well, I have read the books about 15 years ago and prior to watching the first season of this I re-read the first book again. Let me first say they didn't do terrible with the TV show, but I also think they didn't do really good. I do have a problem with some details, like, why is Jamie clean shaven most of the time, even when they are out in the wild for days?
And as for this episode in particular, I really have trouble seeing the chosen actor playing Dougal McKenzie. Sorry, but the books clearly stated a rather dark man, especially described with "long russet hair". In this episode we have this scene where Dougal, himself rather drunk, first rescues Claire from other drunken Highlanders trying to assault her. Then Dougal himself makes an attempt on Claire, and in the book this scene is very intense because he lets go of her and tells her she should run off before she has to pay a higher price. This scene was intense in the books because it left the tension of both characters until Claire left the scene, and it showed that Dougal could have done something he decided he wouldn't do, and it in the book it showed Claire that she indeed is at the very mercy of these men.
So why on earth did the writers of the TV show decide to change that scene in yet another unrealistic superhero-scene for Claire, when, unnecessarily, she takes up some wooden stool and beats someone like Dougal McKenzie unconscious? What was that about? Why? It left him look like an idiot. A tall Highlander, experienced in close combat in any situation, and because he is a little drunk he easily gets beaten over the head by a small, petite woman? No way.
It's the same by the way with the actor who plays Murtagh. Good actor, no question, but absolutely not the Murtagh described in the books. The book character is rather old, small, slim and wiry, not a rather tall, strong, goodlooking guy like the actor they chose. Why?
So,sorry, but I just can't get my head around why they picked a bald actor for playing Dougal and, quite often in the TV show now, why they changed certain scenes unnecessarily like here.
And as for this episode in particular, I really have trouble seeing the chosen actor playing Dougal McKenzie. Sorry, but the books clearly stated a rather dark man, especially described with "long russet hair". In this episode we have this scene where Dougal, himself rather drunk, first rescues Claire from other drunken Highlanders trying to assault her. Then Dougal himself makes an attempt on Claire, and in the book this scene is very intense because he lets go of her and tells her she should run off before she has to pay a higher price. This scene was intense in the books because it left the tension of both characters until Claire left the scene, and it showed that Dougal could have done something he decided he wouldn't do, and it in the book it showed Claire that she indeed is at the very mercy of these men.
So why on earth did the writers of the TV show decide to change that scene in yet another unrealistic superhero-scene for Claire, when, unnecessarily, she takes up some wooden stool and beats someone like Dougal McKenzie unconscious? What was that about? Why? It left him look like an idiot. A tall Highlander, experienced in close combat in any situation, and because he is a little drunk he easily gets beaten over the head by a small, petite woman? No way.
It's the same by the way with the actor who plays Murtagh. Good actor, no question, but absolutely not the Murtagh described in the books. The book character is rather old, small, slim and wiry, not a rather tall, strong, goodlooking guy like the actor they chose. Why?
So,sorry, but I just can't get my head around why they picked a bald actor for playing Dougal and, quite often in the TV show now, why they changed certain scenes unnecessarily like here.