Are you wondering what to do, now that you’ve finished MOBY? (aka WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD)? Well, most people just go back to the beginning and start re-reading OUTLANDER. [g]
As an alternative/addition to this tried and true strategy, though, you might want to watch the brand-new (and looooooong-awaited) tv show of the series, which is about to debut on the STARZ premium-cable channel in the US. AUGUST 9th! 9PM! (It airs at 9 PM in each time zone, so it’s always on Saturdays at nine o’clock, at least in the US.*)
I think Ron D. Moore and Starz have done a wonderful job of adapting OUTLANDER into a 16-episode first season (they’ll be doing one season per book, assuming the first one is a success–and that’s up to you. I think it’s amazing, and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!
*(It will be launching on Showcase in Canada, August 24th, on SoHo Foxtel in Australia on August 14th, and on various dates–not yet announced–in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, China, Germany, and a number of other places that I can’t mention yet as their licensing contracts are still being negotiated with SONY. (SONY owns the international rights to the show; it’s _their_ business to arrange licensing deals world-wide, not mine.)
Episode 7 – just wow! When it started I was disappointed not to see the actual wedding and events leading up to it, but then we did get to see them through series of flashbacks which was perfect! Broke up the awkwardness and intensity of the wedding night a bit, added some laughs. Her gown was just stunning as well.
Throughout the night as they became more relaxed, more of their clothing came off.. and last of all down came her hair, it was lovely.
I’ve been noticing the camera work as well, like the shot of Jamie’s face through Claire’s arm that’s propped up her head… they filmed it the way you write it Diana.. some nudity but nothing crass- its all in the suggestion and interaction, like when Jamie traces her skin on her shoulder- just shivery!
Also the shot of Claire walking toward her ring on the floor, reflected her in the gold as she comes closer. And even in episode 6 the shot at St Ninians spring when Claire and Dougal first arrive. The camera comes out of the little cave, almost as though their arrival attracted the spirits attention and he came out to see who was there.
Enjoyed the scene with the women working the wool in episode 5 as well. Just really impressed by the quality of the filming, the costuming, the locations, the acting, the script, the score. Starz/Sony/Ron Moore are doing your amazing and much beloved book proud!
A question for Diana Gabaldon……………..does or will Jamie ever travel to modern day with Claire?
Neve. Wonderingr saw that ? posed before
Dear Cindy–
Actually, people ask that all the time. The answer is always no. [g]
Best,
–Diana
I am obsessed with Episode 7 but I tell myself its allowed because I have waited years for this book to be realized- Diana you were right about Sam, its a fine one.
I just love your books. I have all of the Outlander series. You have a amazing way of bringing the characters to life. Now with the new TV series, I stay on the edge of my seat. I just love Jamie and Claire.
Diana,
I would be extremely interested to hear your honest opinion of the change made regarding Claire’s ring in
Episode 107. I cannot believe that Ron & Co. would make that change unless there was something planned down the road to completely explain and justify it. Whatever that key is to must be something very important to Jamie from his expression when Claire asks him what it is a key to. I am going to believe that the production company will not disappoint us in the outcome.
I absolutely love this adaptation of the book. I have watched all the episodes at least 8 times each and I would love for the series to go on through Book 9. I have seen comments on CompuServe suggesting that there may not be a third season if they continue with so many changes from the book. (not my opinion, however)
Still, I would appreciate if you would tell us what you think.
Thank you,
Linda
Diana,
Please ignore my question here. I saw your post to Karen on CompuServe and it answers my question fully.
Thank you.
Linda
I couldn’t find the explanation.
Would you mind terribly sharing it?
Ivona
If you go to the CompuServe Forum and under Diana Gabaldon, click on the thread titled Episode 107, there are a number of posts by Diana explaining or defending the change. You may have to scroll through the whole thread to read them all but they are there.
Whether you agree or not, it is very interesting reading. I still think that the inscription on the ring (maybe the new ring) will occur later on. It really plays a major part in the next book.
Linda
Thank you, Linda,
I eventually found it. It took me a while because I’d never been on
the CompuServe before. I’ll probably never go there again though.
I’d rather stick to Diana’s official website.
Ivona
Dear Diana
just wanted to say that I live in England and was mortified to think that so far none of our channels or stations have purchased the Outlander series, which is ineffable considering it was made in the UK!
One person has my deep gratitude and that is someone whose blog I read on your site by the name of Gabriele Skinner who enlightened me that I could watch the series on a site I had never heard of. I was really upset to think that I would have to wait for a channel to purchase it sometime in the future.
The seven episodes I have watched have been beyond my expectation. Despite some of the necessary changes to make the books work for the screen; it is so watchable. I love the flashbacks for the characters.
I hope the series achieves the success it deserves and I hope you have enjoyed seeing your characters in the flesh so to speak.
Regards
Linda
Dear Ms Gabaldon,
I have beeen in awe of you for years for giving us these books and now am watching Starz and the wonderful job they are doing with your first book. I realize things must be changed, moved, etc. in order to allow for time constraints, but fail to understand why Dougal has turned up bald. Can you clue me in?
I absolutely love your work!
Sincerely, Barbara
Dear Barbara–
Because Graham McTavish looks really good bald. Glad you’re enjoying the show, as well as the books!
Best,
–Diana
Is series 1 of Outlander available on DVD? If not, will it be and when?
Diana,
I would never, ever shoot the messenger. Just glad that you keep everyone informed as you do. You can look at it another way. We were already set to wait 3 -4 months from now to January or February. April is only 3 -4 months from then. l0l
This is the best TV series I have ever watched. Will wait however long it takes, patiently or not.
Linda
I’ve been a fabn from the beginning reading the first three novels non stop in 1998. I waited breathlessly for each novel that followed. Jamie and Claire have been a part of my life since that first book! I’ve a spence se if who they are but not really an image even after all these years! I’ve given these books to family and friends to share the journey . I must admit I’m dissapointrd to have someone else choose the faces of characters I’ve held so dear in my mind and heart for so many years! The series us enjoyable yet I feel betrayed as the storyline has been altered especially the wedding chapter…. However I’m forgiving and am enjoying the visual of your fabulous writing. You bring to life the essence of the feelings without being graphic or vulgar. So unlike a trash romance novel that I detest this series and your offshoot books are some of the best reads I’ve had! Thank you Diana for your creativity and your story! I must also say not a fan of the cartoon version; maybe an artistic venture but personally not appreciated -not to offend. You have managed to personify sexuality without it being vulgar as well as communicating feelings in an understated yet powerful manor! My brother has read the entire series three times! It has that much impact! I’ve met people over the years that have read the books anew all share the same infatuation with your writing; with the story! Thanks you for having the imagination to bring the characters and the story to life for me and for so many others !
I am head over heels in love with Jamie and Claire, but more Jamie.mmmmhhh…
Love the series on Starz. Great job. I DVR it also and re-watch it often and hate to wait 7 long days for the next episode. And I am not looking forward to the break before the next series starts. I already asked for DVD’s for Christmas…hopefully they are available.
Diane, Love the books and the series. While the chemistry between Claire and Jamie is electric and worth watching every second, I have to say that Murtagh is intriguing. I often am left wondering, what is this man’s story? Maybe because I’m in my fifties, he is more relatable while Jamie is well, Jamie. Any thought given to writing a shorter novel on Murtagh? Also I was hoping that the Fraser clan motto could be brought into some of the sensual scenes. Nothing to raise Jamie’s temperature than Claire saying “I am ready”.
Sorry meant to address as Diana. Fat fingers.
I have not watched any of the series yet, but I am re-reading all the books just before I pick up book 8. I’m not sure if I want to watch. In all the promo pictures, the actors are too clean. Claire fell through time and landed in the middle of a fight – but her white dress is spotless. If I get past that, I’ll wait till I can watch the whole season at once before I start.
Dear Nancy–
I don’t know what promo pictures you’ve been watching–but a good many of those are posed shots of the actors in costume, not screen-shots from the show itself. Go look at the new TV tie-in cover of OUTLANDER; that’s _much_ more illustrative of what the actors look like while in…er…action. [g]
Best,
–Diana
I’m really sorry for all of you who are disappointed in the STARZ series. There is no way that a book can become real. For every description we read or hear we bring our own experiences & thoughts of what those words mean. Just look at all the opinions of red hair! There are reds that “carrot tops” & then there are auburns. I recommend just going with it & enjoying the wonder of how Ron Moore is able to make it come alive. The last episode is on tonight & I’m already missing the show!
I’m very grateful for Diana’s imagination & Ron’s talent.
I don’t mean to criticize the show or complain about the differences between it and my beloved book
I’ve read so many times. I really like the show, and watch it with great pleasure.
I just wanted to express regret at what happens when somebody (the show makers) tries to prove
their own creativity and wants to surpass the master ( Diana) in the art of storytelling.
Clair and Jamie were wedded in the same wooden church she married Frank in her own modern time.
It was so poignant and so meaningful and it was tossed away.
I consider this particular change a lost opportunity .
But as I’ve already said I love the show anyway. I’m waiting to see the last one before the long wait
with anticipation.
Ivona
hi Ivona
I thought perhaps the church wasn’t mentioned because they already did something very similar in the beginning with the flashbacks between times in Castle Leoch. And.. viewers need to WANT Claire to be with Jamie. The registry office ceremony with Frank seems less meaningful than the church wedding with Jamie, so the viewer thinks of Jamie as the better husband; this marriage as the more valid marriage.
At the same time, viewers won’t be sympathetic to Claire if she appears to shake off her attachment to Frank too quickly. She would seem a bit cold maybe.. if she were married in the same church in the series?
I thought she did a great job with the look on her face during the wedding. Just lovely and at the same time sad and lost.
Just finished watching episode 8 and it was amazing. I can’t get over what a superb job everyone is doing. It’s a great pleasure to see the books I loved so much translate so magnificently to the screen. I want to get the books now on CD so I can listen and do my crafting at the same time. Thank you Diana!
I have been debating whether or not to leave a post since the mini-series began. Let me begin by saying that I have read all eight books in the Outlander series (some more than once) and think Diana Gabaldon is one of the greatest authors I have ever read. When I heard that they were making a mini-series based on “Outlander”, I was just as excited as everyone else. I had the premiere date circled on my calendar. And then the first episode aired. I found myself mentally noting all the differences between what I was watching and what actually happened in the novel. I told myself that it’s an adaptation and, as such, will have some slight differences. However, as the series continued, the differences became greater and greater – to the point where I can no longer watch the show. What have they done to my beloved book? To say that this is BASED on the novel, is a great understatement. It’s almost like an entirely different story! Frank hearing Claire through the stones? What?? And her even finding the stones on her own? Anyone who read the book knows how Jaime is the one who took her back to Craigh na Dun – it is one of the most powerful scenes in the book (and it doesn’t happen until much later!) The book is so incredible as is, why make such fundamental changes to the story?? I wish the mini-series would have stayed true to the book. Every word and every scene Diana wrote should have been translated into the script. There was no need for any of the extra “fluff” which never even happened. I’m glad Diana is seeing success from the show, but I will stick with the books.
Dear Hannah–
Well…
1) As I’ve said many, many times (and will doubtless go on saying so for the next several years [wry g])–if you watch the show with the book in your hand, you won’t enjoy either one.
and
2) You’re getting way ahead of yourself. The scene where Jamie takes Claire to Craigh na Dun _is_ in the show–it just hasn’t happened yet. In the book, you _do_ see Claire run off from where Jamie left her–because she sees Craigh na Dun, and that’s what she’s heading for. _That’s_ the scene you just saw in Episode 8. (In the book, she didn’t make it as far as the stones before being caught by the redcoats, and in this one, she did–that’s the only difference.)
It isn’t possible–nor is it desirable–for every word and scene of the books to be translated directly to the screen. It would make for very boring television, for one thing–and take about 60 hours, not sixteen. [g] They’re doing a really good job of adapting the story, but it _is_ an adaptation–no film version would ever be anything _but_ an adaptation. Entirely up to you if you want to fuss and fume about the differences, of course. But it would probably be more fun for you if you didn’t.
Best wishes,
–Diana
Dear Diana,
Thanks so much for your reply. I see your view that not all screen adaptations can be translated directly from the book. However, I recently watched the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice which, to this day, remains the most highly acclaimed adaptation because it stays so true to the novel. In fact, after watching the series, I flipped through the book and was amazed to see that nearly all of the dialogue was translated to the screen word for word. I just feel like your book could have been adapted more closely. The story you created is so incredible as it is, there’s just no need for the series to stray so far at times (The omission of Roger; Frank and Claire visiting Castle Leoch in present day; Mrs. Fitz’s nephew, who became “possessed” after visiting some ruins in the area; In 1945, a woman suggests to Frank that Claire may have traveled through time; Dougal’s constant advances towards Claire; Frank hearing Claire through the stones). I can completely understand slight creative variations, but I just feel like this is unnecessary. I guess we can agree to disagree. That being said, I love your books and am eagerly awaiting #9.
All the best,
Hannah
One last side note…Claire never sees Cragh na Dun – she is 7 miles away from it when she runs away from Jamie after he leaves her to go meet with Horrocks. She doesn’t run off into the woods after they are attacked by the two redcoats.
Hannah do you remember the scene in the book where Jamie leaves Claire in the woods while he goes to meet Horrocks, she realizes she is not far from Craig na Dun, and she heads for it? Then she nearly drowns on the way there and is rescued by the redcoats? Then taken to Randall.
That’s what this was in episode 8. They just made Craig na Dun closer that’s all. It’s more visual that way, instead of all in Claire’s thoughts.
So far I’m finding the small changes to be very believable. And, little Roger was there in episode 8, maybe you missed him?
The last episode before the loooong wait was great!!!
They managed to compact the events seamlessly. They showed Frank’s persistent search for Clair
and his despair, the book narrated by Clair couldn’t have shown.
They build the climax of the episode with Clair and Frank reaching the same spot in the circle of the
standing stones simultaneously, but separated by the chasm of 200 years! It was so powerful!
The episode ends with the masterfully chosen cliffhanger.
All the changes that were made to the book served the episode very well. I’m impressed, and
I’m able now to wait patiently for the show to be resumed in a due time. I trust they’ll do an amazing job .
Thank you!!
Ivona
Hi Diana,
I hate to bother you with this, but maybe some of your readers will have the answer. I need the address for submitting the name FRANK for the contest. My computer lost it out of my favorites. Thanks if someone can help.
The show is perfect. April is a long time away, but a chance for rereading.
Have read and reread your books and MYOB is as good and as exciting as all the others. Now to the T.V. series! Absolutely terrified to watch it. I have all these characters in my head. How can anyone except Diana and I know what they are really like? Ahh! Ron Moore you are a star. The series is amazing. Wonderful cast, beautiful scenery, great sets and costumes. Where you deviate from the books for television it is so obvious why you have done it. My husband is hooked as well. By the time Starz runs the second part of the series ( I am sure it will be well worth the wait. After all after the gruelling schedule I am sure everyone involved cast, crew, writers will need a break )it will give a whole lot more people a chance to jump on board!