Outlander Series discussion

The character I both hate, and at the same time, really like!

My Stephen Bonnet is Josh Holloway...





He's got something about him that could appear so charming, but could probably be really wicked too!

I like the Josh Holloway idea... he's certainly shown us he can do dastardly! (And sexy at the same time. I can so see Holloway talking to "Leroi" - LOL!)

But I also like Paul Bettany as Stephen Bonnet; Bettany is a true chameleon - able to completely inhabit his characters and play so many different characters... He's amazing!

Ha ha Wendy I so agree, this lovable rogue who is as cold as ice would be hard not to like Bonnet if Josh played him. I love your choice but I always saw him more like Chris O'Dowd http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1483369/. He's not so sweet in The Crimson Petal and White, makes a great rotter :)

Josh Hollaway is too good looking for Bonnett. I never pictured Bonnett as being handsome, just kind of an ordinary guy, but one who could talk his way out of anything. I agree with the Chris O'Dowd casting.

Interesting, because I always pictured Bonnet as attractive. Except for the fact that he was dirty.

I can see Chris O'Dowd, except for the hair. I've never seen him act so I can only go off his looks, and he doesn't look like Bonnet to me.

Bettany would be another one that I think would be good though. I can definitely see him as Bonnet.

I really like Paul Bettany and his acting skills but he's a little long in the tooth for Bonnet, being 41 now. I always see him and Roger as big men so I also think Matthew Macfadyen would make a good choice for one of them but maybe more Roger.

I never saw Bonnet as very good looking either just a man with the gift of the gab and generous.

He would make a great Bonnet. I always felt a little bad for Bonnet.

I always thought most con men were somewhat good looking - it blends with their arrogant charm to get them what they want, especially from most women. That's why Josh Holloway strikes a chord with me - his "Lost" character was sooooo Stephen Bonnet before he tried to become a "good guy".

I like Josh for the part. Sawyer was Bonnet except for (view spoiler)[the fact that he was never a rapist (hide spoiler)]

Not sure I'm fully on board with this one, but I've also seen people suggest Collin Farrell...he does bad boy, dirty well. However, he's probably a bit too old now.

Nah I don't see that either. I definitely see a roguishly handsome Bonnet but sleezy at the same time.

just look at those eyes.

I pictured Bonnet handsome. Josh would be good. I liked Bonnet even tho I know I shouldn't!!!

Sara:
I disagree. The reason that Bree went to see Bonnet was to get back her mother's wedding ring. If you recall, she spotted it on the table when Bonnet was playing cards.
Mistakenly, she thought that be appealing to his sympathies and senses, he would just give her the ring back.

I always thought of Bonnet as being attractive also. My pick is Jason Lewis

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0507314/?r...

Jason Lewis does look the part of Bonnet but wonder if he could do the Irish accent?

I always pictured a young Sean Bean (he's too old now!) as he's played Irishmen in movies: Stormy Monday, Patriot Games, and The Field

It's hard because I've seen Jason Lewis as a possiblity for Rhage in the BDB, so that's what I see whenever I look at him now. But I could see him as Bonner.

Playing a villain might be good for Jason Lewis. But, yeah, I've always seen him as Rhage in BDB or Cruce in Fever.

Interesting choice for Bonnet! But hey, I'd still love to see Orlando Bloom play Frank/BJR, so that's not your average choice, either - LOL!

I also like Josh Holloway and even Paul Bettany - if they're not too old. Bettany is such a chameleon, he can play and do anything. Holloway is pretty enough, slick enough, and has just the right "vibe" to be Bonnet; but Holloway might not be tall enough or be able to do the right accent.

Josh Holloway was always my pick for Bonnet. But I can totally see Bettany too. he'd do great.

Jason Lewis is always who's picked as Rhage, but ever since Vikings I now see Travis Fimmel as Rhage, only because of the glowing eyes, lol.

Well, that's true about Travis Fimmel!!! He could definitely be a Brother, but is he pretty enough to be Rhage? Maybe Zsadist? Pretty but scarred? Dunno.

Mmmm, I don't know. I think he's pretty enough to be Rhage. I think that's my problem with Fimmel's 'model' pictures. He's too pretty for me, lmao. That's why I think he's so hot as Ragnor because he looks dirtier and rougher. Normally though, he totally has that pretty boy hollywood thing going on.



I think he'd have to bulk up. But regardless, lmao, it was his eyes when watching the show that made me think of Rhage. Every time his eyes would glow I'd think "holy crap, Rhage's beast is coming out!"

You're right - I keep picturing the "dirtier" version of Fimmel. He could be Rhage with those eyes. But I still think he could be Zsadist or even Phury, although I'd hate for him to be Phury, 'cuz he's one of my least fav of the Brothers.

I can see him as Rhage. He's got that wicked, mischievous grin that would be in line with Rhage's sense of humor.

LOL, Phury is my least favorite too. I love Z though.

Before seeing how blue his eyes are I would have said Phury or Z. But the blue eyes seal it for me.

What about Colin Farrell ( http://m.imdb.com/name/nm0268199/ ) or Joel Edgerton ( http://m.imdb.com/name/nm0249291/ ). Colin's Irish and is has that roguish air about him. I love Joel though. He's become a huge favorite of mine. Always amazing! O. There is Sean Patrick Flannery too.

Right on Wendy, I like him. I think he could play the part well.

What about Jeremy Renner?

The truth is that yes, I hate Stephen Bonnet for what he did to Brianna, but she also had her degree of guilt for going to ship directly to the lion's den when he sent anyone to go there. Also, strangely, I felt more chemistry between Stephen and Brianna, not Roger with Brianna.
I like the choice of Josh Holloway! xD

Never blame the victim! She made a bad choice - partially because she was from a different time, partially because she was young and stupid and partially because she was hard headed. All of those things do not make her guilty of her own rape.

Natàilia wrote: "The truth is that yes, I hate Stephen Bonnet for what he did to Brianna, but she also had her degree of guilt for going to ship directly to the lion's den when he sent anyone to go there. Also, str..."

I kinda thought there was more chemistry between Stephen and bree too. I loved Roger but he and Brees relationship was as dull as powder.

Haha I also thought he had more chemistry with Bree than Roger did. I even thought Diana might throw in a love triangle but that was quickly squashed.

When he was first introduced I was rooting for him and hoped that he would be a friend to Jamie and Claire. When we started to see his true colors that went right out the window. I don't think I ever thought he had chemistry with Bree.

In Fiery Cross Bree had written in a journal she left in Jamie`s study that she had an Orgasm while dreaming and in the dream thought it was with Roger until the guy`s face popped into view and it was Steven . I have always wondered about that when she acts like she hates him when she`s awake.Roger found and read this entry but as yet hasn`t confronted her about it.

You cannot help what you dream and she was disturbed by that. I have had dreams where I had sex with someone that I would never even consider in waking life. It does not mean she was attracted by it.

I thought they had chemistry. You can't always control what you dream, but he is in her subconscious mind and I think what scared her was that not only did she dream about being with him, but that she dreamed that she enjoyed it, and maybe some parts of her did.

I definitely thought they had chemistry. Also more chemistry than she does with Roger. Not that I dislike her and Roger, there family is fine, I just remember really liking Stephen and hoping that he sooo evil, lol.

I was wrong, though like with most characters we got snippets of things that you understand him more, he was definitely not going to change which became blaringly obvious when he (view spoiler)[planned to sell her in the slave trade (hide spoiler)].

Wendy F wrote: "I definitely thought they had chemistry. Also more chemistry than she does with Roger. Not that I dislike her and Roger, there family is fine, I just remember really liking Stephen and hoping tha..."

Stephen was a bad guy. I. Every way imaginable. He wouldn't be a good man to any woman. Bree and Roger are definitely in love and Roger is such an enduring character. I just cannot help but feel that there was chemistry and tension between Bree and Stephen. He was definitely a bad guy and its best Bree didn't end up with him, but there was chemistry there.

Explain where you all are seeing the chemistry? It has been a while since I read it but I really never saw that.

I can't think of specific things, it's more the way they read. I mean, usually in books and television/moves chemistry is more of something that's an energy rather than a specific thing. A line can be said by two characters and fall flat if there's no chemistry, but by two characters that fit well it gives you completely different feelings.

I think I felt tension between them, but not romantic chemistry

I like Roger and Bree now, but they had a really boring start and lacked chemistry. I remember routing for Stephen. Actually before I knew anything about anything I was hoping Bree would get together with Fergus.

Well so far there are 3 of us in this thread. Can't vouch for the rest but I'm definitely alive lol. I cant recall for sure but i think I liked the idea of Stephen up till he (view spoiler)[ kidnapped Bree. (hide spoiler)]

Dawn wrote: "Stephen Bonnet robbed Jamie and Claire, raped Brianna, kidnapped her with the intent to sell her into sexual slavery...there is a woman alive who was actually in favor of him being successful? Rea..."

I haven't got to the part where he kidnapped her, but thanks for telling me.

I guess I assumed if we are discussing how cool this monster was, you had read all about his "dastardly" deeds.

Diane wrote: "Explain where you all are seeing the chemistry? It has been a while since I read it but I really never saw that."

IDK why, but I felt chemistry when she went to him while pregnant and he gave her the jewel for the baby.
He is not a great guy and I am glad she is with Roger, but I just felt Roger and bree were boring at the start
but as the time went on their relationship became so deep: and who doesn't love Roger.

I just finished the scene in FC where Stephan tried to kidnap Bree and Jemmy.I`ve always wondered if he actually thought she had a thing for him because she did voluntarily go to him alone twice.He is an instant gratification type with no thoughts of consequences apparently for others.In that kidnap scene where Bree shot him in the crotch he looked horribly surprised at her.
What I have wondered about his is if anyone ever heard from Diana if he actually planned on taking and keeping them with him on his ship-as a wife or prisoner type.Or what he planned for them
I also think this is why he wanted to sell her-for revenge for her shooting him because I don't think he ever showed signs of being vindictive other times.

Dawn wrote: "Stephen Bonnet robbed Jamie and Claire, raped Brianna, kidnapped her with the intent to sell her into sexual slavery...there is a woman alive who was actually in favor of him being successful? Rea..."

Thank you!

I think Stephen B is somewhat of a sociopath. They can be charming, amoral, and only think of their own wants and needs. I think that he had a connection with Bree because he thought he MIGHT be Jemmy's father, and the thought of that appealed to him a bit. I don't think Bree had feelings for Stephen. Remember, she had only had two sexual experiences; her one night with Roger, and then being raped. And what we know about rape, is that your body can respond even when you hate what is happening to you. Very confusing for her, and then she was pregnant and alone! I am glad it got sorted out eventually!

Carol wrote: "I think Stephen B is somewhat of a sociopath. They can be charming, amoral, and only think of their own wants and needs. I think that he had a connection with Bree because he thought he MIGHT be ..."

I agree Carol, Stephens chemistry with Bree was all about his ego. I think the reason Bree visited Stephen willingly on two occasions was because of her willfulness and determination to control things for herself. Being young and stupid she thought she could handle the situation.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Bree had feelings for him.

It's more difficult to see or explain the chemistry the two had after you know everything about him. Its when you DON'T know the end result or everything about him that there is still hope for redemption. That's more or less in the story where the chemistry between them is.

Many people steal in novels and in the end come out being the guy or gal you're rooting for.

Also, please take this with a grain of salt because its been a while since I read about Bree (spoiler from Voyager)(view spoiler)[ being raped and I could be remembering this wrong. Even at that point there was still possible redemption (maybe not from Bree but from the reader). Bree is walking around in leather pants when she first sees him, giving him a very wrong impression. Then she goes aboard his boat, neither being something a "moral" woman would do during that time. Then when he expects sex she doesn't even fight. (hide spoiler)]

Knowing what we know about him now, we know those things didn't actually matter. But up until knowing more about him, Diana could have written what was coming totally different. He treated her like a whore and from his perspective, she didn't act in a way that said otherwise.

Anything at all that talks about a particular plot point about this character or any character needs to be in spoiler tags. There is absolutely no assuming anything. If the title of the thread says 'spoilers' then you can talk freely, if it does not then you need to mark your comment with spoiler tags.

Also, everyone is entitled to their opinions. Yes, we are very aware that he was a bad man. I do not believe that anyone in here has called him a 'cool character'. We are simply stating that we felt more chemistry between Bree and Bonnet in the first half of their altercations.

Also, I just want to add that we are not discussing present day lifestyles, we are discussing the way life was in the 18th century. Just like Jamie tried to teach Claire in Outlander, there are things that are accepted as a normal way of life now that were absolutely not back then. Yes, Bonnet raped Bree. However, the times were not the same. A woman walking around back then in breeches, and going into a pirates bedroom was putting herself in danger. It was absolutely wrong, what Bonnet did. But you also have to remember that many many times over the course of the series the women are told NOT to walk around by themselves because 'men will be men, and it isn't safe'. This is not the 21st Century. So, bearing that in mind, and the fact that there was something charming about Bonnet, it left you with the feeling that just as Jamie was forgiven for beating Claire, that maybe Bonnet could reach the same level of redemption.

In fact, I believe Diana fostered this feeling in her readers to make what happens in the latter half of their relationship more shocking. Moments, such as (view spoiler)[Bonnet having the nightmare and Bree soothing him and rubbing his hair (hide spoiler)].

So, basically the bottom line is please respect opposing opinions. Honestly, I haven't popped in here for a few days but a few of the comments I just read felt very insulting to some members. If we cannot accept a differing opinion without turning it into an argument, then please refrain from commenting.

We're all different, we all see things differently or interpret things differently, and all the Mods ask is that we respect each others thoughts and the group community.