Anonymous wrote:The second half of the season will be action-packed for sure, but remember: they don't get to Culloden in the first book, that happens at the end of the second book, after they go to France.
Regarding DG and her kinks: I TOTALLY agree. I think a lot of the violence in the book makes sense within the context of the time, but I also think DG *likes* it and finds it a turn-out. Thus, she wants this hot, heavy relationship between Claire and the gorgeous Scot, but then she wants a reason for him to have to spank her (because DG is into that), so she engineers Claire's escape, without having properly demonstrated Claire's great desire to get back to Frank (because DG is so into Jamie herself). I think DG has woven a great yarn, and created some great characters, but I think she gets caught up in her own little fantasies at times. The show is approaching this from a much more objective viewpoint, and creating a better story because of it, IMO.
Ah - I'm the pp who thought Culloden was in book 1 (and mentioned Diana's kinks) - I totally forgot it was in book 2. Am very relieved to be reminded.
You summarized my thoughts very well. The books are so overwritten and I think the show is doing a great job of restraining the narrative.
I listened to the interview where Diana said she thought Sam was "grotesque" based on his IMDB photos. She obviously doesn't think that anymore and he took her comment in stride. She is just a bit awkward - obviously very cerebral, but maybe lacking some social skills.
I listened to a second interview where the interviewer commented on how much sex was in the books. I actually liked Diana's comment - to paraphrase she essentially said that the series isn't a romance, it's the portrait of a marriage over decades and that Jamie/Claire are passionate people with a passionate sex life. She was quite matter of fact about it and didn't come off as creepy.