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Outlander
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Outlander - so why should I watch (Possible spoilers)?
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Franklin, I don't know why you would watch it. I could only get through 1/3 of the audiobook and did worse with the ebook. It's way too romancy for me and I had a really hard time with the main character who was so in love with her husband that she got all hot for a new guy in the past.
Outlander is pretty much an historical drama - it has some action, romance, politics, family life, etc. I'd consider it more like Pillars of the Earth or John Adams, not Spartacus or such. And beyond the time travel that starts it off, there isn't any SF/F stuff except a little occult (palm reading, dreams about the future).So, if you don't like Claire and Jamie and Black Jack Randall and aren't interested in the historical period, then don't bother.
I've never been drawn to the novels so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked and really got into the pilot episode. I look forward to watching the rest of the 1st season. There were a couple of reasons why I decided to watch the pilot episode. 1)The showrunner is Ronald D. Moore. He earned my trust with Battlestar Galactica so I figured I would give his new show a try. 2) Before I watched the pilot episode, I read the AV Club review. They gave it an A and called it "letter perfect historical fantasy." http://www.avclub.com/review/outlande...
Even if it doesn't seem like your cup of tea, give it a try. Watch it simply because it is not the type of show you would normally watch. Explore new things. Challenge yourself.
Michele wrote: "Outlander is pretty much an historical drama..."Sounds like Game of Thrones.
I would classify it as a romance novel. I had a friend loan me the first Outlander book because she knew I liked science fiction/adventure/Scottish history and was a fan of Braveheart and Rob Roy (both the movie and the Sir Walter Scott novel). I was hoping for a good historical adventure, instead, I was disappointed to find out it was just a romance book in Scottish clothing. I didn't care for it - although Gabaldan is a talented writer. It's hard to say if it really qualifies as historical fiction. The "history" seemed mostly just a backdrop for the romance, and the "science fiction" is minimal - it's a device to take the character back in time so she can meet the characters (e.g, think Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court).
The TV show might turn out to be better if it can capture some of the spectacle. Ron Moore does have a talent for storytelling. But I agree with the previous posters that if you don't like romance, don't bother.
It's interesting this book (and the rest of the series) gets constantly labeled as a "romance novel" which to me implies certain things - mostly that the getting together of the couple ends the story, and that if you take out the main romance you have no story.By halfway through Outlander the couple is together, both married and in love, and the rest of the 8 novels are about their adventures. Also, if Claire didn't meet Jamie but was stuck in the past, that wouldn't have ruined this story. So for me - not a romance novel.
Is Shogun a romance novel? Blackthorne spends most of the novel falling for/loving Mariko. Is Lonesome Dove a romance? Gus certainly loves Clara, makes the whole trip just to see her again and all the boys moon over Lorena. Is Dune too romantic? Paul and Chani, Jessica and her Duke, have strong relationships that add to the story. Is The Princess Bride a "kissing book?" It's all about the power of True Love. Of course these all have male authors.
So idk, this isn't what I'd call a romance, though Claire and Jamie's relationship does tie the entire series together. There certainly will be action - fights and duels and torture and a witch trial and prison escapes and at the end, a battle. There will be political machinations galore both in Scotland and France as they attempt to change the events Claire knows about. There is a lot of sex. There is family life and farming and humor. There is lots of stuff, is what I'm getting at, that has nothing really to do with romance - except they do these things together as a strong, in love, couple. And not a silly, goo goo eyes couple, but one that will weather a lot of hardship and keep getting stronger for it.
So, your mileage may vary. The show is starting off pretty slowly and carefully introducing/exploring it's settings. It is gorgeous to look at certainly.
But if you go into it with a preconceived notion that you will get girly cooties, then you probably won't like it aka self fulfilling prophecy.
Michele wrote: "It's interesting this book (and the rest of the series) gets constantly labeled as a "romance novel" which to me implies certain things - mostly that the getting together of the couple ends the sto...But if you go into it with a preconceived notion that you will get girly cooties, then you probably won't like it aka self fulfilling prophecy. "
+1
I couldn't get through the book, or the audiobook, and the first episode was worse. The landscapes are beautiful and the music was nice but that's not enough for me to keep watching. I am not a gooey, "oh Jaime, he's so handsome" kinda gal.
Michele wrote: "It's interesting this book (and the rest of the series) gets constantly labeled as a "romance novel" which to me implies certain things - mostly that the getting together of the couple ends the sto..."Nicely stated. Thanks.
I think one reason this gets labeled as romance is because, and I know I may get slammed for sexist stereotyping here, you almost never hear a man praising it or even admitting he read it. I personally have never heard a man say he's read it but I know close to a dozen women who love the series. I'm not saying that a man couldn't enjoy a romance book or that this is one but the female to male fan ratio does lead some to that conclusion.
I was interested in the show solely on the title and promo images. Since then, I've read tons of reasons as to why people think someone(or, in some cases, specifically, why guys) should read/watch the series. Every one of those I recall have convinced me not to bother. I wish it well so those who choose to enjoy can do so for as long as possible, though.
Phil wrote: "I think one reason this gets labeled as romance is because, and I know I may get slammed for sexist stereotyping here, you almost never hear a man praising it or even admitting he read it. I person..."I read the book and i liked it. I think the biggest problem is that the main character is narrated and played by a female. While talking with some of my friends this was enough for them to categorize Outlander as a series about a romance in 18th century Scotland. My comment that Farscape has a bigger love story than Outlander eventually convinced some of them to give it at least a try. I can't actually wait until the series will be broadcast in Austria and discuss it with my friends.
I bought it when it was an Audible Daily Deal and will give it a go.
I read it and rather liked it. Though I have little interest in the show. Figure I already got the story.
So putting aside the time travel and historical setting this seems to be more a Vaginal Fantasy pick than Sword&Laser pick and I suspect that this just isn't the show for me (not to say it isn't good for those who do like it just not my cup of tea).
Normally I'd just stop watching. However given the amount of enthusiasm there seems to be for it here, I am wondering if there is more to this that would appeal to me than has been revealed or hinted at.
So as a guy who is more into action/adventure/epic/drama type of sci-fi/fantasy than romantic (quite frankly I could drop the romantic subplots in most stories and be happy) - is it worth it for me to keep watching to see if it hooks me.