San Diego, Calif. – July 21, 2017
There was already magic in the air at the “OUTLANDER” panel at San Diego Comic-Con as the cast and creatives of the STARZ hit series returned for their first appearance in two years. The expected screams were heard as our favorite cast members were introduced by moderator actress and dancer, Jenna Dewan Tatum. Ronald D. Moore (executive producer), Maril Davis (executive producer), Diana Gabaldon (author), Tobias Menzies (Black Jack Randall/Frank Randall), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall), Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield), and everyone’s favorite time-traveling couple, Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser) and Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), brought an excitement and electricity to Comic-Con that was palpable. But things really got off the hook when Moore announced a surprise screening of Episode 301: “The Battle Joined” and suddenly the roof blew off of Ballroom 20!
The episode, written by Moore and directed by Brendan Maher, was just the remedy fans needed to cure the woes of Droughtlander. The opening title sequence and Outlander theme music was enough to have fans reaching for their tissues.
The third season of “OUTLANDER” picks up right after Claire (Caitriona Balfe) travels through the stones to return to her life in 1948. Now pregnant with Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) child, she struggles with the fallout of her sudden reappearance and its effect on her marriage to her first husband, Frank (Tobias Menzies). Meanwhile, in the 18th century, Jamie suffers from the aftermath of his doomed last stand at the historic battle of Culloden, as well as the loss of Claire.
Both Heughan and Balfe shine in an episode that does not feature them how we like them: together – save for one dream sequence. Very few lines are spoken by Heughan yet the emotional intensity conveyed on his face tells the whole story. At death’s door, Jamie is feeling the pain of having lost the Battle of Culloden and the love of his life at the same time. This is a man who wishes for it all to be over and our hearts break for him. Balfe’s multi-layered nuances as Claire allow us to feel the struggle of a woman who yearns for another life, while having to accept and learn to live with another. Balfe’s scenes with Menzies (Frank) are both passionate and poignant. We feel pain and sadness for both characters. Extra kudos to Menzies for brilliantly portraying Frank in such a way that makes us forget he was ever Black Jack Randall. It’s only the beginning but we can already see the award-winning potential in this cast.
Poignant performances by both Balfe and Menzies in Episode one of Outlander’s Season 3 debut.
As the years pass, Jamie and Claire will attempt to make a life apart from one another, each haunted by the memory of their lost love. The budding possibility that Claire can return to Jamie in the past breathes new hope into Claire’s heart… as well as new doubt. Separated by continents and centuries, Claire and Jamie must find their way back to each other. As always, adversity, mystery, and adventure await them on the path to reunion. And the question remains: When they find each other, will they be the same people who parted at the standing stones all those years ago? These and other questions will all be answered in the much-anticipated season 3 of Outlander.
Looking forward to performances by Richard Rankin (Roger) and Sophie Skelton (Brianna)
Diana Gabaldon’s eight-book Outlander series has sold more than 28 million copies worldwide and all the books have graced the New York Times best-sellers list. The “Outlander” series spans the genres of history, science fiction, romance and adventure in one amazing tale. The second season of “Outlander” won the Critics’ Choice Award for Most Bingeworthy Show, and four People’s Choice Awards, including Favorite TV Show.
WATCH the FULL Outlander Comic-Con panel followed by FAN REACTION of the episode here:
“Outlander” Season Three will premiere on Sunday, September 10th at 8pm ET/PT on STARZ.
Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis, Matthew B. Roberts, Toni Graphia, Anne Kenney, Andy Harries, MarigoKehoe and Jim Kohlberg serve as executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.
The Anglophile Channel 