Outlander, Season 3. I’m glad it’s over.

No really.  I am.

Why?  1. Now I can watch all 3 seasons uninterrupted & without shame. 2. If it’s over…that means it happened. 3. I have something to look forward to.

Makes sense, doesnt it?

Now…what do we have to look forward to when Drums of Autumn hits our screens next year? And really…next year isnt that far away -I give away nothing as far as plot goes so…you won’t really be spoiled anymore than you already are.

  1. More Breeger…Rogina. Ok. Bree-n-Rog.  Sure we got a few glimpses of this ship in port but it was docked pretty rapidly.  Season 4 is where these two will come to life, as individuals & as the super couple we imagine them as.

    https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7aD8sdw1gEXt1KAE/giphy.gif

    See? Awwwww

  2. Aunty Jo!  For me, Jocasta Cameron was such a player, she reminded me so much of Colum & Dougal (not the nice parts).  I am  looking forward to see how she is written & portrayed.  It could really go in so many different directions – no matter which it goes, I am pretty sure its going to be a blast to watch.

    http://78.media.tumblr.com/200ef44fa515956427f39a775842e1b9/tumblr_ndjq4hXgdC1rud800o1_500.gif

    Mix two intense man Mackenzie’s to make one scary lady Mackenzie

  3. The zoo.  Rollo, Clarence & the white sow. If you are feeling dangerous, throw in a Bear with a fish on top.  These animals might look different than in my head, they may sound different than in my head but that hasn’t stopped my watching yet.  It will just be a lot of fun to see how they come into play.                       https://giphy.com/arsenijevujovic
  4. The ridge will be the ridgiest of ridges ever. That is all.  I have no idea what it will look like (sure my brain tells me one thing but that isn’t accurate – like most of thetime) and can’t wait to see what the production team has come up with.https://media.giphy.com/media/GCQLOJHFbf3ri/giphy.gif
  5. That &#$*NG pirate!  You know who I am talking about. Stephen Bonnet ARGH!  I am going to love hating that shit of a person. That’s all I have to say about that.https://media.giphy.com/media/3oz8xW24DSRe8KkN8c/giphy.gif

Once again…there is SO much story to tell in Drums of Autumn that it will be another fantastic ride of “will they” or “won’t they”.  The anticipation of added stories, characters or twists that the book fans can enjoy along the way.

So in the between time. Catch up on podcasts like Dram of Outlander , get lost in videos by Julia.  Check out hilarious recaps by Connie V.  Go through all the steps to beat the Droughtlander once again.

Let’s weather this storm together. With laughter & kindness!

Sher, ABOotlanders Founder

Outlanders Gr8 Episode made the cut.

It seems the hoards of fans that were ready to make a mass exodus if something didnt change…sat back down with a *sigh* and a drink.  I wonder when the next panic will be?  I am glad people have a passion. Passion, as we saw in First Wife can be fantastic.  When the passion turns into venom…that might be time to turn the corner on how seriously this should be taken.

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Hug that corner…

As one that has been a fan of the Outlander books for 20+ yrs…the show to me -is a bonus round. I enjoy the escape, the release & especially the joy of sitting back and enjoying.  I love other shows too…The Walking Dead, The Good Place, The Mick, This Is Us, Speechless, Shameless…see…I have a terribly eclectic taste in television.  I watch those other shows the same way I watch Outlander – no expectation.  I simply watch for the half/hour of excitement, sadness, aggrevation and anticipation of next time.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCl_qPm0CIo/VShh8xfd_EI/AAAAAAAABeY/O9lZAbpCxj8/s1600/13763827.gif

The books are all over my house, on shelves, in bins, stacked in my closet…and not one word of those books have ever changed. They will always be the same. No matter what direction the show takes. Those books…remain the books.

Outlander – The Series is taking up a new place in my heart. The interaction with the cast & crew on social media reminds us, these are people. With hopes, dreams and a job they take very seriously. They don’t write it to upset people, they dont play a scene differently to piss someone off, they do it to be true to their work, what they believe to be right.  Imagine being in this industry and ppl tell you how to do your job, what is expected of you – by people that have zero idea of how they actually DO their job?  It would be like a plumber hopping in and telling an IT guy how its done…sure…he might have an opinion – doesn’t mean he knows what he is talking about.  And no, before someone says it…I don’t think you have to love every episode, frankly, that would be silly.  Maybe what I am saying, is try to enjoy it…for it. Maybe taking it so seriously isn’t workin out for some folks.

https://i.imgur.com/nN6VKtK.jpg

Woody says…

I absolutely LOVED episode 8…I don’t have anything to say about it that hasnt already been said by a hundred blogs. So…I am just going to do another “Here are the things I made for our #OutlanderCAN live tweet event” Enjoy…for the sake of enjoying.

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We will see you again next time!

 

Sher

ABOotlanders Founder

 

Not everyone likes Creme de Menthe – looking at Episode 7

I decided this year was not my recap year and good thing too because Creme de Menthe is so full of in your face action, underlying future story arcs and layers of relationship stuff that to recap it would be exhausting. I just dont have the energy.

https://media.tenor.com/images/c09cce7fa5f28312a62681df62cbd48b/tenor.gif

This week I am going to look at the things that make me go hmmmm.

As I have said before, we all view the show with our own inner eye, which makes how we digest it & for lack of a better word – expel it.   I enjoy the discussions but the debates, I could let hang.  Perhaps I feel there are so many big things in the ugly world to be upset about…a TV show gets a pass from me . Cuz…yeah…

https://68.media.tumblr.com/1b52226087b0bf29f8c2f1dd1a89d0e4/tumblr_ob86slnInm1rpbqpfo1_400.gif

This is just a mish mash of my thoughts so don’t take it personal like. These views, are just my own.

Oaths  Claires Hippopotamus…no…that isn’t right… Hippocratic oath – there we go.  We know that is what is binding her to helping the guy that just tried to kill her. We can say its crazy, but it is a part of why we love Claire.  She sticks to her guns.  Let’s face it, she is likely not fully integrated back into the 18th century mindset.  There probably were zero times she was faced with this quandry in the 20th century. I’m thinking it might take a few months to adjust to things being…totally friggen different.

Liar Liar pants on fire!   Jamie is literally living a lie.  A. Malcolm  respectable printer.  Ahhhhhh…nope. He manipulates relationships in order to provide for his family.  Some would say honourable. I say a lil shady.  He is SO shady *laugh*. (Keep in mind…so was Batman)  I truly enjoy the many faces of JAMMF.  Seeing him wax poetic one moment and then send his nephew & fosterson out to do his dirty work the next…see…shaaaaa-ady!  To me, this plays well into the Jamie lying to Ian, asking Claire to do the same.  Many think…hey thats out of charachter. Only because we love Jamie, we think he infallable when in fact…dude takes a helluva lotta liberties with that lil thing called the truth.  Which makes him *drumroll* …..human!

https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/584570bbba2ef6d738a212e8/master/w_690,c_limit/ww-different.gif

Balance.  What is balance about?  Its about going to one end of the spectrum…flying to the other end of the spectrum…and eventually landing in the middle.  Which is always precarious if we don’t pay attention.

 https://media.giphy.com/media/eKfzLUqcJRudW/giphy.gif

 I have to remind myself that the relationship with Jamie and Claire…is new.  They have a deep passionate history…but their present…brand spanking new.  We can’t fall back into an everyday relationship groove as fast as we can fall into bed.  Physical connection is one thing, private,alone… finding that balance while living an everyday life amoungst all the people, will likely take more than a day.

My husband used to be in the military and go away for many months of the year.  It took days, sometimes weeks to get used to having to consider his opinions and ideas on the way the house was run.  Imagine living 20 yrs doing it your way?  It would not be an easy slide into  thinking…Oh I have this person to consider and they may not agree but it is all I know.  That just doesnt fit together for me so much.   I want to see the warmth & common thinking between everyday Jamie & Claire and I know I will.  Its there…rumbling under the surface and with time – it will pop up. (Don’t be dirty)

https://media.tenor.com/images/6d44fe6b3420d6471c7e5b85a8ba4143/tenor.gif

Like Uncle Like Nephew. Its not the usual “father n son” thing but I think they captured a great relationship with these two.  Jamie sees himself in Young Ian…and Young Ian wants to be like his Uncle Jamie. I think this created a huge blind spot for Jamie.  He has not been able to raise any of his biological children – this boy, is family, has attached himself to Jamie & frankly, thats a pretty nice feeling.  I think this is a case of “being right…rather than doing the right things” for Jamie.

Meet the Campbells  This is one of those book changes that makes me wonder…Oooooooo where are they going with this?  A travelling seer and her skeezy agent as opposed to the creepy ass Reverend and his broken sister.  There are many twists and turns these two take with hitting the West Indies in the book, I imagine their path is a little more direct through the show.

We can understand that some plots & character expectations might take a turn due to time…”If we do THIS…we will have to do X-Y-Z next season and we only have 13 episodes. Something has to go – if we change X to match Y…we can take this turn instead and shorten up all of it.”

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83cyd-npKL4/VGfUjo7nJCI/AAAAAAAANpE/ubiyM6Kp5Ns/s1600/doctor%2Bwho%2Bchalkboard.gif

To be a fly on the wall of the writers room. Book readers, show lovers  & knowing they have to find a happy medium.  That’s HARD.  Thinking about how things play on a page compared to visually is a huge undertaking and one, I am happy to leave to the Outlander Writers.  I’m not getting paid to have that viseral of a reaction. I would never be able to do what they do. Though I would LOVE to watch it happen at least once in my life.  Hey, guys who will never read this… maybe an extra on the DVD  “A Day in the Writers Room”  *hint hint nudge nudge*

https://media1.tenor.com/images/dd4e1e5164645ba6b64296749760d0a3/tenor.gif?itemid=4543587

Young grasshopper.  Fergus has been in Young Ians life since he was a teenager. Young Ian is now old enough to learn a thing or two. About women, cuz Fergus – who I love to refer to as a drama llama (2 women at 15?  That boy must have saved up his allowance for years to afford THAT), about Aunty Claire.  The sweetness in which Fergus remembers her being a super human healer lady is so touching and Young Ian grabs on for the ride.  This is definitely a brotherly relationship. One, wants to teach the other the ways of the world, all while seeing the kid has some serious game.  Business & pleasure makes this team one worth rooting for.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/l378oAg1Hwwy9DbEc/giphy.gif

Into the FIRE!  Jamie’s carefully crafted life… goes up in smoke and DAMN…that was pretty intense.  This existance is crumbling in front of all of them.  My heart sank just a little extra for John Gary Steele.  That gorgeous set…gone.  Granted, he does this for a living…create- build- bye bye. Repeat.

Karma is a bitch.   The universe works in mysterious ways folks.  Working for a smarmy weasel – rifling through things that don’t belong to you – being all rapey….OOOPS! Cracked your big ugly skull open and have it drilled into…and ya die.  There is a lesson in there.

https://media.giphy.com/media/uUfbtweIW3A7S/giphy.gif

Jamie lied right to Ians face about where his son was and what he was doing… OOOOPS…the kid got into a fight in the place Jamie uses as a cover, the dude finds evidence of Jamies shady dealing…and starts a fire.  In which Jamie must sexily bound through batman style in order to save him.  All of this together..forces them to turn around and head back to Lallybroch.

Archibald Campbell is using his mentally ill sister for profit.  The universe hasnt told us the plan for this one…but I have a feeling…it doesn’t taste like chicken.

https://media.giphy.com/media/48MM7VisgkKmk/giphy.gif

Jamie not only lied…but he kept some secrets.  Which you know…is his jam in life for the last 20 yrs…wait….even before then. Always running, always telling stories, always being someone he wasn’t and when he was…not for realsies.  This secret may just bite him in the ass. “Other wife”… Jamie seems to be playing it off as no big thang…but when you call in the troops AKA Ned Gowan…there is going to be a lil more fire to come.

Screenshot (292)

Is there more I can say? Yeah…but my fingers are tired and my head hurts. So it looks like YOUR lucky day.

Till next time folks! You do realize…we are HALF WAY TO THE END OF THE SEASON RIGHT???

https://media.tenor.com/images/dd50ffaa3a4aa2c7593736fcdc2d6071/tenor.gif

Sher

ABOotlander Founder 

 

 

 

Not everyone likes Creme de Menthe – looking at Episode 7

I decided this year was not my recap year and good thing too because Creme de Menthe is so full of in your face action, underlying future story arcs and layers of relationship stuff that to recap it would be exhausting. I just dont have the energy.

https://media.tenor.com/images/c09cce7fa5f28312a62681df62cbd48b/tenor.gif

This week I am going to look at the things that make me go hmmmm.

As I have said before, we all view the show with our own inner eye, which makes how we digest it & for lack of a better word – expel it.   I enjoy the discussions but the debates, I could let hang.  Perhaps I feel there are so many big things in the ugly world to be upset about…a TV show gets a pass from me . Cuz…yeah…

https://68.media.tumblr.com/1b52226087b0bf29f8c2f1dd1a89d0e4/tumblr_ob86slnInm1rpbqpfo1_400.gif

This is just a mish mash of my thoughts so don’t take it personal like. These views, are just my own.

Oaths  Claires Hippopotamus…no…that isn’t right… Hippocratic oath – there we go.  We know that is what is binding her to helping the guy that just tried to kill her. We can say its crazy, but it is a part of why we love Claire.  She sticks to her guns.  Let’s face it, she is likely not fully integrated back into the 18th century mindset.  There probably were zero times she was faced with this quandry in the 20th century. I’m thinking it might take a few months to adjust to things being…totally friggen different.

Liar Liar pants on fire!   Jamie is literally living a lie.  A. Malcolm  respectable printer.  Ahhhhhh…nope. He manipulates relationships in order to provide for his family.  Some would say honourable. I say a lil shady.  He is SO shady *laugh*. (Keep in mind…so was Batman)  I truly enjoy the many faces of JAMMF.  Seeing him wax poetic one moment and then send his nephew & fosterson out to do his dirty work the next…see…shaaaaa-ady!  To me, this plays well into the Jamie lying to Ian, asking Claire to do the same.  Many think…hey thats out of charachter. Only because we love Jamie, we think he infallable when in fact…dude takes a helluva lotta liberties with that lil thing called the truth.  Which makes him *drumroll* …..human!

https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/584570bbba2ef6d738a212e8/master/w_690,c_limit/ww-different.gif

Balance.  What is balance about?  Its about going to one end of the spectrum…flying to the other end of the spectrum…and eventually landing in the middle.  Which is always precarious if we don’t pay attention.

 https://media.giphy.com/media/eKfzLUqcJRudW/giphy.gif

 I have to remind myself that the relationship with Jamie and Claire…is new.  They have a deep passionate history…but their present…brand spanking new.  We can’t fall back into an everyday relationship groove as fast as we can fall into bed.  Physical connection is one thing, private,alone… finding that balance while living an everyday life amoungst all the people, will likely take more than a day.

My husband used to be in the military and go away for many months of the year.  It took days, sometimes weeks to get used to having to consider his opinions and ideas on the way the house was run.  Imagine living 20 yrs doing it your way?  It would not be an easy slide into  thinking…Oh I have this person to consider and they may not agree but it is all I know.  That just doesnt fit together for me so much.   I want to see the warmth & common thinking between everyday Jamie & Claire and I know I will.  Its there…rumbling under the surface and with time – it will pop up. (Don’t be dirty)

https://media.tenor.com/images/6d44fe6b3420d6471c7e5b85a8ba4143/tenor.gif

Like Uncle Like Nephew. Its not the usual “father n son” thing but I think they captured a great relationship with these two.  Jamie sees himself in Young Ian…and Young Ian wants to be like his Uncle Jamie. I think this created a huge blind spot for Jamie.  He has not been able to raise any of his biological children – this boy, is family, has attached himself to Jamie & frankly, thats a pretty nice feeling.  I think this is a case of “being right…rather than doing the right things” for Jamie.

Meet the Campbells  This is one of those book changes that makes me wonder…Oooooooo where are they going with this?  A travelling seer and her skeezy agent as opposed to the creepy ass Reverend and his broken sister.  There are many twists and turns these two take with hitting the West Indies in the book, I imagine their path is a little more direct through the show.

We can understand that some plots & character expectations might take a turn due to time…”If we do THIS…we will have to do X-Y-Z next season and we only have 13 episodes. Something has to go – if we change X to match Y…we can take this turn instead and shorten up all of it.”

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83cyd-npKL4/VGfUjo7nJCI/AAAAAAAANpE/ubiyM6Kp5Ns/s1600/doctor%2Bwho%2Bchalkboard.gif

To be a fly on the wall of the writers room. Book readers, show lovers  & knowing they have to find a happy medium.  That’s HARD.  Thinking about how things play on a page compared to visually is a huge undertaking and one, I am happy to leave to the Outlander Writers.  I’m not getting paid to have that viseral of a reaction. I would never be able to do what they do. Though I would LOVE to watch it happen at least once in my life.  Hey, guys who will never read this… maybe an extra on the DVD  “A Day in the Writers Room”  *hint hint nudge nudge*

https://media1.tenor.com/images/dd4e1e5164645ba6b64296749760d0a3/tenor.gif?itemid=4543587

Young grasshopper.  Fergus has been in Young Ians life since he was a teenager. Young Ian is now old enough to learn a thing or two. About women, cuz Fergus – who I love to refer to as a drama llama (2 women at 15?  That boy must have saved up his allowance for years to afford THAT), about Aunty Claire.  The sweetness in which Fergus remembers her being a super human healer lady is so touching and Young Ian grabs on for the ride.  This is definitely a brotherly relationship. One, wants to teach the other the ways of the world, all while seeing the kid has some serious game.  Business & pleasure makes this team one worth rooting for.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/l378oAg1Hwwy9DbEc/giphy.gif

Into the FIRE!  Jamie’s carefully crafted life… goes up in smoke and DAMN…that was pretty intense.  This existance is crumbling in front of all of them.  My heart sank just a little extra for John Gary Steele.  That gorgeous set…gone.  Granted, he does this for a living…create- build- bye bye. Repeat.

Karma is a bitch.   The universe works in mysterious ways folks.  Working for a smarmy weasel – rifling through things that don’t belong to you – being all rapey….OOOPS! Cracked your big ugly skull open and have it drilled into…and ya die.  There is a lesson in there.

https://media.giphy.com/media/uUfbtweIW3A7S/giphy.gif

Jamie lied right to Ians face about where his son was and what he was doing… OOOOPS…the kid got into a fight in the place Jamie uses as a cover, the dude finds evidence of Jamies shady dealing…and starts a fire.  In which Jamie must sexily bound through batman style in order to save him.  All of this together..forces them to turn around and head back to Lallybroch.

Archibald Campbell is using his mentally ill sister for profit.  The universe hasnt told us the plan for this one…but I have a feeling…it doesn’t taste like chicken.

https://media.giphy.com/media/48MM7VisgkKmk/giphy.gif

Jamie not only lied…but he kept some secrets.  Which you know…is his jam in life for the last 20 yrs…wait….even before then. Always running, always telling stories, always being someone he wasn’t and when he was…not for realsies.  This secret may just bite him in the ass. “Other wife”… Jamie seems to be playing it off as no big thang…but when you call in the troops AKA Ned Gowan…there is going to be a lil more fire to come.

Screenshot (292)

Is there more I can say? Yeah…but my fingers are tired and my head hurts. So it looks like YOUR lucky day.

Till next time folks! You do realize…we are HALF WAY TO THE END OF THE SEASON RIGHT???

https://media.tenor.com/images/dd50ffaa3a4aa2c7593736fcdc2d6071/tenor.gif

Sher

ABOotlander Founder 

 

 

 

A. Malcolm – How we saw it.

I am just one of 340 local ABOotlanders.  The brilliant thing about that is being able to hear, feel, see & understand how others interpret, percieve & process each episode of Outlander.

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No surprise that A. Malcolm is one of those episodes that has a great divide in the interpretation.  Why?  Likely because it also had the most expectation.  When we imagine things, we detail them, connect emotion to them to make them real.  It is a natural way to process.  Many of us have not only read the “reuinon” of  Jamie & Claire an insane amount of times, we have layered it with our emotions which ultimately solidifies our images so we can “feel” what we are imagining.   Visions of each moment were exeedingly clear.

There is no right, there is no wrong. There is no reason to change someones mind about what they saw but perhaps there is a reason to understand they are as entitled to seeing something their way as we are, ours.

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We should never feel the need to defend our feelings nor feel sorry we have them. Just as we shouldn’t assume others are missing something or blind to disappointment.  The most important thing to remember is opinion & fact are 2 different beasts. Where personal interpretation exists, just like jello, fact isn’t something that is “nail downable”.

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/122009/1260993809_bouncing_jello.gif

On our local FB group we have episode discussions – we have this thing about saying what we mean, without being mean & respecting one anothers view points.  It makes having discussions so much more enjoyable when coming from a place of assuming positive intent.

It’s a study of personalities & experiences when we truly listen to how others digest visuals.  It can be facinating –  if we let it engage us & not separate us.

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Here are moments the ABOotlanders pointed out as group favourites:

  1.  Jamies view of the day.  Being reminded that Claire had a lot of planning, thinking, hoping going on and this… it was all a true smack upside the head.  Never in a million years…ok…200 years did he see this coming. Watching that shock play out from the place he was living was pretty cool.
  2.   Jello. Bicycles. Zippers. Photos. There was an excitement about the mention of things Jamie has no idea about. That connection from past to future. It almost is a full circle kind of feeling that was a unified “loved it”.
  3.  Grown up Fergus.  I admit, this tiny little scene made me sobgasp.  That took me by complete surprise.  The ABOotlanders were unanamous of their Fergus love and the gravity of that moment.
  4.  Wee Ian.  For book readers, we know what this young man is up against, and how he was written by Diana.  John Bell is perfectly gawkward.  He too had just a moment on screen – and it seemed he universally struck the mark.
  5.  Brothel Breakfast of champions.  It was a great part of the book & we were all pretty happy that it made its way into the show.  Thanks for the tip.  That might be my favourite line.

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Another common thread

  1. Pure joy with all the things. There are definitely those in our group who love…all…the…things.  The joy of watching it come to life overwhelm their senses and the gushing goes forth.

https://media.giphy.com/media/4QXhmYuWNpxRu/source.gif

2.  Being underwhelmed.  Absolutely there were those that felt this way.  They       expected more & didn’t get that. The emotion simply wasn’t at the level they envisioned.                                                                                                                                      https://zenscribbles.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/bored-gif.gif

Both of these views, completely valid & easily understood.  We might not agree with the opposite perception of the scenes but it sure doesn’t make anyone mistaken.

Our group, as a whole, are pretty good with the separation of book & show.  Knowing that things change because of the need for translation, dropping things in now where their might be no time for the set up later.  The written word is rich and full whereas seeing something on screen becomes a little less dimensional. Do we miss things? Sure. Do we wish things were included? Sure. Do we find it ruins our overall enjoyment?  It sure doesnt seem like it.

 https://media.tenor.com/images/323e4bf538dfdc8c0806bc0838ee5986/tenor.gif

One thing we certainly all agree on.  It sure is nice to have J&C back together again.

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Don’t forget to play along with us as we Live Tweet with the Canadian airing of Outlander on W Network. Use #OutlanderCAN to keep up with us.

Sher.  Founder of the ABOotlanders

 

 

 

Plan B. Freedom & Whisky in the memes.

I had a delightful blog outlined and ready to roll when my face fell off.  Ok… not the whole thing but half of it.   I have the lovely facial paralysis called Bells Palsy.  The week leading up to the final bell ringer was poop…serious poop…so I’m taking the easy way out.

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I decided to simply go back into my Live Tweet Feed and give you time in my brain.  No worries, its short, silly and all round ridiculous.  You aren’t supposed to think or feel.  Just mind numbingly come along on the silly ride train I have loaded up.

aaaaaac

Our opening scene is Claire being her badass self. As per. 

aaaaaad

This group could not look anymore bored if they tried.  Which I enjoy cuz…me+school = THAT

aaaaaae

That moment of a lecture you know you still dont give one shit…or two.

aaaaaaf

They had ALMOST as much garland in that house as mine did when I was a kid.  It was like a sparkly tinfoil monster had its way with everything!

aaaaaag

Mmmmmmm….resin.

aaaaaaho

Some of the best advice uttered.  Make your own fate people. #JoeFresh #theMan

aaaaaahp

Drink together, share secrets, rinse, repeat. 

aaaaaahz

Gotta love it when your friends see the drape fall. 

aaaaaai

Claire knows a lot of the things…drinking…definitely top 5.

aaaaaaj

Its always better with friends. 

aaaaaaja

It’s all the same. Girls with spirit. 

aaaaaak

It really is a skill she has. 

aaaaaal

Dem bonz…dem bonz 

aaaaaam

Our Roger is just too perfect for words.  Beardiful is a good one though. 

aaaaaan

So many choices….good thing we have YEARS to play them out. 

aaaaaao

Ok, maybe Candy’s practical joke game was off.  Oh…Sandy…aheam

aaaaaap

Its such a shame when people can own their own shit. 

aaaaaaq

Let’s be fair…every forecast…every day.

aaaaaar

Of course she can sew….don’t be silly

aaaaaas

The 80s floating head picture…thats what I saw…touching still. 

aaaaaau

BOOM! There she is.  Loved this transition SO SO SO much

aaaaaav

If you did not turn into a big pile of goo…you are dead inside.

aaaaaaw

All the feels…allofthemall

aaaaaax

That’s ok Claire.  You are a doctor…you can put him together again.

Thanks for playing folks.

Take care of you and BE KIND!  Join us on twitter #OutlanderCAN – watching each week on W Network.

Sher

AKA ABOtlanders Founder

Doctor Joe is now taking patients. ABOotlander Sher, chats with Wil Johnson.

Outlander fans have welcomed Wil Johnson into the family as he stepped into the role of loyal friend and confidant, Dr. Joe Abernathy.

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In the books, I loved Joe’s smooth and confident character. He was an equal to Claire that is rarely portrayed in the era they met.  In my mind, he was a butter voiced Sydney Poitier.  Without sounding too sucky-uppy – Wil Johnson fit the mold perfectly.   I anticipated seeing him on-screen more than other supporting characters because of my perception of him as Claire’s partner in crime in the 20th century.   We all need our “person”.  The one we can lean on, hold up, share the tough stuff with and Joe, was Claire’s person.

When I started following Wil Johnson on twitter I noticed his genuine humour and positive outlook about being enveloped into the Outlander Universe.  I am sure it can be daunting to all of a sudden be “loved” by so many random strangers – however, he handled it with grace.  Sharing his kindness with no strings attached.

I wanted to know more about this man who earned the role as Dr. Joe so I asked if he would do a Q&A…he graciously agreed.  We tweeted ridiculously funny GIFs at each other – this is a contract in the world of social media.

Sit back and enjoy “THE” Wil Johnson brought to you by “THE” ABOotlanders

You don’t even have to look closely to see that Wil is not a one trick pony.  I am not sure how this man finds the time but his list of awesome is a long one.

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See…there’s lots there

He sings, dances, acts and DJs – I mean I am tired thinking about it all.  When you present it all together for him, Wil sounds surprised he does so much.

WIL: WOW! That is a lot! lol…To be honest, I get enjoyment from all of them in equal measure. They all require a different skill set and each area has to be mastered with time, consistently and discipline. When you get it right, that feeling of satisfaction is unfathomable. But if I was to pick one that slightly edges the others out…it would have to be DJing! I say DJing because it’s the only discipline in which it’s all about you..two decks and a mixer. What you do directly in terms of manipulating the music, how you mix the tracks, directly affects how people will respond immediately. INSTANT GRATIFICATION!!! LOOOOL!!!

Want to hear some of 1LWil’s mixes?  CLICK HERE FOR THE SICK BEATS I’m trying to be cool obviously, Wil on the other hand just is. Where Dr. Joe is calm and cool, Wil…just cool.

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WIL: Right now I’m putting together a playlist for a new Mix I’ll be bringing out on MIXCLOUD which will be Deep House & Soulful House combined…Two of my favourite genres of music!

We all have that favourite band – Wil’s is Earth, Wind & Fire – you know,  in case you didn’t think he was cool already.

As if all of the previously mentioned talents weren’t good enough for you, the man cooks as well.  His favourite meal to put on the table?

WIL: As the Son of Jamaican parents, my favourite signature dish is ‘Stew Chicken with Rice & Peas!!!’

We can’t give away his recipe but if you thought to yourself…damn…that sounds good.  HERE you go. Gotta love the YouTube.

I think it is a prerequisite for any friend of Claire to be good behind the bar.  Dr. Joe makes a mean martini Wil on the other hand…

WIL:I serve a mean Rum & Coke on the rocks!!!! LOOOOOL!!!!

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…because Wil made me a drink…

Wil is a dad. That might not seem too unusual – however, he is the dad of 7…count ’em…7 children.  I see a recurring theme in Wil’s life. If you are going to do something – you might as well knock it outta the park!

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Just. Like. That.

WIL: The most important aspect of being a Father for me is ‘being there’ for your children and encouraging them in all their endeavours. Always telling them you love them and as much as you can, do things with them. Children must feel that you are their ‘ROCK’ that safe place of peace, truth and balance…

We either parent how we were parented or go rogue.  Considering what he is most proud of overcoming, I will say, Wil’s mom was his role model.

WIL:Living without my Mother who died 26 years ago. We were extremely close and she was my biggest fan and supporter of my work.

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A mothers love.

Wil is quite popular in the UK, having worked on many TV shows. Waking the Dead, Babyfather and Emmerdale–  to name a few. Joe Abernathy is Wil’s first american role. I was curious just how long he had to wait before hearing that he earned his role.

WIL:It was around a month before I heard I’d been booked to play Joe Abernathy….A LOOOOONG MONTH!!! LOOOOL!!!!

I wasn’t surprised to learn  Wil hadn’t read the Outlander books.  I mean, come on, you saw a glimpse in the day of Wil Johnsons life…I would say there wasn’t time to read the tomes.  “I work off the script and what eventually ends up there.”  This shows us how dedicated the writers are to keeping the soul of the book alive in the characters being portrayed on-screen.  Oh, and how well the casting department has done their homework.

We know Joe Abernathy wasn’t the most popular guy in medical school – like Claire, he was pushing through preconceived notions and boundaries that had been placed in his way.  The era itself was well represented, even if it was uncomfortable for us to watch.   Wil lets us know how important it is to break down those boundaries.

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It might not be that easy…but it IS that impactful

WIL: It was an honour. When one has the opportunity to play such a role as Joe Abernathy, you feel like an Ambassador…meaning, this role portrays positive aspects of our human nature and can be looked upon as a beacon or symbol of what is good, fair and decent in human beings. Joe for me ticks all those boxes and I felt a duty to live up to that.

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And so you did

Wil is a very dedicated actor, you can tell, his favourite book being Year of the King by Antony Sher. It is a glimpse into the world of an actor honing his craft.

Outlander is a huge production. Fans are constantly in awe of the what is put in front of them on-screen.  I have always wondered how the actors respond to this “world”.

WIL: The attention to detail in every aspect of production. When I was on set, I felt I WAS in the world of Outlander… for real…..

Joe Abernathy isn’t seen regularly in the books, however he is one of the characters that has a regular presence. Popping up throughout the books as a touch stone for Claire’s life in Boston.  I was curious if we will be seeing Joe again, once Claire heads back into the past.

WIL: I don’t know what the future holds in store for Joe. If they continue with this character in some shape or form I would be very happy about that.

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Joe is one of the very few people who knows Claire well. What do you think Joe thinks of this woman he befriended?

WIL: Joe truly admires Claire and is in awe of her strength. Joe draws inspiration from Claire in that respect.

I envision Caitriona Balfe having some of Claire’s traits.  I have a hard time imagining actors can play roles with such conviction and believability unless they have some sort of relationship with the character they are portraying. I asked Wil what he saw in both of these incredible women? (one real, one fictional)

WIL: Drive..Passion..Tenacity…

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Who me???

Speaking of relating to the character,  what does Wil say he and Joe might have in common?

WIL: Joe Abernathy and Wil Johnson are TRAIL BLAZERS!!! We both strive to change perception by our actions….

fate

We all have shows we love, our readers wouldn’t be here if they didn’t.  I am always curious as to what others are watching. I love shows from the UK and feel us Canadians miss out on some great ones because of that silly Atlantic thing.

WIL: G.O.T!!!! GAME OF THRONES!!!!!!!!! THAT IS MY SHOW!!!! Not sure what you might have missed out on….hmmmmm…Emmerdale???????

The following video was made during Wils 2 year stint as Dom Andrews on long running British soap opera,  Emmerdale. (This may or may not be the video I watched to see if he had the “Joe” voice I imagined. It was and he did)

Us ABOotlanders always love to know of Canadian connections. So, I asked.

WIL:Canada is on the list of places to visit for my Wife and I. Also I have family who live there so it would be nice to see them.

Let me suggest Alberta to the Johnsons.  They now know they have a tour guide if needed.

If you have read any of the chats here on the ABOotlander Blog, you know our Signature question.   Wil was not left out.

“If you were to visit us ABOotlanders in Alberta, Canada and someone offered you the following:

  • Moose droppings

  • Beaver tails

  • Prairie oysters

  • Taber corn

Which would you choose…and why?”

WIL:   I don’t know any of them but I would say Moose Droppings!!!! Sounds the most interesting…..Loooooool!!!!!!!!!

Interesting is right Wil.  Moose Droppings are delicious!

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They look like the real thing(ish) but don’t taste like them. I think…    I have never eaten the real thing.  Really.

The exciting Wil Johnson/ Joe Abernathy news is we’ll get to see  more of Dr. Joe Abernathy is Episode 5 “Freedom & Whisky”  HERE is a sneak peek of Joe…showing you exactly why I think Joe is kick ass.

SherryLynn aka Sher (ABOotlander Founder)

Share your thoughts on Wil’s portrayal in our comments.

Follow us on Twitter & tell your friends how much fun we are.

Let’s talk about sex baby. “Surrender” was all about letting go!

I am sure if you have watched episode 2 of season 3 for Outlander you are quite aware there seemed to be as much sex in it as there was in season 2.  That should have topped ya all up.

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Do you think I am sexy baby? No? 

I get it…season 2 was NOT sexy.  Stillbirths, starvation, war….not foreplay in the making.  Season 3 however…the lovin’ was stong in “Surrender”

All the sex wasn’t shown, all the sex wasn’t with someone else or even completed but we are going to talk about it anyway. Why? Why focus on the sex? Because it was more than that…just like in real life.  The way two people communicate often involves their bodies. Whether it be with love, need, desire, anger or pure hatred.  Sex can be an expression of any of those.

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The first sex scene we were treated to was with Claire. Taking things into her own hands so to speak.  We know Claire is sexually advanced to societies expectation – which makes perfect sense considering she was a woman who always pushed the boundaries in each time she existed in.  At this moment, fantasizing about the man she loves and pleasing herself seemed as natural as breathing.  Frank, asleep and oblivious was not as important to me. Part of me thought any hot blooded man, who hasn’t gotten some in a while, would recognize that heavy breath and pay very close attention.  In my mind, Frank did in fact wake…he just was super polite and just let her finish up.

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Fooled ya…

The second winka winka scene, brings us back to the Claire/Frank marriage bed.  This time, Claire looking a million miles away but still managing to reach out and poke him in the face to wake him up.  Ok…she brushed her fingers across his cheek.  He asks her “What is it.” She responds “I miss my husband.”  Which, let’s be honest here, she isn’t lying.  She really misses her husband.  The red-headed one, the one she dreams about. Frank will just ignore that for now. Cuz a man woken in the middle of the night with an invitation to the pleasure highway generally will pay the assigned toll.

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Most of the time anyway

Claire sure wanted to scratch a lot of itches getting back to being who she used to be.  The third sex scene was anticlimactic.  Literally.

Claire does a little dance for Frank, removing her knickers (you couldn’t call those billowy things panties even if you wanted to), again, feeling the need to get out of what you know she feels mundane.  If she has to walk in these slippers, she wants them to have some heels. So she seduces Frank.  Who is totally into it, until he tries to connect with her emotionally.  The eyes are the windows to the soul and Claire has hers firmly SHUT.  He pleads with her to open her eyes and she basically ignores him, because she isn’t with him.

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How ’bout this Frank? Do you think I’m sexxxxxy???

She has a desire to escape and he is not heeding it by reminding her. Reality is, it is Frank she is having sex with not making love to Jamie. He stops. He has had enough.  It is one thing to have sex half asleep and ignore it but he is full on awake and totally gets it.

We notice when Claire gets SUPER angry when confronted with the truth.   She either throws ashtrays or she buggers off and seethes.  It is vastly different from the Claire who is motivated by her anger.  When she knows she is right, she turns that anger into action…when she is called on her shit she lashes out and shuts down.

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HURMPH!

Our fourth sex scene happens between a very broken man and a woman who simply wishes to be a balm in his life.

I heard a lot of people upset that we had to see Claire have sex with Frank but they didn’t make us see it with Jamie and Mary.  Here is my take.  You have already seen Frank and Claire have the sexy time in episode one, season one.  This isn’t a completely foreign concept.  Jamie with anyone but Claire…that is going to take a bit more getting used to.

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Plus, I think after being in a cave for 6 yrs…he erupted after about 2 seconds…maybe….just maybe…he was a bit quick on the uptake and you DID see it all. In my lowly opinion, watching Mary and Jamie have sex probably wouldn’t be so sexy.  I mean, they were both super skinny due to poor living conditions.  It might have been super distracting having two people that sounded like someone playing Yahtzee as opposed to having sex. Bones banging against one another – not so erotic eh?

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Nope…not even a little in the sexy department

This episode is the sex-circle of life.  Frank is Claire’s Jamie…Mary is Jamie’s Claire…round and round we go.

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Maybe we aren’t as connected in the sex circle…but you get my meaning.

Orgasm is an escape.  A surrender, so to speak.  It is a healthy way to treat the bodies wounds as it serves to be a bridge to the soul.

So have an orgasm today! Alone or with someone.  It is all good for you.

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Join us while we watch Outlander on Sundays via W Network! There is live tweet action and aftershow chat happening on the twitter., using the hashtag #OutlanderCAN

Sher

ABOotlander Founder

 

 

Jamie n Frank- The Lamps are Different but the light is the same-ish.

Jamie and Frank.

Both married Claire. Is that where their similarities end?

fjc

 

Some may say “Yes,  a historian and a warrior don’t have ANYTHING in common.”

Oh…but not I. They have a few traits that make them similar. I think it would be strange if they didn’t- considering Claire did love them both…once.

  1. They know their wife..wives… “place”.  Meaning Claire won’t be put in a place, much less stay there. Jamie gave Bonnie Prince Floofypants that “Uh-huh sure…YOU tell her” face when he implied his wife would listen to her husband…cuz that is what they do. Frank in S3Ep1 stood behind Claire…knowing… in this moment she might just tell the Dean at Harvard to kiss her combat boots before she lost one up his arse.  Knowing what your wife is made up of…is a trait some men lack however, Frank n Jamie…they know.

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    and like it…

  2. Cat like reflexes are needed.  Claire likes to throw things and unless you are quick about it, you will get a candlestick or an ashtray up side the head.  Both of these men are gifted with agility. Good thing too. We like their faces and Claires aim can be deadly accurate.

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    So does Claire …

  3. Modern men in their not so modern worlds.  Jamie, in the 18th century learned a few lessons from Claire…it is one thing to love your partner…it is another to release the things you were brought up to believe.  When those ideas created unhappiness (and rage) in Jamies partner…he looked deeper and chose to change how he viewed the world. Thats some progressive stuff for a man in centuries passed.  Franks upbringing likely didn’t gravitate too far from the basic ideas Jamie had, however, being in the war and knowing his wife was there too, likely brought the scope of her ability to be independant into focus.  He may not have always liked it…but back to #1 – he accepted it.

  4. Honour with a side of honour and a pinch more of the honour.  Jamie and Frank pretty much gathered all the honour in all the centuries.  Frank, I mean really.  This guy stayed with a woman who flew through the past, married and loved ( had a lot of the love) another man.  A man there is no competing with, a ghost AND he raised his child for him.  He was in it for the long haul.  Jamie, his honour is from an age where a mans honour was more valued that what was in his sporran.  So, They have that.

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  5. Double, double toil and trouble.  These guys are pretty chill on the most part.  It takes a bit for them to blow their gaskets…but when they do, take cover.   Not the road ragey kind of tip offs…these are the slow burn to the explosion.  More like a long fused dynamite than a firecracker.  Which is preferred – as Claire can actually attempt to put it out before it is too late.

Bonus similiarity- Mmmmmmmmmm BacON!   Frank enjoys himself some bacon.  He said so – I figure, Jamie’s all about the meat – so yeah…he’d be a bacon lover.  And for alls who say “What about Canadian Bacon?”  Ham…thats ham…only people NOT from Canada call it Canadian bacon. *blink blink*

For reals, can you picture Jamie as a vegetarian?

3vegan

Eat yer GREENS Aye?!?!

Since us ABOotlanders have chosen not to live tweet with each episode or do recaps, we are going to do an #OutlanderCAN twitter aftershow.   We would love for you to join us.  There will be some observations and discussions about the episode of the week.  The more activity, the longer we will engage.

Let’s take this voyage together and make this season the best yet. Fandomstyle *snort*

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Fandomstyle…gangnamstyle…samsies right?

 

Until next time,                                                                                       Sher

ABOotlander Founder