TV Review: ‘Outlander’ Series Premiere – “Sassenach”

Last year, I opened up the first book in the Outlander series, and there went my summer.

I was captivated, then slightly obsessed, and later sad that I had to wait many months for the next book. But during my time of waiting, I became interested in the making of the TV adaptation. Ronald D. Moore of Battlestar Galactica fame was bringing Outlander to Starz, and it was fun seeing the casting process, news bits from production, and more. Now the day has finally come to see the entire first episode for free one week before its television premiere on Starz.

Outlander the TV Show pulls you in just like Outlander the Book. Claire Beauchamp Randall’s (played eloquently by Caitriona Balfe) voice looms over the Scottish scenery as she declares that people go missing all of the time. It’s appropriately haunting and intriguing, as we center on this woman who we’re about to join on quite of an adventure.

From there, the anticipation builds up as we meet Claire and her husband, Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies), as they enjoy a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands, where Frank is researching his ancestry. World War II had separated her and husband for five years, and now that is over, they’re reconnecting.  It’s awkward at first. They aren’t exactly the same people anymore. Glimpses in the past show Claire’s work of nursing injured soldiers. The scenes don’t hold back on the brutality of the war; it’s the first visceral imagery we get from the show. We later learn that Frank was working in Intelligence, sending men on missions from which they never returned. They’re both changed by what the war has done to them, and seeing them trying to reestablish their marriage is interesting. You know they’re about to be separated once again, so the whole thing is bittersweet, yet their reconnection is treated so genuinely. Balfe and Menzies have their own kind of quiet, respectful chemistry in these scenes that will enhance Claire’s internal struggles and choices later on in the series. By establishing all this in the first episode, we know that the people behind this show are making sure that the audience will feel as emotionally invested and divided as our dear protagonist.

Those familiar with Ronald D. Moore’s past work might be disappointed that the show doesn’t do very much with the sci-fi aspect of the show. Hints of witchcraft and superstition are mentioned throughout, but when Claire finally does “fall through time,” it’s a blackout as she wakes up in 200 years in the past. Yet that’s precisely when the action begins and the show becomes alive. There is a bit of dream-like quality attributed to Claire’s 20^th century life, but once she hits the ground in 18^th century Scotland everything turns brighter and clearer, like this is the real thing.

The smart and independent Claire quickly finds out that she is not in a different place, but different time. Her first encounter is with an English military captain, who is the splitting image of her husband, Frank. Menzies tackles the dual role convincingly. That chemistry we had witnessed early between husband and wife, is noticeably gone. Captain Randall is an unnerving and scary man that attacks Claire; when she fights back, a Scottish man, who we learn is Murtagh, saves her takes her back to his men as their prisoner.

One of his men, Jamie, is injured, and Claire wants to stay quiet and unnoticed; she can’t help but react when she sees the men giving Jamie the wrong medical care. She jumps in and helps him, and Jamie is the first person to treat her in a kind way. He’s in charge of taking care of her as they journey to Castle Leoch.

Usually, I find narration a little annoying, but in this case, it works. The extra insight into Claire’s mind is needed and helps move the plot along effectively. Overall, the story and romance are very well told. It’s done in a way that is emotional, sexy, and interesting. While this first episode is very faithful to the story, it is written in a way that works visually and gives the screenwriters the opportunity to explore the world Diana Gabaldon creates in a new and refreshing way.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Outlander. The fact that it was on Starz and I was mostly unfamiliar with the actors left me wondering if this would end up being a guilty pleasure—a show that’s enjoyable if not all that great. But what a joy it was to realize that Outlander was much, much better than I could’ve ever expected.

Rating: 8.5/10

Watch the entire Outlander series premiere below. The show debuts August 9^th at 9p ET on Starz. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTvwLb2v9Q