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April 2020

Fraser's Ridge Outlander North Carolina Season 5 The Fiery Cross

ONC Admins Choice Awards for Episode 509, Monsters and Heroes

April 25, 2020

Welcome back to the season five ONC Administrators’ Choice Awards!  Now until the end of this season, (we refuse to think about it), some of the ONC administrators and myself will be voting on our “Bests/Mosts/Leasts” from the latest Outlander episode.  We enjoyed this fun way to briefly recap each episode last season, and hope you enjoy it as we do! This week’s voting contributors are Dawn Woo, Stephanie Bryant, Nancy Roach, and Susan Jackson. So, without further ado, the winners for episode, Monsters and Heroes are…

Dawn: Ian’s speech to Jamie about losing a limb. He spoke of his admiration for Jamie and how courageous he now realized his father was. He scolded Jamie for his foolish thinking.

Stephanie: Agree with Dawn, Ian’s passionate speech to Jamie was incredible!

Nancy: Claire and Jamie entwined as Claire wills him back to life.

Susan:  When Ian tries to convey to Jamie that living life as an amputee doesn’t have anything to do with weakness. As a mother of an amputee, I understand what Ian is feeling.

Dawn: Roger to Jamie when they were discussing the pact to kill Bonnet: “But whosoever offends one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were tied about his neck, and he drowned in the depth of the sea, Matthew chapter 18, verse 3.” Jamie: “Verse 6.”

Stephanie: The foreshadowing from Lizzie “‘Tis a good day for dyeing,” right after we see Jamie bitten by the snake. Then Claire says “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you or Jamie,” more foreshadowing.

Nancy: Jamie “Whether I’m dead or you, whether we’re together or apart, I will always love you.” (🎬Cue Whitney Houston🎼)

Susan: When Jamie finally shows his trust and faith in Roger, “Unfortunately for you, the son must pay the for the sins of the father – for my mistakes, you must do this.”

Dawn: Caitriona Balfe-Her portrayal of Claire just seems effortless…natural.

Stephanie: Definitely Sam. He portrayed the snake scene and the aftermath with such raw emotions. 

Nancy: Sam Heughan stood out in this one. His performance as a sick, dying man was excellent! Caitriona’s performance was also moving.

Susan:  I’m the one on the fence–Caitriona and Sam were both excellent in this episode.

Dawn: the appearance of the buffalo/bison in the yard

Stephanie: How Jamie told Roger to kill Bonnet if he didn’t survive and Roger saying he didn’t know if he could do it. I would think Bonnet raping Bree would’ve made him angry enough for revenge.

Nancy: Even though I knew it was coming —Jamie appearing to die for a moment and Claire bringing him back to life.

Susan:  Marsali giving birth to Felicite in the woods on a family excursion–did that happen in the book? My memory ain’t what it used to be.

Dawn: Jamie to Claire when she talked about doing the autopsy on the cobra bite victim: “You should work on your bedside manner, Sassenach.”

Stephanie: Little Jimmy saying “Shit” repeating what Roger said.

Nancy:  Opening scene where Roger is initiating sex with Brianna, Jemmy interrupts. Roger saying “Shit! Something stung me” and Jemmy repeating, “Shit”. Jamie pounding on the door and calling for them. Jamie asks, “Roger Mac, you there?“ Roger mutters under his breath, “Where else would we be?”

Susan:  Jemmy repeating a bad word after his Da–been there, done that!

Dawn: The discussion between Jamie and Claire at the end where he was talking about his decision to live or die:  “There is a war coming. God has given me a duty.”

Stephanie: I think Roger stepping up saving Jamie and the bonding the two had, due to Jamie getting bitten, was definitely great to see in this episode.

Nancy: The whole episode was wonderful. It just goes to show that the best episodes are the ones that follow the book. I also loved that this episode provided a bonding opportunity between Jamie and Roger.

Susan:  Seeing the connection between Claire and Jamie again–it’s been missing in the show. That’s what I love about them as a couple–their love literally transcends time and space, and it was comforting to see them as they are written.

Dawn: Another great episode. I can’t find anything.

Stephanie: Only thing I didn’t care for was the way the buffalo flung Bree in the air. She definitely wouldn’t have gotten right up after that!

Nancy:  Maggots—not a fan.

Susan:  Marsali having that baby in the woods still doesn’t sit right with me–it just didn’t fit in this episode for me.

So, now that we’ve voted, it’s your turn! Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments who or what gets your votes for Episode 509, Monsters and Heroes.

Outlander North Carolina Season 5 The Fiery Cross

ONC Admins Choice Awards, Season 5, Famous Last Words

April 18, 2020

Welcome back to the season five ONC Administrators’ Choice Awards!  Now until the end of this season, (we refuse to think about it), some of the ONC administrators and myself will be voting on our “Bests/Mosts/Leasts” from the latest Outlander episode.  We enjoyed this fun way to briefly recap each episode last season, and hope you enjoy it as we do! This week’s voting contributors are Dawn Woo, Mitzie Munroe, and Cameron Hogg. So, without further ado, the winners for episode 8, Famous Last Words are…

Dawn: Scene where Ian has buried his weapon and is about to drink the poisonous tea and Roger kicks it away. Ian tells Roger he buried HIS weapon – his voice. Roger tells Ian to pick up his weapon and fight. They are rescuing each other. It almost parallels the scene when Roger is being rescued from the Mohawk camp. Ian saves Roger. But it also provides Ian with the adventurous life he yearns for. They save each other.

Mitzie: Jocasta singing at Murtagh’s cairn. I had hoped at some point we would hear Maria singing in some fashion on the show so I was tickled to hear her sing on this episode, though it was so somber a song.

Susan:  When Roger finally overcomes his silence while out in the woods with Ian, even if Ian attempting suicide was the reason for him for finding his voice.

Cameron: It was in the scene between Ian and Roger, when Roger says he had buried his weapon, but now he knows it’s time to dig it up again and fight. 

Dawn: Brianna- “A sheet of paper is not made to fly. But sometimes we have to adjust our expectations to bend and reshape ourselves. There’s a reason the 1st anniversary gift is supposed to be paper…and after the pressures of 60 years, it’s diamond-the hardest substance on earth. I want our marriage to grow into something that strong.”

Mitzie: JOCASTA: “How careful we’d be if we kent which goodbyes were our last.” That spoke volumes to me; as to what’s happened in the past and to what’s still to come.

Susan:  Jocasta telling Jamie about last goodbyes–very true words.

Cameron: John Bell- being a book reader, I knew what happened while he was away, before he opened up a bit to Roger and in more detail. With that context, his portrayal of Ian’s homecoming was really perfect, displaying how complex those emotions and that adjustment would have been.  I’d have to go back to the books, but I feel like that piece of his homecoming was highlighted here, even more so than I remembered it in print.  

Dawn: Richard Rankin/Roger – Without words, he portrayed so well being lost in his own hopeless, helpless hell. 

Mitzie: Richard had few speaking roles this time but had to deliver numerous lines using pure emotion and I felt he did beautifully with his eyes, hands and general presence. 

Susan:  Rickard Rankin was great, showing Roger’s pain and frustration without words.

Cameron: I think they did a nice job of setting up the assumption that Roger was the one who intended to use the water hemlock, but the twist of shifting that storyline to Ian was well done. 

Dawn: Ian’s return. I loved the fear factor involved when Jamie and Claire first saw him atop the Ridge after he killed the boar-such an ominous figure. Even after they recognized him, there was a presence about him…foreboding figure. 

Mitzie: Young Ian’s arrival. I knew he’d be back, but thought it would come next episode and have this one stay focused on Roger, but I was very happy to see that he has finally come home to the Ridge.

Susan:  Ian’s return

Dawn: Ian’s return/John Bell’s performance. He truly looks like he is in a deep, dark place…the anguish on his face. He definitely portrayed that pull between being “relieved” to see family again and not being with his Mohawk family. He just looks torn and lost. 

Mitzie: We almost have it all with Ian’s arrival. Especially when they are having a big family meal, at the big table, in the big house, but without Roger (and yes I wish Murtagh could still be in the picture), and perhaps LJG not leave as of yet, it was just a fleeting glance, but I loved seeing its potential. It really could have been something to see, that big ol’ table packed with all the Frasers and extended family and friends. I hope we get to see something similar very soon. I need that feel good moment after these past few episodes.

Susan:  It was good to see Ian, though his homecoming is sad for him, everyone else is thrilled to see him, after thinking they’d likely never see him again.

Cameron: I didn’t love the silent movie scenes as a device to tell the story, but it was a unique way to incorporate Roger’s flashbacks.

Dawn: I did not like how they “slid” the Tarot cards in the episode with Marsali playing with them….as superstitious as Leoghaire was…seemed like a “forced scene”. And I’m not sure that viewers will be curious enough to explore the meaning of The Hanged Man to know how it relates to the story. In the book, it is Brianna dreaming about her friend playing with the Tarot cards and telling her about the  The Hanged Man. It represents the process of surrender and sacrifice. Self-surrender leads to transformation of the personality. The person has to accomplish his own regeneration. I’m not sure the tv audience would connect that. It just looks like it is an awful coincidence that the card is coming up in the scene.

Mitzie: Using the silent film effect to convey Rogers PTSD flashbacks. I felt like it robbed me of my opportunity to fully connect to the hanging event and how traumatic it was emotionally for Roger. As a viewer, I understand it was Roger’s way of disconnecting from what happened, but as a viewer it also disconnected me and I just couldn’t get through the effect to sympathize with Roger’s situation. 

Susan:  I didn’t care for the silent film/hanging scenes to portray Roger’s PTSD. I get what they were trying to do, but it didn’t do much for me.

Mitzie: Marsali drawing The Lovers tarot card and then comments about having too many bairns. That was cute.

Susan:  I laughed at Marsali’s comment about her many babies, too.

So, now that we’ve voted, it’s your turn! Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments who or what gets your votes for Episode 508, Famous Last Words.

Outlander North Carolina

Seven Days of Giveaways – Day 7

April 10, 2020
Giveaway Day 2 (6)

SEVEN WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED FOR DAY 7’S PRIZE!!

OUTLANDER NORTH CAROLINA SWAG

  • You have until 4:30 PM EDT on April 11 to enter!
  • The number of entries submitted by you will depend on the action(s) you complete. The entries for each action are stated in number form beside each action on the entry form. *Actions may change daily.*
  • No purchase necessary to enter or win.
  • Making a purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning.
  • Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
  • Open ONLY to US residents who are 18 years of age or older.
  • SEVEN (7) winners will be randomly selected and notified by email at the email address provided in the entry form within 24 hours after the Giveaway ends. Please add outlandernorthcarolina@gmail.com to your email contact list.
  • Winners must accept the prize by responding to the notification email within 48 hours of notification.
  • If you are reading this as a blog subscriber in your email, please click the “Read in browser” link at the bottom of the email.
  • See link to complete official rules included in entry form below.

GOOD LUCK!!

[rafflepress id="12"]
Outlander North Carolina

Seven Days of Giveaways – Day 6

April 9, 2020
Giveaway Day 2 (5)

Day 6’s Prize is a Personal Guided Tour of Alamance Battleground State Historic Site For You & One (1) Guest

  • You have until 4:30 PM EDT on April 10 to enter!
  • The number of entries submitted by you will depend on the action(s) you complete. The entries for each action are stated in number form beside each action on the entry form. *Actions may change daily.*
  • No purchase necessary to enter or win.
  • Making a purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning.
  • Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
  • Open ONLY to US residents who are 18 years of age or older.
  • One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email at the email address provided in the entry form within 24 hours after the Giveaway ends. Please add outlandernorthcarolina@gmail.com to your email contact list.
  • Winner must accept the prize by responding to the notification email within 48 hours of notification.
  • If you are reading this as a blog subscriber in your email, please click the “Read in browser” link at the bottom of the email.
  • See link to complete official rules included in entry form below.

GOOD LUCK!!

[rafflepress id="11"]
Outlander North Carolina

Seven Days of Giveaways – Day 5

April 8, 2020
Giveaway Day 2 (4)

DAY 5 Giveaway will run from April 8 at 5:00 PM EDT to April 9 at 4:30 PM EDT

 

Seven Days of Giveaways Continues!

Day 5’s Prize is a Flame-Painted Copper Fraser’s Ridge Necklace by Jenuine Designs.

  • You have until 4:30 PM EDT on April 9 to enter!
  • The number of entries submitted by you will depend on the action(s) you complete. The entries for each action are stated in number form beside each action on the entry form. *Actions may change daily.*
  • No purchase necessary to enter or win.
  • Making a purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning.
  • Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
  • Open ONLY to US residents who are 18 years of age or older.
  • One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email at the email address provided in the entry form within 24 hours after the Giveaway ends. Please add outlandernorthcarolina@gmail.com to your email contact list.
  • Winner must accept the prize by responding to the notification email within 48 hours of notification.
  • If you are reading this as a blog subscriber in your email, please click the “Read in browser” link at the bottom of the email.
  • See link to complete official rules included in entry form below.

GOOD LUCK!!

[rafflepress id="10"]