From: ses52823@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Marius   )
Subject: Re: highlander - humph
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 16:08:17 GMT

Hmmm...

Sandman may have a point here...

What if Duncan meets an immortal (Kurgen, for example) and is led into
a church and baited to attack?  McLeod might not know about holy ground,
or might not care if sufficient impetus were provided (like Kurgen killing
someone close to him)... 

Wait a minute, this scene is taking place here --

<<Pan to a cathedral with lots of fancy stained glass & sunbeams>>

Kurgen stands in the aisle, obviously amused by this highlander who stands
about a foot shorter than he does.  MacLeod is the first to draw forth his
katana.  

The Russian simply stands, arms crossed, and gives that terrifying 
raspy chuckle... "Do your worst, Highlander..."

Duncan feints, then plunges the sword deep into Kurgen's chest... 
Immediately he is struck by the oh-so-familiar blue lightning and thrown
across the church into a wall/icon/altar/etc...  His body lands a smoking
carcass.  He regains consciousness to find Kurgen standing above him with
his own sword pointing at his throat.

The Russian stands over him for a moment, obviously summoning the resolve
to administer the coup de grace, and then... that chuckle again.  Kurgen
throws back his head and laughs hysterically, and then spits on Duncan.

Duncan -- "Will you finish me, then?"  (too badly hurt to stand)

Kurgen -- "HAHAHAHAHAHA... Finish you?  It is already finished for you,
	   Highlander!"  (throws sword away into pews)

Duncan -- (hobbles to a kneeling position) "What do you mean?"  (realizes
	  something is different;  perhaps he's not healing like he should)
	  "What have you done to me?!?!?"

Kurgen quickly spins and grabs Duncan by the lapels of his shirt, easily
lifting him off his feet, a look of rage openly evident on his face.

Kurgen -- "You ended your part in the game by attacking me on holy ground,
	   Highlander... none of us may break that rule!  Your power is now
	   mine!  You are no better than the swine around you now."

(Kurgen roughly hurls Duncan to the ground)

Duncan -- "You mean... I'm mortal?  Again?"

Kurgen -- "None of what we are flows through you any more."
	  (Spits again, at Duncan's feet, and leaves in triumph)
	  "Perhaps we shall meet again in other worlds than these."

<<Episode ends with Duncan, obviously, hobbling back to his apartment and
  having to explain everything to Tess, who nurses him back to health.  She
  is overjoyed at his transition;  now he can live, and love, and spend the
  rest of his days with her.  Duncan, while happy to have the opportunity
  to cherish his mortal love with her, always remains bitter towards the
  power which was his own.>>

The last scene could be foreshadowing and could (optionally include Paul
Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod)...

<<Narrative dubbed over scenes of Duncan writing a letter and packing an
  item in a long cardboard tube.>>

Dear Connor --

As you have no doubt sensed by now, my rashness in attacking the Kurgen
on consecrated ground cost me the power which has been ours for centuries.
I am as mortal as the next man now.  In some ways I do not miss the power
of the Quickening;  I can now see everything as a mortal man.  Mortal love
is mine, and the shadow around the next corner will never be a foe hungry
for my head again.  

My need for this weapon has passed on.  Wield it with my blessing and go
in peace.

Your kinsman,

Duncan

<<Duncan sheathes the katana and, after a moment's hesitation, places it
in the cardboard mailing tube.  Tess comes up from behind him, and the two
embrace briefly and leave the room.>>

<<Scene of the Highlands, where a short-haired Connor MacLeod reads the note,
katana held in one hand.  He unsheathes the sword and brandishes it at the
sky and summons the power of the Quickening (blue lightning again).  He
screams some Scottish -- "Duncan!  Failte MacLeod!"  (or similar Scottish)
Episode fades to black with some of that neat French horn music from the end
of Highlander I.>>

Some may call this campy, but I think it would be the epitome of a twisted
yet happy ending.  Let me know what you all think.

* * * * * * * * * *

Marius
(Sven Skoog)
ses52823@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
University of Illinois

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