Methos is admirably non-emo, really, except in the hands of badfic writers. Duncan has his share of emo moments, as befit the Hero With A Tragic Destiny (see under: There Can Be Only One), but Methos largely provides snark and practicality. He's a fannish darling because he's so incredibly experienced (he's the oldest living Immortal) and because he's obviously completely amoral and has some fascinating skeletons in his closet (the Horsemen of the Apocalypse; Lord Byron; etc)
...You probably don't really need to watch the show in order to get a decent sense for who he is, which is most likely a relief as the show requires a very high tolerance for plot holes and low-budget effects.* killabeez hosts a lot of HL vids on her website (http://seacouver.slashcity.net/vidland/vids.html), and just watching some of those might help you just fine. (Bonus helping points for me: there are also Star Trek vids on there, too.**) "Opportunities" is an adorable little vid that introduces several characters in a rather, um, focused way -- Duncan's the one with the hair, Methos is the one with the nose, and Amanda is the one with the breasts. "Mack the Knife" is mostly about Duncan, but it's fun, and Methos does make some slashy cameos. "And As For You" probably takes a little canon knowledge -- it's based in two episodes in season 5 where Methos's past comes back to cause trouble for everyone -- but it works its theme quite well when you know what's going on. "Don't Mind Me" gives you a lot of good slashy moments between them, including Methos and Duncan being domestic, having fights, and that one classic shot where Methos makes the orgasm face with Duncan's sword at his throat. ...There are bunches more on there that I haven't seen yet, quite a few of which probably would also help with Understanding The Methos Thing. But I think those will do for now. ^^
* In case you're feeling up to the challenge: Methos doesn't show up until late in season 3, and is then a recurring minor character after that -- I'm told that there's a lot of good stuff with him in season 4, which I've never bothered to watch. There are a few crucial Methos episodes in season 5, too, most notably (for the broken writers like me) "Revelations 6:8" and "Comes a Horseman," the two parts of a story about Methos's long-gone past. ...And he probably stays important after that, too, but again, I never bothered. The fandom didn't quite hook me hard enough.
** And other things! I recommend the comic vid "My Baby's in Love with Eddie Vedder," which could be nicely summarized as "Goddamnit, Wolverine, knock that off!"
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...You probably don't really need to watch the show in order to get a decent sense for who he is, which is most likely a relief as the show requires a very high tolerance for plot holes and low-budget effects.*
"Opportunities" is an adorable little vid that introduces several characters in a rather, um, focused way -- Duncan's the one with the hair, Methos is the one with the nose, and Amanda is the one with the breasts.
"Mack the Knife" is mostly about Duncan, but it's fun, and Methos does make some slashy cameos.
"And As For You" probably takes a little canon knowledge -- it's based in two episodes in season 5 where Methos's past comes back to cause trouble for everyone -- but it works its theme quite well when you know what's going on.
"Don't Mind Me" gives you a lot of good slashy moments between them, including Methos and Duncan being domestic, having fights, and that one classic shot where Methos makes the orgasm face with Duncan's sword at his throat.
...There are bunches more on there that I haven't seen yet, quite a few of which probably would also help with Understanding The Methos Thing. But I think those will do for now. ^^
* In case you're feeling up to the challenge: Methos doesn't show up until late in season 3, and is then a recurring minor character after that -- I'm told that there's a lot of good stuff with him in season 4, which I've never bothered to watch. There are a few crucial Methos episodes in season 5, too, most notably (for the broken writers like me) "Revelations 6:8" and "Comes a Horseman," the two parts of a story about Methos's long-gone past. ...And he probably stays important after that, too, but again, I never bothered. The fandom didn't quite hook me hard enough.
** And other things! I recommend the comic vid "My Baby's in Love with Eddie Vedder," which could be nicely summarized as "Goddamnit, Wolverine, knock that off!"