The time is nigh, Obsessenachs. It’s what we anticipate eagerly, yet dread at the same time. It’s the agony and the ecstasy, the torture and the rapture, the alpha and the omega. The FINALE of
Outlander Season 2 is just days away. The culmination of one of
Diana Gabaldon’s most complicated and twisty novels that has proven a great challenge for Starz and the
Outlander production team to bring to the small screen. Season 2 has been filled with fear, dread, uncertainty, doubt, profound sadness and frankly, very little “light” moments for our heroic couple, Jamie and Claire Fraser. It has lead our couple through the gilded streets of Paris amongst strangers and then back to Scotland and the clans and the destruction of war and onset of the death of a culture. We know, without a doubt, that we are headed now to an agonizing separation that will surely prove almost too much to bear for those of us who love the essence of
Outlander – Jamie and Claire. So, how will we survive the 90 minute, feature length finale without completely losing our senses? Read after the jump for some must-have survival tips…
1) Embrace the Fandom and Your Outlander Friends
Our shared love of All-Things-Outlander has brought us together. It has created regional fan groups, “Clan Gatherings,” small businesses, a multitude of Outlander Facebook Groups, exercise teams, Blogs like this one (written by the fans, for the fans), podcasts, fan artists and video creators — all of which together have created a worldwide community of Outlander Obsessenachs joined together by Diana Gabaldon’s epic story of love, family, war and history. I’ve befriended people I would have never met if I hadn’t fully embraced the strange draw of this story and its characters two years ago when I personally discovered the Starz series and the books. It’s become very personal for me. Each week during Season 2, I have relied on my Outlander friends to inform, entertain, understand and even help tolerate changes to the TV version of the story that may not sit well with me. I have laughed and I have cried with these people and I have found great joy in knowing that I am not alone in the euphoric feeling we all get when we hear the first few notes of Bear McCreary’s Skye Boat Song at the beginning of each episode. Despite occasional Fan shenanigans, most of us respect the actors, producers, writers and creators of the television series as well as the differences in opinion that often arise between us. But, we are united by more than what separates us and from this we draw strength.
As we close-in on the Finale, reach out to your Outlander friends. If the larger Facebook Groups don’t feel safe to you, then create your own “Finale Discussion” Facebook Group or even a Skype group. It’s easy to do and will provide a safe space for you and your closest Outlander buddies to talk over your fears and apprehension about the upcoming Finale as well as your hopes for future seasons. As a first exercise, pose questions to your group this week such as “What do you have the most apprehension about when it comes to the Finale?” Give your friends a place to vent – again, in a safe place and free from judgement. Perhaps you want to even set up a “Live Discussion” within your group to record reactions and/or seek support from each other while the episode is airing LIVE. There are a myriad of technology tools that can help you do this. The point is – we are all here for each other. We understand. As Jamie said once to Claire – “you are not alone.” And, yes, when the inevitable “book changes” come to pass, your Outlander friends can help ease the disappointment and perhaps find a way to show you that the glass is, in fact, half full. Embrace your immediate Outlander Community in a positive and personal way and I can almost guarantee it will help ease any anxiety you might feel before, during and after the Finale airs.
2) Namaste
I personally have never meditated. But, as the end of Season 2 has drawn closer and I have literally felt the panic rise within me after each episode has aired, I wondered if it might be a good idea to look into Meditation 101. And so I did – and was surprised to find this very helpful article from the Mayo Clinic, no less. Managing feelings of anxiety and stress, increasing self-awareness, focusing on the present, reducing negative emotions are all benefits of meditation. Meditation can help you focus your attention and dispel the stream of jumbled thoughts (Will Claire and Jamie have that final moment of intimacy before Claire goes through the stones? Will the writers/producers GET the ending RIGHT?) that may be crowding your mind and causing stress.
I learned that there are all types of meditation including, guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, Qi gong and even Yoga is considered a form of meditation. All are purported to produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. I am thinking “Mantra Meditation” might be a good one to try right before the Finale airs. With this type of meditation, you silently (or aloud) repeat a calming word or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts and to bring about a peaceful state. Here are a couple of phrases to try repeating as part of your “mantra meditation.”
“You are bone of my bone and blood of my blood. I give you my body so the two may be one. I give you my spirit until our life shall be done.” — Jamie and Claire in Outlander, Chapter 14
“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough.” —Claire in Outlander, Chapter 38
Or, how about just…
“Je Suis Prest”
So, if you are finding the anxiety overwhelming as we approach the Finale – then find a comfortable position and a quiet setting, breathe deeply and repeat a comforting mantra about our Jamie and Claire. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. What matters is that meditation helps reduce your stress and feel better overall. Namaste.
3) Look Forward
Thankfully, we know we have Season 3 and Season 4 to look forward to. The Season Finale just means an end to what many consider one of Gabaldon’s saddest and most mournful of her 8 novels to date – but not an end to our epic story. So, while we may be dreading the Finale which we know to be tragic, we can look ahead and understand that not only will our characters find their way back to each other, they will never be parted in the same way EVER again. And, in addition, we have some wonderful NEW characters to discover who will share Jamie and Claire’s life through the next several seasons on Starz. How about we spend some time before the Finale following some of these new characters/actors on Social Media? For example, Rik Rankin who will play Roger Wakefield (MacKenzie) has a dedicated group of fans – The Rank & File – on Twitter and Facebook. A very respectful group who adore Richard and have great knowledge of his very accomplished acting career to date. I’ve found them to be a fun group and there is probably no other fan group out there more giddy and excited about the Finale and subsequent seasons then The Rank and File. For them – it’s all about seeing their Roger Wakefield in his first scenes in the Finale episode. If you are feeling down about Jamie and Claire, try focusing some time on Rik Rankin and followers. I guarantee you will be energized and excited. The energy and enthusiasm around Rik/Roger’s appearance in the Finale is infectious!
Also, while tragic that Jamie and Claire lost their first child in Paris, we know that Claire is pregnant when she goes back through the Stones in the Finale and that she gives birth to a girl. We saw a brief glimpse of the girl in a flash forward to the future in Episode 2.07 “Faith.” We know the little girl grows up and we will see her in the Finale. Yes, the ultimate hope for our couple – their offspring who lives and eventually comes to find out who her real father is. Beautiful British actress Sophie Skelton has been tapped to play the fiery Brianna Randall. Sophie also has a following on Social Media – and several groups that have been created to follow her. I particularly like the name of this Facebook Group – “Brianna: The Next Generation.” Also there is the Sophisticats Facebook Group. Because, really, folks, while we love Jamie and Claire, we have SO much to look forward to as the story progresses and this next generation of Frasers and MacKenzies become part of our story. It is something substantial to look forward to seeing and experiencing. Forward thinking may help relieve any feelings we have of despair when we realize soon enough that ahead of us will be some beautiful and touching family time for Jamie and Claire – to follow all the loss and sorrow of Season 2 and the events in Dragonfly in Amber. So, get your little fingers moving and look to follow some of the Next Generation of Outlander on Social Media. I know this will be a fun exercise and help you envision a way forward for Claire and Jamie despite the despair of the Season 2 Finale.
4) Comfort Food (and Drink!)
I would generally not encourage emotional eating, nor drinking for that matter. But, sometimes extreme situations might call for a hop off the moderation train. I am pretty sure that Mr. Fitness, Sam Heughan, would not be offended if we all indulged just a bit to try and curb our anxiety around the Finale. If you are an occasional whisky drinker, I might recommend a wee dram of Sam’s favorite whisky –
Laphroaig. Distilled on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, it is probably one of the most lauded of Scottish whiskies but also not one to be trifled with. I wouldn’t call Laphroaig smooth. It’s akin to drinking a house on fire. But, with that said, my experience with Laphroaig is that with just a few sips, a calming and very warm feeling overcomes you. It’s quite remarkable, really. You are literally warmed from the inside out. Now, I can’t speak for other whiskies, because I am very loyal to Laphroaig, but, I can tell you that before watching Episodes 1.15 and 1.16, I employed the Laphroaig calming technique and it worked quite well. And, don’t forget, they don’t call whisky the “water of life” for no reason!
Similarly, comfort food – preferably Scottish in nature, can help calm the nerves. Scottish Shortbread for sure, is a great comfort food. Basically butter, sugar and flour combined into a pleasing little, crisp morsel. I buy the Walkers “finger” shortbread and dip them into my Laphroaig. Delightful! Might I also recommend the
Outlander Kitchen cookbook? Just released last month, there are a myriad of sweet and savory recipes to help you get through the Finale. How about Mrs. Graham’s Oatmeal Scones with Clotted Cream? Or, Beer Battered Corn Fritters? Or, Sweet Tea Brined Fried Chicken? So many wonderful recipes to choose from and all accompanied by lovely passages from the novels. I think I’ll make Diana Gabaldon’s Cheese Enchiladas, also in the book. Melty, gooey cheese is my comfort food. Sounds about right. Thanks, Diana!
Do not be concerned about going off your diet for one evening. It’s just one night. And, try some whisky. And, if you are not a drinker, try a Mocktail or Hot Chocolate. Remember, it’s about putting you in a calm, serene and satiated mind-set before all hell breaks loose during the Finale. Feed your body and your soul and you’ll be ready!
5) Animal Assisted Therapy
If you don’t have a pet at home, then you might want to skip this survival technique. But, if you do, then pay attention.
For almost 8 years, my pet – an amazing little creature named “Robbie” – and I were an Animal Assisted Therapy Team at a local hospital. Over those 8 years we had literally hundreds of patient interactions. Many of the patients we saw were sick, of course, but many were also extremely anxious, nervous and stressed. It’s amazing what the human-animal bond can do to reduce anxiety and stress and even achieve physical improvements in even the sickest patients. I was always a believer in the healing benefits of animal therapy, but I saw it often first-hand. It was often profound and sometimes even miraculous. And (stay with me here), it’s not only the ill person who reaps the benefits. Many times family members who were present during our visits would report a lessening of their stress, too. You may have heard of Animal Assisted Therapy teams visiting non-medical settings, such as universities and community programs to help people deal with every day stressors in life. It’s becoming very popular for Animal Therapy teams to visit universities during Final Exams. We are also seeing Animal Therapy teams deploy to areas where there has been a natural or man-made disaster to help survivors manage stress. Sadly, we have even seen Animal Therapy teams most recently present in the aftermath of mass shootings – all to provide a sense of well-being and calmness – something the animals are uniquely (and mysteriously) suited to doing.
So, here’s the thing. Clear your pet’s calendar on July 9th. They have a date with you on the couch or your favorite easy chair for the Outlander Season 2 Finale. When the final five minutes of the Finale is ready to play out and your blood pressure soars, reach out and pet your dog, cat, bird, guinea pig, rabbit or turtle. It will help. And, if you don’t have a pet – maybe borrow one for the night!
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Robbie at 10-Year Remembrance of 911 — The Pentagon |
6. #TrustRon
Yes. That’s what I said. Trust Ron. Ronald D. Moore is Outlander’s storied Showrunner, Executive Producer and sometime episode writer. Ron and his producing partner, Maril Davis, championed the making of the Outlander books into an episodic television show on Starz and have embraced the series author, Diana Gabaldon, and her insights and counsel as the show has been made. Ron himself is a book reader and is married to the show’s costumer designer, who has famously declared the Outlander novels as her “favorite book series.” To survive not just the Finale but the entire run of the show, we need to Trust Ron and his exceptional abilities as a television producer.
Believe me, I don’t come to this decision lightly. I talk about this subject a bit in a blog post here. Frankly, it’s been difficult to accept some of the book changes and/or omissions throughout Season 2. Most notably, we have seen much of Jamie and Claire’s intimacy – so on display in Season 1 and throughout all 8 novels – disappear in Season 2 to be replaced with forehead kisses and a few lingering embraces. Fellow writer, Janet Reynolds, explores this in a post here. I do understand the story arc of Season 2 and how much had to be condensed into just 13 short episodes. And, therefore, it may be why more weight was given to the political intrigue in Paris and the pre-war machinations in Scotland then to Jamie and Claire’s love life. Yes, it’s disappointing not to have seen that electric connection between our lovers. I know we are ALL hoping for a certain book scene to play out in its entirety during the Finale. But, if it does not, we still have to remember to Trust Ron because I believe this will help us get through both Droughtlander and future seasons. Why, you say? Hear me out.
The proof is in the numbers. Outlander has steadily seen its Nielsen LIVE ratings climb during Season 2. The numbers are better and more consistent this season – almost a million LIVE viewers per episode in Season 2. And, that doesn’t take into account the DVR viewing, re-watches and the viewers added from the introduction of Starz’s new online streaming app earlier this year. And then there is the matter of the series renewal. Not one season, but two. In TV time that is roughly a 3 year commitment to Outlander on Starz when accounting for production time and the actual airing of each season. Lastly, the series has enjoyed much critical acclaim. While unknown at this time whether the show will garner any 2016 Emmy nominations, it can’t be ignored that its 3 Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination (for Bear McCreary) last year was extraordinary for a series in its freshman season. Yes, our actors are phenomenal, the source material is amazing, Scotland itself has mesmerized as the main setting for most of the series to date.
But, Hollywood isn’t for amateurs and you have to acknowledge that Ron Moore at the helm has a whole heck of a lot to do with Outlander’s continued success, multiple year renewal and big, big budget that makes it all live up to the image that book readers had in mind when the novels came to the small screen. It’s the stellar industry reputation of Ron Moore that has given Outlander sustained life on television. Moore understands the responsibility he has been entrusted with to bring this story to life.
I also believe he knows that he has two audiences to play to – book readers and non-book readers. He needs both to continue Outlander’s success. I also believe that Moore listens to fans and makes the effort to hear them with regard to both the positive and negative perceptions of the Outlander production. Frankly, I have never heard of a showrunner who has given more intimate access to fans whether it be via Social Media or in person at fan events or even during his personal time off while watching a baseball game for heaven’s sake! I also believe that Moore is not infallible and has and will make some mistakes with the production. It happens. But, overall, I believe he is focused on excellence and making the production the very best it can be for new and old fans of Outlander while also continuing to bring in ratings and a return on investment for the network. Therefore – when I watch the Finale, I will be Trusting Ron no matter whether the scenes play out exactly as I might like them to. Because I know that more Outlander is on the way – 3 more years…and that will get me through any disappointment I may feel. But, really, I don’t expect to be disappointed. I expect to love it as I have loved Season 2, even the little bits that may have rubbed me the wrong way. And, if you believe – like I do – then get your #TrustRon t-shirt at the Mary and Blake Store now!
7) Share, Engage, Vent HERE!
My final tip to survive the Outlander Season 2 Finale is to ENGAGE and SHARE right here at the Outlander Cast Blog. Folks, there is a whole COMMENTS SECTION at the bottom of this post. It’s there for YOU. It can be cathartic to share your fears, hopes and/or just tell me I am full of shite with regard to my survival tips in this post. I go back to Tip #1 and that’s to gather together your Outlander buddies, friends and fellow Obsessenachs. We’ve been through a lot. The excitement and anticipation of Season 1 and the devastation and shock of a very difficult few episodes at the end. We held each other together and encouraged each other through several VERY long Droughtlanders between Season 1A and Season 1B and the start of Season 2, of course. We have cried and laughed our way through Season 2, rejoiced together when the series was renewed and now find ourselves together again breathlessly anticipating what we know will be an emotional and heartbreaking Season 2 Finale.
Don’t let your feelings fester. Express yourself and tell us what emotions you are experiencing and how you expect to get through the Finale. We’re here for you at the Outlander Cast Blog! Take a leap and comment…we are listening!!!
Onward to the Finale. Follow these tips or not, but at the end of the day, we will all be here when it’s over and we’ll be strong together during Droughtlander. Slainte!
What is your greatest fear about the Finale of Season 2? How do you plan to watch the Finale? With friends/fellow fans or alone?
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