Should Outlander consider combining books in the future?
So far, Outlander has done a season a book. Is it time to consider combining books for the future?
Outlander has worked one book per season. The most recent season was based on “Drums of Autumn” and it appears the fifth season will be based on “The Fiery Cross.” Is it time for the EPs to look at doing things a little differently?
This is a topic I’ve visited in the past. I questioned whether the fifth and sixth books should be combined because the first 200 pages or so are all based on just one day. Some readers find this section boring and there’s the fear the pages won’t translate well to screen.
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But this is more than just combining two books for one particular season. I want to look further into the future. Could it be time to combine more of the books for the quality of the writing?
One thing the writers did in the fourth season finale was pull the militia storyline forward slightly. Jamie doesn’t get the order to form the militia until “The Fiery Cross,” but the show has already introduced this storyline. It sets up the storyline for the fifth season.
This could be an opportunity to bring some of the storylines forward. The fourth season did stick to most of the bones of the story, adapting the timeline slightly. There were scenes from earlier in the book that didn’t happen until later in the TV season, allowing for the storylines to be used more strategically for time constraints.
For example, the surgery at the theater actually took place during a dinner party at Jocasta’s in the books. By moving this surgery to the theater, the storyline could connect to Murtagh’s, which was introduced purely for the show. Fans got to see the storyline but it was given more of a purpose for the overall story.
Plus, combining some of the storylines would allow for parts of the storylines to breathe throughout Seasons 5 and 6. Some storylines from “The Fiery Cross” could get more time over the course of two seasons.
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Would you like to see some of the books to be combined? Is one book per season working for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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