Identity
his personality
One of the challenges the producers of Highlander: The Series faced was that of making Duncan MacLeod an individual distinct from Connor MacLeod, lead of the original Highlander film. Clearly, Duncan would share both Connor's wistful sadness as well as his playful sense of humour. But as a TV character, Duncan needed a more expansive personality, the depths of which would be mined over many hours of programming.
The first order of business was to make Duncan bad-ass (Connor, in his white sneakers, was admittedly not very bad-ass). This trait comes not just from his appearance (though the black coats help), but from his determination. We have in Duncan not just typical Scottish stubbornness, but also quick reasoning and centuries of experience judging different situations. He seldom changes his mind, and stands by his usually-sound decisions. This is most evident in his assessment of other Immortals: after all, you don't want to waver on whether or not someone deserves to get beheaded.
The flip side of being bad-ass is to angst. And Duncan's angst threatens to swallow him whole by times. Losing friends and lovers over 400 years, witnessing war and senseless killing, taking lives, even when justified - it all bears down on him. In the series' first episode The Gathering, we see Duncan overwhelmed and in retreat; in the last film, The Source, we see a man who has deeply internalized his pain. The journey from the former state to the latter comprises what we see in the series and two films.
Still, Mac's not "all angst all the time" - he's quite the charmer and ladies' man. He likes to combat his enemies with clever remarks, though he prefers to relax in the company of friends. Connor MacLeod teases him for having "all the fun and most of the good women."
While Duncan's a social creature, he finds time for solitary pursuits. He enjoys classical styles in art, music, and literature; he plays chess, collects antiques, reads, and listens to opera. He exercises daily, takes on handyman projects, and is even quite a good dancer.
Naturally Duncan is a well-travelled individual. He speaks multiple languages, and appreciates the foreign cultures into which he comes in contact, seeking knowledge the world over.
As with real people, some of Duncan's best characteristics are also his worst. His stubborn determination and severe introspection can be obstacles to those trying to help him. Duncan must allow others to be part of his life and his decisions, a theme strongly conveyed in the series finale To Be and Not to Be.
In Duncan, TV viewers find the right balance of "lone warrior" and "bon vivant", who has the time and space to discover himself and the world around him in the Highlander: The Series. His contrasting aspects make him an appealing and realistic character.
