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Did anyone watch the first episode? I'd love to chat. It's online and on demand even with no Starz subscription for US residents. They released it yesterday a week early. I've watched it four times already. Lol

http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander/

I don't have Starz, thanks for the head's up they are streaming it free online. Watching it now!

Thank you so much for this! Watching it now!!!

It was so much better than I was expecting! I liked the actor playing Jamie a lot more than I thought I would.

Now I'm worried they won't continue to host it free, b/c I don't have Starz and don't have the option of getting it.

It was so good!! I thought they did a great job! I even liked how they developed the Claire/Frank relationship. So good!!

I was all prepared to cut it down seven ways to Sunday, but I mean... what can you do when you adapt something from book to film... you're going to have to make changes. I've just accepted film adaptations and their original books as two different pieces. That's why I was able to enjoy the Harry Potter films so much instead of being annoyed by the differences.

I liked it. I like the actors who play Jamie and Claire. I pictured Jamie as much bigger, but it's not like they're going to be able to find someone who exactly matches Gabaldon's descriptions in the novel.

Thanks again for posting that-- I can't wait to watch the next one! We'll have to come back each week and discuss it.

I just started reading Outlander.

Everyone who has read it RAVES about it.

I'm like 40 pages in, and I'm B O R E D.

I really hope it gets better. I *WANT* to like this series.

Itainteasy - the first 50-75 pages aren't super engaging. Once she goes back in time though...hold onto your seat!!!

Stick with it...you're almost there!

YAY!!!!

I find myself not liking Frank very much at all.

I always tell everyone to get through the first 100 pages and you're golden.

Btw I think it's only the first episode that is free till 9/28 or something like that. All other episodes you need the subscription.

I really liked it. I was scared they weren't going to get to Jamie this episode.

I pictured Jamie as much bigger, but it's not like they're going to be able to find someone who exactly matches Gabaldon's descriptions in the novel.

I read an interview with Diana once that said that Jamie was never supposed to be a big brute of a guy. She said he was tall with more of a swimmer's build.

I've watched it twice now and I love it!

It is definitely living up to my expectations. I hate Frank (hehehe). Loved that they included the scene with Claire, Frank, the window, and the "ghost"

I have some minor complaints but over all liked it much more than I expected. The roll down the hill causing a complete transformation is my complaint btw.

Nicely done. Claire is very much like the book although I thought she had auburn hair. Jaime looks a bit school boyish.

I think you might be able to watch it on huluplus streaming. I see they have the first 4 episodes listed. #2 releases on 8/16, a long time to wait!

I don't have a starz subscription or a tv so I sure hope I can see them streaming somehow.

I have to giggle at GabyBaby's response. I too hated Frank, at least in the books. He was actually a bit more likable in the expansion of his character in the pilot episode, which is what Ron Moore wanted to project. Either way, Tobias Menzies was great as both Frank and "Black Jack" Randall. I am so looking forward to more of his work.

The production quality is just gorgeous. I loved the use of muted, almost sepia tones in the 1940's sequences, then a burst into vibrant color once Claire goes into the 1740's. For cinematography alone, this series is worth watching. No place but Scotland could have been used to capture such beautiful imagery.

The actors are very well cast. Menzies as the Randalls I already mentioned. I'm liking Caitriona Balfe as Claire more than I thought I would. She definitely seems to get Claire's independence and intelligence, as well as her sense of never having quite felt "at home" anywhere. She's growing into the roll quite nicely. Graham McTavish's Dougal is imposing and commanding, and perfect.

And then, there's Sam Heughan. Good Lord, that boy was *born* to play the part of Jamie. The camera loves him and he really seems to get Jamie to his core. He honestly made me forget I was watching an actor play Jamie - I just felt like I was watching Jamie. I cannot wait to see how he grows within the role. As Diana Gabaldon herself said, I'm now looking forward to the Wentworth prison scenes just to see what Sam does with Jamie there...

There have been mentions by critics that the series works on a "slow boil" in the first episodes, and yes, it doesn't move swiftly. But it does (so far) seem to work to establish the characters and how they work in their environs, as well as work to be faithful to the books. I loved the overall tone and pacing, and I've heard that episode 6 is *the* episode that really spurs the action (I've even read the word Emmy mentioned for that episode!). I'm so looking forward to the journey!

Though I have to mention my own personal bias - I hope it gets renewed for a second season, because "Dragonfly In Amber" is my personal favorite book in the series. So, have I discussed the topic to death yet?

Ahhhh!!! Why didn't I see this thread sooner?! Am I the only dork that's been counting the days until the advertised airing on 8/9?! I will be watching this On Demand TONIGHT!

And ditto what Gaby said about the book: slow start, but stay with it. You will absolutely get swept away. I fell so in love with Scotland through reading this book that I traveled there (alone) for 10 days seeing all the historical sites mentioned. Culloden Moor? Yep. Been there. It was amazing. Scotland is a beautiful country full of wonderful people. I hope to go back someday!

Itainteasy- you have to stick with it. I always tell people to keep reading until about 100 pages in. Around that time things pick up well.

Notthatgirl- loved your synopsis. I agree with your points, except, I dread the Wentworth Prison scenes.

Watched episode 1. Loved it! I think the muted colors during the Frank time was meant to symbolize how dull(?) life was for Claire in her old life. The cinematography then makes a visual switch to vibrant color when she wakes from falling through that juxtaposed nicely with her life from before. I found Frank in the show almost more likable- I dont recall being sympathetic to him at all in the books. However, nothing beat Sam's portrayal of Jamie. Holy crap was he meant for that part.

I loved Caitriona as Claire. She managed to capture Claire's sexuality, wit, stubbornness pretty perfectly, imo.

If they were able to portray that much chemistry between Frank and Claire, I can't wait to see the chemistry between Jamie and Claire.

The music was fantastic.

Visually stunning.

All in all Starz did an excellent job with it. Can't wait to see the rest. Now gotta figure out how to get Starz.

[This message edited by abbycadabby at 8:35 AM, August 9th (Saturday)]

Tryingtorecover- I'm not sure what complete transformation you're referencing.

Innerlight- I didn't get the schoolboy vibe from Jamie, but he's supposed to be young. When Claire meets him, isn't he only supposed to be early twenties or something?

Jamie is about 19 or 20 when they first meet.

That may be school boy in "our" time, but in that time, he's a man. I think they nailed it. I'm guessing as we get further into the series, some of the boyishness will peak through here and there in their interactions.

Watched the first episode, preparing to rewatch now, and started rereading the book.

Love, love, LOVE!!!

I found Frank in the show almost more likable- I dont recall being sympathetic to him at all in the books. However, nothing beat Sam's portrayal of Jamie. Holy crap was he meant for that part.

Totally agree with the above. Frank is not as cold as I imagined him while reading the book. Looks-wise he is close... I tend to picture Jason Issacs, who played the English officer bad guy in "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.

The actor playing Jamie is perfect. PERFECT. I don't know how they found him but he was indeed born for this part. The actress playing Claire doesn't look at all how I pictured her (or how the character is described in the books). I imagined her with light brown hair, her oft-mentioned "golden sherry colored eyes", and a little bigger boned. Not a large woman, but not as delicate at this actress. So when she came on screen I was like Wha..??? but by the time the hour was over she had fully become Claire for me. She is doing a terrific job acting this part.

The down-the-hill transformation was a little much. In one very brief tumble her belted dress comes loose into a flowy nightgown looking outfit, and her face is dirty and scraped. All for dramatic effect, but whatever.

Am I the only one who doesn't like the "Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ" thing? I love Claire's feistiness and that she doesn't hold back in her language, but that phrase always felt awkward to me when reading. It felt even more so hearing it said in the series. Is it just me?