LIVE Blog: Episode 2.10 – “Prestonpans”

[9:19 pm] “And now I’m off to change my breeks, because the hero of the hour has shat his pants.” – Dougal has snatched the crown for my favorite (and most honest) line of the episode.

[9:21 pm] It does my heart just as good to see General Claire in command leading her “troops” as it does to see Red Jamie in charge of his warriors. Everyone is in the zone, and I’m a nervous wreck. Side note: Claire with Fergus just channeled every day of my life with a toddler.  And like she, I wouldn’t change a thing. 

[9:23 pm] Leave it to a good country boy to find a shortcut through the field.

[9:26 pm] I’m not sure how it’s possible, but I’ve now fallen more in love with our Highlander minions, Rupert and Angus.  Sweet Angus bequeathing Rupert all his worldly possessions in case he dies, including his whooooore…err, I mean part time-whooore, full-time barmaid. #BromanceGoals

[9:28 pm] Actually Jamie, I have something to get off my chest.  It’s about how we all need more praise heaped upon the enormously talented Duncan LaCroix.  If there’s ever a chance that he could be in the running for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, it’d be due to his work this season.  And this scene, among others, would make a tremendous submission clip in my humble, Murtagh-obsessed opinion.

[9:29 pm] In the name of all things dry spell for Jamie and Claire fans, FERGUS! Right now? Seriously?! This is starting to become a whole new form of Droughtlander. Okay fiiiiiiiine.  Your curly mop, doe eyes and promise to look after Claire spare you our wrath for busting up a potentially delightful “to bed or to sleep” scene.

[9:30 pm] My anxiety cannot handle all of Angus’ foreshadowing banter of demise.  Please.

[9:31 pm] Sweet Severus Snape, Murtagh’s “always” just put me back at Hogwarts.  Also, book purists, take note – this clever scene is the benefit of Ron D. Moore deviating from the book to allow Murtagh in on Claire’s time traveling trip through the DeLorean standing stones.  He wants to confirm that the Highlanders do win this battle because Jamie Ron D. Moore let him in on the spoiler alert. And we know he knows Claire knows (Friends anyone?).

[9:32 pm] “On your way, soldier.” – The combo of Ira Steven Behr’s words, Bear McCreary’s music and Catriona Balfe’s emotional delivery attempting to pull the beating heart out of my body like Monsieur Forez.  Is it too early in the episode for ugly girl crying? Asking for a friend.

[9:33 pm] Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, FERGUS! No. Just NO. Somewhere fellow writer Denise is adding this to the running total of times Jamie has said “stay put” to no avail.

[9:35 pm] If last week’s battle training sequence was Jamie’s William Wallace/Henry V moment, this is General Claire’s.  For the mix of anxiety and dread that must be coursing through her body, she’s one unflappable leader.

[9:36 pm] The music fading to silence to allow the deafening sound of stampede to bring the audio back in . . . all the adrenaline. All of it, and I’m sitting unscathed on my couch with my feet up.

[9:37 pm] Oh sweet Laird, Red Jamie takes on a whole new meaning after this battle. So. Much. Blood. The prosthetic and makeup team is working overtime on this – wow.  Just wow. The production value for one single sequence of television is unreal.

[9:38 pm] I JUST GOT GUTTED PLEASE NOT RUPERT NOT RUPERT THE EMOTION IS SO MUCH IT MAKES ME DO THAT YELLING IN RUN-ON SENTENCES THING.

[9:40 pm] I’m not sure which is eliciting more tears from me – Rupert’s severely gaping wound or Angus’ BFF tears.  No contest, actually. Both, equally. I have barely recovered from Louise’s scene with Claire in “Faith” and this is ringing too familiar.

[9:41 pm] Oh hell, I spoke too soon. No no no. It’s Angus’ silent killer of an internal wound. That damage is coming, I can feel it.  And I know I canna bear it.

[9:43 pm] This feels like a victory on a string – one where the sweetness of celebration is laced with something bitter.

[9:44 pm] Go ahead and add this to Fergus’ growing PTSD tab.  First, a heinous assault at the hands of Black Jack Randall. And now THIS.  And again I remind you – because it’s easy to forget with him always in cahoots with adults – HE’S JUST A CHILD.

[9:47 pm] Friendly PSA: when in dire straits and in desperate need of help, try not to follow up your plea for assistance with a candid verbal smack to the helper’s ego.  It could, you know, avoid you being gutted through with a sword.  Just sayin’. Farewell, dreamy British lieutenant.  #TheMoreYouKnow

[9:48 pm] When my three-year old steps on me, I feel I might die. Yet, A HORSE STEPPED ON THE KING OF MEN. 

[9:49 pm] Boys will be boys. No matter the age.

[9:51 pm] Slow your roll, Dougal. Pipe down. Know your audience. And every other cliché I can throw in here.  He’s not looking so shiny now – is he, Chuck?

[9:53 pm] A promotion! Well hell, that’s one way to do it. Just like in Office Space when The Bobs decide that I-gave-away-my-last-eff Peter was a heck of a straight shooter with upper management written all over him.

[9:55 pm] We all saw it coming and I’m still not ready. Not even a wee bit. That bloody cannon blast. We’ve lost a loyal friend. You’ll be dearly missed Angus and actor Stephen Walters.

[9:57 pm] knaw3p98rh;qb34orf8hy0′     Apologies, my keyboard temporarily shorted out due to the FLOOD OF TEARS THAT RAINED DOWN ON IT.  That was a fresh assault on the ducts, Rupert (Grant O’Rourke) and Bear McCreary.

[9:58 pm] “I expected the flavor of victory to taste sweeter.” – Murtagh and I, apparently sharing a brain.

[9:59 pm] This is exactly the way Angus would have mourned his fellow mates, and he’d want no different for himself.  Raising a dram to you, Angus.

[10:05 pm]  I’m gonna need a minute.  Actually go ahead and make mine a double.  Hold the ice. That was brutally intense to bear, but so worth it.  Ron D. Moore and his team as well as the incredible ensemble cast delivered a powerfully jaw-dropping hour of television that did not disappoint. Will I be able to watch it multiple times? It’s not likely. But, I also have a weak stomach – not for blood, but for emotional pain.  Sure, I’m a book reader and knew what was coming, but I still choked up with greater anxiety for Angus and Rupert’s friendship and its fate more than the notion of Claire and Jamie parted by battle.  The Wolf Pack has lost a good one.  And now I have to run call my besties. So until next week…