Monthly Archives:

May 2020

A Breath of Snow And Ashes Fraser's Ridge Outlander North Carolina Season 5 The Fiery Cross

ONC Admins Choice Awards, Season 5 Finale, “Never My Love”

May 16, 2020

Welcome back to the season five ONC Administrators’ Choice Awards!  It’s difficult to believe that season give is now behind us!  As we’ve been doing all season, 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, and hope you have enjoyed it as well! This week’s voting contributors are Dawn Woo, Mitzie Munroe, Nancy Roach, Stephanie Bryant, and Susan Jackson. So, without further ado, the winners for the Outlander season five finale, “Never My Love.”

Dawn: The iconic line from Jamie to Claire – “When the day shall come that we do part, if my last words are not ‘I love you’…you’ll ken it’s that I dinna have time.”

Nancy: I agree with Dawn.

Stephanie: Agree with everyone but add “Kill them all” as a close 2nd.

Mitzie: Agree with my ladies, by far, it’s when we finally got to hear Jamie utter those iconic words of “When the day shall come, that we do part… if my last words are not ‘I love you’ — ye ken it was because I didna have time”. Such a swoon worthy moment.

Susan: I have two–Jamie’s “…because I didna have time,” and when Claire answered Jamie with the single word, “Safe,” at the end. 

Dawn: This was such a ‘visual episode’ and so many great moments that made this episode what it was. I can’t choose just one great moment…it was Roger telling Jamie that he’d stand by his side; the image of Ian shaving his head and putting on the war paint (wasn’t he just stunning?); it was Jamie reaffirming her, ‘there’s just the two of us..you needn’t be cared”; Marsali telling Brown that he’d hurt HER family…..It’s all the moments that show the bonds, faithfulness, and loyalty of family.

Nancy: I loved the moment when Jamie and Claire are intertwined in the nude. Jamie seems to be cradling Claire as she tells him she feels safe. I understand from the script that they edited out a lot of the scene. I would love to see that additional footage.

Stephanie: All of the above, the whole episode actually!! The finale needed to be longer. Did love the show “kept on giving” after it was over,trying to figure out the all Easter Eggs.

Mitzie: I’m with Nancy. Seeing Claire and Jamie nakedly embraced in the end. It was very tastefully done and embodies such a beautiful moment that they were able to share with each after such a traumatic event.

Susan: I wanted to shout when Marsali jabbed that needle into Lionel Brown’s neck–loved it!

Dawn: Hands down….Caitriona Balfe

Nancy: This was Cait’s episode. She deserves an Emmy for her performance.

Stephanie: I can’t disagree.  Cait nailed it! She portrayed Claire in this episode equal parts strong and vulnerable. An Emmy is definitely in her future!

Mitzie: Cait better be penning her acceptance speech because this episode just earned her some serious accolades! Amazing job Caitriona!!!!

Susan: Caitriona was phenomenal in this episode–she deserves awards regardless, but if there was any doubt, there is none now.

Dawn: I think the most surprising moment was the choice for Marsali to be the one to kill Lionel Brown. When she held up that syringe, I was rooting for her to stick it in his neck.

Nancy: The most surprising moment for me was the ‘60’s montage. It was totally unexpected.

Stephanie: Bree/Roger time travel to nowhere was not a big surprise but highly anticipated, as we didn’t know definitely where they turned up. Hoping Roger would be there to help save Claire.

Mitzie: Dawn and I are on the same page with this one. Marsali taking it upon herself to rid themselves of Lionel, with a syringe of water hemlock, into the neck! DANG GIRL! She has just proven without a shadow of a doubt that she will stop at nothing to protect her family and it solidifies how she feels about Claire being very precious to her.

Susan: I’m with Nancy here–when I saw the record player, my first thought was that Bree and Roger really were sent ahead in time, but to the late 60’s/early 70’s. When I realized it was Claire and Jamie’s home, I was blown away.

Dawn: I really liked all of the ‘Easter Eggs’ in this episode….all of the lines and objects used. It was well thought out. I think it goes to show how deep and caring the writers are for DG’s material.

Nancy: I thought the effort the producers and actors made to display the rape scene with sensitivity was great. Reading many positive online comments from actual rape survivors, I think they really achieved their goal.

Stephanie: Marsali killing Lionel Brown. I mean she isn’t even from the future like Claire, where a woman could take a more assertive position to make her own decision, yet she had the courage to kill the old coot! Marsali’s a hero!

Mitzie: I really liked how Claire’s disassociation world was created. So much symbolism that I felt connected to a lot of the major moments from past seasons to the present but was still fully connected to Claire’s current situation. It was a very unique and creative idea and I really liked how it played out.

Susan: Lionel Brown getting his just desserts.

Dawn: I think the whole altered and premature storyline of Roger, Brianna, and Jemmy going back through the stones was just unnecessary. I just felt like it was obvious that they didn’t go anywhere.

Nancy: Like Dawn I found the failed attempt of the MacKenzies to go through the stones irritating. What a waste of time and gemstones!
I hate to admit when I first saw a stiff, creepy, manikin-like Claire in a red dress, staring at the abstract painting of the big house, I wanted to shout at the producers. But after reading posts and comments, listening to the after show producer discussion, and watching it a second time, I changed my mind. I saw that much research was done on the subject of rape to create a sensitive picture of this difficult subject matter. Then I had a good time going back to the scene and hunting for Easter eggs.

Stephanie: I was disappointed that they saved Lionel Brown to bring back in order to try to get information from him. I thought immediately “what information are you talking about Roger”? Then Jamie agreeing, after knowing what transpired. The “kill them all” should’ve included him too. Marsali killing him did make up for it though.

Mitzie: That this was the last episode of the season! BOO!!!! HISS!!!! GRRRR!!!!!

Susan: I feel like the whole Bree/Roger/Jemmy and “going home” was a waste of time that could’ve been devoted to something else.

Well, there you have it–our last ONC Admins Choice Awards for season five of Outlander! *insert Droughtlander tears* So, now that we’ve voted, it’s your turn! Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments who or what gets your votes for the finale episode!

A Breath of Snow And Ashes Fraser's Ridge Outlander North Carolina Season 5 The Fiery Cross

ONC Admins Choice Awards, Season 5, Journeycake

May 9, 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 Tara Heller, Dawn Woo, Mitzie Munroe, Nancy Roach, and Susan Jackson. So, without further ado, the winners for episode 511, Journeycake.

Dawn: Jamie to Brianna—“You have made my life whole.”

Nancy: For me it had to be when Claire said, “I smell like the White Sow.” That wasn’t in the books, so DG did that as an homage to the White Sow. I tweeted a thank you to her. 

Mitzie: Jamie’s final moment’s with the dying girl at the burnt cabin when he said: “Thou goest home this night to thy home of autumn, of spring, and of summer; Thou goest home this night to thy perpetual home, To thine eternal bed, to thine eternal slumber.” OMG, that had me boo hooing big time.

Susan:  I loved what Jamie said to the dying girl, too.

Dawn:  The scene between Brianna and Lizzie and Brianna trying to explain to her that she can’t come with them. “You are brave..one of the bravest I know.”

Nancy: The intimate window scene between Claire and Jamie. (I’m glad to finally see signs of menopause in Claire.)

Mitzie: Watching Jamie light that cross to call the Clan together for Claire. That was a powerful piece of symbolism when it comes to his priorities. 

Susan:  I got chills watching Jamie running to the cross and lighting it afire–such a dramatic ending. Anything for Claire. *sigh*

Tara:  All of them, each cast member did a wonderful job in this episode!

Dawn:  Brianna/Sophie Skelton

Nancy: I really thought everyone was good in this one. A special shout out to the actress who played the burnt girl and Rik Rankin in that scene.

Mitzie: Cait has this one for me. I enjoyed all her facial expressions in this one, plus she delivered some good lines with concordant feelings.

Susan: John Bell stands out in my mind–Ian’s still heartbroken, and John conveys his feelings so well.

Tara: When Bree Roger and Jemmy actually went to the stones. I like others didn’t think They’d actually do it.

Dawn:  The decision to send Brianna, Jem, And Roger through the stones. I wasn’t expecting it so soon.

Nancy: First, Roger, Bree and Jemmy going through the stones. That wasn’t supposed to happen until Bree has Mandy and Mandy has a . heart defect. Second the attack by the Browns at the end.

Mitzie: Claire’s abduction and Bree and Rogers attempt to travel forward are tied for me because I am not ready for either of these events and they both hint to ideas that I don’t want to entertain during Season 5. I don’t want to think that Outlander could possibly ramping up for a final season next year –  I’m just not ready to think about that! 

Susan: Definitely Brown’s attack on the Ridge–I wasn’t expecting that scene to happen this season. (And is that Donner I see behind the lovely Mr. Brown when they come to visit Jamie and ask for his support?!)

Tara:  There wasn’t any really funny moments in this episode but, Claire and Jamie each describing what the other one’s eau du perfume smelled like. 

Dawn:  Jamie describing what he thought germs would look like…with teeth. Then talking about his handsome sperm…with the tails and how they swam so well. 

Nancy: The peanut butter and jelly sandwich scene with Jamie cutting his sandwich with a knife and fork. It was so wonderful that they brought up Claire’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich that Claire carried with her through the stones to Edinburgh since they left it out in Voyager.

Mitzie: Watching Claire as she describes to Jamie what it is he is seeing in the microscope. She just had the best expression on her face the whole time. She had that cat that ate the canary kind of look. I was grinning right alone with her.

Susan:  Jamie eating PB&J w/ a fork!

Tara: DG for her amazing writing for tv and the cast’s execution of the storyline. All the feels!

Dawn:  The whole episode…how it focused on family and relationships in the day to day activities of life….making peanut butter! I think this is a reason we all like the books….we can relate to the family.

Nancy: That DG wrote this script. It really makes a difference. 

Mitzie: I’m going to say the best overall thing was that Diana wrote this episode and it showed in spades! So much fluidity from one scene/storyline to the next and a lot of key parts were covered in this episode too without the individual scenes seeming too drawn out or too short.

Susan: What they said! ^^^

Tara:  The smushing of all the storyline. It makes me wonder what is going to come in the finale episode and Season 6. 

Dawn: The decision to send Roger and Brianna back through the stones. It is a premature event according to the book storyline. We are missing so much of Roger and Bri’s story in the 18th century..and the real reason they went back through the stones.

Nancy: The burned, scalped woman. That was so hard to watch. I hated that they had to smother her to put her out of her misery.

Mitzie: Watching poor Marsali getting round-house punched! And the way she hit the floor, like dead weight, while pregnant! I really don’t like seeing that, even in make believe.

Susan:  Knowing what’s coming for Claire–if they keep it in the story, anyway. But I’m still not caring for Roger and Bree going through the stones right now–if they did, anyway. Too soon.

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 511, Journeycake!

A Breath of Snow And Ashes Ocracoke Outlander North Carolina Season 5 The Fiery Cross

ONC Admins Choice Awards, Season 5, Mercy Shall Follow Me

May 2, 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 Tara Heller, Dawn Woo, Stephanie Bryant, Nancy Roach, and Cameron Hogg. So, without further ado, the winners for episode, Mercy Shall Follow Me are…

Cameron:  Brianna telling Bonnet, “I could never think any less of you.” I do love a good backhanded compliment. 😉

Stephanie: Bonnet talking to Forbes: “I suggest you start to behave more as my lawyer and less as my priest”

Nancy: I have to agree with Cameron on this one. “I could never think any less of you.”

Dawn: Jamie to Bonnet – “Know that whatever happens, the last thing you see on this earth willna be that of a friend.”

Tara:  When Roger beat the snot out of Bonnet and they bound him for Wilmington.

Cameron:  Agreed.  It was good to see Roger take care of things with Bonnet and finally get his part in avenging Brianna’s suffering.  

Stephanie: Seeing Bonnet’s face while slowly drowning!  Priceless!!

Nancy: When Roger beats up Bonnet. When Bree shoots Bonnet in the head.

Dawn: The scene with Jocasta and Forbes…when Ulysses saves Jocasta and then calls her by name and kisses her hand. Hmmmm….a hint of things to come??

Tara: I have to go with Sophie on this one. She really showed different emotions in this episode.

Cameron: As much as I disliked the character, I thought this was a really good episode for Ed Speleers.  Sometimes during his scenes in the past, I got a little too much of a Captain Jack Sparrow knock-off feel from him, but I think he finally settled into Bonnet as a distinct character, and he showed a lot of depth playing his various facets in this episode.  

Nancy: Ed Speleers as Bonnet.

Stephanie: I think Ed Speleers nailed it as Bonnet! As creepy as he was, he was that perfect mixture of charming and sadistic!

Dawn: Ed Speleers (Bonnet), for sure! He made Bonnet só despicable.

Tara:  When the whole Bonnet storyline came to a head. Not sure what they will do with S6 since his storyline was woven throughout the book.

Cameron: The way they presented the whole courtship angle in the time that Bonnet and Brianna were together and how she stalled and played along to try to save herself.  

Stephanie: I guess I was surprised Bree didn’t put up a struggle at all. It was played a different way then is in line with her character. Yet in hindsight, I get it. 

Nancy: Bonnet getting killed. It’s supposed to happen in Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Dawn: I was surprised the Bonnet storyline was ended prematurely.

Tara: Roger holding up Wylie and him acting like a woose! 

Stephanie: I thought it was cute when Roger asked Jamie, during the fight in the shed…. what took you so long, Jamie responded that Roger was doing so well without his help. Apparently not!!

Nancy: I agree with Stephanie on this one

Dawn: Bonnet- “What I need from you is something I can’t buy.” Brianna – “A moral compass?” (Loved that she got her digs in.)

Cameron: I missed that line at first, Dawn, but that is a good one!

Tara: I loved the beach scenes since that is one of my favorite places and Scotland coastline as a stand in for Ocracoke.

Cameron: I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually really liked the ending scene with Roger and Brianna when she shot Bonnet.  Though things happened differently in the book, I thought for the changes that were made, that last exchange still worked.  When Roger asked Bree if that was revenge or mercy, it was an interesting look into what they both were thinking or feeling now that Bonnet is gone. Even after all that happened, I think that it was mercy and revenge that Bree was aiming for (no pun intended). I think she really took to heart the conversation that she and Jamie had last season about forgiveness, but it had to feel good to know that he was finally gone, and she was the one who ended it once and for all.  

Stephanie: I liked that Roger is finally gaining confidence to stand on his own. He’s earning Jamie’s respect. I like the way we are seeing Roger in a new light. Not as a frightened professor but as a 18th century badass, beating the crap out of Bonnet!

Nancy: I like what everyone else has said. I also want to mention two things I liked — I was happy to see Stephen Bonnet go for the plus size prostitute. I was also glad that they finally hinted that there was something romantic going on between Jocasta and Ulysses.

Dawn: When Bonnet has Brianna on Okracoke, and he asks her to teach him to be a gentleman and how to love. The relationship basically turns to that of Mother and Child. She scolds him about his table manners. She reads to him bc he can’t read. He exhibits such childlike behavior responding to her, esp when she “read” Moby Dick And he threw a tantrum about wanting to know how it ends. 

Tara: The Bonnet and the hussey going at it in front of Bree. I could have done without that.

Cameron: Again, I agree here… I get that it was to show his cruelty, but I’m not sure that scene was the only way to do that.  It reminded me of something that they might have done in the BJR storyline, so it wasn’t surprising, but still wasn’t totally necessary in my opinion.  

Stephanie: Yes! Bonnet and the prostitute… I can’t unsee that scene, ugh!

Nancy: I agree. Bonnet having sex with the prostitute in front of Bree.

Dawn: Ugh….The Bonnet And Eppie sex scene. I felt like I needed to Clorox my brain after that.

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 510, Mercy Shall Follow Me!