Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.
Last week's Outlander ended on a cliffhanger and so did this week's. There's a theme. The danger posed to Jamie in the previous episode turned out to be momentary as the guests from the Watch were confused about his identity. Jamie is a wanted man and under constant threat, and the number of close calls he experiences more than gives you a peek into how stressful life his life is. He always has to be on his guard. It's understandable. But to stack the odds against him all episode between the Watch and Horrocks and then wrap up with Jamie being taken by the Redcoats? It's a little tiring.
When people are repeatedly tried and challenged and repeatedly get past it, each instance of hardship carries less weight. Claire and Jamie have found a way out of every potentially lethal situation so far. We don't have any reason to believe they won't escape whatever is before them. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. It strengthens the idea that their love can overcome all. And knowing Claire and Jamie will solve any and all problems brings a particular test to the writers: They have to make us believe the peril is real and make sure it has impact. When they survive the impossible over and over again, Claire and Jamie should have the scars to show for it -- physical or emotional ones.
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Last week's Outlander ended on a cliffhanger and so did this week's. There's a theme. The danger posed to Jamie in the previous episode turned out to be momentary as the guests from the Watch were confused about his identity. Jamie is a wanted man and under constant threat, and the number of close calls he experiences more than gives you a peek into how stressful life his life is. He always has to be on his guard. It's understandable. But to stack the odds against him all episode between the Watch and Horrocks and then wrap up with Jamie being taken by the Redcoats? It's a little tiring.
When people are repeatedly tried and challenged and repeatedly get past it, each instance of hardship carries less weight. Claire and Jamie have found a way out of every potentially lethal situation so far. We don't have any reason to believe they won't escape whatever is before them. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. It strengthens the idea that their love can overcome all. And knowing Claire and Jamie will solve any and all problems brings a particular test to the writers: They have to make us believe the peril is real and make sure it has impact. When they survive the impossible over and over again, Claire and Jamie should have the scars to show for it -- physical or emotional ones.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...