Highlander

Episode Transcripts

 

SEASON THREE
Episode 1: The Samurai

Written by Naomi Janzen
Directed by Dennis Berry
Aired: October 1, 1994
 
Transcript revised: 11-29-20

 

/ Episode Screencaps / Location photos /

 

Zzickle's Notes:

I don't own Highlander - if I did, I would've given Methos his own show! The contents of this transcript are taken directly from the episode (with the help of closed captions and the DVD script), to the best of my ability. Special thanks to my brother for help with Japanese translations. Huge thanks to Andy Sloane and his exhaustive lists of Highlander shooting locations for assistance with my Locations List. If you have any other location-related questions, you can email him at [karateusa at hotmail dot com].

If you want to post this transcript on your site, please let me know where it is going so I can visit it. Also, please post it with my name (Zzickle) and website (http://www.zzickle.com/) on it.

You are more than welcome to use these transcripts in your fanfiction stories, no notification required.

STARRING:

Duncan MacLeod - Adrian Paul
              the Highlander

Charlie DeSalvo - Philip Akin
              Dojo manager

 

FEATURING:

Akira Yoshida - Hiro Kanagawa
              Midori's lover

Haley - Terry Arrowsmith
              Michael Kent's bodyguard

GUEST STARS:

Hideo Koto - Robert Ito
              Japanese Samurai, in FB

Maia Koto - Tamlyn Tomita
              Hideo's daughter, in FB

Midori Kent - Tamlyn Tomita
              Hideo's descendant

Michael Kent - Stephen McHattie
              Midori's Immortal husband

UNCREDITED:

Levin - ??
              Michael Kent's bodyguard

Locations List:*
0. Scenes filmed at Virtue/Reckert Studios, 770 Pacific Blvd [49.274936,-123.111030] (no longer there)
1. Tokyo, Japan (establishing) - Kirin Plaza Osaka, 7-2 Soemoncho, Chou-ku, Osaka, Japan [34.669314,135.501506] (no longer there)
2. Hotel building - Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel, 1133 W Hastings St [49.288380,-123.120845]
3. Parking garage - underneath 770 Pacific Blvd, Plaza of Nations [49.275295,-123.111207]
4. Dojo exterior - back door of building, at end of Cambie St [49.284721,-123.108851]
5. Japanese beach - Minaty Bay, south of Britannia Beach [49.6121389,-123.2141861]
6. Kent's yacht - Main Street Dock [49.285541,-123.099189]
7. Japan - VanDusen Garden, 5251 Oak St: waterfall [49.239499,-123.135422], Cypress Pond [49.240186,-123.129455]
8. Japanese dock (establishing) - Itsukushima Shrine, 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan [34.296242,132.319525]
* Locations are in Vancouver unless otherwise indicated.
= link to location photos
= link to episode screencaps

Eurominutes: The full version of this episode runs 48 minutes, but for the domestic (US) market, this was cut shorter for commercials. "Eurominutes" are those 4-5 minutes that European fans got to see but US fans missed out on when the episodes originally aired. (Subsequent reruns on USANetwork and SciFi/Syfy may or may not adhere to the original domestic cut.) Huge thanks to Gillian Horvath for providing the tape of the official domestic cut of this episode, as it was released by the studio for the US stations.

~Official Eurominutes are bolded.
~Reruns on USA Network* (1998) & SciFi channel (2000) match the official cut, with one exception.

* Special thanks to Debra Lindsay for the USA Network tape.

 
NOTE: For 'Final Shooting Script' scenes that are not present in the actual episode, click on the 'CUT' links throughout the transcript. (Affected transcript lines are <bracketed>.)

[Voice-over by Joe Dawson]
He is Immortal, born in the highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago. He is not alone. There are others like him -- some good, some evil. For centuries, he has 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.

OPENING CREDITS

TEASER

Establishing shot: downtown Tokyo 1
 

Tokyo, Japan - Penthouse bedroom, night 2

Akira - You're beautiful.

Midori - You're nearsighted.

Akira - You never let me compliment you.

Midori - Maybe because I don't deserve it.

Akira - You deserve everything. [kisses her. The phone rings, interrupting them.]

Midori - [into phone] Hello?

Kent - [on phone] I'm sorry to wake you, dear...

Midori - [into phone] Michael--

Kent - [on phone] ...but halfway to the airport I realized I left my briefcase in the closet. I just wanted to let you know... [into phone] I'm on my way back. 3

 

Tokyo, Japan - Parking garage, night 3

[Kent gets out of limo, hands gun to Haley. Haley & Levin walk away.]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Penthouse bedroom, night 2

Midori - Hurry. CUT

Akira - Would you calm down? He's still in traffic somewhere.

Midori - I know. I just don't want to take any risks... [Akira stops her with a kiss.] 1

Akira - [as he leaves] I love you.

Midori - Be safe. [kisses him again, closes the door]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Stairwell 2

Haley - What do you say, Akira? [They grab him and drag him away.]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Parking garage, night 3

[Kent removes katana from trunk of car.]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Penthouse bedroom, night 2

[Midori re-enters bedroom, 2 straightens covers on bed, then looks in closet -- no briefcase.]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Parking garage, night 3

[The bodyguards bring Akira to Kent.]

Kent - Akira, isn't it? Akira Yoshido.

Akira - What do you want?

Kent - The same thing you do. I'm Michael Kent, Midori's husband. [lifts his sword]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Stairwell 2

[Midori runs down the stairs.]

 

Tokyo, Japan - Parking garage, night 3

Kent - This is an authentic Samurai katana, made by the great master Muramasa in the 16th Century. CUT Thirty-thousand repetitions of pounding and folding to make this blade. You know, they used to test the blade by lining up condemned men, to see how many it would cut through in one stroke. This one did five. It's recorded -- under here. [points to underside of tsuba] Truly... a labor of love. [nods to bodyguards, who release Akira and step back]

[Midori reaches the parking garage.]

Akira - I was going to talk to you...

Kent - Talk to me? You should have talked to me before you started screwing my wife. [Akira screams as Kent swings the katana and kills him. Midori watches in horror from behind a pillar.]
 

ACT ONE

Tokyo, Japan - Penthouse bedroom, a little later 2

Midori - [as Kent enters] I looked for your briefcase in the closet, Michael. It wasn't there.

Kent - I know about Akira. He won't be coming back. It had to be that way. You understand that, don't you? [takes off his suit jacket] Come to bed. [Midori slowly lies down on the bed.] Do you know? Do you understand? You could never leave me. Never. Make love to me. [kisses her, scoops his hand behind her back] (This is NOT in the DVD version - it replaces Midori reaching for the dagger in the domestic version.)

[Midori reaches to the side for a hidden dagger and 3 drives dagger into his back.]

 

Establishing shot: Dojo 4
 

Dojo 0

Charlie - Come on, Jenny. Move right, move right. Come on. Pick it up. Okay, throw it out. Come on, keep your block up! Okay. [Jenny kicks at his head.] What's that? Full energy. [DM enters dojo.]* Focus your hit. [DM enters dojo.] Now don't hold back. Come on. 4 All right? [With a yell, Jenny kicks him in the side of the head.] CUT (*In the domestic version, "Focus your hit" overlays the close-up of DM entering the dojo. In the dvd version, DM enters AFTER Charlie says this line.)

DM - Any more focus and you'd be eating through a straw.

Charlie - [turns around] MacLeod? You son of a bitch! [DM laughs.] Take five, Jenny. [goes to DM] Welcome back. Good to see you.

DM - Good to be back, Charlie.

Charlie - Yeah, well, you're looking pretty good.

DM - Yeah, you, too. I thought the doctor said to take it easy.

Charlie - Well, he also said, uh, all the parts work. Oh, by the way, you've got a visitor.

DM - But I'm not even here yet.

Charlie - Uh-huh. I don't know how you do it.

DM - Do what?

Charlie - [points to office] Somebody you know?

DM - [shakes his head] No. [walks toward office, stops when he gets close enough to 'recognize' Midori]

[Flash of Maia in pink kimono in garden.] 7

 

Loft above dojo 0

Midori - [turns away from window] I'm sorry. What was it you said?

DM - I said... are you expecting anybody else, Mrs. Kent?

Midori - Midori. What makes you say that?

DM - You seem a little nervous. And you still haven't told me why you're here.

Midori - I'm not even sure myself. Look, I'm sorry to have bothered you, but I don't think I've come to the right place. [moves to leave]

DM - Walk out that door, you won't know whether it's the right place or not.

Midori - [pulls antique brass spyglass from her purse & holds it out. DM takes it from her.] Does it mean anything to you?

DM - It means your family name must be Koto.

Midori - So you know about the legend?

DM - A promise made by my family to yours over two hundred years ago... that the Kotos can always come to the MacLeods for help. Yeah, I do.

Midori - They told that story in my family for generations. My mother swore it was true, but I was never sure how much to believe.

DM - Believe it all.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - beach 5

[Super: Japan 1778]

[DM is lying face down in the shallows amongst the flotsam of a shipwreck. Hideo rolls his body over and examines him -- he is dead. Hideo looks up and pulls out his sword -- a dragon-head katana -- as a Ronin on horseback rides toward him. They exchange blows and the Ronin falls off his horse. Two more Ronin run up. The fallen Ronin stands and all three attack Hideo. DM revives, gets up, and helps Hideo fight off the Ronin.]

DM - [to Ronin] Afternoon.

[Hideo takes down two of the Ronin. The third flees.]

DM - That was close. Duncan MacLeod.

[Hideo swings his katana and cuts DM's sword off at the hilt. He raises his katana again for a killing blow but pauses. DM stares at him in confusion for a tense moment, then Hideo turns abruptly and walks away. He pauses to look back & DM follows him up the beach.]

 

Loft above dojo 0

Midori - [puts spyglass back in her purse] But that promise was made by your ancestor two hundred years ago.

DM - Time doesn't weaken a vow, Midori. Kotos can always come to the MacLeods.

Midori - You're serious? You'd really honor that promise?

DM - On my life. Now what can I do for you?

Midori - I murdered my husband. Now will you still help me?

DM - Yes. But I need to know why.

Midori - [voice breaking] I saw him kill someone. A man. He was my...

DM - Lover?

Midori - My husband was a very powerful man. CUT

DM - I'll do what I can to protect you. [Midori gives him a relieved look.] CUT

 

Dojo 0

Charlie - [comes out of office] MacLeod, MacLeod... can I talk to you for a minute?

DM - [to Midori] I'll be right back. [Midori walks toward exit.] It's gonna have to wait, Charlie. I've got to go to Japan.

Charlie - Japan?

DM - Yeah, you know. Land of the Rising Sun. Hey.

Charlie - You just got back!

DM - That was Paris. It's a different continent.

Charlie - Oh, very funny, MacLeod.

DM - [leans in, whispers] I'll give you the air miles. [slaps Charlie on the back] Come on, watch the store for me.

Charlie - Don't I always? 5 CUT

 

Establishing shot: Hotel building 2

CUT

Hotel Hallway 2

[Midori comes out of her room with her bags & walks down hallway. 6 In hotel lobby, DM checks his pocket watch. Upstairs, Midori walks to the elevator.]

Maid - [walks past, pushing housekeeping cart] Morning.

[Elevator dings, door opens.]

Kent - [steps out of elevator] Hello, my dear.

[Midori turns & runs. Kent follows. Midori runs down stairwell. Kent follows.]

 

Hotel lobby 2

Midori - [runs to DM] It's him! He's alive. He's come back!

DM - Calm down. Who's alive?

Midori - My husband.

[DM turns, sees Kent across the lobby. Both sense 'buzz'.]

Midori - It's him. Oh, my God.

DM - Midori... Midori! I won't let him hurt you. [looks around -- Kent is gone.]
 

ACT TWO

Loft above dojo 0

Midori - But I killed him! I know I did!

DM - Apparently not.

Midori - I felt the knife go in. I -- I saw it. I still see it every night in my dreams. How could he still be alive?

DM - Your ancestors would have said oni-tata... but I'd say you missed a vital organ. [hands her a glass of Cognac] Now try that. It'll calm your nerves. Drink. CUT

Translation: oni-tata - big demon

 

Establishing shot: Kent's yacht 6
 

Kent's yacht - office 6

Kent - I want to know everything there is to know about Duncan MacLeod. I want to know where he lives. What he's worth. Who he knows. If he's connected. CUT

Haley - It sounds like more than business as usual, sir.

Kent - He has my wife.

 

Loft above dojo 0

Midori - My family had some difficult times. Our business was failing. Michael came in like a white knight. He loaned us money... and then more money. 7

DM - You couldn't pay him back, so you married him?

Midori - I thought I would grow to love him... and he to love me. But Michael doesn't love, he possesses. And I hated being an object. Look, I know you want to help, and I appreciate that, but I was wrong to get you involved.

DM - I'm involved because I want to be.

Midori - Because of an ancient promise?

DM - Yes.

Midori - Somehow I don't think this is what our ancestors had in mind.

DM - What difference does that make? I'm here to help.

Midori - I married Michael for the money I thought would restore my family's honor.

DM - Honor has nothing to do with money, Midori.

Midori - No? They were going to tear down our family shrine for a parking lot -- Hideo Koto's shrine. I don't expect you to understand.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - garden 7

[DM faces Hideo on a mat. He attacks like a boxer and Hideo throws him to the mat.]

Hideo - Do you wish to rest for a while? This must be another Western custom. Shall I have a servant bring you a pillow?

DM - [gets to his feet] I will let you know when I have had enough. I'd like to see you try that one again.

Hideo - As you wish, honorable guest. [bows, waits for DM to attack, throws him to the mat again]

DM - I think I have had enough.

Hideo - I thought I faced a gaijin with the spirit of a Samurai. [helps DM to his feet] What was the superior Western art you wished to show me? Ah, yes, "The manly art of... loxing?"

DM - That was "boxing," and you can forget it. Just show me what you do... Whatever... [flaps his arms around] Whatever that was.

[Hideo nods. DM comes at him & Hideo quickly gets him in a hold, ready to throw him, then holds that position. They turn, see Maia watching them.]

 

[later]

[Women wash laundry above the waterfall as DM & Hideo practice with swords below.] 8

Hideo - Feel your weight where it meets the weight of the mountain. When you swing your sword, bring the mountain's power through you. [demonstrates with his katana]

DM - Bring the mountain's power through you... What is this? Sword play or poetry?

Hideo - Both. [DM tries the move.] Good. Pull the strength into your arms through the soles of your feet.

DM - [tries again] Oh, aye.

Hideo - Hm, you learn quickly. Maybe you have a Samurai spirit after all.

DM - Maybe I just like poetry. [continues to repeat the move]

Hideo - Ah, you might even best me, one day.

DM - Not you, Hideo. But maybe, once I leave this place...

Hideo - No. You must never venture beyond these walls.

DM - What are you saying?

Hideo - The laws. Gaijin -- Whites are not welcome here in Japan. They are thought of as, uh... contagion. A disease, to be destroyed before it spreads.

DM - But who thinks that?

Hideo - The Shogun, my king. Barbarians have been put to death for over a hundred years.

DM - Yeah, but I was shipwrecked.

Hideo - No matter. You are a barbarian. If they see you, you will be crucified...

DM - [scoffs] Yeah.

Hideo - ...and then beheaded.

DM - That's a pleasant thought.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - walkway over pond 7

DM - But why do they hate us? We're not so different.

Hideo - [stands before him] Who do you see?

DM - A man. Hideo Koto.

Hideo - What you see is not just Hideo Koto, but all the Kotos that live. And all the Kotos that ever lived... or ever will live. We are different. Our rulers want no part of the west. That is why you cannot go beyond these walls. [reaches out, rotates DM's katana in its sheath to face the proper direction, moves past him to greet Maia] Daughter. While I am gone, you will attend to our guest. [Maia bows.] Furo da. [turns to DM, bows] Will you excuse me? [DM bows back. Hideo leaves.] 9

Translation: Furo da - Ready a bath.

DM - Hello, Maia.

[Maia walks quickly past him, her head turned away.]

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - bath 0

Maia - Masaku! (CC: masako)[enters with girl] {??} yoku totteiru.

Translation: masaku - unbelievable; ?? yoku totteiru - ?? well taking / taking well (not exactly sure what she's trying to say here)

DM - [sloshes upright in wooden tub] Excuse me, but I'm trying to have a bath in here.

Maia - It must be a new experience.

DM - I bathe once a month.

<Maia - You smell like it. [nods to girl, who grabs his arm] CUT

DM - Stop! What do you think you're doing?

Maia - Get out of bath.

DM - What do you mean, get out?

Maia - Wash outside tub, soak inside. It is Japanese custom.>

DM - Well, this is a Scottish body, and it can wash itself. Now get out... [splashes water at them] Go on, get! Go! Get! [They run from the room.] They call ME a barbarian?

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - rice paper room 0

DM - [flaps the sleeves of his kimono] I can't get used to wearing this thing.

Maia - Or to bathing every day, it seems.

DM - [clears his throat, points at sashimi in front of him] This is interesting.

Maia - It is a delicacy.

DM - [manages to lift a piece with his chopsticks] It looks like raw octopus. [glances at Maia, puts the piece in his mouth]

Maia - It IS raw octopus.

DM - [makes a face, still chewing] It's delicious. [swallows, drinks some tea] Your father's a good man.

Maia - Sometimes he is too good.

DM - What do you mean?

Maia - I will serve you as my father wishes, but I do not have to talk to you.

DM - Was it something I said, Maia? Did I offend you? [She says nothing.] Then please tell me, 'cause I do not understand.

Maia - Of course you do not! You are a barbarian.

DM - Barbarian? [gets to his feet and follows her as she leaves] Maia!

 

Loft above dojo 0

Midori - I've brought so much shame upon my family.

DM - You don't have to stay married to him.

Midori - I have no other choice.

DM - Where would Kent stay in the city?

Midori - He has a boat he keeps here. The Golden Mystique.

DM - Good. [stands up]

Midori - Where are you going?

DM - To talk to Kent, to try and work this out.

Midori - Well, what makes you think he'll even see you?

DM - Because I can be very charming... when I want to be.

 

Dojo 0

Charlie - MacLeod... aren't you supposed to be in Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun?

DM - Well, I had a change of plans -- my business came to me. 10 Listen, Charlie.* You said if I ever needed anything... (*this isn't on DVD)

Charlie - Yeah, that's a standing offer. What's up?

DM - I have to leave Midori upstairs for a while. Can you keep an eye on her for me?

Charlie - No problem. Look, do you want me to keep her in or keep someone else out?

DM - Someone might be asking for her.

Charlie - Well, I can handle that.

DM - I know. Don't take anyone on. Just get Midori out.

Charlie - Well, if that's what you want.

DM - Thanks, Charlie.

 

Loft above dojo 0

[Midori walks over to window, 11 looks at the spyglass in her hands, then leaves it on a shelf.]

 

Kent's yacht - office 6

Kent - What have you got?

Haley - It hasn't been easy, sir. The computers usually come up with more, but this guy has very little history.

Kent - You'd be surprised.

Haley - We found a business on the east side. CUT It's not much. The cash flow is nil... Just some kind of martial arts gym.

Kent - [to himself] A dojo. Great. That's perfect. 12

[Outside, 13 DM approaches the yacht.] (this shot is slightly longer in the domestic version.)

Haley - Do you want us to try to find more?

Kent - [senses 'buzz'] No. I want you to go to there and I want you to get Midori. Trust me, she'll be there. She'll be alone. [as Haley & Levin turn for the door] No. The back way. [They leave. Kent sits down at his desk, 14 behind a blue-wave machine. DM enters.] Duncan MacLeod... Welcome aboard. You know, I really ought to thank you, MacLeod. You've saved me a lot of trouble.

DM - I know you're a busy man.

Kent - Not nearly as busy as you.

DM - I'm just trying to protect a friend.

Kent - A friend? She's my wife!

DM - She doesn't want to be.

Kent - She told you that? Well, of course she's upset. We had a little... little misunderstanding.

DM - She saw you murder someone.

Kent - Did she tell you who I killed? Did she tell you it was her lover? Do you have any idea what that's like, MacLeod? The secret meetings... the lies... his smell on my pillow? Of course I killed him! What would you have done in my place?

DM - Look, I'm not here to judge anyone, Kent.

Kent - Oh, you're no saint, MacLeod, and she's a beautiful woman. Is that why you've come here?

DM - No. Long ago I made a vow to protect her family.

Kent - Oh, and now you think you have to protect her from me? She's my prize, MacLeod, my treasure.

DM - She's a human being.

Kent - Oh, she's more than that. Haven't you seen the light in her eyes... the way the light plays on her skin, like porcelain. She's a work of art. You don't destroy a work of art. CUT

DM - Let her go.

Kent - I understand this is about honor for you. What about my honor? I'm her husband -- she tried to kill me. ME! She could have had anything she wanted. A man of honor doesn't come between a husband and his wife.

DM - I won't unless I have to. She's under my protection.

Kent - For now.

DM - If anything happens to her, I'm gonna have to kill you.

Kent - [as DM leaves] We'll see.
 

ACT THREE

Dojo 0

[Charlie is fighting off Haley & Levin as DM enters. DM watches but doesn't intervene. Charlie seems to have things under control.]

Charlie - You guys must be gettin' paid a lot for this. [DM clears his throat.] Feel free to join in any time, MacLeod. [DM moves to stand next to Charlie. Haley & Levin raise their hands in defeat & leave.] Thanks for your help, man.

DM - Well, you were having so much fun. I hated to spoil the party.

Charlie - Hey, how long have you been gone?

DM - Six months.

Charlie - Yeah, right. So for six months, everything is quiet. I don't even get a hang nail. And all of a sudden you show up and I'm fighting to save my teeth?

DM - Don't thank me all at once, Charlie. 15

 

Loft above dojo 0

Charlie - Midori? [looks around, doesn't see her] Oh, no. Damn! I thought I had 'em, MacLeod. They must've got somebody around behind me.

DM - [walks to shelf] No one got past you, Charlie. Midori left by herself. [lifts spyglass off shelf]

Charlie - What's that? A telescope?

DM - It's a vow... and she's releasing me from it.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - room 0

DM - Hideo, look. [hands spyglass to him] It's the best you'll find anywhere. Six generations of craftsmen from Dover, England.

Hideo - [examines spyglass casing] It's very fine work, but what does it do?

DM - [takes spyglass from him] Come. [leads him to window] Look through the end. [hands it back. Hideo tries to look in the wrong end.] No. This way. [turns spyglass around]

Hideo - [kneels at window, looks through spyglass] The edge of the sky! It is as near as my hand!

DM - It's called a spyglass.

Hideo - Strange to think of barbarians as craftsmen. Exceptional ones.

DM - We have a few. [re Hideo's sword] Now that... that is what I call craftsmanship.

Hideo - Masahiro. The finest sword maker in Japan. It is almost two hundred years old... and somewhat stronger than your iron sword.

DM - So I noticed. [Hideo looks through spyglass again, then offers it back.] No, keep it. It is for you. It's a gift.

[Hideo bows and looks again. This time he sees horsemen approaching. He lowers spyglass and stands up.]

Hideo - I will honor it as a token of our friendship.

DM - I would like that.

Hideo - Now I must greet the men who approach. [claps his hands, calls out] Maia! [Maia approaches.] You will honor our guest. The Tea Ceremony.

Maia - [objecting] Father... [Hideo gives her a look, leaves. Maia speaks to DM without looking at him.] Come with me. It is as he wishes.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - rice paper room 0

DM - [takes cup of tea] Do I drink it now? [Maya is silent.] Guess not. You know, where I come from, they just pour hot water in a pot and bottoms up.

Maia - [not looking at him] Here it is not the end that matters, but the path to it.

DM - I'm beginning to understand that... [joking] But I'd still like to know when to drink the tea.

Maia - My father asked me to do this for you, to honor you. When you drink it is your choice.

DM - Maia, tell me something. Your father is my friend. Why do you hate me?

Maia - Where you come from, are friend and enemy the same thing?

DM - Where I come from, a friend is someone that you would lay your life down for.

Maia - [raises her eyes to glare at him] Then my father is a great friend... because he has given his life for you.

DM - What do you mean? I saved him. That is why he brought me here.

Maia - You would not understand.

DM - Maia, tell me, please.

Maia - By not killing you on the beach, he has killed himself.

DM - Why?

Maia - Because the Shogun has ordered the death of all gaijin and disobedience is punished by death. That is what those men have come to tell him. [DM realizes what she means, jumps up to leave room.] You should have let him die in battle... At least it would have been an honorable death.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - room 0

[Camera pans past room wall to reveal 16 Hideo Koto tending to a bonsai plant.]

DM - Hideo... Maia has told me everything.

Hideo - Do not be distressed. It is as it must be.

DM - But not if our friendship has cost you your life. That is not right!

Hideo - If my lord chooses to have me die, that is his right... and my duty.

DM - So you're just going to wait here until they come for you?

Hideo - My Lord has been generous. They will come when it is done.

DM - When what is done?

Hideo - When I have taken my own life. An execution would stain my family forever. My Lord has been generous by allowing me to choose an honorable death... and it would be an honor if you would assist me. [DM stares at him in shock.]

DM - I cannot do that! You are my friend!

Hideo - And that is why I ask. Because if I should falter, you must keep me from shame. You must end my pain with a pure stroke.

DM - But there must be some other way! We can get a boat and leave Japan!

Hideo - I could no more run than I could fly. Koto is a noble Samurai name... a name I have been honored to borrow. To dishonor it for all who follow me would be unthinkable. I don't ask you to understand. After all, you are a barbarian.

DM - I have it! When they come for you, you run me through with your sword and you kill me.

Hideo - You have a strange sense of humor.

DM - I will not die.

Hideo - If I kill you, you will die.

DM - You cannot kill me. When you found me on the beach, I was not breathing. You thought I was dead.

Hideo - I made a mistake.

DM - No, you did not. I had been in the water for days. I am Immortal. You know the difference between a dead man and a live one. On my honor, I am not lying to you.

Hideo - You are truly Immortal?

DM - Aye.

Hideo - Are many gaijin Immortal?

DM - No, but some of your people are.

Hideo - Amazing.

DM - So, what's your answer?

Hideo - I say no.

DM - Why? You love life. You love your children.

Hideo - You cannot save honor with a lie.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - garden shrine 7

[Hideo kneels before the stone figure of a deity.]

DM - Is there nothing I can do?

Hideo - I have already asked a favor. Perhaps there is one more thing...

DM - Anything.

Hideo - My family...

DM - They will always have a protector. Their children will know... and their children's children, that if the Kotos ever need help, they can come to Duncan MacLeod. This I promise you.

Hideo - I thank you. And now my first favor? [rises to his feet]

DM - [stands with him] I will be honored to be your second.

Hideo - [hands him the dragon-head katana] When it is over... the sword is yours.

 

Flashback - Japan, 1778 - room 0

[Hideo kneels on a mat, raises the ceremonial knife, and thrusts it between his ribs. DM stands over him with the dragon-head katana raised, and swings down.]

 

Kent's yacht - office, night 6

[Midori enters.]

Kent - Welcome home.
 

ACT FOUR

Establishing shot: Kent's yacht, night 6
 

Kent's yacht - office, night 6

[later]

[DM & Charlie enter the office. It is empty -- Kent is gone.]

Charlie - I don't know, MacLeod. If I was her, this would be the last place I'd come running.

DM - She didn't run. She made a choice.

Charlie - What? You think she went back to him?

DM - I know she did.

Charlie - Well, if that's the case, it's out of your hands now, man.

DM - It's not over.

Charlie - Oh, no. I've heard that before, and I never liked it. Now, MacLeod... what next?

DM - We go back to the dojo... then I catch a plane.

Charlie - Now don't tell me... Japan, right?

DM - You're getting the hang of it. 17

 

Establishing shot: Japanese dock 8
 

Japan - Hideo's garden shrine 7

[Camera pans across carved stones at Hideo's shrine. A Midori approaches shrine, bows, kneels, places incense stick at shrine. 18 DM approaches and startles her.]

Midori - [stands] MacLeod! How did you know I was here?

DM - Where else would you go, Midori? This is where your heart is, not with Kent.

Midori - You shouldn't have come.

DM - When I said I had a vow, I meant it. The Japanese aren't the only ones bound by honor.

Midori - 'Then you understand why I had to come back.' 19 (The domestic cut uses a different clip for this line, with only Midori onscreen.)

DM - After all that Kent's done, you still think he deserves your loyalty?

Midori - I chose this destiny. I have to live with it. What happens to me isn't important. 20 [DM looks down at shrine. Midori turns, looks at shrine] A great man rests here -- Hideo Koto. It's because of him that the Koto name has remained great.

DM - Not because of his money.

Midori - It's funny that a gaijin would teach me about honor.

DM - This is a mistake, Midori. Why perpetuate it?

Midori - Honor. It isn't about making the right choice, it's about taking the consequences. And if I stay, I can regain that honor.

[DM senses 'buzz', sees Kent nearby. Kent approaches them. DM turns to the shrine, holds out his katana, and bows.

Midori - My family's sword! How did you get it?

DM - From Hideo. Through the generations. [turns toward Kent]

Midori - No! I released you from the vow!

DM - You can't. The vow wasn't made to you, Midori. [walks to meet Kent]

Kent - You could have left this alone, MacLeod.

DM - That's just it... I couldn't.

Kent - I'd never hurt her.

DM - Sometimes it's not the body you have to protect... it's the spirit. Let her go and we can walk away from this.

Kent - I can't let her go, and your honor won't let me have her. [raises his katana]

DM - We're on holy ground.

Kent - Of course. You're a guest here, MacLeod. Die anywhere you like.

[DM leads him to...]

 

Japan - beach, dusk 5

[The same beach where DM met Hideo. DM & Kent fight, katana against katana, along the beach, into the water and back out again. DM's sword tip becomes trapped in the rocks. Kent thrusts at him and DM stops the blade between his palms. He pushes the blade to the side, grabs the hilt and turns it around, impaling Kent. Kent falls to his knees. DM grabs up his own katana from the rocks and beheads him.]
 

TAG

Japan - Hideo's garden shrine 7

[DM & Midori place incense sticks at the shrine. They stand and silently bow to the shrine.]

Midori - Sometimes I come here, and I half expect Hideo Koto to come marching towards me. He died over two hundred years ago, yet I still feel him. Maybe there is such a thing as immortality.

DM - Maybe there is.

Midori - I can't hear his voice. I've never even seen a picture of him, yet I miss him. How can I thank someone for giving me back my life?

DM - You already did.

 

End of "The Samurai"

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