Lassies of Lallybroch part 2.....SPOILERS

[Drywhitethanks]

Because we can't wait until next year for season 3. Highbrow discussion of Jamie's knees, hair and anything else Outlander

Claire leaving Brianna is problematical in the book as well. It is definitely something that makes Claire much less sympathetic than she otherwise would be.

As for the hair, I'm not sure why they gave Claire the Jackie Kennedy wig. In the books, her 20th century hair is described as being curly, light brown with a touch of silver, longish, and worn in a chignon. That is a pretty unfashionable look for the late 1960s so I'm guessing that they wanted to make her look more up-to-date for the time period, especially considering that the clothes were right on point.

As for not aging the actors with makeup, I'm okay with that. I think one of the reasons that casting CB and SH was a very good move is that, at the beginning, they were easily able to play characters who were 10 years younger than the actors. Now they are playing characters who are 10 years older than the actors. I think in the current series they just look more like their own ages, which considering that they are both in their late thirties, actually seems to work.

To be fair if I had to meet the love of my life after 20 years apart I'd be booking a solid week's worth of beauty treatments! Hair dye would be the least of it!

As for Claire leaving Brianna, as I was watching the episode, I actually had a little chuckle imagining what an AIBU thread on MN would be like. "Should I leave my 20 year old daughter, possibly for good, to be with the love of my life whom I haven't seen for 20 years.? She's very mature for her age, but she does have some issues and has just dropped out of uni. But she has met a new guy, and I think he will be the one for her.

Imagine the responses.

Haven't seen the episode yet but I think the leaving Brianna thing is quite pivotal to Claire's character. One of the things that makes Claire such an interesting - if not always likeable- character is her ambivalence towards motherhood and more generally towards the traditional idea of what constitutes a woman's experience. This was true in the 18th century, in the 60s and I think it is still true today (witness our reaction!)

It's true, Claire is leaving her daughter. But she does so having lovingly brought her up to adulthood, having ensured her material and emotional wellbeing, and after having sacrificed so much to do so. Let us not forget that Claire herself was an orphan, who at Brianna's age was already a war nurse and married! I think from her POV Brianna is no longer a child, and she's done living life as a shadow of her true self.

Maybe that makes me a horrible mother but I am glad she made that choice because Jamie, duh

Lol Seneca!!

My own mother (who sacrificed so much for us!) once told me "remember, your children will grow up and leave, your husband is the one who will stay (if you're lucky)".

AKAmyself you raise some really interesting points, thank you. It helps makes Claire's actions more understandable.

But still the timing is sucky. Her daughter has just lost her father, She's struggling with processing her new knowledge/ feelings about Jamie, she's having difficulties with school and to top it all of it's Christmas.

And I still don't understand why no one, not even Brianna, not even for a second thinks about going with Claire.

And Claire doesn't seem to struggle with her choice for longer than a minuite.

And I still don't understand why no one, not even Brianna, not even for a second thinks about going with Claire.

They don't really go into this in the series, but in the books (as I recall, it's been a few years since I read them), much is made of some people having the ability to time travel and others not, and of there being potentially life-threatening dangers involved even for those who can. SPOILER alert: Brianna does eventually figure out that she can, I just don't remember how that transpires.

Seneca

I get that they were actors playing younger characters before and now older characters but surely a subtle change here and there would be in order to show that 20 years have gone by.

To me it seems they decided that Jamie and Claire's need to look good trumped all credibility.

Make up department - shall we give Jamie some wrinkles? Crow's feet?
Producers - nah, just tie his hair back to make him look a bit different,that'll do.
Make up - errr, it's been 2 decades, a chunk of which was in prison, you know, surviving on rats and stuff, he's had it rough. A bit of greying in his beard before it's shaved off,maybe?
Producers - Ponytail - done! And don't bother with any ageing of Claire, either, they both need to look good.
Make up - Well, OK, we've removed the 60's wig so she's natural again but if we don't do anything else then she'll basically look almost exactly the same as series one.
Producers - Perfect!

Mind you, having said that, I'm glad they haven't aged Jamie too much so maybe they were right

If you read the books you’d have no problem understanding why Claire leaves Bree without a backwards glance. In fact, I think when Claire and Frank are talking about divorce, they’re trying to make sure that they aren’t the one who ends up with up her

If you read the books you’d have no problem understanding why Claire leaves Bree without a backwards glance.

Do you mean because she is so irritating and obnoxious?
I'm not sure that DG meant for her to come across that way, but as I say, it's been a few years since I read the books.

AKA that's how I read it, Claire was an orphan and very independent by Brianna's age. Claire has gone through the stones, leaving behind Jamie and had 20yrs of a pretty hollow marriage for Brianna. I think she feels she's leaving her as an adult, with Roger to look after her (certainly in the books). Also, Brianna wants her to go.

Do you mean because she is so irritating and obnoxious

That is exactly what I mean I don’t think I’ve ever hated a fictional character quite as much I do Brianna, especially one we’re supposed to love. That’s why I reckon SS is doing a good job. I don’t find her anywhere near as awful as book Bree.

I hated Mr Willoughby. I was hoping they’d have skipped him, but apparently not.

Here’s hoping they treat the character a little less like a cartoon and aren’t as racist patronising towards him. I’m sure it’ll be fine

HURRAY!!!!

Mr Willoughby is just a horrible storyline with definite racist undertones.

As for Jamie speaking 'Chinese'. I ask you. Definite WTAF moment.

I don't think we'd really want to watch a romance with two fifty year olds from the 1700s, especially ones who have been in prison eating rats. I for one am more than happy with CB and SH, who are very gorgeous and good at acting.

If I am remembering book 3 correctly, doesn't Clair go to the stones on her own only to find Bree and Roger there and Bree is dressed up to. Bree then tells her that if she won't go back to Jamie then she will.

Drywhite have you just finished watching episode 5 or are you really happy that Mr Willoughby is going to feature in this season?

Only on book one but up to speed on TV series.

What is the genetic relationship between Bree and Roger?

Ooh I've just read the bit in book 4 where Brianna explains to Roger Dougal is her great-uncle and his six-times great-grandfather!

If Roger and Bree had been born in the same generation in the 1740's they'd be first cousins once removed. They're still cousins of some sort but much more distant.

I'm somewhat behind and have just watched the Dunsany episode.
WTF have they done to Jamie's hair?

Last series it was a deep chestnut and wavy. Now it's strawberry blond and frizzy?

Thanks susurration