To kick off our coverage we thought we’d all reminiscence about what we loved about Season 3. We’d like to reiterate for the thousandth time again (to maybe some people that think otherwise) that WE DON’T HATE THIS SHOW. Far from it. Maaaaybe we don’t think it’s realized it’s full potential, but that doesn’t affect our loyalty to it. So let’s all raise a bottle glass (we all know you’re drinking away your Droughtlander sadness right now) and toast our favorite things from Outlander Season 3. Slàinte!
Janna
There are a lot of random details about Season 3 that I loved, but the reunion at the Print Shop was the only moment this season that had me screaming “OH GAWD YES!!!!”. Complete with a big, stupid grin on my face. It was perfection. The brilliant combination of adaption and adherence to the book, it was 100% the Jamie and Claire that I love so much. It had angst and hope and euphoria. Claire’s joyful yet nervous anticipation was palpable. Jamie’s heart-stopping slow-turn-and-stumble, as though convinced he was dreaming, was sublimely acted. It was everything I needed it be. Caitriona and Sam knocked it out of the park. And I don’t hand out praise to the writing/producing/directing team lightly (or often) but well done, folks. Well done. Sláinte to you all.
Runner Up: Beth certainly isn’t the only one to find Jamie and Claire’s sexy-time talk cringe-worthy, but Jamie exploded ovaries everywhere when he told Geneva “Now move with me”. I’d give him a slow clap for that but I’m too busy fanning my titillated self.
Emily L
It’s been a season full of ups and downs for me. Voyager isn’t my favorite Outlander book like it is for so many other fans, but it’s up there (mine is Drums of Autumn, don’t @ me). But it is realllllly important to the story overall since it carries us from Scotland to America, which changes just about EVERYTHING. And the most moving part of this season for me was when they found themselves washed up on the shores of Georgia. It was one of the only moments I teared up all season for the sheer joy of it. A fresh start! We can use our full, real names (as someone pointed out in the comments of the Top Ten this week – that was a HUGE missed opportunity)!
Cait’s chin acting is, as always, on point.
Despite the couple strange quirks – the aforementioned bumble with Jamie’s name, and the awkwardness of that couple and their kid just weirdly walking down the beach toward nothing – I loved this scene. And this was one of the only scenes that was enhanced for me by the executive producer commentary at the end of each episode. I don’t pay attention enough to remember that they panned out as the Bruja pulled away from the shores of Scotland. But I definitely was affected by the panning in across the marshes of what we just learned was America and what that meant for this story. I love that those things were planned and meant something. Unlike the cheesy finish to season two, this worked for me. I’m excited for what’s to come even though I already know.
That being said: don’t ruin Drums of Autumn for me, writers. I’ve already said that Roger is my main man and this is his time to shine.
Runner up favorite moment: While Geillis covered in blood was gross, it was strangely effective and a good use of adaptation. I doubt I would look that good coming out of that bath. #IntoIt
Danelle
Although Outlander hasn’t really lived up to its potential for me this season, we did have some good moments this season, and for me most of them came from secondary characters, rather than Jamie and Claire. David Berry as Lord John Grey has absolutely surpassed my expectations, Gary Young played Yi Tien Cho (Mr. Willoughby) superbly without him being a stereotyped caricature like he was in the books, and they could not have cast anyone better than César Domboy as Fergus. So although I somewhat enjoyed portions of this season with our main characters, they weren’t the focus for me; I truly enjoyed watching everyone they interacted with. My absolute favorite moment came in the finale, when LJG gave Lieutenant Leonard a set down like all of our favorite Regency characters were born to do.
Did I ask you to speak?
Amy
I stopped watching after “A. Malcolm Printer.” I don’t really like this show, and if you do, that’s fine.
HOWEVER, I did love one episode this season and it was episode 304, “Of Lost Things.” Jamie is a Helwater where he gives Geneva a nickle lip—and the best sex scene of the season. Nikki HATED the use of a Bob Dylan cover to wrap up the episode, but I loved it. The song choice hit all the right This Is Us notes for getting me to weep. Lord John’s face…sob.
There are our favorite things from Season 3! What are yours? Catch up on all our Outlander coverage here.
