Highlander (1992) s01e01 Episode Script
The Gathering
"Here we are, born to be kings" "We're the princes of the universe" "I am immortal" "I have inside me blood of kings" "I have no rival, no man can be my equal" "Take me to the future of your world" HIGHLANDER 1x01 "THE GATHERING" Check it out.
One night only, everything must go.
I feel something.
- I hope so.
- No.
- Someone's here.
- I didn't hear anything.
Neither did I.
Mac Duncan, be careful.
Engarde you fool! I am Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod.
And you are dead.
Dead? Geez, I ripped off a couple of cups and a bowl; I'm sorry, all right? Here, take them.
They're all in the bag.
I'll pay for the window.
It's over.
Okay? It's over when I cut off your head.
Cut off my head? You don't think that's a little extreme for petty theft? Hey dude, chill.
Your insurance will cover it.
Mac, he's just a boy.
You know what? You should call the police.
In fact, I tell you what, I'll call them myself.
Got a phone? There's someone Whoa! I'm on like America's Funniest Home Videos, right? MacLeod! I'm Slan Quince and I've come for your head.
This is very uncool, guys.
We haven't been properly introduced, but you'll get to know me, my dear.
Mac! Did you come to fight or talk? He's not going to fight you, Duncan.
Not until he's made you suffer.
Until he's destroyed everything you love in this world.
Until you don't know whether you want to live or die.
That's your way, right Slan? Connor! What are you doing here? Headhunting.
Sorry, Duncan, but this one's mine.
Man, these guys are out there.
Let the boy go.
My challenge was to Duncan MacLeod, not you, whoever you are.
I'm Connor MacLeod, same clan, different vintage.
Ah, yes.
You! Not two against one! Thanks, Slan.
I know the rules.
You and me.
Now.
It sounds to me like we're about to have company, gentlemen.
I just wanted to meet the charming lady of the house.
Till we meet again! You look good.
All right, this puppy is gonna walk.
I was asked to come in and identify a boy who broke into my store last night.
Richie Ryan? If that's his name, yeah.
Look, I don't understand.
We caught this kid; we can make a good case against him, but not if you don't press charges.
Sorry.
No charges.
Look, let me tell you something.
This punk is trying to get off the hook by saying he didn't break in.
That he heard a disturbance, looked inside, and he saw three men with drawn swords having it out.
Did he also see a guy in a bat costume and a long cape? Okay.
Anyway.
He had jewelry from your shop in his pocket when we nabbed him running from the scene.
We've got him dead to rights.
Sorry.
Can I talk to him before you let him go? You're sort of Father Flanagan "there's no such thing as a bad boy" kind of guy, aren't you? Look, let me set you straight on something.
You talk, he walks.
He hasn't learn a thing.
This boy needs to do a little time in juvie to straighten him out.
Next month, he turns 18.
His next visit here, oh, he gets processed through as an adult.
He'll get sent to the big house where the cons will pass him around for dessert.
Think about it.
Come on.
This gentleman would like to talk to you.
Now you give me one excuse to bust your butt while you're still here and you'll do ten on the taxpayers' money, punk.
Got it? Oh, yes sir, Sergeant Powell, I certainly do, sir.
He's all yours.
Honestly sir, I really do appreciate this second chance you gonna give me to become a useful member of society.
If I let you out of here, I do not want anyone coming around asking about your little fantasies.
That is the deal.
Fantasies? Oh, you mean like the one where you and the knights of the round table were Right? Never saw a thing.
Just made it all up.
I know.
I'm fast.
All my teachers said so: "Fast, but lazy".
My lips are sealed.
Word of honor.
Besides who'd I tell, you know? So, you liberated this wine from Napoleon's own cellar, I suppose? No.
This wine's only a little bit older than you are.
Happy birthday.
Oh, Mac! You're crazy.
Just something I picked up during the French Revolution.
From now on, I only celebrate un-birthdays like the Mad Hatter.
You're beautiful.
- And a year older.
- And still beautiful.
When we met you were the older man.
Much.
I mean, now we look the same age.
- Soon - Come here.
Tessa, you're the most wonderful woman I've known in my entire life.
All 400 years? Not 400.
I won't be 400 for another four months.
The problem is, even when you are 400 or 420, you'll still look 35.
It makes me sick.
Good skin runs in my family.
There's nothing I can do about it.
From now on, every year you'll look at me and see someone who looks older and older than you.
While you stay the same.
And it will just be a matter of time - until you want someone else.
- No it won't.
No.
Or maybe I will.
You want someone younger? Not exactly hard to find.
No.
Maybe I want someone I can grow old with.
You know I've wanted the same thing.
To grow old with you.
Mac, I know that there've been others.
Other loves.
After a century or two do you learn how to cope? Cope? With the loss? No matter how many years go by or how many times you say good bye to those you care most about, when they leave Die.
Yes.
When they die you're naked and alone.
Why don't we stop thinking about what's going to happen when I'm 420 or 440 or and think about what's going to happen later on tonight.
And what's going to happen tonight? [***.]
Well, well, look who's here.
Ciao, baby! Is there someone here? Someone with a long lifeline.
Hi.
Tessa, you've already met Connor MacLeod.
I'm a friend of Duncan's from the old neighborhood.
A mere pin prick.
By my count, you look more like a pin cushion.
You know Slan is mine.
You sure you can handle him? - Come on.
- No problem.
Slan is mine.
Protecting Tessa is my job.
Good to see you.
You sure you wouldn't rather use a sword, Connor? I take it that uh what you saw last night was new? New.
Yes, as a matter of fact, it is quite new to Tessa.
How long have you two known each other? Are you related? We're clansmen.
When I was growing up there was a legend in my clan about a strange man in my grandfather's time, who was killed in battle and then miraculously revived.
Everyone thought it was witchcraft.
I thought it was an old wives tale, - Until one day - I know.
Someone killed you, but you didn't die.
And then I found him, uh, you know, the way someone found me.
Connor taught me everything I needed to know to survive as an immortal.
The rules, the tactics needed to win.
As once someone taught me.
Win what? Why does this Slan person want Duncan? Please, don't say anything in front of the lady.
Let me just go into the next room and crochet, while you have cigars and brandy and talk about beheadings.
I told Tessa some of it.
I thought I was out of it.
She didn't need to know all the rules.
You're not out of it anymore! There can be only one.
Remember that rule? One what? One of you? Only one immortal left in the end? Is that it? And what does the winner get? The last one will have the power of all the immortals who ever lived.
Enough power to rule this planet forever.
If someone like Slan is that last one, mankind will suffer an eternity of darkness, from which it will never recover.
And you didn't think this was important enough to mention? - It's nothing new.
- It is for me.
You can't stay out of the Game, Duncan.
You've tried before.
Damn it, Connor! It had nothing to do with the Game! You know that.
"There is no time for us" "There is no place for us" "What is this thing that builds our dreams" "Yet slips away from us?" "Who wants to live forever?" "Who wants to live forever?" She knew the names of all grasses the wild flowers the songs that told where her people came from how they lived, what they believed in! I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry Do you think we ever lived like this? Like a tribe, together with a common language, a reason and a name for each living thing? Did we once belong somewhere a time a place however briefly? Tessa! Hi, hon.
Wanna see what I've been working on? I think her face could use a little work.
Don't you? Not too close.
Drop it.
Drop it! You came for me.
You know what some wags call me? Slan the Cat! Because I like to play with my victims first.
Don't spoil the fun.
Be a good boy and I'll leave her alive this time.
I want ya to think about it now.
I'll bet you're thinkin' about it right now, aren't ya? That's all for now, kids.
You want to talk? If I wanted to talk, I suppose I'd be talking.
As an artist, I'm supposed to have this tremendous imagination.
But who could imagine this? Mac, I want to leave.
I think it's for the best, Tessa.
Is that what you think? - Is what, what I think? - That I'm leaving you.
Yes, that's what I think.
You'd think in 400 years a person would learn how to listen.
But that's what you said.
I meant I want to leave, not you, but this place.
Here! The two of us! That's what I meant! But maybe that's not what you wanted to hear.
Let's go.
We could be in Paris by tomorrow.
You think he couldn't find us in Paris? Tessa Slan won't give up.
You'll have to leave.
What? There's no way you could have known what this was going to be like.
Well, I have an idea now.
So, what has this been for you, this past dozen years? Was it like a summer fling? R & R? "Sorry, darling, back to the wars", you know.
Damn you! Damn your Gathering! Damn your whole race! I'm not your enemy, you know.
No.
An enemy could never hurt so much.
I know you loved her, but you can't keep them from dying.
They all do.
Men kill men.
We kill each other.
I don't care who does the killing.
I'm tired of it! I'm tired of the endless, mindless fighting.
I'm tired of death.
- You can't quit.
- I didn't ask for your permission, Connor.
I know why you chose this place.
- It's Holy Ground.
- That's right.
But I did ask permission of the old ones to build my cabin here.
No immortal can fight here.
Ever! You'll always be safe.
I'm glad you approve.
Connor The battle between good and evil can do without me for a while.
Maybe.
But you can't stay out of it forever.
No, not forever, but for a while.
- They'll find you.
- Eventually.
"Here we are" "We're the princes of the universe" "Here we belong" "Fighting for survival" "We've come to be the rulers of your world" "I am immortal" "I have inside me blood of kings" "I have no rival, no man can be my equal" "Take me to the future of your world" - So, how do you feel, old man? - 50 years younger than you do.
- What's wrong? - Slan called.
What did he say? He'll be on Soldier's Bridge tonight.
That's not all, is it? When he's finished with you he'll be back for me.
You know, I've been thinking Why are you smiling? Because I've been thinking? Well, anyway, as long as I can remember knowing you Oh, not again.
- Excuse me? - You heard me.
You don't know what I'm going to say.
As long as I remember knowing you, you've had all the fun and most of the good women.
Lately.
Lately? That's what I said.
What are you talking about? Well, I seem to remember that girl in London.
The redhead.
Healthy girl.
Come on! That was almost.
.
That's what I said.
Lately.
You know what your problem is? You live in the past! I don't have a problem.
- Yes, you do.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, you do! - No, I don't! Stop arguing with me.
- I'm not arguing! - Yes, you are.
- No! It's conversation.
- It's conversation? Well, end of conversation.
Ah, easy way out, huh? Yeah.
The usual.
Duncan? What? - End of conversation.
- Mac! He was arguing! Don't worry.
He's going to be ok.
You don't have to go either.
We don't have a choice.
I hope to see you again.
Damn! Sir Lancelot.
Mac.
Mac Where is he? What do you think? I know, you have to go.
Tell me.
Does anyone, anywhere know why? Just why? Tessa, I won't be back even if I win.
After 12 years is it that simple for you? Of course not! - But you didn't know.
- I do now! - It will happen again! - I don't care! Tessa I love you.
Don't look so disappointed, Slan.
When was the last time you had such an enthusiastic opponent? Maybe you're right.
This could be fun.
Still worried about that pretty face of yours? Just protecting my most valuable asset.
Man! These guys should sell tickets.
Bye-bye! Slan! It's over now.
Not even close, Slan.
Come on! Finish it, Highlander.
There can be only one.
Whoa! Ch chill man.
Just Pretend I I'm not here.
Go for it! That's it.
That's it.
Oh, God! I know this won't come as a surprise, but you'll live.
I should have known it.
You're never on time.
- Slan - I handled it.
As I said, you have all the fun and most of the good women.
Connor, I'm not going back to Tessa.
I can not put her through this again.
I understand.
But she won't.
What about the boy? He'll need watching.
I know.
I will.
Mac? Duncan, is that you? Connor! - Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm ok.
Don't worry.
Where's Mac? He's alive.
And Slan won't be calling you anymore.
Connor, where did Mac go? He didn't tell me.
But I can guess.
Where? You really want to know? I tried to call you, but I love you! I love you! It hasn't ended.
You know that.
- It won't end until - We don't know when it's going to end.
We never do.
But while we're here, living in this time and this place, some of us are lucky few, who will still have all the fun, and all the good women.
That said, I gotta go.
The old ones are whispering that a you want to be alone.
You're welcome to stay.
Good bye, Tessa.
- Will I?.
.
- I hope so.
Duncan Connor.
You didn't say good bye?
One night only, everything must go.
I feel something.
- I hope so.
- No.
- Someone's here.
- I didn't hear anything.
Neither did I.
Mac Duncan, be careful.
Engarde you fool! I am Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod.
And you are dead.
Dead? Geez, I ripped off a couple of cups and a bowl; I'm sorry, all right? Here, take them.
They're all in the bag.
I'll pay for the window.
It's over.
Okay? It's over when I cut off your head.
Cut off my head? You don't think that's a little extreme for petty theft? Hey dude, chill.
Your insurance will cover it.
Mac, he's just a boy.
You know what? You should call the police.
In fact, I tell you what, I'll call them myself.
Got a phone? There's someone Whoa! I'm on like America's Funniest Home Videos, right? MacLeod! I'm Slan Quince and I've come for your head.
This is very uncool, guys.
We haven't been properly introduced, but you'll get to know me, my dear.
Mac! Did you come to fight or talk? He's not going to fight you, Duncan.
Not until he's made you suffer.
Until he's destroyed everything you love in this world.
Until you don't know whether you want to live or die.
That's your way, right Slan? Connor! What are you doing here? Headhunting.
Sorry, Duncan, but this one's mine.
Man, these guys are out there.
Let the boy go.
My challenge was to Duncan MacLeod, not you, whoever you are.
I'm Connor MacLeod, same clan, different vintage.
Ah, yes.
You! Not two against one! Thanks, Slan.
I know the rules.
You and me.
Now.
It sounds to me like we're about to have company, gentlemen.
I just wanted to meet the charming lady of the house.
Till we meet again! You look good.
All right, this puppy is gonna walk.
I was asked to come in and identify a boy who broke into my store last night.
Richie Ryan? If that's his name, yeah.
Look, I don't understand.
We caught this kid; we can make a good case against him, but not if you don't press charges.
Sorry.
No charges.
Look, let me tell you something.
This punk is trying to get off the hook by saying he didn't break in.
That he heard a disturbance, looked inside, and he saw three men with drawn swords having it out.
Did he also see a guy in a bat costume and a long cape? Okay.
Anyway.
He had jewelry from your shop in his pocket when we nabbed him running from the scene.
We've got him dead to rights.
Sorry.
Can I talk to him before you let him go? You're sort of Father Flanagan "there's no such thing as a bad boy" kind of guy, aren't you? Look, let me set you straight on something.
You talk, he walks.
He hasn't learn a thing.
This boy needs to do a little time in juvie to straighten him out.
Next month, he turns 18.
His next visit here, oh, he gets processed through as an adult.
He'll get sent to the big house where the cons will pass him around for dessert.
Think about it.
Come on.
This gentleman would like to talk to you.
Now you give me one excuse to bust your butt while you're still here and you'll do ten on the taxpayers' money, punk.
Got it? Oh, yes sir, Sergeant Powell, I certainly do, sir.
He's all yours.
Honestly sir, I really do appreciate this second chance you gonna give me to become a useful member of society.
If I let you out of here, I do not want anyone coming around asking about your little fantasies.
That is the deal.
Fantasies? Oh, you mean like the one where you and the knights of the round table were Right? Never saw a thing.
Just made it all up.
I know.
I'm fast.
All my teachers said so: "Fast, but lazy".
My lips are sealed.
Word of honor.
Besides who'd I tell, you know? So, you liberated this wine from Napoleon's own cellar, I suppose? No.
This wine's only a little bit older than you are.
Happy birthday.
Oh, Mac! You're crazy.
Just something I picked up during the French Revolution.
From now on, I only celebrate un-birthdays like the Mad Hatter.
You're beautiful.
- And a year older.
- And still beautiful.
When we met you were the older man.
Much.
I mean, now we look the same age.
- Soon - Come here.
Tessa, you're the most wonderful woman I've known in my entire life.
All 400 years? Not 400.
I won't be 400 for another four months.
The problem is, even when you are 400 or 420, you'll still look 35.
It makes me sick.
Good skin runs in my family.
There's nothing I can do about it.
From now on, every year you'll look at me and see someone who looks older and older than you.
While you stay the same.
And it will just be a matter of time - until you want someone else.
- No it won't.
No.
Or maybe I will.
You want someone younger? Not exactly hard to find.
No.
Maybe I want someone I can grow old with.
You know I've wanted the same thing.
To grow old with you.
Mac, I know that there've been others.
Other loves.
After a century or two do you learn how to cope? Cope? With the loss? No matter how many years go by or how many times you say good bye to those you care most about, when they leave Die.
Yes.
When they die you're naked and alone.
Why don't we stop thinking about what's going to happen when I'm 420 or 440 or and think about what's going to happen later on tonight.
And what's going to happen tonight? [***.]
Well, well, look who's here.
Ciao, baby! Is there someone here? Someone with a long lifeline.
Hi.
Tessa, you've already met Connor MacLeod.
I'm a friend of Duncan's from the old neighborhood.
A mere pin prick.
By my count, you look more like a pin cushion.
You know Slan is mine.
You sure you can handle him? - Come on.
- No problem.
Slan is mine.
Protecting Tessa is my job.
Good to see you.
You sure you wouldn't rather use a sword, Connor? I take it that uh what you saw last night was new? New.
Yes, as a matter of fact, it is quite new to Tessa.
How long have you two known each other? Are you related? We're clansmen.
When I was growing up there was a legend in my clan about a strange man in my grandfather's time, who was killed in battle and then miraculously revived.
Everyone thought it was witchcraft.
I thought it was an old wives tale, - Until one day - I know.
Someone killed you, but you didn't die.
And then I found him, uh, you know, the way someone found me.
Connor taught me everything I needed to know to survive as an immortal.
The rules, the tactics needed to win.
As once someone taught me.
Win what? Why does this Slan person want Duncan? Please, don't say anything in front of the lady.
Let me just go into the next room and crochet, while you have cigars and brandy and talk about beheadings.
I told Tessa some of it.
I thought I was out of it.
She didn't need to know all the rules.
You're not out of it anymore! There can be only one.
Remember that rule? One what? One of you? Only one immortal left in the end? Is that it? And what does the winner get? The last one will have the power of all the immortals who ever lived.
Enough power to rule this planet forever.
If someone like Slan is that last one, mankind will suffer an eternity of darkness, from which it will never recover.
And you didn't think this was important enough to mention? - It's nothing new.
- It is for me.
You can't stay out of the Game, Duncan.
You've tried before.
Damn it, Connor! It had nothing to do with the Game! You know that.
"There is no time for us" "There is no place for us" "What is this thing that builds our dreams" "Yet slips away from us?" "Who wants to live forever?" "Who wants to live forever?" She knew the names of all grasses the wild flowers the songs that told where her people came from how they lived, what they believed in! I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry Do you think we ever lived like this? Like a tribe, together with a common language, a reason and a name for each living thing? Did we once belong somewhere a time a place however briefly? Tessa! Hi, hon.
Wanna see what I've been working on? I think her face could use a little work.
Don't you? Not too close.
Drop it.
Drop it! You came for me.
You know what some wags call me? Slan the Cat! Because I like to play with my victims first.
Don't spoil the fun.
Be a good boy and I'll leave her alive this time.
I want ya to think about it now.
I'll bet you're thinkin' about it right now, aren't ya? That's all for now, kids.
You want to talk? If I wanted to talk, I suppose I'd be talking.
As an artist, I'm supposed to have this tremendous imagination.
But who could imagine this? Mac, I want to leave.
I think it's for the best, Tessa.
Is that what you think? - Is what, what I think? - That I'm leaving you.
Yes, that's what I think.
You'd think in 400 years a person would learn how to listen.
But that's what you said.
I meant I want to leave, not you, but this place.
Here! The two of us! That's what I meant! But maybe that's not what you wanted to hear.
Let's go.
We could be in Paris by tomorrow.
You think he couldn't find us in Paris? Tessa Slan won't give up.
You'll have to leave.
What? There's no way you could have known what this was going to be like.
Well, I have an idea now.
So, what has this been for you, this past dozen years? Was it like a summer fling? R & R? "Sorry, darling, back to the wars", you know.
Damn you! Damn your Gathering! Damn your whole race! I'm not your enemy, you know.
No.
An enemy could never hurt so much.
I know you loved her, but you can't keep them from dying.
They all do.
Men kill men.
We kill each other.
I don't care who does the killing.
I'm tired of it! I'm tired of the endless, mindless fighting.
I'm tired of death.
- You can't quit.
- I didn't ask for your permission, Connor.
I know why you chose this place.
- It's Holy Ground.
- That's right.
But I did ask permission of the old ones to build my cabin here.
No immortal can fight here.
Ever! You'll always be safe.
I'm glad you approve.
Connor The battle between good and evil can do without me for a while.
Maybe.
But you can't stay out of it forever.
No, not forever, but for a while.
- They'll find you.
- Eventually.
"Here we are" "We're the princes of the universe" "Here we belong" "Fighting for survival" "We've come to be the rulers of your world" "I am immortal" "I have inside me blood of kings" "I have no rival, no man can be my equal" "Take me to the future of your world" - So, how do you feel, old man? - 50 years younger than you do.
- What's wrong? - Slan called.
What did he say? He'll be on Soldier's Bridge tonight.
That's not all, is it? When he's finished with you he'll be back for me.
You know, I've been thinking Why are you smiling? Because I've been thinking? Well, anyway, as long as I can remember knowing you Oh, not again.
- Excuse me? - You heard me.
You don't know what I'm going to say.
As long as I remember knowing you, you've had all the fun and most of the good women.
Lately.
Lately? That's what I said.
What are you talking about? Well, I seem to remember that girl in London.
The redhead.
Healthy girl.
Come on! That was almost.
.
That's what I said.
Lately.
You know what your problem is? You live in the past! I don't have a problem.
- Yes, you do.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, you do! - No, I don't! Stop arguing with me.
- I'm not arguing! - Yes, you are.
- No! It's conversation.
- It's conversation? Well, end of conversation.
Ah, easy way out, huh? Yeah.
The usual.
Duncan? What? - End of conversation.
- Mac! He was arguing! Don't worry.
He's going to be ok.
You don't have to go either.
We don't have a choice.
I hope to see you again.
Damn! Sir Lancelot.
Mac.
Mac Where is he? What do you think? I know, you have to go.
Tell me.
Does anyone, anywhere know why? Just why? Tessa, I won't be back even if I win.
After 12 years is it that simple for you? Of course not! - But you didn't know.
- I do now! - It will happen again! - I don't care! Tessa I love you.
Don't look so disappointed, Slan.
When was the last time you had such an enthusiastic opponent? Maybe you're right.
This could be fun.
Still worried about that pretty face of yours? Just protecting my most valuable asset.
Man! These guys should sell tickets.
Bye-bye! Slan! It's over now.
Not even close, Slan.
Come on! Finish it, Highlander.
There can be only one.
Whoa! Ch chill man.
Just Pretend I I'm not here.
Go for it! That's it.
That's it.
Oh, God! I know this won't come as a surprise, but you'll live.
I should have known it.
You're never on time.
- Slan - I handled it.
As I said, you have all the fun and most of the good women.
Connor, I'm not going back to Tessa.
I can not put her through this again.
I understand.
But she won't.
What about the boy? He'll need watching.
I know.
I will.
Mac? Duncan, is that you? Connor! - Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm ok.
Don't worry.
Where's Mac? He's alive.
And Slan won't be calling you anymore.
Connor, where did Mac go? He didn't tell me.
But I can guess.
Where? You really want to know? I tried to call you, but I love you! I love you! It hasn't ended.
You know that.
- It won't end until - We don't know when it's going to end.
We never do.
But while we're here, living in this time and this place, some of us are lucky few, who will still have all the fun, and all the good women.
That said, I gotta go.
The old ones are whispering that a you want to be alone.
You're welcome to stay.
Good bye, Tessa.
- Will I?.
.
- I hope so.
Duncan Connor.
You didn't say good bye?