I really want to like this series, the two lead actors are beautiful to watch, however, I cannot understand a lot of the Scottish dialog and find it annoying. They need subtitles.
I have been enjoying watching Season 1 through this episode all in one marathon binge. Mostly, I like the show (ok, the lead actor is TERRIBLE...but at least enjoyable eye candy).
That said after this episode I finally get the "Rapelander" label. The endless use of rape or the threat of rape, in order to further the narrative and NOT primarily as a reflection of the time (which I would accept), is just disgusting. I hate when online commenters impune artists' motives, motivations, or psychology...but gotta wonder about the author. I LOVED BSG + and I hope Ron Moore can restrain the Rape and make the next season more coherent than this one.
That said after this episode I finally get the "Rapelander" label. The endless use of rape or the threat of rape, in order to further the narrative and NOT primarily as a reflection of the time (which I would accept), is just disgusting. I hate when online commenters impune artists' motives, motivations, or psychology...but gotta wonder about the author. I LOVED BSG + and I hope Ron Moore can restrain the Rape and make the next season more coherent than this one.
I thought it revelatory to realize that Alex, not Jack Randall, would be Frank's ancestor. My husband remarked as we watched, that this explains the gentle nature of a Frank Randall - I know that there were many intervening generations, but dealing with the characters we have, we simply said - Frank is from a gentler strain. Oversimplified, I know, but it made enormous sense. Just finished Dragonfly and found it fascinating. You all are recommending Voyager - should I take the plunge?
2
I thought Frank was rather bossy. But maybe that was the times. Certainly not a sadist (a word that would not be invented until more than 150 years after Culloden, and the Marquis de Sade is still a child at this point), but we have seen Frank's temper, including the burning of Claire's 1746 clothing witbout her permission.
1
Frank is not so gentle. He burned Claire's 1745 without her permission - hurtful thing to do, and we have seen his temper with her elsewhere. And everything is about him, including their honeymoon. Just because Frank is not a direct descendant of Jack, doesn't mean he didn't inherit a sadism strain in the extended Randall family. (Sadism, a term not invented until 150 years after the 1745 events, and the Marquis de Sade is at this point a small child).
1
No need for clan leaders after Culloden.
1
The fact that the season is nearly over and minor characters like Alex and Colum are more interesting than what is going on between Claire and Jamie is the problem with Season 2. The show seems to have become more "historical" than romance.... My blog "Where's the sex?" : https://outlanderidler.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/wheres-the-sex-outlander...
I suspect that while the overall outcome of Culloden won't change (the Highlanders will be routed), Randall will likely escape and we'll find that real history mistakes certain events. Perhaps Randall really didn't die at Culloden, just as Frank really descends from Alex and Mary and not Jack Randall and Mary.
1
Somehow my previous comment got 'submitted' before I hit the button (I think). I was going to add that the alternative is that Alex and Mary's child is not the ancestor (he dies young or is not relevant to the story); but Jack and Mary have another child, probably the result of Jack forcing himself on Mary.
2
Another great performance by Graham McTavish. This episode shows the impact of what is about to happen in the lead up to Culloden. Our lovers are both moving towards the end with resignation as hope is fading, which Claire knows all too well. Claire goes about her duties as a healer and Jamie moves around the perimeters of the camp seeing to his men, as the King continues his delusions. Colum, near death, gives control of the clan to Jamie, and takes the potion Claire has given him to end his life. This leads to an Emmy winning portrayal of love, jealousy and hatred between brothers Dougal and Colum. It is an epic performance by Graham McTavish. Claire runs into Mary in Inverness who is trying to administer to BJR's brother Alex who is dying. Alex's last wish is that Mary marry BJR to secure a future for her and their child, and Claire tries to secure that wish knowing BJR has only a few more days to live and will not be able to harm Mary. BJR marries Mary only to unleash a brutal assault on the dead body of his brother knowing that he could never be the kind of person that Alex was and this enrages him. Both Sam and Caitriona played their parts well, with resolution and support, they will go where this leads them no matter what.
3
Ms. Bastien gave us the recap before you.
Everything you say is true, Jane. . .but where is Jamie? He certainly didn't figure prominently in this episode. Exactly how poignant will the "parting" scene be between the two leads when one of them was barely featured in the 12th episode. Most of the book fans have wanted to see the love and intimacy in the relationship of Jamie and Claire strengthened throughout this second season, but Jamie has been relegated to a bit role while Claire has maintained front and center focus and secondary characters have been enhanced and featured prominently. Murtagh, Mary, Alex, BJR, Colum and Dougal had more screen time in this last episode than Jamie. It's sad in a way that Sam Heughan is called a "lead" in the series when his role has been so diminished from an intelligent leader of men and lover/husband to a follower of his wife; the characterization of Claire has changed from loving partner/wife to bossy, know-it-all, chin-thrusting, lip-curling, decision-maker shrew. I can't imagine that I will need whiskey and tissues for the last episode. . .I think Jamie would be lucky to get her out of his life. . .let Frank have her.
2
So what.
"You don't even need to hear the dialogue to understand ..."
I can't understand the dialogue anyway, and I am 30 years married to man from a foreign country and a foreign language.
Colum and Alex both need Milk of the Poppy.
When will Claire and Frank realize that Black Jack is not Frank's direct ancestor? During one of Claire's and Brianna's jaunts to the Boston Public Library? Or a discovered cache of letters or journals Claire finds at the Brimfield, Mass. Fair?
I can't understand the dialogue anyway, and I am 30 years married to man from a foreign country and a foreign language.
Colum and Alex both need Milk of the Poppy.
When will Claire and Frank realize that Black Jack is not Frank's direct ancestor? During one of Claire's and Brianna's jaunts to the Boston Public Library? Or a discovered cache of letters or journals Claire finds at the Brimfield, Mass. Fair?
5
Claire found out in this episode. Frank will only find if/when Claire tells him.
5
Thank you, Clash.
1
Clash - Then why didn't Claire tell Frank?
Do you remember episode 1? Claire felt no guilt at all about staying with Jamie - only regret that she had to return. Nor does it appear that Claire really continues to believe that they can change the course of history, although Jamie still hopes that he can, or that she feels anything but loathing for Black Jack Ramdall (BJR)
This episode was quite different from the book in several ways: it was Jamie who was witness to the marriage, not Murtagh, and BJR cried at the death of his brother. I think the choice made for the show, in terms of how BJR reacted to his brother's death, was much more believable because it was more in character.
This episode was quite different from the book in several ways: it was Jamie who was witness to the marriage, not Murtagh, and BJR cried at the death of his brother. I think the choice made for the show, in terms of how BJR reacted to his brother's death, was much more believable because it was more in character.
5
Okay, here's the thing. "Dragonfly..." was one of the weakest books in the series. Regardless, I have watched all of Season Two hoping the translation to the screen would improve the written story. Also, the actors are great, the scenery and setting are expertly handled and I admit to a real affection for Murtaugh. (I suspect The Culloden episode will kill me for that reason.)
Unfortunately, Season Two has been disappointing on a number of fronts. While Gabaldon's books could have benefitted by some serious editing, the editing done by the series producers was not the answer. Episode one needed at least a small recounting of Claire, Brianna and Roger's search for Jamie after Culloden. Also, the magic between Jamie and Claire almost disappeared this season, smothered by the historical aspects of the story. Spending several episodes in France took us away from beautiful Scotland and when we finally return to Scotland the last episodes show only mud and death and the inside of rooms with Jamie arguing against Charlie's generals. Mary and the Duke of Sandringham make awkward appearances after disappearing for many episodes--could these not have been handled more smoothly? Finally, a few of the episodes were wasted time (The Fox's Lair comes to mind).
Voyager, the third book, was a good one even though way too long (again). I will be watching closely to see how the screen adaptation is handled. Dare I mention the phrase "borrowed time"?
Unfortunately, Season Two has been disappointing on a number of fronts. While Gabaldon's books could have benefitted by some serious editing, the editing done by the series producers was not the answer. Episode one needed at least a small recounting of Claire, Brianna and Roger's search for Jamie after Culloden. Also, the magic between Jamie and Claire almost disappeared this season, smothered by the historical aspects of the story. Spending several episodes in France took us away from beautiful Scotland and when we finally return to Scotland the last episodes show only mud and death and the inside of rooms with Jamie arguing against Charlie's generals. Mary and the Duke of Sandringham make awkward appearances after disappearing for many episodes--could these not have been handled more smoothly? Finally, a few of the episodes were wasted time (The Fox's Lair comes to mind).
Voyager, the third book, was a good one even though way too long (again). I will be watching closely to see how the screen adaptation is handled. Dare I mention the phrase "borrowed time"?
9
I think the writing for the show is an improvement over the bloat of the books. That said, they removed the entire pretext for Claire's recounting of what happened to the now adult Roger and Brianne.
I'm curious to see how they're going to work that in - it's a lot to cram into the last episode.
I'm curious to see how they're going to work that in - it's a lot to cram into the last episode.
2
Who is Roger? Sorry, I haven't read the books.
I too wondered who Roger was. Brianna is the child we saw earlier this season, correct?
2
Another great episode full of fantastic performances.
Claire's choices are not as selfish or clear-cut as the reviewer asserts. She doesn't choose to help Alex and Mary solely for Frank's sake. She cares for Mary and feels truly sorry for what she's done to keep them apart. She sees that she was initially wrong and her apology to Mary is heartfelt. She is also compassionate in the presence of suffering and we've seen her get into trouble before because she felt compelled to help relieve others who may or may not be deserving in the audience's eyes.
Jack is fully aware, in a detached way, of the control his demons have over his nature and actions. He knows himself and begs Claire to spare him the burden of the forced intimacy of marriage, which will only lead him to commit more atrocities. The detached observer inside of him does not admire his actions and knows he is uncontrollably sick.
She's seen how the greater tide of history is sweeping toward the disaster of Culloden, despite her efforts. She has come to realize that her impact has always been on smaller, personal levels. Despite Claire, Mary is pregnant, and will bear the child that becomes Frank's ancestor. All Claire can do is to make sure they are cared for. She's convinced that Jack will die in 3 days, and that Mary will be a wealthy widow with the means to raise a child. Jack is no longer a danger, because he's a dead man in her mind, as are all of the men around her.
Claire's choices are not as selfish or clear-cut as the reviewer asserts. She doesn't choose to help Alex and Mary solely for Frank's sake. She cares for Mary and feels truly sorry for what she's done to keep them apart. She sees that she was initially wrong and her apology to Mary is heartfelt. She is also compassionate in the presence of suffering and we've seen her get into trouble before because she felt compelled to help relieve others who may or may not be deserving in the audience's eyes.
Jack is fully aware, in a detached way, of the control his demons have over his nature and actions. He knows himself and begs Claire to spare him the burden of the forced intimacy of marriage, which will only lead him to commit more atrocities. The detached observer inside of him does not admire his actions and knows he is uncontrollably sick.
She's seen how the greater tide of history is sweeping toward the disaster of Culloden, despite her efforts. She has come to realize that her impact has always been on smaller, personal levels. Despite Claire, Mary is pregnant, and will bear the child that becomes Frank's ancestor. All Claire can do is to make sure they are cared for. She's convinced that Jack will die in 3 days, and that Mary will be a wealthy widow with the means to raise a child. Jack is no longer a danger, because he's a dead man in her mind, as are all of the men around her.
21
This is one of the best episodes of the second season. It was written by Anne Kenney and Ira Steven Behr, both excellent writers. When Anne Kenney is involved, the writing has depth and humanity along with the conflict actors need. Put Balfe and Menzies together, and there's magic. Graham McTavish had an excellent monologue.
15
I wonder if Claire still believes the future can be changed. All attempts she and Jamie have made to change things have been futile. The part where Claire demanded Black Jack give up information about the English troops was a bit awkward and not exactly like the book version. I understand why they did it that way - it's part of the problem of the 750-page book being condensed down to 13 episodes.
The reviewer commented about how this series is supposed to be shown from a "female gaze" and how often they use rape as a narrative tool. I think that is a good point, but don't you think rape (and fear of rape) is a major part of most women's lives? As long as it shown to have real trauma and consequences to the victim, like in real life - not an objectifying pornography version of "she deserved it and liked it", I think it's still OK to call it relatively "feminist". However Diana Gabaldon does use it a lot to advance a plot. There will be several rapes next season too unless they change it from the book.
The reviewer commented about how this series is supposed to be shown from a "female gaze" and how often they use rape as a narrative tool. I think that is a good point, but don't you think rape (and fear of rape) is a major part of most women's lives? As long as it shown to have real trauma and consequences to the victim, like in real life - not an objectifying pornography version of "she deserved it and liked it", I think it's still OK to call it relatively "feminist". However Diana Gabaldon does use it a lot to advance a plot. There will be several rapes next season too unless they change it from the book.
8
An excellent episode and review. Thank you!
1
When will Claire realize that it's Alex, not Jack, who is Franks great-grandfather (many times removed)?
Wasn't Black Jack castrated a few episodes back?
5
One of the best recaps of this episode I've seen - by attempting to give Claire more agency, they've only highlighted how misguided and contradictory her motivations are.
3
BTW - Harvard didn't accept women in 1968, and wouldn't for a few more years. Radcliffe women could and did take classes at Harvard, but their admissions/degree was at Radcliffe.