Is there an Outlander thread?

[OstentatiousBreastfeeder]

Started watching it on Amazon Prime last night, I'm hooked already.

Haven't read the books it's based off, which makes a nice change for me!

Anyone else?

As to the question of stay or return - it's a no-brainer: of course I'd stay.

In fact when we first started watching it, I hadn't read the book so I didn't know what was going to happen next, and I was really worried she was going to back to Frank. How could anyone leave Jamie?!! And the 18c and kilts and castles. Just no.

To the pp whose husband keeps criticising Jamie, first of all he's actually a good actor - a lot better than Claire - and secondly he's one of the most gorgeous men on earth - that's why your husband is trying to put you off.

Hear,hear! Twinkle

Just watched it. Felt like a real waste of an episode how many times did we need to see that singing and dancing montage?!

Agree that it'd have been much better to see more time between Claire and Jamie. She gave up her whole life for him and all they've done since is bicker.

I don't even remember the singing from the book and I've read it loads of times?! Get to Wentworth already!

They added the singing; it wasn't in the book. It was a bit bizarre, I agree, but the second time I watched it, I liked it a lot more.

On whether you would go or stay in the 18th century; I have to admit that this episode made me think that if I had been confronted with having to torture and kill folk in order to survive, not to mention the lack of modern hygiene, that would probably have me looking for some standing stones.

We did a week long reenactment at the highland folk museum. I met DH there. . DS1 was 5 at the time and having lived there for a week in 18th century clothes was every bit the filthy urchin. It took several baths to get rid of the dirt. But the sense of fun and adventure was fantastic for him, it's a great site. If they still have a picture of 2 small boys listening to a story teller outside a house, one of them is DS1.

I love the Highland Folk Museum. I have made two forays into it on my last two visits to Scotland. The first time it snowed (October) and we didn't make it all the way through. A year later we went back and we didn't make it all the way through because it poured rain (September). So we will try again on our next trip.

Responding to some of the posts about the acting on Outlander, I think it is very good overall. I think Caitriona Balfe is doing a very good job; she has grown into the role, and Sam Heughan is also excellent. Their onscreen chemistry is palpable and I think that feeds both of their performances.

I have read that Laura Donnelly also auditioned for Claire (and she very graciously said that the producers made the right choice in Caitriona). That is sort of interesting to contemplate. I wonder who else tested for the role.

Claire is a bit wooden tbh and her voice is rather inexpressive. She comes across as tetchy when she could play it ironic. However, there's good chemistry with Jamie and she looks nice in a plaid dress.

Agreed she has great chemistry when Jamie, can't wait to have scenes with them back together. Only two episodes left

Not only are there only two episodes left, the season finale isn't airing immediately. There's a fortnight wait apparently. I think it's because otherwise it's memorial day weekend and they suspect viewing figures will be affected.

Claire seems to spend a lot of time maintaining a cut glass English accent to the detriment of her expression. She's got some aspects right but instead of feisty, she often plays the part as stubborn or sulky.

Yes, stubborn, sulky or ratty.

Her accent has slipped a couple of times in this half of the series.

I don't really care though I only have eyes for Jamie...

This weekend is the long awaited Wentworth episode. Even Diana Gabaldon has been saying it's very hard to watch

I'm dreading it and looking forward to it in equal measure. In terms of translation to the screen, a lot of the stuff that happens outside the prison (trying to be subtle, the cows, the MacRannochs, the wolves etc) are action packed enough. I'm hoping they won't feel the need to fiddle with it too much to add excitement. Of course the stuff inside the prison is harrowing enough that they might have to make a decision the other way and decide what to leave out. The things which bother me most about that whole episode are not necessarily the physical. I do wonder how they'll deal with it. Hopefully better than last week's attempt to show desperation and heartbreak.

I'm actually dreading this episode. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to watch it. I hope it's not too explicit, I don't mean sexually, but more emotionally. I'm not sure if that's what I mean. I just think that seeing how it affects Jamie is going to be so hard. I'm talking rubbish now so I will go.

didge I get you, I found the flogging scene extremely hard to watch, the actor playing BJR is so good. So this will be even harder to watch I imagine.

Has anyone seen Wentworth episode yet

Sam and Tobias are bloody amazing

I've seen it. And yes, they are amazing.

Tobias should win lots of awards for last nights episode. Incredible stuff.

I do find Catriona Balfe's acting rather one dimensional at times though. She isn't that good at conveying her characters inner struggles.

SPOILER ALERT

I think Caitriona was very good in this episode. Her reaction in the room after Sir Fletcher left when she absorbing the news that Jamie was still alive was very affecting. And I loved the "I'm a witch" exchange with BJR.

Sam was excellent, too. Very few lines, but talk about a face expressing inner struggles.

This is interesting: a discussion about how filming the episode was hard for the crew.

www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/outlander-writer-uncomfortable-jamie-black-796077

Wow, that was some episode. The finale really is going to be super-intense. Shame we have to wait two weeks for it, bloody American public holiday!

Oh wow just seen it. I watch on iPad and had to take headphones off for certain scenes, horrific.

(Did anyone else notice they've not included that Jamie is left handed?)

I thought all involved were brilliant, as Claire and Jamie were saying goodbye I was welling up.

Just watched it, really amazing. Was very moving.

I've seen it twice and I'm still a little undecided. It was so much better than the last episode in terms of pacing, intensity, acting. Sam was spot on and I did like Cait's quite control in the Fletcher scenes. I'm not sure exactly what I think was missing. I think Tobias is superb but there was something about his performance that I didn't think was quite right. It might be that it is included in the next episode, but I think it was the lack of desperation. One of the things I find so hideous about the Wentworth scenes is that you see an insight into just how much Randall desires Jamie. I don't know if he seemed a little removed/bored instead. He almost loves Jamie doesn't he, certainly he's obsessed with him? BJR, should be more complex. He isn't just a sick bastard. He's a sick bastard with a kernel of desperate longing which gets twisted into something horrific. I always thought the fundamental issue with the last few chapters is that BJR wants Jamie to desire him and as that can't happen in the traditional sense, the lengths he goes to in order to ape that, are a hideous approximation of affection, edged with violence and abuse. Maybe you can't translate that to screen. Certainly, I don't think I'd actually want to watch it.

The galloping in on a horse and declaring they stop the execution is not enough to express passion. In fact, BJR wouldn't have done that. He was pretty subtle about his baser desires played out through interfering with the vulnerable.

I liked the way they did Wentworth Prison. It was very evocative. Well shot.

Two ruddy weeks wait. Sheesh.

I watched it this morning. Was very close to tears, thought it was a cracking episode.

Graintaire, I think (although I hadn't thought about it before you mentioned it) that BJR's proper obsession with and desperate longing for Jamie starts during this encounter and as a result of it rather than beforehand. After all the last time they met, he just casually shot him (with an empty gun), which was not the act of a man obsessed.

I mean, obviously he is a BIT obsessed with Jamie before this - (but who wouldn't be? I know I am)... I suppose Jamie was previously interesting to him because he couldn't break him, but becomes more so during and after this because they share a very intense encounter and perhaps because he becomes aware that Jamie is the antithesis of BJR himself - with his incredible nobility and sacrifice.

I have two questions about this episode:

1. When BJR had just broken Jamie's hand, and was trying to bring him round and get him to focus, Jamie managed to focus on him and looked weirdly pleased to see him for a moment (before looking horrified). Why???

1. WHY couldn't they just get some guns and go through the open door, shoot BJR, and rescue Jamie straight away? That seems like a perfectly fine plan. Why do they need the cows? I just don't understand this.

Anyway I thought it was so well done - Sam Heughan is an astonishing actor.

I'll have a go at question 2 - I think it's to cause chaos and preoccupy the large number of redcoats who would otherwise quickly catch up with their small number of men? Nothing is ever simple! Plus I guess it's that dramatic cliche of keeping the antagonist alive; as Claire said herself she could've just slit his throat earlier on.