Dust Bunny

Yeah, rethinking it (and rewatching it), I'm alright with her agreeing to marry Dougal. It's also her learning from the gypsies about looking someone in the eye and giving your word. With no intention of following through. Another step forward for Pragmatic Claire.

I loved this episode. And yet, the previews for next week kinda sucked that love right out. Damn. So now I'm trying to recapture that love by mentally boxing the previews away. I cheered so loud when Murtagh showed up that it bothered people in the next room. Duncan Lacroix is brilliant in every scene. Most of the scene with Dougal was great. His agenda seemed much more explicit than in the book. It also explains the Jacobite cause a little clearer to set up season 2. I do agree that Claire agreeing to marry Dougal was off the mark. Enjoyed the good cop/bad cop of Jenny and Claire. So glad they included the potatoes conversation. I really missed Sam's presence this week. Makes the idea of next week all the worse. In that too, the episode succeeded.

When Jeff says "You're all goats" you know it's a bad season.

It was the right hand in the book. Sam had noted (can't remember if it was Facebook or Twitter) that in the scene where he has Claire sign the letter denouncing BJR that he momentarily held the quill in his left hand, as a nod to Jame's natural left-handedness. But, yeah, throughout the show, Jamie has been operating mostly right-handed. So I wasn't sure which way they were going to go with the injury.

Two things: 1. Why the left hand? (except that it faces the camera) 2. It definitely looks different than snowy weather as a background. 2.5. Damn, this is going to be hard viewing. I should start drinking whisky now.

100%! Everything about Horrocks screamed Bonnet to me, and I thought the same thing about the colonies. That actor did a great job.

Eh, it was ok. I loved the Jenny & Claire scenes. I felt like Ian was a bit out of character with all the Watch plot. I missed the scene of Ian thinking Jenny had died in childbirth. I would have preferred it to be like the book when it's Jamie who brings up Claire not being able to (as far as she/they know) have children. This version had me feeling really bad for Claire. And I would think the redcoats would have followed Horrocks to Jamie, not allowed Horrocks to bring Jamie to him - especially since Horrocks is a deserter and would have been otherwise shot. But, plot. I don't know if it was the actor's choice at all, but I never bought MacQuarrie as a good guy. I kept waiting for him to betray Jamie from start to end. This basically felt like a bridge episode to me. It was fine, but nothing special.

Dammit. With that vote and the death of the chicken I have no one left to root for. After Shirin arrives, they should lock out all the others from Ponderosa. Mike is the least objectionable of these terrible, horrible, no good, very bad people.

And that's probably the last happy scene until the final 90 seconds of episode 16. 120 seconds, if Ron's feeling really generous.

So I had noticed something on first watch, but I didn't want to comment until I double-checked by rewatching the end of "Devil's Mark" on my DVR. In "Lallybroch"'s previously's, the last shot is of Jamie and Claire kissing after she chose him (after being at the stones). In that shot, Jamie is on the left side of the screen, and he pulls her in close and wears a huge smile. That particular shot was not in "Devil's Mark". It's very short, but I actually really like that shot. Make of that what you will. I hope it means we're in for some deleted scene delights of "Devil's Mark" when the Blu-ray comes out.

That was wonderful. Probably my favorite episode so far, actually. They included the "I wanted you when... I loved you when..." I actually squeed out loud when Jamie started talking about that. Loved all the scenes between Jenny & Jamie and Claire & Ian. The dynamics were so well done. The mill scene - perfect. The scene between Randall and Jamie definitely sets up the darkness that is the last 2 episodes. That will be some tough watching. In general, the direction was stellar throughout the hour as well. I couldn't be happier with this episode. Well done, everyone!

Ponderosa is the place to be. Jenn's exit interview where she lays out how each person sucks was great. This season is going as bad as it can possibly go. I can only hope that these awful people are completely humiliated as they watch this in their living rooms. I approve of Shirin's denial of Will's appeal for his letters. I'm continuing to root for the last chicken or rooster (did they kill the rooster yet?).

I agree with my love for the books impacting my viewing of the stones scene. I've seen the episode 4 times now (it was in the background twice, when Starz shows it back-to-back-to-back on Saturday). That scene has grown on me each time. From the love-making scene by the fire the night before, to Jamie's face transitioning from adoration to sadness to resilience while watching Claire by the river, to him moving in front of her when they arrive on the hill, to him drawing his sword for any evil/mystery present, to him touching the stone on arrival, to her being driven forward to the stone while describing what happened before, to him pulling her back, to him walking down the hill without turning around, to the look on his face when she returns to him - it now works for me. This article about religion vs faith in the episode: http://outlandermusings.com/2015/04/20/episode-1-11-the-devils-mark-religion-vs-faith/ sold the show version for me. I had considered this very element before, but the blogger solidified it for me. While I would have liked to see the fade out, there's something very cool about it being Jamie's faith in who Claire is that is the key of why he believes her. It is such a juxtaposition of the need for proof in the trial. Sure, there are still elements I miss. I too would like to hear Jamie tell Claire about his prayer to let her go. And I do hope there are some deleted scenes, including the voice over Claire had while deciding which future she wanted. Still, having watched it a few times now, this works for me. I can appreciate it separately from the book, as I now see it more as (1) Jamie's faith in Claire, (2) Claire's subsequent appreciation in his faith when no one else would do that (especially as demonstrated by just being tried for witchcraft), and (3) Claire's appreciation that Jamie would selflessly let her go out of love for her because he wants what she wants. That brings a new level to their relationship that's kind of cool. I can get behind that.

I liked it, with reservations. It's one of those episodes I want to talk myself into loving, because I love it in the book so much. I'm hoping there are some deleted scenes between Claire and Jamie. I'm hoping the "happy birthday" bit was done, since she did explicitly say "October 20". I also we wish we would have seen Claire start to disappear in front of Jamie. I'd like to know why the writer/director made that decision. I think I'm going to stop listing what was missing and think happy thoughts. The fire scene before Jamie took Claire up to the stones was verra nice. It makes me think of the times in the books when Jamie takes snapshots of memories when he's with his loved ones.

Probst would get a little respect from me if, at the reunion, he states that it doesn't matter what color collar or buff you have, sometimes you just suck. #Merica

It was Jenn's irreverence that was so entertaining and refreshing. But sometimes irreverence can lead to apathy when something doesn't go your way. Not always - but it can be be an easy shift. OTOH, if you're really invested into an experience, irreverence can be harder to come by. I think that's what happened to Jenn. It's too bad. Apathy is much less entertaining than irreverence. This is going to be a "hold your nose and vote" FTC. Such fascinating social game-play, so few good people.

Joe could market fake immunity idols. That was impressive. Gutsy, strong move. If you have to go out, go out big. Jenn went from being super cool to being a big disappointment. I don't know who to root for anymore. Maybe the last living chicken?

Loved that whole episode. Great for both book and non-book readers. That first scene was verra nice. I'll leave it at that. Laoghaire is the worst, but Nell Hudson is great. She's playing Laoghaire with unapologetic strength and agency. Loved the duel with the MacDonalds. It's nice to see Jamie's fighting abilities. I'm already getting the chills about anticipating what's coming up at the end of the season. Knowing how capable Jamie is will make it all the more intense when he gives his word not to fight or struggle. Casting continues to be brilliant. Simon Callow owns every scene as Sandringham. "Poppycock!" It was a great idea of the writers to get Murtaugh and Sandringham in the same room this season. Should make for a nice payoff in season 2. So we can assume that Murtaugh didn't go with Jamie, Dougal, Angus, and Rupert, right? I knew it wasn't going to make it into the show, but I would have loved to see the scene between Jamie and Hamish in the stable. It would have introduced Donas, as well. Bring on next week!

Did Hali have one talking head that whole episode? At this point the editors are annoying me as much as the Blue Collars. Tyler is a weasel. Screw him. I love Joe, but he should have taken at least one other alliance member on the reward challenge to sway one or two of the others away. Then again, I don't trust one other person in that 7-person alliance. Yuk. I guess that was the problem of having 5 people on that reward - too many to be effective. This is looking to be very disappointing from here on out.

I think I strained my eye muscles from rolling them so much. For not one second was there any threat to anyone. The actors did the best they could with the lameness that was this episode. I love Oliver Platt, happy to see him back on TV, but his character seems kinda weak. Hope I'm wrong and/or they change that.

Totally. I can imagine that if he did want to leave (which I thought he has for about 2 seasons now), he wishes he had bailed first. Kind of like The Daily Show. I'm sure all his proteges moving on to bigger and better things made Jon all the more ready go as well. It's no fun to be left behind.

Rewatching the replay right now, and it suggests that Jamie gets the idea to do the oath to Claire after seeing Colum reference it to Dougal in the 2nd meeting with them and Ned. That's pretty cool and seems more organic in Jamie's growing understanding of his relationship with Claire. I really, really like the fallout from the beating took longer. The horse walking scene in the book always seemed too cheap for me. This was SO much better. It really does seem like this was a better foundation for their relationship.

Screw Carolyn, Tyler, and Will. I hope they eat that vote. Jenn just edged out Joe as my favorite. I'd love for them and Hali to make final three. Sierra took Tyler's place of irrelevance. Bye, Kelly. Your game-play sucked.

What’s the point of Tyler? He was one of my dark horses, but not so much now. I think he thinks he’s smarter than he really is. I’m worried for Joe. His edit is getting murkier. I really like him, but he came across as being in a position of weakness – which he is. He has to be shrewd and proactive in the merge. I can’t decide about Mike. I think he might be building a strong case, if he were to get to the final 3. I think he’s playing a lot of people really well, but it might bury him really soon. I’m not sure I like him, not that that’s relevant. At least we saw Jenn thinks Rodney is an ass too. That bodes good things for the merge. I was expecting several turtles. Did the production crew do something to ensure there’d be at least one at that time? If there were even two, I’d be less skeptical of that whole thing. It was cool to see, but it seemed massively staged, which is weird for nature.

I was diagnosed in January with bilateral breast cancer. After seeing a tweet about the show, I checked out an episode. I then started the books and just finished book 8 on Thursday. That's over 6,700 in 9 weeks. What a wonderful distraction! I'm now going back and skimming from book 1, while waiting for the show to return. I haven't devoured a series like this since "The Three Musketeers" saga in high school in 1993 after seeing the Chris O'Donnell movie. Loved the double wedding. After reading Fergus' line that cracked up Claire and Jamie (and me), I had to go back and reread Fergus' and Marsali's wedding. I wish all weddings were as entertaining as this series' weddings are. Loved how Jamie resigned his commission without a second's pause. At that moment, his involvement with the war was over. It made me think of the D-Day episode of Band of Brothers when Winters promises himself that after the war he would go live somewhere quiet in peace. I love Jamie's paternal gravitation towards Fannie. It's like he sees her as the young Brianna he never got to raise. William bored me at first, but now, by the end of this book, it seems like he's come into his own as a character. I loved all his interactions with Jamie. I'm looking forward to Jamie's reaction when Brianna tells him about her and Jem's encounter with Brian. That was a beautiful - and heart-wrenching - scene. I kept waiting for Roger, Brianna, Jem, and Mandy to show up at the Ridge, so that ending was pretty great. Major kudos to those of you who started reading the series from the get-go. I can't imagine all the waiting that was involved, from one book to the next. I'm very late to the party, but it's great to be here.