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Methos
The ancient one
First appearance Methos
Appeared in Highlander: The Series
Highlander: Endgame
Highlander: The Source
The Methos Chronicles
Highlander: The Audio Series
Statistics
Name Methos[1]
Aliases Adam Pierson
Dr. Benjamin Adams
Death
Remus
Alexander
Caratarix
Haribu
Et-Maru
Metopholus
Nathan
Djet
Born Unknown (prior to 3,500 B.C.
First Death Unknown
Teachers Djer

Menahem
Sun Tzu
Dilijan

Pupils Khyan

Byron

Watchers Adam Pierson
Researcher
1980s - 1996
Dr. Amy Zoll
Researcher
Jul 1996 - ????
Amy Brennan-Thomas
Researcher
Nov 1998 - ????
Timothy Wyatt
Field Operative
Nov 1996 - ????
Status Alive
Occupation Watcher researcher

Doctor
Warrior
Slave
Adviser
Student / Scholar
Egyptian Pharaoh
Nomad
Horseman / Death

Portrayed by  Peter Wingfield

Methos is an Immortal and a friend of Duncan MacLeod. Reputed to be the oldest living immortal, he has met many historical figures over the past 5000+ years, and has been a few as well. In one of his early incarnations became a legend, known as Death of the Four Horsemen. He has assumed countless aliases over the centuries, one of his more recent known was that of Adam Pierson, a Watcher researcher.

Personal History[]

Methos, the legendary oldest immortal, is a complex individual. He possesses a unique combination of experiential and scholarly wisdom, having met many philosophers and thinkers, and having lived for at least more than five millennia. Yet he is not in the least omniscient - at one point Joe Dawson must explain the concept of baseball to him - and despite his native wit and cunning, he tells a disappointed Dawson "I'm just a guy." He possesses a cynical and sharp sense of humor and does not hesitate to make others aware of their mistakes, occasionally in a humiliating way.

Methosbar

Methos at Joe's Bar

While he is loyal to his friends and allies, he is not particularly heroic, and though he seems to want to be a good person, he is primarily, and overwhelmingly, most interested in his own survival. That said, however, on at least one occasion, he offered up his head to Duncan MacLeod in the hope of stopping an evil Immortal: "He will take my head and then he will have the strength to take yours. He can beat me. He might beat you. He can't beat both of us."

Methos often lapses into periods of cold pragmatism or apparent cruelty, but he seems more inclined to positive and helpful, even up to risking his life. He has been known to retire from the Game and go into hiding, in fact it is debatable as to whether he has ever willingly participated in the Game beyond the bare minimum necessary to survive. He generally refuses challenges from other immortals given half a chance, and often disappears when trouble looms.

Regarding combat, Methos is of the firm opinion that most fights aren't worth the risk, even if they seem to present an easy victory. Considering that the skilled and reasonably old Mako fell to the less experienced and far younger Richie Ryan, Methos' caution is probably wise. Methos tends toward mild paranoia, and usually takes off at the first sign of trouble, unless there is a good reason to stick around. He sleeps with his sword under his bed, and sometimes carries a handgun, [2] unusual for an immortal. He rarely participates in the Game, and travels around the world in a never ending quest for knowledge.

Whenever there is a threat, he will often withdraw, sometimes for years, frequently returning with no warning, as though nothing had happened. His preference is to observe and evade rather than fight. Enemies sometimes make the mistake of judging this behavior as a sign of weakness or cowardice. But when he is backed into a corner, Methos invariably proves to be an exceedingly dangerous opponent.

He tells people he considers opera music to be boring, but in the Big Finish Audio program The Promise, they invented a history that explained opera reminded him of the pain he felt when he lost his love, Violetta. He likes Springsteen and Queen among other pop offerings. His lifestyle is expensive when he is not adhering to a cover, commenting once that he would never stay in any hotel Adam Pierson could afford. He often collects things, mostly antiques and modern art. When first introduced, he was shown to live in a small apartment with minimal possessions, indicating he may store or abandon material things as he sees fit.

Methos likes to pretend that he is completely unscrupulous, warning MacLeod at one point that he hadn't felt guilt since the eleventh century, but his actions often undermine this image; for instance, while he claimed to not want to risk his skin for anyone else, he offered his head to MacLeod in order to defeat Kalas, risked his life in order to save Joe's daughter, Amy in Indiscretions,  brought Duncan back to his senses at great risk to himself in Deliverance, and helped him on his quests in numerous episodes such as Chivalry, To Be, and Not To Be.

Methos might be one of the strongest immortals, albeit not physically or even necessarily in combat, but more in a strategy-and-survival way. Kronos, leader of the Horsemen, confirmed that survival was what Methos did best. Methos' run-and-hide tactics were so effective, that most immortals and Watchers were convinced he had never existed at all, and was merely a legend. A disinterest in his own legend included his tolerance and amusement regarding another immortal, the Messenger, co-opting his name. He also seems perfectly willing to let other people fight his battles. 

He speaks many languages including; English, French, German, Latin, Ancient Hebrew, Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Lithuanian, Arabic, Farsi, Coptic, and Swahili.

He has been married 68 times, the last being to Alexa Bond in 1996, but never to an immortal, because according to him, it would be too much of a commitment.

Methos has often used the name "Adam" or a variation of it in his aliases, as a private joke, because he was amused that people referred to him as the oldest man. He didn't care about his legend as the oldest immortal as long as people were not looking for him. When the false Methos appeared, he was amused that someone else was using his name and perfectly content to allow the stranger to take the heat for claiming the title. It is speculated, however, that it was because of the Messenger's use of his name, that Kronos finally heard rumors about the survival of 'the oldest man' when he had thought Methos dead for centuries.

Fighting Style[]

Methosr

Methos with his sword

During the Bronze Age, Methos used a short sword, but his current personal weapon is a double-edged, one-handed broadsword, suiting his lean build, he fought more with speed than power. The choice of the broad sword is a presumed preference due to long experience with the standard broad sword, having lived through ages where it was more common to wield a shield with a one-handed weapon. He has used other weapons when the situation has called for it without a decline in his fighting ability, which indicates that he has learned many different fighting techniques over the course of his very long life. Note: His Chronicle describes his blade as "a single handed broadsword from the 13th century with lenticular cross-section and a fuller on each side."

He also shows great adaptability, able to use techniques he's seen only once to their full extent such as in Chivalry, with little, if any practice. He has also been known to fight dirty, using a dagger alongside his sword or even electrocuting his opponent as in Indiscretions. While using a main gauche blade would not be unheard of, being part of many blade fighting styles in the world, Methos tends to produce a dagger in a surprise move, rather than begin with it in his hand as in Forgive us Our Trespasses. One of Methos' most interesting abilities as a swordsman, however, is his habit of downplaying his skill level, making him appear younger and less experienced, and his arsenal of escape techniques as seen in Methos, is fitting considering his survivalist attitude.

Significant Relationships[]

Alexa Bond[]

Methos fell in love with a mortal woman, Alexa Bond, a waitress who worked in Joe's bar. He would later discover she was terminally ill.

Methlexabegin

At first Alexa refused his advances, because she didn't want to make him bear witness to what she was going through. He was persistent, and asked her out again. When Alexa resisted, he assured her he could handle what she was going through, if she let him, and when she asked why he wanted to, he explained "because the alternative is unthinkable." He wanted to make her dream come true before it was too late: to help her travel the world, so they set out to do just that with the time they had.

Methos' knowledge of the Methuselah Stone, rumored to be able to make a normal person immortal, became his desperate quest when Alexa finally went into the hospital in her final days. He tried to steal it , with help from Amanda, to heal and restore Alexa. Methos failed to retrieve the stone, however, and Alexa died with Methos by her side.

Amanda[]

The only person that might compare to him in his gamesmanship was Amanda Darieux. Methos and Amanda

Methaman

were both cunning and manipulative, especially regarding Duncan MacLeod. Their relationship was not romantic but, rather, akin to siblings or long-time friends. She seemed to know Methos from some previous encounter, probably through her mentor, Rebecca Horne, who was said to have known him well. At one point, Amanda tried to help Methos steal the Methuselah Stone. When he failed to secure the Stone and heal Alexa, Amanda gave him a heartfelt hug and words of encouragement. Both Amanda and Methos understood the dilemma of being immortal. Both of them knew that life was about change, and were far more flexible than the more rigid and younger MacLeod.

Jillian[]

Jillianmethos

In the series finale, Not to Be, an alternate history that might have occurred had there been no Duncan MacLeod, had Methos, as Adam Pierson, falling for a fellow watcher, Jillian O'Hara: "I love you, Jillian. More than I've loved anyone in so long, I can't remember." But due to Horton's corruption of the Watchers into Immortal Hunters, he was in danger. He told Jillian of his immortality and asked her to marry him, but also asked her to trust him in that his secret must be kept. She saw introducing a well-liked Watcher as an Immortal as a chance for the others to see Immortals as human, and stop the killing. Horton, of course, didn't see it that way, and murdered her in front of Methos before gunning him down as well. Methos was saved from the Hunters in that reality by Kronos.

Violetta[]

Violetta was an opera singer in the 1850s. She and Methos met and enjoyed a whirlwind romance until Violetta was poisoned by the Immortal Dilijan. Their relationship lasted for roughly a year. He stopped listening to opera after her death, and told anyone who asked that he found opera boring, in order to avoid explaining his real feelings. He was shattered by her death, but kept his promise to her not to kill the man responsible for her murder, and waited over a hundred years to avenge her, lest his rage force him to kill. Note:The Big Finish audio series are not canon.

Personal Time Line[]

Some time during his life, likely because he realized his legend made him a prime target and out of natural caution, he removed himself from the Game. In the early 1980s he was playing at being a student studying ancient languages at St. Aidan's College, Durham University, when he was actually recruited by the Watchers as a researcher. He hid within the Watchers under the alias Adam Pierson, where he was eventually put in charge of locating himself, and was granted the chair in Methos scholarship, When Duncan MacLeod met him some ten years later, in 1995, Methos had not taken a head for 200 years. Among those he was known to have taken:

1- Unknown, c.+3000 BC (Methos)
2- Joseph, c.2400 BC ("Evening at Joe's")
3- Dorn, Between 3000 BC and 1200 BC (The Promise)
4- Kristin Gilles, 1995  (Chivalry)
5- Silas, 1997  (Revelation 6:8) - Double Quickening occurred
6- Morgan Walker, 1998  (Indiscretions)
7- Khyan, 1999  ("The Captive Soul")
8- Unknown, 2008 (Reunion special) - Double Quickening might have occurred.

Pre-History[]

Hieroglyph

Methos' name in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics

Before Methos took his first head, his memories are a blur, no one could be expected to remember more than 5,000 years of history, and he is unsure of his original homeland, people, or language.[3] According to An Evening at Joe's, some time after his first death, a Bedouin tribe found him and took him in, teaching him the ways of survival in the desert. He stayed with them for many years until it became evident that he wasn't aging. The Bedouins began to suspect that he was a demon or a god and forced Methos to fight one of their best warriors to the death, Methos lost. When he revived, he was banished by the Bedouins, who tied his hands and forced him to walk into the desert without any food, water, or weapons. He eventually stumbled upon a pile of bones and used them to cut his bindings.[4]Note: The canonical status of Highlander: An Evening at Joe's is undetermined.

36th century BC
Uruk, Mesopotamia - The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing. “Been keeping it [a jounal] almost since writing began.”

33rd century BC
Egypt - The Egyptians began to use the first hieroglyphics, around 3250 BC, and so did I.

Reign of Djer c. 3100–3055 BC[]

At some point, Methos was living with a nomadic tribe in the Sinai and married a woman from the tribe whom he loved very much. Tragedy would strike when the Egyptian Pharaoh Djer ordered all nomads to be killed in what came to be known as the Smiting of Sinai. Methos' wife was among those killed in the slaughter. Distraught, he wandered the desert for what may have been months, until he was caught stealing figs, and brought before the Pharaoh. Methos soon realized that Djer was a fellow Immortal, and instead of punishing Methos for the theft, Djer decided to take him under his wing and groom him to become the next Pharaoh. Djer, who was the oldest Immortal at the time, planned to offer his head to Methos. Methos, however, decided that he would avenge his wife's death by entombing Djer alive. He managed to do this by shooting a poisoned dart in to Djer while he slept and binding him in burial wrappings, then placing him in a sarcophagus. After Djer's 'death,' Methos became Pharaoh Djet, and ruled for ten years.[5]

When Methos began to meet other Immortals, he learned some lessons about immortality from Menahem, an Immortal Methos considered ancient at the time. It was also during this time that he took his first head, an Immortal named Joseph.[4][5]

Note: The flash series The Methos Chronicles is not considered canon.

The Bronze Age c. 3,300 to 1,300 BC[]

Rabbitnostrils

Methos as Death during the Bronze Age

At some point during or before the Bronze Age, a non-canon alternate time line proposed by the Big Finish Audio Book, has Methos encountering an immortal named Dilijan. Dilijan led a band of immortals, and his actions sometimes had drastic, unintended consequences such as his early separate encounters with Silas and Caspian.[6] Methos joined Dilijan's band sometime after Dilijan parted ways with Silas and Caspian and right after Kronos joined. When Kronos turned on Dilijan and slaughtered his followers after realizing, through Silas, that Dilijan had kept the secret of Quickenings from him, Methos convinced Kronos to spare him, promising to join him.

Later the newly formed Horsemen hunted Dilijan on Kronos' orders, and found he had created a new tribe of mortals whom they slaughtered, raped, and burned their way through. Their victims included Dilijan's wife. They then salted the ground. Kronos promised Dilijan the Horsemen would find him again in fifty years. The next time they searched for Dilijan they were unable to find him, and they eventually assumed he had been killed. Later Dilijan told Methos that it had been easy to avoid Kronos' clumsy search, but if Methos had been interested in finding him he doubted he could have hidden effectively.[6]

After Methos encountered Kronos and Silas, Caspian joined them and they formed a band of mounted raiders. Their reputation inspired terror on two continents, and the group became known as the Four Horsemen. As the strategist, Methos organized many of the tactics, and came to be known as Death, while Caspian was Famine, Silas was War and Kronos Pestilence. When Methos took the newly-immortal Cassandra as his slave and concubine, tension began to surface between himself and Kronos, and when his brother demanded Methos share Cassandra as a spoil of war, Methos allowed it. He later witnessed Cassandra fleeing the camp after murdering Kronos, and did not stop her.[7]

Dilijan eventually sent one of his acolytes to the Horsemen, a obedient minion named Kyne. Kyne lured the Horsemen into a journey by boat, and once the group was vulnerable he committed suicide, his Quickening igniting lamp oil stored in the ship, blowing it up and scattering the Horsemen.[6]Note: Because Kyne's actions clash with the established scenario for the destruction of the Horsemen, where Methos traps Kronos in a well on a Greek island, it is accepted that the plot line from the Audio Books is not canon.[8]

Encounter with Khyan 1573 BC[]

Methos was helping the then-future Pharaohs Kamose and his brother Ahmose in their battle against their Hyksos over lords when he encountered the immortal Prince Khyan for the first time and failed to kill him.[9]

The Watchers 904 BC[]

Methos learned of the existence of the Watchers while in Jerusalem, when he overheard a group of people discussing Immortal names he recognized. He was eventually invited to one of their meetings, where he met the tall, lovely, opinionated, and outspoken Ruth, whom he fell in love with and married. Using the name Alexander, he insinuated himself into their group and learned that his low profile over the years meant that the name Methos was virtually unknown in their records. Methos devoted himself full-time to the Watchers. It was then that he learned more about the Game.[5]

Tibet 825 BC[]

After the death of his wife, Ruth, Methos traveled to Tibet in a search for knowledge, for enlightenment in the spiritual side of existence. At first he began as a helper in the monastery, cutting wood and hauling water in service of the monks. Eventually he learned how to read their written language. He soon received training from the monks which he considered akin to military training. His master Lin Chi taught him how to read people's intentions by the way they carried themselves. Twenty years later, Lin Chi told him that the time had come for him to study with his master the immortal Sun Tzu . After calling the temple home for 126 years, Sun Tzu told Methos that it was time for him to return to the world. He was well over 2,000 years old at that time.[4][5]

During his travels, Methos met Mencius, the Chinese philosopher, and student of Confucius (551-479 BC).

Rome AD 35[]

While living in Rome, Methos was a serving as slave and adviser in the household of Roman Senator Valerius Petronius. When Druscilla, Petronius' wife, tried to seduce Methos, he refused her blatant advances. Insulted, she cried rape and he was then crucified, only to be saved by Marcus Constantine who "...rescued young Remus [Methos] from the cross before he died too many times and helped him out of the country." He and Constantine became good friends, but he never told Constantine his real name.[10][11]

Travels[]

Methos crossed the Atlantic to Iceland in a rowboat with six Irish monks (Till Death). He has hated water travel since.

Throughout Europe, Methos witnessed witch hunts, wise women and midwives being burned by women they had nursed through labor because they suddenly thought that they were witches (Not to Be).

Methos traveled to Germany, where he majored in Medicine and Dueling at the University of Heidelberg.[12]

The Watchers II 16th Century AD[]

During the 16th Century, while living in Italy, Methos made friends with his Watcher. The unnamed Watcher kept a separate private journal, recording their friendship, since the Watchers' code prevented any open acknowledgement of the Watchers existence to Immortals and the release of such knowledge may have cost the Watcher his life (One Minute to Midnight).  

Leaving the Game[]

Methos took his last head in 1795 and effectively disappeared, until meeting Duncan MacLeod two hundred years later. It was not clear if Methos deliberately removed himself from the Game, or if it just worked out that he managed to avoid all challenges after this point until his encounter with Kalas.[3]

Benjamin Adams 1808 - 1820[]

Methos1808

Methos in 1808

In the year 1808, Methos, in the guise of Dr. Benjamin Adams, was in New Orleans. He tended to a slave whose sister, Charlotte Johnson, asked why he would show such uncommon kindness to slaves. Methos told her that maybe he had been a slave in a past life. Charlotte flirted determinedly with the Doctor who appreciated her efforts enough to take her to bed. Charlotte, however, was the slave and concubine of jealous immortal, Morgan Walker, who had just returned from sea. Methos sensed Walker's return, and decided to depart quickly to avoid any unpleasantness, telling Charlotte that Walker was coming, and to dress herself. She didn't handle discovery well, insisting that no one had been with her, despite being found in her nightgown, rather than coming up with a plausible lie. Walker killed Charlotte in a jealous rage, and later confronted Methos, telling him it was his fault Charlotte was dead, Methos disdainfully pointed out, "I slept with her. You killed her!" Walker then claimed he had loved Charlotte but Methos scornfully replied that Walker had owned her. Walker challenged the ancient immortal, but Methos refused and walked away, heading to North Carolina where he boarded the first ship to Europe.[13]

Methos1816-2

Methos in 1816

[14]

In 1816, Methos met Lord Byron, after the latter's suicide and subsequent awakening as an immortal. He taught him about his immortality and the Game. Byron introduced his doctor to his friends Percy and Mary Shelley, the latter of whom Methos rather liked. While in company with the group, Byron found himself challenged by immortal, Hans Kershner.

Byron took his opponent's head after a brutal fight. An intoxicated Mary had followed Byron and Methos outside and saw both Kershner's Quickening and Byron's resurrection from a fatal wound inflicted by Kershner. The experience, and Methos' explanation of what she had seen, inspired her to write the novel Frankenstein.

Dilijan Returns c. 1853[]

Around 1853 Methos met and fell in love with an opera singer, Violetta while using the alias Nathan. Methos confessed a version of his violent past to her, she accepted it and, while not offering forgiveness, as it was not hers to give. She continued to love him and encourage him to be the good man she knew. They were together for about a year when one of Dilijan's brainwashed followers slipped Violetta a slow acting and agonizing poison – part of Dilijan's long delayed and elaborate vengeance. After being poisoned, Violetta lingered for weeks before finally dying, but only after exacting a promise from Methos that he would not kill the man that had poisoned her. She thought that if he went after Dilijan, he might revert to the killer he had been before they met. Note: Violetta is poisoned at the London premiere of La Traviata which premiered in 1853.

The American Southwest c. 1870s[]

Methos returned to the United States and settled in the Fraziers Well, Arizona area, under the name of Adams. He pulled a scam with the McQuarrie brothers, but he and the brothers were betrayed by a woman named Veronica, who turned them over to Sheriff Willy Bruton. Methos slipped away but Bruton hunted him down with his posse, cornering the immortal on the rim of the tributaries to the Grand Canyon. Methos pulled his empty gun, trying to bluff the sheriff, but one of the deputies shot him “square in the chest with a round from a Winchester rifle and the impact knocked him off the rim of the canyon.” He fell nearly a mile to his death.

He was later found by a boy named Little Crow who told his father and tribe about the man who fell from Eagle's Nest and came back to life. Little Crow's father assured Methos they had heard of those beings who could only be killed “among lightning and fire” and asked if Methos was one such. Methos acknowledged that he was. The band called him Eagle's Flight and accepted him as a “messenger of the Great Spirit.”[4]

Butch and Sundance c.1900[]

Methos found himself working with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to crack a vault, and was eventually saved from a hanging by the bandit duo.[4]

Adam Pierson c.1984[]

In 1984, while studying ancient languages at St. Aidan's College, Durham University, Methos, under the alias Adam Pierson,

Sothatsdunky

Methos first meets MacLeod

enlisted with the Watchers as an historian under Don Salzer as a way to keep track of other immortals and avoid the Game. He graduated from the Watcher Academy sixth in a class of 103. By the mid-1990s, he had become the top researcher on the Methos Chronicle. "I'm in charge of finding myself, and I make sure it never happens."

He collaborated with Don Salzer on the creation of a database of the Watcher's records, an idea which would prove near disastrous. He retained the Pierson identity throughout his association with Duncan MacLeod, using it in his initial introduction to Richie Ryan before MacLeod could call him Methos in front of another immortal.

Antonius Kalas[]

After careful consideration, Methos allowed his ruse to be discovered by Duncan MacLeod in 1995 after MacLeod sought out the Watchers' expert on Methos in order to protect him from Antonius Kalas. Kalas had already killed two other Watchers, including Don Salzer, in his quest to find the legendary Methos. A stunned MacLeod offered to protect Methos, but Methos insisted that while he may have been rusty - not having taken a head in 200 years - he could defend himself, "You think I'd still be around if I was an easy mark?" He said firmly that MacLeod could not fight his battles for him.

Methos soon came face to face with Kalas and the two fought. Kalas was the more aggressive fighter, but wily as ever, Methos managed to throw them both off a bridge and into the river, ending the fight. When Kalas emerged, Methos was long gone.

Swordthroat1

Methos tries to offer his head to Duncan

Later that night, Methos challenged MacLeod, Duncan dodged his first thrusts, then pushed him away long enough to draw his own sword. Methos deliberately manipulated the fight in order to offer his head to MacLeod, believing it would make Duncan strong enough to kill Kalas. "He can beat me. He might beat you. He can't beat both of us." Duncan refused to kill Methos in spite of Methos' argument. Unsure if MacLeod would be able to defeat Kalas and unwilling to allow Duncan to risk his life, Methos called the police and identified Kalas as Salzer's murderer. Kalas was arrested with Methos watching. After the ordeal, Methos disappeared from Paris with parting words for Duncan "Remember, Highlander, live, grow stronger. Fight another day."[3]

A month later, when he realized his cover story had not been broken, Methos returned to Paris, calling Joe Dawson regarding Watcher business, a visit to MacLeod also let him know of Kalas' escape from prison. The watcher business concerned Christine Salzer, Don's widow, she told Joe and 'Adam' that she planned to expose the secret of the immortals and the Watchers to the world as an act of vengeance against the Watchers organization that had divided her husband's affections during his life and cost him his life in the end.

Methos tried to reason with her, and convince her that not all Immortals were evil, in a desperate improvisation, he revealed to her that he was an immortal. Christine was shocked and horrified, and told him to get out. Joe and Methos wondered what would happen if Christine actually publicized the existence of immortals. Methos pointed out that he had pulled all of Don's files, and his computer was wiped clean; it was only her word, "It'll be filed away with alien abductions and Elvis sightings."

Later, Christine found a copy of a CD-Rom database that Methos and Don had created, listing immortals and their basic statistics including first death data. Armed with hard evidence regarding immortals and the Watchers, Christine set out to keep her appointment with a newspaper editor. Joe discovered that she had found the disc. Methos told Joe about how he and Salzer were developing an interactive database about the immortals for the Watchers.

With few options left, they went to see Duncan, who told them that Kalas had taken Amanda. They in turn explained the situation with Christine and Joe went to The Tribune to try to reason with Christine before her appointment to no avail. Joe tried to shoot her, but Duncan took the bullet. When Joe angrily demanded why MacLeod had saved Christine, a mildly exasperated Methos explained that Duncan had not saved her, he had saved Joe.[15]

Adam Pierson and Joe later met with Jacques Vemas, the head of the Watchers in Europe, who was furious with the two, he pointed out that the database was not sanctioned, and speculated on the hell that would break loose once the secret was out.

Christine and the editor, Clancy, were found dead sometime later. Methos assumed that Vemas had sent a special operations Watcher to kill them, but Duncan had his own suspicions Eventually it was revealed that Kalas had his henchman kill them, and had taken the disc. After killing Vemas, Kalas offered to surrender the disc in exchange for Duncan's head. Methos, however, told him that life was about change and he should fight his best fight.

In the end, Duncan killed Kalas and the disc was destroyed by the power of Kalas' Quickening. Free of the threat of Kalas, Methos resumed his role as a Watcher Researcher with none the wiser save Joe and Duncan.[16]

Move to Seacouver 1995[]

Methos in Seacouver

Methos in Seacouver

Still residing in Paris, under his Adam Pierson alias, Methos took over Don Salzer's position as Chronicler for the Methos file. When he received word that immortal Kristin Gilles had set up shop in Seacouver, and Richie Ryan had begun seeing her, he flew over immediately intent on alerting Duncan to Richie's peril.

Pw17

Methos trying to make a point

MacLeod, remembered his own history with Kristin well enough, and tried to scare her away from Richie. When that failed, he tried to reason with his young friend. Unfortunately, Richie was already completely enamored, and would not listen to his mentor's warnings. Methos found the situation both amusing and frustrating, observing that this was what it must be like to have children. When the inevitable happened, and Kristin turned on Richie, Duncan stepped in to challenge her, but could not take her head. Methos, however, was more pragmatic. He challenged her, and with brutal efficiency disarmed her, and took her head. It was the first challenge he'd made in two centuries, and he broke that run in an effort to protect a friend.[17] Note: While Methos makes a point of chivalry being foolish and unfeasible, this challenge likely had little to do with his lack of chivalry and more to do with his icy pragmatism.

After the incident with Kristin, Methos moved his work to Seacouver and began regularly frequenting Joe Dawson's tavern where he was smitten with a young waitress, Alexa Bond.

Methosalexa-2

Methos with Alexa.

Despite Joe's warning that Alexa wasn't Adam's type, Methos could not resist flirting with her. Eventually,  she reluctantly warmed to him. When Methos asked Alexa out on a date, she asked him why, and he replied, "Because the alternative is unthinkable." Afterward, Joe dropped a bombshell; the real reason she wasn't Methos' type: Alexa was dying. When Alexa confirmed it, Methos told her that it did not matter, that what ever she was going through, he could handle it, "if you let me." He presented her with an offer to travel with him, spending what time she had left seeing the world. Stunned, Alexa agreed, and the two began Alexa's world tour.[18]

See: Highlander: An Evening At Joe's, 'Post Cards from Alexa' by Donna Lettow and Gillian Horvath.

Dark Quickening February/March 1996[]

While in Athens with Alexa, Methos received an urgent call from Joe Dawson: MacLeod had fallen prey to a Dark Quickening and was heading to France for reasons unknown. Aware of the seriousness of the situation, Methos briefly left Alexa to sightsee while he rushed to Le Havre just in time to extricate the mortally wounded Highlander from the further attentions of a protective husband who understandably probably believed Duncan had raped his wife.

10

The darkness threatens Methos

Methos took Duncan's body to holy ground where he could not only recover, but Methos would be safe from him. He desperately tried to reason with what was left of the MacLeod he knew. Duncan went so far as to threaten to behead Methos on holy ground in direct violation of the Rules. Methos seemed to reach him, if only barely, saving his own life and MacLeod's existence. MacLeod then fought his way free of Methos and fled in a stolen car.

Calling on his Watcher associates, specifically, Watcher special operations chief, Claude Massanet, Methos tried to trace MacLeod. When Massanet asked Methos why a researcher was in the field seeking MacLeod, Methos explained that it was a unusual situation, that Dawson had sent him, because MacLeod was a potential Dark Quickening, and they could not let him out of their sight. Claude's information allowed Methos to trace MacLeod to the residence of immortal Sean Burns.

Methos2

Methos in 1996

March 1996, Methos arrived at Burns' residence only to see Duncan already threatening Burns. Duncan reminded Methos that he couldn't interfere and, as Sean tried to talk Duncan down, Methos watched agonized, then horrified, as Duncan fought the evil within him and lost. Duncan took Sean's hand, offered in friendship, and jerked Sean forward to take his head.

Methos shied away to avoid any part of the Quickening, but grabbed MacLeod's katana before Duncan could recover and said, with regret, that he thought he would have to kill his friend. Duncan warned him that he would become what he destroyed, and with Methos distracted, charged, knocking Methos over a wall. Rather than pursue Methos, MacLeod recovered his sword, returned to the stolen car, and drove away.

At Darius' old chapel, Methos found Duncan in a state of anguish, torn up by what he had done, Methos suggested that MacLeod was able to overcome enough of the Dark Quickening to feel remorse at this point due to the positive influence of Burns' Quickening. Methos took the Highlander to an ancient healing spring, presented him with his ancestral weapon, Duncan's family claymore, which Methos had convinced Rachel MacLeod to provide, and advised him to heal himself. With the aid of the spring and the knowledge of his heritage, Duncan separated the darkness from himself, and in a battle within his own mind, defeated the evil.

His task completed, Methos departed for Athens, where Alexa was waiting for him. Rachel MacLeod noted, "Good friend you have there." Duncan replied, "Yeah, one of the best."[19]

The Methuselah Stone Spring – 1996[]

The inevitable finally came for Methos and Alexa. Three weeks after watching the sunrise on Santorini, Alexa's illness caught up with her, and she collapsed. Methos rushed her to Geneva where she went into hospital. He sat with her for hours as she was placed on life support. Desperate to save her, he latched on to the legend of the Methuselah Stone.

Rebecca Horne, Amanda's first teacher, had once possessed most, if not all, of the stone and gifted pieces of it to her students throughout her life. Her renegade student, Luther, however, killed her and many of her students in a bid to complete the crystal. The nearly completed crystal ended up in Watcher custody after Luther's death. Aware that the Watchers had kept the nearly complete Methuselah Stone after the death of Luther, Adam Pierson asked Supervisor, Nathan Stern, if he could see the Stone, which was then housed in the Director's Gallery. Methos resolved to reassemble the stone to save Alexa.

Stern&stone

Nathan Stern shows Adam Pierson the Methuselah Stone

Upon breaking into Watcher Headquarters that night, however, he ran into a very unexpected obstacle: Amanda. She had been attacked by mortals seeking her piece of the stone, and had resolved to steal the Watcher's collection herself. Upon seeing Methos with the stone in his hands, Amanda assumed the worst, and accused Methos of setting her up. He barely escaped after she attacked him and the security alarms went off.

Informed of what was happening by Amanda, Duncan MacLeod asked to meet; he told Methos Amanda thought the attack on her had been orchestrated by him. Hurt that MacLeod would demand a categorical denial, Methos walked away without a word. MacLeod continued to try and make peace between his friends and set up a meeting. The crystal thieves again tried to kill Amanda and when Methos showed up as well, she accused him of setting her up again and attacked him.

Reluctant to fight, he easily disarmed Amanda, and Methos came very close to beheading her in anger before throwing his sword away in frustration. All of Methos' anger and grief boiled to the surface and he raged at Amanda:"You try living one year knowing that your time is running out, knowing that when it comes to the final fight, however much you train, whatever tricks you have, you still lose!" She finally accepted Methos' story, realizing she had been wrong and apologized, then agreed to help him. The second attempt to retrieve the stone was also a failure, as Stern, now aware of the interest in the Stone, had improved security on the crystal. Worse, Methos's immortality was exposed when he was fatally shot as he took a bullet aimed at Amanda. The horrified Stern determined to take Methos' head in order to protect the Watchers, but at the last, realized that he would make a better bargaining chip than sacrifice. In the end, the stone was lost when MacLeod and Amanda attempted to trade the stone for Methos' life, and a firefight ensued as Watcher Daniel Geiger attempted to seize the stone for himself. The stone fragmented, and was lost in the waters of a French river.

Methos returned to Geneva that same night to spend Alexa's last hours with her. After her passing, Methos had her buried in Paris, so he could be near her.

Paris[]

While visiting Alexa's grave with MacLeod a deranged and frightened immortal stumbled onto the pair, MacLeod recognized him, and tried to assist him but the man fled in terror. Methos helped Duncan by accessing the Watcher files on the Immortal, Warren Cochrane, despite his insistence that he needed to maintain a low profile.[20] He uncovered the probable reason for the reason for Cochrane's hysterical amnesia, and its consequences, leaving MacLeod to bring Cochrane out of his self imposed darkness, and face the facts.

Cheeky

Methos smirking at a relieved Duncan

Shortly after the incident with Cochrane, Methos moved into Duncan's barge. He explained that the apartment building he was staying in was up for sale and he hated moving, and he would not stay in any hotel that his Adam Pierson persona could afford.

Duncan received an invitation to the wedding of Robert and Gina de Valicourt whom Methos only knew from his researches. Things were not going so well for the immortal couple,  who had been married for 300 years at this point. Gina wanted a divorce. Duncan and Robert tried everything they could think of to help bring them together but Gina was adament. Duncan decided that Gina would rethink things if Robert’s life were in danger. They knew, however, that she wouldn’t take a threat against Robert seriously if it came from Duncan. MacLeod then told Robert he knew just the man for the job.

Understandably, Methos flatly refused to be drawn into the de Valicourts’ marital problems. But after much cajoling, he told MacLeod he would help. His cooperation came at a price, and only the promise that he could have the barge if he assisted the conspiritors, enticed him to help. Duncan told him to make it look good. Methos snidely told him, "Like you say, darling, I'm an *act-or*."

Methos and Robert staged a fight in an abandoned building, while Duncan brought Gina to the scene. Horrified at what she saw, Gina disregarded the Rules and tried to interfere. Methos beat a hasty retreat after a convincingly dramatic fight culminated in Robert being run through.

The plan worked - Gina swore she would never leave Robert - apart from one tiny detail; Gina vowed to find the mysterious immortal that had challenged the man she loved, and take his head. More convinced than ever that he shouldn't have gotten involved Methos, demanded that MacLeod keep his end of the deal and give him the barge. After handing over the keys Duncan left to see Robert, Robert told him that Gina had just left to find MacLeod at his barge. Panic stricken, Duncan dragged Robert to the barge, only to find Gina walking onto the quay, apologizing for having killed someone in MacLeod's barge.

Duncan was horrified, until he sensed another immortal, and Methos popped into view. He realized he’d been had by Gina and Methos, who had turned the tables on the two plotters. Invited to the wedding, Methos told Duncan that he had planned to give them the barge as a wedding gift, but had decided on a toaster instead. He then told Duncan that as he hated the water, Duncan could have the barge back, and tossed MacLeod the keys startling his friend into dropping a Ming vase.

The Watchers III June-1996[]

Joe Dawson was captured and put on trial by his own people. He was accused of revealing the Watcher's existence to Immortals and contributing to the deaths of 80 Watchers, if convicted he faced execution.

Trial

"Pierson for the defense. Perfect."

Methos was caught between saving his friend and the needs and laws of the organization he respected and had watched grow for most of his life. He appeared at Joe's trial as a witness for the defense, Methos tried to save Joe and MacLeod by using the private journal his own Watcher had kept a record of their friendship in as an example of the value of immortal/Watcher friendships. His speech fell on deaf ears, however, and Joe was sentenced to die. The executioner and witnesses, however, were then murdered by Jacob Galati and Joe rescued by MacLeod. The situation then devolved badly, and the Watchers sanctioned teams to kill MacLeod and Dawson. Methos later inadvertently contributed to the capture and execution of the Watcher killer, immortal Jacob Galati.

Galati had been acting to avenge his immortal wife, Irina, murdered by Horton's Hunters years before. Joe and Methos were set up and betrayed by Jack Shapiro an old friend of Joe's and a member of the Tribunal, the Watcher's ruling body. Shapiro was mad with grief because his son had been murdered by Galati, when watching the supposedly utterly safe Immortal, Duncan MacLeod. He murdered Galati and tried to kill MacLeod, who was vulnerable after being forced to take Galati's Quickening.

MacLeod, Joe, and Methos were briefly reunited before MacLeod went after Shapiro one last time, and Joe begged Methos to stop Duncan and the impending Watcher/Immortal war but Methos bleakly declared, "I am five thousand years old, and I don't know who I am anymore. I just helped set up one of my own." He washed his hands of the whole mess, and disappeared without a word to anyone.

The War was averted when MacLeod exacted a declaration of peace from a grief-stricken and terrified Shapiro (his son, David, was Galati's last victim). After refusing to stop MacLeod's last-ditch run at Shapiro, Methos left town with no indication of his destination or whether he would see Joe or MacLeod again. [12] A few months later, the watchers listed him as absent without leave.

Prince Khyan, Summer 1996[]

That summer, Methos traveled to New York City where he bumped into MacLeod in the Branson Collection Museum. The collection housed a 3,000 year old Hyksos sword which Methos had seen before. It was that sword the mad immortal, Khyan was seeking, convinced it held the soul of his long-dead half-brother, King Apophis. Apophis and Khyan had lost to a Methos led rebellion three millennia previously, and Apophis had been condemned to have “his...body slain, smothered so that his royal blood will not be shed – but his soul will be trapped forever in...his own sword.”

Khyan was then a serial killer because, according to him, the sacrifices would help him locate the sword. Methos and MacLeod eventually removed the sword from display and met the mad immortal on the museum roof, where Methos assured him if the sword was to be broken his brother's soul would also die. Methos and Khyan fought, and Khyan snatched the ancient bronze blade from Methos, while Methos disarmed Khyan. The pair wound up in a wrestling match that sent them over the parapet, only to have Methos rescued by MacLeod while Khyan fell three stories to the pavement. Methos ran down the steps in order that the madman should not recover and escape, and after a brief hesitation, took his head. [9]

False Methos - September 1996[]

While at the Seacouver Marina, Duncan encountered and challenged William Culbraith whom he had first met during the American Civil War. As Duncan was about to kill Culbraith, Richie ran towards them, yelling, "Mac! Don't do it!" Mac turned, and Culbraith had used his moment of inattention to escape. Richie told Duncan that he had met an immortal who told him about peace and rejecting the Game. Richie told him the prophet was Methos. Duncan was absolutely stunned by the revelation.

Methos meets the pretender.

Methos meets Methos

Coincidentally, the real Methos had recently returned from Nepal and was camped out in MacLeod's loft. When told about the Messenger, he explained the man was known as 'the other Methos' and that he'd never met him but had heard rumors about him. Methos was happy enough to let the impostor keep up the charade, if only to redirect hostiles; "Look, there are enough people out there who want my head for who I am. Now I say, if he wants to play Methos, let him."

Methos later met the False Methos and the two men had a talk, Methos never revealing who he really was, but quietly baited the impostor, his disdain obvious. He returned to Joe and MacLeod almost indignant with his imitator, calling the Messenger either a delusional or a fraud. Joe told MacLeod that there had been a number of immortals killed in the wake of the Messenger. Duncan wondered if the Messenger had killed them but Joe told him that the Messenger appeared sincere, rather his converts efforts at peace keeping simply made them easy marks for hostile immortals. MacLeod insisted Methos reveal his true identity to Richie in order to prove the other Methos a liar. “What makes you think he'll even believe me,” asked Methos. MacLeod assured him he would be very sincere.

Within a few days, Culbraith killed the Messenger, thinking he was really Methos and that his Quickening would give Culbraith the power to defeat MacLeod. Richie then killed Culbraith, after Duncan arrived in the nick of time to return Richie's sword to him.

When Richie wryly asked if Methos had any words of wisdom for him, Methos replied, "Nope". [21]

Shortly after the encounter with the Messenger, Duncan ran into an old friend, an immortal who had turned assassin, Ingrid Henning. Troubled by the encounter which left Ingrid dead, MacLeod asked Methos about judgment and guilt:

Methos: Stefanovich killed and Ingrid judged him. Wilkinson killed and Ingrid judged him. Ingrid killed and you judged her.
Duncan: So who judges me?

Methos offered no answer. An ironic conversation considering upcoming events in their lives.[22]

Kronos Returns[]

Duncan accompanied Methos to a TV studio where Methos cheerfully served as a trivia game show contestant, much to Duncan's surprise and disbelief. As the two men left the studio they both sensed another immortal. Methos asked if Duncan was expecting anyone, when Duncan said no, Methos decided to take the scenic way back, and left MacLeod behind to see who the newcomer was, after grousing that Duncan would live longer if he learned some caution.

Knife

Kronos says hello

Later, Methos was coming out of the hotel he was staying in, carrying a backpack to his car, when he sensed another immortal. He turned, looking for MacLeod, only to take a knife to his chest. Kronos stepped up to him, smiling. "Kronos!" Methos choked in horror as he died. He recovered in an abandoned power station where Kronos offered him an ultimatum, join him or lose his head. Faced with a no-win situation, Methos chose to survive. But Kronos demanded a test of loyalty, since Methos could never bring himself to kill Cassandra, Kronos would do it for him, and, in return, Methos would kill MacLeod, since he and Kronos had a history of their own, and he reckoned Methos owed him.

Methos arrived at Duncan's dojo, looking flustered, but before he could explain the situation, Duncan asked him if he had ever heard of Kronos. Methos was taken aback, but before he could answer, Cassandra arrived and immediately challenged him. Methos swore that she didn't know him and fled, while Duncan ran interference with Cassandra. Cassandra was livid that Duncan prevented her from following Methos. Once Duncan was certain Methos was gone, he released Cassandra. She told the Highlander that his friend had ridden with Kronos – that he was one of The Four Horsemen - and it was Methos, not Kronos, who had captured her and held her as his slave. She stormed out, leaving Duncan behind utterly stunned by the revelation.

Methos was next seen packing his car (presumably to run), when he sensed MacLeod. Duncan demanded to know if what Cassandra had said about Methos was true. Methos tried to brush it off telling MacLeod "There is no answer, MacLeod. Let it be" until he realized that Duncan was not going to let it go. Methos then told him that "The times were different, MacLeod. I was different. The whole bloody world was different, okay?" But with MacLeod's insistence on a definitive answer, he got angry and said, "Yes. Is that what you want to hear? Killing was all I knew. Is that what you want to hear?"

With Duncan ready to turn his back on him for just that much, an angry Methos elaborated,

Blow off

Duncan reacts to Methos' confession


"I killed. But I didn't just kill fifty, I didn't kill a hundred. I killed a thousand. I killed TEN thousand! And I was good at it...Cassandra was nothing. Her village was nothing. Do you know who I was? I was Death.... When mothers warned their children that the monster would get them, that monster was me. I was the nightmare that kept them awake at night. Is that what you want to hear?! The answer is yes. Oh, yes ."

MacLeod told him that their friendship was over. Both men were left badly shaken.

After leaving Methos, Duncan discovered Kronos' location. Cassandra challenged Kronos but was no match for him, she tried to run for her life but she ran into Methos who knocked her out and dumped her in a river to remove her from play.

Cassandra2

Methos removes Cassandra from Kronos' reach

When Methos returned, he found Duncan and Kronos engaged in a furious duel. Methos set the station on fire with strategically placed Molotov cocktails until Duncan and Kronos were forced to stop fighting and part ways. That night, Methos met Kronos again and, in order to prevent an angry Kronos from killing him, Methos revealed that the other Horsemen were alive, and he knew where Silas and Caspian were. Kronos initially didn't believe him, but finally agreed to seek them out, pleased with the promise of the Horsemen reunited, “Then you live!”[7]

Revelation 6:8[]

Powerwalk

The Four Horsemen reunited

Methos and Kronos traveled to Europe and found Silas in a Ukrainian forest where he had lived for centuries. The three find Caspian in Romania, where he was incarcerated in an insane asylum after being convicted of brutal cannibalistic serial murders. The Four Horsemen then left for Bordeaux, France, and an abandoned submarine base, a place Methos referred to as Kronos' version of Camelot. Once there, Kronos revealed that he had developed a biological weapon and intended to use it to subjugate the world.

With Joe Dawson's help, Duncan and Cassandra tracked down Caspian's location, but arrived to find an empty cell, a dead doctor, and a single clue left by Methos. Duncan and Cassandra followed the clue to Bordeaux, then waited.

Methos called Duncan to arrange a meeting on holy ground. Duncan fed Cassandra a necessary lie, then went to meet Methos. At the church, Duncan asked Methos why he never told him about his past, "Why do you think I didn't tell you? I knew how you'd react. What I've done, you can't forgive. That's not in your nature."

Methos told MacLeod that he should get Cassandra far away from Kronos, if he wanted her to live. Then Methos revealed Kronos' plan. Methos explained that Kronos didn't really want to rule the world, he wanted to watch the world burn. Kronos had been experimenting on monkeys to develop a virus worse than Ebola, which he would use to blackmail the world's nations into submission. His first test would be that night - a bomb in a fountain. Methos told Duncan where the bomb was and how to disarm it, but refused to go with him. Crossing Kronos openly was not yet on his agenda.

Duncan raced to the Place des Quinconces and arrived just in time to disarm the bomb. In the meantime, Kronos and the other two Horsemen, kidnapped Cassandra from the hotel. Upon realizing that Duncan had foiled the plan with the bomb, Kronos sent Silas and Caspian to kill him.

Methos returned to the base, where Kronos showed him Cassandra in a cage and thanked Methos for luring Duncan away from her. "That was the plan, wasn't it?" Kronos asked, and Methos agreed that, of course, it had been. Then Kronos told Methos he sent both Silas and Caspian to take Duncan's head, and Methos closed his eyes in despair. Methos went to Cassandra, to try and make peace, but it was a futile effort, he finally told her that Duncan was dead, and if they wanted to survive, they would keep Kronos happy. Cassandra replied that she would rather die. “Then you'll die,” said Methos starkly.

Desicion

Methos prevents Silas from beheading Cassandra

Duncan, however, had defeated Caspian and leaped off a bridge to avoid Silas. Duncan then made his way to the submarine base to confront Kronos and rescue Cassandra. Kronos made MacLeod an offer: if he laid down his sword, Cassandra would live, but if he fought, Cassandra would die immediately. Duncan chose to fight, saying he thought she would rather be dead. Kronos sent Methos to Silas with orders to take Cassandra's head. With Methos seemingly abandoning him, MacLeod attacked Kronos.

At Methos' appearance, Silas immediately prepared to kill Cassandra, but Methos drew his sword to block him. Silas thought Methos was challenging him for Cassandra's head, he stepped aside and encouraged Methos to kill her. Instead, Methos challenged Silas. Silas was shocked and confused, "How can you do this? How can you go against what you are?" But Methos was no longer the man who had once ridden with Silas, "You don't know anything about me!"

Methos and Duncan finally triumph, taking their opponents heads at almost the same time and experienced a rare Double Quickening linking the two men together.

Quickasm1

Receiving Silas' quickening

In the aftermath, the only sound was Methos weeping. Cassandra then came for Methos with Silas' axe. To her shock and fury, Duncan told her that he wanted Methos to live. Twice. Cassandra stood over Methos for a moment more, than dropped the axe, glared at MacLeod, and walked away.

Later, Methos and Duncan met in a churchyard, and Methos explained that he could not kill Kronos, could not judge Kronos without judging himself the same way. When Duncan asked Methos about Cassandra, Methos said: "One of a thousand regrets," and walked away.

Keane[]

15Trespass

In April 1997 (dates according to the Watcher Chronicles), Amanda begged Methos to help Duncan after their friend's self-image was damaged by the immortal Steven Keane. (Forgive Us Our Trespasses) Keane shared Duncan's black-and-white point of view, and it affected him in dealing with the Game.

Methos wisely told a reluctant Duncan that life was not as simple as good and evil, "We're none of us perfect, MacLeod. Not you. Not me. Not even Darius. I'm sure not your friend Stephen Keane. You wanted to kill, you killed. You know, Keane is just like you. He wants to divide the world up into good and bad. Well, it's not that simple. We are all both — good and evil. We have rage and compassion. We have love and hate. Murder and forgiveness. Why don't you try forgiving yourself for once?" But MacLeod seemed unreceptive.

MacLeod eventually faced Keane and not only survived but defeated Keane and spared him.[2]

The Millennial Battle[]

In May 1997, MacLeod began to see hallucinations of James Horton and Kronos. He took out his katana and rushed at 'Kronos' having sensed an immortal, only to realize that the immortal he had sensed was Methos out on the quay. Duncan asked if Methos had seen Kronos. Methos laughed, incredulous, and MacLeod ran off in search of phantom enemies.

Later, Methos met Joe and Richie to discuss Duncan's increasingly bizarre and erratic behavior. During the meeting Richie vehemently defended Duncan. Richie suggested that the Ahriman demon and an opposing champion surfacing every thousand years could be the reason immortals existed. The three went to talk to a woman who might have known more about the legend, the grand-daughter of the man who had first mentioned the legend to MacLeod and then died, only to learn that she was also dead. They heard a police officer say they were looking for man fitting MacLeod's description had been seen late the night before near the site of Allison's murder.

Joe and Methos went to the barge, meanwhile, Duncan received a phone call from Richie telling him that his protégé had just seen Horton and that Horton was holding Joe as a hostage. With Joe standing a few feet from him, Duncan urgently tried to warn Richie not to follow but it was too late.

Offer

MacLeod offers his blade to Methos

The three men followed Richie to an old racetrack where he confronted Ahriman, the millennial demon. Ahriman took the forms of Richie, Horton, and Kronos and goaded him into combat. In the confusion, Duncan beheaded Richie thinking him the demon. As Ahriman had intended, MacLeod's most vocal supporter was eliminated. Joe and Methos arrived to find Duncan kneeling and sobbing near Richie's body. Duncan picked up his sword, and held it in both hands, offering it up to Methos.  Methos turned away saying, "Absolutely not."

Comfort

Methos comforts Joe after Richie's death

Sobbing, Duncan walked away. Methos turned as he heard Joe begin to cry and held Joe while he wept on Methos' shoulder.

Days later, Methos left Paris without leaving word with any one, in a vanishing act very typical of him. Joe was left alone to bury Richie.[23]


Return to Paris[]

Methos returned to Paris almost  a year later and past indiscretions caught up to him in the form of Morgan Walker who once knew him as Dr. Benjamin Adams.

Methos03

Methos in Paris

Methos slipped into Joe's blues bar, where he comendeered Joe's laptop and Watcher files to find out about Walker. When Joe caught him, he was furious, demanding to know where Methos had been. Typically, Methos avoided a straight answer. After a brief argument, the still angry Joe, told him to get out.

But when Joe's daughter Amy, was kidnapped by Walker, Joe turned to Methos, since Amy was Watching the man Methos had been interested in. Methos was reluctant to help until Walker's men start shooting at them. Methos took a bullet for Joe, and then the two fled from Walker's goons. Walker was told of the man who came back from the dead who was traveling with Joe and the pursuit continued.

Joe and Methos began to develop a new appreciation for one another during the pursuit, and once cornered in an abandoned building, Joe admitted to Methos that Amy was his daughter. While Methos took out the goons, Walker called Joe on his cell phone and offered a trade: Amy for "Dr. Adams" and Joe agreed, though he was wracked with guilt by it, making it obvious to Methos what has happened. Methos ran a guilt trip on Joe until finally Joe broke and revealed the trap. Methos was smug about having known all along, "That wasn't so hard was it?" he asked. When Joe reacted angrily Methos pointed out the holes in Joe's story and the fact that Joe was a terrible liar. When Joe demanded to know why Methos dragged it out, Methos cheerfully admitted, "I'm easily amused."

Joe and Methos meet Walker together, and Methos took the long postponed challenge, as Joe and Amy move to safety.[13]

Finale and Alternate History[]

In 1998, Amanda and Joe were kidnapped by an old enemy of MacLeod's. Methos was with him when he found the note, giving a meeting place with the kidnapper. Methos advised him not to go, but MacLeod insisted. Methos asked in frustration, “Are you playing the hero here or are you being the martyr? People die, MacLeod. Immortals...die.” To which MacLeod replied, “Yeah. But not because of me. Not anymore.”

Unwilling to let his friend die easily, Methos followed MacLeod to the meet, and when it looked as if Mac was going to give up his head without a fight, Methos sprayed the area with bullets, igniting a fire fight. In the chaos, MacLeod was shot, and in the time before his revival, he seemed to see Fitzcairn who showed him a a world where he had never existed.

In the alternate time line, Methos had again taken refuge with the Watchers, but had fallen for a fellow watcher, Jillian O'Hara.

Horsemenskippy

The Horsemen's apprentice

When they were both murdered by the Hunters, he rejoined Kronos as a bitter and angry man, who was convinced by the Hunters actions that mortals and immortals could now never be reconciled. Both Silas and Caspian were also killed by Hunters, leaving vacancies in the Horsemen, so Methos and Kronos recruited Richie Ryan - made immortal by a home owner's shotgun rather than a mugger's handgun. Richie's inability to murder a wheelchair bound Joe Dawson, however, got him beheaded by Methos when he failed to live up to the Horsemen's ruthlessness.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Methos managed to wake Duncan from his dream / journey and together they rescued Joe and Amanda. Duncan's faith was restored by his journey, and the rift between he and Methos truly began to heal. He thanked his friends for standing by him.[24][25] Duncan told Methos that he didn't know who or what he was - but thanked him sincerely for telling him that life is about change and isn't black and white.

Facing Djer 2001[]

In 2001, Methos was in Tokyo, Japan watching the news when he saw a special report stating Dr. Mina Abadi from the Egyptian Museum had found a sarcophagus buried under the waters of the Aswan High Dam. He recognized the scarab of swords decorating the sarcophagus and realized that it was the immortal, Pharaoh, Djer, whom he had entombed 5,000 years before. Methos boarded the first plane to Cairo and in one of his less rational moments, he broke open a case in the Egyptian Museum to get at an ancient tablet. He was caught, and thrown in jail. At his request, Dr. Abadi came to the jail and he convinced her to get him out and take him to see the Pharaoh Djer's sarcophagus. The two went to the warehouse where the Pharaoh's sarcophagus was stored and opened it. Djer was indeed within, and he was not pleased. Methos drew one of the scarab's swords to finish him off, but Dr. Abadi — not knowing why someone was alive in the sarcophagus, but apparently wanting him to live long enough to explain himself — hit Methos on the head with a vase. By the time he got up again, Djer had drawn the other sword from the scarab. After exchanging some blows, Methos managed to disarm Djer. Dr. Abadi called for a guard who shot Methos in the arm. Djer escaped while Methos was down.

Note: The unfinished series was continued by fans who usually had the final episode end with Methos beheading Djer. It is not considered canon.[5]

The Sanctuary 2004[]

In Highlander: Endgame, Methos was surprised when Duncan MacLeod turned up on the doorstep of his grand house to ask about bloody visions that were interrupting his meditations ten years to the day of Connor MacLeod's disappearance. Methos suggested Connor had entered the Sanctuary. Sometime before leaving for the Sanctuary, Connor MacLeod met with Methos, and told him his great sorrow for the loss of his family, particularly that of his adopted daughter, Rachel Ellenstein, telling him how much she meant to him. [26]

Duncan speaks to methos endgame

Duncan consults with Methos

When Duncan asked about the Sanctuary. Methos told him it was wiped out the night before.

As Duncan sought to understand what was happening in the remnants of Connor's New York loft, lurking Watchers lead by Matthew Hale took that opportunity to kidnap him in an attempt to restock and restart a makeshift Sanctuary. Duncan woke from a drugged stupor to see Joe Dawson who then proceeded to help him escape from his Sanctuary prison. Joe and MacLeod met Methos outside the building in a waiting car. Methos reunited Duncan with his Katana saying, "Here, I managed to liberate that from the lost and found." When Duncan complained it had blood on it Methos replied, "I didn't say it was easy."

Duncan insisted that Methos stop the car, and Methos pulled over so that he and Joe acould manage to get Duncan to listen to them long enough for them to explain to MacLeod what he was up against. The offered a comparison of Duncan, Connor's and Kell's recorded Quickenings. Connor had roughly two hundred thirty kills while Duncan had almost one hundred seventy five but Kell had well over six hundred. The news gave Duncan pause and he demanded to see Connor's body then got back into the car. Joe complained and asked what Duncan was saying, Methos wryly replied, "He's saying he wants to see the body" and drove the trio to the out-of-the-way cemetery where Joe and Methos had overseen the proper burial of the murdered Sanctuary immortals.

66 fs

When Joe moved as though to accompany Duncan, Duncan thanked him but implied he would prefer to be alone. Joe and Methos exchanged a wry comment and returned to their vehicle. Afterwards, Duncan was reunited with Connor at the graveside, but it was not to last - Connor later manipulated Duncan into taking his head in an echo of Methos' attempt to do the same years before only Connor's bid was successful. Empowered with Connor's Quickening, Duncan faced Connor's nemesis, Jacob Kell, and triumphed.

Reunion 2008[]

Methos returned to town and invited Joe Dawson to dinner in order to ask him to serve as best man at his upcoming wedding. He had met a mortal woman with whom he had fallen in love and planned to marry. He then visited Amanda's house, where she asked him if his wedding plans were fact or rumor, he smiled and said it was true. She replied that it was nice to see him happy.

Metham

When the three friends later reunited, Amanda noticed that Methos was nervous about his upcoming wedding, so she and Joe played Q&A with him about whether he was ready for a life with his mortal fiancée. Amanda assured him he would be happy, and he responded with an unconvincing “I know.” The cynical Amanda then responded, that he did not, and that he was terrified. Joe ended the Methos baiting by saying “What he is is human.”

After a toast, to Joe, “...the man who always reminds us of who we were and who we are...” Methos and Amanda sensed the presence of another immortal. Methos saw two on the beach, and as he and Amanda were about to face them, Joe told them that he expected them to come back. Methos replied "We always do." With that, Methos and Amanda faced their opponents and emerged victorious. Note: It is speculated that the two may have experienced a double quickening, this is also one of the few times where the entire fight takes place off screen.

After the fight, Methos was visibly agitated, calling his proposed wedding “an infantile fantasy.” He decided to call off the wedding, despite Joe's protests. He could not see subjecting Julia and her son to the violence and danger in his life, “What if someone uses her to get to me, Joe? You'd think after 5,000 years I would know better.”  Methos left, telling his friends that it had been nice to dream.   [27] Note: This video was apparently a pet project, the actors all volunteered their time, and the location was producer Peter Davis' beach home. Its canonical status is undetermined.

The End of Dilijan[]

According to the Big Finish Audio story, sometime after the deaths of the other Horsemen, Methos started looking for Dilijan and he eventually confronted him in 2011. Methos had determined that Dilijan had grown addicted to the darkness and despair in his 'patients,' Dilijan had long since perfected not only brainwashing techniques, but the ability to empty immortals of their pain - and all their skills and knowledge - while keeping their bodies alive to store massive amounts of Quickening energy. Dilijan used these 'batteries' to feed his own need for their despair, and to create manipulated immortals to use as his tools in the world. When confronting Dilijan, Methos explained that since he had promised Violetta that he would not kill him, Methos had deliberately taken his time finding him. If he had found Dilijan earlier, he would have spent weeks killing him and anyone who had ever helped him. Methos took the time to explain his intentions to Dilijan. Dilijan self servingly protested that what Methos was going to do was worse than anything Dilijan had done before, to which Methos replied,"You pushed me. That was a mistake. You of all people should have realized that."

Methos then channeled the dark energy from all of Dilijan's 'batteries' into Dilijan burning out his mind and searing his soul and consciousness leaving him in agony.

Hls2 cover

Cover of the Big Finish second season of Highlander the Audio Series

Later, Methos visited Dilijan in a mental hospital. When Dilijan asked why he was being punished, Methos replied that Dilijan had broken Methos' heart when he murdered a good person, then added: "I'm here to watch you suffer....Because you got into a fight that you couldn't possibly win, and I don't care if the punishment outweighs the crime by a hundred to one....Now, seeing you in agony makes me happy.... I suppose you could say you're my murder methadone."

Dilijan begged Methos to kill him, Methos refused, citing his promise to Violetta. When Methos left, he told Diljan he may tell him his own name the next time he visited in a hundred years or so.[28]

The Eye / Armageddon 2012[]

Duncan MacLeod visited Methos in New York in March 2012. Duncan was worried that something was wrong in the immortals' world, something felt off.

Highlander clear armageddon

Methos agreed, and noted he was pleased to not be the only paranoid one for once. The two were later attacked in a park by an unknown immortal. She challenged Methos and bested him after what should have been a killing blow by Methos ricocheted off a metal collar she was hiding under her clothing. MacLeod stepped in to defend a senseless Methos, only to be interrupted by the unknown immortals ground troops and a group of Watchers. Using the interruption to her advantage, she escaped with Methos.

Joe Dawson explained that the woman seemed to be working for an organization called the Eye, run by a former Watcher. The organization was a deadly cult obsessed with conspiracies. MacLeod (guided by what appears to be Connor's shade, a separate and aware entity within Duncan's consciousness) volunteered to be captured by them in order to defeat them from within with the Watchers' assistance.

Things went poorly soon after MacLeod's capture, he was forced to face off against Methos in a subterranean compound in Tunisia, after the Watchers sent in as MacLeod's back up were slaughtered. Methos and MacLeod manage to escape and free the other immortals being held - including Ceirdwyn and Amanda - with the assistance of an unknown French immortal (his name is never revealed). Note: Methos rebels against the guards leading him to execution after he sees the piled corpses of the slaughtered Watchers, possibly indicating he still feels a kinship toward the organization and its members.

The group managed to capture the Watcher behind the Eye, Idima Nahru, while MacLeod faced her pet immortal, Nibila, and managed to defeat her, in spite of her protective collar - much to Idima's satisfaction. The group realized too late that Idima used the destruction of Nibila's collar to send a detonation signal to a hidden nuclear weapon, as they watched, a nearby community was engulfed in a nuclear mushroom cloud. The group boarded a helicopter - piloted by Methos - and on Duncan's orders headed for another city where Duncan was certain - thanks to Nibila's memories and Quickening - the location of Idima's final plan lay. On the way Ceirdwyn and Amanda disembarked to assist survivors of the blast.

Methos, MacLeod, and the French immortal stormed a ship marked with the sigil of the Eye. Methos stayed on deck to guard their backs. Joe and a team of Watchers arrived and subdued the remaining members of the Eye before joining Methos. Joe and Methos entered the ship and found MacLeod and the unknown French immortal fighting amidst more nuclear weapons. Connor's shade urged Duncan to avoid beheading his opponent. Methos realized that a Quickening would likely set off the bombs, and while Joe tried to object, Methos forced them back to the deck. Joe ordered the Watchers on to the helicopter and released the prisoners. Moments after the helicopter cleared the ship MacLeod beheaded his opponent, triggering the nuclear weapons.

Three months later, the three men reunited in Scotland around Connor's grave. The three then shared a drink in a pub before Duncan said goodbye and walked off into the rain.[29]

The Source[]

Methos, Duncan, and Joe Dawson joined a small group of immortals in a post apocalyptic world.

The source methos

Methos in 'The Source'

There are strange signs occurring; including an odd convergence of planets, and visions experienced by Duncan's estranged mortal wife, Anna Teshemka, all of which seem to be guiding the group to the unknown Source of immortality. Guided by Anna's visions they arrive on an island in a lake in Eastern Europe. They believe the Source is located on the island, unfortunately, the island is infested and ruled by a gang of cannibals. After the group is captured, Anna and the Elder manage to escape while Methos freed MacLeod and led the cannibals through the woods to allow Duncan time to escape. Note: This film is not considered canon in the Highlander universe, apparently David Abramowitz has described it just as a bad dream.

Personality[]

As a man who has lived for many centuries, Methos has a relativistic view of life. Unlike Duncan MacLeod, he lacks a defined moral core. Methos's role as part of the Bronze Age's Four Horsemen, shows he is capable of great brutality. But caring for slaves in the Antebellum Southern United States shows he has great compassion, even for the lowest members of society. He told Duncan of his acts as Death, and said that he never mentioned this previously as he knew Duncan couldn't handle it, he could not accept, it wasn't who he was.

Methos clearly has many contrasts and complexities in his character, and it is this difference with Duncan MacLeod that often brings him both amusement and frustration. The case with Kristen showed Duncan's unwavering adherence to chivalry, but also Methos's pragmatic and relativist worldview. Methos has led a highly varied life full of great extremes, and is the ultimate survivor.

Left to his own devices, however, Methos is a man who enjoys learning and scholarly pursuits. He is gregarious, and prefers company, even though he knows company can be dangerous. He often debates philosophy with Duncan, and relays his life wisdom to his other friends Joe Dawson, Amanda Devereux, and Richie Ryan.

Methos also can be blunt, though intended as well-meaning. He has been known to simply disappear without a word in bad times. Most notably, after the Gallati Affair, and after Richie's accidental death during the Ahriman affair. Methos deserted his friends for a year, leaving Joe to bury Richie alone.

Methos took The Game with a pinch of salt. He would fight if there was no other option, but preferred caution over direct confrontation. He told Duncan that he hadn't taken a head in over 200 years when they first met, showing a preference to fly under the radar. When sensing another Immortal, he often seeks a quick exit from the scene. The persona of Adam Pierson was another smoke screen, a Watcher in charge of finding Methos, "What better place to hide? I'm in charge of finding myself, and I make sure it never happens."

When the Messenger turned up, using the name Methos and preaching pacifism, he was very blasé about it, "There are enough people out there who want my head for who I am. Now, I say if he wants to play "Methos," let him," happily using the gift of another another smoke screen to hide himself.

Despite his worldview, he was a loyal and steadfast friend when he chose to be, even acting against his better judgement at the request of his friends in such cases as interfereing with a married couple, defending Joe against the Watcher tribunal, or rescuing Amy.

Trivia[]

  • Methos was conceived as a short term character for the episode Methos, the original plan was to kill him off during the second part of Finale. Writer-producer Gillian Horvath and massive viewer support for the character convinced the producers to keep him alive due to his great potential and appeal.
  • Many fans had hoped that the season six episode "Indiscretions" was a back door pilot for a spin-off series featuring Methos and Joe. There were plans to develop such a spin-off back in early 2000, but the show never materialized.
  • Methos claims to have known Helen of Troy, Socrates, Julius Caesar, Jesus, and Cleopatra, that he rode with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as well as claiming to have once shared 'the stage' with both Caesar and the Rolling Stones.
  • Methos is the world's oldest alcohol enthusiast, having a penchant for trying out new beers, while not ever remembering a hangover.
  • The origin of the name Methos is debated. While the name might have been inspired by the word "Mythos" for Myth, in-universe, it has been suggested that the name is a Hellenization of the Egyptian mt'hs or mat'has, the literal translation of the hieroglyphics from "An Evening at Joe's," or may be a variation of the Carthaginian-Berber (North African) name Mathos.
  • It is theoretically possible that his out of character self-sacrificing gesture in the episode "Methos" may have been a calculated act. Since he worked as a Watcher Researcher for years and knew Joe Dawson it is likely he was well versed in MacLeod's Chronicle and personality and may have bet on MacLeod's moral and chivalrous nature preventing MacLeod from accepting Methos' offer.
  • The Big Finish Program writers wrote as if they had no idea about Cassandra, Charlotte Johnson, or even Alexa.
  • In the Big Finish Audio series Methos scoffs at the Prize saying that becoming mortal and bearing children is pointless, he would much rather stay immortal and live and learn.

Appearances

Highlander: The Series

Highlander: The Audio Series

Movies

Comic Books

Books

Other

Quotes[]

  • "Not many people can claim to have been on the same stage as both Julius Caesar and The Rolling Stones"
  • "It's not just a matter of who's the best fighter. It is about passion and hate."
  • "Live, Highlander. Grow stronger. Fight another day."
  • "A man who was born long before the age of chivalry."
  • "What do you expect? Einstein? Freud? Buddha? Sorry, Joe. I'm just a guy."
  • "Because the alternative is unthinkable."
  • "I've known a lot of immortals in five thousands years, MacLeod. Of them all, you were the best I've seen."
  • "I'm too old for this."
  • "I am Methos. You live to serve me. Never forget that."
  • "I'm five thousand years old. I don't know who I am anymore."
  • "One of a thousand regrets, MacLeod. One of a thousand regrets."
  • "It's good to be a myth."
  • "Just because I don't like to fight, doesn't mean I can't."
  • "We live violent lives, MacLeod. Some of that's bound to stay with us."
  • "You're not listening to me; I don't want a tombstone."
  • "I think you overestimate the efficiency of the Watcher network."
  • "It's a human trait, remembering things they way we wish they'd been. We rewrite history so that we can live with it."
  • "Do you think it takes courage to do what you do? Face another immortal with a sword knowing only one of you will live? You try being her! You try living one year knowing that your time is running out. Knowing that when it comes to the final fight, however much you train, whatever tricks you still have, you still lose. That's the way it is for them. So little time for them to see anything or do anything."

References[]

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