I loved reading these books, listening to them as audio books & watching the series. I think the series does a good job of translating the books to the screen considering how detailed the story is in the books. I've enjoyed the series & love seeing the characters come to life. I can't wait to see the next season!
10 Reviews
Super wonderful
lluca-4774821 May 2020
Great finale to a great season. Again an abundance of memorable scenes doubled by great acting. Adventures, mystique, mystery, emotions, epic images - all over-arc'ed by the chemistry between the lead actors. It is elevating to see how subtle Cait acts with her facial muscles and eyes and how she pairs with Sam in all their moments together.
Another great finale
CrystalDust1234 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
All the finales so far have been very emotional and dramatic, and this was no different.
The journey of Geillis was intriguing and shocking to the end, with the realisation dawning on Claire about what becomes of Geillis.
The episode overall was packed full of drama, and one of my personal favourite moments of the show was the underwater scene of Claire and Jamie, which was beautifully shot in conjunction with the amazing music of this show.
It will be fun to see how they cope in America - on to Season 4!
The journey of Geillis was intriguing and shocking to the end, with the realisation dawning on Claire about what becomes of Geillis.
The episode overall was packed full of drama, and one of my personal favourite moments of the show was the underwater scene of Claire and Jamie, which was beautifully shot in conjunction with the amazing music of this show.
It will be fun to see how they cope in America - on to Season 4!
A Finale Largely Hitting All the Right Notes
jmansmannstjohnslrev27 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Claire's near-death at the end of Voyager and in Eye of the Storm is symbolically fitting, because in a way, it marks a fundamental shift in the Outlander series. Up to now, the focus is almost exclusively on Jaime and Claire. There are supporting characters, there are other people to whom Jaime and Claire are beholden, but the story largely centers around their relationship. Afterwards, the story certainly turns, and while Jaime and Claire's relationship is clearly important, the story begins to become more and more about family and marriage than true love and romance.
Eye of the Storm is a satisfying end to the Season 3 because it hits all of the right notes and wraps up all the elements of the story in a neat and tidy way. Jaime and Claire are resolved to start a new life in America, Gellis Duncan is foiled, and Lord John clears Jaime's warrants. In short, it provides the main characters with a new start, a clean slate if you will, that really makes this a point of demarcation in the entire series.
Of course the episode isn't perfect. The Campbell's and Willoughby's storylines end with a whimper rather than a bang, but that is emblematic of one of the struggles with the novels and tv series as a whole. The story is largely told from Claire's point of view, and almost exclusively from the point of view of the other Frasers (later including Brianna and Roger) when Claire isn't narrating. As a result, sometimes the stories and perspectives of the side characters are lost because the story is viewed from the lens of the Frasers. There is no omniscient narrator and what you see on the tv screen is never a full perspective, but only the story through the eyes of one of the main characters.
It's so odd because looking back at the end of Season 3 I enjoyed quite a few of the final episodes in the second half of the season despite the fact that they never felt particularly impactful in the same way that the episodes in the first half did. In the end, Eye of the Storm gives a satisfying conclusion to what feels like a sort of side quest in the Outlander story.
* As a bonus, I feel like only Outlander can have Jaime say a corny line like, Sassenach if you die I will kill you with emotional weight. Sam and Cait do get better and better with each season and I find it amazing that neither of them are bigger names in the industry considering their talent.
Eye of the Storm is a satisfying end to the Season 3 because it hits all of the right notes and wraps up all the elements of the story in a neat and tidy way. Jaime and Claire are resolved to start a new life in America, Gellis Duncan is foiled, and Lord John clears Jaime's warrants. In short, it provides the main characters with a new start, a clean slate if you will, that really makes this a point of demarcation in the entire series.
Of course the episode isn't perfect. The Campbell's and Willoughby's storylines end with a whimper rather than a bang, but that is emblematic of one of the struggles with the novels and tv series as a whole. The story is largely told from Claire's point of view, and almost exclusively from the point of view of the other Frasers (later including Brianna and Roger) when Claire isn't narrating. As a result, sometimes the stories and perspectives of the side characters are lost because the story is viewed from the lens of the Frasers. There is no omniscient narrator and what you see on the tv screen is never a full perspective, but only the story through the eyes of one of the main characters.
It's so odd because looking back at the end of Season 3 I enjoyed quite a few of the final episodes in the second half of the season despite the fact that they never felt particularly impactful in the same way that the episodes in the first half did. In the end, Eye of the Storm gives a satisfying conclusion to what feels like a sort of side quest in the Outlander story.
* As a bonus, I feel like only Outlander can have Jaime say a corny line like, Sassenach if you die I will kill you with emotional weight. Sam and Cait do get better and better with each season and I find it amazing that neither of them are bigger names in the industry considering their talent.
Eye of the Storm
bobcobb30126 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
There was a lot of drama in this episode, but having a boat crash and Claire nearly drowning Titanic style seemed like an odd way to end it.
This season has been a bit up and down and they needed something of a reboot before next year. Heading to America could certainly do that.
Solid episode, but the season sort of got weird near the end.
This season has been a bit up and down and they needed something of a reboot before next year. Heading to America could certainly do that.
Solid episode, but the season sort of got weird near the end.
2nd Half Slump
salnm15 March 2018
More than the other two seasons, the third has suffered the most from the 2nd half slump. I was never really looking forward to the second half of this season- already knowing what was to come, and it all really seemed to be just a very convoluted way to get the characters to America, where bigger things are to come and other points are set into motion. Up until the reunion, the show was building a great momentum- most importantly emotional momentum. The audience got to delve into what has shaped Jamie and Claire during their years apart, which was compelling viewing. However, after the couple reunited, the plot got its needle stuck on the same reoccurring themes of separation (due to the characters becoming different people or due to actual, forcible separation) and of course the theme of unwavering love (we understand, the couple has still got it). These two themes are usually very effective, but when repeated over and over without any other real plots or emotions at play to support them, it just becomes tedious and predictable; come on, one never really fears that Jamie and Claire will separated again so soon to being reunited.
I know that the show is only following the outline of the novel. However, the main disadvantage the show has compared to the book- as with many adaptations- is that in reading the story-lines, there is a lot more filler and description- in-between moments that separate the many coincidences and reoccurring themes. So, one feels things are a bit more spaced out and evenly paced. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this adaptation in particular seems to suffer a great deal from inconsistent pacing or writing over the course of the episodes and odd moments of focus- mostly moments of intimacy that feel forced or wedged into the flow of the episodes. Just because a small scene happens in the book, does not mean it needs to be placed in the show where time and focus is much more limited and valuable.
Hopefully, next season when more characters and greater challenges take center stage, the show's momentum and success won't fall directly onto the shoulders of Jamie and Claire's relationship (not trying to demean its importance or value). With the full addition of Brianna and Roger, the show can focus on a dynamic more rooted in reality (less perfect or assured), which can break the monotony a bit. Also, a larger role for Lord Grey, whose presence adds a little tension, as well as unexpected support, or even the journey of Young Ian.
Compared to Voyager, Drums of Autumn is, as a whole, a more captivating novel. So, hopefully, season four will be too.
I know that the show is only following the outline of the novel. However, the main disadvantage the show has compared to the book- as with many adaptations- is that in reading the story-lines, there is a lot more filler and description- in-between moments that separate the many coincidences and reoccurring themes. So, one feels things are a bit more spaced out and evenly paced. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this adaptation in particular seems to suffer a great deal from inconsistent pacing or writing over the course of the episodes and odd moments of focus- mostly moments of intimacy that feel forced or wedged into the flow of the episodes. Just because a small scene happens in the book, does not mean it needs to be placed in the show where time and focus is much more limited and valuable.
Hopefully, next season when more characters and greater challenges take center stage, the show's momentum and success won't fall directly onto the shoulders of Jamie and Claire's relationship (not trying to demean its importance or value). With the full addition of Brianna and Roger, the show can focus on a dynamic more rooted in reality (less perfect or assured), which can break the monotony a bit. Also, a larger role for Lord Grey, whose presence adds a little tension, as well as unexpected support, or even the journey of Young Ian.
Compared to Voyager, Drums of Autumn is, as a whole, a more captivating novel. So, hopefully, season four will be too.
Eternal love? No sure about that...
Just-A-Girl-1414 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The first two seasons of Outlander were the best thing I have ever seen on TV by far!!!!! Unfortunately, I believe that the decision to separate Jamie and Claire for twenty years was an awful one! Huge mistake in my opinion.
I recently read that DG decided to do so because in her opinion writing children is boring. She didn't want to have to write those 20 years, so she opted for a time jump instead of having to create a full 20-year storyline with a child in tow.
While I understand that Claire would have trouble following her husband with a child in her hands I believe that in doing so she changed the entire story and dynamic between the two main characters.
Claire and Jamie spend many years being miserable. Claire and Frank got stuck with each other in a loveless marriage, which btw, in real life, there is absolutely zero chance it would not affect Brianna. Children feel these things. Jamie who desperately wanted to be a father was in fact not a real father to any of his children. He couldn't really be with Fergus and Willie. He was not in Brianna's life at all and since he didn't actually live with Laoghaire I wonder how much of a dad could he have really been to her daughters...?
When Claire made the decision to stay with Jamie and not travel back to Frank, it should have been final. Once they realized they couldn't stop the battle of Culloden, Claire should have returned HOME to Lallybroch. Frankly, I don't even understand Jamie's decision to fight a battle that was clearly doomed. Not only because of Claire's knowledge of future events but also because any man with a brain could see that there's no way to win this fight. He knew that, that's why he send his men back home, because he knew that there was no reason they should die in vain. I also think that writing children is not boring as proven by young Fergus who was an amazing character! Claire should have stayed with Fergus and Brianna in Lallybroch while the situation with Jamie was being resolved. He could have still been in their lives. Whether it's from the cave or in any other way. I'm sure it would have been hard but it could still have been better than not be in their lives at all. Plus, they had family there - Jenny and Ian and their children. Brianna could have grown up with brothers and sisters and cousins. A whole real family. Even with the difficulties their love could have stayed strong. Watching their reunion was painful. It didn't feel like eternal love at all. On one hand they missed each other but on the other hand they moved on. I think the actors did the best they could but to me it felt wrong. Jamie seemed like he didn't really know what to do with Claire and Claire's decision to leave Brianna behind was not really clear to me. If they chose to go back together so that she could meet her father then maybe but leaving her daughter behind knowing she may never see her again is a strange decision. Brianna is an adult but she is a young adult with no mother, father or any other family around. Roger was nice but let's face it, A) he lived on a different continent and B) they only knew each other for like five minutes.
I also missed Claire and Jamie's young passionate selves. The show seem to put a lot of emphasis on their concerns of how they look 20 years later. Which in real life would be an issue but was clearly not an issue since both were still as young and hot as they were last season. I mean, come on, are we really supposed to buy that they are 50 years old?! A few gray hairs ain't gonna do that. I also feel like their behavior wasn't really consistent. Are they young or are they old? The whole thing didn't feel right. The only reunion that really moved me was the one between Claire and Ian. It was short but really powerful! Jamie said that time didn't matter, that their love was eternal but the truth was the absolute opposite of that! Time did matter! Everything changed. Sure they can still love each other and make a life for themselves but it is definitely NOT the same and you can't really get back the time you lost!!
I also think that Claire becoming a doctor was not really necessary to the story. At least, not yet. Everything she did this season could have been done without that. With the exception of making a whole in the head of the guy who attacked her, which she ended up not saving anyway nor should she even tried. I liked her better when she was a fighter and not this delicate woman who can't understand she is living in the past were things are different! You can't bring your 20 century ideals two hundred years into the past and expect people to live by them! I mean, come on! She came from a time were a woman and a black guy were barely accepted in Harvard University! Trying to chance peoples minds about what's right and wrong made her look stupid and put both herself and Jamie in danger. Even if you managed to influence those closed to you, you will never change the view on the issue in general. These things take time. Sailers who believe in superstitions or slavery is just part of this time. Changing it is a very long process.
Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of great moments this season. I loved Lord John Gray and young Ian. The part in which John saved Jamie from the navy guy was so awesome!!! Just for that it was worth watching the entire season! Both John and young Ian are an amazing addition to the show but I just wish they stayed with the original concept. I don't understand why they even went to Jamaica this season. I really did not like that the entire adventure was because of Laoghaire. In the second season they went to France for a reason. They were trying to save Scotland! The Jamaica trip did not feel right. I mean, they had to save young Ian for sure but I don't know, it's just wasn't the same. Oh, and btw, why was Geillis even there??? This patriotic woman who would do anything for Scotland spend twenty years in Jamaica bathing in blood and having her way with virgins because why? And why did it take her twenty years to retrieve a treasure she knew exactly were to find? I really missed Scotland this season and to be honest I am not looking forward to seeing them next season in America. I'm sure it would be interesting but it's just that they talked about Lallybroch as if it was home, as if it was all that mattered. Jamie was supposed to be the Laird. They only spent one episode there this season. I miss the two young passionate patriotic fighters who would do anything for the people they love! I feel like the show lost its way and it pains me. :( Hopefully it would get better next season!
Claire and Jamie spend many years being miserable. Claire and Frank got stuck with each other in a loveless marriage, which btw, in real life, there is absolutely zero chance it would not affect Brianna. Children feel these things. Jamie who desperately wanted to be a father was in fact not a real father to any of his children. He couldn't really be with Fergus and Willie. He was not in Brianna's life at all and since he didn't actually live with Laoghaire I wonder how much of a dad could he have really been to her daughters...?
When Claire made the decision to stay with Jamie and not travel back to Frank, it should have been final. Once they realized they couldn't stop the battle of Culloden, Claire should have returned HOME to Lallybroch. Frankly, I don't even understand Jamie's decision to fight a battle that was clearly doomed. Not only because of Claire's knowledge of future events but also because any man with a brain could see that there's no way to win this fight. He knew that, that's why he send his men back home, because he knew that there was no reason they should die in vain. I also think that writing children is not boring as proven by young Fergus who was an amazing character! Claire should have stayed with Fergus and Brianna in Lallybroch while the situation with Jamie was being resolved. He could have still been in their lives. Whether it's from the cave or in any other way. I'm sure it would have been hard but it could still have been better than not be in their lives at all. Plus, they had family there - Jenny and Ian and their children. Brianna could have grown up with brothers and sisters and cousins. A whole real family. Even with the difficulties their love could have stayed strong. Watching their reunion was painful. It didn't feel like eternal love at all. On one hand they missed each other but on the other hand they moved on. I think the actors did the best they could but to me it felt wrong. Jamie seemed like he didn't really know what to do with Claire and Claire's decision to leave Brianna behind was not really clear to me. If they chose to go back together so that she could meet her father then maybe but leaving her daughter behind knowing she may never see her again is a strange decision. Brianna is an adult but she is a young adult with no mother, father or any other family around. Roger was nice but let's face it, A) he lived on a different continent and B) they only knew each other for like five minutes.
I also missed Claire and Jamie's young passionate selves. The show seem to put a lot of emphasis on their concerns of how they look 20 years later. Which in real life would be an issue but was clearly not an issue since both were still as young and hot as they were last season. I mean, come on, are we really supposed to buy that they are 50 years old?! A few gray hairs ain't gonna do that. I also feel like their behavior wasn't really consistent. Are they young or are they old? The whole thing didn't feel right. The only reunion that really moved me was the one between Claire and Ian. It was short but really powerful! Jamie said that time didn't matter, that their love was eternal but the truth was the absolute opposite of that! Time did matter! Everything changed. Sure they can still love each other and make a life for themselves but it is definitely NOT the same and you can't really get back the time you lost!!
I also think that Claire becoming a doctor was not really necessary to the story. At least, not yet. Everything she did this season could have been done without that. With the exception of making a whole in the head of the guy who attacked her, which she ended up not saving anyway nor should she even tried. I liked her better when she was a fighter and not this delicate woman who can't understand she is living in the past were things are different! You can't bring your 20 century ideals two hundred years into the past and expect people to live by them! I mean, come on! She came from a time were a woman and a black guy were barely accepted in Harvard University! Trying to chance peoples minds about what's right and wrong made her look stupid and put both herself and Jamie in danger. Even if you managed to influence those closed to you, you will never change the view on the issue in general. These things take time. Sailers who believe in superstitions or slavery is just part of this time. Changing it is a very long process.
Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of great moments this season. I loved Lord John Gray and young Ian. The part in which John saved Jamie from the navy guy was so awesome!!! Just for that it was worth watching the entire season! Both John and young Ian are an amazing addition to the show but I just wish they stayed with the original concept. I don't understand why they even went to Jamaica this season. I really did not like that the entire adventure was because of Laoghaire. In the second season they went to France for a reason. They were trying to save Scotland! The Jamaica trip did not feel right. I mean, they had to save young Ian for sure but I don't know, it's just wasn't the same. Oh, and btw, why was Geillis even there??? This patriotic woman who would do anything for Scotland spend twenty years in Jamaica bathing in blood and having her way with virgins because why? And why did it take her twenty years to retrieve a treasure she knew exactly were to find? I really missed Scotland this season and to be honest I am not looking forward to seeing them next season in America. I'm sure it would be interesting but it's just that they talked about Lallybroch as if it was home, as if it was all that mattered. Jamie was supposed to be the Laird. They only spent one episode there this season. I miss the two young passionate patriotic fighters who would do anything for the people they love! I feel like the show lost its way and it pains me. :( Hopefully it would get better next season!
Oof
bonnibelknap6 April 2019
This season has been terrible. Why did they leave out the prostitute murders? Reverend Campbell was poorly written. Willoughby also. Frank was not this self sacrificing in the book and I honestly felt sorry for him and it made Claire look like a selfish wench.
Then what's with the random, "it was at that moment I realized the pool was the portal"?! That boiled my blood. The first 8 episodes of season one were excellent, then it went downhill. All of season two was great. Until they got reunited this season was promising. Hopefully it gets better although I'm severely disappointed with the casting of Brianna. I was picturing a Laura Prepon (Donna from That 70s Show) kind of gal. Tall, red haired, slanted eyes, feisty. Instead they cast an annoyingly high pitched, poorly wigged, pip squeak.
I did like the casting for John Grey and Roger.
Then what's with the random, "it was at that moment I realized the pool was the portal"?! That boiled my blood. The first 8 episodes of season one were excellent, then it went downhill. All of season two was great. Until they got reunited this season was promising. Hopefully it gets better although I'm severely disappointed with the casting of Brianna. I was picturing a Laura Prepon (Donna from That 70s Show) kind of gal. Tall, red haired, slanted eyes, feisty. Instead they cast an annoyingly high pitched, poorly wigged, pip squeak.
I did like the casting for John Grey and Roger.
Last 15 minutes = extremely far fetched. Most of the episode is full of contrived plot manipulation. Poor writing if this is directly from the book.
irenelaf27 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Too many coincidences and a completely far fetched survival. Out of the blue a hurricane appears. It is somewhat dark and stormy. Of course Claire 'has' to go on deck because she is a doctor because it wouldn't make sense to treat anyone hurt below deck. Then the cliché struggle on deck until everybody leaves but them. A wave hits and Claire then goes overboard. Somehow the water isn't dark (like the dark grey sky) and Jamie is able to see her or he sees the white sail. Claire's voiceover stated in a foreshadow clip "I was dead" etc. Stupidest plot manipulation ever. Jamie kisses her to probably show he's giving her air. He brings her up and the water is calm (because they're in the 'eye of the storm') and it's magically lighter out. Claire is unconscious or dead...we don't know. The screen pans out to show a MASSIVE eye of the storm.....but yet SOMEHOW they are safely washed up to shore!!! Come. On. Also the 'maybe unconscious or dead' Claire somehow magically starts coughing and comes to...with the cheesy line 'I told you I'd never leave you again'. Insert eye roll here.
This episode is rated far too high! Outlander fans will accept any contrived action apparently.
Why did the show (and probably the book) include the bones of Geillis being studied by Claire's colleague, Joe, in 1968??? With billions of people on earth on any given moment, the bones of a dead woman in Europe are present 200 years later in America. Maybe I missed an explanation for this but it's absurd. Extreme coincidence not to mention how Geillis and Claire keep running into each other. Especially when Claire and Brianna arrive at the EXACT moment she goes into the portal in a previous episode. Anyways, Geillis can't be that significant since now she is dead so what is with the 'fate bringing them together'? Or *sigh* just plot manipulation to create temporary drama to end this season/book.
This episode is rated far too high! Outlander fans will accept any contrived action apparently.
Why did the show (and probably the book) include the bones of Geillis being studied by Claire's colleague, Joe, in 1968??? With billions of people on earth on any given moment, the bones of a dead woman in Europe are present 200 years later in America. Maybe I missed an explanation for this but it's absurd. Extreme coincidence not to mention how Geillis and Claire keep running into each other. Especially when Claire and Brianna arrive at the EXACT moment she goes into the portal in a previous episode. Anyways, Geillis can't be that significant since now she is dead so what is with the 'fate bringing them together'? Or *sigh* just plot manipulation to create temporary drama to end this season/book.
boring
MidoriAi5 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I was getting bored, but then Geilis showed up.
She was supposedly murdered in another season, and the series had forgotten about her like she never happened in the show.
Then reappeared when Claire went to her time and after many years she overlapped with Geilis time, and almost met eachother.
Then, they reunited in Jamaica and Geilis is TOTALLY out of character, again a rich widow (out of nowhere, like it was easy to do that for the first time...) bathing in blood and killing like a maniac no matter why or the cost.
I have never read the books, but Claire is super selfish and she thinks she knows it all. I can't get this principal character to be liked. The same as Jaimy. He is like a brainless for almost everything except for war (doing impossible deeds) to the point of being not believable that he runs (out of nowhere) a press company.
I have never read the books, but Claire is super selfish and she thinks she knows it all. I can't get this principal character to be liked. The same as Jaimy. He is like a brainless for almost everything except for war (doing impossible deeds) to the point of being not believable that he runs (out of nowhere) a press company.
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