Men in kilts - what more could I want? - Outlander review

Outside the wind is howling, the cold is more and more bitter – nothing better than just wrap yourself in blanket with a cup of hot tea in hand. Just in one of this evenings I came across "Outlander", and it fitted in the moment just perfectly.

 

Promo photo of series. Exceedingly accurate, posters like that don't happen too often.

Don't expect sudden rush of adrenaline - although series do not lack the action, the story course is awfully predictable, add absolutely stunning Scottish sceneries, beautiful music and men in kilts, and you cannot call it dire.

 

A classy couple retaking their honeymoon trip. Wouldn't mind one myself.

It's a story of Claire, who in 1945 goes on the second honeymoon with her long unseen husband Frank to Scotland, land that appears to still be filled with ancient magic and soon the heroine is sent 200 years in past by a pagan sacred stone henge. Undoubtedly life prepared her for such travel: with the experience of combat nurse she could instantly proceed to patch up young, brave and handsome Scotsman; with knowledge of herbalism she could build up her reputation and usefulness in Castle Leoch; and thanks to husband's stories she could set times and reality in which she has found herself, better understand thinking of people she met and adapt herself to the customs of that time.

 

Scotland has a cold weather. Requiers wearing layers, a lot of beautiful layers.

So we begin with beautiful woman torn between young warrior and experienced intellectual, and main antagonist, who happens to be Frank's direct ancestor, man without a whit of conscience. Cliché. And yet it is promoted as Game of Thrones for women. Apart from my personal dislike from such comparisons (it is enough that on cover of every fantasy book we get quote about author continuing Tolkien's legacy) and an overtone that GOT isn't feminine enough, so women need an own version to fully enjoy themselves, it certainly raises standards very high and, unfortunately, Outlander doesn't reach it. I won't argue with its female-oriented target – it is obviously clear: the story is presented from heroine's view and we get to see numerous naked torsos. But the quality of plot and characters complexity is significantly poorer.

 

Scots riding horses. I don't mind.

To put it bluntly some things just don't make any sense. For example, Jaime's personality – he combines so many qualities of ideal man, that they exclude each other. He is a gallant knight in kilt, man with a painful past, once a fighter, than a kicked puppy, cheerful, smooth tongued and attractive, but shy and inexperienced when it comes to sex boy (although, let me tell you, he is a very quick learner).

 

More horses.

Another issue is female representation. Claire is supposed to be a strong woman, what is mostly showed by arguing or showing disapproval about everything, however nobody takes her opinion under consideration and she is tugged like a supine sack of potatoes. 

 

I love almost every piece of clothing Claire puts on! Plus Caitriona Balfe is a model, so everything looks good on her.

I vented my venom, now let's move to pleasant things, because there truly is so much to love. Above all the series is very refined aesthetically. The pictures are beautiful, Scotland is ravishing, costumes and interior décor are amazing – I would steal Claire's wardrobe, music is filled with magic and acting second plan is absolutely brilliant. Special recognition deserves Tobias Menzies for roles of tender Frank and cruel Jonathan Randall known also as Black Jack, but bunch of Scots under lead of Graham McTavish is doing great job as well (and they all have beards! Yes, I'm a fan).

 

One of frames that keep women in front of screens for hours.

To sum up, it is a watchable (very watchable) and a perfect match for moment of relax. It is a decent, unambitious series, releasing woman's imagination (the stereotypical one, so you can easily predict what will happen next, yet you enjoy watching you) and as such it should be treated.

PS "Outlander" is a novel-based production, however as I haven't read Diana Gabaldon's saga I obviously cannot grade its value as an adaptation.

PS 2 As much as I enjoyed watching first season, I don't think I'll decide to resume for second one (thank you spoilers!) in fear the screenwriters will stick to the events from book, which would be... distasteful lightly speaking.