OUTLANDER Day 11, 30 Day writing challenge.

*Disclaimer:  Sorry for the watermarks on the pic, but I was told to do this by a fellow blogger*

I am not sure where to start.  I have written and re-written this several times and now I am at the point where I think I am over thinking this particular post.  I'll be honest, I am not sure how comfortable I am with writing this blog entry, because I don't want to come off as a fangirl, or a supreme gusher.  I promise I pass no judgments, this is just me and my comfort zone.  I'm not one to write about shows I like,  I usually save it for the critics, whether they are right or wrong (in my opinion of course), or I leave it to other fans, but something is compelling me to write about this show...well that and I am blank with idea's for my writing challenge today and this show was a topic of conversation earlier.

I have told many an ear that listens, that Outlander was a happy accident for me, but to be honest, it was a quest for a friend who has loved the book since it first debuted and every single one after that.  She simply wanted a picture of the author and how do you say no to someone who is like a best friend?  What I knew about Outlander I learned from the previews on Starz.  Kilts, Brits, Time Travel and a Historical Drama.  I had no idea it was based on books.  To add to that, I am still trying to figure out how these books never hit my reading radar. 

Long story short, I skipped the writing panel I really wanted to go to titled something like, how to write an effective villain, and went to Outlander for my pal...and NO, the last sentence isn't lost on me either, since this story embodies a villain like I have never seen before.  That character is not only well written, but well executed as well...performance wise, I mean, though I am sure many would like the character executed.  Depraved and Sociopathic were never played so well. 

I still have not read the first book, since I did not want spoilers, but it's on my list to get done before next season.  Speaking of seasons, as we enter "droughtlander", coined by either the production crew or the fans, I am not sure which, how about the last two episodes?  Just when you thought the cast was fantastic and couldn't get any better, evoking every emotion a human can feel throughout the season, they throw "Wentworth Prison" and "To Ransom a Man's soul" at you.  Again, I have never read the books, so these episodes brought me to my knees emotionally.  What can you say about them that hasn't been said?  The actors, brilliant. This isn't just talent, it's a gift.  

Every actor will do what they need to for their craft, but in my opinion, only some will step to the edge and look off that cliff and say, "what the hell, let's see how it turns out".  I can't tell you what was in their minds, knowing what was going to be asked of them, but in my opinion that really has to be stepping out of one's comfort zone.  I mean to enter the mind of a man so dark, or a man completely broken by circumstances to save the woman he loves, or the woman calling upon her instincts to save the man she loves and be willing to kick, scream, slap, get shoved and tossed about....Wow!!!  I have singled out three people, but the whole cast adds to this show, like pieces fitting perfectly in a puzzle that is beautiful, smart, refreshing and sassy all rolled into an hour for sixteen weeks and bringing the viewers along for the ride.  Sometimes I feel like an invisible guest, watching people's lives unfold before me.  That is also good scripting, producing and directing.

I could go on and on, but why bore you? This is a blog, an opinion.  Not a critics piece or review (though those also are opinions).  I stepped into the unknown and came out grateful that the panel I skipped for a friend who needed cheering up, turned out to be worth it.   On a side note, karma tapped me gently on the shoulder for this gesture.  A week later, while on twitter, a writer I follow posted her blog, "how to write a good villain".  Right?!  Awesome!

Anyway, I have posted a few pics...well, more than a few for your enjoyment.  The last one is from Paley Fest.  I know this isn't my best blog, which one is, haha, but I guess I just needed to get it all out of my head and to praise the work of a show that accidentally entered my life.  For the record, this is the first time I have ever answered a friend's Comic Con request.  It almost feels like fate.  

Diana Gabaldon.  Without her, no books, no show.  For writers like me, she is an inspiration. I mean this was supposed to be her practice novel?  What!?  I know, right.  So get to it writers.  Careers are not guaranteed, bur if you believe in something, then get it out there.  Yes, one day I will follow my own advice.  *whistling innocently*

Ronald D. Moore.  No him, no show.  Well actually he is cool enough to give credit to his wife and producing partner for introducing him to the books which spawned this gem of a show, but hey, he persevered, got the rights and now we have intelligent television to watch.

The next pics are in alphabetical order, by last name, because I don't think any one of them outshines the other.  These three are like the perfect storm, but in a good way.  I will say this now, so I don't have to repeat myself, I can't see anyone else playing any of their roles.  They nail it and make the show so believable.  I am not on the Emmy wagon, because the longtime Outlander faithful are.  I'm not on the Emmy wagon because some of the critics say I should be.  I'm on the Emmy wagon, because holy sh!t, what stellar performances!  If I can go back to the body of the blog, these people stepped to the edge of the cliff and said, "what the hell, let's see what happens."  Fearless performances by all and yay for the production crew for being brave enough to go a considerable distance with the subject material.

Caitriona Balfe as, Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser, the heroine and narrator of this story.  A WWII war nurse, she touches some stones, falls through time and lands two hundred years in the past.  (don't go find any tall stones to touch either...you are not guaranteed a Jamie on the other end and you might end up leaving a Frank, for something like a BJR. eek).  Miss Balfe is nothing short of amazing in this show.  (yes, I will be using that term again. and then again, below).  Like I said, I am not a critic, so I will let her work speak for itself. In my opinion, she is like her male co-stars, and is not one to shy away from a challenge.  Job well done.  Personally, if I fell back two hundred years, I would worry for my life and my lack of survival skills.

Sam Heughan as, James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser.  Okay, I cheated. I had to google that entire name. Last names are easy to remember, middle names, including one that takes up that much room, not so much.  Jeez cripes, I thought my full name was long.  Again, nothing short of amazing.  His performance in the last two episodes had me saying, "Poor Jamie" so much, my sister, who decided to start watching the show a week after the last episode aired (no previous Droughtlander for her) asked me how many more times I planned on saying it.  What can I say? I felt bad for the character, but it was one hell of an acting job.   

Last,  but certainly not least....







Tobias Menzies as, Frank Wolverton Randall/Jonathan "Black Jack" Wolverton Randall.  Did I get the middle name of Frank right?  I can't remember if they mention it in the show or not, so I am taking a wild guess. Don't kill me if I am wrong.  What hasn't been said about this actor in recent weeks?  Again, like his co-stars, amazing.  For every "Poor Jamie", there was a, "What an asshole".  Sorry, I'm not going to mince words there.  I have to say, if I were a betting girl, I think the picture above would be Frank's expression if he knew what a scoundrel his ancestor really was. So I repeat myself, not just talent, but a natural gift.  In my humble opinion (I am full of those opinions tonight.  *facepalm*), this actor walked to the edge of the cliff and jumped off figuring, "Let's see if I land on my feet."  I think it is safe to say Mr. Menzies, that you didn't just land on your feet, you hit the ground running.

Speaking of Frank, I hope he is in the next season more.  You can't help but feel sorry for the poor guy.  Left behind, searching endlessly for his wife...Just sayin'.  As for the picture below, well, I just wanted to post it.  Hey, two characters, two pics.  Seems fair, right? I have wanted to post these to Twitter with something clever, but funny enough...not enough characters.  I could say more, but it's all been written before. It would be like rehashing someone else's work..

Part of the cast that appeared at Comic Con.  It looks far away, but I was pretty close.  I felt bad, like I was taking a long time fans spot, but I did try to get decent pics and I paid my dues by sitting through My Little Pony.  Again, no judgments, but it was an hour I will never get back.  Also, thank goodness for zoom lenses. 

Paley Fest. Yeah, I was far away, but I wasn't there to be up close.  I went in the hopes to see what would happen in episode #108, but what a treat to have the main cast, producer and author there too.  They're freakin' hilarious, no wonder the show is so good.  You can tell there is a genuine appreciation of one another amongst all of them.   

I am not really sure any of that had an order to it, except for the alphabetical actors, but it is getting late and I am running out of minutes before I hit day 12 of this writing challenge.  See, this is why I don't write about shows I like.  I come out sounding like an imbecile. LOL! Before I go though, big shout out to the composer of Outlander's music, Bear McCreary and the costume designer, Terry Dresbach...WOW!!!!!  I mean WOW!  The music draws you in like a moth to a flame and the costumes are so stunning.  I hand it to the ladies in the show, I mean does it take half the day to get dressed with all they have to put on?   I don't ever want to know, so I will not be searching out any stones.

Until Tomorrow...