Highlander (1992–1998): Season 2, Episode 17 - Warmonger - full transcript

He is Immortal.

Born in the Highlands of Scotland
400 hundred years ago.

He's not alone.

There are others like him.

Some good,

some evil.

For centuries he's battled
the forces of darkness...

...with holy ground his only refuge.

He cannot die,

unless you take his head and with it his power.

In the end, there can be only one.



He is Duncan MacLeod,

the Highlander.

♫ Here we are ♫

♫ Born to be kings ♫

♫ We're the princes of the universe ♫

♫ I am Immortal ♫

♫ I have inside me blood of kings ♫

♫ I have no rival ♫

♫ No man can be my equal ♫

♫ Take me to the future of the world ♫

You're my first president.

Then I hope I live up to your expectations.

— What have I done to deserve
such a beautiful present?
— I saw you on television.

You did a great thing today.



Sometimes making peace is more difficult
than making war.

— And making love?
— We'll see, won't we?

What's wrong?

Drake. What the hell are you doing here?

I'm your security advisor, Mr. President.

I'm checking on your security.

Another time. I'm busy.

I'd come back in five minutes,
but some things can't wait.

You... go to the other room. Get dressed.

Exactly what do you think you are doing?

My job. We... have a problem.

— With the girl?
— No. With you.

We discussed the position
you would take at the peace talks.

I have been to too many funerals.

I have seen too many children die.

We need a compromise.

What they propose is not compromise,
but surrender.

You will not sign the peace treaty.

I will do what I think is right.
I am the president.

I'm afraid I've misjudged you, Mr. President.
It won't happen again.

In that case, you can call the girl back in.

I think it's a little soon,
considering the national tragedy.

What the hell are you talking about?

Haven't you heard? You were found dead tonight.

History will damn you for this.

I am history.

Nicole?

The president has had an accident.

If you want to live, do exactly as I say.

Pick up the gun.

Pick up the gun.

Give it to me. Thank you.

How could you assassinate our president?

Well, check again. My name is Elizabeth Vaughn.
My ticket's supposed to be here.

As I told you, nothing has been left.

Listen carefully. Mr. Drake and I
are very good friends, and—

Madame, you could be his mother, and
you wouldn't get into his box without a ticket.

Well, I'll take any seat you have.

We're sold out.

— Would you watch where you're going?
— I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. It's not my day.

I couldn't help overhearing.
A friend of mine's ill. I have an extra ticket.

Really, uh, I'd love to, but some other time.

I mean that.

Uh, MacLeod, s'il vous plait.

Merci.

Mr. Drake, Elizabeth Vaughn, European Observer.

I know who you are, Miss Vaughn.
How did you know I was coming to the ballet?

You had oatmeal for breakfast,
dry toast, coffee — black, two sugars.

I congratulate you on your excellent sources.

I made my comments at the press conference.
I've nothing further to add.

Who brought in the girl?

I don't know.

But you were in charge of security.
Wouldn't it be your business to know?

Didn't you usually pimp for the president?

You're very good, Miss Vaughn.

There was no motive, Mr. Drake.
No reason for that girl to kill your president.

What are you implying?

Well, that your eyewitness' report
might not be too reliable.

I was the eyewitness.

Exactly.

That will be enough.

Hey, Drake... see you in church.
I'll find my own way out!

You're making a mistake.

— Let go of me.
— I can't do that.

Well, well, MacLeod, still here.

Is it the ballet you've come to see or me?

The ballet.

That's good to know.

I think the sooner you go inside, the better.

You surprise me. Do you always treat
your old friends this way?

And you. I know you, don't I?

Ah, yes. I remember now.

How's the family?

Such interesting company you keep.

— Listen to me. You can't go after him.
— This is not your business.

You'll be throwing your life away.

I have no life. Give me my gun.

I'm sorry.

You know what he is. I saw it
in your face. He's your enemy.

That doesn't matter. Go home.

It's for your own good.

Hey, look, your meal ticket's safe now.
You can let me in now!

Don't you have something better to do?

We're in public.
Let's not make a scene, shall we?

I could have handled it.

You're welcome.

So, tell me — you make a habit
of helping ladies in distress?

Only at the ballet.

Somehow I doubt that.

Well, looks like I'm free for the rest
of the evening, so why don't we go in?

No. I've lost my appetite. But be my guest.

Hey, wait! Excuse me. Excuse me. I'm sorry.

— Beth Vaughn.
— Duncan MacLeod.

What's the matter? You didn't like the company?

What makes you say that?

I say Arthur Drake speaking to you on the stairs.
What were you talking about?

— Nothing important.
— But you do know him.

Well, at least tell me who the old man was.

I have no idea.

Why are you so interested in Drake?

He's a security advisor and his president
gets killed just before he's going to sign
the peace treaty.

— Incredible coincidence.
— You think Drake arranged it?

I would, but it doesn't add up.

Drake pulled the strings
that made the president.

Maybe the strings broke.

Well, if he did it, it'll come out.
He can run, but he can't hide.

Don't count on it.

Well, this is where I get off.
Come up, and I'll buy you a drink.

What, so you can drill me
some more about Drake? No, thanks.

Oh, come on, Duncan, can't you tell me
anything about Drake?

Be careful around him.

Well, why should I be careful around him?

Good night, Beth.

Good night, Duncan.

I don't know who you are,
but you could get hurt doing that.

My name is Eli. Eli Jarmel. I want my gun.

It won't do you any good.

It would not be the first pig I have slaughtered.
None of them deserved it more.

Eli, leave him alone. The only person
that's going to die is you.

You expect me to believe that
my life is important to you?

All life is important to me.

Very poetic. I'm not a coward.

I know hate when I see it. Come.

I'll show you why he has to die.
I think you owe it to me.

Africa, Bosnia, Armenia.

Arthur Drake is devouring them all like a cancer.

And what is it you do with cancer?

You cut it out?

Exactly. Do you believe in evil, Mr. MacLeod?

I'm not talking about acts of greed,
passion, or hate.

I'm talking about pure, unadulterated evil.

Evil that exists for its own sake.

For years I've followed him.

Tonight was the first time
I was close enough to kill.

Your family?

In Romania... many years ago.

That is my store. I wasn't always a killer.

My wife, Malca, and my two children,
Rachel and Jakob.

So young... and so alive.

Then Drake came with his secret police
and his murderers.

Some of us fought back.

We formed an underground.

Drake took my wife and children. He held them. He demanded I return and turn in my brothers.

I couldn't do it.

He killed them.

One at a time.

Then he hung them in front of the store.

I think Drake takes what he wants and destroys
what remains. I think you know this.

I'm sorry, Eli.

Why, in God's name, did you stop me?

Because it wouldn't bring your family back.

It would have been justice.

I would do something if I could,
but I can't get involved.

And you can't keep living in the past.

The past... is all I have now.

And Drake is what he is.
I can't do anything about that.

And neither could you.

Guess we're just going to have to live with it.

You saved him. You live with it.

No need for you to get involved in this.

You want the old man.

Walk away, and nobody else will get hurt.

I don't think so.

Tell Drake to leave the old man alone!

And tell him Duncan MacLeod said so.

Mr. MacLeod...

...for someone who doesn't want
to get involved, I like the way you show it.

Duncan?

Hi.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

How'd you find me?

Now, what kind of investigative reporter
would I be if I couldn't find you?

You want some coffee?

I'd rather have some answers.

I'm not a story.

I don't know what you are, MacLeod,
but you're definitely a story.

Really?

Mm. I talked to some friends of mine
at the Paris police, and guess what I found...

...a file on you filled with reports
about you dodging bullets...

...and having a hell of a time
with some very bad guys.

Quelle surprise.

One minute you're in Paris,
the next in the States.

People seem to know a lot
about you. People know nothing.

Where did you go to elementary school?

What's your mother's maiden name?

See? I can be a real pain
in the ass when I want to be.

And if I talk to you about Drake,
you'll stop investigating me?

I can't help it. Being a pain in the ass comes with my job.

I don't take too well to blackmail.

Okay, we don't have to talk.
I'll make you a deal.

You come to dinner with me and
Drake tonight, and we'll—

Drake invited you to dinner?

Drake invited us.

Don't go.

Stalin's gone, Mao's gone, and Saddam Hussein
isn't giving interviews these days.

I'd be crazy not to go. So, what do you say?

Have a nice time.

Drake said you weren't going to come.

But he also said if you did,
I'd get a better story.

I don't think so.

I just thought you'd like to know
what he was up to as much as I do.

Soviet Union, Moscow, 1919

Alexandra. Joseph.

Don't you ever get tired?

No. Only of politics.

I think you'll be hungry tonight.

You will join us for dinner,
Ivan, and bring your wife?

Yes, Countess Abernova.

You can stop bowing, Ivan.
And it's plain Comrade Abernova now.

I'll never get used to it.

Yes, you will. It's a new era.

Let's hope you're right.

— What's this?
— It's the Bolsheviks.

Katarina Abernova?

That's Countess Abernova to you.

I'm Katarina Abernova.
How can I help you, Comrade?

I have a warrant for your arrest — you and
the rest of your family.

You will come with us.

Arrest?

By whose order?

Comrade Drakov.

But we have done nothing.

The Committee will decide that. Take them!

If you value her life,
show a bit more cooperation, Comrade.

No, please, please. It must be a mistake.

Comrade Drakov does not make mistakes.

— Where are you taking her?
— You can't do this!

For what crime? What crime?

That is up to Comrade Drakov.

Good evening.

You can leave us.

And shut the door!

What's that? A gift from the proletariat?

The currency of chaos.

Paper money may rise and fall,
but diamonds are forever.

Do I know you?

I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.

And you've come for me?

Not necessarily. I want the Abernovs freed.

Out of the question.
The Abernovs are to be executed.

They've done nothing wrong.

That's beside the point.

The Revolution needs enemies
and the Abernovs are... convenient.

Convenience isn't a crime.
Why are you doing this?

I can't be king, so I may as well
help destroy the monarchy.

Why destroy anything?

What prevents us from becoming kings, MacLeod,
or presidents or prime ministers?

You know the answer to that.
It's our immortality.

We can't have our lives open to public scrutiny.

Precisely. Ironic, isn't it?

That we who are best able to serve can't.

Forced to stand in the shadows and help fools
seize the power that should be ours?

But when things get really bad,
no one cares who you are.

You want anarchy? You think it'll protect you?

I prefer it.

When the only thing needed is
strength and the only tool power.

Soon Russia will fall into chaos.
Then the rest of Europe will follow.

And then... who knows.

It'll never happen.

I've got plenty of time.

I want the Abernovs freed.

Too late.

Stop it.

The Committee expects their deaths.

Then you'll die as they do.

What does the Committee say now, Comrade Drakov?

If I release them, what will you offer me?

Your head.

And later, when the Abernovs eventually die?

You stay out of my way.

Not enough, MacLeod.

I want your solemn vow that you will not
fight me unless we are the last two.

I can't do that.

Your choice. Either you swear, or they die.

Ready!

Aim!

Thank you. I prayed that things would be well,
and now they will be.

Not quite.

What do you mean?

The Committee have decided to confiscate
your land and possessions.

You have Comrade MacLeod to thank for that.

You are lying. No. It's not true. It can't be.

We will have nothing.

No. No, I would rather die than lose our home.

Think about the children, Katarina.

Here. Drakov's diamonds.
For a new home, a new beginning.

— Thank you.
— A gift from the proletariat.

Oh, thank you.

Farewell. Godspeed.

— You'll allow them to live.
— In exile.

I gave you my word, Mr. MacLeod.
And you gave me yours.

The food here is so much better
than at the Embassy.

What was your question?
Ah, the Vice President...

...will be flying in shortly.
In the meantime, we will investigate
every possible link in the assassination.

Without the police?

An Embassy is sovereign territory, Ms. Vaughn.
The murder happened on our soil.

And if the killer was a diplomat,
he'd have diplomatic immunity.

I said, and if the killer was a diplomat,
he'd have diplomatic immunity.

Shame there's no immunity from the diplomats.

MacLeod!

So... you couldn't resist the company.

Nor a chance to hear your story.

I think we should have a bottle
of Château Lafite. Forty-nine?

So, how did that girl smuggle
that gun into the Embassy?

She had help from the inside.

We will expose the traitor shortly.

Oh, I'm sure you'll have no problem
finding a candidate.

Mr. MacLeod makes a joke.

But it is clear that our enemies want war.

Aren't you being a little hasty?
You haven't even buried President Chescu yet.

History continues, Miss Vaughn.

Only people die.

Sometimes the truth dies with them.

So... how long have you two known each other?

We just met at the ballet.

And you came here for someone you just met?

Must be love at first sight.

What it is, is none of your business.

Guys, what is this all about?

Perhaps Mr. MacLeod could tell you that.

I was trading once in Russia.

Mr. Drake had something I wanted.

Mr. MacLeod drives a very hard bargain,
but you know how it is with men of good will.

They can always come to an understanding.

And what were you trading for?

Doesn't matter now.

So, Miss Vaughn, can I count on you to write
that our enemies still want war?

I'll write the truth, Mr. Drake.
You can count on that.

Merci.

— It was so much easier to tell them what to write.
— Or shoot them.

I do miss the good old days.

Butcher!

Eli, no!

Eli. Eli.

Easy. You can dance tomorrow.

The only dancing I will be doing
will be on my grave.

It doesn't matter now.
I did what I had to...

...without your help.

Oh, no. He's dead. He has to be.

I told you, Eli. He's a hard man to kill.

Then you kill him. There's no one else.

I can't. I gave him my word.

Your word?

There were people I cared about.

I care about my children. My wife.

Drake spared their lives.

In return I promised to leave him alone.

You think your word to Drake is your honor?

This is not about honor.

This is about your pride. Your vanity.

Break your word. It means nothing to him.

I can't. It means a great deal to me. I'm sorry.

Go to hell!

How— how is he?

He's dying. Let him be.

Why did he do it?

Drake killed his family, he tries
to kill Drake. End of story.

That girl... I checked her out. Farm girl,
no connections with anybody.

There's no way she was an assassin.
Drake killed Chescu, too.

What are you going to do?

What makes you think I'm going to do anything?

Because I think you can.

Mr. Vice President,
I must ask you to reconsider.

You have brought me no proof.
And we are still talking peace.

While they plan to wipe us out.

President Chescu wanted to end the war.

As long as there's a chance for peace,
I'm willing to risk it.

What's this? A disease of conscience?

Make a fool a president,
and he actually believes he is.

Drake!

I apologize for my rudeness. At least give me
time to find out who was behind the attacks.

We may all be in danger.

In two days I sign the peace accord.

That's how long you have to prove your charges.

Do we understand each other?

Only too well.

— The Vice President will have to be replaced. Do you understand?
— Of course.

— For the good of the country.
— For the good of the country.

I thought this would be
a convenient meeting place.

We can talk on holy ground...

...and you can find a burial plot
for the old man at the same time.

Don't push it, Drake.

Where's your sense of humor?

What do you want?

To make sure we still have an understanding.

You're angry. He had a gun.

That old bastard's killed dozens
of men in his time.

You murdered his wife and children.

I had a plan. They were one of the details.

They weren't details, Drake. They were people.

What's your point?

— My point is they had a right to live.
— They have nothing.

This is our world, and we are its masters.

You're wrong. We should be its teachers.

They build the civilizations, they make the history, while we live in the shadows, killing each other.

What have you ever created,
except chaos and death?

Maybe I'm not perfect... but I'm good at my job.

Watching it all come crashing down?

Sooner than you think.

— You're a totally evil bastard, aren't you?
— I'm an Immortal, MacLeod. Like you.

You're not like me.

Suit yourself. Can't agree on everything.
But we do have an agreement.

And I expect it to be honored.

Try not to run into me too often.

Something's wrong. Don't say no, because I can tell.
I'm very good at such things.

It's about a woman.

Someone I know is dying.

I see. The time comes for all of us, my friend.
Kings, queens, and homeless alike.

That's why a good bottle of wine,
a good laugh with a friend is so precious.

There's so little time to enjoy them.

I don't think I would want to live forever.

Would you?

What do you want?

I went by your apartment.

What for? To rob the dead?

To bring you this.

Is this a "gift" you bring me? Go.

Let me die in peace.

You didn't kill your family. Drake did.

I gave them my word on their graves.

I promised I would not let Drake keep killing.

I swore it.

Eli...

Eli. He won't kill again.

You promise?

For whatever it's worth.

Good.

You will come with us.

Good evening, Miss Vaughn. Coffee?
Or perhaps something stronger?

Go to hell.

A writer of your stature
and that's all you can say?

I'm very disappointed in you, Miss Vaughn.

I was sure you could manage
something better than that.

Why don't you read my next column.
It's on the Chescu murder.

What makes you think
you're going to get to write it?

Don't threaten me, Drake. We're in France...

...not that penny ante dictatorship of yours.

As I told you before, Miss Vaughn...

...when you are in the Embassy,
you are in my country.

And in my country, I am the law.

So, you're going to kill me
like you did your president?

Such wild accusations. It's talk like that,
that could get you killed.

To nail your ass, it would almost be worth it.

You can write what you like.

Then why am I here?

Insurance. You and I are going to accompany President Chescu's body home for burial.

I'll give you an exclusive.

You're crazy.

Just cautious.

No! No! No! No! No!

Arrest the vice president for Chescu's murder.

Tell the press I've uncovered a conspiracy...

...and I'm going to investigate it.

And the peace talks?

What peace talks?

Where's Drake?

I don't know.

I think you do.

— Flying home with the president's body.
— Where's the plane?

Le Bourget Airport.

This is Embassy property.
We have diplomatic immunity.

Not from me.

Wait for me on the plane. I'll be right back.

Aren't you forgetting something, MacLeod?

You gave me your word.

I changed my mind.

Where's your precious Highland honor?

Where's your sense of humor?

It's behind you.

I think we know how this turns out, don't we?

I do.

You let that old fool get to you.

It's our kind that make history, not his.

He was a man. His name was Eli Gerell.

Remember it when I take your head.

He said to wait.

Here, are you okay?

Come on. Come on, let's get you out of here.

Can you walk?

Sure. Just not well.

I think the flight's been cancelled.

What's the verdict?

Well, I'd expect a call
from The New York Times. Why so glum?

Drake got away.

Sometimes justice happens
when you least expect it.

It's not always in a newspaper.

Do you really think that Drake
will get what's coming to him?

Perhaps he already has.

There's something you're not telling me.

More champagne?

So... when do I get to know you?

You already know me.

I mean... in the biblical sense.

Am I coming on too strong?

No, it... it's about right.

Subtitles by Rusakov