Episode Listing
The cable TV series based on the OUTLANDER series of major novels debuted in August, 2014. Below is a listing of the episodes from Season One, Volume One, with descriptions, director and screenwriter information, initial air date and other information.
The episodes of Season One, Volume One of Outlander are:
Episode 1: "Sassenach"
Directed by John Dahl
Written by Ronald D. Moore
While on her second honeymoon, World War II combat nurse Claire Randall is mysteriously transported back in time to Scotland in 1743. After a narrow escape from a British soldier, she encounters a group of Scottish Highlanders whose ranks include an injured young man named Jamie.
First broadcast on August 9, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 0.72 million watched the episode premiere on Saturday, August 9, 2914 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).
An estimated 2.3 million Starz subscribers in the U.S.A. watched the first episode of Outlander over the weekend that it debuted in the U.S.A.
On multiple platforms the first episode drew 3.7 million viewers (and counting), including paid streaming access and a free preview on the Starz website before August 9 which drew about 700,000 viewers. It was the strongest multi-platform performance for a new series premiere in the history of the Starz cable network. Also, the statistics show that this premiere drew equal female and male viewership.
Episode 2: "Castle Leoch"
Directed by John Dahl
Written by Ronald D. Moore
Claire is taken to Castle Leoch, where she meets the Laird. As suspicions about her identity run high, Claire tries to blend in and befriends the mysterious Geillis Duncan. When clan leaders discover her medical skills, Claire goes from guest to prisoner.
First broadcast on August 16, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 0.89 million watched the episode premiere on Saturday, August 16, 2914 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).
Episode 3: "The Way Out"
Directed by Brian Kelly
Written by Anne Kenney
As part of her plan to escape Castle Leoch, Claire ingratiates herself to Colum through her ability to treat the sick and wounded. With Jamie’s help, she tends to a child who has fallen ill. During an evening’s entertainment, a story gives her hope that there is a path to freedom.
First broadcast on August 23, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 1.003 million viewers watched the episode premiere on Saturday, August 23, 2014 on Starz at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). This was a 38 percent audience growth versus the first episode, and a 12 percent growth from the second episode, which indiated that the show was successfully growing in "appointment viewing;" in other words viewers are regularly watching each week.
In two additional Saturday night broadcasts of the episode at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., the figure increased to more than 1.7 million viewers (1.707M) who watched in total on Saturday night, August 23, 2014. More than one million of those viewers are estimated to be female.
For the total weekend on Starz, including Sunday airings, almost 2.4 million viewers watched the show (2.39M), up slightly from the premiere episode.
Female viewership was particularly robust, with 62 percent of the viewers for the Saturday premiere at 9 p.m., and 60 percent of the viewers for Saturday night.
Episode 4: "The Gathering"
Directed by Brian Kelly
Written by Matthew B. Roberts
As the castle prepares for the Gathering, Claire plots her escape. But, after a dangerous encounter with a drunken Dougal and an unexpected run-in with Jamie, her plans are dashed. (Diana’s cameo as an actor is in this episode as the wife of a wealthy merchant! Look for her!)
First broadcast on August 30, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 0.84 million
Episode 5: "Rent"
Directed by Brian Kelly
Written by Toni Graphia
Claire joins the MacKenzie rent-collecting party on the road. To her horror, Dougal uses Jamie’s scarred back to gain sympathy for the Jacobite cause. Claire remembers that a defining moment in Scottish history is fast approaching.
First broadcast on September 6, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 0.95 million
Episode 6: "The Garrison Commander"
Directed by Brian Kelly
Written by Ira Steven Behr
Claire’s unexpected meeting with a British general turns tense when Captain Jack Randall joins her and the officers for lunch. A medical emergency gives Claire a sudden reprieve but ultimately, she finds herself alone with Randall — a dangerous man determined to learn her secrets.
First broadcast on September 13, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 1.10 million
Episode 7: "The Wedding"
Directed by Anna Foerster
Written by Anne Kenney
While Jamie prepares for the wedding, Claire struggles to accept her changing circumstances. After an intimate evening with her new husband, Claire finds herself conflicted between her feelings for both Jamie and Frank.
First broadcast on September 20, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 1.23 million
Episode 8: "Both Sides Now"
Directed by Anna Foerster
Written by Ronald D. Moore
Frank desperately searches for his missing wife, while Claire tries to come to terms with her new marriage. Claire is faced with an emotional quandary as a life-altering opportunity presents itself.
First broadcast on September 27, 2014.
U.S. Viewers for First Broadcast: 1.42 million
Series Description from DVD Jacket
Description of the series the DVD released in the U.S.A. in March, 2015:
"British combat nurse Claire Randall is reunited with her husband after returning from the battlefields of World War II. While on their second honeymoon, she walks through one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles and is suddenly transported to 1743 Scotland, torn by war and rogue Highland clans. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigue and danger when she is accused of being a spy. Forced by circumstance to marry an outlawed Highlander, she finds herself falling in love and torn by her loyalties to two men in vastly different times, all of which may threaten her life and shatter her heart. Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling book series is stunningly realized by Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore in Season One’s first eight episodes."
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References:
- ‘Outlander’ Premiere Draws 3.7 Million Multiplatform Viewers, by Amanda Kondolojy for TV By The Numbers on zap2it.com. Posted on August 11, 2014.
- Saturday Cable Ratings: ‘Sharksanity’ Wins Night, ‘Great White Matrix,’ ‘Hell onWheels,’ USA Basketball & More, by Sara Bibel, TV By The Numbers for zap2it.com. Viewership of episode 2 were taken from this article, based on Nielsen ratings. Posted on August 19, 2014.
- ‘Outlander’ Sets New Series Highs With Third Episode, by Amanda Kondolomy, TV By The Numbers for zap2it.com. Posted on August 26, 2014.
All first broadcasts in the list above are referring to the first showing of an episode in the U.S.A. to subscribers of the Starz cable network, unless specified otherwise.
This page was last updated on Monday, May 18 at 2:00 a.m. (PDT) by Diana’s Webmistress.