For me, I’ve known for years that I loved Outlander, and specifically Jamie Fraser. And I’ve known for a few months that I wanted to know more about Sam Heughan. But Sam’s first official public appearance just sealed the fangirl deal.
10 Ways I Know Outlander Sam Heughan is my new Fandom Obsession
1. I broke down this photo via text while sitting in church.
It went something like this: My dad’s preaching right now, but let me break down this pic for a minute, ok? Heavy belt? Check. Perfect fit (not too skinny, not too loose) jeans? Check. Soft, probably Downy-fresh-smelling, white undershirt? Check. Open but somewhat surly expression? Check. And tousled PERFECTLY JAMMF RED hair? Check. NECK. ARMS. FIST. CHEST. He’s all MAN, and RAWR and GAH, that belt is the best. Hokay. Back to my Bible app.
2. I watched the Scottish BAFTAs.
The what? THE SCOTTISH BAFTAs. For hours. After lunch on Sunday, I suddenly looked down at my macbook and realized I had 4 tabs open to a live stream from Scotland for an awards show I didn’t know existed when I woke up that morning. There are more than just the regular BAFTAs? Apparently. Are all these nominees Scottish, from Scottish shows and films? Yep. Do I know anyone nominated other than Kelly MacDonald and Sharon Rooney? Nope. Why am I watching this again? BECAUSE SAM HEUGHAN MIGHT BE ON YOUR SCREEN LIVE FOR 30 SECONDS. Oh, that’s why.
3. I totally understand these girls.
So, since being named Jamie Fraser, Sam Heughan has been understandably pretty out of the public eye. And by public eye, I mean the googlable eye of the Heughligans … because lezzzzbe honest. He can walk around LA, NY, Glasgow, London, anywhere he wants and still live his life … for now. But he’s still having to be careful. He’s at the stage where he can’t tweet a location because Heughligans will be showing up en masse. Like yesterday for example. Couple of cuties (@loveclarefraser) ended up at the same rugby match that Sam and others were at, and got some pics with him. AND I WAS TOTALLY INTO IT. Get your five minutes, girls. I’ll be over here in Memphis seething with all the envies. You can tell it’s still early days of fandom when you can run into someone like that. Enjoy it, ladies. Won’t last long. Sidenote: nice death grip on that forearm. How hard was it exactly?
4. I went into Fangirl Sleuth Mode.
If you’ve never gone Defcon-5 for a public appearance or event, you’ve never been a fangirl. This threat level requires Getty image, google-stalking, audience-panning, hashtag-tracking, screen-capping super-stealth Sherlock Holmes type investigation. Every possible hair swoop, every jaw flash in every picture or audience sweep … I was ON IT. Of course, I’m pretty sure Sam was backstage the whole time, so it was all for naught. But I did it. I regret nothing.
5. I realized that kilts actually kind of totally do it for me.
I’ll admit: I’ve been skeptical about the whole kilt thing. I know, you can take away my Outlander fan card for deigning to utter such sacrilege. But Rump Day and Kilt Shows leave me side-eyeing the entire tartan obsession. I was fearing sporrans and weird shirts and nautical buttons, but instead WE GOT THIS AWESOME. Sexy boots, perfect open collar, sleek waistcoat, kind of strange stance and POCKETS. Like, I’m not sure it could possibly get better in terms of “first kilt sighting.” God bless whoever knew it was paramount that this kilt look modern … *ahem* @outlandercostum I know it was you!
6. I watched this video clip more than I care to admit.
It is perfectly #normal fangirl behavior to watch and re-watch public appearances. We do this for a lot of reasons, but mostly it’s an obsessive need to see the character in the regular guy doing something totally out of character. Like I’m fully aware JAMMF would never present an acting award, but I’m still looking for his smile, his stance, his smoulder. (GOD, I’m into alliteration). (click here for clip)
7. This gif photoset makes me inordinately happy.
Like smiles for days, you guys. And I feel a pressing need to relate each one to something JAMMF. source
This Laoghaire looking chick is so boring, but I’m too honorable to roll my eyes at her.
She can’t even handle looking at the angle of my jaw. It’s too mighty.
That was nice. Attention back on me. As it should be.
Feel my JAMMF man-grip. FEEL IT.
Here you are, little man, sorry to totally upstage you with my impressive height and presence.
Yes, you won something. But I have just licked my lips. BOOM.
8. I wanted to scream at this interviewer for pronouncing his name wrong.
But really, I was just screaming because YAY FIRST ON CAMERA INTERVIEW ABOUT OUTLANDER I WANT TO DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS LOOK AT YOUR STUPID HAPPY FACE AHHH!
source: Daily Record UK
Breakdown: He looks SO SUPER DUPER proud when he says, “I’m playing Jamie Fraser.” You guys, my heart. He loves it. That slight little knowing eyebrow raise. EEEEPPP. This video has all kinds of awesomeness in it. It’s a must watch.
9. This will never fail to make me laugh.
I had a little twitter convo last night with @rogerwakefield and we both agreed that Sam’s adorable “good evening” or whatever the hell he was saying in Gaelic was the cutest and dorkiest thing we’ve ever seen. He’s so proud of himself and like two people knew what he said. HAHAHAHAHAAA. She made this gif and I have never loved anything more.
10. I wrote this post.
And I’m totally not ashamed.
Thank you, Scottish BAFTAs, despite the fact that you were totally blindsided by the *ahem* fervor of the Outlander fans last night, you made a PERFECT call by inviting Sam to present. Just remember all the hits your livestream got last night when it comes time for next year’s nominations.
