Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Addicts discussion

I'm starting this thread for those of you who are watching the new Outlander on Starz.

I just started watching it and am catching up on the first few episodes. Not sure what to think yet.

Has anyone read the books?

Ive read the books and I'm watching the series. I think the casting is pretty spot on, but the shows seem to be moving a bit slowly so far. But it looks like the next episode starts picking up :)

I haven't yet read the books, but I agree. The show does seem a bit slow so far, but that happens with a lot of shows. And even books.

I've read the books... few times. I love them. But as for the show: I like it on a whole different level. As Jen wrote – the casting is great. It's moving slow, but I don't really mind. And I absolutely love the music!

I thought the first episode spent too much time in the 1940s (nobody's watching it for that!), but was excited about it once she fell through the stones.

However, I'm going off it a bit.

Caitriona Balfe (Claire) is a retired model straight off the runway, and she's an extremely weak actress (and too tall for the role!). I don't know why the producers decided to risk the fate of an entire show on a model with no experience.

The rest of the casting is brilliant. Sam Heughan (Jamie) is a million times better than I expected.

The problem is that they're sticking too closely to the book. The book is very slow in some parts, and has lots of telling instead of showing. You can't do that on TV!

I agree with the telling. It's a little strange when the voice-over narrative comes on and tells us what the main character is thinking about everyone/everything. However, I imagine it'd be a bid difficult to get everything across that needs to get across. Weren't the books massive? Maybe once the show get's going, that stuff will fall by the wayside.

I don't particularly care for the woman playing Claire, but I don't dislike her as the lead either. I guess at this point I'm indifferent towards her.

Fun little factoid: Diana Gabaldon, the author of the series, made a cameo in episode 4.

I agree for the most part the show is moving slowly but in this day and age of instant gratification it's nice to meander at times. The period comes to life the
details of the daliy livings conditions,customs etc. It's a story not a Marvel comic thank goodness.

Love the castings and I have always loved a juicy slow reveal of a great story.'

I haven't read the books but I'm enjoying the series. I like the actors (including the heroine) and I love the beautiful theme song!!! Does anyone know if there exists a full version? I only found the film version which is just over one minute long.
I'm looking forward to the next episodes. :-)

I'll just say it - those long slow moments may be there for a reason. If you're a fan of period movies, especially romances, you probably are used to perfectly cut, inacurrate costiumes and filled with CG stages. And if you are such a fan, than you need some time to drool over a huge portions of the graphic side of Outlander.
Yeah, I drool over the scenography, I'm not ashamed. And Kiersten - I noticed. I had a totally fan moment there.

I haven't read the books, but saw the first half-season, and enjoyed it - a lot. Here are my review http://paullevinson.blogspot.com/2014...

I have read the first 7 and just started Written in my Own Heart's Blood. I love the show and can't wait until April.

Watched the first half of season 1 and I am in love with everything about Outlander! Story, cast, scenery, music. So much so that I started reading the books after the first couple of episodes (Outlander was on my TBR shelf) and I'm up to Voyager (#3); I still love it. They are long books and I know some readers complain about the amount of detail in the writing but I personally enjoy it. Translating that to TV has got to be a challenge but I think they are doing an excellent job. Not so patiently waiting for the second half of the season to begin. #IsItAprilYet ?!

I mentioned that I love the cast. Everyone is really bringing the characters to life, IMHO. Love Caitriona and Sam! And Tobias! Question: Now that you've seen 8 episodes, what do you think of Caitriona's acting? I personally think she's doing a fantastic job. (Because I started reading the books after I saw her in the role maybe I'm more accepting of her as Claire; the height doesn't bother me so much -- it's the acting and her chemistry with Sam/JAMMF that is important and I think they have amazing chemistry.)

Michelle S. wrote: "Watched the first half of season 1 and I am in love with everything about Outlander! Story, cast, scenery, music. So much so that I started reading the books after the first couple of episodes (Out..."

I think they are all doing a wonderful job portraying the characters in the book. I started reading Outlander quite some time ago so I guess since I waited this long for the tv series I guess I can wait a couple of more months for the second half - but I sure miss it.

I read the first book ages ago and for a long time didn't even know there were sequels. (I'm mostly caught up now). It's the kind of epic romance story where you can really sink into another world.
I was soooo excited when they decided to do this series, as I didn't feel it would have translated well into a movie.

The Director gave careful thought to including Claire's narrative - both as a deliberate break from the traditional method of bringing in the main character's p.o.v and in how it would add to the overall feel of the show. You may have noticed that, thus far, there's no translation for the Gaelic either. It's all part of the intent to tell the story the way the book is written - from Claire's p.o.v.

The casting has worked well I think and I guess that everyone has different ideas of how each character would look - but Claire is close enough for me that it's not a jarring contrast.

Everything else - the scenery, the music etc - is brilliant and reflects a wonderful attention to detail.

I particularly loved this article's summary of the wedding episode:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09...

There have been some deviations from the story - but I think those really add to the viewers understanding. For example - I was kind of annoyed with how much time we were spending with Claire and Frank (before she passed through the stones) but it did portray better why she felt so conflicted and why she kept trying to get back to him. (Otherwise, I mean, who could possibly want to leave yummy Jaime????!!!). Jack Randall's speech about how he felt when he beat Jaime - I don't remember from the book, but it did allow a serious glimpse into his psyche that you would only have gotten much, much later otherwise.

Overall - I can't wait to see where the series goes next. Some of the toughest parts of the story are yet to come!

I might have to re-watch the episodes before it starts again. Not that I mind one bit.

I was just thinking of doing that, especially now that I have Volume 1 of Season 1. Why do you think they did it that way instead of waiting until the entire first season was finished? Not that I mind.