com]

LOL! Right on, sistah!

[carenejeans.livejournal.com]

I'm still a HL newbie, and haven't seen all the episodes by a long shot, so let me just weigh in here. *g* Actually, I saw the Byron episode recently, and my take on it is that he's a vicarious suicide. Not only does he lead people to their deaths, he dies with them -- at least with the first guy we see -- though *he* of course revives. And then there's the scene where he's screaming at the lightning to come get him. The man is suicidal. But he can't die.

I suppose there are there are ways to cut off your own head -- but where is the drama in that? Duncan is his chosen instrument -- he's the "lightning" who *will* strike. And by fighting him, Byron can have it both ways. He can give in to his destructive urges and fight Duncan with reckless abandon. If he wins, he can wallow in the quickening and exult over destroying a fellow "abomination." If he loses, he gets the death he seeks.

Imho, as always.

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

So it's suicide by boy scout? :-)

And yeah, that's my biggest problem with the whole "Mike knew what he was getting into" thing. I'm sure Mike thought a) it was safe, since his hero did it, and b) that if he did have any problems, somebody would call the french equivalent of 911, not leave him lying there like road kill.

[hafital.livejournal.com]

And yeah, that's my biggest problem with the whole "Mike knew what he was getting into" thing. I'm sure Mike thought a) it was safe, since his hero did it, and b) that if he did have any problems, somebody would call the french equivalent of 911, not leave him lying there like road kill.

Well, Mike's never going to win any points for intelligence, in my book. But he's only like 18 years old or something. And obviously gaga over Byron, lacking the right personality to battle that particular ego, that's for sure.

[hafital.livejournal.com]

Hello there! And welcome. :)

I suppose there are there are ways to cut off your own head -- but where is the drama in that? Duncan is his chosen instrument -- he's the "lightning" who *will* strike. And by fighting him, Byron can have it both ways. He can give in to his destructive urges and fight Duncan with reckless abandon. If he wins, he can wallow in the quickening and exult over destroying a fellow "abomination." If he loses, he gets the death he seeks.

Byron is definitely seeking some sort of elusive high he can't quite reach. He's a kind of vampire in my eyes, sucking the last bit of life from hapless mortals. I like your analysis. :)