I have a particular Twitter friend who I met through Outlander that I at times use as a sounding board. Most times, I am okay and have a very clear idea of what I want to say. But sometimes, I need a pair of trusted eyes. Sometimes I send her my rough thoughts/notes on an episode because I’m not sure if I’m seeing things that are actually there or if I’ve brought too much of my own feelings and book lover desires to the situation. It’s tough for us book readers. I’ve said before that I am often jealous of folks who get to watch the show with “virgin” eyes. But, it is what it is. I can’t unread the books. So, my reflections are a mixture of my reactions to what is actually shown and the connections I make to my reading of Diana Gabaldon’s books. This was one of those episodes where I needed an additional pair of trusted eyes.
“Just watched…thinking…”
“Great I can’t WAIT to talk about it!”
“I should have loved this…”
“I actually thought the same thing. I want to be extra careful not to say too much because I wanted to hear you first. But, on this, we unanimously agree.”
Hmmmm, she’s struggling to like it too.
“I appreciate that. There were three scenes so well done they were worth watching the entire episode. I need to think. Well, I’ve got to be honest or I will lose credibility, but …is it wrong that I still love them all? LOL! It feels like the story is being pulled in too many directions. Almost like…they aren’t confident in the story and…they are trying to …fix it.”
“No it isn’t wrong to still love them all…not even a little. My take is there are TOO many cooks in the Outlander kitchen.”
Are there? Has the amount of folks with say and opinions resulted in a Mulligan stew of an episode? Was this a compromise?
“Thanks. I’ve got to watch again. Try to figure out what is bothering me.”
I only got to watch the episode twice this week before writing. I have to say my second viewing left me feeling more enamored of the whole episode. Overall, it was great TV and left us wanting more. And, I will definitely talk about what I loved, but…let me talk about the stumbling block in this episode that I tripped over.
A MATURE MARRIAGE
The scene that has prevented me from loving this episode was the very first. I was very hopeful when I saw the show open with Jamie sitting at his desk with morning light streaming in on his face and his eyes shifting back and forth in thought as he nodded that he had come to some kind of conclusion. In fact, I was very excited because I thought I was going to get exactly what I hoped for in my last article looking ahead to this episode.
Episode 5 ended powerfully with a tearful Claire reaching out to Jamie only to be told not to touch him in a voice seething with rage. The fact that Jamie doesn’t storm out was powerful. In fact, it has left me hopeful that the writers are going to follow the books lead and let Jamie spend the night thinking. Sometimes relationships endure and heal because someone chooses to love despite being hurt. I want to see Jamie choose to love. This relationship needs more time and nurturing if the scenes that follow are to be believable. Trying not to worry. http://wp.me/p57847-n81
I was pleased to see the show let Jamie choose to love, but for me there was a missing scene. It was not clear that he had been up all night thinking and choosing. I needed to see him struggle with his choice perhaps a brief montage of passing hours. I needed more than “the lady says you need to eat”. I needed to see Claire not Murtagh. As lovely as the scene was between the two as he is rubbing her feet, it came too late. I needed to see her bring him that breakfast and him get down on his knees kiss her stomach and bury his anger in her arms. The power of that moment was lost in her leaving to go to the hospital. It felt callous rather than heroic. “Of course she did.” sighs Jamie.
After watching it a second time, I’m sure it was meant to show his acceptance of her and her need to help others, but I couldn’t help but think of my own marriage. I don’t know about you, but a fight that big and a husband that hurt and angry would have required my being more present. I can’t function when things are wrong between us. My life doesn’t work when there is discord in my marriage because even though I am an individual with my own interests, I am also a woman in a committed relationship. My relationship with my husband is more important than any job, or other person. I would have needed to at least make some effort to make a connection and reassert my love despite our differences. Jamie didn’t leave the room , but it felt like Claire did. They had a big fight and she left and went to work without at least checking to see if he was okay or at least let him know she was there when and if he was ready to talk. Everybody feels more important than Jamie. In my book, its time for a serious conversation about where this marriage is going.
I’m guessing because of the scene with Claire, Louise and the ladies, the writer’s felt uncomfortable with Claire continuing to work at the hospital while hugely pregnant and are trying to give us a rationale for her behavior. Women work up until the day they deliver all the time. This isn’t necessarily reckless behavior. Now, if she continued to work after the bleeding…then maybe we could say she was being reckless. This scene made me wonder if my friend was right. Is there somebody in that writer’s room that isn’t buying the story? Is there some serious disagreement about Claire? Are there too many cooks?
They really needn’t worry, this story with a less than perfect Claire has been gathering millions of fans for over 25 years. She is frustratingly flawed and principled and…as a result, often reckless, but we love her because she is kind, loyal, and there is NEVER any doubt that she loves Jamie and that she is committed to him. She doesn’t work if they aren’t together, “Nothing good happens when we are apart.” And, in my opinion that means emotional as well as physical distance.
Maybe the writers were trying to show us that Claire continues to deal with her feelings and worries by burying herself in her work. To be fair Jamie was very angry and maybe they felt she was just giving him space and time many people in committed relationship do the same, but it didn’t ring true to me. Maybe I feel this way because of the book and the next morning there. It felt almost as if the fight had never happened. I couldn’t help but feel that there was a scene on the cutting room floor that I needed to see and found myself making some kind of mental re-calibration based on that belief. I had to let go of that missing scene because it was seriously interfering with my ability to enjoy some of the great scenes I was given. In this instance, I felt that adaptation failed the characters and story.
THIS WHOLE EPISODE WAS WORTH WATCHING FOR THESE SCENES
Claire’s promise and I can’t wait to meet you
After I righted myself from my stumble, I was able to appreciate all that was done well in this episode. The intimacy that a lot of folks were missing was there tonight. Loved Jamie’s letting Claire know that he has saved her as well and that in his book, they were even and that because she chose him, he really didn’t owe Frank a thing. Loved in charge Jamie, glad he showed up and that Claire realizes he won’t be easily managed. And, the scene with the baby between them was a glimpse of the Jamie and Claire we all fell in love with. The acting was so wonderfully subtle. I am so grateful for these actors who can emote so well.
He promised me.
The show has taken great pains to show Jamie as an honorable man who keeps his word. For God’s sake, Wentworth. So, what could possibly make James Fraser break an oath? The episode hints at the cause with a red coat, a little boy, and a shut door. Whatever the reason, Claire’s need to save Frank has resulted in blood.
“How did she forgive you?” asks Randall.
Even in this moment, fighting for his life, his obsession continues and Claire’s power eludes him. Their power eludes him. They choose love. Despite all odds, all obstacles, all pain, they choose love. And, it is a beautiful wonder. A wondrous thing Jack Randall doesn’t and cannot understand. Despite his best efforts, Jamie is still everything Jack will never be and together with Claire more.
The show continues to challenge us beautifully by creating striking metaphorical images. like the irony of Black Jack and Claire both lying on the ground bleeding with wounds to their cores both deliberately and unintentionally inflicted by Jamie.
The Gods are laughing. Our couple is trying to change their fate. The show continues to foreshadow that fate rules. The British win at Culloden. The losses in this story continue to mount. What could possibly be worth all this pain? We have to wonder now…after this…will it just be too much? Will the sacrifice finally be too much and the pain too great?
I can still hear her screams . Screams from that accursed hill. I hear her anguish. His exacted promise that she return to Frank should they face an abyss at Culloden is more prophecy than precaution. We know this doesn’t end well and after tonight viewers must wonder how much can one couple can stand. As predicted their hubris has led to nemesis. The jealous Gods must punish such hubris however well intention-ed. Their best laid plans have paved the road to their own hell.
I was right to love them all and this story.
My Outlander Blog! 
Spot on again Beth. I remade there was a cut scene. Too bad.
Your reflection of episode 206 is spot on! Really enjoyed reading it! Only one thing keeps gnawing at me about this episode… the writer’s portrayal of Claire’s disregard for her own health and that of her unborn child. Based on the fact that she is a nurse/healer why wouldn’t they portray her as someone who would pay attention to her body, which was definitely warning her that trouble was imminent with her baby, i.e. bleeding…NEVER good at anytime in pregnancy! Why would Mother Hildegard have to tell her she was bleeding? She would have known that. The book version of this scene made a little more sense and portrayed Claire as the intelligent woman she should be, armed with medical training and knowledge..something these particular TV scenes failed to capture. Book Claire knew she was bleeding, and took some precautions. TV Claire didn’t know she was bleeding…really?…and didnt seem to have the common sense going forward to slow down and rest; measures she would have known to take immediately in order to protect her unborn child, and herself. This version of Claire never stopped once to think about the consequences to her baby when deciding to take a fast and hard carriage ride and run through the woods..all for what ….to save Frank in the future? ..was it worth it?…probably not! Her character didn’t have this much angst when she thought BJR was dead after Wentworth! I hope the writers at least portray Claire as willing to take some responsibility for the outcome of her pregnancy which certainly is due in part to her own actions/decisions; a strong woman would! But I doubt it……My hope is that the writers follow your advice for this couple, since you appear to have better insight then they do! Even though this is pure fiction….it sure does feel real to us at times..doesn’t it??!! LOL!
I see Claire as being panicky and not thinking of anything but getting to Jamie. He could be killed! Saving Frank wasn’t the only reason she made him promise not to duel BJR.
I interpreted her bleeding as something that just occurred at the hospital. I didn’t read it as she had been bleeding earlier and ignored it. I also read Mother Hildegard’s face that she was worried and knew that bleeding was not normal but wanted to reassure a first time mother that she would be ok.
And Claire reacts to the duel news as soon as she gets home and her only thought was to stop the duel. What did occur to me on my third viewing is that in the carriage ride she never gives any voice to the thought that it might be Jamie, her soulmate, that might die. All she thought about was Frank and how could Jamie break his comment knowing that it would kill Frank. That was troublesome to me.
Yes, I agree her lack of concern for Jamie during the carriage ride was also a sore spot for me too! Re: Claire, I was referring to book Claire who discovered she was bleeding before the hospital scene as presented on TV. After watching this episode again…not sure how much I really liked it after all….
I know this is an old post and nobody will see this but I wanted/needed to say this.
I don’t see her not thinking Jamie could die as troublesome, I saw it as a show of her faith and belief in him. She knows how good a swordsman he is as well as the emotion/hate that gives him that little something extra. Also, she can’t imagine a life without him so it never occurs to her he could die.
Like I said, nobody will see this but I needed to get it out lol. Love what you write-and I love that you encourage (amicable) dissent and discussion, and are willing to look into things through someone else’s eyes. That is a trait that is becoming less prominent sadly.
Someone did see and I’m sure others too. It made me so sad because of what’s to come. She will have to live without him and for much too long. I wish she had gone back after 10 years. Oh well.
The first time I read the book years ago I actually put the book down and stopped reading for at least a month because I was so upset at all the time they spent apart. I wanted a miracle that would give them more time lol. Obviously I picked it back up but it took a while lol.
I understand why she didn’t look back (others apparently don’t). I don’t think I could either.
Wow..I did the same thing. I just re-read Voyager because when I read it the first time I could not bring myself to read about the pain Jamie was suffering without Claire and his prison stint…but this time I finally read those chapters…so painful to read, even though we know they find each other again. Yesterday, I just forced myself to begin reading the Scottish Prisoner and the opening scene is just as painful. Regarding Claire, I don’t know if I could live 20 years without knowing the fate of my soulmate; the man I deeply love. When that was presented in the book it didnt make sense to me..it didnt seem like Claire would go along with that….
I’m glad I’m not the only one!! LoL.
The not knowing would be terrible-that is always the worst in a situation like that. I completely understand what you’re saying but remember she thought he died. That was his plan and she didn’t really have a reason to doubt for 2 reasons: 1 because it was the only way she could cope with being without him and 2 because (like it said in the book) “so many people died at Culloden and _he_ meant to!!”
Just my thought 🙂
Precisely!
I was shocked that we didn’t get to “see”, in some way shape or form, the resolution of last week’s fight. Everyone, book reader or not, felt the enormity of that scene, regardless of what they thought it meant going forward. To just skip over what came immediately after felt like a cheat and a disservice to not only the viewers, but to Jamie as well. I really hope there is a scene we’ll get to see on DVD. Moving on though, there is so much, as you pointed out, to LOVE about this episode, including the way those so very painful moments were handled. Whisky at the ready for next week!
Absolutely. THAT’S why this episode didn’t work for me! Beth nails it again.
My thoughts exactly too. There is also some confusion with some viewers that this opening scene is the next morning because Claire’s baby bump has increased dramatically since the Versailles scene. I cannot imagine it’s not the next morning or the decision to start the episode this way is even more disturbing.
If you go to read the annotated script of this episode at Outlander Community, you will find that they didn’t want to ignore it. Mark Roberts had written a scene at the beginning which they could not film for production reasons (I’m guessing weather could have played a role in delaying the filming of certain scenes, which this sequence depended upon–the script writer explains it in the annotation). So, while I understand the shock some feel about the abrupt transition, it’s obviously not because the production team didn’t want to address it.
To explain a bit more here: this would have been a Jamie dream sequence which showed why he reconsidered the duel. Murtagh actually wakes him up from this dream. The scene between Jamie and Murtagh immediately follows, before Jamie would have had a chance to talk to Claire. (I always love going to this website on Monday to see what had to be clipped for time, or for other reasons, that would explain something I’d thought should have been addressed in the episode.)
Also, re the baby bump: in interviews, Cait has mentioned research showing women bound themselves up with corsets through the seventh month during that period of history in France. I think the sudden huge bump might just be a sign that Claire finally felt she could not go along with the fashion any longer. (I would have preferred her to have been showing a bit more in the previous episode, of course. Teri Dresbach probably didn’t want to disrupt the lines of that beautiful dress too much!) Perhaps Claire’s showing more and the subsequent loosening of her stays was also a sign of some discomfort, too, which as a first-time mother, she might not have thought was unusual, but which showed things going a bit south with the pregnancy. The bleeding at the hospital occurs, and it’s when she comes home that next day she finds out about the duel and rushes out to try to stop it.
Claire might be well versed in battlefield nursing (Jamie’s good fortune!), but we know she’d never delivered a baby before she helped Jenny with Maggie, so I doubt she was an expert in pregnancies at this stage of her life.
jamelia
There were other things I liked in this episode as well, the Fergus/Jamie bond, All of the Murtagh scenes! The foreshadowing in many different places. J&C did seemingly get over that fight pretty rapidly, but that didn’t detract from the episode for me, and I bet we haven’t seen the end of it yet. I also have to be careful to not take the stellar acting, score, sets, costumes for granted, it is so consistently good.
Damn, you did it again. My thoughts exactly. Last episode…don’t touch me! So powerful. And then he’s rubbing her feet! I also wanted Jaime to say “Da” instead of “Father”. I love all the episodes and am pleased how the writers, directors etc. have adapted the material. Truly gifted people, yourself included.
Thanks.
Hi Beth. Are you the same Beth as on Hangoutlander? I’m not sure. You made some good points. It might be satisfying to see them hash it out more in the morning…but I can relate to leaving for work, not wanting to speak to my husband!
Also, I couldn’t hear what was said at the end. Did Claire say, “Jamie. Get him,” like retrieve my husband? Or kill BJR? Or did she say, “kill him.” Rewound it 3 times.
I think the episodes get better and better. I loved how Jamie gave new meaning to hitting below the belt. Ouch.
Not same Beth! Thanks for reading and your comments!
Beth, another insightful post. I wondered about her leaving as well but maybe it was to show that they needed time apart. I loved how the scene with Fergus was handled. We didn’t need to see more. The problem is this book is complex and is difficult to put on the little screen but I think they are still doing justice to it.
Agree
Unfortunately it sounds like we will see more of the Fergus incident in flashbacks next episode. When that section started I was yelling at my screen “NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!” I was very glad they did not feel the need to show it. I hope they won’t feel the need to be as graphic as 115 and 116. Those two I can see why they needed to be as graphic as they were. I don’t think Fergus needs to be.
I agree exactly. I felt there was a scene missing between their fight scene in 205 and him rubbing her foot in this episode. In last night’s episode, we go from Jamie being at his desk alone to making a snide remark of Claire being at the hospital to Magnus and then the first scene with Jamie and Claire since the fight is Jamie rubbing her foot and she’s smiling like nothing happened?
I do like that his reason for keeping BJR alive and that he called her out with him saving her life a few times too. He’s no pushover.
I’ve not read any of the books but an avid TV fan. I did feel this episode felt a little disjointed at points. But I do understand from some friends who read the book that this episode packed a lot of important scenes from the book.
Overall, I watched the episode in a tensed state and didn’t let my shoulders down until a good 30 minutes after the 3rd viewing😉
I’m afraid to watch 207 and the rest of the season! Television viewing at its best!
It is a great story and they are doing a terrific job adapting a huge book!
I don’t disagree that Indeed it’s a fantastic story which I’m totally sucked into. But even though they’re adapting to the book well, I think they crammed a lot of things in the episode…sort of like checking things off they needed to accomplish than focus on giving Claire and Jamie that scene to reconnect again.
I did like how Claire and Jamie told Murtagh about Claire’s secret finally. They had to. From Claire and Murtagh’s days in finding Jamie in 114, their bond was evident especially when Murtagh opens up to Claire about loving Jamie’s mother. Murtagh loves Jamie as if Jamie was his own. Murtagh saw how much Claire loves Jamie and it was only fitting that they needed to tell Murtagh of Claire’s secret. However, I didn’t like Murtagh calling Claire a “witch”. Was that in the books?
I thought this review was spot on. It agrees that most of us are saying. There’s a disconnect from the fight scene in 205 (“don’t touch me” line) to Jamie foot-rubbing Claire in 206.
http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/unsettling-outlander-plays-shows-strengths-236788?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=ShareTools&utm_campaign=default
Me too. I get such anxiety when it’s time to watch. I absolutely love this show. I’ve read through Drums and just can’t get enough. Yes the special relationship they have in the books is missing on the show but still can’t wait for each episode. I am very sure it has much to do with Sam Heughan.
Cathy,
Yes, be very much afraid. 🙂 next week will be verra verra difficult watching.
I watched this episode SEVEN times in a row to be able to wrap my head around all the changes. It felt collapsed and trunkaded in the places crying out for emotional continuity. So I totally agree with you, Beth. The scenes that I loved were the ones noted, but I disliked the scene with the gossiping women so much (how much can our 20th century girl stand in the ways of vapidity? Not much obviously and I heartedly concur) that I squirmed when watching it. We know they are insipid…and the French Revolution is, of course, on it’s merry way…but, I didn’t want or need that particular history lesson kind of slipped in. I loved and hated this episode. I wanted more “connection” interaction instead of a tossed salad of events. Just saying…
Yes the scene you mention seemed weirdly placed, however I saw another reason for it other than to just show Claire passing time while Jaime was gone. There were two reasons, actually. One, to show the disconnect between the rich and the poor that was leading up to the French Revolution, as I have read other reviewers mention… and two, I think there will be the scene later on in the story line from the book kept in place in the tv show… the one on how Claire discovers vital information by overhearing the women’s conversation. You need to know who the ladies are in order to understand the scene in the future. Once I made that connection, I was understanding of the need for the scene where it was.
Wow…I love that you are able to articulate what I am feeling but don’t have the words for. But this is what comes to mind…this story has grabbed all our hearts because of the Jamie and Claire relationship. Without showing the strength of that bond (over and over again) the story does not compel us to go through all the tribulations…we love them so much that we want them to be together no matter what. Hey writers, it may be a women thing but if you concentrate on the closeness of the Jamie/Claire relationship you will keep us coming back and, if not, you will lose us (particularly the book readers). All that said, I found myself holding my breath throughout the show and didn’t notice until the end when I finally did breathe how impacted I was by it.
Overall, I was very happy
I absolutely agree with you that somehow a scene was cut out in the opening of the show. I was expecting that the fight from last week would be first and foremost dealt with in a more emotional way. I missed that! That being said, the rest of the program was well done. They were able to take a complex story – the wine and fake smallpox, etc – and make it ring true. Book version of that whole thing was long and I appreciated that the writers could condense the story. I’m always happy when Murtaugh and Claire make their bond a bit tighter and it’s nice to know that Murtaugh is in the loop. When Fergus went into BJ’s room, I immediately thought that the vile he picked and smelled and pocketed was lavender oil. Maybe it was some other perfume, but it sure made me think of BJ, dripping lavender oil in his hand to use on our poor wee laddy last season. Ugh! I think next week is going to be a hard one – for our beloved characters and for us. I am in need for some real connecting love! Oh, I know it will get there, but truly, this season has been a difficult one (a delight to watch, however).
Total delight!
I too loved and did not like this episode. I felt as if another 5 minutes would have likely made it everyone’s favorite so far. I agree that a bit more of an introduction was needed to Jamie sitting there. Shots spanning hours would have been great. Maybe showing him leaving the bedroom (end of last episode) to pacing through the hours. I also feel as if a bit more between Jamie and Murtagh would have been a great addition (as not in the books) and a bit more between Fergus and Jamie on the trip to Le Havre and while in the room at Madame Elise/fight with BJR. It would have made for a better episode I think.
I was also bothered by Claire’s popped pregnancy. As a mom, I know that it can happen but NOT like it is shown. It was hard for me to get past.
Next week’s epidode is written for television by Toni Graphia. She totally gets Outlander. Not to be biased/sexist, but it’s been my conclusion that the women are doing an excellent writing job.
I, too, felt disjointment with this episode. Beth, you may be on to something about there being too many cooks along with something possibly left on the cutting room floor.
I agree. Every time a woman writes an episode, the episode is brilliant. I agree with too many cooks in the kitchen. Maybe that is why this season feels disjointed.
Beth, once again I totally agree with you. I was nervous it was just me, so glad to hear these other comments as well. Felt there was a HUGE gap between that fight from last week and the foot rub, not to mention the huge pregnancy bump that grew so much literally overnite. This episode was only about 51 minutes long which surprised me, I felt it truly needed those extra minutes (to especially explain how Jamie and Claire made up from that fight). I still feel this is a good adaptation of a ton of material, but i do find myself wondering what the writers are thinking sometimes. I do love this show though, and cant wait to see each episode, so I guess they’re doing something right, lol.
STARZ has cut down the time for each episode so they show more ads for the shows. Matthew said he had a scene for the beginning of episode 206, but it was cancelled due to time constraints. Jamie had a dream about him, Claire, BJR, and Frank. Wish they could have used it.
I had forgotten to mention in mysterious posting that I, too felt the episode wasn’t the usual length…WTH.
Correction: to mention in my previous posting. I type to fast.
Another fine post.
I thought I was the only that felt a bit, un-easy. It did feel like a snake bullet show, but I would like to believe that was the intention. I think sometimes, the audience, especially those who haven’t read the book, need to feel as disjointed as the characters. Because, as you pointed out in this great piece, Jaime and Claire just had a fight. Knowing this, would mean even though our favorite couple loves each other, it doesn’t mean that their relationship is on track. I know, as in my own marriage, when I have a fight with my husband, and though we’ve made our peace, it takes a bit of time before we find ourselves in-sync. And that’s how I see Claire and Jamie.
I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt “different” about this episode-but Beth did. That missing scene really may be it. I do love how they dealt with the wine shipment. That was a believable TV adaptation. How they’ve included Murtagh in the show is a great addition. And the Implied scene with Fergus was perfect. The ladies gossip session was ridiculous. With a book full of wonderful material why waste time making stuff up? I believe most of us would’ve rather seen Jamie and Claire together instead of hinted at -that’s been missing this season! I’ve been commenting to myself for several weeks about Claire’s lack of baby belly in the fancy dresses yet in her nightgowns she’s definitely not flat. In the brown dress she was totally flat and the very next day every gown they put on her she’s “popped”(to borrow someone else’s word😉). I don’t understand how a show that has been so careful with so many details would do that? I agree with the comment about Claire not knowing her body. I felt through all her bleeding that she was ignoring the signs her body was giving her and she just wouldn’t do that. After watching 3 or 4 times I finally can say it was a great episode, just lacking something and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was a book reader that I felt that. Thanks Beth!
I understand what you mean about the need to see the resolution to the highly charged ending of Ep 205 but I found myself anxious to see what was happening next just as I do when reading the books. Knowing 206 was written by Matt Roberts I was confident it would be amazing because of his long standing love of the books. I was not disappointed. The books are so complex getting all the pertinent storylines in is obviously a fine line to walk. I felt the book come to life in a totally unexpected fashion and I loved it.
Beth, you read my mind. This episode was difficult to track. I have read DIA twice and feel that writers had strayed away from the book and didn’t really understand or discuss the importance of connecting some scenes for emotional continuity. I will watch again to see if it makes more sense to me.
I keep seeing people thinking that there is a missing scene the way this episode started but I had no problem with it. Maybe because this is how my marriage is sometimes. With as big a fight as that, we would not be quite ready to talk in the morning. We would want to but still need time to figure out how. I am usually the one to say I’m sorry and sometimes I just don’t want to, I want him to start the conversation. So if it is a work day, I go to work and by the time I get home we are both more than ready to reconcile. If it is not a work day, we are in separate parts of the house until one of us has had enough. So I completely related to the scene and was very happy with it.
You are completely right about Jack not understanding that Claire and Jamie choose love and that is their power. Beautifully written.
I thought this was an excellent episode and it shows how Matt B Roberts is a fan of the books.
Beth, as soon as we were five minutes in, I was disappointed. And Jamie in modern times in a car with Frank and BJ was not the scene we needed. Sorry Matt. The failure to address the anger and hurt, and having Claire go to the hospital was an extreme disservice to the both characters. I was so disappointed. And not as a book reader, but as a viewer. It did not make sense at all. We could easily have done without the hen scene to gain some time. That scene served only to disrupt the raid. We did not have to know what Claire was doing at that moment.
I thought the double shot of Jamie and the Comte was wonderful. I was disappointed we didn’t get much dialogue with Jamie and Murtaugh in the reveal, but we got lots of dialogue with Murtaugh and Claire afterwards.
Other than my disappointment with the woeful lack of transition and the hens, it was a fine episode.
There may be too many writers, or the editor is cutting and trimming the wrong pieces.
By the way, I’ve watched it 6 times and am still feeling the lack of transition.
I am glad that you mentioned the dream sequence, car ride. When I first read that , I thought that it must be a joke, then I realized that he wasn’t joking. But from the very beginning, they even had the date at Le Havre wrong, put up 1745 instead of 1744, and Maril said that was on oversight, and had to go back and be corrected. How many time do you suppose someone looked at the scene and never caught that? I think that it is a combination of too many writers, and editors, and they just don’t seem to have a good enough handle on the essence of the story, or the characters, to be able to pull it all together each episode. You can understand a miss here and there, but EVERY episode has something glaring that leaves us scratching our head. I am really concerned with the ongoing ability for this adaptation to remain viable in the long run. And to leave out the important things for that conversation with the hens? Really.
Funny you mention dates. Season 1 opens with Claire and Frank in 1945 and Season 2 opens in 1948. That’s 3 years.
In season 1, Claire gets thrown back to 1743 and then Culloden happens in 1746. That’s 3 years.
But in 201, Claire tells Frank she “was with another man for two years”. Technically, that’s 3 years, right?
You’re gonna make my head explode 😂
OK and while you’ve mentioned the car dream that never got shot, I don’t get that either. Jamie, 18th century Jamie, was going to be dreaming about driving a 20th century car??!! That would be one heck of an imagination or one weird looking car. Even if Claire had described a car to him that a wild leap to think he would be able to translate an internal combustion machine in his horse and carriage head. The concept of Jamie dreaming that Frank came and told her it was time to come back or something like that makes sense, but a car?
I think we,were all undone by the disconnect of the first scene. You describing too many cooks? Perfect. Did you see the interview with Matt B. Roberts? He wrote a scene, a dream sequence, Jamie was supposed to be dreaming, after he made the promise to Claire. In the dream sequence it was in modern times, and Jamie Frank and blackjack are riding in a car having this huge conversation, and then Claire comes in and intervenes. And he was upset that because of time constraints, it didn’t make it into the Final Cut. With thinking like that , now you know why we are missing the essential elements that tie the story together. I am beside myself with the thinking processes of some of the people that are writing and putting these episodes together. In many respects, I still don’t think that they have a clue what this story is really about.
Actually, the dream sequence he was upset about had to do with a battle. It was to have been filmed at the same time Prestopans was filmed (an episode much later in the season), but because of production problems (weather, perhaps?), it couldn’t be filmed in time to be included in this episode. That’s why they cut the car part. Without the battle for context, it wouldn’t make sense, as you said, Candace. It’s not always a matter of thinking processes for the production people. Sometimes bad things happen that you just have to work around. Happens all the time in life, too, doesn’t it?
It’s funny how many prisms I view this show through. I’ve taken to watching the show, by myself in the quiet, late on Friday night. I, then watch it live with my husband on Saturday and then often watch it one more time after reading a very select few reviews or recaps. It’s been awhile since I read DIA and my memory of the details in those chapters is sketchy, but I do recall tension. LOTS of tension. Let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, even on the first viewing, but I agree that those few brief moments of thoughtfulness on Jamie’s face didn’t adequately convey the weight of coming to terms with his promise to Claire. The reconciliation wasn’t as hard won as it was in the book. Then I watched the ep with my husband who, at best has been a reluctant fan. He has admitted to enjoying last season, but just not “getting into it” this season for a variety of reasons. Interestingly, the Paris portion of DIA has always been my least favorite of the book, but for the lead up to the duel and the aftermath. I don’t care about Le Comte St Germain, Louise, Duvernay or Louis and his machinations at court. I think my husband has felt much the same regarding the show and he decided last week that he probably wouldn’t make an effort to catch the rest of the season. Then I watched ep 6 and told him, “give it one more ep before you bow out”. He did. He doesn’t know the story, he will NEVER read the books, but I watched him watch this ep and he was HOOKED right back into it. He agreed that he will definitely be watching the rest of the season. I have other “non-book” family members who couldn’t speak highly enough of the episode (and 1 of them is in the business and a pretty tough critic!). There were SOOO many good moments in ep 6. It will be interesting to see where the prism of my final viewing leaves me, but it will always leave me still a fan!
Wow, your experience sounds so much like my own!
loved reading the comments. Made me feel better about the things I loved and disliked also. I can imagine the difficulty of bringing a book of such depth to the screen…but there was so much out of kilter that my husband who has not read the books nor knows the story made the comment that there seems to be something missing in that episode at the end of it. I explained what was the book background of the episode…and his reply…well that makes more sense…I knew it seemed like something was missing. I say this only because I am considering all the viewers who have not read and what they are “seeing” of this story we readers automatically fill in from the books. I hope only that the series itself carries enough to non readers to make Starz willing to settle negotiations of further seasons. We can only imagine how contracts have escalated in the wake of the popularity of the stars alone let alone production of the series. But as I said…fans made the Korean war last for over ten years with MASH and now in reruns. Quite sure most of us will watch this to the end and reruns for as long as it plays.
I agree the abrubt ending to last weeks episode and the next one being, like it is over, was a little it disconcerting. But, is so not over! Claire is such a realist and I don’t think she could bare to look at Jamie the next day. She is not being carless about her newborn, she is traumatized that she knows Jamie is in the duel because she knows one of them is going to die. Does everyone forget that if Frank doesn’t ever get born, he would never marry Claire and they would never have gone to Scotland to look up his ancestory, she would never have gone through the stones and would never have met Jamie in the first place. So yes, it is very important that Frank is born. And she only realized this after she met Mary Hawkins anyway. Also, the one hour production has to be cut a little somewhere for action and awe factor. I thought is was a very good episode.
The script is now available for viewing and there is a different dream sequence that starts the episode that is very different from the car in the 20th century scene. It shows Jamie being conflicted about the outcome of Culloden in a very visceral way and Claire returning to Frank, which is the idea that is percolating in his mind that night. Personally, I think it would have been amazing to see, but it still wouldn’t have made that crossover morning scene to Claire and Jamie reconciling after that horrendous fight.
What is the url for the script? Please share. I would love to read it.
I agree the dream sequence would have been interesting to see and for the actors to do but it still doesn’t connect the dots clearly of Jamie and Claire reconciling from the powerful/tense fight in 205 to the first scene of J&C together in 206.
I think how the script had it originally – scene of smallpox before the footrubbing – that may have been better? Matt said J&C “were in such a bad place” in 205 and they needed to bring them back together earlier in this episode. I get it sets up Claire going through the stones but still don’t buy the quick reconciliation.
Script is located in outlandercommunity.com
Yay!! Thank you for another really thought provoking post! So much so that my thoughts are all crowding the exit door. I especially appreciated your thoughts on choosing love because ultimately that is the bottom line and Jamie and Claire do it over and over again. I think that is what has kept me engaged with the books and the TV show. There were times throughout all of the books when I didn’t really like either Jamie or Claire. Working with teenagers I spend good amounts of time talking about consent and in the first book, Jamie does not take no for an answer. That hugely bugged me – I didn’t particularly care for either character in that scene. I guess my point is that it is precisely that makes this story so compelling. Diana has created these hugely flawed characters that are not unlike any of us and they find their way back to love and we find our way back to loving them.
I really cannot believe you have been able to state how I felt both times I watched as well. I really want the show to follow the books and have been pleased with the way it’s been done. I am skeptical after this last episode. Wait and see I guess. The books will always be the gold standard and they are the same. 😊
Finally! I have been wondering if anyone else felt the same. After watching the episode for the first time at midnight, (I am a book reader) I was left somewhat flat. I did not dislike it, nothing stuck out as bad, but for me the whole episode did not resonate with me emotionally as most others do. The places where I would usually tear up, I did not, not that they weren’t lovely scenes, but something was missing. And I do think it goes back to the disconnect between the massive fight and Jamie’s acceptance. I’ve watched the episode several more times trying to figure out what’s missing for me and I think it is your point about Claire…she left the room, the house after the fight and I feel a bit resentful towards her through the whole episode. That lingering hole was not patched up fully with the nice foot-rub scene and wee-un chat.
As I think about it now, it’s like they’re saying the words, but I don’t believe the body language behind it. By that I mean that in later scenes they do look “made-up” and back to their loving selves but it doesn’t ring true because the writing/editing has left part of us in that emotional desert. I feel a bit like Claire is kind of smug having “won” the fight because that never got worked through. Listening to Matt Roberts take on 206 there was supposed to be a dream sequence to start the show that never got shot, so there is a missing element, a hole that they never really filled.
A hole never really filled… Yep…agree
Which they very well could have resolved by omitting that disgusting scene at the hospital. That scene could have been placed anywhere or left out without anyone noticing. Also the girls all talking. But this omission, not. It was noticed and missed. It seems someone keeps interjecting the need for stupid filler scenes. Who would make these kind of decisions? Why add nonsense to omit the heart of the story? So frustrating! Diana’s work is perfect. Yes, it has to be cut, but not the beautiful relationship that is the reason we watch!!!! I still love it and adore Sam Heughan. None of this is his fault. He is perfect. You too Caite. Praying for season 3 regardless.
Reblogged this on andreastam.
I am posting this over a year after 206 airedl…however, I just want to let you know, Beth, that this is the write-up – someone recommended it to me – that moved me to follow you. You said what I felt but wasn’t able to put into words at the time.
Typo – should be aired, not airedl. Proofread, Cindy, proofread!
Thanks Cindy!