Welcome to Brit Mosley. This is her first of many articles to come.
Rosalita Moog
After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a strapping Scots warrior with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor. A passionate relationship ensues, and Claire is caught between two vastly different men in two inharmonious lives. Synopsis from Starz
In the summer of 2014 “Outlander” premiered on Starz based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon. As a new fan of the books (despite knowing about them since my late teens), I was immediately excited about the show when the news broke Starz would be making an adaptation. I always thought myself lucky because unlike the legion of fans who had read the books since they debuted and had imagined their Claire and Jamie my mind had no preconceived idea of them.
When the pilot aired on August 4, 2014, to say I immediately fell in love was an understatement. The actors chosen Sam Heughan as Jamie, Caitriona Balfe as the lead Claire and Tobias Menzies in the dual role of Frank and Black Jack Randall were, in this fan’s opinion, perfect.
I hadn’t finished the first book as I began watching the series. I think it is a credit to how the show was being adapted, each episode was well done, a full story told within that hour. Sixteen episodes make up the first season and they come together beautifully to bring the first Outlander novel to life.
Certain episodes stand out of course, as do key moments in the book. The part of me that loves Claire and Jamie’s blossoming romance was especially excited for “The Wedding” episode. As executive producer Ron D. Moore says, the most interesting thing about how these two characters come together is that they don’t fall in love until after they’re married. I suppose Claire being married to Frank back in her time complicates things.
Did I mention this book/show doesn’t fall into one specific genre?
History, time travel, romance, politics, suspense, and while I hate the term, plenty of “bodice ripping”. In fairness though, in Outlander, it’s corset ripping.
Outlander has garnered five awards and four nominations.
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA 2015
Won Saturn Award Best Actress in a Television Series
Caitriona Balfe (actor)
Nominated Saturn Award Best Actor in a Television Series
Tobias Menzies Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series
Sam Heughan (actor)
Critics Choice Television Awards 2014
Won Critics’ Choice TV Award Most Exciting New Series
Hollywood Post Alliance, US 2014
Nominated HPA Awards Outstanding Color Grading – Television
Steve Porter MTI Film
Irish Film and Television Awards 2015
Nominated IFTA Award Best Actress in a Lead Role – Drama
Caitriona Balfe
People’s Choice Awards, USA 2015
Won People’s Choice Award Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show
TV Guide Awards 2014
Won TV Guide Award Favorite Drama Series
Favorite Duo Sam Heughan & Caitriona Balfe As Jamie & Claire
Knowing there are eight books in the series thus far and the author is working on the ninth book currently, it’s exciting to think this beautiful and mesmerizing show could be on for years to come.
As someone who was so emotionally satisfied with how the last two episodes were portrayed, thus covering the most intense and heartbreaking parts of the first novel, I am very much looking forward to the second season of Outlander , set to premiere the first half 2016 on Starz.
I’m honestly wishing I had some stones to jump through myself, if only to get me there faster.