During this time, I've also had the opportunity to view the first four episodes of the TV show, and thought I might throw in a little bonus critique as well:
Summarized, I'm finding the show to be beautifully filmed, elegantly costumed, and superbly acted with great characterizations. The locations are wonderful and the music is enchanting. Now, with all of that said, I have to say that I still think reading the book is better than the show. I believe that there is a rhythm and cadence to Diana's writing that somehow keeps the story more interesting (to me) and moving along, where the show does not.
No harm against Ron Moore who is doing most of the screenplay; I think he's taking great pains to remain faithful to the story. I recognize there are certain creative licenses that have to be done to bring the story to the screen, such as deleted scenes or invented scenes, to keep the emotional tension in place and to assist in telling backstory that would otherwise be too ungainly and long. But I have to say, if I was not invested in the characters from reading the book, I doubt that I would continue watching the series from a straight entertainment perspective. I know that is horrible to say knowing how much effort and professionalism is going in to every episode. No one appears to be doing anything "wrong" or disingenuous within the creative teams, but for some reason, while I believe it is faithful to the book, it just seems to move much slower as a show than in novel form.
Unfortunately, when I am not swept up in the story or characters, I begin to look around at the production values. I'm finding the locations and sets are awesome, but for some reason the dialogue seems a bit muddled and difficult to discern at times. Yes, I know from time to time they are speaking in Gaelic. But many of the low-voiced and whispered conversations seem to be drowned out a bit.
And yes, I am convinced I am a prude. I don't see how the nudity helps in telling the story; it just seems gratuitous and contrived for this genre of mature-themed cable epic. I know much of it (and more) is in the book, but again it doesn't seem to translate naturally to the screen.
Well, there you have it. I know it may be disappointing for many of you to read these remarks, but remember my whole premise here is to provide my perspective on your favorite story. Looking forward to your comments on that little diatribe....
Now on to chapter 16: One Fine Day
The scene in this chapter opens with recuperating from the awkwardness of the sensuality of the previous evening. I mean for me, not Claire and Jamie.
Okay, yes, they are also recuperating. Their tentativeness is well-played out and even-handed. Some interesting tidbits of information and backstory come to light as they begin to now forge the friendship that will become the central pillar of the structure of the ongoing narrative. We find out a little more about Jamie's sister Jenny, and gain insights into the politics and paranoia of the MacKenzie clan.
I did enjoy the little foray into the practice of trout-tickling, and their shared moments, as Jamie recounts some Scottish verse in English, all of which is brought to clarity of summation:
I had time, watching him declaim, to reflect on the oddity of sitting on a rock in a Scottish pool, listening to Gaelic love songs, with a large dead fish in my lap. And the greater oddity that I was enjoying myself very much indeed.Beautifully silly and heartwarming.
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| Jamie was about to find out that some trout are just plain not ticklish... |
I was also glad to see that at least Jamie is keeping the right perspective, even if Claire is not demonstrated as thinking as much of Frank as I would think she should convey:
“It troubles you,” he said, tilting his head to look at me intently. “Not headache, I don’t mean. Frank. You’re thinking of him, and so it troubles you when I touch you, because ye canna hold us both in your mind. Is that it?” “You’re very perceptive,” I said, surprised.This is one area that I think is picked up a little more in the TV show, as we see more of the Frank-left-behind vignettes and how her thoughts are drawn to him. I reiterate, it does not seem to me to be as prevalent in the story, so I'm glad to see Jamie here keeping Claire's focus.
Another roll in the hay (literally)...skim, skim, skim.....
I did like the scene at the inn which showed how Claire is becoming more relaxed with the situation at hand. The bawdy comments and whimsical dancing, culminating in a good-natured gesture on Jamie's part:
Ending up by forethought near the stair, we swirled to a close with his arm about my waist. Here we paused, and he made a short speech, mixed in Gaelic and English, which was received with further applause, particularly when he reached into his sporran and tossed a small wash-leather bag to the landlord, instructing that worthy to serve whisky so long as it lasted. I recognized it as his share of the wagers from his fight at Tunnaig. Likely all the money he had in the world; I thought it could not have been better spent.As they make it up to their room, Jamie surmises his thoughts about things Claire: from her hair to whether or not she is a spy, and why certain things must be or not be so. Finally exasperated, he resignedly confesses:
“Damned if I know, Sassenach. Damned if I know. There isna any reason able explanation I can think of for you. You might be one of the Wee Folk, for all I know”—he peeked sideways from under his arm—“no, I suppose not. You’re too big.”Closer than he knows, at least for now.
