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Joe
Dawson
He is a Watcher . . .
. . . one of a secret organization of men and women, that observe and record the lives of the Immortals, but never interfere -- well almost never -- to tell you the truth, they're beginning to make a habit of it. Dawson is the Watcher, and friend (a thing not highly looked upon in Watcher circles) of Duncan MacLeod.
As a young man, while serving in Vietnam, he was shrapped by a landmine, and was saved by his Sergeant (Immortal, Andrew Cord), who he had seen, only moments before, take about 6 rounds in the chest. While recovering in a field hospital, no-one would believe Dawson, that Cord, who had been reported dead, had carried Dawson out of the fire fight. Then, one man did believe him, and explained to him what Cord was -- an Immortal -- and that he was a Watcher. The man then recruited Dawson into the Watchers. (Episode 68: Brothers In Arms)
In Episode 23 (The Watchers), Joe Dawson made his first appearance in the Series. A renegade band of Watchers, lead by James Horton, Dawson's brother-in-law, were killing Immortals, and their trail lead MacLeod to Dawson. To keep Mac from thinking that the Watchers were an organization bent on the destruction of Immortals, Dawson explained to him the real mission of the Watchers.
From their first meeting, Mac and Dawson have been at odds over the Watchers, their oath to not interfere with Immortals and the recent surge of Watcher ignoring this oath (including Dawson himself). But, through it all, they have forged a bond of true friendship, and have been there for each other when they're dealt a bad hand.
This friendship was put to the test in Episode 87 (Judgement Day), when Mac helps defend Dawson from the Watcher's Tribunal, when he is charged with collaborating with Immortals -- namely Mac himself. Although, Mac's irrefutable defense of Dawson did nothing to sway the Tribunal's final judgement, and Dawson was sentenced to death, he miraculously survives. This Episode emphasizes the commitment to their undying friendship, but it can also be witnessed throughout the Series.
Dawson is also the proprietor of a blues and jazz club, named, ah, "Joe's". Joe's has become "The Hangout" for all the main characters. It's Methos' and Mac's main watering hole, and a place for Immortals and Watchers to catch up on the latest gossip, go over strategies and listen to some killer music (which sometime includes Joe himself slowhanding some clean riffs).
While Immortals are playing with their swords . . . Smokin' Joe is swinging a mean Axe.
