Do you find yourself 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, cheers, jeers 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., 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…
[9:00 pm] Je Suis Prest, indeed – for an all-new Outlander! I’m sure many of you have watched by now thanks to Starz’ generous gift of dropping the episode on Thursday. Oh, AND GIVING US A GUARANTEED TWO MORE SEASONS. How you like them potatoes, eh.
[9:01 pm] I love when the opener gives us a little “psst, hey you – look closely because we’re bringing some old friends back” by way of the names scrolling in the credits. This week we get Stephen Walters (Angus), Grant O’Rourke (Rupert) and the dashing Graham McTavish (Dougal)! I’m a happy lass already.
[9:02 pm] Weekly title card riddle – tank wheels! A road! We’re getting some flashbacks in this episode. Err, flash forwards? Geez, this time travel thing might not ever get easier to grasp. Also, this episode was written by jack of all trades Matthew B. Roberts, who is as talented a photographer (run to Twitter and follow him if you don’t already) as he is a writer and producer. Share the wealth, dude!
[9:03 pm] Anyone else on board the idea of coming home to a jig-dancing Murtagh on a regular basis? Yes, please.
[9:04 pm] Milady! Milord! Between the sparkly excitement in Fergus’ eyes and the “we’re home, boy” comforting look in Claire’s (all sealed with a couple hugs, mind you), I think folks might have it wrong . . . step aside, Jamie Fraser – THIS precious and budding relationship is what makes women’s ovaries burst.
[9:07 pm] Jamie, Murtagh, Angus and Rupert – forget
The Hangover, these guys are the original Wolf Pack. My mind just imagined our favorite Scots let loose upon Vegas for one night and one night only, and I’m not sure I want to let go of that image.
Side note: It’s go good to see you again too, Dougal! You don’t get to be in the Wolf Pack, though. You’re that
guy. You know the one . . . there’s always one. Notice how the tone changed as soon as he strolled in, ego first.
[9:08 pm] Even atop a Scottish hill in a battle training camp, production designer Jon Gary Steele has outdone himself. Again.
[9:10 pm] The role of Mr. Miyagi will now be played by Murtagh Fraser. Please make them wash some cars. Wax on, wax off first, then you can have real weapons.
[9:12 pm] Training montages are the best! Especially ones set to a Bear McCreary score. This one feels very Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, where they also set out to battle train villagers with zero experience. Side note: Yes, Kevin Costner’s refusal to use anything but his Iowa-bred accent while playing an Englishman nearly derailed that flick, but the late great Alan Rickman saved it from being complete rubbish.
[9:14 pm]
“What kind of food is this trying to be?” I am dying. On our trip to Ireland and Scotland a few weeks ago, my bestie asked us the same thing during breakfast on day one when she was served black pudding. Her husband wisely jumped in and said “quinoa, babe. It’s quinoa.” It was a better route to take than explaining to her the whole pork blood thing. If she’s reading this – Kris, sorry not sorry.
[9:15 pm] I know Claire is struggling, but as a viewer I love these flashback scenes as a way to get us back to a Claire-centric story in the midst of a very Jamie-led story line. The voiceovers are necessary in some places, but this is a moment where showing is far more powerful.
[9:16 pm] Je Suis Prest, indeed – any time their theme is a backdrop to these more intimate conversations between Jamie and Claire. And to be clear, I’m also ready for ANYTHING you want to show us in this moment. Hint, hint.
[9:19 pm] Hello, Jamie’s William Wallace moment (the hubs says it’s his Henry V moment)! Sam, I pick you over Mel Gibson any day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Jamie’s hair, the kilt, the perfect stubble, the rousing “let’s do this, lads” speech – our fearless leader is back!
[9:21 pm] Let’s also give a warm helloooo to a shirtless and grubby Graham McTavish. Now THIS is a silver fox we can get behind. Don’t judge, you’re all thinking it so I’ll just be the one to say it.
Side note: I also love that Highlander battle training uses the “shirts vs. skins” method to pick teams like we’re in an ‘80s gym class.
[9:22 pm]
“…I was teaching men to fight when you were still sucking off your mother’s tit. So, I think know a wee bit more about this than you do.”– Dougal, keeping it classy but effective. It’s no corn grinder analogy, but damn, the man always manages to get his point across.
[9:23 pm] Holy awkward, Batman. Who still has the heebie jeebies from the last time these two gathered in dank quarters to discuss Jamie’s best interests? *raises hand* Ew, and we’re reliving it anyway. I know it’s needed but – and I’ll say it again – ew.
[9:24 pm]
“Oh well he, uh, is a better man than I.” – Dougal. Thanks, Captain Obvious.
[9:25 pm]
“And I’m not sure you’ll grasp the meaning of this either, but Ill try my damnedest – FUCK YOURSELF.” – I hope it’s not too early in the hour to claim my favorite line, because Claire just took the crown.
[9:27 pm] The music, the ever-changing weather and gorgeous cloudscape, the rugged, earthy feel and colors of our Highlanders – this episode is removing any doubt that we’re finally back where we belong.
[9:30 pm] We battled Jamie’s PTSD alongside him during the first few episodes of this season, and now it’s Claire’s turn. It’s almost easy to forget that this “future war” was only a few short years ago for her, so this setting is bringing fresh wounds to the surface.
[9:32 pm] Jamie vs. Dougal is the perfect illustration of why people who lead through inspiration and motivation fare far better than those who lead with fear. #TeamJamie
[9:34 pm] Jamie is not the same spirited, orphaned teen you took in so many years ago, Dougal. If you were in denial about that, the man confidently standing up to you now should smack some reality into you.
[9:35 pm] I get that it’s part of the ordeal and makes sense, but I prefer my Jamie and Murtagh to be a jovial whisky-chugging, non-flogging duo. You’d think it’d be tough for Jamie to administer that line of punishment given his brutal past.
[9:39 pm] We have lived through Claire’s memories detailing her time with Frank, but this is meaty and emotional in a new way. Seeing her in action, in her element and reliving even a moment of what she endured on the front lines puts us in a place to better understand why living through “another fucking war” is going to be an immense challenge. One that would most certainly be wrought with clinical-strength panic attacks.
[9:40 pm]
“If I go back then it’ll just be like lying in that ditch again – helpless and powerless to move, like a dragonfly in amber.” And there it is. Also, is there anything more non-verbally powerful than a forehead kiss from a loved one? This was Jamie’s way of saying “Mo Nighean Donn” without saying it.
[9:42 pm] Apparently the production crew got a 2-for-1 deal on bad wigs, what with Young Simon’s last week and William Grey’s this week. I’m all for cost savings, but please stop raiding the high school drama club’s costuming trunk.
[9:45 pm] Another week, another impromptu theatrical offering from Claire Fraser. Girl loves her some drama club. This one, however, is my favorite. Sam and Cait look like they’re having so much fun here and I LOVE it. And don’t get me started on Murtagh struggling to keep a straight face.
[9:47 pm] “A Grey does not forget an obligation, sir.” And with that line, cue the storyline for many years to come, Outlander lovers! That’s all I’ll say for you non-readers.
[9:49 pm] Please don’t flog yourself. Please take your shirt off. Please don’t flog yourself. Please take your shirt off. Please don’t flog yourself. THE SHIRT IS OFF. Collarbones.
[9:50 pm] The Wolf Pack is going on a raid! Dougal, you stay here and um . . . well just stay here.
[9:53 pm] Nothing gets a Fraser all hot and bothered like a good commando raid! “That’s not what I expected you to say.” – Claire, responding to Jamie’s “you best get dressed, Sassenach”. Siiiiigh. Girl, US TOO. You damn tease, James Fraser.
[9:54 pm] This music. Is there anything Bear McCreary can’t do? Make it available ASAP. And JHRC, they finally got the hang of it . . . our boys look so regal marching! Also, how incredibly awesome and significant to have Claire ride alongside Jamie as he leads his men. And it’s a nice touch allowing Dougal to ride ahead and announce their presence. Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) you really
are the King of Men, Jamie Fraser.
[9:55 pm]
“No turning back now, Sassenach.” – For any of us. And I love it. We’re all in with you, brave warriors. Je Suis Prest indeed!
[10:00 pm] This episode, for
all the kilts. The storytelling didn’t feel forced by the dialogue, the Wolf Pack was back together, we’re squarely and ruggedly back in Scotland and moving forward to a battle climax that, much like Claire, I’m not prepared to witness. But most importantly, the show once again used its power for good – this time by offering screen time to the epidemic of PTSD in military veterans. During a month when there’s a social media campaign to raise awareness for the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day, this episode painstakingly – and realistically – provided a glimpse into the intense struggle felt by the men and women who bravely serve our country and then – just as bravely – try and re-acclimate to life at home. Kudos to Ron D. Moore and writer Matthew B. Roberts for going the distance on this one. And once again, Caitriona Balfe – your work is sublime. Not to
Wayne’s World you, but seriously – we’re not worthy.
Thanks for reading! Please be sure to catch up on all live blogs from Season 2:
You May Also Like These Posts
34 Comments
Leave your reply.