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[transparentdreamruins]

[mariaae]

CAITRIONA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beltane2013]

His hair is getting longer. Thank God!

[primordialsoundmeditation]

When someone says something unkind to you, you may want to retaliate right away. That is where the fight begins. This habitual way of reacting creates a well-worn pathway in your brain.

When you travel a neural pathway over and over again, it becomes a habit.

Very often that

pathway leads to anger, fear, or craving.

One millisecond is enough for you to arrive at the same destination: anger and a desire to punish the

person who has dared to make you suffer.

The mind and the brain are plastic in nature. You can change your mind, your brain, and the way you think and feel.

With practice, you can create new neural pathways that lead to understanding, compassion, love, and forgiveness. Mindfulness

and insight can intervene, redirecting you down a new neural pathway.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Taoism Buddhism Tick Nhat Hanh Dalai Lama

[bat-cat-reader]

Claire Balfe...

In 2013, Caitríona Balfe was an unknown actress cast as the anchor of Outlander, a show based on an infamous book series. Today, as the show approaches the airing of its seventh season, after filming its sixth season in the height of a global pandemic, Balfe is not only still the beloved anchor, but is one half of one of television’s greatest love stories, and plays one of the strongest women in television history. Balfe and co-star Sam Heughan have taken Claire and Jamie Fraser from pages in a book to two people you would watch do absolutely anything. The magic of Outlander is Balfe and Heughan. Period. But Balfe did spend most of the first three seasons running amok in the woods of Scotland in a corset and little nightgown (or as they call it a “shift”) and Heughan got to run like the free man he is in a kilt. So Balfe wins in most physical effort, or most uncomfortably clad in a series ever. Thank you.

It’s hard to fathom that Outlander was Balfe’s first TV show. First! As Claire Fraser, she moves effortlessly and easily from the 1940s to the 1740s and 1960s, and looks good in every decade. (Super annoying, stop making it look so easy.) She also has impeccable hair in every century. Honestly, it’s rude. Balfe’s ability to command the screen in every time period is unmatched. One minute she’s galloping on a horse in a corset, the next she’s rocking a whisky and a cigarette, after just having performed surgery and fighting with future Frank. Frank. That guy. And the next she’ll gut you emotionally and literally. Yes, Claire can actually gut you, btw. I’ve seen her shank people in at least 3 episodes. She calls it “surgery.”

Diana Gabaldon wrote the road map for Claire Fraser, but Balfe has taken her to places we didn’t even know were on the map. Here are just a few of Balfe’s best scenes in Outlander.

This article was originally published September 11, 2021.

Claire and Jamie Get Married – “The Wedding” – Season 1, Episode 7

Chemistry is ultimately listening and connecting. And Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan are the masterclass. They listen and connect (three times to be exact, or was it four, I don’t know! I don’t keep count). Okay fine I do, but only because it was for research for this extremely important thesis I wrote about why Outlander is better at sex than all of us. The Wedding episode is iconic. And not because of the reasons most people think, but because of their chemistry. Yes, there’s sex in this episode, but Balfe and Heughan convey a couple falling in love over the course of 54 minutes and that is no easy feat. They go from obligation with a hint of attraction, to passion, to two people falling in love. The best moment where you can see Balfe showing Claire fighting her feelings is when Jamie calls her “Mo Nighean Donn,” my brown-haired lass. It’s a brilliant 30 seconds and all she is doing is listening and reacting.

Blackjack and Claire play mind games – “The Garrison Commander” & “Both Sides Now” – Season 1, Episodes 6 & 8

This is basically a two-part cat and mouse game between Blackjack Randall and Claire. It technically starts before the wedding and then continues when Claire is captured by Blackjack after their one-day honeymoon. Seriously, can we cut Jamie and Claire a break? When Blackjack and Claire first meet again after he tried to assault her in the woods in the premiere episode, Balfe and Tobias Menzies are riveting. And brutal. Balfe’s steel and strength as Claire tries to see if there’s any humanity beneath the man who almost killed Jamie twice. Then the switch to her complete horror when he punches her in the stomach. Dougal rescues her. But Blackjack is the reason Claire and Jamie must marry. So thanks for that, you sociopath. Balfe’s on-screen daughter Sophie Skelton told us this was one of her favorite scenes in the series.

Claire & Jamie’s first fight – “The Reckoning,” Season 1, Episode 9

This is probably the best Outlander episode in history. I said it. It is. And it’s a trifecta. Three outstanding moments brought to you by Balfe and Heughan. One, Jamie and Claire’s first screaming fight. This is where we see not only do these two love each other, but they also can destroy each other. This scene will make your jaw drop. Even the highlanders and their horses who saw this fight were shook. And the moment Jamie and Claire realize they are both scared of losing each other, we can’t look away.

There is a millisecond when Claire begs Jamie to forgive her, and he says, “Forgiven.” Balfe holds back tears and conveys in just her chin how upset Claire is. Give Balfe’s chin an Emmy! This is the scene in which these two realize they’re in love with each other and solidifies them as one of the greatest couples on screen. Also Jamie learns that Claire can really slap and swear at him simultaneously. All’s well that ends well in this hot river fight, or so we thought. This brings us to the second outstanding scene. Jamie punishes Claire in a 1743 way that husbands back then would do to their wives. He spanked her. This is one of the most controversial scenes in the book, and the best part of the television adaptation is Balfe played Claire as fighting Jamie the whole way. But he ends up overpowering her. And let’s just say he pays for this. In more ways than one.

It’s the worst morning after ever. But it’s Balfe and Heughan’s looks between each other that shows Claire’s feeling of betrayal and hurt, and Jamie’s confusion and knowing all was not right between them. When they return to Castle Leoch, Claire sexiles Jamie and barely looks at him. The moment where Jamie thinks all is fine and starts to undress to get in bed with Claire, Balfe utters a scoff with a, “What are you doing?” And he says, “I thought—” To which she cuts him off with a simple “Think again.” Ooh, burn! After Jamie apologizes, they emotionally and physically reunite, and make a pledge to each other. He pledges his fealty to her. He also says to her that she is his “home,” and Balfe’s expression shows us this is the moment Claire realized she would never leave him. Then they have forgiveness sex and it’s probably one of the best and shocking love scenes in the series. The make-up scene is Balfe and Heughan doing what they do best. Sans clothes. (French for naked). And with a knife. Yes, Claire holds a knife to Jamie’s neck mid-coit. The girl can really multi-task. Time traveler, doctor, wife, mother, and healer. If Claire had a dating profile, it would go something like this: “loves surgeries, making penicillin, and occasionally will whip out a knife during sexy time, but mainly to teach my partner a lesson.” (except Claire and Jamie only love each other so this dating profile will never exist).

Claire tells Jamie everything – “The Devil’s Mark” – Season 1, Episode 11

After being tried as a witch, and whipped in a town meeting (rude), Claire is rescued by Jamie. Speaking of witch, Jamie and Claire’s annoying twit arch-enemy Laoghaire is to blame for the whole thing. Claire finally reveals to Jamie that she is from the future. And Balfe sells it. You actually believe this woman traveled through buzzing stones from 200 years in the future. Luckily, Jamie believes it too. This leads to the next two moments where Balfe shines. After the stone-cold truth comes out, Jamie and Claire have a love scene where Jamie is very hands-on and only focused on her, let’s just say. But Balfe has to do most of the acting in this and it probably was not the most comfortable scene to film in front of 20 people. When Jamie brings her back to the stones so she can return to the future, you can see how conflicted Claire is, when she must choose between Jamie and Frank. In the end, electricity and flushing toilets lose, and Claire chooses Jamie.

Saving Jamie – “Wentworth Prison” – Season 1, Episode 15

This and “To Ransom a Man’s Soul” (Season 1, Episode 16) are probably some of the most traumatic episodes in Outlander. Brutal. Truly. Balfe, Heughan, and Tobias Menzies are mesmerizing and tragic and you want to look away (and sometimes you do), but can’t. Because the three of them are like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers with their sociopath friend, sorry Tobias Menzies. You will never not make me shudder. When Claire finds Jamie in the prison and then watches as Blackjack Randall brutalizes him, there is a desperation and panic in Claire, that only Balfe could manage. Whether she is watching Blackjack nail Jamie’s hand to the table, or clinging to Jamie as Blackjack pulls her away, knowing what is about to happen to her husband, she combines strength and desperate devastation in a way that you wouldn’t think is possible.

Claire and Jamie’s daughter is stillborn – “Faith,” Season 2, Episode 7

This episode was heartbreaking when Claire miscarries. Balfe should have won an Emmy for this. If time travel were possible, I would travel back in time and give her the Emmy. Sorry to whoever won that year. As Claire Fraser would say, “Time, space, history be damned,” Balfe’s getting that Emmy. The moment in this episode which breaks you is when Claire sings to her dead daughter. But an equally powerful part is when Claire returns home after the stillbirth, with Fergus holding her hand and the staff at their house surrounds her. Balfe conveys Claire’s devastation just by walking by and making eye contact with the other actors. I dare you not to cry. (And if you don’t, you’re kind of a heartless monster). When Jamie is released from prison thanks to Claire having to have sex with the King (long story), the hurt and pain between them as Claire tells Jamie their baby was a girl, and that Claire hated him for the miscarriage, will shatter you. Balfe flips it in one second showing Claire’s anger, then admitting her own fault in what happened. And of course, there is a single tear that rolls down her cheek as she tells Jamie how she got to hold their daughter who had red hair like him. Single tear Balfe. Give me all the tissues.

Claire and Jamie’s Goodbye – “Dragonfly in Amber” – Season 2, Episode 13

The season 2 finale is filled with all sorts of unforgettable Claire moments. One minute Balfe shows Claire’s unraveling and heartbreak when she realizes she has to leave Jamie, the next we see her steel and strength when she must help Blackjack Randall and his dying brother — and when she and Jamie double murder Dougal. There is nothing more satisfying than watching Claire and Jamie sword shank Dougal. And Claire really throws her full body behind it. Yes, Dougal is the reason Jamie and Claire got together, so they kind of killed their matchmaker, but it was a great death scene. Jamie and Claire really love to do everything together — sex, war, murder — but not time travel. Jamie doesn’t have the stones for it. (He literally can’t walk through stones like his wife, leave him alone).

The hardest moment to watch is when Jamie tells a pregnant Claire she must go home, back to the future and Claire says to Jamie, “But you are my home.” There may not be a sadder line in this show. Then Claire and Jamie have the saddest love scene ever. And then they are separated for 20 years, and I will never forgive this Diana Gabaldon, author of a great story. But why not 10 years, bruh. When did Frank know that Jamie was alive?! Tell me. Somebody tell me how long. Because I believe he knew for many years. Frankly Frank, that makes you kind of a wank.

Fighting with Frank – Duck Frank! – “The Battle Joined” – Season 3, Episode 1

A very pregnant Claire tells Frank she wants to apply for citizenship. When Frank goes to touch Claire’s stomach, she recoils. It’s actually the signature “Balfe flinch,” but we’ll discuss that later. This turns into a fight when Frank says, “I have a wife that won’t let me touch her.” When Frank says he’s not the one who cheated, Claire throws an ashtray at Frank’s head. We can’t really blame her though, she is mourning her dead husband, and Frank is whining about the fact that Claire won’t let him touch her. Correct, Frank is like: Dear Claire, sorry about your dead husband, never speak of him again, especially to the baby you deliver (aka his daughter), and also I really need to have sex. That is exactly what happened in that scene. Ask anybody.

Claire and Jamie’s 20 Year Reunion – “A.Malcolm,” Season 3, Episode 6

Balfe and Heughan deserve an award for this episode as they weren’t wearing clothes for 82 percent of it and delivered captivating and nuanced performances. While Outlander is known for its love scenes, Balfe and Heughan deserve more credit for being able to act whilst naked. It’s not easy, imagine having to do your job naked. See? Not easy. But the moment where Jamie and Claire first see each other without clothes on is poignant and multi-faceted. Balfe conveys Claire’s awkwardness and vulnerability with one line as she shyly covers her body. And for a moment, you think they are that newlywed couple from 20 years ago all over again. After they have sex for the first time in 20 years, Claire laughs and says, “It’s like riding a bike.” Riding a bike. A sex bike. Okay, Claire, turning Jamie into your 1700s Peloton, I see what you’re doing there and I like it.  

Claire’s a castaway with a coconut – “Uncharted” – Season 3, Episode 11

So Claire jumps off a ship into the sea. Not the smartest idea Claire! But she had to tell Jamie something so of course, you jump off a ship in the middle of the night — so Jamie and Claire. She washes up on an island. What makes this episode stand out is that Balfe acted mainly by herself with a coconut and snake. A snake! A live snake! Caitríona Balfe is insane. Thank you. Times like that, you say, “I think my stunt double would be great for this and I will just not be near that snake.” But no, that real snake crawled across her entire body. There is a picture of this situation and I refuse to link to it or show it. If this were a horror film, it would be the sequel to Snakes on a Plane, and be called Snake on My Boobs: The Claire Fraser Story.

But the madness doesn’t stop there: when a dehydrated Claire passes out, she is found by Father Fogden who talks to a coconut. So Claire of course, in order to get Father Fogden to let her go, must talk to the coconut too! So yes, she talked to a coconut and a nut. (Hello Father Fogden, you little whacko). Tom Hanks had Wilson the volleyball, and Balfe had Coco the coconut. Tom Hanks swam so Balfe could… talk to a coconut.

Claire Tells Jamie Murtagh has Died “The Ballad of Roger Mac,” Season 5, Episode 7

This episode starts off with Claire and Jamie celebrating Jamie’s 50th birthday in a tent. Let’s just say they put the happy in happy birthday and Claire channeled Marilyn Monroe when she sang to Jamie while ahem, giving him a different type of birthday present. But their tent party goes south fast when the battle begins. This is why I don’t support war, for the record.

When Jamie’s Godfather Murtagh is shot, Jamie carries his body to Claire and pleads with her to save him. When Claire has to tell Jamie there is no hope and that he is dead, Caitriona Balfe conveys in one look what most people can’t in an entire monologue. Her voice breaks as she says, “Jamie.” And so did Jamie. And so did we. The flinch reaction Balfe has when Heughan desperately screams, “Save him!” This is not the only award-winning flinch she’s done, see season 2, episode 5, “Untimely Resurrection,” when Jamie and Claire fight when Claire begs him not to kill Blackjack Randall. Claire goes to hold Jamie’s hand and he recoils spitting, “Don’t touch me,” and the flinch appears. And then when she tells Frank she’s pregnant with Jamie’s baby and he almost hits her. Now this flinch was more reflex, but still. We shall call her David Flincher. Give her all the awards, please.

This episode again shows how Balfe and Heughan portray a marriage that is real. One minute it’s filled with joy, the next with despair and heartbreak but in every scene, there is support between these two characters and actors. Frankly, there’s a little too much despair, hoping season 6 is Jamie and Claire frolicking through a field and nothing bad happens ever. Ever. Or at least for one episode, please.

This episode again shows how Balfe and Heughan portray a marriage that is real. One minute it’s filled with joy, the next with despair and heartbreak but in every scene, there is support between these two characters and actors. Frankly, there’s a little too much despair, hoping season 6 is Jamie and Claire frolicking through a field and nothing bad happens ever. Ever. Or at least for one episode, please.

Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Fraser – “Never My Love,” Season 5, Episode 12

“Faith” and the Season 5 finale, “Never My Love,” are two of Balfe’s most powerful and heartbreaking performances in the entire series. In both episodes, Balfe shows the audience the signature Claire Fraser strength and then what ultimately breaks her. In “Faith” it’s the loss of her child, in “Never My Love,” it’s a brutal sexual assault.

Balfe delivers a monologue that will haunt you. “I have lived through a f*cking world war. I have lost our child. I lost two husbands. I’ve been starved with an army, and I’ve been beaten, and I’ve been betrayed, and I’ve [groans and sobs] and been imprisoned, and I did not — I survived. And this. I am supposed to be shattered by this? Well, I won’t be. I won’t.” Balfe shows us that even strong women break, it’s what makes them strong.

Claire Almost Dies & Will Never Garden Again – “The World Turned Upside Down” – Season 6, Episode 6

The Ridge gets hit with an unknown virus, and Claire gets gravely ill. In fact, it looks like Jamie is about to be a widower. This is not a fun episode. Actually, there is one moment of pure joy and it involves Balfe and a hat. Though Balfe spends a lot of this episode unconscious, when she survives and wakes up, Claire has a new haircut. And it’s traumatic. For Claire, for Jamie, for us. Malva, of course, gave Claire a haircut while she was sleeping. Totally normal behavior. And then Malva accuses Jamie of being the father of her baby. L to the O to the L, Malva. Jamie would never cheat on Claire. And vice versa. At least not while the two of them are both alive! Balfe’s slap she delivers Malva is epically satisfying, and Jamie and Claire’s barn fight, is the Jamie and Claire conflict that keeps this show going. Now about Claire and that hat, Claire goes to ask Tom Christie for a sample of his feces. (Such a Claire move!) Tom is horrified, and tells her he’s taking her home! But first he tells her to put on her hat before they go. And when Balfe puts on that hat, try and keep a straight face. Some fans believe that hat belonged to Murtagh. Only Balfe knows.

It is in the final scene, when Claire finds a dead Malva in her garden, and then tries to save the baby by performing a c-section with her gardening knife, that we see Balfe shine in even the darkest of scenes. Balfe revealed that she and the on-set doctor (whose real name is, Dr. Claire) were both pregnant at the time, so this was definitely not the easiest scene to film. Let’s just say, Claire will not be cultivating her own herbs going forward.

Claire’s Confession – “Sticks and Stones” – Season 6, Episode 7

Jamie and Claire’s relationship spends much of season 6 in silent turmoil. Claire is suffering from what happened to her in season 5 and keeping secrets of how she is dealing with it – hitting the ether – from Jamie. When Claire finally breaks, we see this relationship yet again define what love is. Claire saved Jamie when he was suicidal in Season 1 after the brutal attack by Blackjack Randall. And though they are older, we see once again how the key to this long marriage is vulnerability and trust. Balfe’s delivery of Claire’s monologue, as usual, will have you holding back the tears. And Heughan’s silent support as Jamie fights back his tears is the perfect reaction to such a pivotal moment. Right when we begin to breathe a sigh of Claire and Jamie relief, Outlander sh*t hits the fan. Richard Brown arrives to arrest Claire. And he has a bunch of gun-packing losers with him. But Jamie and Claire got guns too, Richie! Oh, this episode also includes one of the funniest scenes in Outlander history between Balfe and Caitlin O’Ryan. Balfe and O’Ryan no doubt had fun filming this, when Lizzie confesses she pregnant and in love with twins. And doesn’t know which twin is the father of her baby. Balfe manages to keep a straight face, the audience does not.

Claire & Jamie Whip Their Guns Out – “I am Not Alone” – Season 6, Episode 8

This episode has it all. It is quite simply, peak Balfe and Heughan at their best. There is drama, action, (mild) comedy, romance, and of course love and heartbreak. Because it’s Outlander, and it’s Jamie and Claire, and they don’t do happy. At least not for more than 5 seconds. In “I am Not Alone,” season six goes out with a bang, in more ways than one. First off, Jamie and Claire are in a shootout for their lives. Balfe once told us they morph into Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, and that they do. And to think Balfe filmed this shoot out when she was extremely pregnant! Don’t mess. Claire Fraser will shoot you, and heal you, you just never know which. This episode also includes a love scene, that again shows the Balfe-Heughan chemistry is still as strong as when they played these star-crossed lovers when Jamie was 23 and Claire was 27. Now in their 50s, their love scenes, although a little more tame, and usually not including a knife – (what?!), Claire had her reasons – still carry the fire and passion from the very beginning. As for the comedy in this episode, it occurs right after Jamie and Claire are stoned – and not in a fun way. In a way that people threw actual rocks at their head, rude I know. After Claire punches some little rock throwing fella, she utters the phrase, “Oh crabbit my arse.” And it is perfection. And finally, the episode would not be complete without Jamie and Claire being ripped apart, hopefully not for 20 years.

Balfe and Heughan showed the audience they always have each other’s backs, whether they’re shooting guns or love scenes, this might be one of the few shows in history where the leads are so incredibly captivating and beautifully in sync no matter what they are doing.

The list could go on for best Balfe scenes in Outlander, but with season 7, which will be a whopping 16 episodes, to look forward to, we will be adding to this in no time. And in the meantime, you can get your Balfe-Heughan fix by bingeing Outlander seasons one through six or check out the book series that started it all, including Gabaldon’s ninth book in the series, Go Tell the Bees That I’m Gone. So while Outlander has been renewed for its seventh season, technically Balfe and Heughan could potentially keep us stuck to our televisions for years to come, if we’re lucky.

Balfe earned rave reviews and multiple award nominations for her performance in Kenneth Branagh’s movie, Belfast and everyone discovered what the Outlander audience has known all along: Balfe is a person you will watch in any time period. She’s just that good. Now go watch every one of these episodes again, and prepare to be Balfed.

https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/slideshow/2485598/caitriona-balfe-best-outlander-episodes

[mariaae]

Excellent presentation!!! Thank you!!!

[beltane2013]

Bravo!

[jclovely]

JUST IMAGINE WHAT COULD BE.....

So can you imagine their children???

This one is a manip but could be???

This one is theirs for real.

This one not sure.

This one is a possibility.

Love these manips.

More manips.

One thing is for sure from the beginning they were head over heels over each other. And they have a beautiful family.

💙❤️💚

A big thank-you to all for the pictures and the-sassynach for the manips.

P.S.: @mariaae as today as you mentioned in your post anniversary of that "fake" birth of only one son by Cait last year, want to remind everyone Sam and Cait were parents since July 2016, and now to 5 beautiful children. And that is the TRUTH.

[mariaae]

Sam is the perfect combo of genes!!!

[beltane2013]

Beautiful picture essay. Someday perhaps we’ll get to see a real family picture???

[diggsydogsquee-deactivated20250]

This photographer captured the essence of Sam here…he really pulled the layers back and found authentic Samshine with this shot. We haven’t seen anything close in a long time. Enchanting Daddy Sam. I love this. 😍

[flllk]

Nothing to see here.

[beltane2013]

Hmmmm!

[ashmarie1687]

Interesting how this is set in the Pacific Northwest and Sam was just on the west coast.

[beltane2013]

Great for Sam!!

[steliosagapitos]

[patience-courage-hope]

Nugget of Thoughts 4.0

I discovered Outlander after watching Bridgerton last year, Netflix thought I’d be interested in it.

The “steamy” scenes in Bridgerton when compared to Outlander was very tame. There were some initial rumours of the show’s leads maybe dating…they played coy about it while promoting the show but then finally clearly stated they were not a couple.

If, I had to compare Rege Jean Page’s acting to that of Sam’s, I would say that Sam is the better actor with more range (in my opinion). So why does it seem like RJ is getting more big projects and name recognition? Timing! Timing is everything in business, particularly show business.

RJ’s fame thanks to Bridgerton came right as the industry finally started to shift towards more recognition of BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Colour). When you think of societal concerns/hot subject matters in the last few years the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements have been the two strongest issues.

RJ’s name has also been listed for possible considerations of James Bond (the first Black ), he’s been on SNL, movies, commercials, etc. He has a girlfriend whom he is very private about and she has no social media presence (she is not in the show business) and there has not been any need to try to put out “narratives” to help drive up potential projects.

Another actor that I’ll bring into this post is that of my fellow Canadian, Simu Liu, who rose to fame with the movie Shang Chi. First Chinese superhero in a Marvel comic movie! He’s now getting many offers for major movie roles and projects too. To my knowledge there has not been any dating rumours, etc.

Both RJ and Simu do not have lists of girlfriends or fake ones, there has not been any forceful in your face push to make you buy into some persona that they are not. Both actors much like Sam are good men who give back to their respective communities and use their new found fame as a platform to bring a voice to those who’s voices had been drowned or ignored.

Which is why I truly scratch my head at how the teams behind the scenes continue to try to push an image of Sam that really doesn’t seem to be a reflection of his genuine self (we have a hard time buying it). The tactic being used is very past tense. If I was on his team, I’d run with allowing him to be authentic (hard working, entrepreneurial, philanthropic, etc.). His entrepreneurial side will help to draw in the demographic that balances out the ones that are Outlander fan first (middle aged females) and the business/health oriented men.

Perhaps there is also a slight generational difference between Sam and the other two younger actors who thanks to generations before them have not been subjected to starting off their careers signing themselves into agreements that hinder aspects of their authentic self like Sam and Catriona had been subjected to in their early days.

I truly hope that his team will be able to catch up to 2022. Where men are admired for being able to be more metrosexual (show both vulnerability and masculinity), leading a healthy and active lifestyle while able to spoil themselves with little luxuries from their hard work and maintain a balanced life being an equal partner in a loving relationship without having to share it online with everyone. As a society we have a lot of room to be better than where we were yesterday. Hollywood should be a leader in helping initiate the change of expectations where the past toxic ways gets filed away and start leading society with its standards of practices.

Likewise with Caitriona.

I don’t know what her team is trying to do with pushing Mr. Sideburns into things. He does not add value or elevate her career potential. There isn’t even a sense of equal in that so-called relationship. The more that her team puts out the same script into all the news feeds the more it becomes hard to buy into what they’re selling because like the image that Sam’s people want to sell there are too many gaping holes.

In current time, where women are still fighting for equality. I find that the interesting part in Hollywood is that females must pave their own paths and become their own bosses to create the opportunities necessary to become successful. I look at Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman for example, they developed their own shows for streaming. These shows became successful and garnered awards/nominations.

I think it is admirable that both Caitriona and Sam are working on developing their own projects privately and I hope that when the time comes when Outlander reaches it’s final leg or finish line that the projects they are working on will be even more successful. We’ve seen the positive influence that the combined talents of Caitriona and Sam has already had on the show since they’ve become producers. I think that they are a great team that balances each other and together they will be a force that will not go unnoticed when that time comes, they will shine. Their talents, heart, work ethic and experiences will be the game changer.

The challenge for these two is that at the time they had first committed to a narrative they were still inexperienced and once you’ve started a story you’ve got to find a way to wrap that story up with different plot twists till you reach that ending.

[mrsd79]

All I can say about this is WOW and great post.  Too bad neither Sam nor Caitriona are not in the BIPOC category.  Being white makes them a target for abuse by their publicity departments.  That is “off-the-charts” sad and dangerous.

[mariaae]

Reblogging this excellent post for the 2nd time.

[beltane2013]

And yet, it seems racist to me to ignore white actors’ talents simply because they are the majority.

[cb4tb]

I love your name of Treason-A-Largo, hope you don't mind if I borrow that name. What is happening today in our country is 1000x more important than what is happening with two barely known actors.

I also saw one I liked just as much. MAR-IL-LEGAL

[beltane2013]

Mar-IL-LEGAL! Love that!👍😅🤣

[mama-tumblz]

[beltane2013]

Yes, EVERYONE! That includes You!

[primordialsoundmeditation]

When the mind is festering with trouble or the heart torn, we can find healing among the silence of mountains or fields, or listen to the simple, steadying rhythm of waves. The slowness and stillness gradually takes us over. Our breathing deepens and our hearts calm and our hungers relent. When serenity is restored, new perspectives open to us and difficulty can begin to seem like an invitation to new growth.

This invitation to friendship with nature does of course entail a willingness to be alone out there. Yet this aloneness is anything but lonely. Solitude gradually clarifies the heart until a true tranquility is reached. The irony is that at the heart of that aloneness you feel intimately connected with the world. Indeed, the beauty of nature is often the wisest balm for it gently relieves and releases the caged mind.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from his books, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace (US) / Divine Beauty (Europe)

Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/contact

Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland

Photo: © Ann Cahill

[primordialsoundmeditation]

In her own words;

Judi Dench

"Don’t prioritise your looks my friend, as they won’t last the journey.

Your sense of humour though, will only get better with age.

Your intuition will grow and expand like a majestic cloak of wisdom.

Your ability to choose your battles, will be fine-tuned to perfection.

Your capacity for stillness, for living in the moment, will blossom.

Your desire to live each and every moment will transcend all other wants.

Your instinct for knowing what (and who) is worth your time, will grow and flourish like ivy on a castle wall.

Don’t prioritise your looks my friend,

they will change forevermore, that pursuit is one of much sadness and disappointment.

Prioritise the uniqueness that make you you, and the invisible magnet that draws in other like-minded souls to dance in your orbit.

These are the things which will only get better."

Soul Alchemy

[denise-alwaysuselove]

Such wisdom!

[diggsydogsquee-deactivated20250]

She reminds me so much of my mum…couldn’t agree with her more….😍

[themusicsweetly]

Hi! Could you do a top 10 these goobers love each other moments divided in a top 5 Cait moments and top 5 Sam moments? I woke up today missing their cute moments...

Hello there, Anon! Thanks for the ask!

Seriously, I love this ask so much. I was telling my GC that it’s asks like these that make me not regret keeping my inbox open, so thanks for that 😄

But also. This was a difficult question LOL. There are just so many little moments that I love and that I think show their Goobery Love™ so it’s hard to pinpoint just 5 for each. But hopefully you enjoy these moments I did pick and that it satisfies your cute moments craving! I know it certainly did mine 😊

5 Caitriona Moments (numbered, but not ranked)

1) The Look of Adoration. I’ve said before that this Fresno Bee vid is one of the very first ones I watched of them and it’s also the one that gave me pause because of the heart eyes Caitriona Mary Balfe is throwing at Sam Roland Heughan. Just look at that. She always listens to him so intently and with so much clear adoration and even after 6 years together and many of the same things said over and over again she’s still as invested in what he says as she has been from the beginning. 

2) The Origin Story. Whenever Caitriona talks about their chemistry test, she always emphasizes how good Sam made her feel and how instantaneously comfortable she felt with him. That connection and bond is so very evident when you watch the test video. This SAG interview always was very telling to me and has stuck in my mind for years since:

“I walked in and Sam was just this calm center in the room and there was zero posturing and zero ego. And I remember we just immediately started chatting about Scotland and I had friends who lived there. It was just like an old friend… I think we have a similar approach to life and we have a similar approach to acting. It just works… Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes the stars align.”

3) The Look of Pride. ECCC 2017 was a GEM. There were so many absolutely fantastic moments and it was just so much fun for everyone, both attending and at home watching. Honestly, I think it might be one of the best Cons they’ve done. But the one moment that makes this list is when Sam was asked about MPC and he began describing what the program has accomplished thus far. She looked so incredibly proud of all of it and so ridiculously proud of that man, just as the President and Founder of the SRH Fan Club always is.

4) Cheer Squad. This is one of my favorite SamCait photos and moments of all time. The fact that Caitriona just sat outside with a homemade sign around her neck waiting for Sam to pass by during his LA Marathon run makes me emo, y’all. And I think it’s even more telling that she later tried to brush it off as her just rolling out of bed and going outside to greet him. The only part of that story I believe is the croissant LOL xD I’ll throw every single one my pennies to the person who can get me a pic of her sign that day!

5) The Good One. “He’s a good man.” “He’s perfect.” “I admire Sam’s big heart.” For as much teasing as she does (they both do, really) there’s endless amounts of praise and compliments she has about this man. There is no one who has more confidence, more faith, or more support for him than she does. But of course, gotta take the piss outta him to keep him grounded 😂💜

5 Sam Moments (numbered, but not ranked)

1) “To dress Caitriona is not difficult, she looks great in virtually everything.” I love the fact that he said this, but I love even more the proof of his believe in this statement even more! We see this all the time, from BAFTA last year to the Season 1 premiere to this Golden Globe moments, which is another favorite SamCait pic for me. To make an internationally successful, highly sought after model look as if this is the first person to every pay her a compliment? HEART. EYES.

2) FvF’s Freelance Marketer. Who needs a PR department when you have Sam plugging FvF basically any chance he can get?? Not just all the likes and RTs, and comments, but the fact that he took the opportunity to talk about FvF when he was asked unrelated questions about himself. His pride in that woman shines through every single time.

3) Best Dressed. If Caitriona’s chemistry test story always features her “calm center” impression, then Sam’s always features Caitriona’s dress. What an impression she must have made on him walking in and blowing them all away if he remembers the plaid dress she was wearing that day! Magic, literally right from the very first second.

4) Home Away From Home. I just found this comment so sincere and sweet. Caitriona has often talked about being like a vagabond, mostly living out of her suitcase when she was modelling and then when she first started Outlander with very little notice. So to come to this point after all these years where they both feel like she’s found a home in Scotland is just so beautiful. Bonus points for the hand pat + squeeze!!

5) Laughter is the Best Medicine. If ECCC was their best Con, then this FB Q+A might be their best interview ever 😂😂😂 I only meant to watch this one part so I could make this GIF, but ended up watching all 15 minutes instead LOL. Anyway. This moment has always been on of my favorite parts of the entire Q+A. Not only is Caitriona ADORABLE here, but Sam being so concerned over something so small is just touching to see! He basically checks with her 4 times to make sure she’s alright. But at the same time, he obviously is doing what he loves doing best: making sure she stays laughing! The fact that he loves seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, and making sure she’s doing both as often as he can is my favorite thing about him. Periodt. 

Thanks again for the ask, Anon! This was fun 💜💜💜

[auburncurlslass]

This is a very telling post, which I believe needs reblogging.   If they were going to ‘act’ as a couple during the initial onset of Outlander, the Cons, the interviews, etc.   It could be done…..but….what could not be done was showing Sam or Caitriona with another ‘GF or BF’.  Those pictures told the truth and nothing but the truth. They’re actors….and are trained to ‘act’ in love with another person.  Caitriona looks like she needs the ‘puke bucket’ when standing anywhere near Tony and Sam looks like he wants to ‘run and hide’ when poised next to the ‘flavor of the month, week or day’.  I don’t think even the best of the best actor could pull off ‘adoration’ when standing next to a ‘forced, faux’ relationship.  Now, if fans don’t see what many of us here have seen, it’s not because it’s not there, it’s because they chose not to see what’s in front of them or in a photo.  We’re not teeny boppers looking at hottie’s in Teen Fling…we’re adults, who see when two individuals are really ‘in love and very in…to…each…other!’  If you don’t agree, then please show me a photo that shows Sam with a woman, looking at her, like he does gazing at Caitriona or vice versa.  Doubt you find even one in ALL the photos on any search engine!

[jays911]

❤️❤️❤️

[beltane2013]

Receipts galore!😍😍

[themusicsweetly]

Hi! Could you do a top 10 these goobers love each other moments divided in a top 5 Cait moments and top 5 Sam moments? I woke up today missing their cute moments...

Hello there, Anon! Thanks for the ask!

Seriously, I love this ask so much. I was telling my GC that it’s asks like these that make me not regret keeping my inbox open, so thanks for that 😄

But also. This was a difficult question LOL. There are just so many little moments that I love and that I think show their Goobery Love™ so it’s hard to pinpoint just 5 for each. But hopefully you enjoy these moments I did pick and that it satisfies your cute moments craving! I know it certainly did mine 😊

5 Caitriona Moments (numbered, but not ranked)

1) The Look of Adoration. I’ve said before that this Fresno Bee vid is one of the very first ones I watched of them and it’s also the one that gave me pause because of the heart eyes Caitriona Mary Balfe is throwing at Sam Roland Heughan. Just look at that. She always listens to him so intently and with so much clear adoration and even after 6 years together and many of the same things said over and over again she’s still as invested in what he says as she has been from the beginning. 

2) The Origin Story. Whenever Caitriona talks about their chemistry test, she always emphasizes how good Sam made her feel and how instantaneously comfortable she felt with him. That connection and bond is so very evident when you watch the test video. This SAG interview always was very telling to me and has stuck in my mind for years since:

“I walked in and Sam was just this calm center in the room and there was zero posturing and zero ego. And I remember we just immediately started chatting about Scotland and I had friends who lived there. It was just like an old friend… I think we have a similar approach to life and we have a similar approach to acting. It just works… Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes the stars align.”

3) The Look of Pride. ECCC 2017 was a GEM. There were so many absolutely fantastic moments and it was just so much fun for everyone, both attending and at home watching. Honestly, I think it might be one of the best Cons they’ve done. But the one moment that makes this list is when Sam was asked about MPC and he began describing what the program has accomplished thus far. She looked so incredibly proud of all of it and so ridiculously proud of that man, just as the President and Founder of the SRH Fan Club always is.

4) Cheer Squad. This is one of my favorite SamCait photos and moments of all time. The fact that Caitriona just sat outside with a homemade sign around her neck waiting for Sam to pass by during his LA Marathon run makes me emo, y’all. And I think it’s even more telling that she later tried to brush it off as her just rolling out of bed and going outside to greet him. The only part of that story I believe is the croissant LOL xD I’ll throw every single one my pennies to the person who can get me a pic of her sign that day!

5) The Good One. “He’s a good man.” “He’s perfect.” “I admire Sam’s big heart.” For as much teasing as she does (they both do, really) there’s endless amounts of praise and compliments she has about this man. There is no one who has more confidence, more faith, or more support for him than she does. But of course, gotta take the piss outta him to keep him grounded 😂💜

5 Sam Moments (numbered, but not ranked)

1) “To dress Caitriona is not difficult, she looks great in virtually everything.” I love the fact that he said this, but I love even more the proof of his believe in this statement even more! We see this all the time, from BAFTA last year to the Season 1 premiere to this Golden Globe moments, which is another favorite SamCait pic for me. To make an internationally successful, highly sought after model look as if this is the first person to every pay her a compliment? HEART. EYES.

2) FvF’s Freelance Marketer. Who needs a PR department when you have Sam plugging FvF basically any chance he can get?? Not just all the likes and RTs, and comments, but the fact that he took the opportunity to talk about FvF when he was asked unrelated questions about himself. His pride in that woman shines through every single time.

3) Best Dressed. If Caitriona’s chemistry test story always features her “calm center” impression, then Sam’s always features Caitriona’s dress. What an impression she must have made on him walking in and blowing them all away if he remembers the plaid dress she was wearing that day! Magic, literally right from the very first second.

4) Home Away From Home. I just found this comment so sincere and sweet. Caitriona has often talked about being like a vagabond, mostly living out of her suitcase when she was modelling and then when she first started Outlander with very little notice. So to come to this point after all these years where they both feel like she’s found a home in Scotland is just so beautiful. Bonus points for the hand pat + squeeze!!

5) Laughter is the Best Medicine. If ECCC was their best Con, then this FB Q+A might be their best interview ever 😂😂😂 I only meant to watch this one part so I could make this GIF, but ended up watching all 15 minutes instead LOL. Anyway. This moment has always been on of my favorite parts of the entire Q+A. Not only is Caitriona ADORABLE here, but Sam being so concerned over something so small is just touching to see! He basically checks with her 4 times to make sure she’s alright. But at the same time, he obviously is doing what he loves doing best: making sure she stays laughing! The fact that he loves seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, and making sure she’s doing both as often as he can is my favorite thing about him. Periodt. 

Thanks again for the ask, Anon! This was fun 💜💜💜

[auburncurlslass]

This is a very telling post, which I believe needs reblogging.   If they were going to ‘act’ as a couple during the initial onset of Outlander, the Cons, the interviews, etc.   It could be done…..but….what could not be done was showing Sam or Caitriona with another ‘GF or BF’.  Those pictures told the truth and nothing but the truth. They’re actors….and are trained to ‘act’ in love with another person.  Caitriona looks like she needs the ‘puke bucket’ when standing anywhere near Tony and Sam looks like he wants to ‘run and hide’ when poised next to the ‘flavor of the month, week or day’.  I don’t think even the best of the best actor could pull off ‘adoration’ when standing next to a ‘forced, faux’ relationship.  Now, if fans don’t see what many of us here have seen, it’s not because it’s not there, it’s because they chose not to see what’s in front of them or in a photo.  We’re not teeny boppers looking at hottie’s in Teen Fling…we’re adults, who see when two individuals are really ‘in love and very in…to…each…other!’  If you don’t agree, then please show me a photo that shows Sam with a woman, looking at her, like he does gazing at Caitriona or vice versa.  Doubt you find even one in ALL the photos on any search engine!

[mariaae]

Thank you @themusicsweetly for this most wonderful post! I love their love!!!💙💚 Forever!!!

[primordialsoundmeditation]

Conscious Quotes

[denise-alwaysuselove]

“Indeed, the hidden and the manifest give birth to each other.”

—

Lao Tzu

(via cajon-desastre)

[beltane2013]

Sam so loves double entendres. We believe you, Sam!😍😍