A little HL thought experiment

[katallison]

So today I *finally* watched "The Innocent," which is, amazingly, one of the very few HL episodes I hadn't yet seen--amazingly, because it's the one with Callum Keith Rennie as Kimmie-of-the-Week (and may I just say, the man looks *damn* good with a big sword, to say nothing of the swirling black duster ... *guh*).

Anyway, here's the thought experiment, for all the HL mavens in the reading audience:

It seems to me from my viewing that what made Duncan finally realize there was no solution to the problem of Mikey (none, that is, except for the Methosian one: "Take his head, problem solved") was his discovery that Mikey had, in his Of-Mice-and-Men way, killed a couple of people without intending it, that he was incapable of controlling his actions or his strength. Up until then Duncan had been willing to go with Richie's let's-save-Mikey program, to the point of being willing to take on Tyler King to defend him. And then by the end of the episode, he'd come around to deciding to kill Mikey, and then letting Richie take that on.

Now, here's the thought experiment: if Duncan had come to this realization somewhat earlier in the episode, would he have stood aside and let Tyler King whack Mikey? It's clear that King didn't represent any immediate threat to Duncan himself, or to Richie; King's message was "Get out of the way and let me have this guy." Could Duncan have brought himself to refrain from intervening in the killing of an Immortal who, however innocent and helpless, however much under his protection, was capable of harming mortals? Could he have stood by and let that happen?

It may seem like a minor issue, but it's interesting to me as a question of how Duncan handles his sense of responsibility, how far he extends his authority. It would make an interesting story, anyway. (And I'm not saying this just because I would kind of, sneakingly, like to have seen Tyler King survive the episode ... maybe come back and, oh, say, buddy up with Methos ... ::self-thwack:: OK, sorry, hormones got away with me there.)

Comments

[twistedchick]

Taking a whack at this, so to speak :

Yes and no.

If Tyler King hadn't come on as such a headhunter, out to slaughter the innocent, maybe. In that case, if for example the people Mikey had killed were King's family instead of the reverse, Duncan might even have stopped Richie from interfering.

But as it was? With Tyler obviously out for any Immie he could get? I don't see it happening.

But oh, yeah, Tyler/Methos. We need more of this, and not just the one or two that are out there. And what about the possibilities (dare I suggest it) of Tyler/Joe Dick?

[katallison.livejournal.com]

if for example the people Mikey had killed were King's family instead of the reverse, Duncan might even have stopped Richie from interfering.

In total agreement here. He'd have felt bad about the whole thing, but he would have stepped back, I think.

But as it was? With Tyler obviously out for any Immie he could get? I don't see it happening.

See, the thing is, though, Tyler didn't come across to me as out for any Immie he could get. He didn't, for example, make even the slightest move toward Richie, who I think might as well have had "Newbie! Inexperienced! Take My Head, I'm Not Using It!" painted on his chest. Tyler was an opportunist, in my eyes, out for an easy head, unburdened by conscience, but not a mad-dog killer, like Kalas or Kronos. My hunch (and it's only that) is that Tyler is much more the norm for Immies, and simply reflects the overall human propensity for easy gain, me first.

The other thing that really interests me in that episode is that, during the final Duncan-Tyler fight, you can just *see* how much Duncan is *loving* it. I mean, maybe he got into it to defend the weak and so on, but by the time the swords start flashing--you look at the grin on his face, his stance, everything, and you're reminded once again--MacLeod just plain loves the fight.

Which is not a bad thing in him, it's what's kept him alive this long. He's not a headhunter or anything. But he loves to fight. It's his gift.

But oh, yeah, Tyler/Methos. We need more of this, and not just the one or two that are out there.

Hah! I might've known that my beloved sistern-in-slash would've gotten there ahead of me. Are there any good ones out there, do you know?

And what about the possibilities (dare I suggest it) of Tyler/Joe Dick?

Kit, you are a sick and (as your user name suggests) twisted woman. Oh my golly. No, I am *not* going to write it. You evil wench, you. *g*

[twistedchick]

See, the thing is, though, Tyler didn't come across to me as out for any Immie he could get. He didn't, for example, make even the slightest move toward Richie, who I think might as well have had "Newbie! Inexperienced! Take My Head, I'm Not Using It!" painted on his chest.

Well, that's Richie all over. Little Brother to the World.

Tyler was an opportunist, in my eyes, out for an easy head, unburdened by conscience, but not a mad-dog killer, like Kalas or Kronos. My hunch (and it's only that) is that Tyler is much more the norm for Immies, and simply reflects the overall human propensity for easy gain, me first.


Um, maybe and no. (So decisive...) He may be the norm for *younger* Immies, say, less than 300 years old.

The other thing that really interests me in that episode is that, during the final Duncan-Tyler fight, you can just *see* how much Duncan is *loving* it. I mean, maybe he got into it to defend the weak and so on, but by the time the swords start flashing--you look at the grin on his face, his stance, everything, and you're reminded once again--MacLeod just plain loves the fight.

Definitely. And this reminds me of a discussion I saw somewhere (can't recall where) that noted that Buffy's "addiction" wasn't to Spike but to violence. Given the choice, she'd beat her way out of any situation. I'd be interested to know if anyone has written a story with Duncan and Buffy talking about this.

Hah! I might've known that my beloved sistern-in-slash would've gotten there ahead of me. Are there any good ones out there, do you know?

I can't say I was that impressed with the ones I read; I just remember them because of the character combination. They seemed a bit OOC for me.

>>And what about the possibilities (dare I suggest it) of Tyler/Joe Dick?

Kit, you are a sick and (as your user name
suggests) twisted woman. Oh my golly. No, I am *not* going to write it. You evil wench, you. *g*


Hey, don't look at me. Tyler sneers at me and Joe Dick won't even say hello. Then again, most of my guys aren't talking right now. Guess they're on summer vacation.
Kit, you are a sick and (as your user name suggests) twisted woman. Oh my golly. No, I am *not* going to write it. You evil wench, you. *g*