by Cookie N Screen
The on-going theme in Outlander is the rivalry between Scotland and England for very obvious reasons. Set in the 1700s, the show surrounds the invasions and subsequent wars that go much further than a painted Mel Gibson screaming about freedom as his knackers blow in the wind. I’m not going to protest and shout as though I know everything about the rich tapestry of this land (though, I must urge you that I should, and so should you,) but I do believe that Outlander takes a rather fenced view - like the team are sitting on Hadrian’s Wall failing to pick sides. Because in Outlander, whilst everyone knows that Scotland is the least grotty of the scrotum sacks, both parties do a lot of terrible things here.
The on-going theme in Outlander is the rivalry between Scotland and England for very obvious reasons. Set in the 1700s, the show surrounds the invasions and subsequent wars that go much further than a painted Mel Gibson screaming about freedom as his knackers blow in the wind. I’m not going to protest and shout as though I know everything about the rich tapestry of this land (though, I must urge you that I should, and so should you,) but I do believe that Outlander takes a rather fenced view - like the team are sitting on Hadrian’s Wall failing to pick sides. Because in Outlander, whilst everyone knows that Scotland is the least grotty of the scrotum sacks, both parties do a lot of terrible things here.
In The Garrison Commander, it’s finally the time to see just how awful the English invaders could be - both through racist language, prejudice and some long-haired dickhead called Captain Jack Randall. You remember him, right? He’s the man at in the pilot episode who attempted to rape Claire within minutes of meeting her. Here, Claire is called up to a nearby village to meet with the English there who believe she, being too of England heritage, is held against her will. However, after their inquisitions (with Dougall lurking in the pub downstairs), she encounters Randall. Together, the pair enter a power play in order to suss each other out - with shocking consequences.
This - this is literally the best episode of Outlander so far and it is because of the superb acting of Tobias Menzies. Also playing Claire’s husband (who is a descendent of Randall,) as the past vicious English Captain, Menzie’s is utterly enthralling. He is a villain and remarkable one at that, easily charming, intellectual and horrific all at the same time. The deviancies of Randall are stark, bleak and brutal - even as he is engaging Claire in an attempt to seem tender and, well, human. Menzies is utterly captivating in his role - immediately pushing ours and Claire’s mind out of sync as he is a darker version of her husband. Equally, he is a formidable chess player against her intellect and prowess - disturbing and devious, yet able to lie, cheat and show remorse. The whole dining room scene is a marvellous twist and turn of narrative events.
This - this is literally the best episode of Outlander so far and it is because of the superb acting of Tobias Menzies. Also playing Claire’s husband (who is a descendent of Randall,) as the past vicious English Captain, Menzie’s is utterly enthralling. He is a villain and remarkable one at that, easily charming, intellectual and horrific all at the same time. The deviancies of Randall are stark, bleak and brutal - even as he is engaging Claire in an attempt to seem tender and, well, human. Menzies is utterly captivating in his role - immediately pushing ours and Claire’s mind out of sync as he is a darker version of her husband. Equally, he is a formidable chess player against her intellect and prowess - disturbing and devious, yet able to lie, cheat and show remorse. The whole dining room scene is a marvellous twist and turn of narrative events.
The darker tone for The Garrison Commander is pivotal in allowing Randall’s nature unfold which means the grim bloodiness is in full swing. Namely as Randall recants the tale of Jamie’s flogging, the show does not hold back on the gruesomeness, and relishes in the whipping. Relishes is the wrong word. Actually, unlike Game of Thrones, director Ira Steven Behr adapts the violence to be unnerving rather than titillating. As the brutal repetitive lashings start to flap open skin and bone, it is stomach churning and more importantly, coldly portrayed.
The worry here is that with Randall being the biggest sod on the planet, his story here has gifted Jamie with an almost halo like persona. He seems ridiculously too good to be true - which mars the depth of the character. Too nasty can be just a pantomime, though Randall here is shown with different levels and sides. As for Jamie, well we have yet to see another side to his angelic proceedings as he romps saving, not just Claire but everyone.
But with The Garrison Commander, Outlander strike a right tone. Let’s hope they keep it that way.
The worry here is that with Randall being the biggest sod on the planet, his story here has gifted Jamie with an almost halo like persona. He seems ridiculously too good to be true - which mars the depth of the character. Too nasty can be just a pantomime, though Randall here is shown with different levels and sides. As for Jamie, well we have yet to see another side to his angelic proceedings as he romps saving, not just Claire but everyone.
But with The Garrison Commander, Outlander strike a right tone. Let’s hope they keep it that way.
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