OUTLANDER Returns with a Smash
by Diana Vaccarelli
At the end of last season, this excellent show left viewers with a cliffhanger that made us want more, more more. Because there would be no more, at least for awhile, I decided I had to pick up the first book in the series because I was dying to know what happens. I finished just in time for this season’s premier episode.
OUTLANDER takes a dark turn as our heroine Claire Fraser is held captive by the sadistic Black Jack Randall. To our relief Claire is saved by her husband Jamie. YAY! Just love when things end happy. Well you’re wrong things take even a more dramatic turn. In a controversial scene when Jamie beats Claire with a belt to her bum for disobeying him. Afterwards their marriage isn’t in a very good place. Throughout, Jamie makes it up to Claire and they reunite in what I have to say is the hottest scene ever.
I have been in love with this show from the beginning, and it still doesn’t disappoint. From the costumes, locations, writing, cinematography, directing, and the acting. Everything just flows into place from Diana Gabaldon’s novels. It comes vividly to life. Kudos to Executive Producer Ronald Moore who said from the beginning it’s Diana’s world (wink at the same name) “and we’re just bringing it to life.”
Speaking of bringing the novel to life let’s just talk about Caitriona Balfe who portrays Claire. She loses herself totally in this badass female, with the result that you simply have to view her as a person and not a character. Beneficiary of a wonderful gift from the acting gods, Balfe brings strength and sensitivity to a woman who is out of her own time yet manages to rise to the occasion and get through the turmoil.
And watch out, Leonardo DiCaprio! I have a new celebrity crush, and his name is Sam Heughan. Heughan portrays our hero Jamie. Jamie is a man of deep faith and trust, which Heughan brings out with sheer perfection. Watching his eyes, you can see the struggle Jamie is having in his new marriage and new responsibilities in life. An Emmy, or at the very least a Golden Globe nomination, is in order.
Let’s not forget about my favorite character in the entire show: Black Jack Randall, the villain of the piece. He is played brilliantly by Tobias Menzies. The darkness of this character would make any other actor run in terror. But Tobias doesn’t shy away from anything. He gets down deep into Black Jack’s heart, and watching him work is a gift.
The writing of the show is utterly brilliant. Moore and his staff have great source material to draw from, and they more than do it justice. I would love to be a fly on the wall and hear the discussions on what they’re going to keep, change, and not add. Yes, I’m very glad the writers have stuck so closely to Gabaldon’s work. Let’s all give them a major high five.
Do I sound a little overboard with my enthusiasm? I told you I love this show. So much, in fact, that I’m urging everyone reading this to tune in for the rest of the series. Watch on demand. Buy and watch the DVDs when they come out. Binge watch.
JUST WATCH!