The Happiest Place on Earth

I nearly didn't watch this one but glad it did. It was lovely. Everything you expect from outlander. Reminiscing about the future, time travel, explosions, heart felt moments and happy families.

Plus we got a hook at the end which makes me want to tune in next week.

If I had to criticise one thing it would be the bit about malva and her brother. I may have to go back and rewatch last season based on this revelation. Without giving any spoilers she was apparently totally misunderstood and was being manipulated into everything she did. I am not sure I buy this based on what I recall of her actions, she seemed to have a thing for Jamie and to hate Claire, even when she was alone. Again maybe I am misremembering as it has been ages since season 6.

What is this, a Brazilian telenovela...? I've watched all of the previous seasons, last ones were not as good as first, second one (as it usually is), but this one is so bad, huge disappointment. I enjoyed watching the previous seasons, but this one is really bad, or at least the first two episodes. I feel like I'm watching a kitschy Brazilian telenovela :-(, too sweet, over-sentimental, too haughty, unsuccessfully forcing an emotions and tears, the dialogues are also characteristic for telenovela, until nausea sets in. The plot is weak, boring, not holding together. I hope that the next episodes will be better.... Fingers crossed.

Great episodes (1 & 2) to start off the season. And the opening theme song this season is the best version since the original. You can't top Sinead O'Connor's unmistakable vocal. It certainly set the tone for the season opener and we listened to it twice before watching the new episode. A great production, as it always has been, of top quality and consistent. The leads are a fantastic fit and are they are making an iconic and indelible mark on the industry. There are but a handful of television series that have been this successful based on an already successful literary series, but here you have it.

I think so far it is the most intense season yet. Emotions, all actors at their zenith (but Sam, Cait, Soph, Rik, John B, & Mark LJ are absolutely next level), writers on point, pacing, directing & cinematography nailed down tight, story hitting book points, number of events and characters packed in each scene, humor, poignance, angst - holy shirt, it's just EPIC. I can't catch everything in just one viewing. Never could, but now, it's like the show is saying "keep up, man, we're not stopping to explain!" Ep2 scene with J & C broke me. I'm swinging between ecstatic & heart-bruised so far in S2.

The performances by everyone were so well acted, I was drawn into the emotional roller coaster as if I had a personal stake in what was happening and the characters were my family. Sam, Caitriona, Sophie, Roger and John have always been superb but their interaction reached such a deep level that I truly felt the emotional pain they were going through. I do not see actors playing a role, I only see the characters. The writing, production values and direction, together with the incredible acting, made the entire episode so memorable. There have been emotional episodes in the past, but none have touched me like this episode. Also, Alex as Allan Christie, up to this point has not had much content to deliver, but man, did he deliver an outstanding performance. There is so much other content in this episode to connect past episodes with events to come to keep us on the edge of our seats. Job well done by all. Absolutely loved it from beginning to end.