10 TV Shows That Were Right To Deviate From The Source Material
6. Highlander
Ahhh, Highlander. As much as the usual lazy journalistic gag taking the mickey out of the franchises tagline - there can be only one - was old hat a quarter of a century ago, theres no doubt even to ravening fans of the Highlander mythology that the law of diminishing returns has applied here. The original film, Highlander, had ended with the conclusion of the millennia-long quest of the Immortals, the Gathering, when the final two had fought for the Prize. Highlander II had attempted to tell the Immortals origin story, positing them as amnesiac aliens or some such bollocks. Highlander III ignored Highlander II completely, as everyone else tried to do, and claimed that three Immortals had been trapped in a Japanese cave-in, and so missed out on the Gathering of the first film. It was television that would prove the franchises saving grace. In 1992, the pilot episode of Highlander: The Series saw the films Immortal protagonist Connor MacLeod introduce to viewers his younger cousin, Duncan (as Immortals are foundlings, all that relationship meant was that theyd been fostered and raised by the same clan of Scottish tribesmen, a century apart). Dealing with a different protagonist in the same universe shortcut a lot of the usual problems in adapting a property from film to television, but there were other issues. Highlanders continuity was already a running joke even amongst devotees of the franchise. Deciding to carry straight on from the first move, the television series simply ignored both feature film sequels and any stories or characters introduced therein. One small retcon was made: that Connor MacLeods final battle with fearsome thousand-year-old proto-Russian barbarian The Kurgan hadnt been for the Prize after all. In the series, The Gathering is still gathering steam, and there are many, many Immortals still in play, and many more foundlings living as humans who are yet to receive their first death and be reborn as Immortals. This simple edit of the convoluted continuity of the franchise allowed for six seasons (and a one season spin-off, Highlander: The Raven), delving into the franchises mythology in loving, often fascinating detail.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
