Reviews

1. 

   Cassie Ward – 10 November, 2018

   Everyone who complains about Season 3 not being as good, are book readers who forget that the Starz series is based on the books…but do not follow the books 100%. As a fan of the books since 1992, I am very pleased and immensely thankful for the WONDERFUL job Starz has done.
   Sometimes the written word does not translate well to the screen. With large books (the only kind Diana Gabaldon knows how to write!) something will have to be cut or condensed in order to film it. Do I wish that Starz had an infinite budget to film the books in more detail? Sure! But as long as it takes to film what they do film, I do not think that wish is practical in any degree.
   Starz works hard to stay true to the period and the characters. I am not disappointed but I remain grateful that I have the books to flush out anything that needs more detail.
   Do not miss out on Season 3 because of the few who must criticize that the series is not the books. Enjoy the series for what it is. Enjoy the books for what they are. Together you will find joy!

2. 

   Shaye Strugnell – 10 November, 2018

   I am moved beyond words at the choreography of this haunting dance of loss.

   Every gesture, every nuance between Frank and Claire is painful on a visceral level. Tobias Menzies and Caitriona Balfe are absolutely brilliant without ever putting a toe into “over the top” territory. Sam Heughan as Jamie in the lost, half dead world of ghosts, snow and ashes, is a thing of beauty and tragedy as there is a hollowness to him so foreign to the Jamie we knew for two seasons that it is a toss up which segments are more difficult to watch.

   They have succeeded in weaving this incredibly complex fabric without taking anything away from the book, making the show its own with its own vision, but never betraying the essence of those lost years and the brutal journey back to each other. Outlander is period perfect and painstakingly beautiful but never holds back from stark, bone-deep truths – no matter how painful – and never hides from the harshness inherent in that beauty.

   Never before has such agony been painted with a more subtle and stunning cinematic brush. It will be hard to wait between episodes to watch this work of art expand and deepen and to discover which way the show will choose to bring a new angle and dimension of life to this narrative which has moved so many millions to such a profound degree. I know enough to trust it in the hands of the showrunners, as they have more than proven their worth to finally put breath into it after living so many years in our own hearts and in our one collective heart.

3. 

   Peter Verginis – 10 November, 2018

   …and it was well worth the wait. Sam Heughen once again proved his mettle as an actor. Much of his performance was just his face, his eyes…and with such great skill he shared all the loss, pain and despair of Jamie Fraser. Even in his battle with Black Jack Randall, he put all his anger and hatred into his eyes…knowing that one, or maybe both, would be dying that day. Meanwhile we see a lost Claire. Trying to manage without her heart and soul, moving to a new country with a man she isn’t in love with any more. She too is lost. Interesting to see her look like just a plain woman. Claire is beautiful and to see her looking like she doesn’t care is very interesting, tells us she just doesn’t care much any more. The last shot of her, after Brianna is born, is the first time she actually looks like Claire again! Frank is stalward. Trying hard to make a marriage work that has lost its magic. Frank may love Claire, but I don’t have much hope for happiness, even with a baby around. Once again, Outlander gave me everything I could have asked for, and more. The night, I think, belonged to Sam Heughan – when he said in Gaelic Farewell Rupert – I felt like he was saying goodbye to everyone.