TV: Outlander (2014 - )

Outlander is already out there with four episodes, though I as usual stepped into the show just recently, so I could watch episodes back-to-back. We follow Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) in 1945 who on her 'second honeymoon' with her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) suddenly finds herself back in 1743 by some inexplicable reason, perhaps due to some magic rock, but that's unknown at the moment.

A lot happens of course, and she obviously meets someone dashing Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) who becomes a 'friend'. I can sense you're rolling your eyes, but surprisingly this isn't entirely your typical cliched over-the-top romantic costume drama with a strong female character in the helm.

Okay, maybe a bit, but there's not many of those, especially not catered to women. Outlander is a book series that began in the nineties by Diana Galbaldon, and one I actually came across when I was around twelve. Yes, I'm familiar with the work, and I remember falling in love with the story, besides being a bit shocked by the sex scenes at the time.

It's not perfect, but it's a certainly an enjoyable ride seeing Claire deal with the various other characters who are fighting for dominance. There's a certain battle of wits, but it's all very credible.

I think the future episodes will certainly be fun, and I'm looking forward to the slow burn they will most likely put us through between Claire and the character Jamie. I can't help but love my costume drama's, especially in such an unfamiliar setting to me as Scotland really. The use of scenery certainly helps in setting a tone, and the direction is certainly beautifully done, the opening theme sequence is nicely done.

I love the fact that there are certain scenes in the rural setting where they have 40's music playing in the background, which oddly fits, surprisingly enough. Of course the acting is wonderful, and you enjoy seeing these characters play against each other. There's a certain vibe of Game of Thrones, except not at all, I suppose it's the violence, nudity - that springs to mind, except it picks up certain topics I've yet to hear Game of Thrones really delve into with such fearlessness.