Highlander (TV Series) The Modern Prometheus (1997) User Reviews

the bizzare ethos of Duncan McLeod

[Ar_Pharazon_the_golden · 7/10 · 22 February 2018]

On the very previous episode, a guy is after Duncan McLeod because he had killed his friend, an English noble, in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion. Overburdened by guilt over this - evidently fairly justified - act of vengeance, Duncan wanders the episode lost, despairing over his crimes, and refuses to kill the opponent.

Then in this episode, he murders one of the greatest poets in history for no reason.

Really, he is like "argh, you introduced this random guy to drugs and he overdosed, so I must kill you". What. The. Hell. You, Highlander, are the true villain of this series. There are of course other problems with this episode which has an interesting idea at its core, but doesn't take advantage of it. Jonathan Firth, as Lord Byron, goes a bit over the top, in a fitting portrayal of an archetypical Byronic Hero. However, other than Methos' admiration and a few lines recited during the duel, there is little to demonstrate that Byron is not just a self-destructive decadent but also a glorious artist. In addition, Byron wasn't exactly the most suitable idea for a famous immortal, the guy had (at least one) daughter and a limp, neither of which fit in the Highlander universe. John Keats might have been a better, though less well-known choice, but anyway, this is a minor issue.

The idea for the inspiration for Frankenstein is sort of cute, though the whole flashback doesn't really do much justice to either Mary or Percy Shelley. It should be noted that modern Byron brings Lestat to mind.

Another burned out immortal

[danrs000008 · 7/10 · 8 October 2020]

1. This is a well written artistic story woven around British poet Lord Byron who turns out to be an immortal. In addition to dealing with the mindset of being an immortal, Lord Byron is an eccentric, eternal party animal, spoiled and wreckless, easily bored and will not hesitate to pounce on another man's wife (Let me say here that actor Jonathan Firth does a fantastic job of displaying the personality and suffering of this poet). Byron and his friend Methos have described immortals as a "perversion of nature". 2. By the time Byron meets Duncan MacLeod at Joe Dawson's new club/bar, the poet/rock star has become burned out and weary of his immortal life. You may remember two other immortals who reached a state of burn out, Brian Cullen and Gregor, who were both friends of Duncan. By the way, Joe Dawson mentions the name of Maurice who works at his new bar. Although we don't see him, this Maurice (according to the episode credits) is the french chef who was Duncan's neighbor in Paris when Duncan was living on his barge. 3. Byron gets his thrills now from getting his mortal fans to join him in dangerous acts. This results in the death of two fans, Jerry and Mike. Duncan is only aware of Mike, but this is more than enough for Duncan to go after Byron. Not Methos though. Methos has the ability to overlook many things that he sees, and he considers the poetry and genius of Lord Byron to be worth more than the lives of two mortals. 4. When Duncan comes to challenge Byron we see on Byron's face anticipation or stimulation, but not fear. Perhaps he knows he cannot win against Duncan and that his unhappy existence will soon be over. But no, Byron never was one to follow rules. He cheats and produces a pistol and shoots Duncan in the knee. Their battle continues, with Byron spouting his poetry. Even with this pain Duncan is able to prevail, running Byron through. Duncan picks up where Byron left off reciting the poem, just before he puts an end to Byron. As the quickening begins Duncan has a surprised look on his face. I don't think it was just because he was levitated into the air. I believe that Duncan could feel that he was receiving a quickening that was full of a unique and yet tortured mind. 5. I did enjoy the part of the story with Mary Shelley. Now I know how she got her inspiration to write Frankenstein. 6. After receiving Byron's quickening I like to think that the next time Duncan joins Joe and Methos at the bar Duncan will surprise them with some impressive poetry.

Gregor's Ghost

[laclone · 5/10 · 30 October 2013]

The only reason I gave it as high as 5 stars is because this episode's historical flash-back storyline is about Methos's past, not Duncan's. That in itself makes this episode worth seeing. Other than that, just re-watch the season 2, episode 2 "Studies in Light".

I do like the concept that Mary Shelly's inspiration for Frankenstein originated by her witnessing an immortal's beheading, and the resulting Quickening, with all that lightening, bringing the winning immortal, Lord Byron, back to life after his fatal injuries. But, the present-day Lord Byron was nothing but a Gregor clone.

If one has to be an Immortal Artistic Genius, please let them be a painter or sculptor or such. Not a Poet/Rock Star!

At least then you don't have to listen to them talk!