Richie's Death | Adrian Paul's Random Thoughts

[@G0Chiefs]

R.I.P Stan Kirsch

[@DocsChannel]

I didnt know..... Fuck

[@jubeibob]

I tried to get my old fieance to watch the series, We were finally going though the series..The build up for me wanting her to expiences that tragic scene was Epic. Right after it happened I turned to her to see she was screwing around on her phone. I knew from there it was the beginning of the end. I am in a much much better place now and the new fiance loves Highlander

[@shipjumper6068]

I really like the series as well and remember when it was being aired. I wouldn’t dump a woman because we like different things though. I’m sure she had other qualities that caused you to move on more so than a TV series. Even though it is a great series. I’m rewatching it now on Roku Channel and loving every moment as I relive it all over again.

[@jubeibob]

yep 100% right it was not just for that. thanks for the comment@@shipjumper6068

[@jeffreylessard7538]

​@@shipjumper6068no it's the whole screwing around on her phone while something that matters to someone she is supposed to care about is going on is the sign it's going bad

[@seanraines5871]

You are allowed to like different things but I get you and am glad you're in a more cohesive relationship now

[@tsdobbi]

Was the opposite with my wife. When we started dating we watched some episodes and I lent her my DVD set to watch at home. Then I realized she was actually watching them when I got a text "Fine Young Cannibals is an evil highlander!" I let the misnomer of all immortals being highlanders slide in the moment because she was actually enjoying and watching the show even without me present.

[@noneyabidness9644]

His death was a very emotional moment. It seemed like a catalyst for Duncan's character moving away from the game.

[@jedirayden]

I was 6 when the original film released, and I was 17 when Richie was killed. It was heartbreaking at the time and I couldn't believe they'd gone that route with that character. As a man in his 40s now, with a better understanding of storytelling, I still don't personally "like" what happened to Richie but I do understand it, and I accept it as a good narrative fit for what they did with the remainder of Duncan's story. Richie's death serves as the catalyst for the beginning of the final arc of Duncan's story (on the show at least) and ultimately leads to the series finale, wherein Duncan is so sick of being in the position of his loved ones being taken from him by his enemies (and sometimes by his own hand; Sean Burns, Richie Ryan) that he's ready to sacrifice his own life just to save their lives this once. And not in the usual way of risking his life in combat to protect them, but instead just by being the sacrificial lamb. It falls to Fitz, or his ghost (angel?) rather, to show Duncan how many dozens, perhaps hundreds of times he saved these people's lives just by being a part of their lives for however long that may have been, whether just a few years like Richie, Joe and Methos, a decade plus like Tessa, or centuries like Amanda and Fitz (who was killed by one of MacLeod's enemies, after all). This of course gives Duncan the motivation to continue living and being "The Highlander." The series finale is obviously very reminiscent of It's A Wonderful Life, and I personally thought it was a perfect way to end the series. The thing about it is that it wouldn't work if Richie were still alive. Richie would have either talked Mac into fighting, or would have gone in himself and wound up needing saving as well. Either way, if Richie is still alive, Duncan isn't willing to just lay down and die. We had to see Duncan having lost Richie, not just without Richie around. We'd seen many episodes without Richie, many flashbacks of Duncan before Richie, but we hadn't seen Duncan broken in this particular way before. His friend, his brother, his pupil, his son in so many ways... Richie knew Duncan in ways nobody aside from Tessa ever did, and maybe Connor too, maybe... We had to see what would happen to Duncan MacLeod after all that was taken from him, by his own hand... With an assist from Ahriman. It still hurts every time I watch it, but I get it. And rest in peace Stan Kirsch.

[@grast5150]

I remember when I saw the Richie death episode. I was fresh out of the military and working at Home Depot. Highlander was my favorite show at that time. I remember watching the episode and then having to go to work just crushed and not knowing what or how to feel. It was hard to be at work because I like the character and actor and the loss hit me hard. I remember thinking about the episode and thinking parallels to my own life. It was at that time I decided to quite Home Depot and move on with my life as life was too short. The next week I took a leap of faith and started as extra help position as a computer helpdesk technician and have been in Information Technology ever sense. I always wonder if I would have gotten off my ass if Richie had not died in that episode. Rest in Peace Richie and Rest in Peace Stan. Later.

[@1moredayof]

I hated seeing Richie die, but I was more upset about a demon (Ahriman) being introduced into the show. In the world of Highlander there was more than enough material to draw upon to create fascinating stories of immortals. A demon simply did not belong in the show.

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

I think I agree with you here. Because a demon is above Duncan or any immortal's level of power, force and intelligence. And in a lot ways is also eternal. The power needed to defeat something like that goes beyond flesh and blood weaponry.

[@bobsmith962]

I think they needed something for an immortal to battle more than just another immortal

[@Heather-vi2jg]

Richie's death was very hard for me to get over. I was so invested in the show and all the chacters that they were all like family to me. So when Richie and Tessa died it was very emotional time for me. However I still kept watching. I couldn't help it I was hooked.

[@debbietopeze7318]

It helps some of us today who no longer have families. The way that Duncan dealt with it and somehow kept maintaining.

[@Sandy-Texas-]

I was devastated The first time i saw that series, everytime we lost a great character lolWhen darius died I was like "what.. why.. Oh no you didn't" Tessa oh God that was so heartbreaking. Hugh Fitzcairn loved him so much. The episode when Richie died, was hard to take for a few reasons. One was how Duncan reacted when he realized he had killed him and how he wept. The Second was how Joe took it. And the look on Methos face. I miss the series have watched it thru over 10 tens. Great Job.

[@JV-dc7om]

The best series of my life because my mother and I were watching it together with the same feelings.

[@Xhyllos1]

It was a sad moment, but I think it happened at the right time. There wasn't much more that Richie could have offered to the series at that point. We wouldn't have wanted him just become the sidekick that shows up in every episode and say "Hey wassup Mac?". We saw him grow up from a young petty thug to becoming an immortal, to learning the game and to survive, to feeling betrayal and gaining his independance, to regaining trust in others and becoming an ally. His part was complete. His death was shocking and life-changing for the series, and it gave profound character development for MacLeod. Duncan had seen people die before. He's lost many friends in his life. But I think Richie was more like a son to him, like no one else has been before.

[@lukestone365]

Your thoughts are really spot on! I never plan to be in the entertainment industry, & it's never going to be my place to say to anyone what their character should or needs to be! My perspective is I know I've seen every episode at least once. I'm getting ready to be 40, so remembering the exact name of an episode or which season it came out gets a little more tricky! Obviously yes I'd love to have seen Ritchie in every episode until the last episode! Unfortunately it's like trying to reinvent the wheel, unless they could've found a more creative & fresh way to reinvent his character? I think the show, regarding his character, would've become stale, repetitive, & it basically ran its course. I began thinking of episodes like dark quickening, with Sean Burns. The episode where one of Duncans past friends became insane because he killed his own student. Rather than take his head, Duncan realized that he was being goaded into doing so because of the other mans guilt. Another was turning Ritchie into a rogue immortal, going after everyones head, which he did when he thought he couldn't trust Mac anymore? Obviously after the two dark quickening episodes. Unfortunately, the episodes I was referring to, it'd all been done before. That was my take, any Highlander the series fan is a friend of mine! Love to hear any feedback about my thoughts, Cheers!!

[@Heather-vi2jg]

Couldn't of said it better myself

[@lisathomasson3705]

It would have been better if Richie had never forgiven & made up with Mac after he tried to kill him the 1st time when he was possessed...since it was apparently his destiny to be killed by Mac. That was the hardest about hid death. Richie forgave him & trusted him again only to still be wacked by Macleod. He should have stayed away from Mac just like he intended in End of Innocence.

[@budgetgentleman1606]

When I was a kid I watched Highlander until season 5 or so. I was very excited when Netflix got the series, so I could finally see everything that happened. I mentioned to a friend that I was rewatching the series and we talked about the most important episodes. Then he mentioned the episode in which Richie dies (still hadn’t seen that season and somehow never heard about that episode). I was, strangely, rather taken aback by that information. I assumed my friend was wrong, and he had misremembered. Then I saw the episode. It definitely made an impact and, in a small way, I felt like I had lost a friend. Probably a testament to how good the series was (writing and acting) when you can find yourself caring about fictional characters. Though I didn’t know either of them, Richie and Stan Kirsch are greatly missed.

[@johnnygonzales428]

All that loss was extremely demoralizing. I loved Highlander and but by the end good grief was it sad.

[@chrisfields8077]

Since I grew up with the show, and kind of grew with Richie, the episode had me and my group of close friends who all gathered to watch Highlander every week throwing up our hands and almost giving up on the show. It may have worked better if it had been someone else other than Duncan. At this point in the show, Duncan killed almost as many of his friends as he did his enemies, lol. But maybe it would have felt better if they had a major baddy do it instead. But, Richie seemed to be on the up and up, and we all thought the next show would have been great to be Richie and Method, the oldest and one of the youngest immortals. We thought that would have opened up the most story potential.

[@Koriian]

Richie and Methos series would have been brilliant

[@dbcchannel10kaibigannetwor54]

I was related to the Legendary Tale of The Highlander Adrian Paul/Duncan MacLeod Highlander represents the reality of Life & Death. I lost everyone in my Family, Friends & Allies but i still survived and Highlander became my inspiration to overcome the trials we are facing. God bless The Highlander! In The End There Can Be Only One ⚔

[@chaospet]

Richie dying was a shocking plot development, and it was interesting seeing what it did to Duncan. What I didn’t love so much about it was *how* he died - that it was part of the Ahriman plotline (which felt out of place for the show), and that he was killed by a crazed/delusional Duncan (which had already almost happened too many times in the show). If it had happened in a more compelling way, I think it could have been a more satisfying (if still heart wrenching) development in the show.

[@1moredayof]

I agree. That demon had no place in the story of immortals.

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Yes, I think the way Richie died could've been better. It felt too contrived. Maybe if Amanda had something to do with Richie buying the farm it might've been more believable. Anyway I love the series and will always love it. Thx Adrian!!! You're awesome no matter what. 👍

[@orlandoalessandrini2505]

Dude, if you're buying into a story about immortals who seek refuge on holy ground to stay safe, you're opening the door to supernatural forces.

[@PiazzaGurl]

That part I agree. They started gearing the show to a more darker Biblical side which began losing its Sci-Fi edge. And Richie dying should’ve been different. I always knew Duncan was going to eventually kill Richie but I think it would’ve been a better accident like they were chasing an immortal and they got blinded, something to actually cause the be heading.

[@duberdurm]

I have to admit that the rest of the series felt lonely without Stan. I was hoping that he would be the one that would bring Duncan back by having a duel where he's clearly outmatched but Duncan comes back to sanity before actually killing him (or something like that scenario). Having him die to a stupid mistake like walking up on Duncan as he's clearly not in control was sort of a let-down. Richie and Duncan were supposed to walk into the sunset together.

[@treblam1]

My jaw had dropped to the floor when it happened. It showed that being an Immortal in the "Game" is not a very easy one. It brought an incredible reality to the show.

[@amywhite2358]

Richie's death in the show was a nightmare for me, a very bad thing, you're right Adrian when you say it worked, it traumatized a lot of us viewers, it's a scene you can't watch, it hurts and a lot, not just because we loved very much the character of Richie,but also because before our eyes there is the greatest nightmare, a father who kills his son! because to Richie, Duncan is a father. And even if he doesn't kill him voluntarily, we didn't expect it from Duncan, on that aspect it worked fully, but it was too much of a shock. I cry every time i watch It .

[@UncleDaveSayz]

I'll be 73 in April. In all those years I watched THOUSANDS of movies and TV series. Out of all over the years "Highlander" was in the top five of my all time favorites. What's silly is I felt every loss and felt cheated at the series end. I miss Methos, Joe, Ritchie, Tessa, and Amanda. I miss Mac's taking a little off the top of the weekly bad guy. It was a fun series that I still turn to past episodes of with a feeling of nostalgia and know pretty much all there is to know about the Highlander universe. Adrian, like a parent might say when showing approval, you did good.

[@TheCarrShow]

I also just have to say I think it's pretty awesome that you take the time to address fan questions. A lot of actors don't want to be bothered, or don't really know enough about the source material to give educated answers. So, thank you, Adrian.

[@BeingHumanReWch]

I really liked the relationship between Duncan and Richie. One of my favorite scenes was in Eye for an Eye when Duncan is teaching Richie basic parry and thrust. It really looked like Adrian was teaching Stan something and they just happened to have a camera filming. And the location was incredible. And it was the episode right after Tessa died so Duncan was still dealing with that. But it's one of my favorite Richie episodes because he's coming to terms with his immortality and the responsibilities that it entails.

[@GabrielGonzalez-FL]

I remember I cried that day, but I agree that sort of emotions was what made the show great! Thank you Adrian for your thoughts. RIP Stan 🙏

[@dracoslair]

That episode was the FIRST time I ever screamed at the Television!

[@timothymccormick5208]

Hey Adrian Paul... "Duncan 'Mac' MacLeod"... (with some family and friends, in games, I occasionally go by "Mack" from the inspiration of you, so, thank you.)--- The loss of Richie in Highlander was a REALLY tough scene to take. For the fact that Mac is the one who takes his head... I mean, it's bad enough that he were to die, being such a young immortal as he was, but to die at the accidental hands of your best friend and mentor... ---Artistically, that was ::gives french fingered chef's kiss::: icing on the cake... well done in the whole set up. Story wise, it also brought out the notion that "the life of an immortal is violent and lonely, even among friends." (which we seen again with Conner and Duncan in "Endgame."... again, well done in the story...) I, personally, would've liked to see Amanda, Conner, Richie, and Duncan have a few farewell episodes together... Conner, congratulating Duncan on his apprentice in Richie, Amanda (the old fling) coming in and be the minx that she is with her "friendly" banter between the 4 of them... before Conner goes off to do his thing until Endgame, and Amanda goes and isolates herself with her cat-burglar team (for Raven)... THEN.. some time after that.. or maybe even during that, Richie would have met his demise.... Possibly even to Amanda (creating the final rift between her and Duncan.) Anywho... what's done is done. I currently own Seasons 1-4 of the series, still need to find 5-7.. such a great show from the 90s. Nestled on the USA channel between Pacific Blue and Renegade.--- As for the late Stan Kirsch, he definitely made his mark in the Highlander series. I would put him right up there with Anthony Michael Hall, great actor and extremely underrated talent.

[@amywhite2358]

And you Adrian in the scene immediately after Richie's death are extraordinary, that your sobbing talk expresses very well the character's shock, his pain and we fans identify ourselves with the character too well,It hurts so much . Congrats .

[@richardgallacher6608]

And no doubt the perpetuation of the game , the gift of immortality taking all you love one cut at a time , living with all of that and still upholding the legend of the Highlander , magic 👍😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davidm4566]

It eventually became a shell of the series when they removed main characters one by one without replacing them. I guess it was an allegory for life as an immortal, but ended up making the show empty. Especially in S6 when everyone was jumping ship, including writers. Adrian was the ONLY main character in most of those eps and there were 2 eps without the main star at all.

[@Marianmessagesandapparitions]

I agree but I guess he went on vacation during those 2 episodes

[@armandodanielpinoromero344]

Hi, Mac. Big fan here. Love this entries of yours. Keep on!

[@frankiegrimaldo9933]

Andrew Paul thank you for a lifetime memories thank you by chance today for the Memories of Highlander the Series is still my most favorite TV series to this day I still watch the series I just want to say thank you by chance for bringing the TV series I first saw it Highlander the Series on USA and I'm still watching Highlander the TV series till this day thank you for thank you by chance for making my childhood memories the best from one of your fans

[@lindaCB25]

✨That was the best show, and the dynamic between you and Tessa and Ritchie was really cool.✨Each has their own path.✨Regardless of what we do.✨💫Your show had major musicians on it co-starring, too. Such as Joan Jett and ✨Vanity✨. Underrated show, imho.✨Magical, with the scenery, etc.✨💫

[@waterst9]

Season 1 - 3 were perhaps the finest of the series - with a few later exceptions. Much like music a truly great band may have perhaps 2 -3 great albums and afterwards it's all prologue and failed attempt to revisit the magic from earlier times and that is the way I view the Highlander TV series. And you know that is still really stupendous !

[@intuitivegina]

I still recall the shock and how I screamed out loud the word no when it happened. I grew to love Richie as well as the relationship Richie had with McLeod. It made it like real life. Real life is very very difficult and to be honest I watch a show like the Highlander to try to escape real life I want to see the hero's story and I want to see the hero win. Richie was one of the heroes. So I wish the writers and the producers and everybody did not do that because real life is difficult and I need happy endings

[@MethosCRC]

I think one point about being immortal is dealing with change over time, dealing with loss and loneliness. In that, the series captured the essence very well.

[@aussieyobbosworld]

We need a methos series mate keep up the good work from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 👍

[@FREEUS1776]

I liked it when I was a kid, as I've grown older I'm disappointed. I think Methos should have been given the spinoff and Richie could have been a reoccurring character. With his death Richie's life became pointless in its own right, and only important to Macleod's growing isolation. He deserved more than that.

[@Sam-lm8gi]

It was very emotional and I suppose it "worked" from a dramatic perspective, but I still would've preferred that it didn't happen. For an immortal, Richie was just a baby, and to see him literally cut down at such a young age was tragic... He still had so much more to see and do; so much more maturing and wisdom to gain. It just felt like all his growth in the previous seasons was in vain. At the very least, I think his death would've been more tolerable if he had died in a more heroic or constructive fashion, helping to defeat Ahriman or some other bad immortal or something. If his character arc had actually paid off instead of Richie being killed for seeming shock value, I think it would've been better.

[@modsleix6]

For me, that episode was pretty tough to watch. Especially since I had been watching the series since the early 90's. I remember watching my first episode on a tiny little black and white TV that was on the kitchen table. I had never seen the series before and being a fan of the films, I was instantly hooked. I kept watching it ever since. When the episode with Richie's death aired, I was totally caught off guard. I thought that what I had just seen was a joke. Something to confuse Duncan into believing he had slain Richie and thereby weakening his resolve to fight this particular enemy. Still, watching Richie ride off into the distance, I realized it wasn't a joke or a ploy. I was devastated. I felt like I had lost an older brother. Richie was someone I grew up with and identified with since he was closer to my age, though I also loved all the other characters - Duncan, Tessa, Amanda, Fitz, Joe, etc. etc.. I finally watched the entire series (multiple times) on Netflix when they had it. I wish they would acquire it again. It still remains one of my favorite shows of all time... Stan Kirsch R.I.P... *_HIGHLANDER RULES..._*

[@lindaCB25]

✨I love the episode of how Tessa and the Highlander first met, too.✨💫

[@anthony0358]

Ironically in an earlier episode a friend of Mac’s killed his student in a rage . Richie’s death was overwhelming for me . But today knowing that Stan is gone is heartbreaking

[@CollinZaffke]

I could never understand the thinking behind this show. It's like you guys couldn't kill off everyone fast enough. Richie should've been killed by someone else or went on to a spinoff, but oh well it's all past history now. Highlander was a magical part of my growing up. Let's have a reboot please!!

[@ChrisHornberger]

It was straight up heartbreaking.

[@azuretiger-kfpmarketingstr6018]

I was in high school at the time, and I remember the rumor being it had to do with the fact that Richie was supposed to be a "Young" immortal who was starting to show that he wasn't so young anymore. On one hand it made sense, on the other I hated to see him go.

[@imtekcs]

Season 6 was definitely different. I know it was a tie in to the spinoff. I remember seeing the episode that Richie died and it was very shocking and impactful. Amanda as a character was good but a bit shallow compared to some other characters. I liked all the episodes with Richie for the most part. I think the Richard Redstone episode was good but different from the norm of Highlander. The morality tale of it in the end was good. It was good to see MacLeod take a little of the backseat for a bit to highlight Richie. There were so many good and bad characters that could have been used for a spinoff series. I just don't think Amanda was the best choice. But I would agree Highlander the Series was different and went against the norms and changed things up a bit. The series emphasized the plights of immortals both good and bad. The plights of immortals tended to be more negative ultimately because of so many people loved and lost through their lives. It really enriched the Highlander franchise and showed how much of a curse being immortal could be.

[@Alimagify]

Richie's death is something I have completely ignored for years. And I continue to ignore it. Season 5 ended at modern Prometheus for me. I watched highlander while studying for my GCSE's and it remains (over 20 years later) my comfort show. But I adored Richie. So in order to keep it my comfort show I just ignore that that happened.

[@GRAV3L420]

I just watched the series again, I watch it every couple of years. It is by far one of my favorite shows. Richie's death was heartbreaking. After 400 years, Duncan had a pretty shitty decade in the 90"s.

[@OneUltimateWarrior]

It was unforgivable.

[@rclaycawley7386]

It was the most shocking and brave move I ever seen a television series do

[@russkieprincess]

I was a mom at home with a son. Have to say Highlander got me through some of the boring times LOL. My hubby is laughing at me. But it is true. Great series and you were hot. lol Thanks for the story!!

[@slayer04031974]

It completely changed the series and Duncan's outlook with letting go with your emotions in a fight. I just wish that it didn't come at the expense of Richie. The only thing that was really unanswered in the series that was connected. The dark quickening or losing one self in a quickening.

[@willmac623]

That was rough. RIP Stan.

[@geu6270]

Richie's death was a tough one for sure you guys did it well though. On Qigong: I'm watching Highlander again for the umpteenth time and I came across something I had missed before in season 6 you mentioned going to a temple far away and learning Qigong. Wow that's really cool do you really practice microcosmic orbit, lower taen taen breathing, Heal/rotted breathing, etc.? I started Qigong when almost no one knew what it was in the United States. I learned it initially from Lu Kuan Yu's translation on Taoist yoga in the the early 70s.☯️ ❤

[@StannisHarlock]

"Symmetry, Macleod. Everyone's here." And then suddenly they weren't. We got to watch Richie's entire arc on that show. From the punk kid who Mac and Tessa took in after the pilot episode, to the end of his life. There was nothing after that for Richie, but we saw it all, and it was great story.

[@PiazzaGurl]

Richie’s death was crazy. I never wanted Richie to die but in a way it made sense why it happened. Duncan went after Richie (even though he lost his mind and was evil for a bit) and then went crazy again, but Richie dying was what led to Endgame. Connor making the ultimate sacrifice and making Duncan understand that he was the one. Of course with Richie, Duncan unknowingly killed him however it still leaves the fact that it was going to happen anyways. Because Duncan had to be the last one standing. And Connor and Joe always knew and believed it.

[@TheGrandstreeters]

A greek tragedy. But that is what set the show apart from so many other things at the time. Thanks

[@LIT70]

I'm still devastated about Tessa.

[@Christopherianmatt]

Yes, it worked. It was shocking and painful. Highlander wasnt afraid of killing off important characters, and i always liked that it wasnt eposodic but moved forward. Yes a Ritchie Spinoff would have been nice to see. Ritchie had a difficult life and died too soon.

[@phoenixr6811]

That episode hurt 😢😔

[@83shadow3]

Considering the story plot of what was happening at that time it makes perfect sense. Its also worked because something was messing with Duncan. To make him want to hate it because it feed off hate an how better to make someone feel hate. Then tricking him into killing their friend so it was sad but it made an makes sense. From a story telling an plot point.

[@Elkhorse]

I was mid 40's then.Watched it every episode. Bought the tapes after 2003 ish. Like when Darius was killed there was an emptiness for quite a while, as there still is.

[@jobasha76]

You look like my stepdad, Adrian. He's 68 and he's just been diagnosed with Hemahchromatosis ergo he looks really bronze and tanned right now and he's always cared for his health ergo he is immortal to me. (obviouslt we need to care for his health right now) vI love seeing you- how fit you are, it makes me feel like he really might go on forever.

[@lisanidog8178]

I just saw that one the other day. I cried. When I found out what happened to Stan Kirsch I became depressed. I never knew him but it hurt so much like I did. I’m just too sensitive.

[@thebenforever]

I thought it was pretty tragic to see Ritchie's new immortal life ended so soon, and the last tie to Duncan's old life with Tessa, be severed. I can see why they did it though. Show was ending, Ritchie hadn't really been written into anything spectacular. Always the boy blunder. Definitely the most useful as a pivot point for the story. His death was just as "wtf" as Tessa's. Maybe not as telegraphed, but still out of nowhere. Maybe if the show had had a longer run they would have let him stick around.

[@cariocajin]

The character Stan Kirch was playing ( Ritchie ) was slowly gaining likeability and popularity. Stan Kirch was a great actor and was about to get his breakthrough in the show, probably even outshining the main character played by Adrian Paul ( Duncan McLeaod ). The producers of the show needed a dramatic change of events to spike up the audience and/or return the attention back to the show due to lack of interest or other underlying reasons. Either decided by the production alone, and/or influenced by Adrian Paul at the time, they decided to end the character Ritchie in order to maintain the attention focused on Adrian Paul's main character because after all, the show was all about "The Highlander." There are a lot of speculations about what really happened behind closed doors and the whole thing looked like a conspiracy theory. I went to The Highlander Reunion many years ago and I remember during the reunion, Stan Kirch had a Q and A. I still remember him trying his hardest to hide from his fans how devastated he was with the decision. After his untimely elimination from the show, he kept himself busy, doing what he could to perform and work as an actor, even having an acting coaching business, but depression took over and it got the best out of him.... If he was kept in the show a little longer, he would've probably received the recognition he deserved and, in my honest opinion, still be living.

[@THESWORDEXPERIENCE]

Sorry but you are incorrect on several fronts. Let me end the speculation for you. I loved Stan and we were all devastated to see him go, but the fact is that the decision to kill Richie off came because his character was going nowhere expect as Macleod's sidekick. The show was not dying at that point, it was in fact growing and Richie was released in season 5. Season 6 was not as good because they were trying to find a replacement for me, since I had decided that 6 was gong to be the last season for me, that was when it was dying. Whether he was outshining Macleod is a personal opinion , but it was never a competition between us. I never influenced them to kill him off , the producers made that decision. When he left the show he had a very successful acting business and the reason he died had nothing to do with depression because he was let go from the show.

[@cariocajin]

@@THESWORDEXPERIENCE Thank you. I suppose your version of the story has more weight than mine. I just had to let those feelings out of my chest and lay it to rest....

[@Pale32Rider]

That was a gut punch moment loosing a character like Richie! The way it happened was a powerful scene! Adrian Paul did a fantastic job showing the hurt, shock and anger within all that. I still don't know how I feel about that direction being taken but I agree with Mr. Paul that it worked and it was the type of devastating event that needed to happen for that transition in Duncan and to place his character in that direction of the story they were telling. There is always a different direction they could have gone with that story line but that's across the board with any series, story and characters out there. The onscreen talent made it work 🍻

[@michaelkuprian5646]

It was an emotional moment for sure, that left such a doubt to if Mac would ever make it back. It was one of those things that made you stop and think.

[@donzelleperkins]

Richie was a very important part of the show's success. He grew up on Highlander. I loved him and hated to see Duncan kill him. But, Adrian, you do what you have to do. Still the best!!

[@theshotohouse530]

I think you can pinpoint that the whole Ahriman/Ritchie death storyline was the moment the franchise went off the rails. While the series is fantastical of course, it was kind of alway grounded in close enough place to reality where you could relate to it. Once you start introducing gods and demons it looses that grounding and kind of makes the series have a whole different feeling. From a story perspective they did Ritchie dirty. They could have done so much more with him and I think Ritchie in Endgame would have made an interesting dynamic.

[@chickimac1]

Think it was a pivotal move in the Highlander series, but added character to Duncan’s life and choices that he made Truly miss the show and wish it would come back as a short limited series

[@joshboydtheactor]

Just now I had the thought that if instead of steering Mac to a more spiritual place, what if Richie’s death caused Mac to become a nihilist. He could’ve spent the final season getting back to his optimism.

[@vcotty]

After watching this series for years and even bought the colectors bundle I really can say it was all part of the experience Duncan had to go through. He kind of lost a son there, which was one of Duncan's mayor dreams.

[@petervankauwenbergh3375]

The death of Richie and Tessa was very impactful. I wonder though if the could have write in the next love for Duncan eventually. After having him go through a long, lonely time.

[@nilesstark]

In the world of Highlander, there could be only one. Richie going by accident was better than him and Duncan facing off.

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

So glad to hear that you at least felt like Richie and Tess dying impacted the show. Those things were surprise blows to fans like myself. And I do get the whole lonely road thing an immortal will be on. Still it was heartbreaking to see.

[@rajamicitrenti1374]

It's been several years since I've watched any of the show, but for a while I had the entire series on DVD and my wife and I sat down and watched the whole thing in order. I get the idea of killing off Richie, but for a couple of reasons, it just didn't sit right with me. 1) Richie generally stayed out of Duncan's business when Duncan said so, but I can see Richie seeing how on edge the phantom/demon thing was making Duncan, even if he didn't completely believe it existed, and therefore want to help. When he sees Duncan with his sword out, wouldn't the normal course of action to be to draw your own to defend yourself from whoever is attacking Duncan? And he knew from throughout the season that Duncan was becoming paranoid about this thing. No thought of blocking at all? He just walks up and takes a sword swing like a chump? After years of sword-combat training for fights to the death? 2) Having Duncan be the one to take him out basically only had shock value. It could have just as easily been some other immortal, and would have had the same impact, especially if Richie had come back looking for help (like had happened once before when an immortal used Richie to locate Duncan) and Duncan failed to protect him. And it just put Duncan back into 'dour, unfun to watch' Duncan mode that we'd already seen in Season 2. 3) The showrunners might not have known this at the time, since his death was actually at the end of Season 5, but the way Season 6 was basically winding down the show and tryouts for the spinoff character made it not really relevant whether Richie lived or died. I get that, in a series about a dude who potentially can live forever surrounded by a lot of other such people and the whole fighting to the death thing at the core, death can kind of feel like the only stakes, but Duncan lost people he was close to often enough that it wasn't really all that impactful by this point. Tessa died, Darius died, Fitzcairn, Charlie, Maurice, all died before Richie and all regular returning characters. Anne didn't die, but he lost her *twice*, and each time it hurt to watch. And personally, I was already not vibing with the phantom/demon thing. The immortals are already supernatural, but basically anytime the show added anything more that was actually legit supernatural to the story, it did not work for me (this story arc, the magic crystal ball thing, and if you want to include the movies, the explanation of the origin of immortals in The Source). The immortal pretending to be a vampire was pretty cool, though.

[@charlescooper1990]

The loneliness of immortality was a central theme of the series and the characters. Yes, you get to live forever, but not the people you love. How much loss can a person take? I remember the episode where some very old immortals had hidden themselves away in a temple and put themselves to sleep to prevent any one person from ever becoming the one. I thought this was brilliant because you really would get sick of it after a while, loving and losing, fighting and killing. It made the Methos character my favorite character because he had this spark of life that couldn't be killed and played brilliantly by Peter Wingfield. There were a couple of times that he was there to bail out a despondent MacLeod. Just trying to imagine how hard immortality it stands out as a core of your series as well as other Vampire tales Like Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. It makes for a great story because my built-in empathy wants to understand what those people are feeling.

[@royceannmarcum803]

I was heartbroken when Richie died and it was devastating that it was by Duncan’s hand even though he was possessed. I realize that part of the Highlander story is that you’re always having to watch the ones you love die but Duncan lost everyone! Even the ones that were immortal!

[@stanleycapps4108]

Richie's death shoulda been done by another immortal, and not by Macleod. I think the issue was more of how it happened rather than it happening (at least that's how my brother and I think). Fritz's death was a bit emotional too but acceptable because it was done by the villain. I didn't care for the whole "every 5000 year demon" story.. and was really hoping they'd do more with the 4 Horsemen. There was so much potential to draw it out for the whole Season 6 instead of just killing them off in a few episodes.

[@troyvaughan9281]

Personally....I think it worked because it established and showed the loneliness and loss associated with immortality. You continue, while you endure the loss of those around you that were important to you.

[@kellistrock4561]

Richie's death showed another side of the grief and loneliness that comes with being an immortal. I was actually depressed when I went to work after watching the episode of Tess's death!

[@DrakeAlexanderKnight]

After Richie’s death, that was the end of Highlander for me. Season 6 felt like when the Dukes of Hazzard replaced Bo and Luke Duke with their cousins. By focusing on who to find for the spin off, Duncan Macleod felt more like a supporting character.

[@wrecktitudemedia6514]

Was sad but I still loved the show, how it changed Duncan and then the whole movie with Connor's sacrifice. I loved it through and through. I would 10/10 watch any Highlander properties if it was done right.

[@tiffenb.pickering2375]

This series was 1 that had an influence on some of my earlier work, being a fan since Christpoher Lambert & Sir Sean Connery! Everything ended up working out well 4 he best N the end!

[@vinnyvincent53]

Definitely worked. The Death of Richie and others took the predictability away. And that is how the life of an immortal would be. Watching all your loved ones die

[@Alcyhart]

Highlander started the trend and game of thrones followed. Tess, Charlie, Ritchie. I'm surprised Ann survived.

[@pendletontroy]

The biggest issue I had with it back then was having Duncan kill him. To me, it would have been more powerful for him to be taken out by some BIG BAD, which could have set Duncan up for the next season to chase down the guy who took Richie. If could have still blamed himself because he wasn't there to protect Richie and pushed everyone away. It could have turned into "World War Duncan" season where he travels the world taking heads and chasing the big bad.

[@thecontinental8978]

I think it was part of showing the lose that each immortal must experience watching loved ones pass away. I was more stunned by Stan Kirsch’s suicide.

[@loum73]

I just watched Richie's death. Again. I been trying to avoid it for years.

[@tmartinez8622]

I think Adrian that Richie dying in season 6 really hurt Duncan because it was the reality of the show that Duncan would out live everyone aftering seeing Tessa, Darius dying Duncan was realizing the reality that people come into your life and then they leave which is part of life in general but for Duncan it was hard seeing the ones he loved in life leaving in unnatural causes. I feel that Richie should have gotten his own show and would have be interesting to see or him teaming up with Amanda since they both had criminal backgrounds.

[@jham7411]

Highlander question for Adrian if you’re willing to indulge it: Let’s pretend The Source didn’t happen. No post-apocalyptic world. No weirdness. The world is as it is. Where do you think Duncan MacLeod would be today in 2022? Would he be dead? Would he have won the prize? Would he still be kicking it between Paris and Seacouver just living his life, perhaps with a new lover or old one? Would he be guiding another Richie?

[@Hugamumbo]

I rewatched the whole serie last year. It felt like it had a much more subtle touch then watching it as a kid just to see cool swordfights. After Ritchie's death the show felt a lot darker. Macleod was never really able to move on.

[@kryptonson]

I always wondered why he left the show. He was visibly aging, I always assumed that was the reason, but I don't remember it ever being confirmed.

[@davidapplegate1849]

Think about being immortal and the people you love dying off. Having that cycle of lonelyness replay itself over and over.

[@JamesRDavenport]

I always understood their justification of it, to do the big move to shake things up, and grow the character i.e. Mac. Problem is, the writers dangled the idea of killing Ritchie off too many times. Season 4 with the Dark Quickening arc, earlier in the series in fights with certain immortals, later on in Season 4 subtle foreshadowing Rich's possible death in "Through A Glass Darkly." It was like they were just determined to have Mac eventually kill his own student. Gives an air of drama for drama's sake. Still don't agree. But, the series finale' arc and really all of Season 6 could be said to be Mac making his peace with it all. So it fits together, if not perfectly.

[@mikeb.6783]

Ritchie's death was a defining moment for the show as well as Tessa's death ,which sent the show in a different direction and changed Duncan's life-basically having to start over and slowly losing his friends to be alone and start a new life so McLeod's Journey and the show go hand and hand

[@joeyD213]

RIP Stan Kirsch!!! 😔🙏

[@remo1wodmnetwork9605]

It was very meaningful; it broke Macleod in a way he never fully recovers from. It made that season's foe different and more evil that any before encountered and THAT says a lot. It also took the series into a different direction in both mythos and formula and that was good if not always perfect. Some may not like it but NO ONE forgets it. It's that powerful... that painful. So was Jim Byrnes song.

[@rascalmatt6713]

That whole supernatural demonic arc of the show was a huge mistake. Killing "Richie" off seemed like a desperation move and killed the "spirit" of the show. It was incredibly demoralizing.

[@michaelhorton7684]

I think Richie’s death was a hard one for all of us. I still hate watching that scene. Really wish it happened differently. Stan’s death makes it even harder. RIP Stan Kirsch!

[@impettus]

Richie was extremely annoying and I wanted to see him go but for Duncan to take his head was hard to take. I loved the series much more than the movies but it had its run and went off when it needed to. Adrian Paul is the man.