Ep 10. Blackmail

Duncan MacLeod's past comes back to haunt him in season 3 episode 10 of Highlander titled "Blackmail." The episode opens with Duncan in a hotel room with his old flame, an art thief and conwoman named Lisa Milon. As they reminisce about old times, Lisa reveals that she has come back to town to pull off one last big job – stealing a priceless diamond from a local museum. Duncan is hesitant to get involved, but he can't resist the allure of one last adventure with Lisa.

Meanwhile, a ruthless corporate executive named Zachary Blaine is closing in on Lisa and Duncan. Blaine has a shaky past with Duncan, and he's determined to exact revenge by any means necessary. He hires a team of mercenaries to blackmail Lisa into stealing the diamond for him, promising to ruin her reputation if she refuses. Lisa tries to convince Duncan to help her out of this mess, but he knows that they're walking into a trap.

Despite his reservations, Duncan agrees to help. He poses as Lisa's husband and accompanies her to a high-end party at the museum where the diamond is being kept. As they scope out the security system, Lisa is approached by Blaine's henchmen and forced to show them where the diamond is located. Duncan springs into action, taking out the mercenaries and retrieving the diamond. But in the process, he is exposed as an immortal to Blaine's right-hand man, who vows to come after him.

The rest of the episode is a cat and mouse game as Duncan and Lisa try to evade Blaine's men and figure out how to get out of town with the diamond. Along the way, they're helped by another old friend of Duncan's – a retired cop named Charlie DeSalvo. Charlie is played brilliantly by the late Philip Akin, who brings a warmth and sense of humor to the role. His scenes with Duncan and Lisa provide a nice break from the tension of the main plot.

One of the most striking things about "Blackmail" is the way it explores Duncan's sense of honor and duty. He's torn between his loyalty to Lisa and his desire to do the right thing. As the episode progresses, we see him struggling with the consequences of his actions and the ramifications of his immortal status. Even though he sometimes appears invincible, there are moments when he seems vulnerable and human. This depth of character is one of the things that makes Highlander such a compelling series.

The episode also features some thrilling action sequences, particularly in the museum heist scene. Duncan's sword fighting skills are put to the test as he battles the mercenaries in the darkened gallery. The tension and excitement of this scene are heightened by the gorgeous cinematography and atmospheric lighting. The show's signature use of slow-motion and quick cuts creates a visceral sense of danger and urgency.

Overall, "Blackmail" is an excellent episode of Highlander that showcases the show's strong writing, talented cast, and impressive production values. Its exploration of moral ambiguity and the consequences of one's actions is a recurrent theme throughout the series, and it is handled with skill and nuance in this particular episode. It's one of those rare episodes that manages to be both thrilling and thought-provoking, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.