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Dust Bunny

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Everything posted by Dust Bunny

  1. Clarence! I heard that bray and knew that our mule friend was about to make his appearance. I really enjoyed this episode. The only buzzkill was a Roger and Brianna’s fight. I love Roger, but he came across as really possessive, just assuming Brianna was his. That scene didn’t play well, but I don’t think it was meant to. I enjoyed seeing Ernie. He always struck me as a book character I wish we’d get more of. No idea why. They sure handled the “Young Ian Is A Man” thing quickly. I got whiplash from Jamie’s 180 in that scene. I really loved the parallel narratives and cinematography. There were some wonderful transitions. Circa 1970 DQ product placement. Not an obvious choice, but it works. The festival scenes were well done. There was an intimacy amongst the clans and shared culture in the 20th century that I think is really instructive for the building of community in Fraser’s Ridge in the 18th century. I guess we should enjoy Richard Rankin’s beautiful singing voice while we can. :( Ah, Fraser’s Ridge. That scene was perfect. Understated and lovely. But mostly... Clarence.
  2. I think the mob knew. They couldn’t kill him, as he was already dead. But they COULD demonstrate their power over him by hanging his lifeless body. It wasn’t just about revenge - or even the law. It was about power. And showing that to everyone else, as well.
  3. After “To Ransom a Man’s Soul”, this might have been hardest-to-watch episode of this show. I was sick to my stomach the whole time. The impaling, the lynching, the fear in the eyes of the house slaves, the privileged class above it all... That combined with all the hate crimes that have been happening lately... Yeah, this was not one I need to rewatch any time soon. But I guess I appreciate that they showed it for the ugliness it is. We have to remember evil that has happened, so we can see it and call it out when it happens now. A couple things: I did enjoy Jamie with both pistols out. That’s vintage Season 1 Jamie. The exchange of Wolfe and Young Ian about the Romans made me giggle. Basically, the Romans tried to conquer the Picts of Scotland. But, ultimately, the Romans got so freaked out by the Picts, the Romans built two walls - Hadrian and Antonine - to be separated from the Picts. Maria Doyle Kennedy was wonderful, as she always is. I really like James Barriscale as Farquard Campbell. He had a great presence. Got the token season pitchfork scene in. John Quincy Myers looks fun. I missed his surgery scene, but it would have made no sense with the episode’s theme and mood. I’m surprised how excited I am to see Bree and Roger. A whole new narrative is coming next week. In short, well done episode that I don’t need to see again anytime soon.
  4. It was quite good. It stuck really close to the book. I think what I like the most is the slower pace. There are more opportunities for small but vital character interactions. Earlier seasons had so much to cover, those moments were often lost. The cold open was inspired. So haunting and beautiful. It plants a very important seed. They did the caithris! An example how the small moments are so special. I loved Young Ian’s PTSD. The writers continue to honor the effects. I’m sure we’ll see the same thing with Brianna’s rape. Rollo is great! So glad we get 5 seasons of that pup. I missed seeing Brianna and Roger, which surprised me. That makes me happy, since they’ll be so central soon. Now comes my critique: Bonnet and the end. I loved Early Bonnet. He actually seemed kind of swashbuckling and shrewd. I got d’Artagnan vibes, which also happily surprised me, since we know Bonnet’s dark nature. I feel like the ending squandered that juxtaposition. I love the Ray Charles song, but having it play over that moment cheated the shock that it was Bonnet who was attacking them. The song would work if it was any random person who attacked Jamie, Claire, and Company. It would convey their dream has had a major reality check. Yet, I think having it play over Bonnet distracted from the well-nigh personal betrayal that it was Bonnet. Especially since Bonnet casts such a huge shadow for awhile. I think the choice was too clever for its own good. Getting past that, it was a good episode. Already gives the feeling of the New World for Outlander.
  5. Hi, Everyone! Good to be back! I just finished 401, as well. The ending was... hmm. It’s interesting watching this less than 72 hours from a huge election. I wonder how much intentionality was put into scheduling the show to start this weekend. More later in the episode thread. Just a wee reminder to the fellow Americans - vote! It’s a freedom we can’t take for granted.
  6. I’m from Prior Lake. I know where the house is, but I won’t say where. (Minnesotan protecting fellow Minnesotan’s privacy.) I heard wonderful things about Becca’s mom; she worked directly with my mom’s friends. Up until this season, I’ve hate-watched this show. Now I’m genuinely wishing good things for someone, from one Laker to another.
  7. That was great. Solid, all the way around. "But, first, I must hold you both." Family-man Jamie Fraser is my favorite. I loved the dance scene. It really expressed how cultures can vary, but there are universal realities and experiences. David Berry. Seriously. Please make a Lord John spin-off. He is liquid charisma, and the camera loves him. And David has gravitas to match Sam. The hurricane effects were fabulous. It's good to know that Starz and Sony support this show enough to have a budget like that. Loved that they kept the "plan" scene from the book. It's the inclusion of these small scenes that make such a big difference. Bear McCreary is a gift to this show. I can't imagine Outlander without his music. It's sets the time and place, as much as anything on screen. This episode is the Outlander that I stay for. Strong way to end the season.
  8. Oh, you’re right! My bad. I blame it on the stuffy head and cold medicine. #FluShotFail
  9. Something else happened in this episode: we had the POV of Young Ian. "The Reckoning" was the first POV episode of Jamie. We've had POV with both Bree and Roger. This episode had a LONG cold-open, from Young Ian's perspective. That's a really strong and subtle way to suggest how central a character he becomes. The Fraser [of the Soon-To-Be-Ridge] Clan continues to grow.
  10. Cait looks gorgeous with the grey streaks. Sam is fitting into Jamie's age as well. I could watch David Berry all day long. I never really felt the Lord John Grey love in the books, like some readers. Yet, with David Berry embodying the role, I need to read all the novellas. Lotte really goes for it. Wow. Temeraire has more agency; credit to the writers on that one. Casting for slaves is one job I would never want. I see why they cast that gal for Margaret. Her "reading" eyes were disconcerting. I hope we hear Bree next week! And I look forward to Sam reaching for Cait's hand that's been in the credits. I do love how they're re-purposing the gowns and suits, in subtle ways. South Africa is gorgeous. I envy the location scouts on this show. Alright episode. Lots of exposition. Not enough Lord John Grey.
  11. Best title card ever? The wedding was great. Not as fun as the book, but it'll do. Lauren Lyle continues to impress. She does a lot with little dialogue. I want to see more César. There was a sweetness to this episode. Not as much outright humor as the book, but the genuine sentiment was beautiful. Yup. I'm trying to get my sister-in-law, who is in town for Thanksgiving, into the show. She went to bed during those 27 never-ending minutes and missed the best parts. I kept saying, "There are 2 scenes in this episode that will be wonderful!" Still, understandably, she couldn't hang in that long. Argh! The pacing on this show can be so off-putting. At least it's not The Walking Dead, I guess. I watched the beach reunion 5 times. Between that and Turtle Soup... I can't imagine anyone else in those roles, except for Sam and Cait. Another good episode, with a few great moments. On the whole, I think the writers are doing a great job at condensing and adapting the book. I like how many unnecessary things have been cut. I miss Lawrence a bit, but introducing him would take time away from Jamie and Claire. I love how Yi Tien Cho has been written. I had worries that character would be awful. However, the show has not only given him more to do (by cutting some other characters), there is a depth to his character that is so much stronger than the book. If this season's adaptations are anything to go by, I have high hopes for this show going forward. Bring on Lord John Grey next week!
  12. Agreed. And kudos to the casting, as usual. I felt like I was truly looking at older Romann Berrux. César has won my heart, and I love the strength that Lauren Lyle is bringing to Marsali. They're an equal team, just like Jamie and Claire. Moreover, Fergus' love for Jamie is, well, beautiful. "Perhaps I love too much." Double-meaning. I can't wait to see César's reaction in the next episode for the single word of "Fraser". I love father-figure Jamie Fraser. Both Sam and Cait were stellar in this episode; they hit all the right notes. They own these characters now. They embody the roles. Damn, they're good. Special mention to Albie Marber. His Elias was wonderful. Now when I reread that chapter, I'll have a sweet face to go with the name. Oh - and Annekja was great. They cast even the smaller parts perfectly. Bring on Father Fogden! I was a bit disappointed we didn't get the Governor Grey scene. I've really come to love David Berry. His presence is palpable. Maybe, it'll make his appearance in Jamaica all the more meaningful. (I would absolutely watch a Lord John Grey spinoff. Make it so, Starz.) I didn't realize it until this episode, but the surnames are reversed on the show. Claire has been going by Fraser and not Malcolm on the show's Porpoise. When Captain Leonard called Claire "Mistress Fraser", I thought that was slip-up that revealed he knew Jamie's identity as Red Jamie. I didn't realize it was the Alexander Malcolm name that gave him away. Interesting. One change I didn't like was show Tompkins. I liked the Rat Tompkins in the book who spilled the beans, due to Claire's threats. This Tompkins was sinister, and it didn't sit as well with me. Not sure why. I guess I liked the more colorful/playful book version. One little thing I loved (I went to Saturday night worship, so I guess it especially struck me) was the nod to Claire's Catholicism. When the crew was praying the Lord's Prayer, Claire joined in, but she didn't recite the doxology - "for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever." I'm Lutheran, not Episcopal/Anglican, but it's spot-on that the Protestant British crew would say the doxology and Claire wouldn't. It was such a small moment, but I adored the detail. As Matt Roberts noted in the after-ep conversation, writer Luke Schelhaas did the research. Love the authenticity laced throughout. Well done.
  13. I like Ben. He’s been through a lot. I’m pissed at Joe, on his behalf. Saying Ben was swearing on the Marines is well-nigh a personal attack. Yes, this is a game, but you should still respect a person’s being. Joe needs to go asap.
  14. That was Elias Pound. I don’t think Claire recognized him; I think she was taken aback to see someone that young. With so many of the older and more experienced crew dead or ill, it’s the youth who have to become leaders beyond their years.
  15. Can Shannon Gross write every other episode? Most important: Hello, Book Jamie and Book Claire! That was perfect. This is the on-the-same-level, tag-team I've been waiting for. Woo hoo! I adored everything about this episode. The credits were great, and Bear's music was sublime. Marsali has always been one of my favorite characters, and I love how Lauren Lyle is playing her. Special kudos to Gary Young. His Yi Tien Cho is brilliant. And shout-out to Ping An! I have to assume more than one person crafted this plot. "A story told is a life lived." Cue Claire's voiceover. We finally have payoff of Claire's narration to us the viewers. That was perfect. Loved the sailors' song, especially since I've been conditioned from beer commercials to say "dilly dilly!" in celebration. Elias Pound is so precious. :( This exemplifies how a simple episode can be superb - focus on the character moments and let the actors shine. Dilly dilly!
  16. I'm excited for the season 4 down-to-earth costumes, back to season 1 flavor. The more rugged, the better. I think it'll make the pictures better too.
  17. I really enjoyed this one. The pace was perfect. A lot of quiet, slow moments. It gave the actors room to breathe. Joanie was charming. I love Jamie as father figure. Looking forward to the protective nature coming out next week. I like the idea of such an age difference between the two girls. I always imagined they were closer in age. Since they aged up Marsali, it makes sense that the girls would probably have different biological fathers. I know it's in the books, but they underlined how young Jenny and Ian's children are when they start having children. It sets a precedent for Marsali and Brianna. The fight was great. Jamie and Claire were completely open and can now build into new intimacy, from that honest foundation. Credit to Sam, Cait, and the writers for building towards that. The last episode was frustrating, but this one might make that one more palpable. I like that they kept Jamie's greylag goose story, without adding the word goose. It's little things like that that keeps Outlander rooted in place. Yes, Murtagh is cool, but I love Ned Gowan. Can we keep Bill Paterson? Just recast him in every location. Everything about Silkie Island was well done. Show more, talk less. Beautiful last shot. Really heightened the urgency to find a ship. This episode showed me that Outlander is still top shelf. I'll chalk last week up to clunky and necessary exposition. Bring on the tall ships!
  18. I'm fairly sure it was. I don't pay as much attention to Outlander Twitter accounts lately. Still, I happened to be online when Sam tweeted something like "snoreee.. 'Frasier!' Frasier?!" That made me assume a night shoot and a certain moment when Jamie says, "Fraser". I have high hopes for that scene. :)
  19. Based off the conversation on the cliff in the preview, I’m hoping Jamie and Claire are in the process of getting that chemistry back. Jamie has been hiding the fundamental truth about Laoghaire. Maybe once that’s out in the open, and they’re both fully truthful with each other, that chemistry will return.
  20. I like the fiend -> fortune change, as well. It makes me wonder what happens to Yi Tien Cho. (I LOVE that Claire calls him that.) I was bummed to see the press destroyed, but yes, this makes more sense. Jamie is being kind of a dick. Is he trying to prepare himself for when the manure hits the mill at Lallybroch? I'm sort of Team Claire, at this point. (The preview of them on the cliff intrigues me.) There were a lot of changes in this episode, and lots of seed planting for later seasons (bodies thrown overboard, Brianna-Jamie issues, etc). I did love the brotherly dynamic between Fergus and Wee Ian. It's a delight to watch the growth of Clan Fraser.
  21. I agree with a bunch of posters that I was underwhelmed by Jamie's photo reaction. I was looking forward to that, as well. Still, I've developed more grace for my favorite shows. I don't do the "Television Without Pity" thing anymore. I've always had the "don't let the imperfect get in the way of the good" thing, but it has increased exponentially since the election results on November 8th. I love this show, and I want it to continue as long as possible. Those involved in the show have been patient, engaging, and affirming with a lot of fan reactions, but, understandably, they've had reservations to the more intense fans. I want to create an atmosphere where everyone involved with the show is motivated to stay. I do agree this episode wasn't perfect. But it was pretty damn good.
  22. Taking the photos as part of a broader discussion to the Book vs Show thread...
  23. That'll do, Matthew B. Roberts. That'll do. Cold opens are best kind of opens. I was sort of stunned that Jamie told Claire about Willie right away. Yet, I'm glad the writers did that, since it's such a huge thing for Jamie to hide from Claire for so long in the book. I think there was more sex in this one episode than in all of season 2. It's the chemistry and longing that is so beautiful. The later photos of Brianna were exactly as described in the book. It felt a little literal to me, but I'm sure some readers will appreciate it. I loved hearing Jamie's "Bree-ana". I love the pace of this season. It's not rushed. Season 1's pace was really uneven, largely due to the need for the window scene break. Here, we're getting a lot of quiet character moments. It was nice to have an episode with minimal plot, allowing Jamie and Claire to simply appreciate each other's company. Well done, show, for hitting all the right notes on an iconic episode.
  24. In the show, yes, apparently. In the book, Jamie fainted because Claire touched his broken nose. I always thought touch was the sense that most connected them (and not just sex). So I really liked that, in the book. No complaints here, though. In two weeks, I’m sure we’ll see a lot of touching, like that timeless hug on the floor.
  25. Agreed. I kept anticipating the screen was going to go black, and it kept going. That was awesome. And I really like the height differential, requiring Jamie/Sam to look up. Not only was that an interesting use of space, it would definitely contribute to getting dizzy and fainting. I loved how they used the puddle prologue. It created a seamless transition. I'm sold on Roger and Bree. This one episode created a solid foundation for next season and on. I totally envisioned Cait taking an ax to Lotte's neck in a couple months. It'll be fun to see Geillis go so dark that Claire will have to do that. This was a lovely episode. I expected a bit of filler, but it never felt like that. Peaceful, like Claire said. I almost wished it were Christmas here. I bet it will be a nice episode to rewatch in December. Oh - and hey - when did Claire go through the stones? It seemed like she left Boston on Christmas Eve. I guess when she escaped Culloden, it wasn't on a feast day. Still, it seems like this detail was completely ignored. Maybe by showing us part of the print shop scene, they think we wouldn't notice. Fair enough.
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