Unpopular opinion here, I was really disappointed. In fact, it's probably my least favorite episode to date.
I like the framing of 1948. I liked that Claire was researching Jamie (because it struck me as odd in the book that she didn't do that). I liked that Claire told Mrs. Graham. And I loved seeing Wee Roger!!
Otherwise I hated the first half. I thought it was boring and too long. I do not care about Frank. I don't care about his man pain. I don't see why his sterility and his mindset gets so much damn focus. He is a somewhat important character I guess, but he's not on equal footing with Claire or Jamie despite what Ron might think. I didn't even think Tobias Menzies was anything special. He mutters so much I can't understand a damn thing he's saying. Caitriona is the one that really shone for me. He was dull and his character is dull. I was seriously checking the time on my Ipad during all the 1940s stuff. Why did we need that super long scene of him and Reverend Wakefield? Why was Claire's return framed from Frank's point of view? I just don't get these decisions. Where were Claire's pearls? Did she have the mark on her hand? It didn't look like it. We didn't even get Claire's perspective on why she would agree to Frank's terms. Why was she determined to stay with him?
And WHY OH WHY was Claire voluntarily going to take off her ring? That was so out of character.
I didn't like that Frank was so understanding. I missed the line from the book that only a cad would have left Claire. Because BookFrank was not a cad, but he wasn't this sad sack either. He stayed with Claire in part because he loved her, but also because he felt obligated. He didn't know he was sterile at that point. I don't like the changes to his character at all.
As a result of the length of the 1940s stuff, the 1745 scenes were so rushed! Claire and Jamie are the main characters, so I shouldn't spend every episode wanting more Jamie! It's ridiculous how shortchanged his character gets. Even in one of the few scenes we had with Jamie, Claire is the one taking the lead yet again and telling Jamie they have to change the future. In the book, Jamie was just as resolved as Claire. Jamie's character keeps suffering for the expense of others.
As I said, I was really disappointed, and I really hope that's it on Frank this season. It's weird because I actually liked the Frank in the books. Frank in the TV show is too damn perfect. Even his flashes of anger are totally watered down.
