I’m hearing from folks who are adoring the series! They still can’t believe that they are seeing their favorite characters in the flesh and they believe that the show is doing a great job. In fact, they are constantly pointing out how, in some ways, the show is better than the books because seeing action and hearing dialogue helps them fill in the gaps that naturally occur when a story is told from one character’s viewpoint. They delight in the visual feast they have been presented with and find themselves looking forward to watching the episodes to see how things are the same AND different. They don’t always like everything and wish some scenes would be included, but if they aren’t …they can let it go. They are able to enjoy both book and show.
Other folks fear that the show runners have taken Jamie and Claire too far away from the couple the book lovers know them to be! I know this because I’ve heard form some of these folks too!
Read the rest of the article after the jump!
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Their concern is very understandable. These book faithful have tuned in to the show in hopes of seeing the Jamie and Claire they fell in love with on the page transferred to the screen. They don’t understand why there needs to be changes to what they see as perfectly good scenes and dialogue. “Why change it?” they ask, “especially when they say they want to make fans happy! It would only take a moment to add some of this stuff! They could have given us ten minutes less of “The Watch” and “The Search” so that they would have had more time for Jamie and Claire!” Of course, I’m completely compiling and paraphrasing, but I think this pretty much sums up their concerns. They are tired of waiting to see the Jamie and Claire they fell in love with.
Personally, I think the show is giving us the characters we fell in love with.
HERE IS THE JAMIE AND CLAIRE I’VE SEEN PORTRAYED ON THE SHOW
Jamie:
- loyal
- brave
- strong
- funny
- clever
- capable of loving and expressing deep love
- emotionally mature
- lusty
- caring
- willing to do anything for Claire
Claire: 
- strong
- pragmatic
- caring
- intolerant of injustice
- honest
- principled to a fault
- frustratingly unable to keep her mouth shut
- wise
- loving
- lusty
- willing to do anything for Jamie
******************Am I missing something here?*******************
There seems to be some argument over what the two would or would not do, what they would or would not say and the fact that Jamie looks weak. Some fans have suggested that they have “dumbed down” Jamie to make Claire look better. Any change to a character that TRULY departs from what we have known them to be as people, should be fought against and I hope someone IS fighting to preserve their wonderfulness, but, so far, I haven’t seen anything that “might not have” happened. It isn’t happening exactly like it did in the books, but it could have.
It really is subjective isn’t it?
Those viewers who haven’t read the books and some of whom never intend to are weighing in on the show too! That includes a boat load of critics, some of my favorites are Maureen Ryan, Emily Nussbaum, and Tom and Lorenzo. I have seen very few negative reviews and continue to see more praise for the show daily. The story isn’t being told only to the book readers. Each episode has to have its own story arc and be able to stand on its own. And, …the numbers of folks watching and enjoying seems to be growing
or a Gabaldon novel 😉
I’ll admit to not knowing a lot about the business of film and TV. So, I’m thankful that every once in awhile, I hear from folks who are in the business :
Beth, thank you for so succinctly giving perspective on the culmination of this season’s events. I always find it challenging to express to people how difficult/tremulous it can be adapting a novel. The adaptation in itself is an art form. There are only a handful of screenwriters that can ever strike the perfect balance and they are coveted like gold. As much as readers would like to be truthful to source material, the visual medium does not allow for such deep introspection into characters. That is why it is such a gift to have actors such as Cait, Sam, Tobias, Graham, Duncan, Gary, Laura and Lotte (just to name a few) who are able to so expertly express the inner feelings/thoughts of the characters with just a look, gesture, or blink of the eye. I think this show has done the NEAR impossible of taking a beautiful novel and creating a life for it that is woven into the material and still keeps its own vitality. Game of Thrones has received a lot of flack for digressing and making choices independent of the novel. Not to make too fine a point, but I feel like some of it is fair and some of it unfair. The difference here is that GoT gained the viewers trust over many seasons and continues to seemingly throw that trust away. What we witness in Outlander is the knowledge that everything comes back into play and nothing is taken for granted. What we will witness tomorrow will be vile, difficult, sad, sick, tragic, and ultimately touching. There is a truth to it that can not be denied. Our faith & trust in the showrunners is never taken for granted and the honesty shown can not be denied. So far, I have not read one single review where the writer didn’t understand WHY they were being shown such graphic and ugly material. They saw the phenomenal work being done on and off screen. I believe that is what we viewers experience as well. I know there will be many more discussions in the weeks to come, but this feeling I have now is palpable. The Emmys are such a strange game that is played behind closed doors, but I know in my heart I have witnessed a superior art form, regardless of the accolades. @sassypants25
I appreciate these folks sharing their unique knowledge and perspective, it really adds a lot to my own understanding of what it takes to make a successful adaptation.
SO, WHAT’S IS ALL THIS FUSS REALLY ABOUT?
We love Jamie and Claire because they represent the best in ourselves and reflect our desire to have a relationship with someone who sees us as their equal. Jamie and Claire’s love and attraction for one another is passionate, committed and mutual. Their lives are never easy, but their love never fails. This mutual love is rare and few of us are ever lucky enough to find it. We would like to believe that such a relationship is possible. We would like to love and be loved in return like Jamie loves Claire and Claire loves Jamie.
In one of the trailer’s for the show, Jamie is heard saying “Promise me we will always find a way back to each other.” (click here to watch)
I’m beginning to suspect that this is a theme for the whole season. Isn’t it always about finding your way back to each other in a marriage? It doesn’t have to be getting carried through the stones or PTSD; it can be something as mundane as a career or as challenging as raising children that causes a couple to lose touch with each other, grow distant, and lose intimacy. Ask any married duo if they did not struggle to maintain their identity as a couple through different phases and events in life. It pains us to see our ideal pair estranged. We want to luxuriate in their obvious love for one another. However, I can’t help but believe that this more realistic portrayal of a relationship makes this MORE about what the books were about, not less.
At the first Comic-Con attended by Outlander folks, author Diana Gabaldon responded to a question about whether or not Outlander could be considered a romance. She responded by saying that there is definitely a romance element, but that most Romance novels are about what happens when people fall in love and that she thought it would be interesting to write about how people stay in love…for fifty years. I think the approach the writers and producers are taking bodes well for showing us how people stay in love, and how they find a way back to each other through the myriad of things that happen to people.
I’m looking forward to episode 2.4 as the next piece in the series puzzle and I’m holding out hope that by the end of the season, we will so understand the love between these two that Claire’s anguished screams will feel ripped from our own hearts.
Reblogged this on Ana Fraser Lallybroch Blog.
The song “C’est Moi”from the musical “Camelot” always reminds me of Jamie or Sam. It is a very forceful description of Sir Lancelot, a Knight of King Arthur’s Round Table Take a listen if you can to Robert Goulet’s original version.
Reblogged this on My Outlander Blog! and commented:
Here is the link to this week’s Outlandish Anticipation on @OutlanderOnline where we take a look at the love between Jamie and Claire!
Thank you, Beth — so insightful, as always! And let us not forget that the creator — the goddess, if you will — of the Outlander universe is a consultant to the show and has given it her full support. And like some of your commenters, I LOVE seeing some of the “empty bits” from the books filled in. 🙂
JoAnn
Perfectly said Beth!
Thanks!
I’ll admit I get frustrated will some of the criticism of the show. I’ve read the books twice and I’m not in the least annoyed of the changes. The writers have done an amazing job adapting the books to screen. There is so much material in those books the writers couldn’t possibly included everything.
I love that Jamie is being vulnerable. I’m really looking forward to seeing their relationship coming back to where it was. They aren’t themselves. Here’s to love.
Here’s to love!
I’m on my 4th read of the series and I agree with you totally. l we are so blessed to be able to wallow in the beauty of Outlander in two mediums. I have loved the changes for the most part. Things could have happened in these new ways in Diana’s world. In some ways it improves on the books and it definitely compliments them. I know that there is a lot on the cutting room floor they wish they could have included, but due to time constraints had to let go. I think it pains the writers as much as it does the fans, but that is TV for you. Be thankful that so much of what we love about these characters and these stories has been retained and brought to life so beautifully. The casting director deserves and Emmy for finding the perfect actors to play these characters we love so much. Ron Moore put together his “A Team” to produce this passion project for his wife Terry and Maril Davis. Bravo.
Great article Beth ! It was balanced and thank you for expressing our thoughts on so many ways . I like the metaphor you used about marriage and finding our way back to eachother . I agree we can disagree but I loved your written thoughts .
I’m glad you feel you can disagree. Reading Ron Moores’s travelogue really gave me some perspective on fandom. Have you read it?
100% agree. So sick of the book people complaining. Yes, I read them, too. So what? I still enjoy the show.
And for the constant complaints that Claire & Jamie are having a dry spell…go get it on with your spouse or significant other. It’s not up to a t.v. show to provide that romantic / lust fulfillment in your life. Sheesh.
Nice post. I admit I have expressed concern over show characterization, Jamie’s in particular, but I love posts like this that provide a balanced perspective to help remind me of all things I love and appreciate about the show.
I’ve always felt Jamie had high emotional/social intelligence as well as mathematical/strategic intelligence. I didn’t see intelligence or wisdom on Jamie’s list so I’m curious what you think about that.
Thanks!
Uhmmmm I thought I didn! He was a learned man
Aye. 🙂
One thing that’s so great about both of them is how they create community wherever they go. So many people love and respect them and look to them for wise counsel. . That is something the show gets right, I think.
I love how your remain faithfully positive and supportive of the show and strive to understand the different perspectives. I’ve been in the camp that Jamie’s character is getting shortchanged, mainly episode 2.2. It was stemming from just a few things but they felt so big of a miss by the writer, editor, whoever in charge that day. So I went a read the script online and low and beyond those missing sparks of Jamie were there all along, a few lines here and there that got cut for time or other reason which is a tragedy since they highlighted much of these qualities you list. Ep 2.3 was better and I’m hopeful for 2.4 since the old Jamie definitely made an appearance and in his kilt!!
I love reading the scripts with the author’s notes and seeing what didn’t make it to the screen or what was changed. So much of what was left out would have better informed us in those scenes. For instance, in the scene where Jamie tells Claire that he has hired Fergus and his purpose in doing so, the script has Claire saying goodnight to Jamie and going to bed without him which is consistent with the fact that she often sleeps alone because he is out all night. However, in the episode, it is Jamie who says goodnight and goes up to bed leaving Claire in the parlor. That seemed so out of character and disturbed me, because he was so cold and closed off when she had just validated that he had a good plan. Wonder how those decisions are made during the actual filming process.
A fine review of this new and sometimes puzzling season. I’ve read the books and fully understand time restraints on TV but did I miss something ? I have never seen such obsession as exists with the books and now the series. What is it about these particular people that makes them become so real as well as making it perfectly ‘normal’ to watch the same show several times in case a detail, a look, an insinuation, a comment was missed. Certainly keeps one off the streets ! It will be a long droughtlander after these episodes as they’re taking almost a year to film each season. All to our visual delight. Blah to the critics..they just don’t get it. Obviously, D Gabaldon is a flat out genius on the ‘human comedy.’
Amen!
“What is all this fuss really about?” If you have to ask, then there is a big fuss, and your analysis doesn’t answer why there is. If you agree with Moore’s interpretation of Jamie and Claire, then why write about those who dislike it? Are you worried that the “fuss” is growing louder?
I try to give a fair and balance few of how fans are feeling. I’m not worried about anything. The fuss is because we all feel passionately about the story that is why we write, talk, and watch. It’s what fans do.
Yes! This! You seem to often write just what I am thinking about the show and various reactions to it. Very well said!
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I am looking forward to 2.4 but I think things will get more difficult for Clair and Jaime before we finally see them reconnect in ways the fans are hungry for.. that intimate (emotional and physical) connection is what has been missing in season 2 so far
Your paragraph “SO, WHAT’S IS ALL THIS FUSS REALLY ABOUT?” is all I feel about the story. I couldn’t have told it any better.. I am moved by reading all that i had in my heart and mind. Well done
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. It means a lot.