Outlander Thoughts

 

 

I have a lot of thoughts about Outlander Season 4. But first, a little background. Over twenty years ago, I discovered the Outlander book series and have read each one many times and have eagerly anticipated each new one as is was published and the story continued. The wait time between books is anywhere from three to five years. There are currently eight books in the series, with book nine set to be published in 2019 and then a book ten (the final book) to come. So, you could say that I am invested in this book series. Being a lover of history, I find these books facinating, especially the detail of life the Scottish Highlands and in colonial America.

I had high hopes for the Outlander television series and while very good, it also has issues that as a book reader, I find hard to overcome. I have lowered my expectations and learned that the books are the books and the show is the show and that is fine. The characterizations at times aggravate me, but the sets, and especially the costumes are outstanding and bring the words on the page to life in ways I never imagined.

Season four (based on book 4, Drums of Autumn) has been really good for the most part. There has been a lack of chemistry between Claire and Jamie that is troubling, Claire's characterization has been wrong many times, but Jamie's is the best it has been since season one. Casting continues to be amazing and the newest villian, Stephen Bonnet, is deliciously bad. The costumes, especially the native American's, are something special and so interesting. The dialogue is best served when it comes from the book, otherwise it can be extremely clunky. Fraser's Ridge is something the show runners and set production got very right.

Here, along with photos from the episodes, are my favorite season four scenes, so far.

 

 

 

From Episode 1 - the Gaelic funeral lament at the colonial tavern. Such a great way to give our Highlanders a welcoming link between Scotland and America and the many Scottish immigrants in North Carolina.

 

Also from Episode 1 - Ed Speleers (Jimmy from Downton!) as Stephen Bonnet is amazing in every scene, but especially in the harrowing final scene on the river boat.

 

 

Jamie meeting Aunt Joscasta and our first glimpse of her plantation, River Run

 

Roger and Bree at the Highland Festival. Loved her clothes from the 1970's.

 

Jamie and Bree meet for the first time. Straight from the pages of the book and couldn't have been more perfect.

 

Life at home on Fraser's Ridge has always been my favorite part of the books.

 

Lord John and Bree's friendship translated well from the book to the screen and it was my favorite part of last week's episode.

For other posts on Outlander, just type Outlander in the search box on the sidebar and they will all come up. If you are an Outlander reader or watch the show, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Tuesday!