Highlander (1992) s04e15 Episode Script

Promises

Ah, Paris in the winter.
There's nothing like it.
The city's fantastic.
Everything's great.
There's only one problem.
What's that? Me feet are killing me.
Let me think! Ah, all right.
Let me think.
Oh! I've got it.
I figured it out.
No! Duncan, put me down! You're embarrassing me.
Put me down! That's impossible.
This is Paris.
Ach, this may be Paris, but I'm from Glenfinnan.
Now put me down! So, where to next? Oh, let's go home! Well, the barge is at your service, madame.
I didn't mean the barge.
I meant, back home to the Highlands, Glenfinnan.
Someday.
Okay.
Someday it is.
But you have been here two weeks, and you haven't asked me about me.
I know everything I want to know.
And I've learned not to question magic.
Yeah.
I'm not magic.
No.
You're Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.
A legend from my childhood.
A man who lived and here you are.
There's an explanation.
Time travel? Reincarnation.
You're a fallen angel? That's it! You don't have to tell me.
Let's just be together for a while.
No explanations.
Okay? Okay.
What is it? Stay here.
Why? Just-Just do as I say, all right? Trust me? Okay.
He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.
Born in 1592, in the Highlands of Scotland, and he is still alive.
He is immortal.
For 400 years, he's been a warrior, a lover, a wanderer, constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death.
The winner takes his enemy's head and with it, his power.
I am a Watcher, part of a secret society of men and women who observe and record, but never interfere.
We know the truth about Immortals.
In the end, there can be only one.
May it be Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.
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 I'm all right.
No thanks to you.
If it weren't for that stranger, I would be dead.
Kassim, bring him to me.
As you wish.
The president would like to thank you personally for your service to our country.
Without your intervention, he would surely have died.
Duncan MacLeod.
I'm glad I could help.
You are a hero, Duncan MacLeod.
And Hamad bin Salaam is forever in your debt.
I thank you, and my country thanks you.
It's okay, really.
In my country, when a man saves another's life, a debt is owed.
You may call on me for any favor.
See to it.
Of course, Mr.
President.
Find out who that was, and who sent him.
I shall take care of it personally, sir.
Good.
MacLeod! Kassim.
It's good to see you alive.
It's good to be alive.
It's been a long time.
Yeah.
Two hundred years.
North Africa.
That was a long time ago, Kassim.
Are you still chasing cobblers? I still serve the house of Al Deneb.
My bonnie lies over the ocean My bonnie lies over the sea My bonnie lies over So bring back my There's no need to hide.
Don't be shy.
Come by the fire.
But put your knife down first.
Ach.
I'm Duncan MacLeod.
Reza, son of Mehdi.
Yeah.
I mean you no harm.
That's a great relief.
Are you hungry? I don't take charity! Suit yourself.
Perhaps it was hospitality, and not charity.
- Mm, perhaps.
- Then I accept it.
So, Reza son of Mehdi, what brings you out in the night? A man may travel where and when he wishes.
Especially when someone's following him.
It's just the wind.
Who would be after me? I'm nobody.
I'm just a boot maker's son from Tunis.
Then you have nothing to fear.
May God smile on your journey.
- It must get lonely, traveling alone.
- Not really.
The desert can be very dangerous for strangers.
It would be better for you to travel with a companion.
Would it, now? Someone like me could be very useful.
Well, let's see.
Now, what do you have to offer? Not much, it seems.
You don't have a horse.
And, uh, well-- You're pretty dressed in rags.
And, phew! You smell like camel dung.
Perhaps you're a great warrior.
Not much of one.
Ach.
Then what do you have to offer? I can make boots! You make boots? There is no finer boot maker in the land.
I could do with a new pair of boots.
But we can travel in the morning! MacLeod? Mm.
Why do Egyptians drive their camels backwards? So when the order comes to retreat, they don't have to turn around! I am very funny! We have a saying: a man who travels east will one day discover the sun.
Meaning? I have no idea! You know which direction you are traveling in? When I choose a direction, it's usually the wrong one.
Please! Choose one direction and take another! But there would still be three other directions to choose from! I will have to choose two more directions and then take the remaining one.
The one I didn't choose.
Ach, Reza-- I think it's easier not to choose at all, don't you? Sorry I asked.
Reza? I'm MacLeod.
Of the Clan MacLeod.
Kassim.
I am prefect here.
We're looking for a boy.
Well, there are many boys in the world.
Tall, short, young, old? Wha' has this one done? That does not concern you.
Yeah, well I'll be on my way.
For a large man, you have a small bedroll.
Well-- And a filthy one at that.
Well, water's scarce in these parts.
What is his crime? He defiled the emir's daughter.
Spoke to her in public as if she were a common whore! That's a lie! I love her! You're not fit to lick her boots.
Put up your sword.
We'll meet again.
Perhaps.
Perhaps the president would like to invite Mr.
MacLeod to the party tonight.
I don't think so.
Please.
I insist.
You will be my honored guest.
A car will be sent for you at 7:00.
It would not be polite to refuse the president's generosity.
It's like you knew that was going to happen.
How'd you do that? That's Paris.
Never a dull moment.
An embassy ball? I didn't know how to refuse.
Especially after you just saved the president's life.
This kind of thing happen to you a lot? Yeah.
Every day.
Come on.
The champagne will be good.
I can't.
Why not? I don't have anything to wear.
One fairy godmother at your service! Ach, my God.
Have you lost your mind? Ya think so, huh? Huh.
Ma'am.
Merci.
Nice pumpkin.
Still wish you were in Glenfinnan? Of course.
You would.
It's okay.
You'll be fine.
Oh, I don't want to be here.
I know you don't.
Let's have a little drink to loosen you up.
Okay.
Some champagne would be very nice.
Thank you.
You are nervous, aren't you? Trust me.
We'll have a good time.
Yes, but how's the whiskey? I'm not sure.
Haven't tried it yet.
Ah, Mr.
MacLeod.
I am grateful-- Oh, I'm so sorry.
No, no.
What have you done? No! Really, it's okay.
You will be punished.
Allow me.
Aliya, maybe you should assist mademoiselle in the powder room.
It's all right.
Go.
New helper.
She tries her best.
It is not good enough.
Ah, it's over.
It's okay.
I'm Duncan MacLeod.
Nasir Al Deneb.
Al Deneb is one of our more liberal ministers.
He is in charge of the people's education.
They love him as much as they hate me.
Do they not, Nasir? He sends their children to school, I send them to war.
I think perhaps, that, um I would rather have his job.
We can exchange jobs anytime you wish, Mr.
President.
For that you would have to kill me, and you are far too moral for that.
I hear we owe you our president's life.
Oh, his-- Yes, and he shall be rewarded.
I have said so.
Then it shall be so.
Ah, the United States ambassador.
I suppose I shall have to be friendly.
No gift is worthy of such a deed, Mr.
MacLeod.
Ah, nothing's really necessary.
You deserve thanks all the same.
No, you're the one that deserves thanks for stepping in when you did.
Our president can be short-tempered at times.
And Aliya has seen many troubles.
Will you excuse me? Certainly.
So, tell me, MacLeod.
Were you impressed by our glorious leader? Not really.
He's a f-- Good.
Then you won't be troubled too much when we kill him.
Murder your president? You can't be serious.
You met the man, MacLeod.
He's a tyrant! Murder's not the answer.
'Tis the only answer.
For 800 years I've served.
Ruler upon ruler.
Emirs, governors, presidents.
Some have been fair men.
Some even good men.
And some have been like Hamad.
But none have been fit to rule.
None have been of the House of Al Deneb.
The young minister? You've seen him.
You'vemethim.
MacLeod, he is of royal blood.
Nasir is the last of his line.
The last of the House of Al Deneb.
In the year 1460, with the hordes of Aragon at our gates, the Moorish reign in Europe was near its end.
You should have seen it, MacLeod.
Art, the books-- long gone.
Destroyed by those barbarians.
I had sworn my undying allegiance to Boadin Al Deneb.
A more enlightened ruler had never lived.
I would have killed a hundred-- no, a thousand-- for him.
But no matter how many I killed, there were always more.
- My Lord.
The arrow, Kassim.
Remove the arrow.
Stay! Stay.
I would leave this world with a friend in my sight.
You will survive all this.
Not without my lord.
I'm dying, but I'm not blind.
You are not made as other men.
Your wounds become whole! No, I have seen it.
Allah watches over you, Kassim.
He has given you many lives.
All of them in your service.
You will watch over my family.
And someday, one of my house will rule again.
Swear it.
If it takes a thousand years, the House of Al Deneb will arise again.
I swore to my master that one day his descendants would rule again.
This is my chance.
Only Hamad stands in the way.
You were behind the assassination attempt? That was your man this afternoon? Your timing was unfortunate.
But Providence has spoken, and you shall be her hand.
You shall kill Hamad for me.
Kassim, I'm not an assassin.
Hamad is a monster.
Those who object to his rule are jailed and executed.
Doctors, professors, newspaper publishers-- Anyone who dares to speak freely.
A man like that does not deserve to rule.
Or to live.
Yes, but it's not for me to judge.
No.
You are not his judge, MacLeod.
I am.
You, my friend, are his executioner.
I can't.
You must.
You gave me your word.
You owe me this.
Release the boy.
He's to come with me.
Kassim said not to be touched.
Uh, have it your way.
If they catch us, they kill us! Both! They-They'll gouge our eyes out! They flay our flesh, they-they burn our bodies! Reza, put your tongue back in your mouth.
And keep it there.
Now, mind your fingers.
And your head.
- Why did you come? - Must be your camel jokes.
Just a second.
This is because what you done to me.
Do you remember this? Reza.
Reza.
Pooh! I spit on you! Pooh! I want to spit on him.
Why are you stopping? Go on.
I looked forward to this.
Just not so soon.
Let the boy go.
We can settle this.
We will.
But the boy goes nowhere.
What purpose could his death serve? You should know more than any that a lowly boot maker trying to court the princess is an insult to the House of Al Deneb.
He must be punished.
How can love be a crime? You must know what it's like to love somebody.
It takes away all reason.
The boy was just following his heart.
The princess cannot ignore such an insult.
Did you ask her? - You serve the princess, do you not? What would she feel if she knew this boy died just for loving her? Is that how you protect her? - There is no other way.
- There's always another way.
- We could escape.
- No one has ever escaped from here.
I could be the first! Be quiet, Reza.
We could leave tonight.
You would not see either of us again.
If I do this what would you give me in return? Except for my sword, you could have anything.
- Anything that is mine to give.
- What would that be? A rough pair of boots, a-a poor horse? My friendship.
For as long as I live.
Your promise? Aye.
A favor for a favor? A life for a life.
Aye.
I will hold you to it.
You have mywordon it.
We live long, MacLeod.
I will not forget.
Neither will I.
Has your memory become weak, MacLeod? I haven't forgotten.
Be at this restaurant tomorrow night at 7:30.
Kassim! Don't make me do this.
You made a vow-- a life for a life.
Am I intruding? Shame on me.
I-- I'm keeping you from your friend.
Oh.
Rachel MacLeod.
Enchant?.
Your wife? No! Distant cousin.
It's a long story.
Yes.
So many of them are.
Please.
En-Enjoy the party.
Until tomorrow.
Can I have some more champagne? Sure.
Have some of mine.
What's happening tomorrow? Nothing.
You've been awfully quiet all morning.
Oh, I'm just thinkin' of something.
Anything I can help with? No, I don't think so.
I'm just going to the corner to mail these.
Okay.
Okay? Coming! For MacLeod.
Thanks.
Oh, it's heavy! Maybe I forgot my glass slipper.
Uh, maybe I should have a look at that.
Oh, my God.
I guess it's for you.
Rachel, um-- This is a little difficult to explain.
I-I-- I shouldn't have looked.
I've got to go out.
Duncan.
I know you wouldn't do anything that didn't need to be done.
This way, please.
Is this the best that you can do? This is the food of our country, Mr.
President.
I know it.
When I'm in Paris, I expect to eat French food.
I'm sorry, Mr.
President, but, uh I couldn't take a chance after what happened yesterday.
I know this restaurant is secure.
The people who own it are our loyal friends.
Please, sir.
Did you see the newspapers today, Nasir? They called me, "Hamad the Despot.
Hamad the Dictator.
" They had numbers on the dead in our jails.
I suppose you have been talking to your friends in the press.
Say nothing.
Listen.
It will not happen again.
What is it, Kassim? What is this? Guards! - Kassim, no! -Get down! You got him! In the back.
The back.
Back door.
Back door.
-Hold him! - Are you all right, Mr.
President? I am fine.
Take me home.
I thought it must be you.
Are you okay? You know, when I was young? I fought in so many wars and I met a man who'd given up killing.
He didn't care who was right and who was wrong.
He saw that life was more precious than principles.
And you think he was right.
I think there are some things worth living for.
And dying for, and some things worth killing for, if you have to.
But not tonight.
No, not tonight.
Then your friend would be proud.
I wish I knew.
I wish he was here.
I made a promise to someone.
Something I couldn't keep.
I'm sure you had good reason.
Yeah, but is that enough? Sometimes I think that a man of honor does what he swears and says, "To hell with the consequences.
" I think a man of honor lives with whatever he does.
Do you know what you've done? I'm not a murderer, Kassim.
It was too much to ask.
Too much to ask of you to honor your sworn oath? You have betrayed me, and you have betrayed yourself.
Kassim, there had to be another way.
If he was as bad as you said he was, maybe you should have made the information public.
Made Nasir speak out.
Forced him to step down.
Are you a fool as well as a coward? Now Nasir will not live out the week.
He will be blamed for my part in these attempts.
My support for him is well known.
Hamad will have him killed.
And because of you, I am dead! I can no longer serve him.
I can no longer protect him.
The last of the line of Al Deneb will die out.
Because you couldn't honor your word.
Well, then.
If I can't keep my promise at least I can avenge him.
Kassim, don't do this.
I'm not your enemy.
Don't you even have enough honor to accept my challenge? - I won't fight you! Fight! Make no mistake, MacLeod.
You will fight me.
And you will die.
The president will be back from lunch shortly.
You may wait here.
Thank you.
I hope you realize what a busy man he is.
He may not be able to see you.
The man who saved his life? If you were not, you would not be allowed to wait.
"The Wit And Wisdom Of Hamad" It's kinda short.
They thought you might want some coffee while you waited.
Aliya, wait.
You know my name, sayyid? Yes, the minister Nasir Al Deneb told me.
He seems like a good man.
He is a good man.
If he was in trouble, would you help him? I was a teacher in my country.
Until my brother was arrested.
I think him bringing me to Paris has kept me alive.
Then I need to talk to him.
His life is in danger.
No, sayyid.
You are to wait here.
No, I'm not gonna wait.
I will see Nasir Deneb.
I just don't want to go through every single hall, opening every single door.
He needs your help.
These are private quarters.
All I need are two minutes.
You don't have them.
Leave, please.
If you want to stay alive, you'll listen to me.
Listen to you? I don't even know who you are.
Except for the fact that you saved Hamad's life.
But neither you nor Kassim will get many points for that one with me.
Kassim wanted to see you rule.
Kassim was a dangerous man.
And although his intentions were good, they were foolish.
Yet, I will rule.
Someday.
Not with Hamad in the way.
He thinks you took part in the assassination attempt.
He'll have you killed.
He wouldn't dare.
I have spent many years cultivating the love of my people.
That's exactly why he wants to eliminate you.
Thanks for your concern.
Your two minutes are up.
Mr.
MacLeod was just leaving.
You're making a mistake.
Good day, Mr.
MacLeod.
I hear you have seen Nasir Al Deneb.
Yes, actually, I was looking for you, and I bumped into him.
- Tell me, do you like Nasir? - Not especially.
He is an arrogant little bastard when you get to know him.
He wants to rule my country.
- Does he? - He thinks, with his Cambridge education, and his family tree, that it is his right.
I have lost three brothers and two children, fighting for my country.
Before me, there was anarchy.
My people were starving.
Now, they go to sleep with full bellies and still, they call me "tyrant.
" I gave them order.
I gave them strength.
Our army is feared throughout the region-- Now, why are you here? You said I was entitled to a favor.
I've come to claim it.
Ah, yes, every man has his price.
And yours is? The life of Nasir Al Deneb.
I want you to spare his life.
The life of a man you barely know? That is a strange request.
Still, it's what I ask.
You promised me a favor.
Are you gonna honor your word? Al Deneb is safe from me.
I will not expect to see you again.
Well, you won't see me again.
As long as you're a man of your word.
Should I be afraid of you, MacLeod? A man who saved my life? A life for a life, Mr.
President.
Ah, Mr.
President.
I have just had the most unusual request.
Why would Duncan MacLeod wish to protect you? I have no idea.
The man is a complete stranger to me.
Of course, you know nothing of him.
Just as you knew nothing of Kassim's little plan to get me out of your way.
You are a clever man, Nasir.
But, I cannot afford to have a clever man at my side.
Rachel? -You wouldn't dare harm me.
- Of course, you're right.
A man in my position cannot afford to kill a man like you.
But, when the truth came out about your hand in my assassination attempt, guilt drove you to suicide.
You would be overthrown within the year.
Perhaps.
But not by you.
What are you doing? You can't do this! An incident like this, monsieur, it raises many questions.
You would expect such an event to target public figures, or tourist landmarks.
Why would someone target you? I don't know.
You have no idea? Inspector, if I did, don't you think I'd tell you? Not necessarily.
Not if you were hiding something.
Are you hiding something, Mr.
MacLeod? What are you fishing for, Inspector? Only the truth.
The truth is someone I care about has disappeared.
My home has been blown apart.
Now, I'm not the criminal here.
- Not yet, you're not.
- Ohh.
Is there anything else? A few days ago, you stopped the assassination of Hamad bin Salaam.
I was in the right place at the right time.
Maybe not everyone shares that opinion with you.
We've finished.
Where will you be staying? I don't know.
- What's the deal, Kassim? - Listen closely.
Duncan? Rachel? You all right? I'm okay.
For now.
Kassim, leave her out of this.
I wish I could.
But Nasir Al Deneb is dead.
The last of my master's line is dead because of you.
Meet me and pay for it.
Or one of your line will be next.
Where is she? You know, I actually wanted to kill her.
I wanted you to feel what I felt.
Where is she? Locked in a pantry.
It's a good place for perishable goods.
You see, I'm a man of honor.
I'm giving you a chance to save her life.
- Which is more than you gave me with Nasir.
- I tried to help him.
- He wouldn't listen to me.
- All I've worked for.
Centuries of waiting and planning you've destroyed with your treason.
I did whatever I could.
But not what you should have! Give me your life.
In exchange for his.
Fine.
I'm here.
But you're gonna have to fight me for it.
No, I'm not gonna kill you! Sad.
You can't even win with honor! A man of honor lives with what he does.
Go! This changes nothing.
Rachel? You all right? Will you be able to fix the barge? I don't know.
Insurance company wants me to sell it and buy a new one.
But I guess we've been together a long time.
Where to, madame? To the airport.
It's all like a dream.
You sure you want to do this? No.
I have to go where I'm needed.
Back to Glenfinnan.
I don't know what you are.
But I know you don't need a wee woman at home to protect.
I don't think anybody can call you a "wee woman.
" Especially someone who wants to keep their teeth.
I won't be used against you again.
You can't blame yourself about that.
That was about me, not you.
Well, if you ever get a yen for the Highlands you know where to find me.
Ach, aye! I love you, Duncan MacLeod, of the Clan MacLeod.
Who's there? What do you want? I told you I'd be back.
You lied to me.
What you asked was impossible! You gave me your word.
You should have kept it.
I'm keeping mine.
A life for a life.
And 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
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