Proving once again the wisdom and integrity with which the Watcher organization conducts its affairs, Joe is notified that Duncan had died. He arrives in Paris and proceeds to the barge where he is kidnaped. Mac sees the abduction. Methos arrives and agrees to do what he can in his persona of Watcher Adam Pierson.
The Watchers put Joe on trial for treason. It seems an awful lot of Watchers have been killed since Duncan discovered Joe. There must be a cause-and-effect relationship in operation here, and Horton's nefarious attempts at genocide of the Immortal community couldn't be at fault. Nope. Of course not. Mac pleads Joe's case, but it's all for naught, because Joe is declared Guilty, Guilty, Guilty and sentenced to be executed.
Mac leaves the Watcher compound with the intent of returning to rescue Joe, who refuses to try to escape, because he's rather of the opinion that he is guilty and deserves whatever his peers want to inflict on him. Big dramatic execution scene with Joe standing in stalwart dignity. Ready. Aim. Fire.
Oops.
The gathered Watchers start dropping like particularly voyeuristic, judgmental and rigid flies. Joe falls, too. Is he dead? Yikes.
A lone gunman exits the scene. Who in the heck can he possibly be?
Questions.
1. Why would a guy like Joe want to continue his association with such a bunch of thugs? Why would he think they were worth the spit he polished his shoes with?
2. Anyone else yell "Whoopie! Yippy! Hurray!" when all those Watchers started hitting the ground and pushing up daisies? Just me?
3. In order to truly judge the Watchers, we have to determine if we think their goals and objectives are worthwhile. Then we might explore their methodology and organizational structure. Then we ask the question: couldn't they have come up with a prettier tattoo design?
4. Let's imagine for a moment that Joe becomes King of the Watchers. Do we think he would make fundamental changes to their oath and methodology, or is he really so insecure as to think that ancient rules are better than individual initiative and a modern perspective? Keep in mind that he was willing to be executed for his "crimes" against his oath.
5. Joe is just one of the people kidnaped outside the barge. Name the others and the apparent motivation for each kidnaping. Given all this, should Duncan move the barge to a better neighborhood?