Highlander University

This episode stars Vincent Schiavelli as Leo Atkins, a Vietnam veteran whose mind has parted its moorings, leaving him vulnerable to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. I must say that the scene in which a group of teenagers taunt him from their car on a country road, and he pulls a phone from his shopping cart in order to report them, is truly funny ... I'm sorry, but it is. I'm really sorry, but I always find his pulling that phone from the shopping cart to be hysterical. Put it down to whichever character flaw you assign things like that to.

The plot regards the death of Lucas Desiree an old friend of Duncan's, and the fact that the beheading is blamed upon pore innocent Leo. Duncan takes Richie to investigate, and Richie gets some of his best lines in this episode. His mutterings while taking his time breaking into Duncan's car are quite entertaining, as is his persnickety ordering of a burger and fries in a local restaurant. Richie does sterling work in this episode.

As does Duncan's walkin'-away view. The sight of him walking across the street of that small town, jeans fittin' just right and boots ... a view to savor ... a true *moment* in television ... unforgettable ... magnificent .. ahem.

The Immortal, yet redneck, sheriff is a stock character. Promising pore Leo that he's gonna "ride the lightnin'". An obvious K'immie o' the week. Hardly worthy of mention.

This episode is more a conglomeration of interesting parts than a cogent whole. But it has a satisfying ending. Duncan kills Sheriff Crowley, the police shrink makes sure that Leo is well on his way. Duncan gives a pile of money to Leo in exchange for his medal, then slips the medal into Leo's backpack, proving that he's a very generous man.

I like this episode very much, but am rather sorry Lucas Desiree had to die. I liked Lucas. I also liked Leo very much. I even liked Randi McFarland in this one. I ***really*** liked Duncan's jeans.

Questions:

1) How did they get Leo off the subways of New York City to a little town in the Pacific Northwest. And where was Whoopi Goldberg?

2) Difference between "boonies" and "the sticks". Discuss.

3) What kind of tippers were the guys in the local restaurant? 5% 10% 15% 20% or was the waitress so used to being stiffed that she had given up all hope of ever buying that condo in Boca?

4) Didn't Duncan look awesome in those jeans?

5) It was a pretty good line that Duncan got off on the sheriff, wasn't it? You know the one when Crowley said that Lucas had begged for his life, and Duncan said, "We'll see how you do." Cool, huh? Absolutely the perfect retort and you saw it on Highlander. My compliments to the writers.