We've added a section to archive previous essays on the character of Cassandra, fan fiction, reviews and whatever. We're also planning to include a "Generic Cassandra Defense" on this page. If you would like to contribute some thoughts or comments (or write an essay of your own), please e-mail us. The new page can be found here: Essays and Rants.

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The author's disclaimer, "extreme angst and breakfast food," sums it up nicely. A poignant little episode involving a meeting between Methos, Cassandra and Mac, told from Methos' point of view. I think anyone would agree that she superbly captures his thought processes, never an easy thing to do. This story amply demonstrates the charged dynamic of any initial post-Bordeaux meeting between Methos and Cassandra, given who they were, who they are, and what passed between them. I'm only sorry the story was so short. Excellent.

This is the long-awaited segment of Janeen's Hope series where Cassandra finally reaches the events we witnessed in CaH and REV 6:8. Not surprisingly, the author has something of a struggle, trying to integrate the scenes and the dialogue to fit everything that has gone before. Part of the author's dilemma is having to tell this story completely from Cassandra's point of view, where the rest of us have the luxury of knowing everything else that was going on elsewhere. We are restricted to Cassandra's tunnel-vision of a Methos she has only known as a liar and tormentor, her justifiable hatred for the rest of the Horsemen, and the plain fact that she really doesn't know the adult known as Duncan MacLeod very well, as we have from the past six years (and umpteen flashbacks). As a result, we see very little of the cataclysmic events of this story beyond Cassandra's brutal treatment. The author found it necessary to insert additional dialogue here and there among the lines in the existing script, for purposes of integration and clarification. By the end of the story, I realized I'd been hoping for some reflection, or some measure of catharsis, of triumph, to justify all of Cassandra's suffering. Instead, I was left a little frustrated. In short, although it was every bit as harrowing and engrossing as the previous installments of Hope, this one sometimes touched only lightly on moments that called for more depth or development, while repeating on themes we've already read in great detail before. And still, it was a great read.

These stories are presented together because they make up an arc of an Highlander/Cold Squad crossover saga wherein Lieutenant Simon Ross is really the ancient Immortal Methos in his newest identity. This sort of crossover with Cold Squad (or just about any of Peter Wingfield's other roles) is probably inevitable, given the nature of the character Methos, and I have to admit that it's something that I like.

Predictably, the first story concerns the revelation that Ross is in fact Methos, an Immortal. Ali McCormack is, also predictably, taken aback, but after some pretty wild sex (oh, yeah, this series is x-rated!) and then some explanations, she and Methos embark upon a relationship. Along the way, they encounter numerous difficulties, some related to Methos' true identity and some related to the fact that "Ross" is Ali's boss.

In the third story, the difficulty at end definitely becomes Methos' past…in the form of Cassandra. I don't want to give too much of the plot away so I will simply say that the authors took an approach that has become very cliched and gave it a unique twist. My only criticism is that the climax (no pun intended) of the story and the resolution comes about much too abruptly.

Technically, the authors are developing in skill as their series continues. There are few mechanical flaws in their writing and really only need to concentrate on their pacing and perhaps adding more detail. They have now written several more stories in this series, including even one story that delves into slash (a non-slash version is available for those who don't care for the genre). Alas, the resolution of the Cassandra problem basically takes place off-screen. Kudos to the authors for not taking the easy way out and killing her, though! ;-)

The Cold Squad Fan Fiction site features links to some other authors' work as well as instructions on how to join a Cold Squad Discussion List. Check it out!

Another review of this trilogy follows….

This trilogy is an arc of events that make up a HL/Cold Squad crossover, in which the authors presume from the start that Methos and Inspector Simon Ross are one and the same. Methos has left Seacouver to take up a new identity. In the meantime, the intimacy between himself and Ali McCormack develops into a full scale affair. When a Kimmie shows up hunting Methos, his secret is revealed. When Cassandra shows up seeking final retribution for the surviving Horseman, an unexpected tableau brings about a convincing, satisfying conclusion. Apart from a brief spell of choppy, fragmented storytelling at the beginning, everything is technically convincing. This story is unmistakably strong erotica on many counts, with a decent plot line attached.

Well, Janeen has done it again: somehow she manages to take a short story and infuse it with all of the flavor and atmosphere and wonderful history of the series, all the while telling a well plotted story. "The Solstice Sun" is Janeen's "The Highland Foundling" told from Connor MacLeod's point of view. But the story is not the same, because this one takes a down an emotional path of Connor flashbacks that help to show the reader the inner heart and strength of the Connor character…and the beginnings of the brotherhood and love he will one day feel for Duncan MacLeod. Cassandra is not in much of the story this time, but she is there for the pivotal moment, and her influence on Connor's past and destiny is very apparent.

Technically, Janeen's work just keeps getting better and better. Historical research in her stories is always evident and yet given to the reader with a light touch. I especially appreciate the historical and explanatory notes she gives at the end of each story.

Another review of this story follows….

This tale is the same story told in Janeen's "The Highland Foundling," only from Connor's point of view. It is part of the overall "Hope" story epic, featuring Janeen's reliably vivid and expert storytelling. Everyone isn't just in character, they transcend the character and come alive more than they ever had a chance to in the HL series itself. Knowing what I know about the background of the events, it's difficult to review this story without throwing a knowing wink at Janeen about how difficult it must be for her to sit on her little "secret" and still weave such a massive series of personal events and relationships between the Immortals we know and love so well. More! More!

Another installment in the author's "tall tale" series. Methos, his lover Grey and Cassandra continue to share stories about their lives, and this time it's Cassandra's turn. In this lyrical little tale, Cassandra has been passing time by "hibernating" periodically in death and re-awakening to a changed world every few decades. She encounters a young man named Henri, and they share an idyllic summer until Kantos arrives to menace everyone. Although Jill tells an engaging tale with a real feeling of the passage of history, there is some occasional information dumping that occurs. If the story had been stretched out a bit longer, this might have integrated into the tale a little less noticeably. Altogether a nice little read, ending with the storytelling trio turning out the lights to sleep...and Grey beginning the next installment by way of a bedtime story.

A new musician named Meg Maclean arrives in Seacouver to perform at Joe's. She turns out to be Immortal, and has a grudge with Duncan MacLeod that dates back to when both of them were pre-Immortal in Scotland. Cassandra arrives in the story in time to inform Mac and Meg that they are twins, something she divined from her visions. Confused and robbed of her vengeance, Meg flees and runs into Methos, who offers her comfort and some overnight nookie. At first ignorant of the secret Cassandra had revealed, Methos notices Meg's resemblance to Duncan and points it out in the only really awkward moment of this story (if you had just seduced someone, would you mention to them that they reminded you of their enemy? Not very bright of the Really Old Guy). The siblings reconcile and Methos gets a new, Immortal steady. I dunno...if it were Mac, would he let his sister date Methos? Cassandra vanishes from this story after bringing the twins the news of their relationship and never returns. An interesting little read.

Another exquisite story by Roxanne, who writes some of the best Methos stories to be found anywhere. This is an unusual tale that takes place before Methos meets and befriends MacLeod. It involves Immortals, Hunters, Watchers and treachery in an action-filled plot that carries you along like a freight train. Cassandra is unwittingly rescued by her worst nemesis, and Methos is haunted by the memory of the recently-slain Darius. A great read!

The Mediterranean island of Santorini is the setting of this post-Revelations story. Cassandra has followed Methos there and seems determined to exact a slow vengeance for the ancient past. The juxtaposition of Methos reminiscing about Alexa by day and undergoing Cassandra's deadly penance at each dawn is both eerie and poignant, up to the very end. The emotions are painfully realistic and bittersweet. Caution: There is some violence inherent in the tale. A very, very good story and well told.

Another review of this story follows…

Not only is this story beautifully written in a poetic style, but it deals with the psychological benefits to Methos of reconciling with Cassandra. Cassandra is not the only one who needs to be freed of the Horsemen. The Santorini setting brought out Methos' touching grief over Alexa, which is something that Cassandra needed to see. This is a beautifully told tale that does justice to both Methos and Cassandra.

Cassandra's function in this story is the usual: a convenient villain to menace Methos and his current love. The original twist is that a student of Kronos' named Gara shows up, and Methos allows Cassandra to divert her need for vengeance by challenging Gara instead. Otherwise, the vast majority of this generally entertaining story is about Methos, Duncan and his romantic interest, Samantha.

A work in progress, the title is a giveaway of the pretense of this story. A young woman who is apparently destined to win the Immortal prize is at the center of the action. Somehow, she is the daughter of both MacLeod and Methos. Cassandra is the cardboard wicked witch who gives her her first death and of course she is pursuing Methos for blind vengeance, therefore richly deserving of death. So far, the "why" of this has not been touched upon. Once again, Cassandra is simply playing the part of convenient cardboard villain to our blameless, stalwart heroes.

This story is as yet unfinished. A good start, it seems to occasionally lapse into a rather sketchy, outline form that needs fleshing out. Featuring Duncan, Connor, Cassandra and Amanda in a quest for an evil Immortal (so far), it should be interesting to see how both the tale and the writer develop.

Methos meets a nice girl and the two have lots of snuggles and enthusiastic nookie. Alison is appealing, despite her problem with low self-esteem. Unfortunately, she happens to know Cassandra from her place of employment and "introduces" her to Methos. As usual, we have Cass degenerated into a cardboard villain, exhibiting nothing more complex or deep than a knee-jerk reaction to cut off Methos' head. Look--she knew where Methos was since Bordeaux. Why would she need Alison to inadvertently lead her to him for a challenge? Dating jealousy? The author never explains this odd phenomenon. We have a mildly incredible scene where Alison saves her lover Methos from beheading by the wicked witch using sheer physical prowess and kills Cassandra, at least temporarily (Alison is unaware of Immortality). As the two lovers go off to console each other with more snuggling and nookie, Mac restrains Cassandra from further attempts at revenge.

Alas, given the entire milieu, I was actually more curious and interested about what happened between Mac and Cassandra, who disappear completely from the tale at this point, than I was about the doings of Methos and Alison. How did Mac calm her down? What did they say? Did he drag her off for some consolation of their own? I guess we aren't supposed to care.

Post Revelations 6:8, Methos and Duncan establish a more physical relationship. Methos has a long, post-coital reminiscence about how he emotionally and sexually subdued Cassandra in the Bronze Age. The author then diverges from the canon version of this flashback when Kronos intrudes and begins to physically abuse both Methos and Cassandra for his own gratification in a highly graphic fashion. This is a very adult story with a good deal of violence mixed with the erotica.

MacLeod and Methos are busy transcending each other and make the discovery that they can expand the link between them to include other Immortals (like Amanda and Connor) by accident. This process seems to be very selective to the author's tastes, because when a crazed, vengeance-seeking Cassandra shows up and intrudes on the link, it has utterly no illuminating influence on her and brings her no insight. When she is inevitably beheaded for the crime of hating Methos, her essence is lost.

It is totally unconvincing that no other Immortals have ever experienced this "pop-beads" type linking effect in all of Immortal history. Not only that, but it seems beyond incredible that Cassandra, who was shown within the canon of Highlander to be a psychic with several different talents, would be totally blind to the link. Realistically, she would probably be more sensitive...and if she isn't, it is the author's job to make certain that her inability is explained. Hating Cassandra is not an excuse for poor writing.

The plot is vintage simplistic moustache-twirling villain-type menace.

A richly-told, lyrical tale of the events surrounding the birth of Duncan MacLeod. Cassandra and her student Dalmatia watch events unfold. Dalmatia is a well-drawn original character that makes one want to read more about her. Good storytelling!

Within the gigantic sweep of the Chaos Chronicles, Cassandra isn't really a recognizable character from the one I saw in the series. She speaks in a stilted, crazed, vague fashion. She cackles and babbles to herself in near hysteria. Her two witchy companions in the tale try to convince her that Methos barely laid a hand on her in the Bronze Age and never raped her at all, but she never happened to notice, and probably made the whole brutality thing up. Since everyone in this universe is sexually out in left field anyway, who knows? Maybe it's true. I find the Chaos Chronicles startlingly original, but written in a very difficult style to follow. I also consider the characters very different from how they were portrayed on the series. Hell, everyone seems to be babbling and speaking in tongues, so why should Cassandra be any different?

Playing out amidst an epic backdrop of a war between Immortal bloodlines through time, lovers MacLeod and Methos battle the evil Constantine. Although typically beautifully plotted and well-told, the whole tale seems relentlessly tragic.

Cassandra's function within this epic seems to be solely...well, being crazed with hatred and capturing and torturing anyone who has anything to do with Methos. Yeah, that again. She menaces the lovers, tortures and rapes Methos (here we go with the projection again. Once more, Cassandra has earned beheading by the time she dies, but somehow Methos, never having done one moment of penance that we know of, never deserves anything but our sympathy). In fact, Cassandra doesn't even stop her crazed vendetta after she's beheaded, still going after Methos in Mac's body after the Quickening.

The upshot of this tale seemed to me that it would have saved everyone a lot of death and pain if Methos had simply agreed to get a few female Immortals preggers.

Part of the Maharet series, and more of the same that we saw in "When Our Past Returns." Once again, this unrecognizable Cassandra escapes at the end after terrorizing and plotting against our gallant heroes.

You'll never believe this one. Pissed off that Methos has warned MacLeod in Rev. 6:8, Kronos decides to replace him and makes...Cassandra...one of the Horsemen. She schemes to kill them all and share a Quickening and a quickie with Duncan. Naturally, Methos helps insure that only he and MacLeod survive this stupidity.

The concept itself is very interesting and could have made for quite an original story. Unfortunately, the author explained little of what was going on. This story suffers from dreadful typos and poor logic throughout.

Methos has a visitor: his 10,000 year old teacher, a woman named Kirin. She's a former resident of Atlantis and one of the "Prime," from the original Immortal stock. She's being stalked by Cassandra, who (here it comes) has-gone-insane-and-wants-to-kill-everyone-associated-with-Methos. The implication throughout this tale is that Cassandra is a terrible threat to Kirin and Methos...although how she could possibly be a serious threat to Methos and a talented 10,000 year old with a magical flying sword is never explained. Not once, despite the inferior sword fighting Cassandra demonstrated on the series; despite the fact that she never tries to use her own psychic talent as a weapon in this story; despite the fact that she's starving herself to death and is ragged and irrational. I don't believe Cassandra would frighten Kenny in this state. Under the circumstances, it takes Kirin a ridiculously long time to whack off Cassandra's head. The victor promptly goes off with Methos and they get married and live happily every after. Duncan and the rest act mostly as familiar props.

The usual weird fluff from Henry Wyckoff. There are two equally short parody sequels, but basically we have an unnamed assailant (presumably Henry) sneaking up on Cassandra and effecting toon-like torments on her. Most center on her personal appearance which the author seems to find highly disturbing. One would think if elaborate fashion, hair and nail adornments bothered him so much, he would find Amanda a veritable field day, but somehow, he reserves all of this loony tunes action for Cassandra. We are never given rhyme or reason.

It turns out that Cassandra is deliberately responsible for all the series of events involving Ahriman. Why? She's staging everything to gain revenge on Methos and MacLeod. An intricately plotted, long story that would have been perfect if it hadn't ended on what I regarded as a preposterous premise; that even if Methos had gone back into the past and treated Cassandra decently, she would still hate him and want him dead...it's unavoidable karma. I find it fascinating that sometimes authors feel the need to inflate the degree of Cassandra's hatred into madness. If she had been behaving this irrationally during the events of CaH, Duncan not only wouldn't have believed her, he wouldn't have had anything to do with her.

This story weaves itself through the episodic events of CaH and REV. A mortal biker chick named Rowan Michaels is apparently Methos' pal to the end. She's helping him behind the scenes with his plans with respect to Kronos and the Horsemen.

Without explanation, Rowan completely believes Methos has changed and neither knows nor cares to understand why MacLeod or Cassandra might suspect otherwise. She knows with complete certainty. When Duncan asks her why, her answer is a staunch "Because he's my friend." Oh. Well that explains everything. Rowan feels that Cassandra is behaving with the maturity of a teenager in puberty. Since almost every other word Rowan utters throughout the story is either an obscenity or a complaint, I think there's a bit of projection going on.

This gal is talented. She impresses everyone, wherever she goes. She's best friends with Methos, can track someone as elusive as Methos across the globe, is a talented musician, has striking looks, is fluently multi-lingual, has a group of friends who act as her operatives, owns a smart computer named PC that talks to her, is as combat-ready and competent as a Navy Seal, is a whiz with a sword, can reset her own dislocated shoulder...twice in one story (anybody else getting tired of that little cliche to demonstrate 'toughness'?), wears a tight leather cat suit...why...it's Emma Peel! Yes, it must be, for she is apparently Duncan's savior on the bridge when he faces off with Silas and Caspian, yanking him into the river from hiding (gosh, he never would have made it by himself...), then she's the one who fishes him out of the river. Whatta gal! Too bad she has the personality of a turnip, alternating between pissed off and numb. And of course, the reason why Cassandra refrains from beheading Methos at the end isn't because Duncan begged her not to--it was Rowan standing nearby, silently menacing Cassandra into submission with the threat of her sword.

The traditional fanlit term for a female character that comes out of the blue, captures the heart of the favorite series character and can do anything is "Lieutenant Mary Sue." This seems to be someone the author needs to get out of her system at an early stage of writing. The name comes from the deluge of such characters that appeared early on in Star Trek fanzines: gals who could fix a starship and save everyone with a bobby pin, and become the apple of Kirk, Spock and McCoy's eye. I would classify this story in that category. We see no reason within this tale for Methos' affection for Rowan. Perhaps it happened in another, earlier tale to which we were never referred. I suspect it wouldn't have mattered.

Roxanne Longstreet is a professionally published author, and it shows. Methos seeks absolution with dignity at Cassandra's doorstep, after the events of CaH and Rev 6:8. I found this story utterly captivating, wrenching at the heart and the imagination, intense and insular. I found the characterizations of both Methos and Cassandra believable, all too rare nowadays in fanfic. I also found myself near tears at several points within this painfully bittersweet, short tale. I guess I'll be hunting up Roxanne's efforts in future. A big thumb's up!

To read some of Roxanne's Highlander fan fiction available on-line (all of it containing Methos and several stories with Richie and/or Duncan), check out her website: Roxanne Longstreet's Highlander Fan Fiction

A late 5th-Season story, the tale begins with Mac still angry at Methos, who is unrepentant and gives a curt justification for being a Horseman in the Bronze Age: "I killed because I felt I had to." We find out via flashbacks that Kronos compelled Methos to join his evil little band by coercion. He threatened to kill Methos' beloved Drusilla, who is missing since the raid on their village. If Methos doesn't cooperate and become a raider and murderer like the rest, the absent woman will die. I can't give away much more of the story than this without revealing some clever and interesting surprises. Cassandra makes a brief but pivotal appearance. Although an angsty, fairly original read, MacLeod and the others are altogether too persuaded to forgive Methos his Bronze Age atrocities of a millennium because of the tragic blackmail Kronos held over him for a couple of years.

The title pretty much sums it up. All together now: Cassandra goes crazy after Bordeaux and kidnaps and tortures poor Methos. This one has variation B, where her abduction takes Methos from his beloved bride-to-be, for whom he pines. At least he feels as if he's earned the punishment this time, but as Methos says in the tale, "It's getting old."

I assume this is part of a larger series by the author, involving a mortal woman named Charley, who appears to be psychic. Somewhat fragmentary in the dialogue and choppy in narrative, this story has get-um elements, but the author has tastefully refrained from graphic gore or violence.

At one point, Charlie's pal Amanda argues that Duncan ought to be grateful that noble old Methos saw fit to warn him about the deadly virus. Whatta guy. By page three, Amanda and Charlie agree that Cassandra needs killing, even if they have to "hunt her to the ends of the Earth" and "hound her straight to Hell."

Amanda, Charlie, and Amanda's detective boyfriend, John Paquette, manage to find out where Methos is being held captive by means of a totally unbelievable coincidence. When Paquette comes to the women with the news, Charlie reveals herself to be a fashion-conscious kind of gal; although she's been frantically worried and weeping and starving herself for three weeks, she still excuses herself to change outfits before they leave for a rescue.

Once they arrive at the inevitable warehouse, Charlie shows what kind of relationship she has with Methos by yelling at him to "shut up" three times in one sentence, calling him blind, stupid and stubborn, and scolding the tormented victim. Hmmm...maybe they belong together after all as Mr. and Mrs. Horseman Death. Charlie then tells Cassandra to look into Methos' mind, to discover that he really has changed. After Amanda and Charlie have repeatedly commented that Cassandra is not a stupid woman earlier in the story, it's staggering to me that this never occurred to Cassandra before and that she needed Charlie to remind her to try. Amazed at the change she discovers in Methos' brain, Cassandra changes her mind, drops her rage, and turns to walk away and out of the story.

Duncan arrives late to the rescue. Amanda is wildly insulted beyond words when Duncan accuses her of killing the absent Cassandra (uh... ummm... wasn't Cassandra threatening to do exactly that, earlier in the story?). She packs up and leaves town with Paquette. Mac is generally characterized as a dummy without a clue throughout. Even Richie mocks him from a vantage point of lofty wisdom. The last part of the story is mostly devoted to Duncan's public humiliation and the wedding of Charlie and Methos, which is about as romantic as a bus stop.

A strictly adult piece of Methos/Cassandra fanfic, this is well-told hot stuff. The story relates the author's idea of what happened shortly after Cassandra's capture in the Bronze Age, and has lovely descriptive imagery. I also felt that it kept both Methos and Cassandra in character as they were portrayed in the series, for that era. I would be very interested in the author's sequel set in the modern day, based on the events of this story. She spins an involving yarn.

This tale introduces us to Rhea, an interesting ancient Immortal. The story had a lot of potential that could have benefited from deeper development. Another entry related in a choppy, fragmented style, this one takes place shortly after REV 6:9.

Cassandra goes to Rhea for consolation. This woman is supposedly her friend, but while Cassandra describes her ordeal, Rhea is thinking "get a life." There's sympathy for you. The only advice Rhea offers her is "Let it go--leave Methos alone."

Through flashbacks, Rhea is presented as another former captive slave woman of the Horsemen, one who contentedly suffers through their sustained rape and brutality; I got the strong sensation that the author felt Cassandra should have been of the same mind. To prove her point, after Cassandra leaves, Rhea immediately goes to selflessly console poor Methos. We learn through another flashback that he is worthy of this because he raped and abused her fewer times than the other Horsemen, and gave her a clean dress once. No explanation is given for this special mercy on the part of Bronze Age Methos. Rhea is portrayed as an endlessly forgiving martyr, which removes all the potential and dimension the author created at the beginning.

Another review of this story follows...

This short story starts off rather promising...in the aftermath of Bordeaux, Cassandra is wondering why she let Methos live and berating herself for walking away without exacting her revenge. She returns to a woman named Rhea, who is obviously an old friend. Through the narrative and some rather choppy, mini-flashbacks, we learn that Rhea was also an Immortal captive of the Horsemen and had, in fact, already been their captive before and during Cassandra's time as Methos' slave. Unfortunately, the author's dislike of Cassandra and contempt for any reason she might have for wanting revenge against her former tormentors soon shows through. Rhea, a woman who we are told has suffered much more at the hands of the Horsemen than Cassandra ever did-and for much longer-thinks such things as "Damn woman, get a life," when Cassandra tells her how betrayed she felt by Duncan. She also tells Cassandra that Silas wasn't so bad since he "preferred to face an enemy." In the end, Cassandra simply disappears from the story (gone back to Ireland "for a while,") and Rhea goes to see Methos to tell him that "...I'm sorry it had to be you to kill Silas... I just wanted you to have some kind of peace. What little I can offer." So, once again, we are treated to a story where everyone suffers at the hands of Methos and yet he is presented to the reader as ultimately the victim who must be comforted and forgiven.

I love Methos. I adore Methos angst. But this is bad storytelling. It makes no logical sense and, as the reader, I was left feeling frustrated by the missed potential inherent in the rather intriguing original character of Rhea.

Technically, the story suffers from an overabundant use of fragments and an occasional lapse into poor word usage (it's for its).

This is the best Cassandra story I've read so far, not only because of its positive image of Cassandra but because its subject is so central to Highlander. This is the side of Cassandra that her fans have always believed in. We actually see how she protected Duncan MacLeod from infancy. I also loved seeing her friendship with Connor. The story also lends itself to speculation on the subject of Duncan's Curse. If Duncan was cursed never to marry, there is the possibility that the answer to the question of who cursed him might lie within this story.

Another review of this story follows...

Part of Janeen Grohsmeyer's engrossing epic about Cassandra and the people around her down through the ages, this tale stands alone as a key moment in the Highlander saga: the birth of Duncan MacLeod. Like the rest of the epic, there is much bittersweet tragedy and Cassandra is both very human and very much a victim of circumstances beyond her control. The Highlands and their occupants are wonderfully evoked in the storytelling. I recommend all of Janeen's epic from the beginning, so you can get the sweep of its history, which is still in progress.

This is the sequel to an earlier story told by a different author. Methos is shepherding a mentally incompetent, childlike MacLeod to a place of refuge. Far distant, Cassandra is off doing good works in a refugee camp with a companion named Grace (a relationship is hinted at but sadly untold). Cassandra senses something is wrong with Duncan with her psychic ability and her concern sends her off to find him, Connor in tow. Although this story has intriguing moments and good concepts, Methos seems a bit stretched out of character in the midst of this wallow. There are also some sketchy areas which could have stood greater detail and development. Most of all, the story ends rather abruptly on the brink of great potential...it could have easy kept on from where it ended for some terrific opportunities of angst and interaction.

The author set out to write a farcical, Highlander version of Cinderella. By the time she's through, every single female in the story has been murdered. But not before she has painted each of them as gross, monstrous caricatures who are worthy of violent abuse. The hatred bleeding out of this tale ruins any clever accomplishments in the farce. I love slash, and have read tons of it in various fandoms over the past twenty-five, years, but the adult bits in this tale proved more meat-locker than erotic. The non-stop use of obscene language was almost more intrusive than the blatant misogyny.

Actually, I found Kronos as the Fairy Godmother hilarious. It was also the only amusing aspect of what was a mildly disturbing story at best, a sickening parade of physical and emotional sadism at worst. All too often, you sense the unfamiliar voice of the author speaking through the mouths of the characters, rendering this more of a personal commentary than a clever fable. Avoid this one and save yourself an upset stomach.

Another review of this story follows...

This re-telling of the "Cinderella" story from a Methosian slant had great potential run amuck. The author has the technical ability to string words together properly and with some degree of skill. There were definitely funny moments throughout, not the least of which was Kronos forced to play the traditional role of the Fairy Godmother, complete with outfit. Unfortunately, the story seems to be little more than an excuse to bash and batter women. The story begins with the murder of a woman and it ends with the murder of more women (specifically Kristin and the implication that Cassandra is next). The women throughout are described in derogatory terms when they aren't being physically or verbally abused. By the time "CinderMethos" meets up with the handsome prince, Duncan, I wasn't surprised to find that the prince hates women (doesn't everyone?) and that he can't even become sexually aroused in their presence. Methos helps him out by verbally and physically abusing Kristin in front of him and that seems to do the trick. Of course, the women all hate each other in this story, as well, spending their time fighting over the men (who all despise them) and saying such things to each other as "You whore, how dare you? You #$%^* #####!" Sorry. This is a somewhat family board. I can't even repeat the words here. By the time the ending rolls around, Methos is thinking (in regards to Cassandra and Kristin): "It would be fun to teach Duncan to kick them around and then watch him do it. It would be especially fun to watch them come after him and reject them again and again and again..." The ending when Kristin is murdered and we are told that everyone lived happily ever after, except for "Cassandra, that is. But that's okay," I was convinced that this story qualified as the worst case of misogyny I've ever read. If I didn't know for a fact that the author is a woman, I would have assumed this was written by a man with a pathological hatred of women.

One caveat given by the author: this story is incomplete, although the beginning and the ending are intact. Some of the details throughout are not yet written.

Post Revelations 6:8, it takes Cassandra all of three minutes to forgive Methos after a quick explanation and apology. This is enough to motivate her to help him deal with his Horseman memories. With her assistance, she, Methos and Duncan link psychically to flash back to Bronze Age events, which we relive in brutally violent, sometimes graphically sexual detail. Cassandra pretty much disappears until halfway through the tale, to leave Mac and Methos on some graphically violent and sexual modern-day escapades of their own. When violent emotional and physical abuse by the baddies brings Methos to the point of suicide, Mac fetches Cassandra back to help again.

What I find very poignant in this story is Methos reverting back to his youthful self as a slave to a sadistic master in an ancient time. Consider the irony that this heart-wrenching pathos and sympathy is forthcoming for Methos' suffering, but completely absent for Cassandra's; definitive proof that we often forgive our favorites anything at the expense of other participants of the story, hence at the expense of logical storytelling and sometimes, as in this case, missed opportunities for irony.

If explicit HL slash is your cup of tea, this is a good story.

An interesting piece of fan fiction that actually focuses more on the action/adventure aspect of the plot than character development. The descriptions are great-although the constantly repeated description of Luke Master's "jade and coral handled katana" does get overused. Masters is apparently an archeologist and there are several short flashbacks throughout which help to explain his relationship to the villain of the piece. Cassandra apparently is living with Masters and has an ongoing relationship with him. He knows about the Horsemen and in the course of this adventure, they meet up with another "baddie" who also rode with the Horsemen, although not during the time that Cassandra was with Methos. The story has some very interesting, original ideas and many lovely descriptions. Detailed descriptions, a true (and coherent!) plot, and lots of action are things that aren't usually found in your average fan fiction story, alas. Unfortunately, the story is lacking in character development. Cassandra is the only "canon" character in the tale and she is given short shrift as Luke's companion and little more than a plot device. I suspect there are earlier Luke Master's stories which explain the relationship between Cassandra and Luke as well as some of the other original characters, but I haven't been able to locate one. The story contains a few technical problems, most notably the misuse of some words ("pour" when the author means "pore") and it suffers from being too short. The plot really demanded at least a novella...and it could have supported a novel!

A well-told little adventure, the author treats us to another Luke Masters escapade. Although I am not familiar with the rest of this series featuring this original Immortal character, this fast-moving story stands on its own, boasting good action and often vivid description. It could have stood development as it sometimes lapses into the sketchy. Cassandra's role here is mostly as Luke's sidekick, someone for him to talk to in the course of the adventure. Unaccountably, she does not use any of her abilities to help out when they are in danger. Perhaps this was explained in a previous Luke Masters tale.

Set in the author's universe featuring the original character Marahet, this story features Cassandra as...awwww, you guessed it. Darn. gone evil and mad, Cassandra captures Methos, but she really hates Methos' wife even more. Of course she has evil henchmen to help her in her nefarious scheme. Cassie gets knocked off a cliff and survives, presumably to menace the lovers and heroes another day.

Cassandra doesn't actually appear in this story in person, but she definitely figures importantly as the subject at hand as an old acquaintance from Methos' past returns, needing to see him. Wonderful emotion is created in this story. This is part of a series by the author, but it stands alone nicely. The series starts in a story by Sandra McDonald called "The Victories We Claim."

Rather awkwardly told, more of an outline than a completed story. This parallels the events of REV 6:8 with added characters, including X-Files and Forever Knight principals. A jumble with a few interesting ideas that were never fully developed, this would have benefited greatly from a good editing.

Another good long story, this one taking place after ARCHANGEL. Ahriman runs rampant. Somehow, it's all Cassandra's fault. She helps save Duncan and the World and of course dies in the end, reviled and unmourned because she was still angry at Methos, apparently the most horribly irredeemable sin on Earth, beyond rape, butchery, torture or anything else.

This story takes place sometime after the character of Cassandra is introduced in "Prophecy" and before the episode of "Archangel." There is an original female character involved, Sarah Leary, who is, at the outset involved with Richie Ryan. Cassandra comes to Duncan and tells him that Sarah had a gift of prophecy and that only sleeping with Duncan will awaken the gift. Unfortunately, Richie isn't too understanding about his girlfriend and Duncan feeling an irresistible urge to sleep together! The concept itself is interesting and at least it is somewhat original. The focus of the story is more on Richie than on anyone else and I suspect the author is primarily a Richie fan. The technical aspects of the story could use some work, especially in the area of constantly shifting point of view. Cassandra is also treated in a rather one-dimensional fashion, portrayed as little more than a manipulator with no real depth or motivation for her actions shown (or for Duncan's actions, either, come to think of it). The original character is somewhat one-dimensional, as well. The copy I read was formatted badly, with lots of run-on paragraphs, but I'm not certain whether the original copy has this problem.

Stupendous. One of the best pieces of HL fanfic I've ever read, it makes the Bronze Age in which it takes place and all of its players, canonical and otherwise, come vibrantly alive. The settings are real; the characters are real; the emotions are real and the plot is ultimately intriguing. It has the feel of an ancient epic. I highly recommend!

I have to agree with Bizarro7's opinion regarding "The Reflecting Pool." This was one of the best pieces of fanfic I've seen in the Highlander universe. I'm sorry it was only a novella rather than a full-blown novel. The writing was extremely lyrical, the dialogue intriguing, and the detail to ancient history fantastic. The subtle psychology acting out between Kronos and Methos throughout (and Cassandra) was stunning. I loved the author's unique idea about the real meaning of Cassandra's prophecy (from "Prophecy") and how it ultimately related to both Methos and Duncan three thousand years later. But, again, the lyrical nature of the writing was simply enthralling. If you like Cassandra-even if you don't like Cassandra, but really like Methos and Kronos-I urge you to read this story.

Cassie goes nutso after Rev 6.8 and not only wants Methos dead, but also Duncan, her Watcher, Joe, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Barney and it seems just about everyone else on Earth. Can we spell projected Horseman? Yawn.

This one is a really odd swing in a different direction. Taking place right after Rev 6.8, Cassandra is humiliating and emotionally and physically tormenting a contrite Methos before his friends (Duncan, Richie, Amanda and Joe). Methos is flagellated for his Bronze Age deeds by everyone in turn, including himself. It all eventually takes a definitive turn toward B&D (especially when the three kinky Scottish maidens show up to discipline naughty Methos). This is weirdness, reminiscent of Anne Rice writing HL under her B&D pseudonym. Although very angsty, everyone seems a bit out of character. There are technical inaccuracies in minor details of the story that hint that the author might not have viewed the HL episodes more than once.

Apparently part of a series involving an original female Immortal character who used to be Cassandra's teacher, among other things, Cassandra is "solved" as a problem for lovers Duncan and Methos in short order. She shows up, still angry and the Immortal woman gives her an ultimatum to stop hating Methos or else. She argues that Methos ought to be excused because he was a victim of rape at the hands of Kronos. Uh...naturally, Cassie forgives poor Methos and departs three quarters of the way through the story, and is promptly forgotten for the rest of the tale while the lovers frolic.

Part of a series by the author. Once again, Cassandra is a stalking, thuggish butcher, beating up (!) Watchers, threatening to kill Duncan and his friends with little explanation. I guess if she becomes as bad as Methos, the author reasons, Methos is somehow forgiven his Bronze Age deeds. Methos spends much of this story being uncharacteristically submissive...until he gets Cassandra at his mercy and tortures her to death to find out the whereabouts of MacLeod. He goes Bronze Age, enjoying the hell out of the experience and proceeds to go surpass anything she's done against MacLeod by butchering her and her helpers (at one point he rips out a beating heart). Then everything's just hunky dory and ding dong the witch is dead. Bleah.

What a surprise! A story where a mad Cassandra has Methos captured and tortured. Poor baby barbarian...

A rare gem; Cassandra's bitter, anguished inner thoughts as she leaves Bordeaux after the events of REV 6.8. It seques into a terrific flashback an ancient tale of her past after the Horsemen. Cassandra becomes a real person through good storytelling. We are shown how she's learned from the Horsemen and her life beyond. Highly recommended.

*Sigh*. A vengence-seeking Cassandra captures and tortures Methos.She is thankfully talked out of it this time, and departs the story to leave the others to wrestle with more angst and recover.

Here's an "original" idea. Cassandra has gone insane and is killing orphans (how did she ever miss the widows?). She's kidnapped Methos and naturally, she must die. It appears she's angry that MacLeod is dating this wonderful woman, which interferes with her nefarious plans to have him father her child. Uh...yeah.

Part of the author's series featuring Methos and his lover Grey. Grey feels Methos needs to heal the unresolved issues between Methos and Cassandra, and brings her back for a reunion with Methos...stinking drunk. Since Grey was a slave himself, it's a reasonable concept. I believe I saw a sequel to this story a while back, somewhere.

Post Rev. 6:8. An extremely adult tale involving Amanda and Methos in the present day and Methos and Cassandra in the Bronze Age. Other ancient characters 'interact' with Methos also, in further flashbacks. There's much violence, rape and gore, particularly in the M/C flashback that gives graphic details as to how the Horseman broke his new slave in after her capture. Modern-day Methos feels guilt over his past behavior and he's apparently upset that he's lost MacLeod. Amanda disagrees with his guilt, and dismisses Cassandra as a 'bitch' who should forget the past and be grateful that Methos spared her life, and gosh darn it, Amanda declares that SHE would have killed Cassandra if she'd touched a hair on Methos' little head. Amanda wants to help Methos reconcile with Duncan to prevent Cassie from getting her 'claws' into Duncan again. In light of what Methos did to Cassandra in the flashback, there is utterly no logic to this sentiment, unless the author feels Cassandra's treatment was somehow earned or justified in the Bronze Age. Amanda proceeds to have wild nookie with Methos for the rest of the story, undeterred by his tales of ancient rape, torture, violence and even necrophilia. There are large amounts of explicit erotica here, for a story that exists largely for erotic purposes.

Except for one flaw, this story was genuinely enjoyable for pure angst value for me. Methos is kidnapped and tortured by Cassandra (surprise!). She intends to gain vengeance on him by using her psychic ability to make him experience what she did in the past. Unfortunately, Methos is sent too far back, plunging into his forgotten, horrible early life and Cassandra can't stop it and bring him back alone. Contrite, she calls his friends: Duncan, Richie, Ann Lindsey, Kathryn etc. and they all rally to pull Methos out with Cassandra's help. For the rest of the story, Cassandra is mercilessly reviled as a cruel bitch and threatened by everyone, even as she strives with Duncan to save Methos. In the end, she pulls him through and is promptly kicked out. Well at least her head doesn't roll, but it's implied that either the hysterical Kathryn or her husband, Methos, will do the job if they ever see her again. Of course, how Methos' early suffering somehow excuses how he treated Cassie in the Bronze Age is not discussed or considered. The cruelty against Cassie became so relentless that by the end, I felt more sorry for her than the recuperating Methos, after all the painstaking work the author put into his suffering. An otherwise great, multi-dimensional story ruined for me by non-dimensional, mindless hatred for one of Methos' ancient victims. I guess a handy, psychic scapegoat was needed to generate the great flashback plotting.

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