by Cookie N Screen
The pilot of any television show is always going to be tentative, especially when you are basing it on a series of books with an expansive fan-base and are battling against similar shows. Arguably, Outlander, a brand new series on Amazon Prime based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, has a lot to prove. A television audience is there waiting to devour Outlander, and already it has set tongue wagging in places such as Australia and USA.
Making its way home, it’s time for UK fans to pick apart the romping series.
The pilot of any television show is always going to be tentative, especially when you are basing it on a series of books with an expansive fan-base and are battling against similar shows. Arguably, Outlander, a brand new series on Amazon Prime based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, has a lot to prove. A television audience is there waiting to devour Outlander, and already it has set tongue wagging in places such as Australia and USA.
Making its way home, it’s time for UK fans to pick apart the romping series.
The premise is a loving mixture between Goodnight, Sweetheart and Game of Thrones, with a splash of Vikings. Claire is a war nurse whose husband has returned from the Second World War. Just as the pair are falling in love again, after they have suffered a hefty separation thanks to the war, they romp off to a Scottish Castle. However, after exploring the grounds one morning, Claire touches a magical stone. All of a sudden she awakes in 1743 at Craigh Na Dun and unfortunately, she is caught in the middle of a war between different clans. Found by the rugged Highlander Jamie Fraser, Claire is taken in as she has to discover where she is and how to get home.
Knowing nothing of the book series has its advantages because being thrown into the mystical world where time travel and romance entwine is greatly received as a new fan of the show. There is a genuine spark of ingenuity here because, like the rains on a glen, the show feels sort of fresh. Having two eras clash, in a splendid array of beautiful period costumes both medieval and fifties, works well for the narrative. It doesn’t flip between timelines, which adds to Claire’s confusion and doesn’t cloud our understanding. Being trapped in the latter time line creates a deeper peril for our protagonist as she is rocketed to a world she doesn’t understand.
Knowing nothing of the book series has its advantages because being thrown into the mystical world where time travel and romance entwine is greatly received as a new fan of the show. There is a genuine spark of ingenuity here because, like the rains on a glen, the show feels sort of fresh. Having two eras clash, in a splendid array of beautiful period costumes both medieval and fifties, works well for the narrative. It doesn’t flip between timelines, which adds to Claire’s confusion and doesn’t cloud our understanding. Being trapped in the latter time line creates a deeper peril for our protagonist as she is rocketed to a world she doesn’t understand.
The acting is sublime. Caitriona Balfe captures the heart of Claire completely, throwing herself into the nervous and scared elements of being transporting back two hundred years. As well as this, Balfe handles the tentativeness of reconnecting with a loved one after being separated for so long. She is immediately engaging, triumphant with the visceral journey as well as the literally. Sam Heughan as the roaring Jamie is probably the stuff of fantasies - a rugged Highlander who scoops you on his horse and takes you to his castle? Yes. Please. Far from that, though, Heughan adds a human vibe to his character that could easily be lost in Game of Thrones references and heroics.
With these stunning landscapes, utilising the Scottish Highlands to truly enhance the story. It’s enthralling and immediately engaging, adding mystery into the initial forty minutes in the fifties and opens the journey up perfectly. At this point, it is unpredictable and like Claire, we’re nervously excited about what’s ahead.
Outlander is magnificent and striking.
With these stunning landscapes, utilising the Scottish Highlands to truly enhance the story. It’s enthralling and immediately engaging, adding mystery into the initial forty minutes in the fifties and opens the journey up perfectly. At this point, it is unpredictable and like Claire, we’re nervously excited about what’s ahead.
Outlander is magnificent and striking.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of Outlander?
Will you be watching the series?
Let us know in the comments!
RSS Feed
