I’ve had an EPIPHANY--a shift in perspective, if you will...
After watching the Outlander Season 4 finale, I’ve decided to completely SEPARATE the books from the TV show. I realize now it’s going to be the only way to truly enjoy the TV show. Here’s why...
Last night I decided to try an experiment and watch the finale without having the book in mind at all. And if I didn’t know about the blood oath or Jamie and Claire being there with Brianna when she gave birth, I wouldn’t have missed those things. And I wouldn’t have missed those things because what the writers DID give us, that was different from the book, were also moments of emotion and excitement, such as Brianna running at full speed to be reunited with Roger, and Murtaugh and Jocasta getting it on. I liked those changes from the book, but if I had still been comparing the book to the show, I would have been disappointed that Jamie and Claire weren’t there for the birth of Jemmy. BUT I wouldn’t have been if I hadn’t read the books because I wouldn’t have known those scenes existed. Sooooo, I’m going to practice what I’m coining “book blocking.” From now on, I’m going to consciously try to block the books from my mind and watch the TV show as if it was a brand new tale---which I realize now it actually is.
The show is “based” on Diana Gabaldon’s novels, it an an “adaptation.” And adaptation implies CHANGE, and to change you have to adapt. Change/Adapt Adapt/Change. Both the words adapt and change connote something NEW. So, my shift in perspective will be that I will no longer expect the TV show to depict the same things that happen in the books, but rather to give me something new, something surprising. And that makes things exciting. Because it’s the unexpected. Starting Season 5, I will look forward to the New, the Unexpected, the Adapted, the Changed because I will be getting something extra, something OTHER than the books. The books will be there forever. I can always go reread them, like visiting an old friend and catching up on old times. Outlander, the novels will never change. But Outlander the TV show, is like a new friend, you have to still get to know her, and you make new memories with her, but it’s an exciting time because you don’t know what’s coming, and that’s exhilarating, or it can be if you let it be. So I’m gonna let it be. And instead of having feelings of disappointment that a certain scene was changed or omitted, I’m not going to think about the books at all and enjoy the TV show for what it is, a new friend to get to know. Can’t wait to see what my new friend does as Outlander Season 5!
BTW, I’m not saying this is what everyone should do, we all make our own choices as adults. I’m simply posting this because this is what I’m choosing to do and it’s a big relief...for ME. Not everyone will agree or feel the same way...and that’s okay.
PS. The scene with Jamie, Claire and Roger after they rescue him is what acting dreams are made of. Sam, Cait and Rik showing what SKILLED acting looks like. Gave me chills, made me cry and then smile like a loon at how INCREDIBLE the three of them were in that scene. All the awards. If only...
