A little HL thought experiment
Jul. 20th, 2003 09:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
katallisonSo 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.)
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.)
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(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-20 07:56 pm (UTC)Judging from the admittedly tiny sample I've seen, though, Duncan can't resist a lost puppy, *especially* if it walks on two legs. So hmmm. I think it possible he might still have defended Mikey from Tyler. I just can't see him saying, "Okay, sure, go ahead, kill him." Even when he realized it had to be done (and I was *so* thinking "Old Yeller") it's not like he *wanted* to.
And guh, but Callum in a duster is hotter than a very very hot thing. I need more. Lonesome Dove, here I come...
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-20 08:45 pm (UTC)Which is kind of where I hang up too, although then I think of him stepping aside and letting Methos whack Kristin...
And guh, but Callum in a duster is hotter than a very very hot thing. I need more. Lonesome Dove, here I come...
(a) Testify, sister! (b) Is Callum in Lonesome Dove?? Why the hell did I never know this??
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-21 05:41 am (UTC)Which is kind of where I hang up too, although then I think of him stepping aside and letting Methos whack Kristin...
That's another interesting set-up, what with Kristin having gone after Richie. How many corners on that little affair? But Duncan historically has trouble fighting with people he's slept with -- or wanted to sleep with -- Kleopatra (or whatever her name was) to the contrary. It's not chivalry, it's sentiment. And Methos's sentimentality runs in the opposite direction -- he's sentimental about Joe and, to a certain amount, about Duncan, but he doesn't let it keep him from doing the task at hand. Nothing stops him.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-21 10:56 am (UTC)I see this as very different. Methos wasn't just out for an easy Quickening, as King was, he was doing what he felt needed to be done. And unlike Mikey, Kristin could (theoretically) defend herself, she had a sword, and she was an adult who understood the Game. She understood that a relationship with another Immortal could lead to a challenge. So I guess I don't see the situations as similar -- bad guy wanting to take head of innocent vs ambiguous guy wanting a fair fight with definitely not innocent.
I think CKR is cute, too, but I have to say -- I can't see Methos having anything to do with the King character as we actually saw him portrayed. At worst, he's evil, wanting to rack up Quickenings at any cost. At best, he's an opportunist, out for easy kills wherever he can find them. I can't see the Methos we know and love exposing himself physically to such a person, much less becoming emotionally close.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-21 02:39 pm (UTC)And even if not, cowboys. Mmmm. (I have hidden shallows. *g*)