Outlander Season 2 Episode 4

La Dame Blanche

Opens with someone tampering with the wheel. Foreshadowing future mischief!

Le Comte Saint Germaine crosses Claire's and Jamie's paths while Jamie is playing chess with Duverney. Claire treats herself to a bubbly beverage...

The Comte looks on as Claire starts to feel ill.

Jamie heroically carries Claire out and home.

At home while Claire recuperates, discussion of the interest of the French king in Charles' plan.

So Claire and Jamie counter plan: host a dinner for the Duke of Sandringham, invite Charles. Hope that Charles will create a bad impression on the Duke using his love of Louise de Rohan as a goading point.

Claire tells Jamie about BJR. Wait, wait, wait for it, holding our breaths expecting the despair Jamie will feel when he learns this truth. “Black Jack Randall died and I missed it”. Surprise and a very clever play on the part of the writer, Jamie is elated at the news. He now has something to “hold on to, look forward to, a gift, truly”. Not quite the reaction Claire had thought would have occurred.

The next day perhaps, Claire in her hooded dress, which I wish would come back into fashion...goes to visit Master Raymond. She is invited into the inner sanctum of Master Raymond. Ah the infamous bone collection.

Claire reveals her concern for Frank to Master Raymond. Ah,  Master Raymond and Mrs. Graham, both diviners of future.

Claire “will see Frank again”.

Move forward to Louise's boudoir...

Time in Louise's boudoir. Louise is with child. She asks Claire for help to stop her pregnancy. Ah the foretelling of the child raised by another man “with love”.

Back at home there is a showdown between Claire and Jamie regarding BJR. I find the showdown between Claire and Jamie somewhat ridiculous, like Claire didnt know what happenned to Jamie at Wentworth.

They make love and all is right with the world once again...sigh.

Noises on the roof...and in comes Charles!!!! With a monkey bite!!!

Ahhh, just the best kiss! Segueway to the preparation for the dinner!

Fergus and Murtaugh accompany Claire to the L'hospital as she is unneccesary in the kitchen, really? There isnt anything else Claire, who is incredibly competent, could easily be the quarter master for a small infantry is useless in prepping for this very important dinner! Ah well, sometimes things get bent to lead to the meat. There is a priceless convo between Fergus and Murtaugh!

At the L'hospital, the restraightening of the bone in a leg...wow!!

The revelation of Monsiur Forez is the king's executioner and the revelation of the hang man's fat...ah the revelation of the tampered wheel.

Off Claire, Murtaugh and Mary go walking...sending Fergus ahead to let Jamie know they will be delayed to this very very very important dinner, the dinner to derail the uniting of the clans and the reclamation of the English throne!

The introduction of Alex Randall to Jamie!!!

The introduction of the Duke to the Prince. These introduction things often confuse me, you introduce the lesser of the peeps to the more important peeps, I think?

Oh the introduction, snicker, wink, wink of  Louise to the Prince...

The walk home of the Claire, Mary and Murtaugh starts calmly enough, but then...

Melee! The assault of Claire and Mary!!! They attempt to rape Mary... “La Dame Blanche!” one of the assailants cry as the face of Claire is revealed. La Dame Blance, whahhhttt? They finally arrive at home to sequester Mary as Claire and Jamie host their very important dinner.

Unvelievable that the table can hold this many people!

Jamie informs Claire that Mary's uncle and fiance are at the dinner. There has been some discussion about Jamie's reaction to Mary's rape, that he doesnt seem empathetic enough considering he is a rape victim himself. Maybe this is from Claire's viewpoint...

Foretelling, “no one is getting their head cut off tonight”.

With the introduction of Claire to the guests, all bow except St. Germaine.

Alex declaration of love to Mary...who is unconscious.

Claire has to sit next to the Saint Germaines. The prince is sulking about Louise.

Simon Calloway is supeb as the Duke of Sandringham...

Charles is about to throw a fit...hysterical... and Mary Hawkins awakens...

Superb!!!!

We are Back on track!!!!

Politics: Trump and Sanders have won Indiana

Faith: In the Easter season

Weather: heading toward a bit of moisture

My life: 3 Tacos...

Will post about Game of Thrones very soon!!!

And... May the Fourth be with you!!!

Outlander Season 2 Episode 3 Cross Purposes, Potions and Poultices...GOT Season 6 Episode 1

Cross Purposes, Potions and Poultices

Can we just say, pooor Mary Hawkins, to be destined to marry a Frenchman. And Claire, is the gentle teacher. The look when Mary utters her place of origin as Sussex, Claire's face freezes as she reels in internal horror that BJR must be alive, otherwise her sometime beloved pre-husband Frank would never be born.

Meow! Pft! Pft! Claire is balancing all those pregnancy hormones, prone to sudden outbursts.

Although I often think of a phoenix as a positive creature, the resurrection of Black Jack Randall creates another layer of tension for our hero Jamie.

And it looks like Murtaugh has found another set of baubles, "frolicking in the middle of the day" with the lady's maid. Even Claire's uneven pregnancy hormones don't keep him from finishing his business.

Keeping the new of BJR from Jamie throws back the line from the novel, "secrets but not lies". Murtaugh and Claire agree to keep the news a "secret". Although Jamie owns the aforementioned quote, I imagine he won't enjoy this secret.

Sam Heughan's deliver of James Fraser as always is just excellent. He has just the edge of humor in his voice, keeping the main conflict of the story a little lighter. Now, if you commit treason, you will spend a very long time incarcerated. Treason in the 18th century would cost you your life, your land and goods. And losing your life would not be a pretty thing, most likely hanged or quartered or both.

Love the line by the Duke, “respect me a bit less”, allow him to win at least one round of chess. More secrets...or lies...

We meet again the Comte Saint Germain at the apothecary of Master Raymond. Again, the set is stunning in detail, Gary Jon Steele is truly a master. Another master is of course Terry Dresbach, the primary costumer for the show. Claire has the most beautiful dresses. it is difficult to express just how beautiful they are carried by Caitriona Balfe. Psst, the Comte is all eye candy.

Of course, we must meet Bouton! And see his extraordinary skills! Oh if only there was a dog such as this! I find the use of Bouton a much healthier course than the tasting of urine to diagnose a patient. A certain Yuck! 

Along with Bouton we meet Sister Angelique and Mother Hildegard! Claire always feels centered when she is performing her gift, the gift of healing. I like that the episode exposes the need for married couples to have purpose outside of their Marriage. Jamie and Claire exchange words and of course, Jamie soaks his sorrows alone in a brothel? Not so sure why the writers delivered the arrival of Claudel aka Fergus in this scene, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out in later episodes.

Claire hears a disturbance and of course rushes out to investigate. Fergus is sitting at the table eating a chicken leg. He is a doll. He will become a member of this odd fellowship, a Scot with a price on his head, his loving godfather, an English woman who is fearless and has the uncanny ability to diagnose conditions by tasting urine. This reminds me of the episode in Season 1 with the wool waulking, using urine to set the  color. Apparently before the modern sanitation system, your urine could be upcycled, how lovely. And a dog smelling your hinder parts can also diagnose secondary infections. How useful!

When Mother Hildegard sits to play the minuet and pulls out music from Bach, I thoroughly expected her to play Beethoven's Fifth as well but he had not been born yet.

Thoroughly enjoyed the joint utterance of "Sandringham". Murtaugh often plays the part of the soothsayer. Jamie acknowledges Claire's support, a turn about from an earlier scene.

With the secret of BJR brewing, it will fester like a secondary infection.

Dont forget the opulence, quite impressed by the ownership of Jared of a mantle clock. A clock would be prized like a minuet or a fine carriage.

An excellent weekend of TV viewing – Outlander, Call the Midwife, Grantchester and Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones returns also, with the opening scene of the death of a very beloved Jon Snow.

I am not sure if Ramsay is the most hated character on television but I'm sure he's in a close race with BJR from Outlander. He has sent his best trackers to hunt down Theon of the Iron Islands and Sansa Stark, heir to House Stark who have escaped.

Theon convinces Sansa to enter a freezing river to escape the hounds. But they are cornered. Theon sacrifices himself for Sansa, but alas they are captured! But no! It's “a bloody woman”. Just as in LOTR, it's always “a woman”. Brienne and Pod fight the trackers; Theon saves Pod's life. It's a Christmas miracle!! Sansa and Theon are saved! Brienne has become the protector of Sansa and has fulfilled her duty to Sansa's mother, Lady Stark. At the very least, one quest has been completed in this multi faceted game.

Cersie is recuperating after her walk of shame and captivity. She is informed of the ship coming in the harbor runs to the harbor in joy to see Jamie who she hopes has their daughter with him, freed from the Sand Snakes. Alas, Myrcella is dead. Jamie vows to gain everything taken from them “and more”.

Margery is imprisoned as well. Although imprisoned, she is worried about her brother. The peeps at the temple talk of sin and repentance. I suppose that is all well and done but you cant help but think that most people will think this some kind of modern Christian allegory but it couldn't be further from the truth.

Meanwhile back with the Sand Snakes...treason! The death of the Prince of Dorn. And the younger Sand Snakes kill the young princeling.

And now we meet again one of our favorites, Tyrion! A strange casual walk with Varys in deserted streets, quite odd until they come upon the people gathered to hear of faith and redemption. Alarmed by running people they arrive to see the harbor on fire, “won't be sailing to Westeros anytime soon”.

Dothraki!!! _Jorah Mormont finds her hair adornment, “they have her”.

Question of the hour, where is her Dragon? Khaleesi is up a creek.

Arya Stark is a blinded beggar, Challenged she must rely on her dog senses? The force? We get a back view of the monolith at the entrance to the harbor...sort of a Braavos Eiffel Tower.

Back to Jon Snow and Davos Seaworthy, possibly the only honorable male character in the series. Ordered to surrender but committed to avenge the death of Jon Snow. Time to call on the Red Woman who has terrific power. Perhaps she is adrift without Stannis Barantheon. We observe her preparing for bed, without her necklace she is revealed to be an aged colorless woman with pointy ears. This is who she really is...and so the episode ends.

Faith - post Easter, keep love in your heart and mind

Politics - a very strange presidential primary

Weather - very windy with gusts up to 40mph, CHP leads across the pass 

Event - Jenna's bridal party

Proverb - a dirty stove is a happy habit

Outlander Season 2 Episode 2

There are many excellent podcasts regarding Outlander and I highly suggest you follow one or many.

This episode gave the viewer a very rich view of 18th century Paris, lush costumes and highly detailed sets.

I found Louise to be absolutely perfect. And you truly recognize how tall Caitriona Balfe is when she is standing near the character Mary Hawkins. I know it might be strange but I expected Master Raymond to have a heavier French accent but enjoy the actor's portrayal of the character.

The pacing of the episode is very fast. There are a lot of new characters introduced, none other than the King of France and "bonnie" Prince Charles. Both have interesting introductions and I'm sure they will fulfill everyone's expectations.

And everyone has commented on their love of the role of Murtaugh in the episode. Certainly we know now that he has a fondness of baubles...swan embellished baubles...

Looking very much forward to Episode 3.

Regarding politics, we are still in the midst of the Presidential primaries and to say it has been interesting is an understatement.

Regarding faith, we are post Easter...the sunny days, like our current weather. Just the best time to be in the central valley.

Ciao!

Outlander Season 2 Episode 1

Season 2 launched last weekend and has not disappointed.

Episode 1 revealed that Claire returns to the 1940s, to Frank, and a life...without Jamie. As she stated, "he was gone, they were all gone". The only thing I can imagine would be similar is if you were in an earthquake, tornado or hurricane, and were the lone survivor of your friends and family. Not just losing one person but 100s of people, 1000s of people. Poof! In another time...lost in time. When Claire went through the stones the first time to the 1740s, the world she left behind remained. She worried about Frank and how to get home. Then Jamie spoke to her soul, and she chose to remain in the 18th century. Now, being whisked to the 1940s, the world behind her has been destroyed. They are all gone, not just from the 20th century but also the 18th!

The second half or actually the last third of the episode transitioned from 20th to 18th century as if in memory. She reaches out for Frank's hand as she disembarks the plane in New York and in her memory the hand which grasps hers is Jamie's. We are in 18th century France. And so it begins. New friends, new dangers, reminded me of Dougal's statement as she entered Leoch in Season 1. "Some bad luck, some good". We meet Jared Fraser, Jamie's cousin, a wine merchant. We also meet LeComte Saint Germaine, an aristocrat with a spirits business as well.

As usual, the sets and costumes are a series all of their own. You can watch just to see the lush backdrops of  Le Havre by Jon Gary Steele and the truly wonderful costumes by Terry Dresbach. This is a series to watch and enjoy.

Excellent production by Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis and Matthew B. Roberts.

Read the books Outlander and Dragon Fly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.