Posted by Jeanne Rose on Monday, 13 July 1998, at 9:02 a.m.

I was pulling eurominutes off "The Gathering" last night (which means you have to watch the whole thing twice, by acts, to see what's missing).  And I realized that Duncan has Connor to thank for the last year of his relationship with Tessa.

We had a whole season of watching Duncan and Tessa together and all the time since of watching Duncan mourn her to appreciate what a special relationship they had.  I hadn't realized how easily it all might not have been.  When he went out to fight Slan, Duncan told her - "Tess, I'm not coming back, even if I win."  And sure enough, when it was over he took off to his little cabin.  It was Connor who brought Tessa to him.

Now, admittedly, it is quite possible that after a few days of meditating alone, Duncan might have come to his senses and gone back to her.  I think we would all like to believe he would have.  But his leaving like that was so quintessentially Duncan.  Being the ultimate protector, he can't stand to see other people endangered because of him (which came to a head in 2B/N2B - how about that?).  And how many times has he taken it upon himself to make the hard decisions, to break off relationships which have brought results he doesn't want to deal with (I'm thinking about Anne, Joe, maybe even Richie).

The eurominutes add some depth to the situation.  When Tessa says "I want to leave," there is piece cut out where Duncan says "I think it's for the best, Tessa." She responds, "Is that what you think?" Duncan: "Is what what I think?" Tessa: That I'm leaving you?" Duncan:"Yes, that's what I think." Tessa: "You'd think that in 400 years a person would learn to listen." Duncan: "That's what you said!" Tessa: "I meant - I want to leave not you but this place.  Here.  That's what I meant.  But maybe - that's not what you wanted to hear." *Then* she says, "Let's go - we could be in Paris tomorrow." Duncan: "You think he couldn't find us in Paris? Tessa, Slan won't give up. You'll have to leave." Tessa: "What?" Duncan: "There's no way you could have known what this was going to be like." Tessa: "Well, I have an idea now." etc.

So, Tessa is afraid that Duncan really doesn't want her to stay.  Duncan doesn't want to inflict his life as an immortal on her, and basically presumes that she doesn't love him enough to brave it.  Both frightened, vulnerable, and trying their best to protect each other.  It about breaks your heart.  When Duncan picks up his sword and leaves, his last words are - "Tessa, I love you."  As if the greatest act of love he can muster IS to leave her.  (Which, incidentally, is what he convinces Richie to do for pretty much the same reason in "Line of Fire" - hmmm.)

The fact that he has never told anyone else about his immortality is I think very telling.  It means he's never achieved that level of trust in a relationship before.  And though he tells Tessa about himself, he doesn't tell her about the game until it comes crashing through the ceiling.  And as soon as she is endangered, he runs.  Thank heaven for Connor, who presumes to give the choice back to Tessa.  He goes back and tells her that he knows (or can guess pretty easily) where Duncan is.  And in the eurominutes, she asks him where.  He smiles a little and asks, "Are you sure you want to know?"  She realizes what he means, and with this dawning light in her eyes, says yes.

I can't wait to see more of Duncan and Connor's relationship on the big screen.  It hasn't really been duplicated in any others.  Connor is a big brother, someone Duncan has known most of his immortal life, someone to spar with, someone to argue with in the way that brothers do, someone who can interfere in his life and get away with it.  My my.  Anyway, that was my thought.  Any comments?

Peace,

JR