Cecelia, I couldn’t put it more accurately than that, so I borrowed the quote. It certainly is a blessing that words and feelings are meant to be shared. After all, we wouldn’t be witnessing some of the most beautiful writing TV has experienced. Whether the words are lifted directly from Diana Gabaldon’s pen or new ones formed from the bones, Outlander has levelled up in a big way. My husband and I conversed about this. Many series lose steam as they wind down; it feels like Outlander is growing more into itself. Evolving, growing. It’s following the path of a well-lived life. I think the reactions in the fandom to that shines a light on society. Those who evolve go through tough times, experiencing missteps along the way. We have those in our life that choose only to focus on those things, not see the value carried. Yet, if we decide not to cater to those refusing to see any good, then we, too, lose ourselves. Outlander, I believe, has never lost itself. It may have slipped a track or two, but they always managed to find their way back to the centre – having gained something every time. That is a testament to the people involved. It is a reflection of their growth.
The acting has always been top-tier that viewers get lost in the story. That acting also has been cultivated in an environment of support and care. We can tell by authentic interactions of the cast when behind the scenes and at events. The writing and direction of *chefs kiss* and, seriously, the visual effects are second to none. That’s why so many critical Coras get twisted into pretzels when they notice something not reflecting perfection. I try my best not to look at the comments on any social media post because of people and their right to their opinion, as that seems to get muddled by being shitty to their fellow humans.
It is one of the things people have learned about me. I have never been one to tear the show to shreds, even if it is something that doesn’t resonate with me or triggers deep feelings. I actively refrain from participating in those discussions where I feel I can. My mindset is that Outlander is my entertainment, and if I chose to focus on the things I didn’t enjoy, I would be focusing on the wrong thing. Our brains and bodies function a helluva lot better when we focus on the joy…that’s not fluff…that’s neuroscience and biology.
I was almost finished my introspection on episode 3 when I watched episode 4. I couldn’t deny the common threads that were woven, it made sense for me to compile the two.
Many people saw the theme of episode 3 as “home”. Where it went down another path for me, I don’t think we can truly feel at home unless we feel safe there. Safety means many things to many people, as we saw in “Death Be Not Proud” and as we moved to “A Most Uncomfortable Woman.” The women, in that episode – were the safety and, ultimately, home.
Roger and Brianna made their way back to Scotland. Home called them. Roger’s childhood home first and then Brianna’s ancestral one. The play between the characters shows their growth, not only as individuals but also a couple. When Roger’s joking with Bree about burning down the house, she laughs with him and leads with understanding and love. Back in the early days everything would be taken with negative intent and chaos would ensue. Now it seems they do the mature and kind thing and assume positive intent, which creates a balance of compassion.
Bree has a box full of letters from her parents, 200 years old. I would have torn through them like a kid denied sugar, but Bree, she wants to extend that feeling of safety. Her parents, in her heart and soul, remain alive as long as she has this connection. Feeling as if they will disappear into the ether… um…bad choice of words there…if she ravages every letter right away. The repeated grief that Brianna goes through is difficult to watch, yet it makes me think of how grief must have helped shape her as a human. Her mother was experiencing great grief while creating Brianna. These things matter in our life whether we understand them or not.
Brianna exerts her intelligence, grit and confidence in who she is to become a safety inspector. I love the irony. The interview and Brianna’s disregard for what is supposed to be – is not considered. She refuses, she does not feel safe in that submissive role, and those who have their own insecurity about her ability – well – they get uncomfortable, and frankly, that is a good thing.
Roger feeling like he was letting her down because he wasn’t the breadwinner came from a core belief that needed a kick in the ass. The way they navigated it…no… how Bree stepped into her power with compassion for her husband was beautiful. She didn’t lash out and get angry that these insecurities bubbled up. What she chose to do was face them and detract them with love and facts. Brianna became the safety to complete their home. Both nurturing and pragmatic. Hmmm, sounds a lot like someone we’ve known a while.
Safety on the ridge was destroyed with a dumbass and a strike of a match. With their house gone, it sets the Frasers onto a new course. The beautiful thing about Jamie and Claire is they have an intense security – as long as they are together. An incredible balance of love, support and genuine respect. They have proven they will sleep in the woods and feel at home together, simply because they have a sanctuary. That sanctuary is one another. This also transmits the same feelings of refuge to those around them. Their bond, their steadfastness and their commitment draw others into their circle.
It is telling, for it also does repel some. We can always see that their solidness threatens those without substance or integrity. (read BJR, The Shitstains- um, the Brown brothers, just to name a few) It is a valuable lesson for us all. If people are living in their personal joy and harmony as a consequence, we are offended by that…that is our mirror that we need to look in to see the cracks. Those cracks are not made by the people we hate seeing happy or doing good. They come from within, buried deep but accessible.
Claire and Jamie, no matter what they lose or which turn their life might take, find their safety in one another. As wonderful and as beautiful as it is…it’s pretty hyper-dependent. The couple has spoken numerous times about their deaths, leaving a feeling of bereavement in the air. If we know anything about Outlander, oh, and we do… foreshadowing like this…so subtle but I smell it like a hound on a mission.
Tom popped back up most unexpectedly. Claire’s facial reaction to that kiss of death is something I could live on for the rest of my days. It makes me belly laugh with the underlying feeling of “Tom…your idea of what women should be subjected to is buuuuullllshite!” The facial expression was a first-rate way to break down the scene and what had been happening with Tom. Something that we may have missed, but was apparent in Tom’s love for Claire, was she made him feel intact. Which is a form of security that he was lacking. His rage and anger at loving women who challenged him seemed to have faded to acceptance. It’s regrettable that he didn’t clue in much earlier to give that feeling to his children. That is what happens in life, though; lessons come later when we are ready to face our own pain. Then, and only then, can we try to repair.
Though the kiss didn’t affect Claire in a way she felt lost to her autonomy, she did feel pulled out of her connection with Jamie…which as we know…creates that feeling of uncertainty. The beauty of their relationship is, she was able to repair that quickly. It took reconnection with Jamie in the way of discussion and then, doing what Jamie and Claire do. Love one another, completely.
Two people lost their home. The Bug’s. First they were asked to leave their literal home, due to the deception that occurred over the French gold. Then, when Mrs. Bug was accidentally shot with an arrow via Ian’s bow…Arch Bug lost his home again and any semblance of safety.
The destructive thing about feeling completely untethered to safety means we are in danger and sometimes, we are a danger. Arch Bug went from mild mannered man about the Ridge to unhinged and focused on making Ian pay for his wife’s death. We see this in our society every day. It is very much because people don’t feel safe and their home – holds none for them. Their anger and their inability to cope with difficult emotions makes them lose touch with themselves and others. Often causing everyone around them distress.
I felt bad for Arch and Ian both. That is another thing society has warped our collective vision on. That there must be a bad guy and a good guy. When in reality, most times, bad guys are made into what they are because of the lack of love, support and guidance that they desperately need as a human beings to survive. Yes, Ian did kill Mrs Bug. Any one of us had suffered the loss of a loved one, it wouldn’t come easy to accept it was just an accident. We, of course, have all the empathy in the world for him, but as soon as Arch threatened to take away someone he loved as revenge, there was no more compassion. Even though everything in his life would point in that direction with such a turn being had. We don’t have to like, agree or condone payback to understand why people feel that way. Accepting that there can be two, what appear to be opposing views that we think are both right or wrong at the same time.
Our world is not black and white even if it can be predictable.
Ian’s fear of Mr Bug following through pursues him into the next episode. And like magic, so does meeting another uncomfortable woman. Ian’s regard and deep love for his Aunty Claire seem to have more to do with how she makes him and others feel. Maybe uncomfortable, though, that discomfort very often brings on learning something about ourselves or others. Opens us to newness and growth as a human. Rachel Hunter may be a Quaker, but she does not shrink nor tremble, and we can see this is what two men, William and Ian, find incredibly attractive. Let us add that it takes a certain kind of partner to love someone that challenges them in such an innate way. We are socialised to believe being uncomfortable is bad and must be avoided when veritably, facing this kind of discomfort is necessary for our improvement of self.
What is the point of this life if we don’t seek to break through the things that hold us back from being happy and finding our true home…within ourselves.
I hope you are safely at home, until next time,
Sherry
ABOotlanders w/Sherry 
