- Season 3, episode 11 -- Missliss, 10:00:51 11/28/17 Tue
2 words: Turtle Soup!!!!!!!
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- An Outlander Moment! -- Mia, 14:23:44 01/13/17 Fri
Only you ladies will understand this....
Today, I was having a ski lesson in Steamboat Springs, CO. I noticed my ski instructor was from Carmichael Scotland. I mentioned that I had visited her wonderful homeland this past August. She asked me if I was an Outlander fan! *gasp* YES, I AM!! Well, she shared with me that the barn scene in Season I, where Murtagh gives Jamie the Fraser Tartan to wear for his wedding was filmed in her family barn!!
Me "OMG! Can I touch you!"
And that, and not the beautiful ski conditions, made my day! And my trip!!
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- A short piece in the Daily Mail about shooting new scenes for the show http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4129220/Outlander-s-Sam-Heughan-films-series-three-Ediburgh.html -- Ruth E, 07:09:45 01/18/17 Wed
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- Golden Globes. Catriona looked beautiful at the awards. She is so naturally pretty. I was disappointed she didn't win.. -- CarolSR, 10:35:01 01/09/17 Mon
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- In the interest of new information! At Fergus Diana told us there will be 10 books in the main series for sure! Next year when the anthology is published it will have a new story in it. Also Sam & Caitriona have signed. 7 year contracts with the show. I read a recent interview w Chris Parnell that stated Outlander will be around for a long time. --
BetsyG, 12:58:15 08/18/16 Thu
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- Just watched series 2 ep 10 and 11, how disappointed am I!!! did not like anything about either of them the writers got is all wrong. It was all going so well up until then, really was v annoyed that they messed around with the story so much. -- Ruth E, 04:41:42 08/30/16 Tue
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- Episode 213 - Dragonfly in Amber -- Shadow, 09:12:50 07/12/16 Tue
Written by Toni Graphia and Matthew B. Roberts
Note: Sorry this is so late. I’ve been very busy with work and my summer projects and I simply haven’t had much time to sit down and write. I blew off my morning project today because it’s already too hot to be on a roof and I worked a very long shift last night and came home utterly exhausted. Anyway, here are my thoughts and impressions.
For the season finale the show writers have presented us with a script that draws heavily from the book both in terms of dialogue/action and the somewhat jarring jump in time to the late 1960s. I will be interested to see how non-reader viewers react. The episode does manage to wind up the season effectively, covering an immense amount of ground in a mere hour and a half. I feel that the choices made by the production team were effective in streamlining the important elements of the story. It mostly works well.
I was delighted to see the old Avengers TV show in the beginning scenes. I’ll bet Ron was a fan too. Emma Peel was an unusual woman for her time. Claire and Bree would have been right at home with her. I strongly suspect that is why that particular television program was chosen. I also felt that changing this initial reunion with Roger to the wake was a great way of honoring the Reverend Wakefield and moving the story along tidily.
We finally got to meet both Roger and Brianna. They look pretty good, though neither seems as tall as I thought they would be. I think I will learn to like Richard Rankin as Roger. He’s bringing a lot of the soft scholar into the character at this point, mourning the Reverend and making puppy-dog-eyes at Bree. It gives him a lot of latitude for growth later in the series as he gets bitch-slapped by the 18th century. Right now Roger seems strangely innocent. I really loved the business of rootling though the Reverend’s archives and the rat satire. Someone below stated that they didn’t think the singing was good but I disagree. This wasn’t a singing performance per se, but simply a young man showing off for a girl he fancies. I have listened to the brief excerpt posted somewhere of Rik singing with a guitar and his voice is quite good, though a surprising tenor, not the strong baritone we heard here. I’m really looking forward to hearing him sing next season.
My initial reaction to Sophie Skelton as Brianna is less positive. I’m not sure what I think of her. I don’t sense much chemistry between Roger and Bree, but it is early days yet and right now Bree is being written as a young and petulant kid. But thinking about it, she was like that in the book as well. A lot of people didn’t like book Bree, though I always did. Maybe it’s seeing rather than just reading about her disbelief and fury over Claire’s revelations. I’ll have to think about that. I’m reserving judgement until I see substantially more of her work. While she does seem strong willed and very American, I found the acting performance not quite up to the quality I’ve come to expect from this show. Cait’s strong performance quite overwhelmed Sophie’s. I wanted more fire from her in the arguments and overall a greater magnetism in her person. She wasn’t at all bad, don’t get me wrong, but she didn’t have the presence I expected. Still, the casting has been spot on everywhere else so I am willing to wait to see who she becomes. Maybe they are again trying to give her room to grow into a stronger presence as events occur.
The writers did a lot of little things to enhance the connections between the generations for both Roger and Brianna. It was subtle and clever, and makes rewatching the show more interesting when you start to look for them. Several tiny elements showed Bree’s connection to Jamie, like her discomfort while visiting the pillory where Jamie was flogged at Fort William and her demands to Claire that she be told truth, always. Roger also had several small bits of dialogue that were variations on things that Geillis said back in season one. The barbecue line was the most obvious but there were others as well.
Caitriona was wonderful as the more mature, 1960s Claire. Terry did another fantastic job of costuming, the makeup all across the board was perfect for the late ‘60s. Claire came across as a blend of many classy icons of the period. I’ve heard people mention Barbra Streisand, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, Anne Bancroft. I could see elements of all of these but it was still uniquely Claire and very 1960s. I confess that the vivid grey streaks in Claire’s hair bothered me a bit, but as it is obviously teased and professionally coifed I think it might be explained away as artificial highlighting which was so prevalent during the period. Claire, as a beautiful woman might have felt the need to add such highlights to help her professional image in what was still at that time a man’s field. In any event, having Claire quietly and privately reconnect with the ghosts of the past and the research of things like Roger’s parentage was effective, although I found I missed having Claire ask Roger to help with looking for the fate of the Lallybroch men. That’s a minor thing. As I said, I think the changes in the way the salient points of the story were revealed were very good for this format.
Graham was pretty amazing in this one too. His shock and outrage at discovering Jamie and Claire’s plan was very well played. And here’s where I think the show foundered a bit. There were a couple of places where I thought the cuts from past to present were a little abrupt. I particularly didn’t like the interruption of the scene where Dougal confronts Jamie and Claire. The scene wasn’t over. It was not at all a natural break and it felt awkward and choppy. Jumping suddenly back to Roger and Bree at the institute just felt wrong to me. I would be interested to hear the director or producers explain the choice for breaking there rather than letting the confrontation devolve into the fight and death of Dougal. I’m sure there was some sort of reasoning behind it, but having watched the show several times now it simply isn’t apparent. I also didn’t like having Claire help Jamie with the dirk. Jamie is 20 years younger than Dougal and the better soldier. Claire isn’t a natural killer. That she might thump Dougal on the head with a crate is fine but having her assist Jamie in forcing a blade into the man seemed grossly out of character and demeans Jamie’s skill as a warrior. It’s also hard for me to believe that Rupert would have let Jamie have the two hours grace he asked for but I realize that he was the only character available for the part. Willie would have been more credible—-young and manipulatable— but I thought the writers did well with what they had and Rupert’s agreement speech made it work.
The reappearance of Geillie was handled nicely. I think having her lead rallies is very apt both for the period and the character, and was a good way for Brianna to interact with her. I liked how Bree brought up historical arguments as she engaged “Gillian” in conversation. I think a lot of people forget that Brianna was a history major until after Claire went back to Jamie. I do wish they had made Geillie appear a bit younger than they did, though. For me she seemed far too much the same age as she was when Claire met her and I seem to recall that she went through something like 10 years before Claire arrived. That’s a minor detail. It was nice to see Lottie Verbeek again. I think the writers did a very good job of tightening up the whole Gillian storyline with the rallies, the photograph on the pamphlet, Claire stealing the notebooks from the house, Bree and Roger seeing Geillie in the pub and learning she was leaving. I still rather wonder how Claire found Geillie’s house though. I missed the interactions with Fiona.
The whole business of Jamie telling Murtagh about Dougal, the signing of the deed of sassine, and sending the Lallybroch men and Fergus away was all great. I just loved Murtagh’s initial comment when he gets the news. Claire’s telling Fergus he was like their own son wrenched my heart, and Jamie’s desperation through it all was very well done. I was delighted to see so much taken straight from the book as Jamie takes Claire to the stones and sends her back. I didn’t love the business with Claire giving Jamie Hugh’s gift. “Here, carry this rock into battle with you!” seemed a weak substitution for the marking of the hands. (And yes, I know why they didn’t do the initials.) I suppose bringing the chunk of amber back into the story gives some literality to the episode’s title and having the amber on display in the Culloden museum was a nice touch. But really, to me the title describes Claire’s emotional state throughout, stuck in memory, frozen at the moment of separation.
Sam did a wonderful job of delivering the parting speech we all know and love, although I can’t say that the frantic coupling on the hill before the stones really worked. I’m so glad we have the books for the greater depth and emotion of the moment. DIA remains one of my favorite books in the series and the constraints of time for the show have cost much.
One final note about the revelations at Craigh na Dun and Bree, Claire, and Roger. I wanted to see more trauma in the three of them when Geillie went back. I felt that Claire should have been far more affected by disorientation and actual pain, having travelled twice already and knowing that the effect increases every time. Some have said that the sun breaking over the stones and shining on Claire’s face was too cheesy. I tend to agree, but it wasn’t the light that bothered me so much as having Claire actually say she had to go back. I think the scene would have been stronger if she had said nothing and simply let the look on her face and the light breaking over it carry the moment, the more so because we don’t yet know if Jamie has died since escaping. It was a premature statement and it bothered me. Still, it was a nice hopeful end to the season.
Overall, this was a very good episode and I applaud everyone involved in the production for a remarkably faithful and artistic adaptation of an extremely complex book. Congratulations all! You can be very proud of season two. I can hardly wait to see how you manage season three.
~Shads
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- Well done Shads! I liked it, I thought it took a hell of a lot of story and made ninety minutes out of it. Funny how we all thought a series would have everything from the books.......and I'm surprised how much is still missing. I wasn't thrilled with the Roger Casting, I wanted tall dark and handsome, this Roger is "cute". But I have to say I liked him from the get go, not my Roger, but this one will do fine. :) I thought the sex at the rocks was rushed and him starting to hear gun fire....... didn't the battle last 15 minutes? How far were they from Culloden? Bree seemed like a teenager to me, so Sopie's acting didn't bother me as much as others.....she seemed selfish enough. *g* (NT) -- M&M, 20:13:15 07/12/16 Tue
- Thanks Shads! Love reading your reviews. <3 (NT) -- Mia, 11:09:12 07/14/16 Thu
- Thanks Shads, Excellent recap as always! (NT) -- Kel, 18:55:06 07/14/16 Thu
- I felt it fit to have them meet at the Rev's wake also. I was a bit disappointed in Fiona's looks tho. I pictured her as "next door nice looking" - somewhat if Roger hadn't met Bree, a possibility of a romantic interest. But, cruel as it sounds, I know, that girl never had a chance either way. (NT) -- Kel, 18:58:19 07/14/16 Thu
- I know I'm posting a few, but maybe we can talk about some of the individual points - l thought the ending was a bit "Gone With the Wind" - kept waiting for Claire to say Tomorrow IS Another Day! (NT) -- Kel, 18:59:42 07/14/16 Thu
- I have loved young Fergus in all his scenes. Here, he has been to battle, and realizes he will probably never see any of these dear friends again. Murtaugh's nod, Jamie & Claire calling him son. The importance of someone to remember what happened. That glance back. Oh my. (NT) -- Kel, 19:07:16 07/14/16 Thu
- I thought the scene with Rupert worked. When Jamie asked for time for his family safe, Rupert glanced at Claire - he was always fond of her, and he did not know, as we did, that she helped with the dirk. He still trusted that Jamie would hold to his word. (NT) -- Kel, 19:09:28 07/14/16 Thu
- I thought that Dougal was in such pain. He also heard that Claire supplied the drug for Colum (resulting in mortal sin as Jamie says), so her life was at stake as well as Jamie's. She wouldn't have a chance if Jamie lost the fight. I wondered how Jamie's wounded had was (pain/strength), although much time has gone by. It may also just be that it would look odd to have her just stand there and do nothing. (NT) -- Kel, 19:14:06 07/14/16 Thu
- I'm still processing the finale, will have to watch it again. But one thing that's really sticking out for me right now is Bree; they made her a historian? I thought she was an engineer? Doesn't that play a role later in the story? And I do agree that the end was a little 'gone with the wind', and Bree came off as a teenager, but overall I think the series is great. I watch with my heart pounding and cheer every time a character I know is introduced. I loooove when the use lines from the books! I intentionally did not do a re-read because I knew the show would be different. And that's ok because the books can stay special, in their own world so to speak. (NT) -- Miss Liss (formerly MJT), 19:32:26 07/14/16 Thu
- Ok. Long time lurker, infrequent poster. LOVE these recaps!! I thought I would share this link. Even George R.R. Martin thinks outlander was snubbed! YAY (link inside. Maybe. I stink at this kind of thing) ---> -- ErinR, 18:23:22 07/15/16 Fri
- Thanks Shads!! Watched the episode last night. I was very impressed with this season. Thought it much better than last...maybe because I "forgot" the books and just watched for the entertainment. That said I was disappointed in the last episode. I can't stand the time jumping and agree that if they had to do it they could have done it with much better timing! LOVE wee Fergus! Like Roger, jury is still out on Bree. I think they did a good job of aging Claire. It was such an emotional episode. Can't wait for a re-watch! (NT) -- CarolE, 12:57:11 07/18/16 Mon
- Roger's voice -- Gail Orr, 19:16:51 07/11/16 Mon
Just watched the finale and I don't want to get ahead of the synopsis but I do want to comment on the quality of Roger's voice. He sang a bit of something for Brianna and I'm hoping they're not going to drop his whole singing ability because I don't think the ditty was sung very well by the actor.
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- Shads - eagerly awaiting your review on the final! But something that struck me yesterday about the whole series - they never really showed any of the times Jamie and Claire just had calm, quiet, fun together. So much drama had to be packed in, I'm glad I'm a reader and fill in the blanks in my mind of those good times. -- Kathy in PA, 04:42:54 07/11/16 Mon
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- Episode 212 - The Hail Mary -- Shadow, 20:43:53 06/26/16 Sun
Written by Ira Stephen Behr and Anne Kenney, Directed by Philip John
This is an emotionally dark episode, marked by deaths and desperation as we enter the final days before Culloden. I think that, despite the elaborate lushness of the sets and costumes of the Paris episodes, this may be the most visually stunning episode of the season. It is a technical masterpiece. It is beautifully lit and photographed, filled with images that are reminiscent of old paintings. The editing is exquisite, tight and flowing, enhancing the parallels and pathos of the story. The writing is excellent. Some of the speeches are heartbreaking, and there are many absolutely brilliant performances. I liked it very much and I really don’t have anything negative to say.
Five months have passed since the Jacobite army was poised to attack London. The army has retreated constantly and now lies outside of Inverness near to Culloden field. They are exhausted, starving, and demoralized. It is three days before the final battle. Claire is despairing but Jamie is still trying to find a way to thwart the history books.
While shopping for medical supplies in Inverness, Claire encounters Mary Hawkins also buying medicines. She tells Claire (somewhat defiantly) that she has left her home to be with Alex Randall whom she plans to wed. Alex is ill and she has been caring for him. I was impressed with how mature Mary has become, though she is also rather bitter and angry. She is certainly a far cry from the bashful stuttering girl who was appalled and embarrassed by Louise’s nudity. Claire asks to visit Alex to apologize for interfering in their wedding plans in Paris.
The war council is divided. The quartermaster advocates an attack on Culloden field while Jamie considers it suicide. The general concurs. Jamie reminds everyone of the French gold that is supposedly en route and advocates breaking the army into smaller units to hide and rest and await the refit that the money would permit. I think this is the first mention of the existence of the French Gold that will figure so prominently in future seasons. It was neatly written in here and Jamie’s logical plan was well-presented, but the prince is itching for battle and overrules the idea in favor of his quartermaster’s plan. I found Charles fascinating in this scene. Mostly all he did was sit and listen, drinking his wine and playing with the fire, until he rose and declared himself a man and a soldier while holding his sword as if it were a teacup and not a weapon. Beautifully directed.
Claire arrives at Alex and Mary’s boarding house just in time to prevent Mary dosing the boy with arsenic tea. Alex looks terrible—-clearly dying. Emaciated, pale, coughing blood. Claire takes over Alex’s medical care. The tension in the scene climbed to an amazing degree when Jack Randall, in civilian dress, walks into the room, on leave to see his brother. Both Cait and Tobias can convey a world of words without speaking and it was riveting. Mary tells Claire that “Jon” has been wonderful to them, seeing that they are sheltered and fed. Watching Jack with Alex was astonishing. He was tender and gentle—a completely different man from the BJR we know and despise. Claire, ready to leave, is stopped by Mary asking how soon Alex can return to work. When Claire tells her that he won’t, Mary reveals that she is pregnant. Jack gently tells Mary that Alex is calling for her. Rather than endure conversation with Randall, Claire leaves. BJR follows. When she tells him that the boy cannot be cured BJR insists that she can at least ease him. He uses the innocents involved—-Alex, Mary, and the child— as his appeal. Claire demands a trade; information on the British army in exchange for Alex’s care. This is an interesting change from the book. On one hand, it takes something away from Claire’s innate goodness to think that she would have denied Alex her care because of her contempt for his brother, yet it also makes her seem a bit more human. Tobias and Cait played the entire scene very well. Regardless of how many book purists will find this change offensive, I feel it worked well for the show.
Jamie is incensed by the discovery of BJR’s presence in Inverness, but takes his information and decides to seek corroboration from his own spies. Afraid for Claire’s safety with BJR should Alex die under her care, he reluctantly allows her to tend the boy with Murtagh as her bodyguard.
That night at camp, a very debilitated Colum MacKenzie arrives and asks to see both Jamie and Dougal. Here is another wonderful performance. Colum is, in his own way, as ill as Alex. His energy is flagging, he is edemic, and his body is failing. His wit remains sharp. Learning that Dougal is not in camp he commends Jamie on handling Dougal’s weaknesses effectively and asks to see Claire privately while they await Dougal’s return. Once alone, Colum tells Claire of the fate of Geillie’s baby and begs a bottle of poison from her to end his own life when he can stand no more pain. She complies.
A sharp edit back to Alex’s room shows Alex suffering a severe coughing attack. Cradling his brother protectively Jack snaps at Claire as she performs some interesting medical procedures with smoke, reminiscent of season one when she aided Ned Gowan’s allergies similarly. Seeing the two Randall brothers side by side, I was struck by the resemblance between the actors. The casting here was extraordinary and I’m sure the makeup team made an effort to enhance it. Alex asks Jack to wed Mary so that their child might bear the Randall name. The look on Jack’s face is both appalled and horrified, something I never thought to see in Black Jack’s countenance. Alex, who knows his brother well, understands that look and declares that the darkness he fears is merely a wall to protect the tender inner self that Alex knows and begs him to care for that which is most precious to him. Shocked, Jack refuses and stalks out. Alex has another coughing fit and Murtagh is tasked to follow while Claire helps Alex.
Dougal returns to the camp and Jamie imparts the news about Cumberland’s birthday party and that Colum is in camp.
After leaving Alex, Murtagh leads Claire through the city in pursuit of Randall. Scandalized by the thought of BJR marrying Mary, Murtagh offers himself instead. This was a lovely speech and Duncan Lacroix did a great job with it. Claire reminds him they are at war and that a British soldier’s widow is due much more than a ragtag highlander traitor. She then confronts BJR in a pub and persuades him to go through with the marriage, reminding him of her curse. This is another brilliant scene. Tobias and Cait have an electric chemistry when they are in a scene together that just compels attention. Tobias gives a great speech about a world where monsters thrive and beauty and purity are mired in poverty and death. The camera work and lighting here are gorgeous, revealing Jack’s face perfectly balanced in light and shadow as he captures Claire’s arm to prevent her exit and decry the powers of darkness and light.
Again, we cut back to Colum, now with both Jamie and Dougal in attendance. The tapestry over the bed caught my eye—beautiful. There is a truly lovely medium shot of Jamie standing by the fireplace as he listens to Colum speak to his brother, both present and apart from the conversation. Colum declares Hamish his heir with Jamie as guardian. Jamie’s shock is palpable as is Dougal’s outrage. Jamie renters the frame in a two-shot with Dougal showing their agreement that Colum has chosen wrongly. Both men agree they would bring the MacKenzies to war, but Colum points out that if it was clear the cause was lost Jamie would abandon the war to save what men he could while Dougal would not. The camera stays with a subtle emphasis of alliance as the two men agree, then shifts focus and slowly separates back to single framings as Jamie and Dougal slowly come to see Colum’s point and accept his decision. The performances here are again wonderful and intense. Colum’s comment about two brothers— one crippled in body, the other crippled in mind— is a striking echo of BJR’s reflection on monsters and purity and could be equally applied to Jack and Alex.
A brief comment on the wedding of Jack and Mary. While I regret the loss of the interaction between Jamie and BJR and the leavening of the bitterness between those two men that is present in the book, this scene fit the tale as it is being told here. Few words are said beyond the classic wedding vows but the subtext in the actors is phenomenal and fascinating to watch. Mary’s heartsick despair, Black Jack’s shock and resignation, his momentary hope that Mary will refuse the vow, Alex’s yearning to see this done and his quiet peace….the entire scene was incredibly intense.
Meanwhile back at the War Council, Jamie broaches his plan to surprise the British at the tail of General Cumberland’s birthday bash when the troops will mostly be drunk and unprepared. Some great performances again and while the quartermaster is once more revealed to be an idiot, at least he agrees to the plan. Although…considering his actions later I can’t help wondering if his substitution of himself to lead the second prong of the attack was a subtle and deliberate sabotage to force the Jacobites into his longed-for plan to attack at Culloden. On the other hand, the guy is an idiot so he might have truly gotten lost…ah, well. Sadly, we do get the first (and blessedly last) “Mark me” statement of the episode in this scene. On the bright side, the camera work here was again outstanding. The framing, lighting, and costumes put me in mind repeatedly of paintings by the old Dutch masters. It was a visual feast. Well worth watching again just to look for those little stills.
From this we cut to Dougal’s heart to heart talk with the dying Colum. I was utterly struck by the beautiful way the light from the shuttered windows gilds Dougal’s face as he posed by the fireplace with his drink in hand. Graham McTavish played this scene to perfection. His face is so expressive and mobile. The twitch of an eyebrow, the curl of a smile. His long speech to Colum about being his brother, the impact of his illness, was wonderful. There was so much emotional depth and richness in his voice and features that you could almost see the memories along with him. It was heartbreaking to see his emotional cascade from memory to irritation at Colum’s lack of response, then the outpouring of love, fury, grief and despair that concludes with him saying something like, “you leave me alone in the dark and all I wanted to say remains trapped (in my head) forever.” This is the sound of utter loss. It is the cry of devastation.
From one deathbed to another, the scene cuts to Alex’s bedside where he is gasping out his final breaths, watched by a stoic Jack, a heartbroken Mary, a pitying Claire, and a dour Murtagh. In utter contrast to Dougal’s elegiac eloquence not a word is spoken through the entire scene. As Alex’s breathing stops, BJR chokes on his own grief and fights to remain stoic and dignified. He is a man unable to handle soft emotions, for whatever reason. He reverts instead to an emotion he can express—rage— then snaps with a brutality that is terrifying as he pummels his brother’s corpse for dying and causing his pain. It was horrific and monstrous, and watching the scene I heard Dougal’s final words echo over and over in my head. “You leave me alone in the dark and all I wanted to say remains trapped forever.” Tobias was simply amazing. He made that scene work and he made me feel sorry for Jack. So broken. So utterly broken.
Another finely lit scene was the brief farewell between Jamie and Claire before he leaves to join the army in their midnight maneuvers to surprise the British. He is naturally appalled by the notion of Jack and Mary wed, but Claire reminds him that Randall will die on Culloden field and if they succeed in changing things she will willingly help him bleed the man as she promised in Paris. Jamie’s eyes almost glow, contemplating this.
The episode ends with the army marching in darkness and waiting, waiting, waiting. At last Murtagh arrives to announce that the prince and the quartermaster got lost in the dark and turned back. There will be no surprise attack. Culloden is the endgame. Jamie has failed to alter the facts as Claire knew them.
A final note about changes the show has made in relation to the books.
I have tried as much as possible to let go of the source material and judge the show on its own merits. It isn’t easy, since I long ago lost count of how many times I have reread the books and I know them so very well. Since the series premiered I have avoided rereading the older books to give me some distance from Diana’s vision and let the show shine in its own right. The TV series is good drama and pulls interesting nuances from all of the characters as they have been presented in this telling of the tale. They are not quite the same characters from the books, but then they haven’t been the same from the beginning of season 1. They have been changed by the needs of the format, the inspiration of the creative team, the interpretations of the actors, and the vision of the directors. While the characters are not exactly the characters we knew and loved (or hated) in the books, they have their own life and power here. I find it helps me to think of the series adaptation as the offspring of the book, a child with its own life and goals separate from the parent and the parent’s notions of what the child’s life should be. It still retains something of the lessons and values learned from the parent but it is not the parent. I don’t know if this will help anyone else find some peace with the changes that the show has imposed upon the books, but I thought I would toss it out there to contemplate.
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- Episode 211 - Vengeance is Mine -- Shadow, 21:20:38 06/18/16 Sat
Written by Diana Gabaldon, Directed by Mike Barker
Synopsis:
Months have passed.
The Jacobite army is poised to attack London, but Charles’ generals and advisors demand a withdrawal back across the Scottish border as their troops are greatly outnumbered. Jamie’s efforts to alter events as Claire knows them and proceed to London fail. Annoyed by Jamie’s outspoken support of Charles’ wishes, the quartermaster orders Jamie and his men to separate from the prince’s side and proceed to Inverness to prepare winter quarters for the main body of the army. The Fraser contingent is attacked en route and scattered. Rupert is shot. Jamie, Claire, Dougal, Rupert, Murtagh, and Fergus hole up in a church with Ross so that Claire can perform emergency surgery on Rupert. During the night, the British find them. Claire again pretends to be a captive and the British trade her “rescue” for the Scots’ freedom. Dougal takes Ross and Rupert to reassemble what men he can find. Murtagh and Jamie follow Claire to effect a rescue. While traveling with the redcoats, Claire encounters Hugh Munro. The British drop Claire off with the Duke of Sandringham. Mary Hawkins is also there, awaiting yet another unwanted marriage, and revealed to be Sandringham’s goddaughter. Claire discovers that the duke is setting a trap for Jamie. Mary agrees to help warn Jamie on the condition that she be permitted to leave with them. Claire agrees and Mary manages to warn Hugh. Jamie and Murtagh evade the trap with Hugh’s help and surprise the duke. Claire tells Jamie that Sandringham was responsible for the attack in Paris; his valet one of the rapists. Mary stabs the valet. Murtagh beheads Sandringham and lays the head at the women’s feet, fulfilling his vow of vengeance.
Commentary:
I loved the opening titles scene with the powdering of Sandringham’s wig and it tumbling from the table. Nice foreshadowing there.
This was a most satisfying episode. It managed to interlace the action with wonderful character development scenes without losing the vibrancy of the pacing. It was nice to see Claire performing her regular healing duties—in this case, dentistry—- while the war council argues. We haven’t seen much of that since she returned from Paris, and it is the key element of Claire’s perception of herself. It also allowed us to see how much Rupert has been wounded by the loss of Angus. He’s not whole anymore and no one appreciates his jokes. I thought the subtlety of his toast to Angus when the child’s mother turned her back on him spoke volumes.
A big thank you goes out to DG for including the scene with Jamie praying over the sleeping Claire. Jamie’s devout spirituality is a big part of his personality in the books but hasn’t really appeared much on screen before now. It was a gorgeous scene and beautifully filmed and performed.
Great chase scenes, though I am still not quite sure how they managed to hide the horses. I didn’t realize immediately that Rupert had been shot in the eye. (which, BTW, ewww!) But watching him try to cling to the horse while so badly injured, then Dougal switching horses at the gallop to prevent Rupert from falling off, was impressive. Excellent stunt riding. Very exciting stuff.
The surgery in the church was pretty horrific. The thought of having to do that (or worse, have it done to you!) without anesthetic gives me the shudders. The argument over whether Jamie or Claire should surrender to the British was very well done. I really loved Claire’s capping argument that she was as responsible for the safety of the men as he was.
On a side note—-it was interesting to me that Claire got her very own horse back when the British took her away. That white horse is distinctive. You’d have thought the director or wrangler or whoever made that choice would have picked a bit more randomly. Still, maybe Claire claimed it was the horse she was riding when she was abducted by the highlanders. She did look great on it.
I saw a lot more affection for Claire from Dougal in this episode than I have in some of the previous ones. He respects her, even if he doesn’t always agree with her and I think he likes that she isn’t Jamie’s doormat but will argue with him when she thinks he is wrong. I melted when he said to Jamie, “Bring our lass back safe.”
It was good to see Hugh again and I am glad they didn’t kill him. It wasn’t necessary here.
Sandringham’s house was amazing. I was wondering if it was a real house—it looked like one— or a set. Either way it was freaking gorgeous. The portrait that conceals a door seems awfully familiar for some reason, but maybe it’s just a quintessentially English Great House.
I was delighted to see Mary Hawkins again. I loved her dress when she first greets Claire. It’s been awhile since we saw anything fancy and it caught my eye as such a radical change from the practical garb of the camp followers.
Sandringham was, as always a delight to watch. I have enjoyed all the scenes with Andrew Gower (Sandringham). His line delivery is just perfect and the character is a twisty little SOB. I quite liked his babble about all the differing rumors of how Claire killed Saint-Germain. I also liked how casual he was when alone with Claire in the kitchen, not caring about his wig, but the minute Jamie appeared he clapped the wig back on his head and tried to look pretty. (As if!)
Murtagh was also wonderful, but he always is. The beheading scene was ….stunning. Barbaric. Brutal. Just. The peace he radiated as he laid that head before the ladies he’d failed to protect in Paris was very powerful.
However, if I have to choose one person who owned this episode, I think it was Mary Hawkins. The reason I feel this episode belongs to her is that we get to see Mary leave her childhood behind and discover that there is a woman of courage, cleverness, and strength within herself. She becomes a woman in command of her own life. She doesn’t have a lot of screen time, but what she does have is gold. She takes an active role in warning Jamie despite her fears. When she is caught at the door, she distracts her captor until Hugh manages to clear the evidence from sight, then lies about it to fool the duke as to her business. When she learns the depth of her betrayal by the people she believed were protecting her, the moment of Awful Realization is clear on her face. The look in her eyes as she picked up the kitchen knife from the floor…wow. That was not in the book but it was absolutely brilliant television. Giving her the final line of the episode and making it such a practical and prosaic comment was utterly perfect. Well done, Rosie Day. Well done, DG.
I loved this episode.
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- Episode 210 - Prestonpans -- Shadow, 05:58:12 06/16/16 Thu
Written by Ira Stephen Behr, Directed by Philip John
I liked this one. I will be interested to see what everyone else thought of it. Ron Moore said that this is the only episode this season that will depict a major battle, so they wanted to do it right. I feel they succeeded.
This script has taken a great many elements from various scenes in the books and brought them together to create a story that manages to remain recognizably Outlander but adds another layer to the books we so admire. Another production company might have taken the easy path and made this episode into a simple tale of a glorious victory and daring, but not Ron and his team. Instead, this episode explores the human realities of war; the planning, pettiness, heroism, barbarism, camaraderie, boredom, fear, courage, loss of innocence, death. There are moments of humor, of valor, of frustration. There is sorrow.
It’s a powerful episode.
Yes, there is a lot of action that is not drawn from the books, but one has to allow for the story changes that the series has already implemented. Given those changes (especially to Dougal’s character and situation) I was very pleased by the show.
I have to say, I was deeply moved by Rupert’s claiming of Angus’ sword and clutching it to his heart. That whole scene was brilliantly written and executed. The parallels of the Ross/Kinkaid friendship and the Angus/Rupert friendship was beautiful.
Part of me wishes this season had more episodes. One of the things I loved about DIA was the way it showed the deterioration of morale and growing desperation of a prolonged campaign that was badly managed. Despite the voiceover at the beginning telling us that the war has been going on for months and the Prince’s mention of past victories, the passage of time here is so compressed that I doubt that viewers new to the story even realize how much is left out. Still, I thought this episode did a good job of advancing the story and providing the flavor of the book while making a wonderfully dramatic hour of television.
There are only three more episodes until Droughtlander and a lot of ground yet to cover. I’m very much looking forward to 211, written by Herself. The preview indicates that it will include the the church scene and Claire’s capture, so I figure it’s going to be the episode that resolves the storyline of Mary’s Paris rape. I’m rather hoping that Rupert will live in this version, since Willie is off to America and Angus has already provided a heartbreaking moment of personal loss for us, and Dougal has no other followers now. Dougal still needs a loyal man left to witness Jamie’s actions and force Jamie’s decision to write the deed of sassine and take the field at Culloden in the season finale, so it seems possible that Rupert may survive the church.
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- (Now that the boards are back) Episode 209 - Je Suis Prest -- Shadow, 05:53:58 06/16/16 Thu
Written by Matthew B. Roberts, Directed by Philip John
This episode again took a huge turn from the source material. Continuing on from last week’s departure from Beauly, Jamie and Claire leads Lovat’s men to rendezvous with Murtagh and the Lallybroch men. Upon reaching the Lallybroch contingent, Jamie sets up an impromptu boot camp to train his inexperienced would-be soldiers in the arts of war. Dougal, Angus, and Rupert also join the group as the sole muster of the MacKenzies. (Colum signed the Neutrality Pact, as you may recall.) Jamie finds himself dealing with Dougal Mackenzie’s belief that Jamie doesn’t know what he is doing. Claire finds herself dealing with unwanted reminders of her WWII war experience and PTSD flashbacks. In addition to all these new elements, some familiar plot points do appear in this episode; LJG tries to kill Jamie, spills the info about Cope’s army to save Claire’s honor, and Jamie and his hand-picked commandos disable the British artillery.
Despite the radical changes in the storyline, this episode works fabulously well and was a joy to watch. It didn’t feel at all like it wasn’t meant to be part of the tale we all know, but rather a series of scenes that were inadvertently left out of the original, here presented for our delectation. And they were indeed delicious.
The first thing that I found worthy of praise in this episode has to be the music. Bear McCreary outdid himself this time around. From the opening music that added martial drums and bagpipes to set us into a proper military mindset to the beautifully chosen and presented series of Gaelic songs, the music helped the scenes flow seamlessly one into another. I have been having internet connection issues, or I would have looked up the identity of the singer, but in my mind’s eye I pictured Roger performing these at the Scottish festival he and Brianna attended. Each piece of music heightened the mood and gave atmosphere to the scenes without overpowering the performances.
Giving Claire PTSD and the WWII flashbacks was surprisingly effective in setting the tone for the episode. Catriona’s performance was utterly believable. Seeing the comparisons between 18th century and 20th century warfare made the coming war more personal and immediate. Yes, it’s a departure from the book, but it’s good drama. I felt it was an excellent addition to the story. I suspect it will also help draw in the non-book-reading viewers, since PTSD is a hot topic these days, something many people are currently dealing with personally or through friends and relatives. A special commendation to the production team on the choices of setting for the flashbacks. I felt they all worked really well, especially the mess hall and the shinty/baseball game, to show the congruity of the human condition in preparation for war. I especially loved the way that the director/writer, or whoever came up with it showed Claire’s psyche fragmenting by having the flashback foot care lecture people flipping into the wrong context. It was smooth! It took me a second to realize that it was Rupert sitting beside the vacuous-expressioned kid before Angus winked back in.
I think this is the best-written episode so far this season for Sam Heughan. Here he is at last allowed to show Jamie as a decisive and authoritative leader, respecting others but bowing to no one. It still bothers me that the show insisted on presenting him back in season one as having little or no knowledge of how to be Laird of Lallybroch (although he was raised to it for most of his childhood), but I am pleased that his tenure as a mercenary soldier in France is respected by making him a competent captain. Jamie’s speech to the discontented trainees was chilling and delivered masterfully, and the conclusion, with Dougal’s Highland Charge, was a brilliant addition to point up the strengths (and weaknesses) of each man’s attitude toward battle.
Just as an aside, I want to commend Terry Dresbach for Jamie’s beautiful coat in the early part of the show. It was utterly yummy and added to his air of command. He looked very sharp!
It was fun watching Dougal squirm at seeing Claire after his behavior toward her at the end of season one. It was awesome the way she shut him down and analyzed his behavior. Even better was seeing him admit his own faults but passionately swear his devotion to the cause. That was a great scene.
I must admit that seeing Murtagh as a drill sergeant amused me. Not that he did a bad job at all, he was great, but the concept was a bit startling. I felt it added some delightful humor to the episode. Speaking of humor, it was wonderful to have Angus and Rupert back in the show. There was a moment when they were sitting by the fire and Rupert was telling stories where I was a afraid we were going to see a bit more of Rupert than I really wanted to, but his kilt stayed draped just enough. I confess I found it a bit distracting. Kudos to the make-up people for Angus’ disgusting feet. That was one of the grossest things I’ve ever seen. Fergus—I’m really loving that young man’s performance.
Lord William John Grey. I am delighted to see him at last, as he is one of my favorite characters from the books. I thought the scene where he attacked Jamie was excellent and I am glad of the change to make Claire a willing conspirator in the ruse to coerce information from the lad. I felt that scene was very well-written to both streamline the action and make the boy an interesting blend of idealistic child and highborn young man. I’ve always loved the way LJG talks, just as Bree does. His dignity and confession of his debt of honor was beautifully rendered. I presume the older Lord John will be a different actor, just as the adult Fergus will have to be, but I think I will miss this young man. He was excellent.
Oh, and one change I am very glad of—-I’m thrilled that Willie got married and sailed off to America. While I was looking forward to seeing him in the next few episodes, it means he doesn’t die at Culloden and we may see him again in season four.
In short, I liked everything about this episode. I feel it is one the best episodes this season and I will relish watching it again and again.
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- episode 210 was seamless. not a hiccup. dougal is dreadful and wonderful. Jamie has come into his own. Much sorrow at the losses, but I liked the way it was handled. I miss Shadow's wonderful summaries. i cannot do such a fine job, but i had to say something. -- swarl, 17:24:26 06/12/16 Sun
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- Season 3 AND 4 have been greenlighted!! Thrilled beyond measure as I have loved each and every episode of this show! I'll be willing to wait as long as necessary between seasons for such a quality program - and we've grown accustomed to waiting for Big Books. -- Lady-Jane, 14:12:32 06/01/16 Wed
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- Episode 208 -- The Fox's Lair -- Shadow, 18:02:30 05/28/16 Sat
Written by Anne Kenney, Directed by Mike Barker
A disclaimer here. Anne Kenney is possibly my least favorite writer on the show so I didn’t come into this one with the most open of minds. There were some moments that were lovely and well done, but a lot of this episode felt choppy and incoherent.
The episode begins well enough. I liked the new opening theme very much and all the postcard views of Scotland.
Jamie and Claire have returned to Lallybroch. The potato harvest has begun. Unfortunately, little time is spent on their reunion with Jenny and Ian and happy settling in to a normal life. I suppose this is understandable. Happiness and peace don’t exactly advance the story or provide much opportunity for high drama, for all that it builds atmosphere and develops character. The months spent there are reduced to voiceover and the first real scene action is Ian distributing the most recent post which includes the letter to Jamie from Jared with Charles' announcement of intent and Jamie's name signed to it. To her credit, Anne Kenney did include some fan favorite scenes or bits of dialogue from the book in this opening. The scene with Jamie and the baby was sweet, complete with DG’s words.
In this telling, Jamie seems to now believe that since he failed to stop Charles in Paris, he can instead see that Charles wins. He first assembles his own tenants (no mention about restricting it by age or marital status) and sends them off with Murtagh. I thought the bit with Fergus on his pony was wonderful. I don’t even completely object to having Charles’ command that Jamie go to Lord Lovat rolled into that missive from Jared. It does save time and still gets us in to see the Old Fox.
Of course, then the story takes a wild swing onto unmarked roads that most fans of the original story will not welcome.
Practically the first person J & C run into at Beaufort Castle is Colum MacKenzie, who has come to coax Lord Lovat into signing a neutrality agreement and avoid the war. This seems to me to be an utterly ridiculous premise, but it’s true that the show hasn’t bothered to flesh out much of the history between the Frasers and MacKenzies, (or the rift between Brian and Old Simon) so I was willing to give it a chance. I rather enjoyed seeing Colum again, but it seems like the only reason he was in this episode was to give Laoghaire the opportunity to appear at Beaufort Castle. Colum has the girl with him as serving maid and laundress. Weirder still, the wench has apparently had a 'Come to Jesus' moment since the witch trial and has embarked on the equivalent of a modern 12-step program of apology and reparation to become a better person. Yeah. Right. (Claire wasn’t buying it either.)
Frankly, the idea of trying to redeem Leghair in this episode was terrible. Of course, they put themselves in a bind when they beefed up her role in season one by giving her an active and visible presence at the Cranesmuir trial, making her a dangerous adversary to Claire. In the book, she’s just a kid who made mischief that got away from her. In the show, she was deliberately malicious and nearly lethal. This is a real problem for season three because the Jamie we know and love would never have wed someone he knew was Claire’s proven enemy, no matter what provocation. This whole, “I’m so sorry I tried to murder you. Can we be friends now?” scene was awkward. It didn’t fit. It wasn’t even well-written. And Claire using her to prop up Young Simon was so…pedestrian. DG must have absolutely had a cow when she saw this script.
Old Simon, Lord Lovat, is not much like I pictured him. For one thing, this old coot is as healthy as the proverbial horse. He was pushy and belligerent, and though in the end he is revealed as properly twisty, he was not the elegantly vicious plotter DG presented to us. We never really saw the wicked intelligence in the man. (I confess I also had a problem with the casting because he reminded me very strongly of someone I used to know.)
Young Simon’s character was so changed I didn’t recognize him. I recall him from the book as an able soldier and a leader of men, even at this stage. While clearly a man under authority—he never forgot that Old Simon was laird—- he was an able lieutenant. Here he is a wimpy and callow boy who reminds me of Disney’s cartoon of Ichabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow. He spends most of the episode making cow eyes at Logwart and spouting poetry like a bad regency romance. I’m trying to picture this guy surviving the war and retaining his property through the clearances. Nope. Not happening. And this was not the fault of the actor, but of the writing. Meh. Maybe they plan to have Jamie help him grow up. He did show a bit of spine now and then, but again, awkward and ungraceful scripting solely intended to put Leghair in a better odor with Jamie and Claire. I give it a thumbs down.
Maisri, the seer, is a fairy-tale witch rather than the troubled young woman I remember from the book, almost a caricature. I thought the actress did well with the material she was given but I wish they had done better with that aspect of the story.
Having Claire do that vision scene to stop Jamie from signing was predictable and cliché.
Jamie. Hmmm. In only one episode that Anne Kenney has written did I like what she did with Jamie’s character and that was The Wedding. The things that really put me off this time were Jamie’s apparent decision to surrender Lallybroch and his careless mustering of cannon fodder. That is never the man I admired in the books. It bothers me even more than the episode where he was all, “I am the Laird of Lallybroch!”
All this season it has felt like some part of Jamie would rather have fought for a Stuart restoration rather than against it, as if he didn’t wholly believe Claire and was just following her orders. I never got that feeling in the book and I can’t point to any specific thing that gives me that impression in the show, but it’s almost always there. In this episode Jamie has decided not to believe Claire’s predictions are carved in stone, for all that she has lived through them. Instead of going in believing he will fail and that his best course now is simply to minimize the fallout to the people that look to him—family, tenants, etc., Jamie becomes a true Jacobite. This, frankly, offends me. Again, it’s too easy. Part of what makes the DIA so fascinating to me is the dichotomy of being a successful soldier while knowing you are doomed to failure and that the best you can achieve is to salvage something from the wreckage.
I did love the opening sequence at Lallybroch, That was beautifully done. But I was relieved to see the credits roll on this episode.
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- Yep. What she said^^^^. And I've been totally riding the "it's an adaptation, get over it" bus until this episode. Yikes. Herself must have kicked up a rare stramash over this wee plot twist. (NT) -- Merc, 20:16:53 05/28/16 Sat
- I don't recognize this Jamie at all, he's wishy washy with no sense of humor. I think the writers need to "share" more because in each episode it seems like they change, Claire is strong in one episode and just a bitch in another, Jamie is wishy washy......... makes me sad. Claire teaming up with Logwhore, it would just never happen. Jamie would never marry this idiot either. Bad form all around. Grrrr! (NT) -- M&M, 07:13:50 05/29/16 Sun
- ......and a big thank you Shads, I have been looking forward to this since Friday. You always write it so eloquently while hitting the nail on the head. Poet Carpenter. :) (NT) -- M&M, 07:15:16 05/29/16 Sun
- Awww, you make me blush...from my perch on the soapbox. I like this page for my reviews partly because it lets me write out something coherent but also because it seems to only get hits from the serious old-timers who know where I'm coming from. Also because you guys always have well-thought-out points when you disagree with my opinions, and that makes me think. (NT) -- Shads, 07:42:32 05/29/16 Sun
- I am amazed at how quickly and well thought out you post about the episodes and always come here first to read the review. I totally agree about this one. The only part I really enjoyed was the beginning at Lallybroch, which was too short. Everything about Leghair bugged me. I had started to feel sorry for her by MOBY but this episode brought the hate right back. Jamie thanking her and Claire convincing her to help "man up" young Simon - blecccchhh! Someone help me understand "writers?" Do they get to write all dialogue and block out the episode? Do they help the director with the direction they want in the show? If so, I'll blame this week in the writer - it really was a disappointment to me. Can't wait to see Diana's episode! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, 05:03:22 05/30/16 Mon
- I'm glad you guys like my rambling. I tend to watch the show before I go to bed when it becomes available OnDemand, sleep on it, then watch it again to confirm my initial impressions, catch stuff I missed, and maybe make a few notes. I have a background in theatre and film and that gives me a more critical eye than the average viewer, I think. It doesn't make me expert by any means, but maybe a little more observant. It can be hard to trace down why something works brilliantly and something else is merely okay or a failure, and different viewers and reviewers will almost always cite different reasons for their opinions. (NT) -- Shads, 06:43:24 05/30/16 Mon
- About the process-- The writers, producers, and director collaborate about what the episode should be, then one or two writers take on the task of putting the outline into scenes and dialogue that will hopefully fit into the time. Occasionally other writers will step in and rewrite a scene or offer alternative dialogue or fixes when a scene doesn't work. The primary writer takes the credit for the whole, even though the end is often a collaboration. Well, that is the case always--a collaboration among writers, director, editor, costumer, scene designer, light designer, performers. It's one of the fascinating things about the performing arts, how people work as a team when they each approach the tale from their unique perspectives and somehow arrive at a cohesive whole. (NT) -- Shads, 06:45:04 05/30/16 Mon
- Simply put, Ihad to rewatch several times to get the jist of it. Far too much was left out, I was really looking forward to a spicey exchange between Jamie and his Grandsire, it never really happened. One of my least favorite episodes so far this season. Very disappointed. (NT) -- LadyDuBois, 08:28:03 05/29/16 Sun
- Definite problems in the writing room on this one. Legwarts got screwed up at the beginning when they had Claire tell Jamie that she was the one. Now they have to do gymnastics to make it possibel for Jamie to marry her. Bad. The Old Fox was planty nasty. They got that right. I enjoyed seeing Colum again and was grateful that he was giving Jamie good advice. Too bad he didn't take it. 'Putting mens lives at risk for no reason' is exactly what Jamie is doing. I like seeing Jenny again, too. but the whole thing didnt hand together at all. Bits and pieces cobbled together. One quibble - - if you are going to ride a long distance on one horse, you do NOT gallop the whole way. Trot, maybe. Gallop, NO. Usually, I can settle for the changes in the plot, but Legwarts as an ally of Claire????? And Jamie apologizing to her, but he doesn't know why????? Give me a break. Costumes, sets, camera work. Our usual outstanding acting. but the flow, and the logic took a hit. (NT) -- swarl, 12:27:31 05/29/16 Sun
- I felt they cast Lord Lovat with the wrong physical type. I never expected him to be so tall since Jamie's height was from the MacKenzie side. Of course, as I said, I'm prejudiced against this actor because he reminded me a LOT of a guy I knew long ago. He'd been a coworker and friend, but ended up going to prison for kiddie porn! eek! I kept being creeped out every time I looked at him so it was hard to pay close attention to his performance. (NT) -- Shads, 13:28:01 05/29/16 Sun
- Only watched once so far ... On my phone ! Been traveling I am appalled at the way they hodgepodged events together and elements from the source all in apparent effort of just advancing the plot! You know I'm on the show train but if even Herself couldn't stop the train wreck this week I'm a bit worried how she brings it back together and don't think I'm as anxious for much more! They are trampling without much respect I think! (NT) -- BetsyG, 18:23:07 05/29/16 Sun
- I have read twice now (I think from the episode writer) and just read from Ron Moore how "they had to get Leery back into the picture in order for something in season 3 to work..." or words to that effect. I certainly don't understand that, because in Voyager, Jenny encourages Jamie to wed again and puts Leery forth as a likely candidate. As we know, it never works out (except to get the scheming Brat money when he returns with Claire...) but I just don't understand this. If in the series he's going to marry her, having this little episode of "I've met Jesus and am a changed girl" and the "help" with Young Lovat (which wasn't much IMHO), is that really enough to make Jamie agree to marry her, when he KNOWS she betrayed Claire, almost unto death? I sure hope they have some good reason cooked up for all of this. Don't get me wrong, I am loving the adaptation, and am okay with the deviations from the books, but this is a real head-scratcher to me... (NT) -- JudithONH, 14:40:34 05/30/16 Mon
- We watched 207 and 208 yesterday. 207 was beautiful and heartbreaking, but 208 felt choppy and confusing. Reading your comments validates how we felt about it. There are definitely continuity issues with the characterizations. (NT) -- DebraMc, 14:44:08 05/30/16 Mon
- Yep, couldn't agree more. Everything you said is what I've felt too. (NT) -- Katiscotch, 18:07:37 05/30/16 Mon
- Thanks for recapping Shads and agree with you all, where's our Jamie? I really missed seeing the potato party scene and the savouring the mail scene from the books. The charm of the everyday scenes from the BIG books is lost in the ramming in of all the plot lines. I had an experience recently that made me very happy. I'm not currently reading the BOOKS but I happened to read a scene, and my Jamie came back, not Sam. (NT) -- PD, 13:14:35 06/01/16 Wed
- I think... -- M&M, 09:52:59 05/26/16 Thu
After this weeks episode, we're going to be be on fire. Lol
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- Episode 207 -- "Faith" -- Shadow, 10:44:08 05/21/16 Sat
Written by Toni Graphia, Directed by Metin Hüseyin
Plot points covered--
Claire's miscarriage and the struggle to save her life.
Raymond's healing hands.
Claire's sorrowful fugue.
Fergus' revelation of the cause of the duel.
Claire requesting an audience with the king.
The Star Chamber trial.
Claire lies with the king, who grants a pardon to Jamie and arranges an English pardon to facilitate their return to Scotland.
Jamie and Claire discuss the duel, the miscarriage, and blame.
The writing did a good job of staying faithful to the books, given the constraints of time and the expeditious reorganization of the story to date. This episode winds up Jamie and Claire's time in Paris very effectively. No real surprises or major changes to the tale, save that Claire returns home to finish her recuperation rather than being carried off by Louise to her country house.
Caitriona Balfe gave an absolutely stunning performance and I am glad to have seen every second of it. The pacing was amazingly good, slow and almost dreamlike for most of the episode, the way a major psychological trauma can leave one feeling detached from reality--- not quite present as life goes on around you. I'm sitting here bereft of words, filled with Claire's sorrow and guilt. It was a beautiful episode and extremely well done. I think...I think I am going to have to watch it again before I comment further.
*****
Okay, I watched again and made some notes.
First off, the heron and significance of it in myth and symbol. I wasn't sure why they went with the opening scene with Claire and Brianna looking at the birds, but I was sure there was more there than appeared on the surface. I did some research. The heron is a symbol of solitude, grace, patience, calm, and determination. It is also a symbol of partnership, since heron pairs build their nest cooperatively, so they are simultaneously a symbol of marriage and of individuality. I'm impressed by the choice for this episode. It fully embodies Claire's journey in this episode.
Fergus' nightmare and telling Claire of the true events that precipitated the duel was excellent. Romann Berrux (Fergus) was wonderful. That child is a fine actor and will be something special as an adult.
I quite liked the king's commentary about Claire's rings, and was again very impressed with Cait. She has mastered the art of showing a wide range of emotion without saying a word. She has Claire's "glass face."
The Star Chamber is my favorite set so far this season. It was stunning-- very Golden Dawn. The ceiling of starlight with the rays shooting off in all directions took my breath, but the four-quartered balance of the room was simply amazing. I did find M. Forez' presence to be somewhat off. I was under the impression that the executioners of the period were never part of a judgement and were supposed to be somewhat anonymous, at least to the condemned which is the reason they were normally hooded for their duties.
Costuming was gorgeous, of course. I loved the Comte's silver brocade. I also feel it was a good choice to put Claire in blue rather than red as in the book. It put her in nice contrast to the king and the heated colors of the chamber. It also echoed both her "blue aura" and somber mood while still being utterly lovely. I didn't like the way they did the color change on the pendant to show the presence of poison. I felt it was too radical and would have preferred either a soft grey or gold rather than the oh so obvious black. I was deeply gratified to FINALLY hear Claire say JHRC again. I think it might be the first time we've heard that phrase all season! Stanley Weber was great. It was nice to hear him speaking English for a change, and masterfully at that. Awesome death scene and some truly brilliant camera work as well. I loved the overhead angle shots with the clearly drawn quarters and the corpse sprawled across the medallion on the floor.
Just a side note---I wish Claire/Cait would curtsey properly. It seems to me that a proper curtsey is made with a straight back, not as a bow. Another side note---who has been running Jared's business while Jamie's been in the Bastille? And where is Murtagh? How long does it take to sell a boatload of wine, anyway? But I digress...
Jamie's return, filthy and bearded. Appropriate, yes, but I have mixed feelings about the beard. On first sight I hated it, but I think I actually like it because it adds gravitas to his presence, which he needs in this scene. It ages him more than I expected.
The pacing of the reunion and Claire's story is perfect and heartbreaking. She is so very good in this episode. Her pain and grief are tear-your-heart-out REAL. When she was singing to the baby...it was devastating. As the storyteller she seethes with suppressed rage and sorrow, as the fevered mother holding her dead child she resonates with the manic and disbelieving grief of the newly bereaved. This episode clearly shows Cait to be a world-class actress, Toni Graphia a fine writer (though a lot of that dialogue was DG's and we already knew she was a genius), and Metin Hüseyin to be an excellent director.
Bear McCreary also deserves commendation for his wonderful score. The music throughout this episode is almost elegiac. The final scene, where Claire and Jamie visit Faith's grave reminds me of a Celtic kyrie eleison I have in my music collection. It is haunting and sweet and utterly beautiful in its simplicity.
I loved this episode.
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- Watched the episode and wow wow wow. The performances of all the cast we spot on, but Catriona's was spectacular. Shads, I was wondering, jsut like you, how the wine business managed to stay afloat what with all the goings on. Amazing episode. (NT) -- Kim G, 14:48:38 05/21/16 Sat
- I cannot agree more. This episode should win Cait every award available. She was stunning and brilliant. I don't even have words to describe what Bear's piano music did to my heart when she returns to the house. The entire episode will be watched 3 more times tonight, and the DH has been firmly instructed to stay away from 9 - 10 as I know more ugly crying will occur. (NT) -- Lady-Jane, 17:50:31 05/21/16 Sat
- I was glad they got Louise in at the end. Having her gently take Faith from Claire and Claire's collapse broke my heart. It was beautifully done and I haven't been able to keep from crying every time I see it. (NT) -- Shads, 20:04:33 05/21/16 Sat
- It was pretty amazing, the acting, how they worked the story for TV. Need a Master Raymond short story now! (NT) -- M&M, 11:34:23 05/22/16 Sun
- Awesome. All the way arnd. Each of the actors was at the top of their game. Sets, costumes. I loved the Comte's silver brocade. More elegant than the king. All the close-ups. How do y make yrself drink a fatal drink? Fantastic scene. And Jamie screwing up his courage to ask, "do you hate me?" All this around Cate's performance. Oh my. (NT) -- Swarl, 05:37:01 05/23/16 Mon
- I watched the episode 3x so far. My favorite scenes are Claire returning to the house and anything in the last 10-15 minutes. The piano music for Faith was haunting. I think I enjoyed this episode because alot of it came straight from the book and the scenes "felt right" which wasn't always the case for me. Caitriona was amazing. I loved the star chamber and the white stone turning black. I loved how she took the orange. She earned it...need to prevent scurvy you know. Also loved Fergus. I smile when I see Bouton. BJR you're still a bastard! (NT) -- CarolSR, 06:53:00 05/23/16 Mon
- The episode was amazing. Two questions for you guys...wasn't the dress green? (maybe my settings are off on my tv *g*) and in the books doesn't the stone have to be dipped in a liquid to detect poison? Obviously we wouldn't have had this scene and the Comte's expression...but I'm too lazy to look it up ;) (NT) -- Ceilidh, 09:55:56 05/24/16 Tue
- Episode 206 - Best Laid Schemes... -- Shadow, 07:45:20 05/14/16 Sat
Written by Matthew B. Roberts, Directed by Metin Hüseyin
Plot points covered:
M. Forez's description of his duties as a subtle warning.
Claire's creation and test of drugs to simulate smallpox.
Explanation of Claire's origin and knowledge of the future to Murtagh.
Sabotage of the wine shipment.
Fergus' encounter with BJR.
The duel.
Claire's miscarriage.
Jamie's arrest.
Commentary:
My initial response to this episode is a simple "WOW!" I loved it.
I feel this was one of the most exciting and brilliant adaptations of events in the book that we have seen to date. Several of the book events were changed subtly and rearranged on the timeline, but the flow was excellent and the changes were very effective in building the tension of the episode to the duel and its tragic conclusion.
I'm glad we didn't lose Monsieur Forez's horrific description of his professional skills completely, although here it is a warning to Claire about the dark arts, rather than to Jamie about treason. As a method of streamlining the many tangled subplots of the book I thought this worked well. It also led neatly into another wonderful Raymond/Claire scene.
The scene between Claire and Murtagh after Jamie has informed him of Claire's origins was outstanding. There was a lot going on between the actors far beyond the words they spoke. I also felt it was a good choice to have Jamie telling Murtagh about Claire in Gaelic, rather than French or English. It's too dangerous a topic to be overheard by eavesdroppers, no matter how trusted.
I quite enjoyed seeing Claire compound the smallpox ruse. I loved Fergus in this scene. It was great to be reminded that for all his sense of responsibility, he is still a child and must occasionally be reminded to stay on task. I didn't understand why he was such a large part of it until it became clear that he and Jamie would be the ones riding off to Le Havre instead of Jamie and Murtagh. Even then I wondered about it, but once it was clear that Jamie wasn't to be actually on the ship but that they were dosing the crewmen, I thought it a great way to accomplish that business. It shows Fergus as clever and trusted, which I liked very much. At first, I wondered about the change in the timeline, but after consideration I think was a really smart choice for the show because it makes this simply another step on the road to the climactic scene for this episode, which is The Duel.
I think getting Murtagh out of the way by hijacking the rescued wine shipment and then running off to sell it was also a good bit of writing. It was logical and dramatic. The scene with Saint Germain and Charles at the brothel was pretty good. It was fun seeing Charles melting down and Le Comte so venomous. The casting in this show really is extraordinary.
The one scene I didn't really care for was the one where Claire is enduring another gossipy tea with Louise and her tittering cohort. Granted, it gave Claire the motivation to overtire herself at the hospital and show that all was not perfect with the pregnancy at last. That has bothered me this season, that the pregnancy was going so smoothly.
I'm glad we never actually see BJR with Fergus. I do hate it when a book or show presumes that the reader/viewer is too stupid to figure something out from subtle cues.
Claire's frenzied journey to Le Bois du Bologne, the duel, the wounding of BJR, the miscarriage, the arrival of the guard... wow. I was simply riveted. The performances were staggeringly good. The direction was brilliant. I loved the parallels of BJR's and Claire's wounds (just as in the book) and the almost matching expressions on their faces. Props to the editors as well, as I thought the cutting on this particular episode was very well done.
In my opinion this was one of the best episodes of the season so far. Wonderful work by everyone.
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- The flow of this episode was really perfect. Wdd in impeccable acting, sets, and even horse drawn carriages with torches. (NT) -- Swarl- it was awesome., 07:02:30 05/15/16 Sun
- Yeah I liked it too. I think we will see a bit of Fergus and BJR in flashbacks, when Jamie tells Claire why he was dueling. The gossip scene wasn't needed I didn't think. Agreed with best of season too. Glad they didn't do the dream sequence that Matt Roberts talked about wanting to add. (NT) -- M&M, 19:50:37 05/15/16 Sun
- This was my favorite episode of this season so far. Murtagh and Fergus were entertaining. The scene where Jamie talks to the baby and when he asks Claire to promise him she'll go back to Frank if something happens were emotional. I was happy to see BJR get knifed in the crotch.He deserves as much pain as Jamie can give him. I find the portrayal of St. Germaine mesmerizing. (NT) -- CarolSR, 05:54:34 05/16/16 Mon
- It was a wonderful episode, it still jarrs me when they go off book but when I watch it again that is smoothed over. I think Fergus is so well cast. (NT) -- PD, 06:59:26 05/16/16 Mon
- Also FB folks are trying to figure out why Claire is so pregnant now, but hardly showing when she goes back to Frank. :) (NT) -- CarolSR, 11:28:25 05/16/16 Mon
- This episode and the previous one have showcased Sam's amazing talent. His cries of "Claire" ripped my heart out. (NT) -- Lady-Jane, 17:51:23 05/21/16 Sat
- Where is Ron's podcast for episode #205? Usually it is out by now. -- swarl, 16:39:19 05/13/16 Fri
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- Episode 205 - Untimely Resurrection -- Shadow, 11:18:21 05/07/16 Sat
written by Richard Kahan, directed by Douglas MacKinnon
This was a pretty good episode, overall. It covered a lot of setup for later important action and had a few moments of good tension and solid acting in addition to the standard visual lushness that characterizes this season. The brown and yellow dress makes its appearance---very sharp, that outfit! And Jamie had this cream on cream colored waistcoat I thought was stunning. I was a bit blinded by all the red and blues in the King's party at Versailles. Alex's clerical black was perfect.
Synopsis with commentary:
The show opens with the servants cleaning up the aftermath of the disastrous dinner party and voiceover explanation of the arrival of the g'endarmes and arrest of Jamie, Murtagh, and the now-unemployed Alex Randall.
In the course of the episode we learn that the party was successful in getting Sandringham to view Charles as an idiot but that Charles and Saint-Germain have struck up an association leading to their joint venture in wine import (as in the book) and Jamie and Claire begin to plan to thwart it by simulating another smallpox incident. There are a couple of great scenes with Charles asking Jamie to sell his share and with Jamie and Saint-Germain in the brothel politely snarling at one another over wine.
Jamie explains to Claire about naming her La Dame Blanche, to her extreme annoyance. I suppose, since we didn't do all the White Lady stuff in Scotland that it makes sense that she would feel scared by being painted a witch again. Murtagh makes his abject apologies to Jamie for failing to protect Claire and Mary, pledges to lay vengeance at his feet, and starts tailing Le Comte. Claire visits Mary to offer medical advice and learns that she and Alex plan to marry.
The trip to the country to witness horse breeding has been converted a trip to Versailles to purchase horses, where Jamie's evaluation skills have been requested by Sandringham. I think this was mostly just to give Sandringham more screen time because the actor is so good and the horses are beautiful. Claire, meanwhile, has decided to derail Alex and Mary's plans by convincing Alex that the girl deserves a better life than he can offer. It seems really odd to me that she interferes here, but that may simply be because I know the books so well and the writers are trying very hard to speed everything up to get the entire book into a single season. Claire is convinced that it's Jack that has to be Mary's baby daddy, even though Alex is clearly the same bloodline. I suppose that because the relationship is so much further advanced in the series than in the book by this point, something had to prevent it. I'm just not comfortable with it being Claire.
And of course, the "Untimely Resurrection" is BJR, who shows up at Versailles. It was...bizarre. Tense, but bizarre. What the heck was he doing there? How did he get an invitation? Can just any yahoo show up at court? I didn't think this made a lot of sense. For that matter, having Annalise escorting Claire around was rather odd, and their conversation was...weird. But hey, it got everyone there, gave Jack the chance to squick Claire out in a venue where she could do little, and let King Louis and his sycophants make Jack squirm. It was all very contrived, but it got the job done. Jamie meets BJR in a setting where he must act restrained and they agree to duel, whereupon Claire runs off and swears out a complaint to have Jack tossed in the Bastille while she argues Jamie into waiting a year to kill the man, allowing Frank's ancestor to be conceived.
It was a lot of plot points to pack into a single hour. Mostly, it worked. It wasn't a great episode, but it was a good episode and it moved really fast. I think I need to sit down and watch it again. I'm looking forward to seeing what you folks thought of it.
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- Black Jack got to Versailles through Sandringham who is his 'patron' whatever that means in this context. I loved this episode and feel that it kitted itself together better than last week. Sandringham and the horses was so good. What a smarmy man. Heheheh. He'll get his.And the final scene was gloriously acted. (NT) -- Swarl, 13:12:54 05/07/16 Sat
- I really enjoyed this one too. There's just two things getting on my nerves......... do we really need to hear again ........you can't draw a sword in front of the King, I think this is the third time we've heard it. And Claire always saying she doesn't feel well. I thought Sam did a wonderful job with the scene telling Claire she have the year. That was just so great. (NT) -- M&M, 20:59:42 05/08/16 Sun
- I thought the scenes between Jamie and Claire were very strong and emotional this week. The episode moves the story along, but I have to say the appearance of BJR and the confrontation was a letdown. It was so much more shocking in the book. I did smile when Tobais appeared, glad to have him back. I liked seeing the King put BJR on his knees. What is the significance of the "Apostle Spoons" do you think? Can I say how much I love Claire's hats. I'd love to wear each one, although I thinik I would be overdressed for my trips to Panera Bread or Walmart. :) (NT) -- CarolSR, 06:22:45 05/09/16 Mon
- Does anyone else feel like we are missing the famous Fraser Rage? I don't feel like Sam's Jamie gets sufficiently out of control when Claire confronts him about the duel. I suppose it's a directorial choice, but part of what makes Jamie interesting to me is the way he explodes and then pulls it back under control. Maybe that's just me. (NT) -- Shads, 12:19:44 05/09/16 Mon
- Hopefully we'll see Jamie lose it when he finds BJR and Fergus, and also when Claire collapses at the duel in the Bois de Bologna. (NT) -- CarolSR, 09:45:25 05/10/16 Tue
- Anyone here who doesn't have a facebook or twitter account should really consider getting one, if only to read DG's commentaries under the #DailyLines and #filmenrichment hashtags. I find interesting to see her opinions on many of the same topics we've touched upon here. (NT) -- Shads, 08:18:14 05/11/16 Wed
- Is anyone a wee bit nervous as I am about the fact that Starz has not yet announced a go for season three? Saw that viewership has declined from the first episode this season. -- Lady Linda, 12:18:14 05/03/16 Tue
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- Episode 204 - La Dame Blanche -- Shadow, 10:24:37 04/30/16 Sat
written by Toni Graphia, directed by Douglas MacKinnon
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. We've finally managed to wade through all of the new character introductions and background exposition and gotten to some of the real action events of the story. I was impressed by how much got packed into the hour without making it feel rushed. There were a number of the "book" scenes and dialogue in this episode.
synopsis:
Claire tells Jamie that BJR lives and Jamie reacts with joy, since now he may be able to kill the man with his own hands. Claire and Jamie resume marital relations and Claire discovers he bears love bites from the brothel.
Claire confronts Master Raymond about the poison, gains admittance to his hidden room of bones, and is given 2 things; a prediction that she will see Frank again and a necklace to detect poisons.
Louise de la Tour tells Claire she is pregnant by her lover (but doesn't say who it is) and Claire convinces her to trick her husband into thinking he fathered it. Prince Charles (with monkey-bitten hand) makes his midnight appearance via the roof, having argued with his mistress. J&C figure out that he is Louise's paramour and plan to host a big dinner party with Sandringham and the de Rohans and make Charles lose his cool.
On the day of the event, Claire goes off to spend the day at l'Hopital to help with injuries from a major accident. Jamie sends that Murtagh and Fergus with her. Mary Hawkins is there as well, assisting Claire. M. Forez is revealed as the crown's Executioner. Claire runs late due to emergencies. Her carriage is sabotaged. Fergus runs off to tell Jamie they will be late. Claire and her party walk home. They are set upon by 4 men, one of whom has a large birthmark on his hand. Mary is raped, but as soon as they see Claire's face they run off, shrieking about La Dame Blanche stealing their souls.
By the time they return home, the guests have already arrived at the party. Alex Randall, who was hanging out with the servants, spies them and glues himself to Mary's side. Mary is drugged and tucked up into a bed. Claire manages to get cleaned up and joins the party.
In the midst of the dinner, Mary regains consciousness and (probably hallucinating from the drugs) runs away from Alex, screaming. In his attempts to subdue her, he appears to be assaulting her when the party guests rush in and mayhem ensues.
Commentary:
This episode felt very familiar with many events and elements of dialogue taken straight from the books. Jamie tells Claire about the destruction of his inner fortress and the construction of a lean-to in which his soul can hide. I've always thought that was an excellent description of his trauma and the start of healing. Claire's reaction to the bite marks on Jamie was perfect. Interesting that Jamie didn’t explain La Dame Blanche here. I expect we will get the explanation later. I kind of like that Claire doesn’t understand the protection it provides….yet.
I know a lot of folks aren't pleased with the representation of Raymond's apothecary shop in the series, complaining that it is too big, too airy, but I love it. I thought the room with all the bones was really cool and I loved the little hints Raymond gave about being a time traveller. It was subtle. If you didn't know the books you wouldn't guess that Master Raymond was anything more than a rather weird little man, but for those of us who know the story they were gems of foreshadowing. Admittedly, I sort of missed the playtime with mercury, but using fortune-telling bones was very appropriate and reminded us again that Claire was a widely-travelled woman. BTW, I thought the violet and purple gown was particularly gorgeous. Kudos again to Terry and her team.
I also really enjoyed the added scene where Murtagh and Fergus were discussing women. We can already see that Fergus is much more knowledgable than Murtagh in this regard and can see traces of the man we know he will become.
Poor Mary. The horror and disgust on her face when she looked at the cream on her hands was priceless. I didn’t object to inserting the hanged-man’s cream into the hospital scene as it made it natural for us to learn Monsieur Forez’s profession in this way. I was pleased to see the use of the gold pin into the nerve plexus too. It’s important to me to see that Claire is still learning about medicine and the alternatives that are available in this era.
I also thought showing the sabotage of the carriage in that little vignette at the start of the show was clever. They didn’t have to interrupt the flow of the narrative when the damage to the carriage became known. I thought it very effective and a good way to set up the audience to see that things in this episode were going to go awry for our heroes.
The dinner party. Jamie looked awesome. Claire’s deep red gown was beautiful, reminding us of the red gown from Versailles without pulling the same focus. Heck, everyone looked totally fabulous! But what an uncomfortable bunch of yahoos to have at table. It was clearly a recipe for indigestion.
I can’t say enough about the brilliance of the casting. Sandringham was again wonderful and a tad creepy, Charles callow, petulant, and haughty (that kiss on the hand!! Ewww!), Le Comte Saint-Germaine wonderfully aristocratic and subtly evil, Louise and her oblivious husband. Mary's father and her repulsive affianced. It worked. It all worked. It was a nice chance to see several important characters all at once, interacting in their own catty ways. It was beautiful, though the number of the dinner guests were rather skewed toward men. Since I watched it OnDemand I also saw the little “inside the episode” short afterward which explained the reason for this—the size of the table combined with the amount of space the ladies’ gowns require meant that they couldn’t squeeze as many people into the scene as they might have liked. Regardless, it was a glittering horde and a feast for the eye. I really enjoyed the interaction between Claire and Saint-Germaine. There was so much said without words. Brilliant.
So, I don’t have anything negative to say about this episode. I loved it.
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- Oops. Guess I forgot to include Claire's poisoning in the synopsis. It was an action-packed hour! (NT) -- Shads, 12:06:59 04/30/16 Sat
- You said everything I was thinking. I loved it. Cudos to Master Raymond and the foreshadowing of seeing Frank again. The interplay with the Comte and Claire about protection from the food was fabulous. Loved it! So tired of the Debbie Downers on other sites that nit pick the series to death. The book is the book, and the series is the series. I for one think Ron and all are doing a fabulous job! (NT) -- Lady Linda, 16:06:19 04/30/16 Sat
- The acting is superb. Sandringham, Mother Hildegqrd, Louise, our heroes - Claire, Jamie and Murtagh just totally nail it. What an ensemble. After all the new character introductions of last week, it was fun to get on with things, see some favorite scenes come to life. Of the newbies, Hildegard and Raymond are still my faves. Sooo good. (NT) -- Swarl, 18:42:55 04/30/16 Sat
- Spot on review Shads! Loved this episode. My only complaint, which is the same for every week is that it was too short! (NT) -- Chris, 21:57:36 04/30/16 Sat
- Fergus at the end feasting! A nod to the humor in the books and so Fergus! AND as I've been reading in reviews and was so obvious the lovemaking scene was a nod to the grotto at the end of Outlander from the lighting to the dialogue - and it worked here beautifully to give that ambiance! I'm s bit taken aback at Jaimie being healed so quickly by the thought that he can kill Jack Randall as Jaimie Fraser we know isn't a killer ... But we shall see how this plays out. Also I think most likely for edits that healing scene after Claire is poisoned is rushed...I'm poisoned BJR is dead- let's have a dinner party! Anyway the podcasts are up Ron is back from his Voyage...and has done great news for fans in podcast 204! (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:19:38 05/01/16 Sun
- I really enjoyed Episode 4. It was good to see Jamie and Claie on the road to reconcilliation - baby steps. I'm loving the Duke of Sandringham - he's so disgustingly slimey. Poor Mary!! (NT) -- Katiscotch, 20:09:32 05/01/16 Sun
- I thought it was great.......watched it twice already, have to catch up on my podcast though. The first time I was watching in a hotel room on my sisters ipad, and other sister was in bed and was going to bed, but she stayed up just listening to it......and she says... that was a fast hour! LOL (NT) -- M&M, 18:13:03 05/02/16 Mon
- Which episode did DG write? -- Swarl, 17:52:31 05/01/16 Sun
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- Episode 203 - Useful Occupations and Deceptions -- Shadow, 21:30:34 04/23/16 Sat
Episode 203 - Useful Occupations and Deceptions
Written by Anne Kenney, Directed by Metin Hüseyin
In which we meet Fergus, Mother Hildegard, and Bouton.
Okay, I don't know what to say about this episode. I stayed up late last night to watch it but the OnDemand connection was so poor (lots of digital dropout and signal interruptions) that I spent more time watching the digital snowfall (seriously bad pixellation from a poor signal) than the story. I did sit down and watch the regular broadcast tonight---which was perfect, signal wise---but I was, well, bored.
This episode was beautiful in sets and costumes. (I really want that blue sofa/divan!) The acting was up to our now-expected standard. Important elements of the story we know happened---Claire realizes that Mary is Frank's ancestress, Jamie plays chess with Duverney, Claire learns that Master Raymond substitutes bitter cascara for aconite when purchased by poisoners, Claire goes to work at L'Hopital des Anges, Jamie hires Fergus to lift letters, Mother Hildegard helps Jamie solve the musical code, Bouton proves himself a most remarkable scenthound. All good and well.
But.
I'm just gonna say it: I am starting to not like Jamie. I get that he's still very traumatized from the rape, but it doesn't seem like he's making any attempt to heal. How long has it been now? months? (how many more episodes do we have??) There is little or no affectionate interplay between Jamie and Claire. I don't mean sex, I mean simple affection. This episode has Jamie running himself ragged flitting from the business to the palace to the brothel, then coming home to change clothes. He doesn't seem to care if he never sees Claire again, then throws a hissy fit when Claire goes off to actually do something. It's extremely unJamielike. We also don't see him looking very competent at anything besides chess. Well, and drinking and deciphering codes. This Jamie comes off as selfish, just as he did when he was the "I am the Laird of Lallybroch" guy back in episode 112. And BIG SURPRISE, this is the same writer who wrote that episode. (I don't think she likes strong men.)
Oh yeah, and I have a question: If you are part of conspiracy to betray someone, do you really talk about it openly in front of your servants? Even if you don't think they speak your language? I'm thinking, no. And yet, they do it a LOT in this episode. It really bugged me.
Anyway this was an okay episode, but not my favorite by any means. Bouton stole the show, though I was rather fascinated by the body art in the brothel.
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- This wasn't my favorite either. I remember Claire saying in the first episode that all the servernts were trust worthy......but really do that extent? J&C, it was like they weren't even married in this episode. I thought Claire belittled Jamie a bit when she said about the pick pocketing letters a good idea. Like Jamie hadn't had one before. I only liked Murtagh and the hospital scenes in this episode to be honest. Bouton the best. lol (NT) -- M&M, 22:24:34 04/23/16 Sat
- I enjoyed this one because it has ONLY been 2-3 months, so I think Jamie's running from his internal problems by keeping ridiculously busy is spot-on accurate. They didn't spend the months in the Abbey to heal like he did in the books, so this avoidance/denial seems realistic. Part of the appeal of Jamie and Claire's love is that they DO fight through the difficult times. It's clear they still love each other but are struggling to figure out how to connect when their most intimate way of connecting isn't a possibility. These 2-3 episodes are the replacement for that drug-induced battle Claire fought with Jamie. Since they didn't do that, they have to show how the healing happens, and it won't happen quickly. Obviously, I also LOVED Mother Hildegarde, Bouton, and wee Fergus! (NT) -- Lady-Jane, 13:48:44 04/24/16 Sun
- No, you don't talk in front of the servants. Rule #1. Also, I forgot to mention below, that it is the Prince's upper lip that indicates his drunkenness. I think it is brilliant. And Duvergny is too modern and casual for his position in that incredibly important position in the royal court. (that is what I meant to say below.) (NT) -- swarl, 15:20:02 04/24/16 Sun
- Was it when Jamie first proposed that Fergus be his pickpocket that he said that he would take care of him for life if injured or maimed? Or was it later? That's a rather important part of the story, isn't it? (NT) -- LT (Denise), 15:21:41 04/25/16 Mon
- Not my favourite either. -- Beladona, 18:10:20 04/28/16 Thu
- I thought the episode did a wonderful job of depicting the life of an expat wife. Having lived inmany countries as one, I cna tell you that you have to learn how to deal with staff, and you are frequently either bored out of your mind or you are very stressed about coping with your new situation. Catriona did a brilliant job of showing that.>>>> -- Kim G, 10:17:59 04/30/16 Sat
- Episode 3 - Bouton!! Fergus! Mother Hildegard! Sawney! Murtagh - ooh la la -- CarolSR, 19:32:23 04/23/16 Sat
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- Episode 202 - Not In Scotland Anymore ---SPOILERS -- Shadow, 08:01:08 04/16/16 Sat
I love that the next installment of the show appears to become available at midnight OnDemand on the scheduled show date just as it did last year. It makes a great reward for me after my Friday night workshift. :D
So, about the second episode....
I am impressed by the way the writers have managed to compress DIA to get us through the important background aspects of the story quickly. Frankly, the increased length of the book and decreased number of episodes from season 1 had me bewildered as to how the show could manage to cover all the material. This episode changed several venues for action from the books as well as some of the events themselves to move the story forward very fast without restructuring the tale out of all recognition. Granted, we do lose the sense that Jamie and Claire have become at ease moving through Parisian society due the compressed time, but the decadence of the environment and sense of being aliens in a new world is really interesting to watch.
This episode manages to introduce Mary Hawkins, Alex Randall, Master Raymond, Louise de Rohan, Charles Stuart, King Louis, Monsieur Duverney, and Annalise de Marillac (who is way taller than I expected her to be from the book) in a very short space of time and very effectively. There are several scenes that recapture memorable moments from the book for all that they do not follow the text precisely. I will say that I am glad I did not reread the book just before watching this season. I am finding that having some distance from the book makes me pretty tolerant of the liberties taken with DG's brilliant storytelling. I do miss the hyacinth perfume, but the waxing scene is hysterically funny. Louise is a delight!
The costumes. Wow. The clothes are, as always, gorgeous. Jamie looks like a gentleman born. I'm glad Terry stayed with basic black for him. Even Murtagh looks elegant. Claire's clothes do manage to simultaneously blend in and stand out as she moves through the episode. The Dior-inspired black and white dress is the best example of this but not the only one. I loved the little black and white number Claire wears when Jamie gets the letter from Jared. The red dress is stunning but we've probably all seen a million photos of it by now so I don't suppose need to say much about it here. I was a little surprised by how much brighter it was than anyone else's gown at the ball. Yes, I know the lead character is supposed to pull focus and the simplicity of it in contrast to the elaborate fussiness of the gowns around it was Claire's intent, but I recall that the color was supposed to be a popular one and I sort of expected to see flashes of the fabric echoed elsewhere. It's a minor thing. I do have to mention how delighted I was with the gown of the king's mistress with the swans curling around her bared nipples. O. M. G. It was so great to see that show up in the ballroom straight out of the books! It was an amazing gown. (Murtagh's reaction was a hoot!)
The sets. Magnificent. Versailles was totally believable. The apothecary shop was marvelous. I wanted to go visit it myself and spend hours poking into corners. I need to watch this episode several more times to say more about the scenery because I confess I mostly watched the actors on this first viewing, but the entire episode was a luxurious feast for the eyes.
The action. Well, this was not a heavily dramatic episode, though it had some brief moments of tension as we visit Jamie's nightmares. To me, this episode was one of those necessary expository installments of the story which are establishing background and introducing new faces while setting the scene for later nail-biting. After last week's gut-wrenching scenes with Frank and Claire it was good to relax with eye-candy and humor. I liked seeing Jamie and Murtagh training Jamie's healing hand. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Master Raymond. The Dressing of the King.... I thought the scene was well done, though it seemed odd to me to place that scene in the evening when the ball had already begun with the guests milling about in the ballroom. It made a lot more sense placed in the morning as it was in the book, though I understand the need for speed that this medium requires. Instead of having Jamie spend a week or more in attendance upon the king, this gets Jamie into the king's attention quickly and also is funny as hell.
Speaking of funny as hell--- Louise. BWAAAHAHAHAH!!! I loved the way she smacked her stylist every time he ripped off the wax. I loved the shock on poor little Mary's face as they got to the final stage of that deforestation. I thought Mary was great, although I expected her stutter to be much worse. Still, I suppose that also would have wasted time that the episode could not afford as well as annoying the audience. Funny how you can read something like that on a page and it's not a bother, but watching it on camera will make you impatient.
Okay, that's probably enough commentary for today. Good episode. Well done, all!
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- Agree with all that you said. Did anyone else think that Alex Randall's voice sounded exactly like his brother's? (NT) -- Lady Linda, 08:49:50 04/16/16 Sat
- Ditto on agreeing with your "review." I'm loving this season. The only thing I wished had stayed the same was Claire not waxing her honeypot. Jamie's reaction in the books was more realistic, IMHO, to what he would have thought. Why would men want to bed what seems like a wee lassie?! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, 04:30:16 04/17/16 Sun
- Shads, I'm glad you're back to review the episodes! For some reason our local cable doesn't even have it On Demand yet at all so I had to quickly set my DVR for the 2nd showing last night and have yet to watch. Along with the Fug Girls on GoFugYourself.com (they lovingly recap with humor), I look foward to your recaps because I won't get a chance to watch until way later (Kiddo rules). Keep it up! (NT) -- TracyAnn, 05:35:00 04/17/16 Sun
- I agree with your take on this episode however there were some sections that were laughable (and not in a good way.) The bloody dream sequence came off like a scene out of the movie, Carrie. The Kings toilet was way too long. I thought Master Raymond almost came off cartoonish, but I did smile when I saw the crocodile. Too much time on dildos and not enough on the BJR revelation. Such a letdown. Hopefully when Jamie sees him it will be a more powerful scene. Loved the costumes, set decoration and music. The episode planted seeds for the future duel to come., and dealings with Sandringham. One of my favorite lines from Jamie as he viewed Claire honeypot " it's more complicated than it looks thatched over." Love the books, trying to keep an open mind on the show. (NT) -- CarolSR, 11:17:29 04/18/16 Mon
- This one left me..... lacking. Carol I think you nailed it on the bathroom sequence, it was a bit long. Everyone said Master Raymonds was too big, but I'm thinking they used a bedroom set or something of the like for it. I liked him. :) I'm thinking Claire should of had her muff maybe trimmed to look like a thistle! :) (NT) -- M&M, 08:14:16 04/19/16 Tue
- episode two/season two -- ruth stann (ruth waiting), 15:00:14 04/19/16 Tue
- One last thing....... I don't like the way Jamie's hair is almost always shaggy over his face. Is it to show that he can hide his feelings? In the books he doesn't need hair to cover his emotions, and with someone who also had "Claire hair", I can't imagine him not running his fingers through it and back off his face. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, 03:34:50 04/22/16 Fri
- The acting between Tobias and Cait was over the top. Spectacular. It added depth to the picture of Frank's future heartbreak and infidelities. He really did want to make it work. I loved Mrs Graham and the way Claire lit up when she could talk about Jamie. -> -- Swarl, 06:15:20 04/11/16 Mon
Loved the harbor scenes, but found both Le Comte and Jamie's Uncle unconvincing. I felt Le Comte simply gave us what we all we'd expect In a count. He didn't truly inhabit the. Character and same for Jared. He seemed to be remembering his lines and enjoying wearing a wig for the first time, not terrific,
Sets outrageous. Costumes outrageous new writing spot on. I loved it.
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- Just started the series on DVD -- AmyGirl, 08:34:00 04/13/16 Wed
I've only just begun the series. I have it on DVD as I don't get STARZ. I'm really enjoying it so far and I am NOT constantly comparing it to the books like I thought I would. To me as to many I'm sure this series feels like a whole new animal or at least a different animal. I made up my mind going in to treat it as such. Two separate entities to be enjoyed for their own virtues. Must say I love the costumes and the scenery (duh). Cinematography is fabulous!
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- Soooo..... -- M&M, 20:10:58 04/10/16 Sun
Shadow, BetsyE and I had lunch on Saturday. I swear we talked an hour on the premier, we were just all in awe! We all thought it was just about perfect too!
LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- Rotten Tomatoes review of Outlander Season 2 is a 100%!!!!!! This is almost unheard of but so deserved! -- Lady Linda, 07:36:22 04/14/16 Thu
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- Early release HURRAH!! -- Shadow, 22:16:21 04/06/16 Wed
So....Starz has had mercy on us and released Episode 201 a couple of days early if you subscribe to Starz. It became available OnDemand about an hour and ten minutes ago and I just finished watching it. It was...AWESOME!
I am not going to post any spoilers here just in case some folks aren't aware that there is an early release. If you didn't realize it is available NOW, log out and check your OnDemand or download the Starz app and watch it.
I am extremely pleased with what I saw. I think you all will be too.
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- Is anyone here going to the special fan Premier in NYC 4/4? -- CarolSR, 09:31:47 03/29/16 Tue
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- More Amazing! -- M&M, 07:20:17 04/07/16 Thu
Terry D. explains the costumes .....it's around 24 minutes in on the one I saw, its about 22 minutes in for about 10 minutes....... just in awe! Cannot wait!
http://www.emmys.com/video/scotland-paris-behind-scenes-journey-outlander
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- The March edition of Entertainment Weekly has Sam and Cait on the cover. It is about as hot as it gets!! Inside, many more beautiful pictures and and eight page article all promoting the new season. -- Lady Linda, 15:36:37 02/25/16 Thu
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- Binge watch entire Season One FREE at Starz - select Free and don't forget the popcorn! -- TeriB - yay, 22:09:06 03/20/16 Sun
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- Sam Heughan will be the Grand Marshall of NYC's Tartan Day Parade in April. -- CarolSR, 11:43:39 02/17/16 Wed
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- New season starts April 9th!!! The new trailer is fabulous and gives us a sense of how Ron Moore is going to handle the timeline. -- Lady Linda, 07:23:49 02/11/16 Thu
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- Just saw the final question and answer with Graham and Gary. They wrapped up their parts of Season II today. It was just so sad because we all know that they are done. They played Dougal and Colum better than I could have ever imagined. Just made me sad to see them go and, it looked like they were genuinely sad, too. -- Lady Linda, 13:52:00 02/05/16 Fri
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- Has any one besides me thought that maybe there won't be a Bree in Season 2? Or if there is it might be just one scene? Such as a time trave cliff hanger scene? -- BetsyG, 05:21:18 01/28/16 Thu
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- The site Outlander TV News has posted, "Bree watch" so I think the announcement of the actress playing Bree should occur anytime now. -- Lady Linda, 08:20:05 01/19/16 Tue
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- Three Golden Globe nominations! Cait for Best Actress in a Drama, Tobias for Supporting Actor and Outlandander for best Drama. No nod for Sam though. :( -- CarolSR, 05:47:15 12/11/15 Fri
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- Richard Rankin was cast as Roger Wakefield today. He has been my favorite for this role all along. Just thrilled! -- Lady Linda, 14:06:50 12/14/15 Mon
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- First teaser trailer for season two has been posted! -- Lady Linda, 11:13:09 12/01/15 Tue
http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2015/12/outlander-season-two-first-teaser-trailer/
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- In her recent podcast Diana said that they were hoping for a 3rd season of Outlander on Starz, and if it's picked up she's hoping to release Book 9 around the same time in 2017. -- CarolSR, 06:18:57 10/15/15 Thu
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- When does it start again??? Going into withdrawal!! -- CarolE, 11:27:36 07/27/15 Mon
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- April 2016, I think. (NT) -- kgp, 11:48:24 07/27/15 Mon
- Graham said April last week. (NT) -- M& M&M, 21:52:47 09/20/15 Sun
- I've also heard April 2016. I'm looking forward to more discussions. I really like the tv series, not as much as The Books, but I like it. But what I really am looking forward to is the discussions about the directorial choices and why one scene was chosen over another, why something was played differently than I would have imagined it, the whole post-game analysis. I miss our long discussions. I miss you guys. (NT) -- kgp, 05:42:03 10/07/15 Wed
- I agree, kgp! I wish we had more discussion on the episodes :) But, I am one of those weird people that rewatches things repeatedly and likes to discuss them. Although, in all honesty, I've been a big lurker on this board and not a big poster. Sigh. 'til April 2016, I guess we'll have to wait!! (NT) -- ErinR, 18:09:35 10/10/15 Sat
- In episode 9, Jamie touches Claire on the nose - very cute and sweet, a lover's touch. In episode 16, Jack touches Jamie on the nose in nearly the same way. This sticks with me and is a very upsetting parallel. -- kgp, 06:47:14 06/10/15 Wed
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- I agree with you. Think it was meant to be that type of parallel. (NT) -- Lady Linda, 17:29:23 06/10/15 Wed
- Good observation. (NT) -- Gina-C, 17:15:27 06/17/15 Wed
- In watching all of them in 2-3 days last week, I noticed so many parallels between Claire and Jamie's stories, too. I truly think they did an awesome job with this series! (NT) -- Lady-Jane, 17:36:25 06/19/15 Fri
- Rape Scene -- elvira (Upset), 13:35:34 09/06/15 Sun
- Just remember it's a book, Diana is Jamie, so no need to cause so much heartache. I did find on a reread I couldn't read about Rogers hanging again, if it helps us. (NT) -- M&M, 21:55:51 09/20/15 Sun
- We've all felt your pain with the hard-to-read scenes. With Jack it's all about power and conquest though with Jamie it gets a little warped into personal attachment as well. In bringing Jamie "to heel" he loses a bit of himself in the process and it becomes something he can't let go. Frank is a man of his times. He's seen horrific things in the war, probably has done things in the course of duty that haunt him at night, and in burying himself in academics is trying to be normal again, like everyone else who survived WWII. He and Claire probably would have made a nice, boring, comfortable couple. (NT) -- kgp, 05:38:06 10/07/15 Wed
- The first episode of Outlander was a year ago today! Wow! -- Lady Linda, 09:25:01 08/09/15 Sun
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- OMG love love love it so much, it has been released on Google. I have no bad comments whatsoever! -- Ruth E (happy happy happy), 06:50:15 07/22/15 Wed
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- Just watched the Emmy nominations live and am totally bummed that Outlander did not get one nod. -- Lady Linda, 08:52:13 07/16/15 Thu
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- Outlander is at San Diego Comic Con this weekend. All the major actors are scheduled to appear. -- CarolSR, 09:12:31 07/08/15 Wed
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- Episode 116 To Ransom a Man's Soul -- Shadow, 22:19:48 05/29/15 Fri
I just gotta say.....O. M. G.
Fabulous episode. So glad I've read the book for the richer detail but this certainly captures the essence of the story and winds the 1st volume up neatly. Sure, some favorite stuff missing, some major changes, but all in all it works. Kudos to the entire team. Amazing acting, lighting, camera work. Emmys for everyone!! And that's all I am saying for awhile.
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- The episode was so difficult to watch, but was so powerful. I've understood from the beginning it's "based on" the books & had very few grumblings about omissions. I read that Sam bagged seven munro's (not sure of source,sorry) after filming this episode. I will be thinking about this for a long time. It is one thing to read about all that happened, but to see it evokes so much more emotion. (NT) -- LadyBlair, 05:07:17 05/30/15 Sat
- Just saw it and am not sure of my reaction. The brutality was horrifying. Sam put it all out there for this episode. While Claire, BJR, and Murtagh were fabulous, Sam, as Jamie, gets the award. Very sobering episode. Will have to mull this one over for a while and then watch it again. (NT) -- Lady Linda, 12:14:05 05/30/15 Sat
- Awesome. The whole thing, just awesome. Acting, camera work, lighting, adaptation, ensemble work. The comic duo at the end. They all did a superb job. (NT) -- Swarl, 19:01:49 05/30/15 Sat
- The last episode is when was finally able to let go of The Book. This one was just beyond what I expected they would be able to accomplish in such a short time. I will need to watch it again to get the full measure but I need to live with it for a while. (NT) -- kgp, 19:30:25 05/30/15 Sat
- I just loved it too, I don't know how they could do it any better w/o more episodes, which would be more money which I'm sure rules all that they do. I'm glad they didn't go back to France or even back to McRannochs .....it just would of been too rushed and jumpy. I always had a hard time with the Claire/Lavender/Jamie part in the book, and this episode sort of made me understand it more. (NT) -- M&M, 19:55:41 05/30/15 Sat
- Un.Be.Liev.Ab.Le. I saw the same article Lady Blair mentioned; Sam said when the two weeks was finally done, he spent one day doing nothing but hiking. When asked about dealing with it during the 2 weeks, he said he got drunk. I can't even imagine. Anne Forester is an amazing director, Tobias and Cait, and Duncan, and Finn were fabulous, but SAM - he was completely, totally, phenomenally Jamie. I don't even know how to talk about the contents of this episode, but it was award winning in every sense of the word. (NT) -- Lady_Jane, 22:24:13 05/30/15 Sat
- Too graphic for me. I don't believe they needed to take up so much of the show, showing him being brutally raped. Showing more of the aftermath would of gotten the point across just as well. The audience is not stupid. There should of been more of Claire pulling him out of the abyss. (NT) -- Janet H., 22:44:10 05/30/15 Sat
- I was blown away by Tobias and Sam, from the first panning back of naked Jamie and then you realize BJR is there behind him. Gut-wrenching! That said--I wish they stayed in that dark place for longer--the saving Jamie's soul bit felt so rushed to me!! After watching him suffer so that he wanted to die (brilliant Sam!!) I felt like it was 2 minutes later that he was saying "alright, that's sorted then" I was hoping for more of the struggle! Oh, well. All in all, a decent adaptation, though so uneven for me. Can't wait to see who they cast as Roger and Bree, and how they handle DIA. (NT) -- FloraMac, 06:24:00 05/31/15 Sun
- I agree, I wish they had shown more of Claire pulling him back and dealing with it all. I was blown away by it, thoug. Fantastic episode and I enjoyed the adaptation. I enjoyed her talking to the priest but was surprised it didn't inclue the husband conversation. Not sure why that had that scene, does anyone understand? Sam and Tobias were just fantastic. Ok..Ii have to confession was a wee bit disappointed in not seeing Jamie full frontal like BJR. (NT) -- Conmama, 09:31:03 05/31/15 Sun
- I too, felt there was not enough time spent on that part. They wrestled on the floor for a few seconds, Claire said a few things, and boom, Jamie's all better. It was an absolutely amazing episode, but could have been so much better, with a few more minutes spent on that part. As well as the scene with Father Anselm...just a few more minutes to flesh out that conversation a bit more. So wish they could have had about a half hour more. (NT) -- Colly, 09:55:51 05/31/15 Sun
- Excellent ending to volume 1. There was a lot to cover & I think the writers & directors focused on the important parts. All the actors are brilliant - they didn't even have to speak - just their facial expressions (especially Sam's) spoke volumes. I agree that Jamie "got back to normal" a little too quickly, but they only had an hour. LOL - I think Tobias is getting to be known for his "full montys"! (NT) -- Gina-C, 10:20:05 05/31/15 Sun
- Just watched this episode sitting in the cafe at the grocery store here in PA (free wifi) and I am wiped. My connection kept buffering and dumping me out every 3 minutes, and I had to minimize the screen to keep the wandering eyes of others from catching a glimpse out of context, but I made it through. The acting - I'm speechless. What a way to take my mind off my own problems. I will watch again when I get home, without the dumping, I've read it and read it, over and over, knew what was coming, but was in no way prepared for the visual. (NT) -- MiladyM, 14:15:48 05/31/15 Sun
- I watched it again tonight, BJR was certainly wacked, who kisses someone after they just barfed?! :) (NT) -- M&M, 22:44:40 05/31/15 Sun
- I watched it again last night with Rob's commentary. Go inside for my understanding as of now: -- Swarl, 05:51:26 06/01/15 Mon
- The rape scene was brutal and I have to commend Sam and Tobias, they gave it everything they had. I couldnt take my eyes off Sam's blank stare.The psychological torture was somehow worse, BJR bringing Claire to mind, using his fingers, his hair,bastard! I cheered when the cows arrived. I wondered how Murtagh got 205 pounds of dead weight on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. The scenes with Jamie and Murtagh and Claire at The Abbey were very powerful, but I think this section needed much more time. One minute he's ready to die, next "we're off to France." The ending came too soon for me and it was rushed. In the matter of a few sentences we're off to France to change history and by the way, I'm pregnant. I needed more. The bits of humor were a nice touch to break up the heaviness of the episode. Angus kissing Claire was good. As the ship sailed away I felt a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong I loved the show, but think it could have been better in spots.On we go to Season 2. (NT) -- CarolSR, 06:07:04 06/01/15 Mon
- Agree w the rushing of Jaimie healing and am blown away by the production and acting of the torture I would have cut the angus Rupert play on the beach for some more time at the Abby but I think we will maybe get that in flashbacks in season 2 I am just so damn glad they kept the cows and didn't try to reivent that rescue (my 2nd try at posting hoping I hit send this time!) (NT) -- BetsyG, 07:06:01 06/01/15 Mon
- I am still a bit conflicted. I am thrilled we have this wonderful series, but I am surprised that what Ron sees as important is different than what so many long-time fans see as important to include. Sigh. Thrilled overall with the series, though, and I think this is the best we ever could have gotten. I want to watch the episode again before I comment further. (NT) -- Kim G, 07:16:10 06/01/15 Mon
- Ditto to everything you said Shads, I agree completely! (NT) -- Marcie, 08:41:05 06/01/15 Mon
- Watched it last night and, well, WOW! It's one thing to read the brutal scenes, it's way different to watch it...The acting was tremendous. Definitely Emmy material. I'm also disappointed that they cut the Abby part so short. I have to watch the last 2 episodes again tomorrow with friends and don't know if I'm ready to watch them BOTH in 2 hours! Sam is finally Jamie to me. The ONLY mis-casting, IMHO, in this whole thing is Menzies as Frank. After these last episodes he will always be BJR to me. I never liked Frank to begin with and I think they should have had a different actor do that part. Again, JMO. (NT) -- CarolE, 12:23:37 06/01/15 Mon
- Ron Moore says we will see a lot more of Frank in Season 2. Fans want more Jamie and Claire, less Frank, but Moore loves Tobias Menzies. (NT) -- CarolSR, 06:00:45 06/02/15 Tue
- I re-read the Abbey BJR flashbacks and there was no way they could do that on television. Jamie goes from humor to depression back and forth so much he would of looked like a lunatic with how much they had to shorten it. (NT) -- M&M, 11:05:02 06/02/15 Tue
- I have now seen the episode several times. I have also read several reviews as well as a host of other people’s comments and complaints. I think that within the constraints of time and money that Ron and company have given us an amazing addition to the marvel that is Diana’s epic book. It is not the book and can never be the book. That’s okay. Going long. Best step inside >>> -- Shadow, 23:53:01 06/02/15 Tue
- I felt disappointed by the finale, even after I rewatched it. I would cut the "confession" (chopped up as it was, and done to a stranger, its meaning is lost), and if necessary the branding could go too (its removal accompanied by a jaunty tune made me cringe - the sole bad note in an otherwise wonderful score), and would include the bit where BJR cries and begs Jamie to tell him "I love you" (PIVOTAL moment IMO), and definitely expand on the healing process -- felt flat and rushed and like it was all about what Claire was feeling, not Jamie. The actors did wonders with the (IMO) mediocre writing in that part of the episode. But all in all, we got a good season. May the 2nd be as good. (NT) -- Rita, 05:45:38 06/03/15 Wed
- I too think they have not focused on the religious overtones of the books, which is disappointing. Maybe when they lose the baby in Season 2, it will come into play. I agree with you that the decisions made were sound. This was a defining moment in Jamie's life that reverberates for the rest of his life. And the healing didn't happen in those last few minutes - it has only just begun. I need to re-read DIA this summer! (NT) -- Debra Mc, 10:39:45 06/03/15 Wed
- I don't think they will ever focus on the religious aspects of the book in depth, just because it's TV. (NT) -- M&M, 20:17:24 06/03/15 Wed
- Tobias's Acting -- Gail, 19:44:42 06/04/15 Thu
- I am watching the last two episodes through your eyes. I guess I am just overly sensitive and although this is fiction, I can't bring myself to watch it. I suffered through this in the book, which was bad enough. Just can't do it. *tears* (NT) -- LP, 07:24:43 06/05/15 Fri
- Episode 112: Lallybroch -- Shadow, 19:51:30 04/25/15 Sat
Okay, I’m just going to say it. I didn’t like the writing for this episode. I think Jenny comes off as a cast-iron bitch who resents both Jamie and Claire, Claire as an interfering besom, Jamie as an incompetent adolescent, and Ian as a doormat. I understand about adaptations and making changes from the book to fit the one-hour window and advance the story sufficiently so that there is time to include all the vital stuff in the remaining episodes, but wow. These were some heavy duty changes. Yes, they had a big fight first thing in the books, but then it was over and Jenny was delighted to have Jamie back, even cautiously welcoming Claire. Instead, Jenny scowled through almost this entire episode as if he’d come to steal the estate from her and treated Claire like a gold-digger. Lallybroch has always been Jamie’s with Jenny as steward and in the books she has always known and accepted this. What is more, Jamie’s father has trained Jamie since Willie’s death to run the place and he’s neither incompetent nor stupid. I think showing Jamie failing in this task is a wrong choice, and where the heck is Murtagh??
There was some good stuff—-the very opening scenes of the approach to the estate and the scene in the graveyard were very good. The Jenny/BJR stuff was creepy and appalling (as it should be). The business with the mill wheel was a good job of streamlining the book too, though I missed the red flannel drawers and Granny McNab. (Not that the trade-off of a nearly nekkid Jamie wasn’t a great consolation prize.) I still thought the acting was great, costumes awesome, sets and art design brilliant, but the writing loses major points on this one. I’m hoping the next episode will pay off the debt they’ve incurred here and redeem the story for me.
Okay, there’s my two cents. Feel free to disagree!
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- I think you're bang on. Jenny was welcoming to Jamie and glad to have him home once they cleared up the misunderstanding, helping him prepare for his debut as laird in the book. Jenny was bitchy and calling Claire a trollop before even being introduced was low. Jamie was portrayed as 'playing laird' and making grand gestures that he would not have made as he took his responsibility as steward very seriously. There was a review that put some perspective on it and maybe it will play out. The graveyard scene and the scene at the mill somewhat redeemed the episode. Anyone know why the captcha is active on this board now? I'm signed in. (NT) -- kgp, 04:36:21 04/26/15 Sun
- oh - and little BJR's floppy debut was very interesting. (NT) -- kgp, 04:37:39 04/26/15 Sun
- I am so mad that male frontal nudity and penis view is for a rape scene and not a love scene...what we don't get it that he can't get it up and you have to show us that??? PLEASE!! Ridiculous! If we are going to get male frontal nudity it should be for some of the wonderful sex Diana wrote as part of a marriage (NT) -- BetsyG, 06:42:40 04/26/15 Sun
- Well, now I disagree. We have plenty of gratuitous female nudity and I thought this was a nice bit of casual male nudity that enhanced the story and played up the ugliness of the encounter. Brilliantly photographed with subtle lighting, it was still shocking. BIG Kudos to Tobias for being so into the role that he was comfortable with it. I don't feel that I am entitled to see anyone's naughty bits if they don't want to display them and if Sam wants to keep his to himself, I respect his choice. Some of his fans so rabid that it’s understandable that he might want to keep his private bits private. And I’d add that I don’t need a graphic visual of every love scene in the books at this point. Unless it actually contributes to the story, fade to black is fine with me. (NT) -- Shadow, 12:35:59 04/26/15 Sun
- I'm not sure how they can do it in a love scene... I mean, we know in the books Jamie is always ready for it. We'd have to see him in need of the blue pill, because I don't think it's reasonable to ask Sam to rise up (ahem) to the task -- it wouldn't be comfortable for him, and much less for Cait, I don't think. In fact, IMO, the sexier scene so far was in 1x11, with both of them fully clothed. It was very tender and beautifully done, and all we saw was a bit of Cait's thigh and the expression on their faces. (NT) -- Rita, 14:40:17 04/26/15 Sun
- You hit it right on the head Shads. I felt the same way. I didn't like the way they made Jamie seem like such an arrogant arse over "being Laird" and while Jenny was standoffish toward Claire, she wasn't quite the bitch they made her in the show. Once again, they had to create drama and action, where I don't think it was that necessary to do. The rest of it was great, a lot of dialogue straight out of the book. (NT) -- Colly, 05:00:02 04/26/15 Sun
- Did anyone else notice that some of the wool wauking ladies were now tennants come to pay thier rents? (NT) -- Kim G, 05:14:38 04/26/15 Sun
- Not much to disagree with Shadow.I wanted peacefulness that Claire and Jaime find at Lallybroch and DG imparts in O and they spent so much time on the angst that we didn't ever get that except for 30 seconds at the end. We missed Claire schooled by Jenny in the running of the estate which is important for her 18th century education.I get that they had to advance the show but this ep felt more like advancing it at the cost of the book in many ways. I guess I am too invested in my favorite novel. I am taking deep breaths now because we get less episodes for DIA. I do believe Connelly as Jenny now.I wish we had seen her sweeter side, I wish Ellen's portrait had the pearls I wish for a sweet married sex scene either in that bed or out in fields, and I wish we had seen the red underwear. But I was grateful for the reason I married you scene, the graveyard scene with Jenny and Jaime and the adaptation of the Ian tale of marrying Jenny to Claire, all worked well with this Outlander. (NT) -- BetsyG, 07:13:18 04/26/15 Sun
- I also thought Jenny came across as too bitchy. I had a quick re-read of the relevant chapter this morning and she simply wasn't that nasty. I still enjoyed watching the episode, but if you asked me to order the episodes in order of preference this would be my least favourite. The whole tone of the family reunion was different to the books. Jamie's return to Lallybroch is one of my favourite parts of Outlander as he finds some peace and happiness as he quickly settles back into being Laird. It was a far easier process in the books than it was last night. But hey ho! I'm still enjoying the series, but I was taken by surprised at the difference in tone between the series and the book. (NT) -- albion, 07:51:12 04/26/15 Sun
- I'm starting to forget scenes in the book, and haven't re-read on purpose ..I enjoy the show more that way. I don't like Jenny (not till MOBY) so her portrayal doesn't bother me. I don't know where drunk cocky Jamie came from? I enjoyed it though. Anyone notice Duncan Innes? I think they are introducing him early. I still I to watch with captions but Jamie did say Innis in another scene. All in all, I found the pace peaceful...the calm before the storm. (NT) -- M&M, 08:25:51 04/26/15 Sun
- I kept finding myself saying "That isn't how Jamie is." or "Jenny isnt that mean.". I pretty much agree with what everyone has said. I found the scene coloring very interesting when Jamie was remembering when he was last at Lallybroch. (NT) -- LisaW, 09:01:12 04/26/15 Sun
- I'm still jarred by deviations from the book but have come to accept that this is necessary if we are to move forward in the story. BUT changing the tone of events is not OK with me and I don't know why they would want to do that and piss off the major part of their audience, us, the book lovers! (NT) -- PD, 09:10:53 04/26/15 Sun
- Jenny didn't bother me, as I was never much of a fan. I thought Laura Donnelly was very good. Incompetent & arrogant Jamie I did find very hard to swallow. The man was groomed to be laid from a tender age, and he is an excellent manager. I can see him not collecting the rent from a tenant in trouble, but he'd do it quietly, and would never have a public free-for-all. I don't see what was accomplished with this, except if the intention was to show how he'd listen to Claire when she calls him to task. As always, I have the most trouble with deviations from the book, the more they feature my favourite scenes. I felt Claire's "I love you" was rushed -- just as last week's Craigh na Dun moments were too, IMO. We know she seldom says it, and it's actually a big deal for her to "say the words". Two additional lines of dialogue would convey that. But all in all, a very good episode. Tipsy Jamie was very endearing, and Lallybroch was gorgeous. I want those fabrics on my walls! (NT) -- Rita, 14:32:32 04/26/15 Sun
- I'm grateful to voy pages, but extremely difficult to read all the responses, the print is way too difficult for me to read, that said, I've accepted the changes, maybe I'm not so invested emotionally in all the details of the differences-it's so amazing to see this show come to life. I look at the big picture, not the minute details of everything. I wrote a comment on one of the fb pages that we are all entitled to our opinion & amazing that we have so many outlets to share our opinions. (NT) -- LadyBlair, 17:51:43 04/28/15 Tue
- Well, I just watched it for a 2nd time yesterday and like the portrayal of Jamie in less. I think what he said that struck me as really odd the first time, and more so this time, is when Jenny had the maids move her things from the Laird's room. Claire said "no", but Jamie says so cocky, "well I am the Laird". so UN-Jamie-like. Yeah, I understand what they were attempting to do with this episode, but they didn't need to change his fundamental personality to create tension and stress at the homecoming. I still think Jenny and Ian are cast beautifully. I also didn't like the "I love you" scene at the windowsill...seemed forced. (NT) -- conmama, 05:27:47 05/01/15 Fri
- I read somewhere, maybe compuserve?, that DG responded to the complaints about this episode by saying that in the book, we are getting everything from Claire's point of view and Claire is in love with Jamie and so may not see him in the same way as others. This means it is entirely possible that he could have been acting like an arrogant ass in the eyes of others, but Claire just didn't view it that way. (NT) -- Colly, 13:55:47 05/04/15 Mon
