#outlander 4x1

[ecampbellsoup]

Does it ever stop...the wanting you?

[pointyearsuniverse]

[simplyoutlander]

[xlisaleinx]

Episode analysis & review: Outlander season 4, episode 1

Hi guys! Just like last season, I’m going to post an episode analysis & review for every episode of season 4, hopefully on Sunday nights. So happy Droughtlander is over! :)

Things I loved

First of all, I love a script with a clear outline, great dialogues and the clever connection between beginning and end. This episode delivers in all these regards. It has an obvious theme that is introduced right in the beginning: circles. Stone circles, which represent time travel; the hangman’s noose, that sets all the following events in motion; death and the announcement of new life; Jamie and Claire’s eternal love (made me think of @gotham-ruaidh’s endless loop theory); weddings bands. America The Beautiful starts off with a circle, addresses circles throughout the ep and ends with one.

The opening scene with the ritual: Not only does it highlight the ancient meaning of stone circles to human culture and prepare the viewer for the realization that time travel is also a phenomenon in America and that it might continue to affect the Frasers, but it also shows that the natives have been there for over 3700 years. Their fate is addressed several times in this episode, and I think that’s so important.

The Gaelic song (I’m guessing it’s a farewell song?) that Leslie and Jamie sing for Hayes, before everyone in the tavern joins in – what a beautiful way to highlight the bond between the men, and also to show how many Scots made their way to America, sharing a cultural heritage and finally being able to live it openly again. Wonderful scene.

What I absolutely loved is that they chose to address Ian’s trauma. Geillis raped him, and Jamie understands what he’s going through. Ian trusts him enough to share his terrible memories with him. Just like Jamie at the end of season 1, what Ian is struggling with the most is the fact that he did something he didn’t want to do, yet all the while “it felt pleasing”. He feels betrayed by his own body. Jamie’s line “What it comes down to is that your cock doesna have a conscience, but you have. It’s not your fault, lad. You did what you must. You survived. And that’s all that matters.” nails it. He could only arrive at that stage of acceptance with Claire’s help, someone who loved him unconditionally. Jamie becomes that person for Ian. His comfort, and the knowledge between the two of them that they share this trauma, this burden, is everything.

Jamie and Claire’s little reassuring gestures – with the touch of a hand, for example at the execution, or with words, like when Claire is unsure about her appearance before the dinner with the governor. They are so committed to one another, so in love, so endlessly supportive and stronger because of each other. LOVING IT. Exactly what I want to see!

“Do ye no see how small a thing death is between us?” I feel like that line perfectly defines Jamie and Claire’s relationship. Their love and bond are undying – even if they have to bridge 200 years. Their souls are inseparable – even in death.

The intimate scene between Jamie and Claire in this episode is so much more intimate than others, in a way. It’s like the physical continuation of the verbal conversation they had beforehand – in which they basically pledged their souls to one another, for eternity. And they seal it with the union of their bodies.

I LOVE seeing Jamie and Claire discussing politics and decisions about their future again. They were such a power couple back in the day, mingling their respective life experience and skills, discussing and plotting their way through the French court and the Scottish clan system. Now they’re finally back doing exactly that and I’m LIVING for it!!

“This becomes Bree-annah’s country, does it not? […] If there’s a bit I can do to make this a good land for Bree-annah, if my presence here now can be felt by her later, then…then that would be something.”, Jamie says with tears in his eyes. Thinking this is his only chance to have the slightest impact on his daughter’s life, the only way to protect her from harm and give her a good life. The only way for him to form a palpable connection to her. Ugh, I’m crying again. Kudos to Sam for delivering these lines in such an amazing, heartwarming and heartbreaking way at the same time.

Jamie’s gift to Claire and the conversation that follows. Absolutely STUNNING. He gets her. Frank was never supportive of her career, always unable to understand her passion for medicine. For healing. Jamie, on the other hand, knows, respects and supports her, every step of the way. The box is the perfect gift from a loving, devoted husband to his wife, whom he sees as his equal and as someone who deserves every bit of love and respect. And that guy thinks he hasn’t given her enough material things. Silly man.

Rollo!!! Ian!!! No words needed.

Another change from the book that I strongly support is that Fergus and Marsali play a larger role here. We get to witness them announcing Marsali’s pregnancy to the whole family, and how everyone is celebrating. It’s lovely to see Jamie being over the moon at the news. Fergus is his (adopted) son after all, so his children will be Jamie’s grandchildren. Of course he’s happy and proud. I always felt it wasn’t quite right to leave this moment out in the book. Glad to see it on screen!

Bonnet’s attack: I think we all agree that it causes physical pain to watch. Claire has to give up Jamie’s ring (about which she had just said “This ring is all I need”), despite her efforts to save it. It tore my heart into pieces!!!!!! We’d known for a while that it would be Jamie’s ring Bonnet steals, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing it. Caitriona’s acting performance in this scene – absolute, pure pain – was phenomenal, even without sound. Which leads me to the first point in the next list…

Things I didn’t love as much

I agree with @ciamarathathu‘s assessment that the song that was playing during that last scene was distracting. I realize that it’s America The Beautiful and therefore fits well with the ep title, and the irony between the lyrics and that violent scene isn’t lost on me either. But I can’t help but feel that I would have liked the scene better with the fighting sounds. It’s an instrument to “break” the scene, to pull the viewer out of it while adding another emotional layer to pull them closer at the same time. It worked very well with the Jazz bits in the first few eps of season 1, where Claire’s 20th century mindset is colliding with life in an 18th century castle. It also worked perfectly (!!!) well at the end of S3E4, when Jamie is leaving Willie and we hear a version of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (“Where have you been, my blue-eyed son, where have you been, my darling young one?” Ugh, I need a tissue!!). It’s a total tear-jerker and makes you weep for Jamie, realizing what kind of impact this moment has on him, even though the scene gets broken by the 20th century music. This time, though…sigh, it only pulled me out of it, to be honest.

Where’s Duncan?

Is it me or is the CGI pretty bad?

In summary:

“America The Beautiful” is a worthy premiere episode for this new season. The focus is on Jamie and Claire and their solid, loving, supportive partnership, which is everything we could have hoped for. The well thought-out script also explores the novelty of this new land in various interesting ways and addresses important topics. Tender and hopeful moments take turns with tragedy, violence and grief. And it ends with a bang. Add all of that to great acting performances all around, and you get quality entertainment - I want more, right now (quelle surprise). In short: Is it next Sunday yet?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ out of 5.

[genoacedo]

"I havena been able to give ye much ever, save for this wee ring.

And my mother's pearls." 🤧🤧

-"You've given me so much more. Brianna, for one.I gave the pearls to her.They're an heirloom, after all. And this ring is all I need."

"24 years ago I married ye, Sassenach. I hope I haven't ever given you cause to regret it."😪

-Not for a single day. 😍😍

💕💕Jamie and Claire💕💕💕

[helpagirlout-lander]

Full Eps: 4x1, 4x4, 4x8, 4x11, 4x12

Screen Caps: 4x01 / 4x04 / 4x08 / 4x11 / 4x12

Inside the Ep: 4x08  

Bloopers

Wilmington Home Tour

Deleted Scene: Marsali x Murtagh 

S4 Opening Credits / Watch the Finale / Women of Outlander / Happy Valentines Day

LandCon2 (June 2018, Paris): Thanks & Goodbyes + Cait Speaking French (Rik, John, Cait, Sophie, Lauren, & Sam)

OutlanderCon 2018 (August, New Jersey USA):  NYC Accents 

SasnakCity 2018 (Dec): WrapUp (Interviews Start @ 3:11)

Games: Can’t Live W/Out  / Hidden Talents  /  First Acting Role 

[outlander-online]

Outlander

4x13 Man of Worth

[anoutlandishidea]

My tags for Season FOUR

Gosh, that’s so exciting to type.

With the lovely premiere of 4x1 tomorrow, I thought I’d give you a heads up on the tags I’ll be using in case you blacklist for spoilers

BECAUSE

I will def be posting spoilers (I get the ep via the app, so before tv airtime)

but dinna fash, for I shall use the following tags:

#outlander spoilers / #outlander s4 / and each ep will be tagged (example: #outlander 4x01)

I’m looking forward to continuing the #claires wardrobe by episode tag as well as #claire x jamie by episode. Working on filling in the gaps too!

[ecampbellsoup]

I AM NOT SURE WHY I AM EVEN POSTING THIS, BUT PERMIT THE ALL CAPS MOMENT.

I JUST TOOK 83 *LITERALLY 83* SCREENCAPS OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES.

AND I AM HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE EDITING EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH THEM YET, BUT REST ASSURED, THEY WILL BE USED IN SOME CAPACITY BECAUSE LAIIIIIRD.

HERE’S A SNEAKY PEAK. JUST LOOKKKKKK:

[ecampbellsoup]

Outlander Moments of Impact: The First Law of Thermodynamics

What squelches love? What is a force strong enough to take down real affection? Does true love honestly endure forever?

These are questions many of us have asked. Particularly, as we have watched the fire of love burn only to be reduced to ashes and dust in the wake of aftermath—there is a sting of reality encircling the remaining smoke of demise. 

Surely, love exists, and yes, it can last. It can be eternal. But what makes it to be so? What allows love to press beyond even the brink of death? 

This is a query that surrounds the atmosphere of a scene between Jamie and Claire in 4x1 “America the Beautiful.” After all they have been through, there is a yearning to hang on to every single second for they know it could vanish; and furthermore, there is a burning doubt: can this love survive anything? 

Let’s break down the scene for some context, shall we?

The stage is set in the forest. Night. There is something about even this detail that is telling. Jamie and Claire’s setting is both literal and metaphorical—they are currently in the space of the unknown with their future: a realm of both wilderness and darkness.  

And yet they sit before a fire. The light and warmth illuminating—providing all they need. It harkens back to a different time. A simpler time in this man and woman’s story. A time in their tale that almost seems like a whisper because if you did not listen, it’s gone as soon as you’ve heard it. (which if i am being honest gives me an explosion of emotion because this feels like a flashback to “Rent” or “The Devil’s Mark”—an intimacy is formed between Jamie and Claire among the fire & trees.)

They have absolutely nothing while simultaneously being completely content. Why is that? Because the one they yearn for sits beside them. 

Claire dips a cloth into water and begins cleansing her husband. Her eyes watch him because she notices the tilt of his head and the way his shoulders are set. She hears what he is not saying. She feels what he feels. She knows. 

To step inside his world with him, Claire whispers, “It’s been such a terrible day.” Leaning in, she gently kisses his shoulder. Such a subtle demonstration of her love for him. It is simple because it does not need to be grand. 

She rests her head upon him. Then in awe, she lifts her eyes to Jamie and breathes, “I feel so lucky to be here with you.” These words are coming from a woman who not only has stared death in the face, but has lost everything she holds dear. She knows the weight of her words.

“It isn’t wrong to be alive, Sassenach” is Jamie’s reply. He also knows full well what it is to be alive and feel as if he should not be. He does not want for Claire to feel guilt over her life. 

Claire acknowledges the wisdom in her husband’s words and responds, “You’re right.” But sitting there in his presence, she cannot deny her overwhelming gratitude, “We have to treasure these moments” (”The Wedding” theme starts playing right about now and slays me dead. Bear: you know what you doing, baby boy, I will give you that).

Taking the cloth from his bride to now reciprocate the blessing, Jamie says, “Aye. You and I ken better than most how fleeting life can be.” As he is saying these words, his fingers graze her skin and his eyes dance around her collarbone. Even now, he cannot help but admire his wife. 

Clearly enraptured by one another, they simply sit and breathe in unison. But then, as if snapped back to the cruel reality of her life, Claire confesses, “Still I can’t help but feel sometimes that all of this could be ripped away at any moment.” Jamie knows he cannot contradict her because she speaks of their own story. But full of conviction he replies, “It doesn’t matter, Sassenach.” 

Showing her his assurance, he kisses Claire, and continues, “After you left me—after Culloden—I was dead. And all that time, I loved you.” Lovingly touching his face, Claire affirms, “I loved you too—I never stopped.” And then they steal another kiss; every kiss is stolen when you were never supposed to have another. 

Jamie continues, “And when my body dies, my soul will still be yours. Nothing is lost, Sassenach, only changed.” 

They both beam—their love never ceased. Taking her hand as he always has, Jamie kisses it. Claire then observes, “That’s the first law of thermodynamics.” Pausing for the briefest second, Jamie traces the lines of his beloved’s mouth, then adds, “No. That’s faith.”

When Jamie says the word faith, it’s two fold—it is an essence and a name. It not only encompasses Jamie’s belief in God, but beyond that, a symbol of their daughter who also is not lost. 

Overcome by each other, they embrace with a lover’s kiss. And then, in the most splendid and glorious way they make love with the one whom their soul loves. 

There has never been a breath taken where Jamie and Claire do not realize that they share the same oxygen again.

They are completely and utterly consumed with awe about the sheer fact that they are no longer separated. They are together. Every single second shared is a gift: a treasure that too long ago was taken from their very hands. 

With every single passing tick of the hour, there is an awareness of another moment shared and another imminent moment of separation. When a love such as this has been take away so quickly, how can Claire avoid a feeling of impending doom? 

How do you look at the other half of your soul and even fathom the thought of being torn in two?

And so she is sitting in that tension even while her husband’s skin is warm in her hands. But what if he turns cold while in my reach again?  Yet, despite this fear, this doubt, this agony, this question: the other half of her soul has an answer: it does not matter, Sassenach:

It. Does. Not. Matter. 

It does not matter if we are separated.

It does not matter if we die.

Nothing in all of creation can remove my love from you or your love from me. 

Time and space are merely a barrier to push through to make my way back to you. 

What can squelch true love? Nothing. 

Nothing now. Nothing in the future. Nothing past. Nothing will ever kill the love of James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser and Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Fraser. 

Their love is not circumstantial. It is not easy. It is not conditional. It is not knocked down. It does not take no for an answer. 

It is a love that extends beyond the realms of the natural. It looks hell in the face and says not today—not my beloved. 

Oh yes their love knows suffering, separation, and strife. But rest assured their love knows no boundaries. It knows no restrictions. It knows no death. It knows no end. 

If love can be stopped, it will be. However, if Love be true, nothing, not even death itself, can stand in the way. 

[ecampbellsoup]

[ecampbellsoup]

The Reckless Love of J&C

[ecampbellsoup]

I CANNOT STOP STARING AT THIS:

These are my favorite screencaps from the “first law of thermodynamics” scene.

This moment was such a breath of fresh air, wasn’t it?

Did anyone else get that instant feeling of “season one” when it started? I do not even know how to explain it other than it just “felt” like a return to simpler times. A time when Jamie and Claire were just a man and woman—not rape survivors, parents of a dead child, and separated lovers for decades.

It felt simple. It felt right. It felt good.

As “the wedding” theme serenaded us, we simply watch as they choose one another again. Because the reality is that they are rape survivors, parents of a dead child, and separated lovers of twenty years.

But this scene is all the sweeter and more passionate because of it.

[ecampbellsoup]

A gentle kiss of healing. 

[ecampbellsoup]

CAITRIONA BALFE.

IS SHE EVEN REAL AT THE END OF THIS EPISODE? ABSOLUTELY BLEW ME AWAY.

[ecampbellsoup]

BUT ALSO...

WHEN DO I GET TO SEE MURTAGH FITZGIBBONS FRASER ON SCREEN????