To Ransom a Man’s Soul

Black Jack Randall Explained: Why Outlander’s Perfect Villain Had To Go

Full spoilers for Outlander Seasons 1-3, including Wentworth, Faith, Culloden, and Black Jack Randall’s death. Content note: This article discusses Black Jack Randall’s violence, abuse, sexual assault, and the lasting trauma he causes Jamie and Claire. We discuss those events through the lens of story, character, and adaptation, not to excuse or romanticize them. Black…

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Into the Darkness: Finding Personal Light through Outlander

                      I discovered Outlander this spring when my family moved to a new house.  On the day of the move, I went to the house early to wait for the cable installer.  My partner was coming later with the movers. After the cable was installed,…

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Out of Faith: Fan uproar over an extended scene

So, a clandestine un-aired extended version of Season 2 EP. 7 “Faith”, written by Toni Graphia was released into the fandom ahead of the DVD release. I saw it when it was retweeted by episode’s director Metin Huseyin, with immense praise for Sam. And then Diana got involved, as how could anyone seriously not love…

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Outlander Showrunner Ronald D. Moore Interview: Frank, The Finale And Why The Book Had To Be TV

Outlander showrunner Ronald D. Moore joins Mary & Blake to explain Frank, the Season 1 finale, and why Diana Gabaldon’s book had to become television instead of a movie. The real value of this interview is not simply that Ronald D. Moore came on the podcast, although Blake absolutely geeks out because this is the…

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Outlander Writer Ira Steven Behr Interview: Black Jack Randall And Why The Finale Never Flinched

Outlander writer and executive producer Ira Steven Behr joins Mary & Blake to talk Black Jack Randall, Wentworth Prison, “To Ransom A Man’s Soul,” and why the Season 1 finale never flinched. That is the real value of this interview. This is not just a behind-the-scenes victory lap. It is not just a “how did…

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Outlander Season 1 Episode 16 “To Ransom A Man’s Soul”: Survival Is Not The Same As Being Saved

Outlander Season 1 Episode 16, “To Ransom A Man’s Soul,” understands something brutal: survival is not the same as being saved. Jamie Fraser is out of Wentworth Prison. That should be the victory. Claire got him out. Murtagh got the cattle into the prison. Angus and Rupert helped create the chaos. Black Jack Randall is…

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