Greetings, my fellow fanatics! I’m frantically working on finishing my Top 100 posts before the Seaon 4 premiere, but in the meantime I have some casting updates for us to feast upon! This paragraph was brought to you by the letter F.
Cast biographies are provided by STARZ. Warning: Season 4 spoilers ahead. Enjoy!
Oliver Finnegan: Lord William
It seems they have recast an older actor to play William, Viscount Ashness, ninth Earl of Ellesmere. And what a cutie pie he is! I’m pretty sure he’s pictured here in this screengrab from the trailer:
From the press bio:
“14 year old Oliver attends the Sylvia Young Theatre School on the Andrew Lloyd Webber full scholarship. His debut in the theatre was playing Eric in Matilda the Musical – 2012-2013. He then won the role of Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane directed by Sam Mendes. He…
When people visit Culloden Battlefield most will inevitably head out across the moor and stand in front of the large memorial cairn in the centre of the field. Surrounding the cairn are most, but not all, of the grave markers on the field so it seems fitting to turn our attention to the history of these markers.
Old photo of the Clan Mackintosh marker
The markers on the battlefield were put in place in 1881, some 130 years after the battle. One of the main question we are asked regards the names on the stones, as many carry the names of one or more clans who fought at Culloden. We have had geophysical tests of the area completed and they show that the area around the cairn does indeed hold many mass graves but how the names on the gravestones were chosen is something of a mystery.
Outlander on Starz took us on a voyage across the seas and into uncharted territory this week. The show has also provided my maiden voyage into fandom and it has been a trip filled with treasure troves of unique opportunities to learn about film-making. Terry Dresbach, the costume designer for the show, has been very accessible to fans who are genuinely interested in what she does and how she does it. She has been open to questions and very generous in sharing the thoughts and the work that goes into creating for the show. Because of Terry’s generosity, I’ve learned that costume designing is about supporting the story and helping to develop the characters. I’ve learned that costume designing isn’t about parading pretty clothes across the screen, unless that is what the story warrants. I have learned that costuming is storytelling. And, this week, Terry once again proved she is…
I’m sitting at home drinking hot tea and convalescing from some sort of bug. This is one of those times when real life conspires to interfere with my Outlander life. I’ve watched the “Doldrums” several times and found it delightful, but was too sick to think about what I saw let alone write. What I’m thinking about this morning, in between sips of Earl Grey, is the journey. Voyager is the name of the book this season is based on and I find it aptly titled. This couple has been on a voyage back to each other and the love they once shared. Diana’s story of two passionately committed people and the show’s version of their story have taken us on a voyage too. Both versions are epic in scale, detail, and truth about the human condition and I’m finding myself grateful for both.
Prior to the Print Shop episode “A. Malcolm”, Outlander executive producer/writer Matthew B. Roberts, commented on Twitter that he just might go into hiding after the episode aired.
At the time, I laughed because I understood where he was coming from. The Print Shop sits on hallowed ground inside the book fan’s hearts. I laughed at his tweet, but a part of me shivered. I’ve seen the cast, producers, directors, designers, and the writers eviscerated by fans on Social Media. I was actually concerned for him! And, I wondered, if in part, his decision to take on writing the Print Shop scenes was based on taking one for the team! On the other hand, he got to write the Print Shop. What a wonderful challenge. I’ve enjoyed Matt’s adaptations in the past and I know that he “gets” how important this story and its characters are…
I was prepared to hate that shop bell. I had convinced myself that the episode would end with Claire opening that door and ringing that bell. I was anticipating an exasperating cliff hanger. We got a cliffhanger alright, but to my delight it wasn’t the one I was expecting. Instead, of groaning out loud my frustration as the credits rolled by, I found myself sharing Claire’s intake of breath at the sound of a voice recognizably Jamie’s. I walked with her across that shop speechless, unable to answer his inquiry. I held my breath as she came closer to the opening between the shop and the press room and saw Jamie’s back bent over the machine. I could feel her tearful joy as she struggled to find words to speak and let him know she was there. I watched his reaction as his body stiffened at the sound of her…
I picture the Outlander’s writer’s room looking a lot like my house when I decide I need to organize. My husband always shakes his head because my organizing tends to look like anything, but. “You KNOW it always looks worse before gets better!”, I remind him. It seems I have to put everything out where I can see it before I can decide what is important, what can be thrown away, and how to put it all back together in a way that functions. It is a very long and messy process. I’m pretty sure the task of adapting Diana’s Gabaldon’s big novels feels very much like cleaning at least three closets that haven’t been truly gleaned in 25 years. You have this huge amount of material to work through, favorites that you can’t bear to live without, limited space, and a need to have a system that…
Selection of gravestones at Culloden 
Outlander on Starz took us on a voyage across the seas and into uncharted territory this week. The show has also provided my maiden voyage into fandom and it has been a trip filled with treasure troves of unique opportunities to learn about film-making. Terry Dresbach, the costume designer for the show, has been very accessible to fans who are genuinely interested in what she does and how she does it. She has been open to questions and very generous in sharing the thoughts and the work that goes into creating for the show. Because of Terry’s generosity, I’ve learned that costume designing is about supporting the story and helping to develop the characters. I’ve learned that costume designing isn’t about parading pretty clothes across the screen, unless that is what the story warrants. I have learned that costuming is storytelling. And, this week, Terry once again proved she is…
pjpes 