Highlander (1992) s02e17 Episode Script

Warmonger

He is immortal.
Born on the highlands of Scotland 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 your world" HIGHLANDER 2x17 "WARMONGER" 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're doing? My job.
We have a problem.
- With the girl? - No, with you.
We discussed the position you were to take at the peace talks.
I've been to too many funerals.
I've seen too many children die.
We need a compromise.
What they propose is not compromise.
It's surrender! You will not sign the peace treaty.
I will do what I think is right.
I am the President.
I'm afraid I 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 too 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! Bring it to me.
Thank you.
How could you assassinate our President? 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 I.
.
Madame, you could be his mother and you wouldn't get into his box without a ticket.
Then 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 is ill.
I have an extra ticket.
Really, I'd love to, some other time.
I mean that.
MacLeod, s'il vous plait.
Thanks.
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 and 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 can 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 to see, or me? The ballet.
That's good to know.
I think the sooner you go inside the better.
You surprised me.
You always treat your old friends this way? And you.
I know you, don't I? Oh 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'd be throwing your life away.
I have no life.
Give me my gun.
I'm sorry.
But you know what he is.
I saw it in your face.
He's you're enemy.
That doesn't matter.
Go home.
For your own good.
Hey, look, your meal ticket's safe, 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? Macleod.
I could've 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 saw Arthur Drake speaking to you on the stairs.
What were you talking about? - Nothing important.
- But do you know him? At least tell me who the old man was.
I have no idea.
Why are so interested in Drake? He's a Security Advisor and his President gets killed just before he's going to sign a peace treaty? - Incredible coincidence.
- And 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 could grill some more about Drake? No thanks.
Oh, come on, Duncan, can't you tell me anything about Drake? Be careful around him.
But 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 Dzarnel.
I want my gun.
It won't do you any good.
Drake will not be the first pig I've slaughtered.
None of them deserved it more.
Eli, Leave him alone.
The only person it's going to die is you.
And 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 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 Jacob.
So young.
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.
And 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 can you.
I guess you'll just gonna have to live with it.
You saved him You live with that! 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 a few answers.
- I'm not a story.
I'm not sure what you are, MacLeod, but you are definitely a story.
Really? 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 ballets 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, but people know nothing.
Where'd 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- - 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 wouldn't want 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's up to as much as I do.
Soviet Union - 1918 Alexandra, Joseph.
Don't you ever get tired? No, only of politics.
And 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 is 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? For what crime! What crime?! That is up to Comrade Drakov! Good evening.
You can leave us.
And shut the door! What was 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 am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.
And you've come for me? Not necessarily.
I want the Abernovas freed.
Out of the question.
The Abernovas are to be executed.
They've done nothing wrong.
That's beside the point.
The Revolution needs enemies and the Abernovas are convenient.
Convenient isn't a crime! Why you do this? I can't be king, so I might as well help destroy the monarchy.
Why destroy anything? What prevent us from becoming kings, MacLeod? Or presidents? Or prime ministers? You know the answers 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 able to serve can't? Forced to stay 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 will 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 Eastern Europe will follow.
And then who knows? It'll never happen.
I've got plenty of time.
I want the Abernovas 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 Abernovas eventually die? You stay out of my way.
Not enough, MacLeod.
I want your solemn vow that you will not fight me unless we're 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 has decided to confiscate your land and possessions.
You have Comrade MacLeod to thank for that.
You're lying.
No, it's not true.
It can't be! We will have nothing.
No.
No! I'd rather die than lose our home! Think about the children, Katarina.
Here.
Drakov's diamonds.
For a new home, new beginning.
- Thank you.
- A gift from the proletariat.
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, Miss 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.
Or the chance to hear your story.
I think we should have a bottle of Chateau Laffite, 49.
So, how did that girl smuggled that gun into the embassy? She had help from the inside.
We will expose the traitor shortly.
I’m sure you'd 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 does 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? It 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.
Thanks.
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'll be doing will be on my grave.
But it doesn't matter now.
I did what I had to.
Without your help.
No he's dead, he has to be! I told you, Eli.
He's a hard man to kill.
Then you kill him.
There is no one else.
I can't.
I gave him my word.
Your word? There were people who I cared about.
I cared about my children and my wife.
Drake spared their lives.
In return I promised to leave him alone.
You think your word to Drake is your honor? This isn't 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 is he? He's dying.
Let him be.
What 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 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 could talk on Holy Ground.
And you could 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 the gun.
That old bastard has killed dozens of men in his time.
You murdered his wife and children.
I had a plan and 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 had 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 all come crashing down.
Sooner than you think.
You are one totally evil bastard, aren't you? I'm an immortal, MacLeod, like you.
You're not like me.
Suit yourself.
We 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 a 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.
This is the "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're in the Embassy, you're 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 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 have uncovered a conspiracy and I'm going to have to investigate it.
And the Peace Talks? What Peace Talks? Where is Drake? - I don't know.
- I think you do.
- Flying home with the President's body.
- Where is the plane? Le Bourget Airport.
This is Embassy property.
We have diplomatic immunity! Not for me.
Wait 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 is your sense of humor? It’s behind you.
I think we 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 Dzarnel.
Remember it when I take your head.
He said to wait.
You are ok? Come on.
Come on, I'll get you out of here.
Good.
Can you walk? Sure.
Just not well.
I think the flight's been cancelled.
PEACE ACCORD SIGNED: SECURITY ADVISOR DRAKE MISSING What's the verdict? I'd expect a call from the New York Times.
Why so glum? Drake got away.
Sometimes justice happens when it least expected.
It's not always in the 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.
I'm coming on too strong? No, it's about right.
"Here we are" "We're the princes of the universe" "Here we belong" "fighting for survival" "We've got to be the rulers of the world" "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 your world"
Previous EpisodeNext Episode