by Cookie N Screen
The interesting thing that hasn’t been quite addressed is the time travel aspect of Claire’s journey. Sure, we’ve dealt with the clash of personalities as she struggles to come to terms with the layout of Scotland in the 1700s. But we’ve never really sat down and thought, “Oh yeah, she’s gone back in time. Erm, how?” And more importantly, we’ve completely forgotten about Frank. The reason this is interesting is that, back in her post-war life, Frank is looking for his wife. Does this mean they are going sideways in time, just hundreds of years between them? Why? Couldn’t the stones just take her back to the day she left? Then Frank needn’t look for her at all.
The interesting thing that hasn’t been quite addressed is the time travel aspect of Claire’s journey. Sure, we’ve dealt with the clash of personalities as she struggles to come to terms with the layout of Scotland in the 1700s. But we’ve never really sat down and thought, “Oh yeah, she’s gone back in time. Erm, how?” And more importantly, we’ve completely forgotten about Frank. The reason this is interesting is that, back in her post-war life, Frank is looking for his wife. Does this mean they are going sideways in time, just hundreds of years between them? Why? Couldn’t the stones just take her back to the day she left? Then Frank needn’t look for her at all.
Perplexing questions surround Both Sides Now, the midseason finale which prompted a break for Americans as Outlander made its journey other to UK audiences (seen this past April). Yet it is still a fantastic episode surrounded by a lot of themes. Claire and Jamie have been living an entirely blissful sex based life thanks to their marriage, only a fumble in the park is horrifically interrupted by English deserters prompting that sly bastard Randall to become aware of her presence and take her in his grasp. All the while Frank has been told that, after six weeks of her disappearance, there is nothing the police can do - assuming she has run off with a Highlander…
…Well, they are not wrong.
The interesting thing here, that I don’t think has been touched upon enough, is how spitting in image Frank is to Jack, but not in personality. A lot of the acting strength this episode comes from Tobias Menzies who is able to shift through them both and only slicing them with little similarities such as their sense of entitlement. The problem here is how much pain Randall has inflicted on Claire and how that is bound to affect her relationship with Frank when she finds her way back home. It’s interesting to muse upon seeing as Randall has beaten her and attempted to rape her…twice. Is there any way that, despite her desperation to go back to him, that Claire can set aside her past? Has she really thought this going back home malarkey through?
…Well, they are not wrong.
The interesting thing here, that I don’t think has been touched upon enough, is how spitting in image Frank is to Jack, but not in personality. A lot of the acting strength this episode comes from Tobias Menzies who is able to shift through them both and only slicing them with little similarities such as their sense of entitlement. The problem here is how much pain Randall has inflicted on Claire and how that is bound to affect her relationship with Frank when she finds her way back home. It’s interesting to muse upon seeing as Randall has beaten her and attempted to rape her…twice. Is there any way that, despite her desperation to go back to him, that Claire can set aside her past? Has she really thought this going back home malarkey through?
This is a triumphant episode for Caitriona Balfe who succeeds in skill and acting as Claire is put through the motions. Despite her refusal to give into the men and ways around her, causing her to stick out like a sore thumb, Claire has finally been met with the sharp end of life that Scotland has to offer it. Dealing with the shock of abuse and killing men, Claire was insulated into this world unarmed and has seen the brutality of it. Balfe is able to translate these tentative, strife filled moments with emotionality so powerful it’s impossible not to engage with Claire and her shock. It’s beautifully done.
Outlander, though tepid to begin with, is vastly becoming an interesting television show that grapples with difficult subjects without throwing female characters under its mercy. It’s fantastic and finally in a powerful story arc as things get heated in the clan and between Jamie, Claire and Frank.
Outlander, though tepid to begin with, is vastly becoming an interesting television show that grapples with difficult subjects without throwing female characters under its mercy. It’s fantastic and finally in a powerful story arc as things get heated in the clan and between Jamie, Claire and Frank.
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