Live Blog: Episode 2.04 — “La Dame Blanche”

Do you find yourselves obsessively gabbing on about Outlander  to your friends and family? Wishing your Saturday nights included a living room full of people with whom to watch, discuss, comment, cheer, jeer, and well, experience, alllllll the feels?  Dinna fash, Obsessenach — you are not alone.

Good news — we can get new family and friends pour ourselves a dram and, through the magic of technology, enjoy it together!  Each Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET, we’ll be LIVE blogging the episodes to bring you a two-screen experience into the world of  Outlander.  Like the Outlander Cast podcast, it will be SPOILER FREE for non-book readers.

So, get all your post 18th-Century gadgets ready and settle in, because the best things in life should be shared with a buddy.  Hi, buddy!

Now, let the show begin…

Episode 2.04 — “La Dame Blanche”

[9:00 p.m.] Oh, my, the MPAA ratings indicate this episode is for mature audiences only.  And, that there is nudity, rape and violence.  And, now I have PTSD thinking of the last time Outlander  offered us this warning.

[9:02 p.m.] Title card ponderings: Is this the 18th Century equivalent of slashing someone’s tires? Or, cutting a car’s brake lines?  I don’t know but it feels very mafia and doesn’t look good.  What does look good?  Toni Graphia wrote this episode!  She penned my favorite episode of season one — “The Devil’s Mark.”

[9:03 p.m.] A baby.  They’re having a baby!  They’re fighting over names (I can say from experience that it’s a struggle folks.  A real struggle) and they are letting us in on it — again.  Thank goodness because I didn’t want last episode’s pregnancy mention to be a singular one.  Side note: Claire’s sheer choker is back.  I made her pinky promise that she wouldn’t do that again after that moment in “The Way Out,” And, yet, here it is.

[9:06 p.m.] YOU GUYS.  SHE HAS A VISIBLE BABY BUMP.  All is right with the world!  I mean, except for that part where she might have been poisoned.  But, other than that, yay!

[9:07 p.m.] Claire’s reaction to Jamie’s suggestion that they throw a massive dinner party looked like what happens when you’re a million months pregnant and exhausted and your husband tells you, “So my entire family is coming for [insert holiday]…and we’re hosting!”  Um…I mean hypothetically speaking, of course.  It happened to a friend.  Yeah, a friend.

[9:09 p.m.] I love how the camera stayed squarely on Claire’s face during this heavily awaited admission of Black Jack being alive, leaving Jamie’s reaction in the dark to us for a few baited breath moments.  And, then we do see him and whoa.  It’s about to get real.

[9:11 p.m.] Murtagh’s expressive eyebrows could launch a thousand ships.  They speak volumes.  Really, the man can do no wrong.  Thanks, Ann H. for echoing that sentiment — read here.

[9:13 p.m.] Claire’s hooded cloak in this Master Raymond scene — I need one — ASAP.  Go ahead and put it on my ever growing tab, along with the robe she keeps wearing.  And, well, most of Terry Dresbach’s divine creations for this season.

[9:18 p.m.] Claire campaigning for Louise to pass off the baby she’s carrying as her husband’s because “all that matters is that a child is brought up with love”…HOLY FORESHADOWING, BATMAN.  Or holy flashback?  Oh, hell, this time warping gets confusing.

[9:26 p.m.] Radio silence for eight minutes.  Eight whole minutes!  And, I want to apologize for leaving you, but can you blame me?  Aside from the preliminary giggles provided by the 69 banter (apparently I don’t make the cut on the “For Mature Audiences Only” rating), my heart was caught in my throat without budging.  From that electric and very raw conversation where they say all the things you’ve been wanting them to get off their incredibly sculpted chests all the way to Claire boldly leading them back to passion (“Come find me, Jamie.  Come find us.” Siiiigh.  Beautiful line.)  Much of the powerful dialogue was taken directly from the book, and I love it.

Side note: Frank and Claire’s fireside scene from Episode one was holding strong in the lead as my favorite moment of this season so far, but these two scenes as a combo just pushed themselves into the pole position.  I’m going to need a minute.

 

[9:38 p.m.] “My niece spends entirely too much time engaging in social activity.” — Mary Hawkins’ uncle. *scratches head, confused* Is there an alternative for these women?  Because if so, we haven’t seen it.  Unless you’re into weeping infectious wounds.

[9:42 p.m.] I finally removed my hands from covering my mouth in sheer horror at the attack of Murtagh, Claire and, more significantly, Mary.  Make this the second time this episode my heart has lodged in my throat, but for a very different reason than before.  The trauma is still coursing through my nerves.

[9:47 p.m.] You’re a wizard, Harry Jon Gary Steele.  The set design continues to be nothing short of incroyable.

[9:48 p.m.] Watching the budding new love that is Mary Hawkins and Alex Randall has the same touching effect on me as watching two Labrador puppies.

[9:50 p.m.] Stanley Weber does the villainy of the Comte justice.  He’s had less than a couple handfuls of lines thus far and his menacing presence is powerful nonetheless.

[9:53 p.m.] And, then there is the epic stare down with Claire over the stone necklace.  I know I’m supposed to hate him.  I want to hate him, I do…but you guys, the eyeeeeees.  Oui, s’il vous plait.  Hey, I’m only human.

[9:55 p.m.] “I was so looking forward to dessert.” — The Duke, model party guest. Simon Callow is such a welcome scene stealer.

[9:56 p.m.] Murtagh in a kilt = you are all effed.  Also, I love Wee Fergus but that end shot bordered on all the reasons why kids inserted into adult storylines annoy me.  I’m not sure we needed it, but he gets a pass because, well the adorable factor.

[9:58 p.m.] Killing it on the credits again, Bear!  Jamie and Claire’s theme mixed into this score, and it’s locked up my intention to wait all of two minutes before watching this episode again.

[10:00 p.m.] Oh, La Dame Blanche — how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways…actually, while there is so very much to love about this episode, the slow-burn return of the Jamie and Claire we know and love is what will stick with me the most.  We’ve waited a long time, and dammit, it was worth the wait to see them in step — and ahem, in bed again.