Better to Marry Than Burn
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Jocasta shares her heart and difficult history.
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Perpetual Adoration S5 E5
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
It all feels very Greek tragedy with the webs and spinners.
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From the Beardsley's to Brownsville S5 E3 E4
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Jamie and Claire discover a shocking truth when they try to free the Beardsley brothers from their indenture. Roger commands his way to Brownsville gathering men of fighting age. An adulterer is in their midst. Roger keeps the peace, but ruffles feathers all the same. Brianna fears. Lives are saved. Babies abound.
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Between Two Fires S5 E2
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Jamie is The King of men walking the razor's edge of loyalty, honor, and oaths between the Crown and his people. Murtagh has become a man of blood while stirring the Regulators to violence and rage. Claire is a frustrated 20th-century physician feeling stuck in the ways of the 18th. Roger is feeling inadequate and cannot seem to find a useful place in the 18th-century. Brianna struggles with trauma. Marsali is caught between two mothers. Bonnet believes he is a father and wants what's his.
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On This Day S5 E1
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
The people of Fraser's Ridge, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the wedding of Roger MacKenzie and Brianna Ellen Randall Fraser. The big house was almost complete. Memories were shared and made, drinking games, feasting, dancing, romance, threat, treachery, bonding, politics, oaths, and a release of oath all happened in the two days lived onscreen.
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Domesticity, Building Bonds, and Duty Ep 177
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Roger returns with mission incomplete. The baby is cranky. Brianna is at her wit's end. Roger gets beautified. He’ll sing to help Jamie prepare the guests. Roger gives an uncomfortable history lesson to Brianna. Roger sings to an appreciative crowd. Jamie calls the men to duty. Roger reflects. Jamie and Claire find respite in their room. Jamie writes a letter.
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Of Chaos and Change
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Claire administers an eye examination. Mrs. Bug takes ownership of the running of the big house. A family with a sordid past comes to visit. Claire worries. Claire struggles with the changes to come. Fight. Fight. Fight. Solace is found outdoors. Jamie ceremonially prepares for the changes ahead. The men Jamie calls to arms must come of their own volition. A family member is asked to join Jamie in the fight.
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Date Night on The Ridge Ep 175
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Summary: The activities of the Ridge create a picture of the day today. A friend visits bearing news. Brianna and Roger go hunting. The dangers of the 18th century run through Brianna’s mind. Only one has experience with a gun. A willing student Roger makes, but a great shot he is not. Memories of a dear one surface. Roger makes a confession. They play a game only travelers can play. Lactating breasts need relief. A fowl encounter happens on the way home. Brianna was purposely prepared for the 18th.
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Date Night on The Ridge Ep 175
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Summary: The activities of the Ridge create a picture of the day today. A friend visits bearing news. Brianna and Roger go hunting. The dangers of the 18th century run through Brianna’s mind. Only one has experience with a gun. A willing student Roger makes, but a great shot he is not. Memories of a dear one surface. Roger makes a confession. They play a game only travelers can play. Lactating breasts need relief. A fowl encounter happens on the way home. Brianna was purposely prepared for the 18th.
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The Podcast Returns June 25th
A Dram of Outlander Podcast
Hello, A Dram of Outlander listeners. The podcast is back after an unexpected and unavoidable hiatus. We're jumping right back in with The Fiery Cross chapters 19-23 on June 25th.
info_outlineBlood of my Blood
Directed by: Denise Di Novi
Written by: Shaina Fewell
Summary: An unexpected duo comes to visit. Lord John’s wife has died. The boy William is grief-stricken. Lord John asks for discretion. Murtagh serves up politics and distrust with dinner. The boy remembers Mac the groom. Murtagh discovers the truth about William. A liquor lubricated chess game is played. John becomes ill with the measles. Jamie and William head out on a multi-day tour of the Ridge. Claire tends to John. Barbed and frank conversations occur. The boy and Jamie go on a hunt. Emotions run high. John makes a confession. The boy shows courage. Claire and John make peace. Parting gifts are shared.
All the Feels:
This episode is a roller coaster of emotions where we see longing, tenderness, passion, vulnerability, confrontation, brutal honesty, humility, fear, hope, understanding, introspection, and healing.
- When William turned around to look at Jamie as he rode away, he left Jamie with the promise they would see each other again.
- John and Claire being utterly frank with each other and not holding back no matter what the other said.
- Claire wishes happiness and contentment upon John to find a worthy partner.
- Jamie standing up for Lord John to Murtagh.
The Good:
The bulk of this episode is fantastic.
- The exchanges between Claire and John are difficult and almost catty in the beginning, then the conversations evolve into blatant honesty and mutual pain before understanding grows between them blossoming into their own relationship filled with mutual respect. It is heart-tugging to witness their struggle with each other.
- Jamie has great restraint when it comes to William as he clearly wanted to touch him and love on him as a son. William is hurting and grieving for the loss of his stepmother, then when his father becomes ill, he fears for his life too. The knowledge that Jamie is Mac the groom who left him at Helwater deepens the wound of loss he feels. William’s trying to process and manage his difficult emotions at the tender age of 12. He’s no regular boy, he’s an Earl and heir to lands and wealth. His path is not simple, and he wears the cloak of the impending duty and responsibility upon his young shoulders. His internal battle shows the conflicting desire to leave childhood behind and grow into his idea of what it means to be a man.
- The boy also shows his courage in the face of the Cherokee and takes responsibility for himself after Jamie offers up his blood instead. Jamie is proud of William and holds the boy after the encounter.
- William thinks he told them he was his son to be protective, and I expect the memory of that experience will jar William into conscious knowing of who his biological father is at some point in the future.
- Throughout the time Jamie and William spent together, there were teaching moments that William can add to the earlier things Jamie taught him when he was the groom.
- I also appreciated how the Cherokee were shown as proud and merciful during the fish confrontation.
- Finally, the missing ring is brought up when Claire is taking a bath. Claire tells him she doesn’t need a ring when he kisses her bare hand, he presents her with the thistle ring he had Murtagh make from part of the silver candlestick. It also has the Catullus 5 inscription in it. It is pretty much perfect.
The Awkward:
Murtagh being singularly focused on the tax situation in every conversation he participates in does not make for interesting viewing. the dozen or so years apart from Jamie has altered their relationship. For the first time, Murtagh has something of his own to fight for and keep or lose. He’s no longer Jamie’s protector and main guidance counselor. Having these two characters re-establish their relationship while being at odds is difficult to watch. Jamie is definitely working from an optimistic vantage point while Murtagh is pessimistic about what the Governor will or will not do. I hope we see resolution before too long if only to lighten the mood.
Lingering Questions:
- Where the heck is Brianna?
- What the heck is Roger doing?
- Will the tax situation force Murtagh to rise up against the Governor or leave North Carolina?
- Will the tax situation pit Jamie and Murtagh against each other in a physical conflict?
- Where’s Adawehi’s necklace?
- When will Laoghaire want her pound of flesh and alimony?
- How are Marsali and Fergus?
- Why is William’s wig as bad as Jamie’s?
Favorite Lines:
- “I just wish I’d had time to make appropriate sleeping arrangements for you and the young master.” Claire to Lord John
- “You sir are a lout.” William to Jamie
- “You cannot at all be a comfortable woman to live with.” Lord John to Claire
- “You are neither circumspect or circuitous. I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone so devastatingly straightforward, male or female.” Lord John to Claire
- “Oh, it’s hard. It’s hard watching you with him. Oh…” Lord John to Claire
- “Why torture yourself? Surely you knew coming here that you could never have him.” Claire to Lord John.
- “Do you know what it’s like to love someone and never be able to give them happiness? Not through any fault of yours or theirs, but simply because you were not born the right person for them?” Lord John to Claire
Links of Interest:
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The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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