Editor’s note: If you missed Teddie’s hilarious post on re-watching Season 1, catch up here. Trust us, it’s worth it.
A lovely friend who is in the business expressed exasperation with the term “Droughtlander.” Have patience—these productions take time, she said. If patience is a virtue, then I’m in short supply when it comes to Outlander. Fortunately, two recent events that took place in New York City helped to feed my cravings. I’m talking about the maiden voyage of the Outlander Cast Brunch, which was held on the same day as the fabulously-produced Outlander in The City event (read more on that here), making for a spectacular all-Outlander weekend.
The sad result is that after all that NYC fun, the only thing coming out of this fan woman’s Outlander wallet are those little comic strip flies. For consolation, I head straightaway to my very own mecca of merchandising where my money has been long-spent and, therefore, no longer counts as any kind of expense—my very own Outlander shrine. This is the place where I find my Outlander books and some of Diana Gabaldon’s “methadone list” titles, an unopened 2-year-old box of Outlander Walker’s Shortbread cookies, a nice box of Season 1 Outlander Trading Cards (also unopened), an official Season 1 Trading Card binder (empty), various bits of ephemera from past NYC Outlander events, scraps of the banners that once hung at the now-shuttered St. Andrews Pub, and—gloriously displayed—my Outlander Blu Ray disc sets for Season 1 and Season 2. Time for an everything-old-is-new-again S2 re-watch!
This won’t be anything close to a blow-by-blow recap. In fact, I am sure I will omit some things that are really, really meaningful to any one of you, and I’m positive that I’ll tell things out of sequence. There will be no footnotes or asterisks; you’ve been warned. Eagle-eye Outlander fans, that’s why we have a “comments” section below. I expect to end up with my head on a pike, so have at it.
Back in the past, Claire pursues her knack for creating havoc, and Jamie is both fragile and determined. Murtagh, meanwhile, brings his own unique brand of disdain, making him somehow even more lovable.
In the mud of the Highlands, the clouds of Culloden begin their gradual descent, as does Dougal in the eyes of the Bonnie Prince. In a bare-chested and sadly comical show of “this is how it’s done,” the Clan Mackenzie’s war-whooping performance on the practice field foreshadows the end of the clans, as they cannot possibly match up against the mortar and cannon of the English. The horrors of two wars, two hundred years apart weigh heavily on Claire, as the story delves into Claire’s PTSDcombat nurse experiences, straying from the stoic and pragmatic Claire that readers have come to expect. The glimpse into this facet of Claire’s psyche perhaps provides an unexpected parallel to Jamie’s personal struggle with the aftermath of his own trauma, where his most private sense of self was left exposed and vulnerable.
A most important young character briefly graces the screen just before the Jacobite’s triumphant rout at Prestonpans, after which we lose the often revolting, yet endearing Angus in a shocking surprise. The choice to develop this nearly one-scene character from the book into someone both revolting and endearing was a home run for Ron D. Moore and company!
Despite all efforts, the Bonnie Prince remains intransigent, the battle is to go on bigly, and Jamie must see Claire safe. In an anxiety-wracked ride, they arrive at Craig Na Dun and Jamie reveals his uniquely masculine and damned sexy attentiveness to his wife’s menstrual cycle. The “sexy time” that we finally get makes me ugly cry, and the slow and sad dance whereby James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser leads Claire back to the stones is beautiful and gripping and heart wrenching. Jamie returns to the devoted Murtagh, and the impending battle. Ron D. Moore, listen up: if there will be any book deviations as Season 3 approaches, please, please—watch over Murtagh. Don’t hurt him.
Meanwhile, back to 1968. Claire of the frosted hair and Audrey Hepburn scarf sees the light. She’s going back!
Teddie’s Season 2 Re-Watch Reflections
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Through a Glass, Darkly
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Claire, the trouble magnet.
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Not in Scotland Anymore
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It’s not nice to smack your waxer.
Monsieur Duverney, Finance Minister, joins an 80s hair band.
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Useful Occupations and Deceptions
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I’ll pass on a taste of that urine, thanks. Even for science.
It always come back to Bach.
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La Dame Blanche
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The party was a flop, but the leftovers were amazing!
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Untimely Resurrection
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Nothing like BJR getting dissed.
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Best Laid Schemes
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Jamie, tell me you didn’t.
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Faith
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Caitriona Balfe gives her best stuff.
That beard again.
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The Fox’s Lair
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Collusion in the 18th century: The Art of the Jamie, Claire, and Leggy Deal.
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Je Suis Prest
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Note to Blake and other non-readers: John William Grey.
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Prestonpons
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This time, Claire needs some healing.
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Vengeance is Mine
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The Duke and his separation anxiety. |
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The Hail Mary
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BJR has a strange way of showing his feelings, but we already knew that. |
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Dragonfly In Amber
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Claire, I would’ve snatched that piece of amber from the museum and stashed it in my handbag. MINE!
Bree finally gets it. Murtagh, I’m melting. JAMMF, you are the King of Men. |
Again, Dragonfly in Amber was my least favorite book, and the adaptation has bumps of a different kind. This sophomore season of Outlander on Starz posed a few quandaries among some book readers. In the end, their rhetorical questions might go something like this:
- Weak? JAMMF?
- When would Jamie ever give Claire the marital bed freeze-out?
- Claire, the Mother Superior of snark?
- Would they seriously make a deal with Legwhore the she-devil?
Meanwhile, my re-watch experience sits well in my heart. As a Dragonfly book coward, my first look at Season 2 left me as emotionally broken as the book and sometimes, a bit disoriented. I was also enchanted, surprised, heartbroken and—above all—entertained. I survived the film re-visit and, truthfully, I LOVED it.
Now, Voyager!
Claire????Clairvoyant, I see what you did there. Love that, Teddie, and the entire piece! I take great solace from the fact that we agree on DIA. Loved both Outlandeal, Voyager and what I've read of Drums but struggled a little with DIA; more with the book than onscreen, though. Thanks for giving us this wonderful Droughtlander relief! September, please hurry!!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Joanne. I am reminded of how fortunate I was to have started the series with five of the books already published. I admire those who had to white knuckle what was the original Droughtlander!
Many thanks, Karen. I will forever look at DiA as the only logical bridge to Voyager; especially knowing that V stands on the other end of it. Yours in cowardice,
Teddie
I agree with much of what you said about the book and the screen. I have re-read and re-watched both several times. In the end I love both! There is so much beauty, pain, love, heartbreak, joy, struggle and redemption in both. The experience of Dragonfly in Amber leaves me wiped out but joyful with anticipation for Voyager.
A delightful read Teddie, again.
I think I'm in the majority in believing Season 2 didn't quite hit the bulls eye as Season 1 did. I very much enjoyed Season 2 and wasn't too bothered when it strayed from the book. The bottom line for me is Season 1 set the bar very high and it's unfair to judge Season 2 on anything other than it's own merits and I found Season 2 very entertaining and more to the point is provided an oasis of Outlander after a long droughtlander.
It will be interesting how the bring Voyager to the screen because there is so much packed into Book 3. Maybe Voyager will span Seasons 3 and 4? I guess it matters less how it's done than when it's done which is now only a scant 3 months away … jeez … still 3 months … I'm thirsty.
Parched!! Thanks Ebony Raptor–so kind of you to read and post. True–straying from the book was not a bad thing in a way–well maybe not the Laighaire thing– but it was plenty entertaining. I think S3 will just be for Voyager, and S4 (it seems we are getting one) will be Drums of Autumn. So hoping these last three long months go swiftly. Be well!!
Hi Teddie,
I think you nailed it! Love the commentary and especially the funny bits! Initially Dragonfly (the book) has not been my favorite – seems to run a little slowly with all the action at the back end – Davina reading does make it more interesting. The SERIES though – although I still found the story line to run a little slowly; I LOVED what they did with it! Louise slapping her waxer; Mary was a great character – ace job casting her; Murtaugh STOLE the show; poor Jamie – hidden behind his clothing and his desire to undermine the Prince – the PRINCE …yes, let's MARK HIM! Loved Fergus – another ace casting job and Suzette was a treat! I'm truly looking forward to Voyager as it has always been one of my favorites of the series!
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