Outlander Book Club: Book 1, Chapter 22 breakdown
Adapting for the Outlander series
This chapter was used somewhat on the series. The main focus is on the beating that Claire receives.
The men push Claire out from conversations, pretending that she’s not even there. Murtagh even comments to Jamie that Claire doesn’t seem to understand the danger she put all the men in. It’s time for Jamie to teach her a lesson.
For the most part, the beating happens as it does in the book. The difference is that we get to see the beating take place, along with the fight that Claire puts up. Like many other inventions that have to happen on the show, this is a chance to show the events and not just tell the story. While we look at all this with 21st-century eyes and cringe, it’s important for the show not to shy away real history. This is the sort of thing that would have happened.
We also instantly see the change in how the men react now that Claire has received her punishment. They chaff her a little, but they’re talking to her again. They acknowledge that she’s there.
The big difference from the chapter is the conversation when Claire can’t ride anymore. We don’t get to see that on the show. Instead, much of the conversation happens within four walls. I do think that is mostly about logistics because of the trouble that filming outside can cause.
As a show-first fan at this point, I never felt like I was missing out too much by not seeing the conversation as they walked. There wouldn’t have been enough time for the whole thing, either. For me, there was enough to see Claire accept that this was the life in the 18th century but Jamie also realized that he could lose his wife if he continued with these types of beatings.
The last part of the adaptation is the oath. This is done back at Castle Leoch instead of at the inn. I always felt it made it more personal. It was as they got back to what would become their shared bedroom in the castle, and Jamie laid his heart bare to Claire.
Next. 25 most romantic moments on Outlander so far. dark
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