Outlander series premiere recap: 5 thoughts after rewatching

2. There was instantly a difference between Frank and Black Jack Randall

Tobias Menzies is an extremely skilled actor. He was one of the reasons I gave Outlander a chance in the first place. I’d known there was going to be a difference between Frank and Black Jack Randall and roughly knew that Black Jack was not the good man that Frank believes him to be.

However, what is interesting in the premiere is seeing just how many differences there are in these two characters. The way Menzies holds himself as the two characters, the look in his eyes, and the subtle changes in his faces are all clear.

The subtle changes come out with each rewatch. I also see more of the subtle looks between Claire and Frank and then Claire and Jamie to see how these relationships start and change as the series continues.

1. The Gàidhlig in the background

Once Claire falls through the stone and finds herself in the 18th century, it’s instantly clear from the sounds that this a very different Scotland to the one she’s come from. I remember the first time watching and hearing the Gàidhlig, I questioned if I’d set my TV into a foreign language by mistake. Or if I was missing subtitles.

Then I realized that we were meant to be listening to all this from Claire’s view. We were the outlanders like her.

But what was missing throughout was the Gàidhlig in the background. While we were focused on conversations between Claire and Jamie or Claire and Dougal, there were conversations in the background. You can hear Rupert and Angus joking. Then there are others who we never really get to know conversing with others.

This is all part of immersing us into this other time; into the 18th century Highlands. It’s a beautiful way of adding in this part of Scottish history.

Minor notices

As well as the main thoughts, there were a few things that I thought about during the episode.

• I don’t hear the “mine” still — it just sounds like Frank breathing
• Claire’s voiceover still annoys me and takes me out of the story at times
• Some of the buildup to the stones could have been skipped because of flashbacks

What have you noticed when rewatching the Outlander series premiere again? What moments stand out for you with a rewatch? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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