Prepare to be swept of your feet in this monumental tale of love that crosses all divides of time. Covering rebellions, division, invasion, and the need to protect what’s home. Starting in the years following WW2, the story centres around Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) as she’s pulled back in time and away from her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) and into the 1700s where she’s met with a frightening history of combat, violence and abuse. Luckily though, she’s also stumbled onto Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan); a head-strong young warrior fiercely protective of his Scottish homelands, and soon it seems, Claire herself; having fallen in love with her beauty and strong-minded personality.
Trapped in time, Claire tries make herself useful to the Scottish clans in their battles against the English, even though she’s constantly aware of history’s outcome, and that’s not all. Torn by her love of two men she finds her loyalties split; wanting to protect the lineage of her 1940s husband, whilst also fighting time and again against his ancestor – who is far from honourable, and threatens everything she holds dear.
Outlander can be brutal in its retelling of the past, not shying away from humanity’s greatest atrocities, which in later seasons includes slavery in America, and the vastly changing relationship of the colonists with America’s indigenous tribes. It also covers issues of abuse, prisoners, and rape – which, commendably, does not ignore attacks carried out on men by men, and showing the emotional trauma it causes. For the most part though this is still a show about a great romance (inc. its trials and tribulations), whilst also commenting on the severity of the times; its tough existence and the vulnerability of people in a changing world.
As mentioned, the show’s soul is a telling of romance, and it’s not just through the main couple (although their love seems able to conquer all), but also the relationships of the next generation and those around them. Aside from this, the series is also a historical drama, and so it goes to great lengths to get the correct accountings of the times and to highlight the crimes people can do to one another, especially in the name of their country, or, in many a case, through their own self-justifications. The show moves with history; the seasons progressing between Scotland, England, France and America. The breath of its past echoing forward, and as such there’s a rough beauty to the show, one that’s carefully and respectfully portrayed.
Throughout the series, a contrast of times is displayed; from those trapped or seeking a new life in the 1700s, to those left behind in the 1900s. This makes for an interesting contrast to humanity’s progression and its differing perspectives. Even the 20th century scenes show a mindset that’s moving forward and into today’s world. The show handling the different timelines with grace, managing to avoid a futuristic and sci-fi tone, and to instead tread the lines of a historical adventure. There is one small issue however; a time jump of twenty years that’s poorly mishandled in the cosmetic department, with only a few grey hairs for one character and a pair of glasses for another (and even this is kept to a minimum). The only reason I can think of for this miraculous anti-ageing of time, aside from the outlays of make-up, was the keen interest to keep the audience as enthralled with the fantasy love-story as when the leading characters were young. However, theseleading roles ooze enough passion that being visibly aged wouldn’t have destroyed a thing. Then again people probably don’t want to see a pair of wrinkly old people have steamy hot sex – you ageists, you. The producers therefore keep the two leads looking young and beautiful – if only time worked this way, either that or they really should be advertising whatever moisturiser they use.
In Outlander there is a sense of the adventurous romances that once dominated TV, while avoiding the 80-90s tone of being overly lovey-dovey, which would be sickening after only a few episodes. The balance of this is done through keeping in the dirt, conflict and troubles of the time, while having the couple go through a series of emotional turmoils that would break and split anyone else apart.
A must-watch series for anyone who loves their history and enjoys a story of soulmates.
Creator: Ronald D. Moore
Other notable works:
- For All Mankind 2019 –
- Electric Dreams 2017
- Caprica 2009-2010
- Battlestar Galactica 2004-2009
- Roswell High 1999-2002
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 1993-1999
- Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987-1994
Based on the book series Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
