Archive for the ‘Outlandish Anticipation’ Category
It truly took me about half way through the first season to start understanding, at least in some part, the adaptation process. I started to be able to see how and why things really couldn’t be exactly like the book. I started to get a grasp on how storytelling for a visual medium had to be different. I started to understand that this was Diana’s story AND Ron’s story and it really couldn’t be any other way. So, it makes sense to me that it has taken me until mid-season in this second go round to deepen my understanding. I saw seeds that were planted by the writers come to fruition in this episode 7. I saw the why of their choices in plot and characterization. I saw the method in their madness, if you will. There was a destination, a place they wanted to take us and they had to get us ready to go there.
Adaptation of a book the size and scope of Dragonfly in Amber is harder and more complex than any of us mere non-TV production mortals can imagine. I’m convinced that there is absolutely no way to win if you are the folks making the choices. You can’t win. No matter what you do you will never please everyone. I don’t know how they can stand the criticism. I especially don’t know how they stayed silent when they knew what was coming in this episode. When I think of how gracious they were in the face of complaints about shortened episodes, petty differences from the book, a heroine characterized as selfish, and a lack of sex, I’m in awe. The book lovers wanted their personal version of what was important from the books, a “faithful” adaptation and now, …several main stream TV critics suggest the show really needs to move away from the books. Good grief.
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Last night, I was sitting at a high school district track meet watching the granddaughters strive to make the finals (they made it in 4 events whoo hoo!) and a chance to advance to the regionals. It was spitting rain and bit cold and the events they participated in were spread out over the night. I had some time to drink coffee and check in on what was happening in Outlanderland. Right before the hurdles, I was reading an article about how Diana Gabaldon was credited with saying there was a decision/scene in an upcoming episode of Outlander that “jumped the shark” (how is that for irony). Not entirely sure what “jumped the shark” meant, I looked it up on Wikipedia.
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Outlander part deux is moving ahead rapidly. Overall, the show has been well received. I don’t think anyone would argue about the value the amazing costumes and sets have added to the narrative. We have been introduced to new characters and once again marveled at the perfect casting. After each episode, we are awed by how many plot points they can fit into an hour! This is a quality produced, directed, filmed, acted, and…written show.
I’m focusing on the written part this week because one of our Twitter friends, Richard Kahan, has penned Outlander episode 5 “Untimely Resurrection”. He has been part of the Outlander writing team since the beginning, but this is the first episode where he is being identified as the “writer”. He jokingly said that last Sunday began a week of shameless self-promotion! LOL! Let’s see if we can help him a bit!
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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!
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This past episode of Outlander 2.2 “Not in Scotland Anymore” received mixed reviews by fans and critics alike. After I wrote my own reflection on the episode, I began reading what other folks thought. Wow. I’m still struck by the sheer amount of articles available to read! There was a lot of repetition in the responses and that leads me to believe that their might be validity to both the negative and positive critiques.
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Wow! What a great way to end Droughtlander! I was in a theater with several hundred other fans in NYC watching Outlander 2.1 on the big screen! I was amused when we all sighed, giggled, and cheered at the same time! All around me fans were murmuring , ” Oh, Frank you’re breaking my heart”. Like Frank or dislike Frank, you have to admit it was a powerful performance and, in my opinion, a powerful adaptation. Ron Moore’s version of Diana Gabaldon’s story left me convinced that Frank, at least on some level, believed Claire’s story, “it’s a wonderful example of 17th century clothing, where did you get it?” Where indeed. I walked out of that theater with some very happy and excited fans. We just all knew this was gonna be good.
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We are a mere three days away from Outlander’s premiere on April 9th on Starz! The anticipation is almost unbearable! I know we all have certain scenes we are looking forward to, dialogue we can’t wait to hear, characters we want to meet, and a particular red dress we want to see at court! I’ve been wiling away the hours thinking about what the season will bring and what I HOPE it will bring.
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I read my first critique of Outlander Season 2 yesterday. I have to say it was with trepidation that I clicked the link. The title of the article lead me to believe it was positive, but experience has taught me to withhold judgement on these things. Too often, I find myself wondering if the reviewer had watched the same show I had. The oft used “pop culture” language sets my teeth on edge and I still have issues with how they address the fact that a majority of viewers are female ( at least I think that is still true, I haven’t seen statistics lately). Some of the new buzz words being used to describe the show are “female-centric” and “genre-bending” and so far, I’m not foaming at the mouth or rolling my eyes every time I see them used.
It was a predominately positive review…whew….I was relieved.
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This morning someone I follow on Facebook posted this statement, “The term March Madness has taken on a whole new meaning for me.” I believe I laughed out loud because I knew EXACTLY what she was talking about. She and I have been part of the craziness that is leading up to Tartan Week in NYC.
First, let me say that I signed up to go to Tartan Week BS (Before Sam) because the gals in my local fan group, OH-landers (hey girls hey!), said of all the Scottish related events they had attended including Outlander events -THIS- was by far the most fun they had together. Looking at the pictures they shared from last year and reading stories of their adventures, it sure did look and sound like they had fun! My local group had joined forces with other local groups who had formed a new group called Outlanders United. They were the folks that asked the Tartan Week Committee if we could be part of the parade. Starz was a sponsor last year and the lucky Outlander fans that attended got to represent with banners and spiffy t-shirts!
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It has already begun! The memes, the polls, the conversations comparing Roger to Jamie are circulating throughout the fandom social media platforms. Most have taken pains to make sure everyone understands these comparisons are about the characters and not the actors playing them, but I have my suspicions. If we are talking about the actor’s looks well, really that’s just personal preference isn’t it? However, if we are really talking about the characters? That could be fun!
So, I asked some Outlander book fans on Facebook and Twitter to help me sort out which character was the most manly, emotionally mature, intelligent, funny, and skilled.
Of course we don’t have any pictures of Rik Rankin as Professor Wakefield yet, so I’m borrowing some pics from his Twitter and Google!
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