I was not a regular viewer of this series so I approached this huge boxed set of nine discs with anticipation. Based on the film of the same name, "Highlander" is about a race of "Immortals", who battle throughout history, which makes for a great television plot. Every show has the potential to explore historical cultures and times. The show centers an Immortal named Duncan MacLeod. "Mac" can not be killed or die unless it is by another Immortal who must defeat him in combat and cut off his head. Mac has survived for hundreds of years. Adrian Paul plays MacLeod, who keeps his sword handy for all occasions. He can sense when other Immortals are around, both good and bad. MacLeod surrounds himself with other Immortals he has discovered, including a young biker and a rebellious woman, who he has had a checkered past. MacLeod is monitored by "Watcher", who are assigned an Immortal and help them if needed. The series deals with MacLeod and his adventures of the past, as well as the current challenges to his immortality by the bad Immortals who want this head.

The disc set is a monster-9 discs with three episodes each with commentary on most episodes. The entire episode title breakdown is as follows: Disc 1: Episode 1: "The Samurai" Episode 2: "Line of Fire" Episode 3: "The Revolutionary" Disc 2: Episode 4: "The Cross of St. Antoine" Episode 5: "Rite of Passage" Episode 6: "Courage" Disc 3: Episode 7: "The Lamb" Episode 8: "Obsession" Episode 9: "Shadows" Disc 4: Episode 10: "Blackmail" Episode 11: "Vendetta" Episode 12: "They Also Serve" Disc 5: Episode 13: "Blind Faith" Episode 14: "Song of the Executioner" Episode 15: "Star-Crossed" Disc 6: Episode 16: "Methos" Episode 17: "Take Back The Night" Episode 18: "Testimony" Disc 7: Episode 19 - "Mortal Sins" Episode 20 - "Reasonable Doubt" Disc 8: Episode 21 - "Finale, Part I" Episode 22 - "Finale, Part II" Episode highlights include MacLeod battling the monster Immortal that killed his Sioux family, and the return of his old enemy Kalas, who threatens his circle of friends. The series finale is a two part cliff-hanger involving a battle with Kalas, and the threatened revealing of the Immortal society to the rest of the world. My impression of the series is that it has a lot of potential but many of the plots in the show were predictable as hell. MacLeod senses trouble when bad Immortal comes looking for him. They verbally spare, they fight, MacLeod takes their head, end of show. Action sequences with the sword play are exciting but I found myself wondering when it would be over and anticipated MacLeod's move to end the battle. The most interesting shows deal with MacLeod's past, and the historical sets and scenarios.

Fullscreen presentation is excellent for this mid 1990's series. I'm spoiled by widescreen presentations, even on some television series, and wished this show also had that feature. Picture is clean with just a few visible artifacts. Sound is terrific and boasts a Queen soundtrack. The 5.1 Dolby surround is really outstanding for a television show.

The disc set is value laden with an incredible amount of extras, including commentary by cast and crew on almost every show by audio, video or text. Other extras include blooper reels, alternate endings, all 22 scripts on DVD-ROM, promos and trailers. It's an incredible package and one of the most value packed I've seen.

Fans of the series will definitely want this package which comes dripping with extras. High entertainment value for action fans, and enough to keep you busy for months; or until Season 4 arrives on April 13th, 2004.