It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Pocket Jamie Christmas

MOP Interviews the Cast of Outlander at the Ziegfeld!

As I'm sure many of you know, many heavy hitters from the cast of Starz' Outlander series were at the Zeigfeld theatre in NYC on Wednesday night for the show's mid season premiere. And as you may *not* know, Tracey and I were lucky enough to be on the red carpet! (Thank you, Starz!)

My amazing, Outlander-loving
friends who put up with my
MOP rambling on a daily basis

The event started out with my Outlander friends and I meeting up with Tracey, her Outlander mentor, Emily, and Third Sister Jill at Randolph's in the Warwick Hotel.  We were lucky enough to snag a table near the window, so we could frontload have some refreshments, watch the festivities out the window, and giggle like 7th graders.

Tracey, Third Sister Jill, Carol & PJ

After some much needed libations, Tracey and I headed over to the press tent, where we were treated like rock stars by the staff over at Starz.  We had never done a press event like this before and felt really welcomed by everyone we dealt with.

We then spent the next 2.5 hours in our little spot in the press area, waiting for the stars of Outlander and kabitzing with our fellow bloggers/journalists. (We have to send a shout out to Beth from That's Normal for being fabulous and giving us some pointers on what to expect on the red carpet.)

First, we were treated to a conversation with the seriously stunning Lotte Verbeek (TALK about cat eyes!) about the psycho-licious Geillis Duncan.  And as cookoo as Geillis is on the written page and on your tv set, that's how absolutely lovely Lotte is in person.  Not only was she gracious and answered our questions, but she actually asked to have her picture taken with Pocket Jamie.  You have no idea how that made our day.  Can't say enough about this fantastic actress.  (I only wish I'd told her how amazing she was in The Fault in Our Stars):

 

Was I right?  Lotte Verbeek is a doll.  And an old Hollywood-style star.  I absolutely adore her.

NEXT we were treated to the dynamic duo of Graham McTavish and Gary Lewis. These two were quite a hilarious tag team...and a ton of fun to meet.  We discussed sibling rivalry...among other things!



TELL me you wouldn't want to hang out with these two?  Forget the castle, they are seriously down to earth fellows...and EXUDE Scottishness from their pores.  We were in awe.

NEXT - after I saw him coming and had to regain my composure - we spoke with Tobias Menzies about how much time he spends with Sam off screen during filming, as well as the possibility of plans to bring The Fever to New York.



I had to bite my tongue to stop from fangirling when Blake from OutlanderCast asked about Tobias' role as Brutus in Rome.  My sincere apologies go out to Blake because I know I jumped his train when I spit out, "he was conflicted!" as he was telling Tobias how much he loathed Brutus.  LOL I can't stand when people steal others' celeb moments, but Tobias Menzies brings out the feisty in me.

NEXT we all gasped when Caitriona Balfe came along.  As beautiful as she is on the show, you canna imagine how pretty she is in person.  And I think it has to do with her friendly personality.  She's so easy going and fun to talk to - like hanging with your BFF at the mall - and quite hilarious.  We had a lot of laughs while discussing the three P's: Her version of Purgatory, Pranks on set (or lack thereof!), and who else? Pocket Jamie!



What did I tell you?  The woman is positively adorable.  I have never felt more comfortable around an actor.  She is seriously the real deal.

LAST but as far from least as one could possibly get, we spoke with Sam Heughan.  Sam was so gracious and answered all our questions about his own version of Pocket Jamie, Purgatory, and how Jamie Fraser would feel about the modern day world (those of you who come to chat know how I obsess over that concept; I had to know how he felt about it, too!)


Squee, right?  I mean, seriously.  How do you follow that up?  What in the world do you say after having a conversation with this man?  He's beyond description.  "Nice" is just not going to cut it, although that's what he is.  A very sweet person who doesn't put on airs or give off any feelings of pretense.  Oh and an amazing actor.  So yeah...he's got that going for him, too.  :)

Soooo....after the red carpet, Tracey and I were seated in the theater while the show was already well in progress.  I'll give you a hint as to where it was; "You're tearing my GUTS out, Claire!"  I was in stare-at-the-screen mode instantly.  The episode was fantastic, as all are...and our feelings were thoroughly discussed in our recap video which you can watch here.

The cast of Outlander at the Ziegfeld Theater on April 1, 2015

The Q/A with the cast was quick...but fun, as they had another showing and were running very

behind schedule (undoubtedly because the actors were so sweet about not rushing us and answering all of our questions!)

I would be lying if I said I wasn't already dreaming about the Episode 1 premiere of season 2...and if we'll get an invite to that premiere, as well.  Whistle, whistle...looks at the sky...

Hope you've enjoyed our red carpet recap!  And stay tuned for more interesting conversations with some other Outlander folks who gave us some pretty important info about what's to come!

Lotte Verbeek and Pocket Jamie!

Lunch: $40
New dress: $100
The STUNNING Lotte Verbeek asking us for a pic with The Original Pocket Jamie?

PRICELESS!!!!

Carol and Tracey's Excellent Adventure

OK so I'm going through photos for Christmas cards (late, party of 1?) and reminiscing a LOT today.  HOW much fun was this?!  I can't wait until the next Outlander outing so we can hang with all you awesome Outlander peeps again.  And Sam.  Definitely Sam.  :)

Why "Part 2 Jamie" Will Be Straight-Up Badass

I have had an epiphany.  It's about Jamie Fraser's character in Outlander on Starz, and the major game change that's taking place right in front of our very eyes.

Up until now, I haven't quite been able to explain how I feel about Jamie's character in the show.  I watch every week, unintentionally comparing the "show to the book" (and being beyond pleased while doing so)...and reveling in the story add-ons that have been such a refreshingly perfect fit thus far.  I have felt like "TV Jamie" (brilliantly portrayed by the talented and swoonrific Sam Heughan) is beautifully written...but has seemed slightly different than his character in the book series (by literary wonder, Diana Gabaldon.)  Perhaps he seems somewhat timid...while coming off like the clan's little brother, instead of the true Highland warrior I've had the pleasure of getting to know over the years.

Any slight bewilderment I had was made perfectly clear once I saw the trailer for the upcoming 2nd half of the season, slated to air in April of 2015.  I had this "a-ha" moment, realizing that we are witnessing the EVOLUTION of Jamie Fraser, and he will be channeling his inner badass in part 2.

Allow me to elaborate.

First, we saw Jamie as a wounded young man.  A fine specimen, mind...but a fellow much younger and less seasoned than his rough-and-tumble clansmen:

Shoulder pain?  What shoulder pain?

Next, we saw a cute and flirty Jamie, impressing Claire with his vast knowledge of horses...

She wants me.  I know she wants me.

And yes, we did catch a glimpse of a stronger, wiser Jamie during his brilliant, thinking-on-his-toes pledge during The Gathering.

Let's get this over with, aye?

But then he was right back to being vulnerable on the wedding night.

Awkward, party of 2?

Now pay attention, y'all.  This is where the tide started to turn...and my epiphany started to take shape.  Claire got attacked...and something changed inside of Jamie.  He felt like he didn't protect her...

Shite!  I dinna ken what to do! 

...and he got mad.  Really, really mad. 

I'll no be fooled again.

And he wasn't going to take it anymore, especially when Claire was attacked, yet again.

Go ahead.  Make...my...day. 

And NOW look at him in the new trailer!!  He's like a deranged animal...in a cage that's been left well unlocked.

Kill...kill...kill...

And THAT, lads and lassies, is a realization that has me giddy with Outlander Part Deux glee.  Jamie is a changed man!  Now that he's a husband (and needs no guidance in the bedroom), he's no pushover ...and he's not going to be anyone's sap anymore!  I never really saw the change taking place while reading the books (much like you don't notice your children growing on a daily basis)...but Ron Moore is so ridiculously insightful, I have no choice but to ponder it now.

I am now so torked up for the second half of the season, I dinna ken what tae DO w'myself!  (Whoa - slipped into a bi' of Pocket Jamie for a minute there.)  

In the words of Oscar Wilde, "the suspense is terrible..."

...but I'm no sure I want it to last!!  Come on, April 4th!!

Flocks of a Feather

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you've read Chapter 60 in A Breath of Snow and Ashes. 

I canna believe how much I've come to love Bobby Higgins. That letter from John Grey killed me.  It was verra sweet of John to go to bat for Bobby like that. "Well, Jamie, please talk Lizzie's dad into letting her marry Bobby. And if that falls through, give it a shot for Malva with Tom Christie".  And what then? Who is low enough in the totem pole for poor Bobby?! And he is better than all of this! And isn't he sweet, putting on his Sunday best to speak with Jamie and Mr. Wemyss? And then what happens?! SHOT DOWN!!! With a slight little "I'll think about it but most probably not."

OK so let's back up a little bit. Flora MacDonald. Don't think I like her. A little too important to be captured for my taste. And WHAT was with the odd look she gave Claire when she first met her at River Run? Maybe that wasna the first time she met her. Or maybe she'd heard stories. Or maybe she's got a sick crush on Jamie even though he's like a million years younger than her. Kindof like Rob Pattinson is a million years younger than me. Yeah. Let's let that one go for now.

I. LOVE. DONNER!  Why on earth did Bree and Claire just sit there and let them haul his arse off to jail? Yeah yeah - he escaped - and now we don't know where he is. But still! They just SAT there. They go to bat for everyone and everything - but for him, they just sit there. I get it - he ran around with the band of thugs who kidnapped Claire. But he was trying to help Claire. True, he's a wimpy little shite who watched a heap of walking filth just go around killing people at random - but again - I think he did enough to try to help Claire that they should have at least spoken up for him, even though it probably wouldna have done any good. And he's from the future. They canna just let him die without pumping every last bit of info out of him that they can (which I believe they were trying to do until Claire dragged poor Jamie's ass into the brothel where we heard even more stories of his good deeds.) And if nothing else, Donner actually uses terms like "gnarly". I'd keep him around for the conversation alone.

Tar and feathers - awesome. Jamie at his finest - and it just showed me that Jamie is going to be verra influential and so sitting down to a meeting with John Adams in about 30 seconds. I'll bet Abigail is brewing the acorn tea for the Fraser womenfolk as I type. And Hel-LO - when Ian and Fergus came to his side (sighhhhh Fergussss... that man is so sexy it's shameful) and did their little hop-up number to pull down the mattress? Priceless. Absolutely priceless.

OK that's it for now, lest I make you yawn with all my chatter. I'll leave you with this thought:

If those Ridgers don't leave poor Roger's preaching/singing/sweating alone  - I'm going to grab that snake out of Jamie's shirt - no, make that Claire's pocket - and whack them over the head with it. Although, might I say that when that snake came up under Jamie's chin,  under his shirt, I truly almost coughed up a lung from laughing so hard. Seriously.