Blog Archives
Jamie Fraser: King of Men
I haven’t blogged about Outlander for a while, and the reason is simple…I simply couldn’t get into Season 2 at first.
As many women, I’m very protective of the books and the characters. I fell in love with them over twenty years ago, so of course, I was both weary and excited to see it unfold on screen.
To be honest, Season 1 blew me away. I felt so connected with the characters that I became obsessed with the show. I literally watched each episode numerous times. When the season ended, I couldn’t wait for Season 2.
But right from the first episode from Season 2, I just didn’t “feel” it. I couldn’t really get into their time in France. I tried really hard to find that connection between Jamie and Claire. Of course, with Jamie’s traumatic events from the end of the first season, he simply wasn’t himself. Believe me, I get it. But even so, I didn’t like the way the script was going many times. It felt rushed, and somehow, Jamie’s character (which has always been deep and intense in the books) was lost.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe. They are phenomenal actors, and I can’t believe how much they bring Jamie and Claire to life. When Claire lost her baby, oh my gosh, the acting was superb. I cried with her, as I felt the pain of such a devastating loss.
I also have to add how much I enjoyed Jamie finally getting his revenge on Jack Randall. That man is just plain evil. I was waiting through all of the episodes for that scene. I can’t describe how much I hate that man for what he did to Jamie. Maybe that’s why I had such a problem with Claire always throwing Frank in Jamie’s face. I hated that in the book, and I hated it even more in the show. I was literally yelling at my TV, “Let Jamie have his closure. Do you have any idea what that sick Black Jack Randall did to your husband?” Not to mention, I was never a Frank fan. I don’t care what anybody says, I never will be. (Although I have to again give credit to the actor, Tabias Menzies, who has blown me away with his portrayal of BJR).
Although I had difficulty getting through the episodes from France, I have to admit, as soon as they returned to Scotland, everything came together nicely. I’ve absolutely loved the last three episodes. Jamie becomes the true leader he has always been.
And this is why he is known as “King of Men.” We see his courage, fierceness, loyalty, intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, and most of all, his love for his wife. Oh, I have to add his good looks here somewhere as well. 🙂
The scene where he prayed in Gaelic for Claire while she slept touched me so much that I had to fight the tears. He asked God to “shield my beloved, my white dove. And the child that she may one day bear. Preserve her from violence and from harm. In this place. And every place.” Jamie then promised to always protect her. When she awakened and asked what he was saying, he brushed it off. He said he preferred to say it while she slept because her dreams would hear the truth of his words. Sigh.
So this is the reason I’ve been in love with James Fraser for over twenty years. I can’t believe we only have two episodes left in the season. My heart is going to shatter even though I know exactly what’s to come. But then again, do we expect anything less from our Jamie, King of Men?
Outlander Returns! Episode 9- The Reckoning
Let me just start by saying that if you have not been watching this series, you’re really missing out on something special. I don’t even watch TV. My life is just way too busy to sit down and watch any shows. But, when it comes to Outlander, I will make an exception.
I read the books over ten years ago. And since then, I’ve been in love with the fictional character, Jamie Fraser. When I first heard that Starz was going to air Outlander, I was a bit nervous. I did not want them to ruin my vision of the books.
Once I watched the first eight episodes, I was obsessed with the whole Outlander world. I fell in love with Jamie all over again. Sam Heughan is the perfect Jamie Fraser and Caitriona Balfe is the perfect Claire.
Many of us Outlander fans have been waiting a long time for Episode 9. Finally, Outlander Returns! I was literally counting down the days.
My family already knows not to bother me (not even breathe around me) when Outlander is on. During each show, I literally stand in front of the screen, soaking in every scene…every word. Oh by the way, I’ve already watched this episode five times since it aired on Saturday! Didn’t I tell you I was obsessed?
This episode was from Jamie’s perspective, where he reflected on his life and the choices he had made. “Each step I had taken was a choice…Every day, every man has a choice between right and wrong, between love and hate, sometimes between life and death. And the sum of your choices becomes your life. The day I realized is the day I became a man.” Ahh Jamie…so wise!
The rescue was amazing! Just like in the book, Jamie was willing to die trying to rescue Claire. Black Jack Randall once again managed to creep me out. Evil at its best! Gotta give credit to the actor, Tobias Menzies.
I was also impressed with Sam and Cait’s acting. I loved the scene when they were yelling at each other. I loved how Jamie lost control and called her “a foul-mouthed bitch.”
And immediately, he realized that this was not him. He then broke down and told her how scared he was and what it did to him to see her almost raped by Black Jack Randall. “I came after you with my bare hands and an empty pistol…You’re tearing my guts out, Claire.” Sigh.
Oh and can we talk about the spanking scene briefly? I know this is a very controversial scene but here’s my take. This was Scotland in the 18th century. This practice was completely acceptable. Jamie did what he thought was normal. It was the way of the times…the culture. Let’s give both Jamie and Claire some credit. Claire could obviously hold her own against Jamie and showed him that he couldn’t “own” her. Jamie showed amazing restraint when she hit him…especially in the earlier scene when she slapped him across the face. Back then, women just weren’t allowed to do that. If a woman raised her hand on her husband, I’m sure she would have permanent scars. Whether we agree with it or not, it was just the way it was. I think this scene was handled very well and it did not offend me in the slightest.
Instead, I’d much rather talk about the sex scene. Can we say hot? How the heck do these two have such an amazing chemistry? I mean, I know they’re just acting, but it sure doesn’t seem like it. I know some don’t like the graphic sex scenes, but I love them in this series. For me, I can see their emotional connection…and that’s what makes it so intense…so hot and sexy. These two sizzle on screen! After doing the deed, Jamie said, “I am your master and you are mine. Seems I cannot possess your soul without losing my own.”
There was one part I was not too fond of in this episode. I can’t stand Laoghaire and I felt that Jamie had couple of opportunities to tell her that he married Claire because he loved her. Maybe he didn’t want to tell her because he hadn’t even told Claire yet. Maybe he didn’t tell her because he’s just a nice guy and didn’t want to hurt her feelings. But still, I wish he made it clear right then and there that he was not interested in her. But Jamie is Jamie. Claire just needs to put his little girl back in her place.
Jamie has grown up to be a man of honor, a protector, a warrior…a true highlander.
I can’t wait until Saturday for the next episode! Until this weekend, Jamie Fraser!
Outlander Wedding
I had to do a post on the Outlander Wedding. I’ve been obsessed with the books, and now that the series are on Starz, I am glued to the TV on Saturday nights. I mean it’s bad. Nobody is allowed to talk to me while I stand in front of that screen, mesmerized by every scene.
Tonight is the epic wedding! I’m so looking forward to the Outlander Wedding. Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp become husband and wife. This wedding has to happen to save Claire from Black Jack Randall, the cruel English captain. Well, “cruel” is putting it mildly. Let me put it this way. His last week’s performance had chills running up and down my spine. He is the epitome of evil.
Claire is beside herself that she has to marry to save her hide because she has a husband in the 1940’s, and all she wants to do is get back to her life from that time. Jamie, the handsome young lad, is willing to marry her to save her from the evil hands.
Ah, and things only get interesting from here on. You see, Jamie may act like he’s marrying her to help his “friend” out, but in actuality, he’s already fallen in love with her. We learn this much later in the book. Their wedding is the start of a beautiful relationship between them.
I’m a huge sucker for a good love story—always have been. I have to say Outlander is one of the top love stories on my list. I absolutely can’t wait for the big wedding…oh, and then the wedding night. Ha! They better not hold anything back!
As I wait for the show tonight, I had to find a way to calm my anticipation—of course, through writing! So, here I am blogging about it.
To all you fellow Outlander fans, see you at the wedding!
Jalpa Williby 