But that doesn’t mean that we weren’t 68% more upset about it than Claire was when Joe busted in with the good news. “Claire! You know that personal relationship that’s been completely unfulfilling and is the one obstacle to you holding onto your daughter and therefore your last link to the love of your life? WELL … IT HAS BEEN CONVENIENTLY REMOVED VIA CAR WRECK! Remember, when your parents died in a car wreck too??? OH YOU DON’T? Oh, this isn’t affecting you at all??? Oh, that’s right; you’re mad at him. Well, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Voila! Plot device unlocked.” Normal.
No matter what you feel about Frank’s demise, whether you are ecstatic to be rid of him, or you’ll miss the inherent drama that another viable course of action for both Claire and Bree creates, we can all agree that our favorite show is going to be a little less in our estimation without Tobias Menzies.
We’ve made no secret of being Tobiased around here. And why wouldn’t we? Tobias has made an art out of playing two characters with similar traits and very dissimilar souls in a way that felt organic and effortless and ripped from the pages of the novel. Tobias is the erudite soul of the press junkets*. Tobias is the British tea to all the sloppy Scottish whisky around here. Tobias is in a word, BEST, and we will miss him.
*OMG WHAT IF I NEVER SEE HIM IRL AGAIN BC NO MORE OUTLANDER JUNKETS
So, to give our fave a proper send off that doesn’t sound like we are Frank Apologists, here are some of our favorite scenes from Outlander. Scenes that Tobias brought to new and better heights. Ones that disgusted or intrigued or awed us. Just Tobias, being amazing.
When Black Jack Meets Claire
Like Claire, we have been used to seeing Tobias’ countenance as sweet, docile Frank. The first time we see Jack Randall, however, it’s evident that things have changed in just the tilt of his head and the way he holds his mouth. It was the first glimpse that we had of how Tobias was going to make these two disparate characters come alive in physical space, and it was amazing to see.
When Black Jack Meets Jamie
This scene isn’t fun for viewers or for Jamie, but there is just a sweet little tidbit in this performance that makes us love Tobias. That finger lick. Tobias admitted later that those little “kinky bits” tend to be his own idea. Ah, that’s why we love you.
When He Made His Bargain
The Garrison Commander episode was fraught with imagery that’s hard for most folks to bear. No one doubts that all the principal actors were working their absolute best to bring some truly horrific scenes to life. What they endured physically and emotionally just to film it must have been extraordinary. But then there was Tobias, being a master baddie. His longing looks at Jamie gave us chills.
When He was a total sociopath (again)
Remember that time that Black Jack was almost human and cared about his little brother dying? Remember how you had to watch Tobias’ face go through the entire gamut of human emotion – like every stage of grief in the tick of cheek – and then fall on his newly dead brother and beat the hell out of him? Remember then how he buttoned it up and left the room like a proper soldier? JEEZ.
When Frank was sloppy drunk and sympathetic
We had a lot to say about this scene last night on Hangoutlander. There is so much going on with Frank and Claire here in their sham of a marriage, but there is no sham on Tobias’ skillz.
Jack VS Claire
Again, the Garrison Commander. HOW did Tobias not win every award ever with this episode? This monologue, well-written and superbly acted, is everything.
Tobias, we will miss you. But I don’t think I will miss that asshole. ^^^
