Ep 19. Avenging Angel

In Highlander: The Series season 1 episode 19 titled "Avenging Angel," Duncan MacLeod, the immortal highlander, finds himself in a tough spot when he is confronted with the prospect of having to avenge the death of one of his closest friends.

The episode opens with MacLeod attending the funeral of Rebecca Lord, a fellow immortal and a dear friend of his. As he stands near her grave, a group of men arrive and one of them introduces himself as Michael Christian, a former lover of Rebecca's. Christian reveals that he was responsible for her death, having killed her in a fit of jealousy, and challenges MacLeod to a duel.

MacLeod initially refuses the challenge, not wanting to add to the bloodshed that is a part of the immortal existence. However, his reluctance to fight does not sit well with Christian, who becomes increasingly aggressive in his demands for a duel. Christian is an extremely skilled fighter, and MacLeod knows that he faces a formidable opponent.

Despite his reservations, MacLeod eventually agrees to fight Christian, recognizing that, in this case, the only way to avenge his friend's death is to engage in combat. The two men face off in a tense and thrilling fight sequence, with each of them using their respective immortal abilities to gain an edge.

As the fight progresses, MacLeod begins to gain the upper hand over Christian and soon has him at his mercy. However, just as MacLeod is about to dispatch his opponent, he has a moment of pause and realizes that killing Christian will not bring Rebecca back or ease his own pain. In a moment of empathy, MacLeod chooses to spare Christian's life and leave him to live with the consequences of his actions.

"Avenging Angel" is an episode that explores the themes of revenge and forgiveness. MacLeod, who has witnessed far too much death and violence in his long life, is forced to confront the reality that there are some instances in which violence may be necessary to achieve justice. However, he also recognizes that there are times when forgiveness and mercy may be more powerful tools in achieving a greater good.

The episode also features strong performances from the cast, particularly Adrian Paul as MacLeod and guest star Martin Kemp as Michael Christian. Kemp brings a great deal of menace and intensity to the role of Christian, making him a formidable opponent for MacLeod. However, he also infuses the character with a sense of vulnerability, making it clear that Christian's actions are the result of deep-seated emotional pain and insecurity.

Overall, "Avenging Angel" is an excellent episode of Highlander: The Series, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the show's central themes and showcasing some impressive action sequences. It is a standout episode that will not disappoint fans of the series.