The Fraser Clan Complete.

Hey all! Thaks for joining me in this post, and to welcome the newest cast members into the fold. Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield Mackenzie and Sophie Skelton as Brianna Randall Fraser. Welcome aboard, you two, and congratulations on gaining the parts to two extreme favorites among Outlander fans.

I know if you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to see these two in action. And I took the liberty of making a meme like the Game of Thrones Ned Stark Winter is Coming for Outlander. Because it was about time, right?

 

 

 

Until then, February is coming up and there’s always The Walking Dead. If you’re into Zombie killing action and dramatic story lines. Oh, and I hear the bad guy coming up on that show is Brutal (notice the capital B). Meet Negan. Negan fucking says, “Hello.”

Anyway, getting back to the discussion about Brianna and Roger, I took the time to ask a question on a new Facebook Group Sophie Skelton Sophisticats. This is a great group run by a dear friend Mandi Tucker. She is a wonderful artist, and has been a huge supporter of the Kiltlander blog since it’s inception. Many of the Videos she creates are wonderful, and well worth watching. In fact, she’s the one who made me go into the video making thing myself. Look at her channel on you tube, and subscribe. You’ll be glad you did. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjA14qNNKA7ZKP4V-tmfo_Q

I asked the question, “What are your favorite Roger and Bree moments from the books?” And I got a lot of wonderful responses.

*************SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***********

I put that there, for this one, because some of my readers have complained in the past that I have a lot of spoilers about future events in my recaps, and though it doesn’t bother me at all when I read them, it does bother others, so I am taking it into consideration for this season.

On to the answers to that question.

For me, I had a love/hate relationship with Bree early on. Roger, I loved from the start. What’s not to like about a handsome bookish history nerd, right? And he can sing too. I know this is sacrelidge but sometimes I like him better than Jamie Fraser. I know, put down the knives and pitchforks. I only said some times. He has a passion for creativity, art, and can forgive even the greatest evils done against him. Even when he was hanged by his so many great grandfather, he gets along with the man later on in MOBY. Hell, he got beaten up by Jamie and Ian and was sold to the Indians, and yet he still loves and honors Jamie. He even saved his life one time, when Jamie was bitten by a snake and was dying. Dude’s got major props, I’ll give him that. He also makes a damn fine preacher. So Roger is tops in my book, from the beginning. What’s not to love.

Bree on the other hand, took some getting used to. When she was introduced in Dragonfly, I simply accepted her existence as I do a wayward cat. Sure I’ll give you attention, but if you’re not mine, I’m not taking you home. In Voyager, she still didn’t grab me, because she seemed like an accessory to Claire’s story. And once Claire was back in the past, she wasn’t needed any more. In Drums of Autumn she started to grow on me, simply because she was then part of the action. She was a little idiotic and hot headed but she eventually made a few correct choices. I really got upset for her with the Stephen Bonnet part, and that’s all I have to say about that.

But the part that gets me is in a Breath of Snow and Ashes. It’s a short chapter, an interlude, perhaps. It’s called MICKEY.  She is watching the kids play with Jamie and Roger in a tree. There are fire flies around, and she is reminded of the time when Frank and Claire took her to Disneyland. It’s all mostly description, and it’s written so well, that your mind can picture every detail. That is one scene I hope stays in the series, if it ever gets that far. Hell, I’m praying for season three.

Others of you came up with quite a few answers, and I have to thank Nansi Jarvis for a vast amount of contributions. She reminded me of so many scenes I had forgotten, and the rich language written by Diana Gabaldon. Some of the other answers I got were the following.

Nansi Jarvis: Dragonfly: Roger, about Brianna: “The girl that stood on the hearthrug, hissing and spitting in defense of her paternity, flamed with the wild strength that had brought the Highland warriors down on their enemies like banshees. Her long, straight nose lengthened still further by shadows, eyes slitted like a snarling cat’s, she was the image of her father-and her father was patently not the dark, quiet scholar whose photo adorned the jacket of the book on the table.”

Kimberly Rose: “When Bree meets Jamie for the first time and he says “You’re HUGE!”. She proves her parentage by becoming angry and offended QUICK!”

Anne F: “My first read through of the series: the only Brianna moments I liked were when she left a place. I really didn’t like her AT ALL. But the nest few times I read through, I guess I got used to her, maybe she even grew on me? Anyway, my fav Brianna moment(s) are when she’s using logic to figure out her children’s time traveling capabilities.”

Nansi Jarvis: Fiery Cross: “It is so, then, that you know all the songs of the Highlands and the Isles?”
“Not all,” said Roger, smiling. “But many—and I will learn more.”
“Do that,” said MacLeod, nodding slowly. “Do that, Singer—and teach them to your sons.” His eye lighted on Brianna, and a faint smile curled on his lips. “Let them sing to my sons, that they will know the place they came from—though they will never see it.”

After having been reminded of a lot of these scenes, I may have to go back and read the books again. There were many other answers, but the ones that stood out for me are the ones where the two of them bond, and that’s one of the things I look forward to in the future of the series.

Also, I want to talk about something that happens every time a new cast member is announced. The Book Purists come out from hiding. And please don’t get me wrong, I’m not denigrating the folks who are in this aspect of the fan base. In some cases I’m a BP. just not on casting.

The BPs came out with the usual concerns that are typical for other members of the cast.
“She isn’t tall enough!” They cry. “She doesn’t have the right color eyes!” They lament. “Her hair color is all off!” and “Where’s her angular nose. She doesn’t look like Jamie!”

To which I say, “So what?” The girl can act. That’s what actors do, they become the part you love from the book. The casting directors and producers from the show have shown they know what they’re doing and I trust them. All you Bps out there need to do the same. Also, please don’t attack Herself on the casting of the show. She has NO SAY WHATSOEVER in who plays what part. Sure, she has some say in how the show is written, and she has made some decisions and influenced story lines of the first season, but as to who plays what? No. Not a say at all. And you know what? She’s been happy. And if Herself is happy with the casting of her masterpiece, who am I or anyone else to say anything. Just watch the show and enjoy.

So that’s it, this will probably be my last blog post until the start of the season, barring one that will be Walking Dead Season Six Finale thoughts. Because I love the villain they are bringing in. Negan and Lucille are probably the greatest fictional villains created since Iago, Darth Vader, and the Joker. So, thanks for joining me today, and let us all pray that April gets here fast. Try to stay warm this winter folks.

Peace!

Oh, and here’s some Jamie and Claire preview pics from season 2. You’re welcome.

The costumes for this season look amazing!