Wheels within wheels within wheels. There we go.
We see a very lovely Duncan MacLeod in 1780 kilt, hair, and full heroic attitude defend a lovely lady from the untoward advances of the brutish Terence Coventry. It's all fluff and romance with manly posturing, maidenly protestations and fleet footwork.
But ... does the heroic Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod save the maiden from Coventry? Well, we'll have to buy Carolyn Marsh's book Blade of the MacLeods to find out. Amanda's at a book-signing and she senses some familiarity with what's being read. She takes the book home and reads a piece of Mac's history to the real Duncan MacLeod who is fixing some plumbing. After he dries himself off, he tells the real story, which is how he and Terence Coventry were both robbed by a barmaid. Mac is less than pleased to have his life on display in tales told by a complete stranger, so he endeavors to find out what Carolyn Marsh is all about.
He doesn't really have to endeavor too hard, because Carolyn Marsh comes to the dojo and invites him to a party and to become the cover model for her proposed series of books about the Highlander. Amanda goes into attack dog mode, accompanying Duncan and Carolyn out for drinks, then to the party. Duncan is obviously flattered by all the attention at the party, though he tries to act blase. Guess who shows up at the party? Terence Coventry! And he seems to have it in for Carolyn Marsh in a big way. In order to protect Carolyn from Coventry, Duncan drags her out of the party and back to the dojo where an angry Amanda finds them horizontal, fully dressed and Carolyn Marsh trying to have her way with a helplessly struggling Duncan.
We see Duncan and Amanda in bed, with Duncan snoring while Amanda reads how the romantic Duncan MacLeod is such a roaring stud in the sack. She tries to wake him for a little real life one-on-one, but he just keeps snoring. So much for romance.
Duncan and Amanda go to see Carolyn who fully expects Duncan to accept the commission of being her cover model, but he doesn't go for it, suggesting Fabio instead. Or Mel Gibson. Amanda later meets Carolyn in a dress shop, where they are trying on identical and expensive frocks. They insult each other until Carolyn is in tears, then walk out of the store together, with Amanda telling the saleswoman to put her dress on Mac's charge card ... which she stole in a prior scene. Did I mention that? No. Darn. How did I miss THAT?
Carolyn tells Amanda her sad story, which is that she and Terence are married, but how could she possibly compete with all the beautiful women he's had through the centuries? She just writes horrible things about Terence because she's ... Duncan goes to Terence's house and they duel with a wooden spoon and a chicken leg, then with swords in a strictly non-lethal fashion. Until the women walk in and Amanda assures Terence that Carolyn really loves him. Terence and Carolyn fall on the ground, so Amanda and Duncan make a discrete exit.
Amanda tells Duncan that it would be ever-so-nice to be loved for real, and Duncan picks her up and gets romantic. It ain't mortal love, but it'll do for now.
Questions:
1. This episode works on so many levels that it's hard to even count them. We get the romantic fantasy Duncan MacLeod who roars while making love. We get the real life fantasy Duncan MacLeod who snores in bed but is otherwise an excellent love object. And then we take a step back and have to see that for "us", the real life fantasy Duncan MacLeod is equally as delicious as the romantic fantasy Duncan MacLeod, but we ain't never gonna get either of 'em because 1. They ain't real and 2. If they were real, they'd be in the arms of either the romantic fantasy heroine or the real life fantasy heroine. We take a step in another direction and see that Carolyn Marsh writes fantasy about a guy she couldn't care less about, in fact is only telling HIS tales because she's pissed off at the guy she really loves! Care to comment?
2. The romantic fantasy Duncan MacLeod is just sooooo delicious that we must give tribute. Take a moment to give tribute.
3. Is there anything at all in this episode that makes it work for a guy?
4. Weren't those dresses just sheer horror? Anyone else think they'd end up in the clearance section of the bridal attendant section of a not-very-good bridal goods shop?
5. Notice how I've hardly mentioned Amanda's theft of Duncan's credit card? I deserve some praise and I'm standing here, tapping my foot, waiting for it. Fill the room with your eloquence.