Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post - Highlander - Series Season 1

Highlander II · 23rd October 2001, 09:53 PM

The Beast Below

okay - so tomorrow turned into 2 weeks - oops -- had to scribble a fic really fast - ok?

The beginning of this ep features a dopey operatic song about time, performed by a diva bitch who thinks she's the center of the universe. (oh, how WRONG she is)

Opera House turned Ballet House (i think - it's hard to tell fromt he dialogue) - anyway - the manager of the place or the show is thrown from the catwalk w/ flower petals.

Duncan is wearing an interesting suit - no lapels on his jacket and it zips instead of buttons.

Flashback: legend of a beast that cannot be 'cut down'; Duncan defends the beast - Ursa - he saves Ursa by 'killing' him and weaving a yarn about burying him, but no one can watch or he'll 'grow roost' and stay forever.

Ursa - apparently he grew up, alone, in the woods, perhaps a 'foundling' that was never found, or someone just 'tossed' him into the woods. We're not really told 'how' he grew up, or why he is the way he is.

Opera bitch sees him as an avenging body-guard.

Darius knew Ursa - says Ursa knows how to sing and that none of the monks knew how Ursa came to the abbey - Duncan then remembers the time he took Ursa to the abbey.

Darius serves Duncan some 'mold-form tea' - sounds VERY appetizing, no?

Darius and Duncan figure that Ursa uses the catacombs under the city to get to the Opera House; Duncan goes into the sewer to find Ursa; he had told Richie to remain behing - but guess what? yep, Richie didn't listen

What is w/ the pink shirt Duncan decided to wear??

Ursa grabs Jenny to hide her b/c Opera bitch (sorry, don't remember her name) told him to; Duncan and Richie find Jenny; and Opera bitch tells Ursa that Duncan is after her, so he will go after Duncan too. Duncan refuses to fight; he tries to talk to Ursa instead

Ursa falls off a building; Carolyn (Opera bitch) tells Duncan what she really thought of Ursa, then when she sees him, runs into the street and is hit by a car.

Duncan takes Ursa back to the monastery where he can live w/o being a 'bother' to ppl - so he's not 'hurting' ppl - and he can sing and do what he did before.

This episode isn't bad - but is just a bit to 'Phantom of the Opera' for me - it's a story that's been done so many times, it's almost cliche. There was even an episode of MacGyver very similar to this episode of Highlander - "The Secret of Parker House" -- same scenario, just in a house instead of a theatre.

Again, Richie and Tessa not used to their full potential - no wonder some of these characters' actors wanted out of the show - (well, not Richie) - they never got to be the 'focus' of the episodes. Come on, even some lowly ensigns on ST got the spotlight ---- (sort of).

23rd October 2001, 09:53 PM	#46 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 9,470	The Beast Below The Beast Below okay - so tomorrow turned into 2 weeks - oops -- had to scribble a fic really fast - ok? The beginning of this ep features a dopey operatic song about time, performed by a diva bitch who thinks she's the center of the universe. (oh, how WRONG she is) Opera House turned Ballet House (i think - it's hard to tell fromt he dialogue) - anyway - the manager of the place or the show is thrown from the catwalk w/ flower petals. Duncan is wearing an interesting suit - no lapels on his jacket and it zips instead of buttons. Flashback: legend of a beast that cannot be 'cut down'; Duncan defends the beast - Ursa - he saves Ursa by 'killing' him and weaving a yarn about burying him, but no one can watch or he'll 'grow roost' and stay forever. Ursa - apparently he grew up, alone, in the woods, perhaps a 'foundling' that was never found, or someone just 'tossed' him into the woods. We're not really told 'how' he grew up, or why he is the way he is. Opera bitch sees him as an avenging body-guard. Darius knew Ursa - says Ursa knows how to sing and that none of the monks knew how Ursa came to the abbey - Duncan then remembers the time he took Ursa to the abbey. Darius serves Duncan some 'mold-form tea' - sounds VERY appetizing, no? Darius and Duncan figure that Ursa uses the catacombs under the city to get to the Opera House; Duncan goes into the sewer to find Ursa; he had told Richie to remain behing - but guess what? yep, Richie didn't listen What is w/ the pink shirt Duncan decided to wear?? Ursa grabs Jenny to hide her b/c Opera bitch (sorry, don't remember her name) told him to; Duncan and Richie find Jenny; and Opera bitch tells Ursa that Duncan is after her, so he will go after Duncan too. Duncan refuses to fight; he tries to talk to Ursa instead Ursa falls off a building; Carolyn (Opera bitch) tells Duncan what she really thought of Ursa, then when she sees him, runs into the street and is hit by a car. Duncan takes Ursa back to the monastery where he can live w/o being a 'bother' to ppl - so he's not 'hurting' ppl - and he can sing and do what he did before. This episode isn't bad - but is just a bit to 'Phantom of the Opera' for me - it's a story that's been done so many times, it's almost cliche. There was even an episode of MacGyver very similar to this episode of Highlander - "The Secret of Parker House" -- same scenario, just in a house instead of a theatre. Again, Richie and Tessa not used to their full potential - no wonder some of these characters' actors wanted out of the show - (well, not Richie) - they never got to be the 'focus' of the episodes. Come on, even some lowly ensigns on ST got the spotlight ---- (sort of).