Air Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 9PM ET/PT on Starz
Rating:
“Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.” ― Jamie Fraser
Their love is the kind that lasts lifetimes.
With season two of Outlander coming to a close, I am overcome with bittersweet feelings. I’m excited to see the season end as it was boring me to pieces. On the other hand, I’m sad to see the season end on such a cliffhanger because of what comes next (if season three follows book three, Voyager). I’m really looking forward to the next portion of the Outlander journey.
The Beginning of the End
What I missed most about this season is the lack of exploration of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) romance. Their love story is what made season one so good, and is the reason I love the Outlander novel the most. Season one holds the key to the beginning of their romance, how it develops, and where it leads them. Season two held promise for the Frasers’ love story but failed us. The political intrigue and focus on society kept us away from what we wanted to see most. There is nothing better than hearing Jamie’s heartfelt words of love for Claire. I always enjoy seeing her eyes light up when he speaks to her, holds her, and kisses her with all his heart. But we don’t get that this season except in a few snippets here and there. Yes, the first half of the season found Jamie recovering from his ordeal with “Black Jack” Randall (Tobias Menzies) but the second half leaves much to be desired. “Dragonfly in Amber” gives me hope that the love between Jamie and Claire will become the forefront of the next chapter in their lives.
Clip: Culloden Will Happen
Of Note
Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) continues to be my favorite character in the Outlander series. He’s the kind of best friend everyone needs, and I’m happy to say I have more than one. “But ken this, when you return, I’ll be waiting here to fight by your side.” There is never a doubt in my mind that Murtagh won’t do what he says. As Jamie’s godfather, he goes above and beyond what Jamie’s parents expected of him. Murtagh is the epitome of a true ‘ride or die’ friend. That kind of loyalty can’t be bought.
Dougal (Graham McTavish) remains blinded by his hope in his prince. What he doesn’t know is Prince Charles Stuart (Andrew Gowers) isn’t the hero he expects. His kind of allegiance is genuine in its naiveté, and ultimately leads Dougal to his pending doom. Do you think his knowing what Claire knows would have made Dougal see the light? I don’t see how anything would have made Dougal accept the truth of what happens at Culloden.
Not the Roger Mac and Bree I was expecting but I’m willing to give them a chance.
I’m not impressed with the new casting done here. I’m sorry to say it too as I had high hopes for the new characters coming into the series. There is no tall redhead with intense blue eyes; instead, we get a soft looking Brianna (Sophie Skelton) who’s more of a spoiled brat than anything. Knowing what I do of the character from the novels, I don’t see how Skelton will put forth the Brianna who is so like her father. And there is the matter of Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin), who is a little smaller than the Roger Mac in my mind. His look is close to what I envisioned, except again, he’s not the imposing figure he should be. The height is missing, the emerald green eyes are nonexistent, and the voice just isn’t there. While I’ve had my issues with Claire’s blue―instead of amber―eyes, I’ve come to love Balfe in the role. Although she is missing the hips and booty Jamie loves on Claire in the novels, Balfe’s acting chops outshine the lack of those characteristics. Here’s to hoping Skelton and Rankin both do the same for their respective portrayals. It will make a difference in season three and I’d like to see it done right.
Clip: Sorry Uncle
I’m sure I don’t have to say this but Claire is the catalyst to most of Jamie’s problems. Since she came into his life, she’s made it hell. The love they share kind of balances it out but for the love of Pete, she puts Jamie in the worst of circumstances without even trying.
Quotes
Claire: “Rest easy soldier.”
She’s finally letting Jamie go. What a shock to the system to learn he is still living in her past.
**
Brianna: “I want the truth. No matter what.”
Ask and ye shall receive, you spoiled brat. I’m not sure she is like Jamie at all.
**
Claire to Brianna: “What Jamie and I had was a lot more than fucking. He was the love of my life!”
Powerful. Balfe knocks it out of the park in this scene.
**
Claire: “I love you. I love you.”
Jamie: “And I … you. Goodbye, Claire.”
***
Overall
Bet you weren’t expecting to see this beauty again. What’s she going to do differently this time?
The flashbacks in “Dragonfly in Amber” are much needed pieces to the puzzle. I’m not certain I catch everything I need to with the way the scenes flip from the present to the past. I’m more entranced by the time spent in Claire’s memories than I am by the venture into the 1960s. More than that, the grey in her hair that fades in one scene and returns in another keeps me mesmerized. I could almost create a drinking game with the hair inconsistencies in this episode. The grey disappearing and reappearing pulls me out of the story and keeps me from focusing on the matter at hand. Claire and Jamie might be reunited again soon, along with their daughter. I cannot wait, yet we know how the game plays out. Until next year, my fellow Outlanders.
Clip: The Stones
Drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe to discuss “Dragonfly in Amber.”
For more on the show, visit the official site.
Follow Outlander on Twitter, using #Outlander and don’t forget the cast Sam Heughan – @SamHeughan, Caitriona Balfe – @caitrionambalfe, Tobias Menzies – @TobiasMenzies, Laura Donnelly – @donnellylaura1.
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Photo credit © 2016 Starz Entertainment, LLC. © 2016 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All rights reserved.
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