The Doldrums - My thoughts
Well Mr. Bear McCreary did it again and brilliantly adapting the music to follow where the story is going. Amazing how just by adding drums to the music could set the tone for the West Indies. I was mesmerized by the new scenes added to the opening and cannot wait for the next episodes, even if it means I will have to wait for another year for the story to continue. Writer Shannon Goss delivered to us a great episode condensing several chapters without distorting the main story. I really appreciate her respectful portrayal of Mr. Willoughby. I felt the Author wrote this character more like a caricature of what a chinese man should be in the old movies instead of representing him as a dignified and intellegent poet. New Zealand Actor Gary Young give us a beautiful and heartfelt portrayal of a man who lost everything by choosing his manhood and love for women over living in the imperial household. Let's talk about Claire. I love she is back to be the feisty, no regrets and full of live woman who she was before returning to Frank. She says what she thinks using 20th Century vernacular that poor Jamie had to deciphered in order to understand what she means even though he sometimes misses her meaning. I though it was very clever how they managed to add the acumpuncture scene making it as an opportunity for Jamie and Claire to get closer. Not sure about Fergus, I missed the irreverent and courageous french boy with a mischievous tinkle in his eye. I don't think this is Cesar Domboy's choice but the writers and producers. We will have to wait and see if this will change. Jamie and Claire relationship is more subdued than in the books where Jamie acts like a teenager in love and cannot stop himself for wanting to touch Claire constantly (kind like how he acted in the first season episode Both sides now). But I understand why, this is what an adult relationship should be. The love scene was wonderfully played and I am glad they are back to enjoying themselves. I just love how they added the "King of all Men" part. Claire recognizes she falled in love with Jamie mainly because he is a romantic man who can express his love in such a beautiful manner swooping her out of her feet and making her forget she is a practical and matter-of-fact 20th Century woman. Also, we can see how terrible Claire is missing Brianna and how she chooses to as they did with Faith to share her pain with Jamie so it is not so unbearable. Can't hardly wait for next week!
