Following the advice of another reviewer, I went to the official HL website and found they are indeed selling the sets for half of what other retailers are charging. However - caveat emptor - the Season 5 set that the HL Store sent me has 8 discs, not 9, and seems to be missing two vital (to me, anyway) bonus features - "Peter Wingfield: The Man Who Became Methos" and "The Time of the Gathering: Highlander's 1998 Convention" (which I attended). After getting no response to two separate emails, I took time out of my workday to call the HL Store (they only answer the phone 8:30-5 PST, M-F). The operator I talked to said that the sets they have are the "European" versions of the sets, but they're the same as Anchor Bay's sets. When I told her this wasn't the case, we both took our computers online to Sam Goody, which lists the bonus features (why is Amazon not doing that for Season 5, anyway?). Because her computer was glitching, she asked me to print out the webpage that listed the bonus features and fax it to her. That was the last I heard, and - quite frankly - I don't know if they're planning to do anything about it besides say, "Oh, well." Perhaps I should call again... The practical upshot of all this is, if Methos and/or the 1998 convention hold any importance to you (and who doesn't hold Methos as important?), be careful about buying Season 5 at the Highlander site.
no subtitles
I am a fan of the show but was very disappointed to discover that the subtitle feature was not available. I often watch TV late at night and don't like to have the volume very loud, as I don't live alone. The subtitle feature has been a blessing for me when watching movies and other TV shows on DVD. I didn't start my Highlander collection until Season 5 was released, so I am not very optimistic that the other season sets are going to be different. I will still get all 6 seasons but are not going to rave about them. I also didn't like the packaging. Who wants to have to remove one disc to get to another? I will probably have to keep my Highlander DVDs in a CD wallet to make it more convenient.
Possibly the show's best season.
Many fans consider this season to be the last true season of "Highlander" before the series spiraled towards oblivion with season six. Many fans also consider this to be the show's best season. No matter what you say, it's indisputable that the fifth season holds some of the show's finest episodes.
One of the lesser points of the show's later years was that it delved deeper into the realm of fantasy, bringing in witches and even a Zoroastrian space demon (!). Season five begins with one such episode, entitled "Prophecy", which introduced the character of Cassandra (played by Tracy Scoggins), a five-hundred-year-old witch whom MacLeod briefly met as a child. We explore the after-effects of MacLeod's Dark Quickening (from the season four episode "Something Wicked") in "The End of Innocence", a great episode that shows Richie's loss of trust in Duncan. Carl Robinson, the character from season two's "Run For Your Life", returns in "Manhunt" (as well as a young Eric McCormack), while - naturally - Amanda returns for many an episode. The high point of the season is undoubtedly the two-parter which delved into Methos' dark past, beginning with "Comes a Horseman" and ending with "Revelation 6:8". These two episodes are often thought to be the best of the whole show, and I must say I agree. These are just a few of the great episodes in this season, which also includes the entirely flashback episode "Stone of Scone", as well as the beautiful "Duende", and intriguing "Modern Prometheus". We're left with a cliffhanger for the season - "Archangel", the first of the Ahriman trilogy, which forsees the coming of a space demon whom Duncan alone can defeat. If it sounds horrible, it's because it is.
One of the best parts of season five is not simply the jump forwards in script quality, but the evolution of the characters. They seem much more three-dimensional in this season, and are also placed in difficult situations which makes us think, "What would I do in this situation?"
Of course, the real reason to love this season is the many appearances of Methos. (Wink wink.)
If you were introduced to the show through the DVDs, you're in for a real treat with this season. For you longtime "Highlander" fans out there, sit back and enjoy what may be the best season of the entire show.
In the opening credits, read by the character of Joe Dawson(Jim Byrnes):
"He is Duncan MacLeod. . . the Highlander. Born in 1592 in the highlands of Scotland, and he is still alive; he is Immortal.
For 400 years, he's been a warrior. . . a lover. . . a wanderer. . . constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death. The winner takes his enemy's head-- and with it, his power.
"I am a Watcher, part of a secret society of men and women who observe and record, but never interfere. We know the truth about Immortals -in the end, there can be only one. May it be Duncan MacLeod. . . the Highlander."
great box set but if you really want it go to highlander web site and buy it for 39.95 a set all 6 for 240.00 plus the box to put them in for only $1.00 More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert DVD Release Date: Released the 13 April 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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great box set but if you really want it go to highlander web site and buy it for 39.95 a set all 6 for 240.00 plus the box to put them in for only $1.00 More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert DVD Release Date: Released the 18 November 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $89.98 Your Price: $80.98YOU SAVE $9!
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Season Two marks a turning point in the Highlander series, when the writers finally break out of the territory established in the original Highlander movie and introduce new ideas. The Watchers are introduced, a secret society of people who have been watching and recording the Immortal's deeds for centuries. While I can't help but wonder if this idea was liberally borrowed from Anne Rice's books, the Watchers quickly became my favorite aspect of the show, especially the tentative and growing friendship between Duncan McLeod and his watcher, ultra-cool guy Joe Dawson. It really adds depth to Duncan's character to see him interact with someone not in "the biz" from whom he has nothing to hide. In fact, Dawson may know McLeod better than anyone ever has, including Duncan himself. The abrupt... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert DVD Release Date: Released the 29 July 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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While I love the original movie, I'm not one of the extremely loyal Highlander fanboys (the Highlander-verse has always had a strongly loyal following), so i feel I can give an honest appraisal on this. The first half of Season One is downright awful- poor acting, weak scripts, and plot holes you could drive a broadswoard through. THings get better towards the end of the season, as some recurring characters and long-running plot threads begin to take root. Still, ther's not enough here to convince me to run out and get season 2. If you're curious about this show, I'd recommend getting this as cheaply as possible and struggle past the first few discs to get to the better stuff before rendering your verdict More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert DVD Release Date: Released the 12 November 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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