ode to outlander

hey there tumblr pals! i just wanted to pop on here to explain where i’ve been.

from day one i have had a really tumultuous relationship with tumblr. the people and the creative outlet have always been what’s kept me here, yet it has produced a lot of unhealthy habits in my life as well. and i’ve left in the past for this reason.

after taking lots of time to think and some space away, i’ve come to the realization that i need to step back from this platform. i am not saying that i will never check in, but for now, i won’t. this was not an easy choice, but it is the right one. 

i am deeply humbled and thankful for all for all of the support and friendship i have found here. truly. thank all of you for all of the love; it’s honestly overwhelming. 

hello there!

ye ken, friend, this is a great question.

i floated back and forth from several people, but ultimately landed on graham menzies.

he is just such a delightful character. i loved the role he plays in claire’s life—bringing a slice of scotland to her. and reminding claire of her beloved jamie.

graham really helped claire feel seen and less alone in her loss. he helped break her open and access her pain.

furthermore, as claire said herself, without graham’s loss, she would never have found jamie again. we all owe a great debt to cheeky, precious graham menzies.

because of him, we have this:

THANK YE, GRAHAM!

honorable mention to adso though:

hello there!

excuse the delay, nonnie! been dipping in and out this week and finally made some time for my inbox!

i am really enjoying season five! other than 5x6, i’ve loved every episode—genuinely! we’ve been gifted some spectacular moments

what disappointed me the most about season four is that after watching jamie and claire be separated for 20 years, i was very excited for marital bliss on fraser’s ridge. i anticipated fraser feelings overload.

and for me—which as always this is purely my opinion—season four just missed the mark. actually, to this day, i haven’t watched all of it *whoops*

however, however, season five feels grounded, centered and intentional. i’m verra thankful for all the precious jamie and claire moments we’ve been given. i feel that the show has done a better job of developing brianna and roger’s relationship as well. there are quite a few things to rave about this season actually.

but...will you permit me to be blunt?

i find happiness, peace, and domestic normalcy to have the potential to be powerful storytelling. to quote little women, “people writing about such things will make them important.”

i love watching jamie and claire be grandparents, be parents, be leaders on the ridge—finding them in the rhythms of life.

now, naturally, life entails a lot of suffering—especially in the time period that this story in based upon. and it’s important to not skirt around that. part of what makes jamie and claire’s story so brilliant is allllll that they have triumphed over.

but at the same time, often stories try to rely on dramatic overtures instead of leaning into the nuances that every day life affords.

personally, i find that outlander tends to swing to the overtly dramatic end of the spectrum. something i am having to come to grips with a bit—due to canon and the dynamic of storytelling that is this show—is the fact that jamie and claire still have a lotttttttt of, well, suffering left to endure.

and here is the dilemma i often find with the choices the production makes: the amount of screen time they dedicate to suffering vs peace is rarely balanced. often we trade 5 minutes of joy for 45 of agony.

please please please hear me: i still absolutely love this story. i do. and i’m not arguing to remove the adversity. but sometimes i’d appreciate a little bit more time to catch my breath before we move on to the next traumatic event these people have to endure.

hello there!

I NEED YOU TO FORGIVE ME FOR TAKING A THOUSAND YEARS TO RESPOND TO THIS BUT OH MY FKN WORD: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

how many times have these two precious people had to part ways in war? too many. too bloody many.

yet another day has arrived bringing with it another battle. and jamie and claire have to tell each other goodbye.

AND THESE BABIES HAVE THE AUDACITY TO DROP THESE LINES ON US:

i love you, soldier.

good luck will do. i love you does so much better.

LOOK AT THEM. LOOK HOW MUCH THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. HOW THE BANNOCK AM I SUPPOSED TO RECOVER AFTER THAT. HOW.

and then. and thennnnnn jamie gives his beloved a kiss on the hand as he moves to go join his men.

and claire can’t let go. not yet.

so she leans into him as he’s leaving. wahhhhhhh.

and then they part—awaiting to see what the day has in store for them.

it was a true nod to prestonpans *LONG MAY THAT EPISODE REIGN* and i ate it up with a spoon.

hello there!

*lol* you and me both, nonnie! you and me both! i had the same thought and it made me giggle.

i found that scene to be so charming and endearing. it’s just sweet to watch claire love jamie and give him a lil’ present for his big day: birthday sex *bless the laiiiiiird*

also, how fkn adorable were jamie’s little reactions when she suddenly just mounts him and starts stripping. ahhhhhhh so cute.

i’ve already posted edits of this scene no less than 10 times, but better make it 11—for science.

hello there!

nonnie, i totally understand where you’re coming from. i really do. from my perspective, i’ve also noticed a shift in the physicality of jamie and claire in the latter seasons.

i do not, however, find them to be fake per say. perhaps they don’t linger as long. they could be qualified as pecks/kisses rather than a good old fashioned necking *lol sorry couldna help meself*

yet, i do agree, there have been sooooo many sweet, tender moments between our frasers this season. i’m a greedy gal and would love more, but i am thankful for what we have!

let’s go down memory lane of season five, shall we?

hello there!

nonnie, once again, i’m woefully behind on answering this—please forgive me!

it’s clear claire spots something on the ground...in the bushes...and it appears that jamie commands that she and jamie leave quickly for their safety.

so. i have many theories about this. i have an inkling as to what will happen, but i don’t want to give away any spoilers.

however, i will say, that if what i think has given claire a fright is perhaps a wee animal in the bushes, then we are all in for a treat!

yet, if is this is the case, the narrative will diverge a bit as far as canon timeframe goes. we shall have to wait and seeeeeeewe until april 12.