Ahriman (Highlander)
Encyclopedia
Ahriman is a character from Highlander: The Series
.
. He had been defeated centuries ago by an Immortal
named Timothy of Gilliam. An archaeologist warned Duncan MacLeod
that he was the champion chosen to do battle with the forces of evil, namely Ahriman. Duncan was skeptical, until he saw people he had killed, such as James Horton and Kronos
, alive and well. Others thought Duncan was losing his mind, and when he accidentally killed Richie Ryan
because he thought Richie was Ahriman, Duncan felt a deep resentment and retreated to a monastery. For one year, Duncan was missing on the Watcher's database, and even Joe Dawson couldn't find him. One year later, Duncan returned to Paris to visit Richie's grave and met Ahriman who was disguised as Kronos and Horton. Duncan vowed to destroy Ahriman. A mysterious woman named Sophie Baines knew how to defeat the demon, and although she had died, her spirit guided Duncan and, along with the help of Joe and Father Beaufort, allowed Duncan to defeat the evil demon.
, a popular major character who died because of Ahriman's intervention. David Abramowitz, however, creator of the idea of the supernatural demon storyline, considers the character and the storyline as "valuable stories" to the Highlander canon.
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
.
History
Every thousand years, the Zoroastrian demon Ahriman returns to wreak havoc on the EarthEarth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. He had been defeated centuries ago by an Immortal
Immortal (Highlander)
Immortals are a group of fictional characters seen in the movies and series of the Highlander franchise. Since they are immune to disease and stop aging after becoming Immortal, they can live forever and they only die when they are beheaded....
named Timothy of Gilliam. An archaeologist warned Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod
Duncan MacLeod is a fictional character from the Highlander multiverse. Duncan MacLeod serves as the protagonist for the TV continuation of the Highlander franchise, which comprises Highlander: The Series and its spin-off movies, Highlander: Endgame and Highlander: The Source...
that he was the champion chosen to do battle with the forces of evil, namely Ahriman. Duncan was skeptical, until he saw people he had killed, such as James Horton and Kronos
Kronos (Highlander)
Kronos is a fictional character from Highlander: The Series, portrayed by actor Valentine Pelka. He is an Immortal. Kronos represents war, as one of the Four Horsemen.-History:Kronos was the leader of the Four Horsemen...
, alive and well. Others thought Duncan was losing his mind, and when he accidentally killed Richie Ryan
Richie Ryan (Highlander)
Richie Ryan is a fictional character from Highlander: The Series, portrayed by actor Stan Kirsch. He is an Immortal. Richie is first introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a young, quick-talking petty thief...
because he thought Richie was Ahriman, Duncan felt a deep resentment and retreated to a monastery. For one year, Duncan was missing on the Watcher's database, and even Joe Dawson couldn't find him. One year later, Duncan returned to Paris to visit Richie's grave and met Ahriman who was disguised as Kronos and Horton. Duncan vowed to destroy Ahriman. A mysterious woman named Sophie Baines knew how to defeat the demon, and although she had died, her spirit guided Duncan and, along with the help of Joe and Father Beaufort, allowed Duncan to defeat the evil demon.
Reception
The character has been perceived in a very negative light by the fans, considering him an element that was added to the show in order to boost interest after it had run out of ideas for new enemies for the Highlander. They also consider the storylines themselves do not add to the story of Duncan MacLeod, and ultimately only served as a way to cast out Richie RyanRichie Ryan (Highlander)
Richie Ryan is a fictional character from Highlander: The Series, portrayed by actor Stan Kirsch. He is an Immortal. Richie is first introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a young, quick-talking petty thief...
, a popular major character who died because of Ahriman's intervention. David Abramowitz, however, creator of the idea of the supernatural demon storyline, considers the character and the storyline as "valuable stories" to the Highlander canon.
Quotes
- (As Horton) "I am Set!"
- (As Richie) "I am Ahriman!"
- (As Kronos) "I am everything your people call demons and devils."
- (As Horton) "I am anger I am the dark!!"
- (As Richie) "I bring chaos and fear. Doubt and anarchy."
- (As Kronos) "I existed before time began and I will exist when time has ended."
- (As Richie) "For you, all that matters is that you cannot stop me."
- (As Richie) "I'm your friend. I'm not your friend."
- (As Horton) "I'm the man you can't kill."