#outlander initial thoughts

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outlander | 5x3 | initial thoughts

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am gleefully happy to admit that i am over the moon after this episode. i enjoyed every minute of it.

i’ve never been shy about that fact that the reason i love outlander and the reason why i continue to watch the show is jamie and claire fraser; they are my bottom line up front. i want to see the two central characters on screen. and this episode gave me that in full.

this is the type of content that my heart longed for since season three. i haven’t felt this way about an outlander episode in a verra long time *yes, that’s an a malcolm reference, ye ken*

i have so many thoughts to share and will, but first and foremost let me say: to have an episode where we get to watch jamie and claire operate as a team is such a treat; just wonderful. it is them at their best. *5x3 gave me a lot of season two vibes actually and i am totally here for that*

it is also fulllllllll of tiny, impactful moments of intimacy between this husband and wife. their love is on display. their care for one another obvious. their affection laced throughout every line of dialogue.

and finally, i was thrilled to see the production integrate jamie’s faith throughout the episode in a way we aren’t privy to often. it feels deeply intrinsic and intentional to his character to watch him thank God for his wife, etc. *dinna want to give away any spoilers for any who havena seen it yet*

overall, i’m thrilled. i can’t wait to rewatch this episode and write about it more. my hopes are high high high.

*honorable mention to jamie’s new wig which is giving me all sorts of life. and tiny side-note: the director on this episode is jamie payne, new to outlander, AND i feel extremely indebted to him*

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outlander | 5x7 | initial thoughts

this episode was nothing short of phenomenal, but it also tore my guts out. i mean i wept and couldn’t fall asleep. it lingered in my heart. it’s been a long time since an episode has had that affect on me.

before i talk about anything or anyone else, all i can say is: rest in peace, beloved murtagh. we will love you forever. *tears down my cheeks*

there are innumerable apects to talk about and dissect from this episode. honestly, i think this will be one we all talk about for years to come. it had that singular quality about it.

first of all, the acting was sublime. i am going to call out sam specifically. the work he put forth in this episode is the best he has ever done. he has always been reliably brilliant, but he took it to an entirely different level. the honest desperation, pain, agony, and grief he demonstrated sliced through my very heart.

likewise, the entire cast put forth spectacular performances. truly. everyone was on their game and it showed.

i also care to note that the score was out of this world. bear mccreary has always been talented, but this was the last of the mohicans meets outlander it was just beautiful.

i’m sure i will dive into these moments more when i don’t feel quite so raw from the loss of murtagh, but the jamie and claire exchanges and scenes were precious and powerful. their love was so evident as was their hearts gripped with fear. again, powerful.

overall every aspect of this episode worked together and hit every note with just the right momentum. it is an episode i will never forget.

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outlander | 5x5 | initial thoughts

WEEL. i feel i must be honest with all of you and say that i came into this season with very low expectations. i was not even sure i was going to watch as i never, and to this day have not, finished season four. i did not anticipate to love this season or even like it, but i was hopeful i would be able to watch it and see some shreds of the story of outlander that i fell in love with. i was hanging on by a thread. 

and here i sit, beaming from ear to ear because this season has been absolutely delightful thus far. the plot feels grounded, yet full of growth. the characterization feels complex, yet centered. the writing feels intentional, yet surprising. i have been blown away. i have enjoyed, if not loved, every episode. they aren’t perfect, but i dinna care.

this episode especially is stunning work. it is integrated beautifully with the canon source material without being jarring to the established narrative flow of the show. i sat enraptured for the entire time. there are so many wonderful aspects to dive into, but i shall focus on a few here:

this is my favorite contribution from caitriona in such a long time; she shines in this episode and steals the whole show. her vulnerability is tangible and she lays it all on the table which produces such a poignant, powerhouse performance. 

i have said this before, but i will emphasize it again: i did not like roger last season at all. i really really wanted to, but i really really didn’t. and i did not enjoy the screentime that he and bree shared. however, this episode particularly was glorious for the two of them. the acting is sincere, the dialogue is honest, and the character growth is evident. i am falling in love with this couple. cheers!

last season, when the production tried to weave plot lines during claire and jamie’s separation with current time, it felt clunky. yet, in this episode, it moves more naturally. it makes complete sense to highlight this period in claire’s life with a past one that had immeasurable impact on her; it just works. plus to see claire with joe again melted my heart. i just loved everything about it. 

it is also a huge thing to note that the scripts this season are integrating God in a way that they never have which is faithful to canon, but also profound. and finally, jamie and claire are jamie and claire. it is effortless. it is there without trying to be. and i eat up their love with a spoon. 

hallelujah for 5x5. 

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outlander | 5x6 | intitial thoughts

okkkkkkkkkk. i always write these after only one viewing and i don’t want to break tradition, so here goes nothing. i did not love the episode. i didn’t hate it either, but it is maybe my least favorite of the season so far. yet, i really do need to watch it again before claiming that fully.

full disclosure: i skipped immediately to the stable scene; yep, i sure did! as most of you lovely people know, i am not a true canon reader. i have basic plot overview and i’d like to think a pretty decent grasp on the characters, but i haven’t read the books and therefore don’t know the nuance of the scenes *although i have read all the famous love scenes hehehe*

i mention that to establish that i willfully admit i came into this episode with high expectations of this iconic scene; and i didn’t realize how high they actually were until i felt them crashing to the floor. excuse my flair for the dramatics, but that’s how it felt. honorable mention though to jamie’s strands of hair flying on either side of his face and claire dropping her shawl like it was a bad habit; that was unbelievably sexy.

so i skipped to the scene, watched...all two minutes of it *lol*...and if i’m being honest: i was disappointed. i was. i liked the scene, and it was hot, but i wish it was longer. i wish they had really drawn it out. but, it is what it is. i loved the post-coital scene though. it was precious.

however, i do think that even if i wasn’t aware of canon context, i still would’ve liked for the scene to linger a bit. maybe it’s just me, but i think part of the bliss of a love scene is how you allow the tension to build and build and build until when the cresando finally hits, it’s like the breaking of a dam.

all that to say, i acknowledge that after that letdown, i watched the rest of the episode slightly grumpy, and so i really do need to rewatch to better acknowledge the other 58 minutes of 5x6.

i never ever wish to be overtly negative or unfair, but i also don’t want to lie and say i was blown away when i wasn’t. i’m sure i will share more later, but that’s all for now!

one more tiny note: i reallllllllly struggle with the way the ring scene is handled in the script. the acting was great, but the entire concept strikes me as severe and i wrestled with claire greatly in that moment.

before signing off on my initial thoughts, i will say: i felt that maria doyle kennedy, who plays jocasta, was absolutely sublime in this episode. she stole the show and knocked it out of the park with duncan lacroix right alongside her. they were exquisitely painful and did such a lovely job.

*just putting this out there: i have watched the scene four or five times now #noshame and i like it more each viewing. my expectations now adjusted, i’m able to enjoy it for what it is*

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outlander | 5x4 | intitial thoughts

I BARELY ESCAPED WI’ MY LIFE AFTER THIS EPISODE I KID YE NOT.

i thought i loved last week, but i just absolutely adored every second of this episode (and if ye’ve seen my dash, you’ll know that’s the case lol)

from start to finish, i was enraptured and did not want it to end. it, to me, is reminiscent of the glory days of outlander: where you cannot even sleep after an episode because you just want to watch it over and over and bask in it’s wonder. it sticks with you the whole week long.

the writing was exquisite. excellent character development and affirmation. yet, it carried the plot along nicely. it also uniquely displayed relationships between characters we haven’t been privy to yet such as bree & marsali and roger & fergus. nothing short of a joy to watch them all support one another and interact.

the jamie x claire love fest was off the charts this episode. we were finally given dialogue in full that i have waited for, dare i say it, since a. malcolm. they were flirtatious, loved up, and at ease with each other. i believed every interaction and felt it from the tip to the bottom of my heart. it was nothing short of precious.

likewise, to my own surprise, i absolutely fell in love with roger this episode; i haven’t liked him this much since when he said “boston cream pies” back in season two. he was endearing, passionate, and humble. this is true roger.

i felt and feel so much joy after this episode. so much hope. such a restored love for this story. fraser feelings everywhere. and now excuse me as i go squee myself into a puddle of fraser feelings some more.

*ps: another massive shoutout is due to jamie paige, who directed not only 5x3, but also this episode as weel. he is new to outlander, but i feel he loves and embraces the heart of the narrative in a way fans haven’t experienced for a while. bravo, to you, mr. paige*

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outlander | 5x2 | initial thoughts

so i just finished watching episode 5x2; i have many thoughts floating around my mind right now. however, this north carolina gal is now based in paris and heading to bed, so i will expand upon all of this later!

overall, similar to how i felt about 5x1, i enjoyed the episode. i did not have strong feelings either positively or negatively about it, but full disclosure: i will probably never watch it again. for me, it contained no scenes i’d care to rewatch over and over again. not that this is a sign of a successful episode, rather just a personal anecdote.

5x2 carried the plot along nicely. it was not severely rushed pacing wise which i appreciated. likewise, there were many charming moments between characters that added much nuance and depth.

however, i am starting to feel narrative tension between some of the plot lines which raise my brow a bit for how the writers will make the story holistically flow, etc in the future. only time will tell.

what were y’all’s thoughts?