Outlander Series discussion

While Jamie spends all of his time wading through politics, Claire finds solace in healing; the past threatens to derail the couple's plans.

Fergus sighting tonight - along with Mother Hildegarde and Bouton.

I thought the scene where Claire figured out who Mary Hawkins was was very well done - especially for those who hadn't read the books. I liked the scenes between Murtaugh and Claire. You could feel the tension both of them felt when discussing that Jamie had to be told about BJR. Claire's stress came through on the screen very well.

I just didn't like this episode from the book to TV comparison its falls disappointingly short of my expectations. You know they have to change things, leave things out and move things around but this was way off. I'm having a hard time believing that they will be able to pull off the rest of this season without completely rearranging the whole story line. The Fergus intro was wrong, the plot with BPC is moving too fast and off with the things that are going on. I don't know. As far as the episode goes if you haven't read the books it was good. I have no complaints. The acting as usual was phenomenal. Murtagh is yet again my favorite in this episode. He seems to have really loosened up this season from the silent grumpy scot he was last season. I really love Mary Hawkins character also. She is adorable. So overall I liked it as the TV show but very much disliked it compared to the book. I think from here on out I am going to have to watch it from a newbie POV and just get over the fact that nobody could ever make Outlander a masterpiece but DG.

Bravo. Well said and I agree.

Tessa wrote: "I just didn't like this episode from the book to TV comparison its falls disappointingly short of my expectations. You know they have to change things, leave things out and move things around but t..."

Tessa, great post and I agree!

I read so fast that I often don't retain details of the books that I read. This is somewhat convenient when a favorite book is made into a TV show or movie. It allows me to differentiate the books from the TV show.

Sometimes it's impossible to translate a book to the screen word for word. It allows me to enjoy the books and the tv episodes. They would have to make a drastic departure from the books - change the person that Jamie or Claire was or have them be successful in preventing the battle of Culloden - for me to be unhappy with the TV show. The acting and production values of Outlander are second to none and they are telling a great story, even if it doesn't follow the books word for word.

my review http://paullevinson.blogspot.com/2016...

I had the feeling that they are really speeding up the story just a little too much. The book of course has soo many pages and details that nobody would be able to fit in into one season. But especially this episode felt really rushed. Totally agree with Tessa and her reference to the book. I was disappointed in the way they introduced Fergus. It could have been a really interesting and intense scene. At least, it is in the book. Such a shame they didn't stick to the story there. I guess we all just have to wait and see how it all plays out. There probably was a good reason to make it like they did. Now Claire can keep Randall a secret and so on. I'm looking forward to the rest.

I'm a bit disappointed by season 2 right now. I discovered season 1 two weeks before the midseason premiere and plowed through season 1a in a weekend. It was my favorite show to date. Then I went and read all eight books and season 2 of the show suddenly seems sort of... anticlimactic. I continue to hope that the show picks up a bit of momentum going forward as we return to Scotland in the present and the future. I have a feeling I'll love season 2 more when I can binge watch all 13 episodes over a couple of days. For now, I choose to be optimistic, though optimism is very out of character for me, because even when not at it's best, Outlander is still my favorite tv show by leaps and bounds.

I agree with Maria and Tessa that it is sped up and I think that is what I am not liking this season as much as last. There are just so many great details in the text I am sure it is hard to include everything. Also, I have felt that some of the scenes have come out cheesy!

That being said, I still love the story. The tension between the Comte and Claire was great. Everything looks so beautiful (With the exception of lancing that guys' infection. BLEH!).

How do you guys think changing the introduction to Alex will effect the story on TV?

Also, I hope Fergus gets some more screen time. In his interaction with Claire he came off younger to me than on the page. In the book I always felt like he acted old for his age. More mature in general for all that he had seen in the brothel. More respectful and trying to be a real French gentleman. He just seemed like kind of a brat in Saturday's episode.

I agree with the criticism here. I too understand changes had to be made to adapt the story to film. But, theTV Jamie is not the same Jamie from the books. I don't know if it's the script, director, or Sam. But, he seems far too gentle. Does anyone else feel this way? Season 1 was closer but still, Sam brings a level of sensitivity and gentleness/softness to Jamie I didn't detect in the books. I'm glad they are showing the PTSD but I'm not seeing a stubborn fierce warrior dealing with it. It just falls flat.

The first episode of season 2 was great. I loved the change in transition. But, I was bored with this episode and I love these books and show. Where is the scene with the sausage as a defensive weapon? I'm missing the witty exchanges between Claire and Jamie, the danger, and the intensity in general. I'm rereading the DIA at the same time and there was just more intrigue and fighting and making up in that book. More drama! ;)

I agree with the criticism here also, but I think the problems may deal with the need to crunch such a huge volume into a limited number of episodes of television. I really didn't like Paris all that much, either in the book or on TV. It may be just me, but after Scotland, Paris just seemed too surreal, too exaggerated, too...much. Jaime and Claire are fish out of water there, which contributes to their irritation with each other and their estrangement. It seemed somewhat more pronounced in this episode. I get it; I just don't like it.

I agree with all the comments. I too am disillusioned with the second episode of Season 2. I can usually watch each episode at least twice, but I am not interested in watching this episode again. Yes, there are too many details from the book to put into the show, but they condensed it where it is boring. I agree with the comment that Fergus appeared more mature and gentlemanly in the book and appeared to be a brat in the show. They could have left in the part about his affiliation with the women of the night. Still a lover of the show. I do hope it picks up.

I like everything so far and for me, I think that what I don't like in the show is also what I didn't like in DIA. I am not into politics and I don't care for the French court in Paris. Which is just my personal preference. Even visually the beautiful costuming and fancy architecture etc. (which is done very well) does not grab me like the visually dirty, cold, gritty, smelly feel of them in Scotland. I love Master Raymond, Mother Hildagard ( the hospital was very well portrayed) and Fergus. I really missed the original meeting and hiring of Fergus - that disappointed me as far as change goes. They also left out (view spoiler)[ Jamie's vow to take care of Fergus for life should he lose a limb which is very important to the future story (hide spoiler)] I think Fergus was presented well because he is very young and if he seems older viewers might get the wrong impression of how young her was. I didn't think he was a brat in this episode but it did show his cunning and street smarts ( he was able to pick pocket JAMIE!) and he can win others over with his charm and compliments. Overall I still love it because it is Outlander and I think they are doing a wonderful job. I can see where the story is going and am anticipating all of the positives that I love in the book.

I am so surprised to see so many of you are disappointed in S2. It's too soon to know what has been left out. As far as the way Jamie is acting, I think it is quite realistic considering what he has gone through. Having gone through some rough spots in my personal life, I can relate entirely to both Claire and Jamie's reactions. We are seeing more than just Claire's POV so there is more nuance. Maybe I am so enthralled with the costumes because I was lucky enough to see them in person in the window at Sacks 5th avenue. I am on the hunt for a pattern to make Claire's robe! As far as Fergus, we know he was working at Maison Elise, when he complimented Claire's breasts, he stated that the ladies there were always "generous" when he did that. I think the writers have done what they can to give us the idea of his background. I think the next episode will reveal a lot more. No spoilers, but all us book readers know what is coming more or less. I am very happy, and I am sorry that's not true for others.

I have watched this episode several times. The things about the episode that left an impression on me, both good and bad are as follows...
1) Fergus: jamie did not find fergus in the way portrayed in the show. Fergus was about to be raped by BJR and jamie walked in and there was a big brawl and fergus became his employee/adopted son. I always felt that the connection they had over BJR was part of what saved jamie. I think Fergus was a representation of survival and innocents after sexual violation. Fergus was a reminder that all is not lost. Through the love jamie had for fergus and fergus becoming Jamie's adopted son, jamie was healed through that love.
So, I'm upset that was changed.
2) Jamie and Claire's fight:
This argument resonates with me because it is one my husband and I have had many many times. Jamie was upset Claire was not home after he learned Bonnie Prince Charlie had alot of money for the war. Claire was working at the hospital and was not home to comfort jamie after learning this terrible news. He told her "I want to be able to turn to my wife". I work in health care and I know what they are both going through. Late hours. missing family functions...and then being made to feel guilty because I'm busy caring for others and barely have time for my family or myself. But like claire said. "it gives my life meaning" I concur. But jamie asks her when he gets to find meaning in his day. What can you say when someone says something like that?! It reminds me of the women's movement when women starting working, instead of staying home...raising babies...being a housewife. Some felt it was the dissolution of the family unit when women work. I think even after all these years. while much progress has been made, some people still feel that way. I think jamie had a hard time with claire working at the hospital because women working (especially in their economic class) simply wasn't done. 21st century problems in the 1700's.

I didn't like all the changes the show had but I still liked it. I just don't think the show will ever be able to have the depth the book did. How could it? So in considering that, the episode was good.

Vanessa Eden wrote: "I have watched this episode several times. The things about the episode that left an impression on me, both good and bad are as follows...
1) Fergus: jamie did not find fergus in the way portrayed ..."

No, thats not how Jamie found him either, it did happen (BJR & Fergus) but it was later in the story after they had already met, so it may still happen in the show. Jamie 'found' Fergus when he was being chased by the men & ended up 'in a brothel with a verra large sausage' (hilarious scene was hoping to see that) & Fergus helped him escape.

I 100% agree with you Vanessa

Well. Zoey I hope they do include it because it is very important to the evolution of Jamie and fergus' relationship.

Okay I understand what your saying Zoey. But in the show they seem to have established that Fergus is out of the brothel and fully in Jamie's employment/care. So if that's the case then how are they going to stage the scene for BJR and Fergus? They have already jumped the gun.

Exactly Tessa...thank you.

Vanessa Eden wrote: "Well. Zoey I hope they do include it because it is very important to the evolution of Jamie and fergus' relationship."

I agree very important scene, its also the reason (spoiler for non -readers) (view spoiler)[Jamie duels with BJR which leads to Claires miscarriage etc (hide spoiler)] so quite a lot happened because of it, but I wonder if the show will 'go there' so to speak, they havent held back on anything yet, but child rape is quite a heavy topic.

Tessa wrote: "Okay I understand what your saying Zoey. But in the show they seem to have established that Fergus is out of the brothel and fully in Jamie's employment/care. So if that's the case then how are the..."

Not really, he was already out of the brothel & fully in Jamies employment/care when it happened in the book. In the book he was at the brothel with Jamie (cant remember why Jamie went there) so I think that can still happen.

I do think the child molestation is a heavy topic. I believe that is why it may have been left out. I understand that. That's why I take the show for what it is. Nothing can compare to the books...and that's ok.

Vanessa Eden wrote: "I do think the child molestation is a heavy topic. I believe that is why it may have been left out. I understand that. That's why I take the show for what it is. Nothing can compare to the books......"

I think that we will still have that scene. Remember that the duel occurs when Claire is around seven to eight months pregnant in the books. (Currently in the show she is around six months along.) I believe it is likely that as is the case in the books, the part with Fergus will only be mentioned, as he retells to Claire what happened because he fears for Jamie. As for Fergus, I have high hopes for the second half of the season where he is back in Scotland with Jamie and Claire.

I like what Robert Moore and his staff are doing with Season 2. I've read the books and I understand that there isn't any way they will able to be book specific with 16 episodes and a 900 page book. It takes hours just to read the book. I have to remind myself to look on the bright side at least we finally have Outlander on screen and that we can see our Jamie and Claire and a host of other characters.