Just call me Sassenach




Grab yer dirk an' yer kilt, whether ya be MacKenzie or Fraser:  Outlander is back, ya ken? (Insert fangirly squealing here)

For anyone who doesn't understand anything I said, I apologize. It's hard to come back to my flat Midwestern accent after listening to the lilting speech of the Highlanders for an hour. If you are not aware, Outlander is a fantastic series on Starz based on a fantastic series written by Diana Gabaldon. Here's a non-spoilery synopsis:  a woman (Claire) in "present-day" 1945 travels back to 1743 Scotland via some magic stones at Craigh na Dun. She doesn't know how to get back to her own time and is forced to survive in this slightly civilized land at the mercy of the Clan MacKenzie while avoiding the British Army. If it sounds at all cheesy, I apologize. It's hard to do it justice.

Photo from Starz.com

 Outlander is not just a time-travel story. The story delves into the politics of the day and the major historical themes of the period (which Claire knows how they end, by the way...try keeping things like that a secret without destroying the present). Different aspects of what were once daily life are examined by "modern Claire," who, as a nurse, has to weed through suspicion, tradition, and the looming whispers of witchcraft while trying to heal her patients.

Photo from Starz.com

Oh, and did I mention it's a love story, too? You see, Claire is married in 1945. But in 1743, her husband, Frank, isn't even a twinkle in his parents' eyes. His grandparents aren't even twinkles in his great-grandparents' eyes. And she doesn't know how (or if) she can get back to 1945. And then you throw this into the mix...

Photo from Starz.com

Talk about being conflicted! Not that Claire ever strays...until she's legally married to Jamie Fraser (Mr. Gorgeous up there). Two husbands, 200 years apart. I'd say she's entitled.

Now, Outlander is not for the faint of heart. Just like Game of Thrones, it's not on network tv for a reason. But now that I've introduced it to you, perhaps you'll partake. The plan (currently) is to post after each episode (which was also my Vikings plan, and you've seen how well that's worked out...I need to get on that). But if I do this week's right now, that'll be one long post, so I'll put that off...for a day or two. Because this episode was good.

Just remember--Saturday nights, Starz, and Jamie...just lots and lots of Jamie.

~ Stay gold!

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