Tag: Outlander episode 512

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Anatomy Lesson – Outlander Trauma-Drama, Part I

Greetings Outlander anatomy students!

I have not posted a lesson or fun fact since September of last year!  Time to get back into the dissection room. 🤓

I plan to post several lessons in succession, all dealing with trauma-drama on Outlander! And, as we all ken, there is plenty of this to go around.

Let’s get started with a couple of definitions. 

As many of you know, the term anatomy comes from the Greek ana– (up) + temnein (to cut). Taken literally, anatomy means to cut away or to reveal. 

Today’s Anatomy Lesson will reveal topics belonging to the science of pathology: Greek meaning pathos (suffering) + ology (to know). Interestingly, pathology is literally the study of abnormal anatomy so we are well within our lane! 

Although this topic is not light-hearted, it is an important one which may prove useful to you and yours.

Pathologists have meticulously developed a logical, useful, and understandable schema to classify the types of trauma which injure body cells, tissue, and organs. Major categories are mechanical trauma, thermal injury, alcohol, infectious agents, and so on. 

Today lesson will focus only on mechanical trauma, of which there are seven types:

    • Contusion
    • Abrasion
    • Laceration
    • Incision
    • Avulsion
    • Projectile injury
    • Puncture wound

Whew, that is quite a laundry list! Call it a miracle that any of us survive to adulthood. 🙏🏻

Diana’s Outlander books plus the Starz Outlander series are rife with excellent examples of varied and sundry mechanical trauma-drama so it is time for Jamie.com to hop atop the dissection table. Up you go! 

As we explore Mechanical trauma, bear in mind this type of injury produces two types wounds: 

    • closed wounds – the skin is intact
    • open wounds – skin is scraped, torn, cut, or punctured 

You will see these terms appear in the lesson.

Almost every Outlander episode contains one or more of the seven types of mechanical trauma, so let’s go find some!

Contusion: The contusion is closed trauma  so the skin remains intact. Caused by blunt force, blood vessels are ruptured and blood seeps into surrounding tissues forming a hematoma (Greek, meaning blood tumor).

Known as a bruise in laymen’s terms, the appearance of a contusion is due to extravasated blood in the tissues. Press on a skin contusion and it does not blanch under pressure. Interestingly, hematomata (pl.) also occur in internal organs such as brain and liver.

Claire provides a heart wrenching example of contusion after she is kicked and bludgeoned by Lionel Brown and his band of hairy men! In the final scene of Outlander episode 512, Never My Love, her contusions caused by blunt force trauma are on full display! 

Chapter 28 of Diana’s sixth big book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, describes the carnage in shocking detail; the blows were administered by thief-taker, Harley Boble:

“He was standing. He was kicking me and cursing, panting and half-sobbing as his boot thudded into sides and back and thighs and buttocks. I panted in short gasps, trying to breathe. My body jerked and quivered with each blow, skidding on the leaf-strewn ground, and I clung to the sense of the ground below me, trying so hard to sink down, be swallowed by the earth.”

The uneven mottling of Claire’s skin created by the FX crew is accurate.  A rainbow of blue, black, green, and yellow herald the normal healing pattern of contusions, although it takes a wee bit of time for the full range of colors to appear.

Puir Claire! Her emotional trauma will linger far after her physical wounds have healed. 😔

Abrasion: The abrasion is an open type of mechanical injury wherein the epidermis (Anatomy Lesson #5) is rubbed or scraped away. Superficial abrasions typically turn red whereas deep abrasions ooze blood making them easily distinguishable.  The good news is the skin repairs abrasions rather promptly and without scarring unless infection messes with the healing process.

Jamie is our victim for the abrasion!  Here in Outlander episode 608, I Am Not Alone, we see a mostly superficial abrasion of his right brow and cheek as a result of the Richard Brown and his men attempting to take Claire into custody for the murder of Lionel. His skin is scraped and bright red. Again, kudos to the special effects and detail folks.

Laceration: Our next trauma is a laceration, best defined as a slash or tear. Lacerations are open wounds with rough and ragged margins that may be contaminated with bacteria and debris. Most often, they are tears of the skin, but internal organs can also be lacerated.

In a flashback during Outlander episode 601 Echoes, Jamie relives his years at Ardsmuir as Mac Dubh wherein he takes responsibility for an illegal piece of tartan and receives lashes on his already scarred back. Trauma-drama for sure!

 The scene is poignantly described in Diana’s third big book, Voyager: 

He had nodded to the two privates, who seized the prisoner’s unresisting hands and raised them, binding them to the arms of the whipping post. They gagged him, and Fraser stood upright, the rain running down his raised arms, and down the deep seam of his backbone, to soak the thin cloth of his breeches.

“ … in contravention of the Diskilting Act, passed by His Majesty’s Parliament, for which crime the sentence of sixty lashes shall be inflicted.” 

“…Mr. Fraser, you will take your punishment.”

“…The sergeant-farrier paused only briefly between blows. He was hurrying it slightly; everyone wanted to get it over and get out of the rain. Grissom counted each stroke in a loud voice, noting it on his sheet as he did so. The farrier checked the lash, running the strands with their hard-waxed knots between his fingers to free them of blood and bits of flesh, then raised the cat once more, swung it slowly twice round his head, and struck again. “Thirty!” said the sergeant.

Puir Jamie. His back is broad and strong, but gah! 😵‍💫

Incision: An incision is an open wound that differs from the laceration because it is made by  sharp cutting instruments such as knife, razor, or glass edge. Thus, the margins of an incision are sharp and well-defined.

Today, incisions are closed with different suturing techniques depending on the site and type of wound. There are also different types of suture materials including thread, needles, stitches, and knots as well as closures without sutures such as staples and glue. The clean margins permit incision wounds to be closed tidily and these typically heal with minimal scarring.

Unfortunately, there was no suturing of Malva’s mortal wound although it is a perfect example of incision injury (Outlander episode 606, The World Turned Upside Down).

This poignant scene is captured, again from Diana’s sixth big book,  A Breath of Snow and Ashes:

I smelled the blood and saw her in the same instant. She was lying in the salad bed, her skirt flown out like some gigantic, rusty flower blooming amid the young lettuces. 

I was kneeling by her, with no memory of reaching her, and the flesh of her arm was warm when I grasped her wrist—such small, fragile bones—but slack, there was no pulse—Of course not, said the cold small watcher inside, her throat is cut, there’s blood everywhere, but you can see the artery isn’t pumping; she’s dead.

Malva was a damaged young woman who, in turn, damaged others. Even so, she scarcely deserved to die in such a despicable manner. 😯 Puir lass.

Who did the dastardly deed? We will soon find out when Season seven airs!

(Pssst….Another excellent example of incision trauma would be Claire’s surgical repair of Tom Christie’s Dupuytren contracture. Yes, I did write a lesson on this topic.)

Avulsion: An avulsion injury is the forcible tearing away of a body part or structure. This type of trauma was the hardest to find in Outlander. I had to go all the way back to Season two!  But, find one, I did: a good example of avulsion is the tooth extraction Claire performed in Outlander episode 211, Vengeance is Mine!

Although avulsion more commonly describes a muscle pulled from its bony attachment or limbs (e.g. finger, toe) being torn off, a tooth being separated from its socket surely qualifies. Ouch! 🫣

Is Rupert is amused or scared s**tless? We miss you, man!  

Projectile Injury: Projectiles are objects that are propelled forward by an external force. Thus, a hurled stone is a type of projectile. Projectiles typically cause open wounds and probably the best-known is the gunshot wound (gsw).

The degree of tissue disruption caused by a projectile is proportional to its kinetic energy, yaw (twist), fragmentation of the projectile; all features that especially apply to a gsw.

I certainly am not a munitions expert but as I understand it, today’s standard NATO weapon (M16 rifle) fires a cartridge that measures .21” (5.56mm) in diameter. But an 18th century musket ball ranged from .51”-.75” (13-19mm) in diameter making it two to three times the diameter of the M16 cartridge – one humongous projectile!!!

Season six ended with a startling but effective example of a projectile (Outlander episode 608, I Am Not Alone).

Several of Brown’s men kidnapped Jamie, planning to put him aboard a ship bound for far off places. Chief Bird came to the rescue, shooting the abductor with a rifle given to him by Jamie. Bullseye (so to speak)! 😉

Chief Bird nods in satisfaction at Jamie:

“I told you I would fight with you, Bear-Killer.”

Until about 1880, the standard practice for treating gsw required that physicians probe and locate the path of a projectile with unsterilized fingers. Before this time, germ theory and Lister’s dilute carbolic acid treatment for “antisepsis surgery” were unknown.

Understand, the musket ball is not only large, it is a low velocity projectile, so its sheer mass literally plows (yikes!) a path through tissues. Little wonder that it leaves a gaping hole! In fact, in those by-gone days, one musket ball was sufficient to kill a man if it struck near any vital organ. And, if the victim survived a musket ball wound, he/she often succumbed to the effects of a subsequent amputation or infection.

I might add, that the impact of the musket ball would have knocked this kidnapper on his ass. But, for a second he remains upright for dramatic effect! 😮

Puncture Wounds: Puncture wounds are open wounds that pierce the skin and penetrate underlying tissues. These are difficult to cleanse and thus increase the risk of infection.

Further, if the puncturing object stays in the body, then it is a penetrating wound; if it passes through the body and emerges then it becomes a perforating wound.

Understand that it is not uncommon for wound classifications to overlap so, for instance, a gsw might be categorized as both a projectile and a penetrating or a perforating wound.

A great example of a puncture wound occurs during Ian’s voluntary adoption into the Mohawk tribe in the form of ritualistic tattooing. This was done with what appears to be a porcupine quill in Outlander episode 604, Hour of the Wolf.  Ouch! 

This is the description of Ian’s transformation from Diana’s fourth big book, Drums of Autumn: 

“Ian? Is that you?”

“Aye, Uncle. It’s me.”

His voice sounded odd; breathless and uncertain. He stepped into the light from the smokehole and I gasped, feeling as though I had been punched in the stomach.

The hair had been plucked from the sides of his skull; what was left stood up in a thick crest from his scalp, a long tail hanging down his back. One ear had been freshly pierced and sported a silver earring.

His face had been tattooed. Double crescent lines of small dark spots, most still scabbed with dried blood, ran across each cheekbone, to meet at the bridge of his nose.

Also, notice the abrasions on his left upper lip, nostril, cheek, brow and temple? His dash through the gauntlet took its toll, for sure! 😱

Whew! We covered all seven types of trauma drama, probably enough  for one lesson!

Final Thought: Here’s an important take-home message I learned from my surgical colleagues: if you encounter a projectile wound in which the penetrating object is still in the body, do not attempt to remove it in the field! Instead, transport the victim to the nearest emergency room ASAP so professionals can remove it under medically-controlled conditions.

Tempted to remove a projectile yourself? Don’t! (Well, maybe a sliver is OK.) Seriously, this advice is because the embedded object usually exerts pressure on nearby torn blood vessels squelching blood loss. After the object is removed, the resultant blood flow may not be easily staunched especially if a vital organ is involved.

This happened to the late, great Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, who removed a stingray barb that penetrated his heart. Sadly, he bled to death in moments through the hole in his chest!

Stay tuned for a future lesson on trauma drama!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist 

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Photo credits: Sony/Starz, www.en.wikipedia

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2022 Seattle Adventure – Outlandish Vancouver

Greetings, all Outlander fans! I just returned from a three-day event (January 21-23), at Doubletree by Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel. Buckle up! This is a looong post!

This was the long-awaited 2022 Seattle Adventure (OVSA) sponsored by Outlandish Vancouver,  an event that typically occurs every October in Surrey, B. C., but sadly was postponed due to COVID.

Just so you know, all attendees were required to be fully vaccinated, boosted, and show a negative COVID test within 48 hours of check-in. Fortunately, my roomies and I were good to go!

It loomed large for us three roommates arriving from Oregon, Hawai’i and Washington, respectively!  Jody KC (O’ahu) and I were first to arrive.

My new acquaintance, but a friend of Jody’s, nurse Ally, joined us the next day!

Before the event even started, guest Steven Cree shared this clever video on Instagram. And, this was just the beginning of his wry wit displayed at the event!

Friday afternoon, we headed for the registration desk. Volunteers woman-ed the tables so registration was swift and efficient.

Soon, we walked away with lanyards, badges, and tickets for photos and autographs.  

Barely got into the common room before this bad dude tried to steal my badge! Arrgh, matey!

We were reminded by Jamie and Dr. Claire to be careful of GERRRRRMMS, to wear our masks, to keep our hands clean, and to social distance where possible. But, dirty minds??? …. No problemo! 

A lovely Vendor Row was open with Outlander-themed items for sale!

NOTE: Jody, Ally, and I pooled our memories, pen and paper notes, and nimble fingers working virtual keyboards to recreate the five panel discussions that follow.  Hence, our “transcripts” are rough approximations of cast comments. Only the items in quotes are exact. Videotaping or audio recordings were strictly forboden at OVSA! 🚫

First Panel – Friday Evening

 Koko Pipkin, the brains and force behind OV, was first to take the stage.

Koko introduced all seven cast members to a rousing ovation: David Berry (DB), Lauren Lyle (LL), Cesar Domboy (CD), Duncan Lacroix (DL), Sophie Skelton (SS), Richard Rankin (RR), and Steven Cree (SC).

The cast took their seats, set up in groups of 2, 3, and 2. But, Steven moved off to the side like he was hosting, AND TOOK OVER!!  He didn’t dominate, though. Rather, he graciously asked each actor for their name.

He commented on how CD managed to look cool 😎 no matter what or where (Cesar wore shades – it was nighttime and indoors!). Yep, he is cool!

WARNING:

The audience was enthralled!

Steven served as fairly raunchy host so please bear that in mind before reading the following compilations of five different panels!

Steven kept the ball rolling and was nearly a one-man comedy show. He asked the cast for favorite things:                                                                                                     RR: Richard loved the 2021 documentary “The Beatles: Get Back,”  produced and directed by Peter Jackson.                                                                                                       SC: Ten-year-old Steven saw Ted Neeley in the lead role of Jesus Christ Super Star in West End London. He instantly fell in love with theater! He was fascinated by Jesus and his story. “The epic-ness. I have seen the movie over 100 times!”                                                                                                                                      DL: “A man gets lonely in the Highlands.” We had no idea what Duncan meant! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Audience questions were invited, fans lined up behind the microphone, and there were some good queries!

Q: What celebrities would you pay money to meet?                                                  DL: Graham McTavish offering to buy a round of drinks.                                               SC: Ted Neeley the star of JCSS.  “He was hung… Jesus.” 😳                                DB: “Harry Connick, Jr.”                                                                                                               LL:  Best concert ever was Justin Bieber.

Q: Fav slang word or phrase:                                                                                                                        DL: “Orango” (referring to someone being an orangutan)                                      SC: “Go take a flying fuck into a rolling donut,” “bolt yer rocket,” “tata subunit,” “your arse and parsley,” and “piss off!”

Q What kind of animal living or dead would you want as a pet?                          DL: “Rat.”                                                                                                                                           LL: “Woolly mammoth.”                                                                                                           SC: “Cross between a shark and angry chimp.” 🤪

Q: What celebrity would you like to meet in person?                                                   SS: “Taylor Swift.”                                                                                                                         LL: “Jesus.”                                                                                                                                             DL: “I saw AC-DC at 12 y. o. Big impact!” (That wasn’t the question, Duncan!)😜

Q: Does costuming help and how does it influence performances?                                                                                                       LL & SS: Corsets suck! They cause chafing, sore ribs and hips, and bruising. And, it is hard to eat wearing a corset!

Q: Will we see Laura Donnelly (Jenny) in coming seasons?                                                   LL: Laura  will be coming back! What??? The audience went wild and then, it turns out, Lauren was joking! 😬 But, the cast all agreed that Laura’s return as Jenny is unlikely.  😢                                                                                                             SC: He met a lovely attendant on his flight over and had a nice chat. Next day, met same flight attendant at Pike Street Market in Seattle! “Incredible!”

Q: Fav leisure activities during COVID?                                                                                                SS: Long walks. Laura and Sophie then bantered about long walks – more than an hour? Less than an hour? It remains a bit obscure.                                                                                                                              CD: Playstation! He considers himself to be a master chiller.                                LL: Loves working with Cesar. They were on the phone or FT daily during lockdown. (They truly do enjoy a warm and wonderful friendship, like brother and sister!)                                                                                                                                       CD: He and LL like the same food and eat off each other’s plates.                    RR: Likes Sophie’s laugh!

Q: Fav music:                                                                                                                                     LL: Loves the S6 Outlander trailer music and any funky-pop-sync music.                                                                                                                        CD: Anything that sounds like melted cheddar to his ears.   😆                         (Someone liked Jim Morrison in leather pants but I didn’t catch who. Sorry!)                                                                                                             SS: American country music                                                                                                     RR: Beatles and John Williams (Quite a range!)                                                               SC: Beatles and musical theater. Steven claimed he “feels music through his bones and out his ass, but that might have been Sam Heughan’s finger!” (I warned ya!) 😮                                                                                                                              DB: Classical to jazz, all genre.  

Saturday morning was devoted to photos with cast members. This is my favorite! 🥰

Many members of My Peak Challenge, known as Peakers, attended the conference. This is Sam Heughan’s training program. Later that day, we gathered for a group photo. All devoted to healthier living, exercise, and community!

Next Panel – Saturday afternoon:  DB, DL & SC

Another Q and A session, and believe me, there was no paucity of questions. The fans came prepared! After introducing the guys, SC said we were going to start off with Koko stripping! (Puir Koko –  she was such a good sport!)

Q: What was Murtagh thinking when Jocasta threw the glass of whisky in his face (ep 413, Man of Worth)? Please be specific!                                                                                                           DL: Murtagh got tingly all over from head to toes and there WILL be something done about it!                                                                                                                                             (Pssst…..There WAS something done about it!)

Q: Will there be a LJG spin-off?                                                                                            DB: I cannot talk about it. I cannot say. (Hmmmm….. 🤔)                                         SC: You can see it at pornhub.com!

Q: Any line flubs?                                                                                                                            SC: Steven was waiting for the director to call “cut” after finishing a scene with Cait (ep 112, Lallybroch), but no one yelled “cut” so the cameras kept rolling. Steven was uncomfortable so he grabbed a head of cabbage off the table, handed it to Cait, and said: “Stuffed cabbage, Claire?” His clever ad lib made it into the show.  Check it out! 

Q: David, what happened with Lieutenant Leonard (Charlie Heitt, ep 313, Eye of the Storm)? Leonard was the de facto Captain of the Porpoise but Lord John addressed him as Lieutenant Leonard.                                                                                                                   DB: In the confrontation between LJG and Captain Leonard over whose power was paramount, David accidentally called him “Lieutenant” Leonard.  This lucky slip-of-the-tongue was kept  because it came off as intentionally putting Leonard in his place. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Q: What do all of you think of the way slavery was depicted in Outlander?                                                                                                              DL: Duncan said he was uncomfortable with the way slavery was filmed and would have preferred if modern sensibilities had been added to the show. 

Q: How did you cope with Outlander?                                                                               DB: “Lots of alcohol!”                                                                                                                 SC: “All actors are insecure and want approval.”  He prefers getting compliments much more than “You are a f**king shit!” And, flying from one continent to another is not a hardship.                                                                                DB: Hard to take so much attention. We may need it but it is also difficult.                                                                                                                    SC: Graham likes being on a pedestal. (What???)

Q: What are you afraid of?                                                                                                         DL: Water and diving lessons. “I am a – what you call it? Aquaphobe? Aquaphobic? I would overcome it if it were for a role.” (fear of water is aqua-phobia).                                                                                                                                             SC: Sex scenes and horses. “Sex scenes are hard!” He told us “Outlaw King really taught me to respect horses. I’m like how is this gonna go?” He was referencing an epic scene involving horses, riders, and trees. A stunt rider fell off his horse and got dragged, and had to be air-lifted off set and replaced by another actor. Steven was scared he’d get hurt.                                                   DB: People who think you are competent in an area just because in a show you acted it! 😯

Q: Most awkward scene?                                                                                                        DL: Sex scenes with Jocasta. He thought he would be on top. <G> “Keep moving” the director said. “Hope you enjoyed it , Jo. I know you are blind, but!”  😱                                                                                                                                                DB: Sex scene with someone you had never met before (ep 411 – If Not for Hope). This was the pantry sex scene wherein the director asked them to “settle it down,” they were making too much noise! 

Q: David, will you bring back the podcast with Tim Downey?                                        DB: No. They are done.

Next Panel –  Saturday afternoon: Lauren & Cesar

The cheerful cuties came on the stage and we began another round of questions. This excellent format really engaged the audience and encouraged participation! Everyone seemed to love it! 

(Psst…the photographer looks as if he is praying at the altar of Fersali!)

Q: Which scenes were ridiculously hard to film?                                                          LL & CD: The locust scene (ep 506, Better to Marry than Burn). It was all CGI and we had to shout “locusts” and beat the air with rags when nothing was actually there!                                                                                                                               CD: An intimate moment giving birth in S6. Which wasn’t awkward at all.                                                                                                       LL: In S3, the boats were on rockers. Director would shout “wave!” They were supposed to scream and throw up hands as crew threw water on them. It felt ridiculous.

Q: What is the strangest thing you have been asked to autograph?                                                                                                             CD: “Wooden hands.”  😁                                                                                                             LL: “Pictures of cats.” ( Apparently, lots of fans have named their cats, Marsali!)

Q: What do you look for in a new city?                                                                             CD: Brunch places, good food.                                                                                               LL: Coffee – at Pikes Place Market, Starbucks on every corner, good burgers.

Q: How did you prepare for the birth scene in S6.                                                            LL: They haven’t really shown Marsali giving birth before. Maybe another baby is born and maybe it comes from me.  We just look at each other and a baby appears. Actually, Lauren did a lot of research. Came across one 18th C. corset for nursing that had little wooden doors over the nipples – “ wooden doors for wooden hands.” 😅                                                                                                         CD: In S6 there is an intimate moment where Marsali is giving birth and Fergus is there. They had an intimacy coach for the scene. (Who knew?)

Q: If you could be a superhero, who would it be?                                                        CD: Deadpool, Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy.                                              LL: Katness (Hunger Games). One of the warriors from Wonder Woman. Loki.                                                                                                                                                    CD: “Poison Ivy.” (He didn’t say if he meant himself or Lauren!)

Q: Best attributes of the characters you play:                                                                CD: Fergus is likable and has a pure heart. How he handles trauma.                                                                                                                      LL: “No one liked Marsali, but I got people to like her and not Marsali-in-the-kitchen!” She has a real bite to her, able to hold her own. Fergus and Marsali choose to stay together because they love each other.                                                                                         CD: “I followed what Romann (Berrux) did to bring the freshness to Fergus and create an interesting arc from kid to a dark character.”

Q: Where do you go in the USA for snacks?                                                                  CD: Shake Shack. Chocolate!                                                                                                     LL: Mexican food in LA. – Cesar agrees. 

Q: Why do you have such great chemistry:                                                                   CD: We were hired at the same time.                                                                                 LL: “We were lucky.” Lauren received a text that she was supposed to get on a plane and be interviewed the next day.  ”I got called to audition for Marsali with two other girls. I was trapped in London due to a terrorist closure of the airport. The casting director called saying the other two girls were trapped in London and we should all get together.” Lauren didn’t get on well with one gal, but thought the other did well. She went into the audition with a “whatever” attitude, and did the wrong thing. She auditioned for 10 minutes and didn’t think she did well. She heard later that Matt said, “THAT is Marsali,” after she left the audition. Incoming call the next morning – she got the part! (We were lucky, too!)

Q; Fav place you have been?                                                                                                 CD: Scotland, Sahara Desert – special but rough. He got 4G in the desert!                                                                                                                       LL: Caribbean, lived in New Zealand.

Q: Jody’s question started off with a huge ALOHA. Cesar asked her about getting to Hawai’i – 5 ½ hours from Seattle – he was surprised how close! She offered to take him out if he came to the islands and he said he’d Instagram message her!!!  

(Jody on her collapsible stool! She used it for photos with cast members. She is a wee lass)

Jody told Cesar and Lauren that she did not like either Fergus or Marsali in the books. Fergus was a “sexist pig” and Marsali was mean and only had kid after kid and why didn’t she listen to Claire about birth control?                                                                                             LL: Lauren said she worked to have us love Marsali, and indeed she did/does a fabulous job. We LOVE her portrayal of Marsali.                                                                                                           CD: Buckle up in S6. Cesar said good things are coming up for Fergus in S6! Cannot wait!                                                                                                                                  CD: He loves how Americans pronounce his name: See-zer  or Say-Zar. He pronounces it Sa-sar.

Q: What type of student were you?                                                                                      LL: Too chatty on report cards. She had a mean biology teacher.                                                    CD: Left school at 16 – a child actor. Cesar was told he needed to concentrate in school!

Next Panel –  Saturday Afternoon: RR and SS

Q: Fav fun scene:                                                                                                                              SS: Anything with Jemmy (twins, Andrew and Matthew Adair, S5). She loves working with them. At the stone scene (Ep 511, Journeycake), he just wandered off!                                                                                                                                RR: Jemmy twins. Each time Jemmy reached for the tea kettle (Ep 508, Famous Last Words), Roger shouted, “no!”  He said “kids were a nightmare” and told us when he yelled at the child actor (Andrew or Matthew), “NO!” using his scarred Roger throat, it terrified Andrew who recoiled saying “Don’t ever do that to me again!“ 

(These tears look pretty real!)

Quote from The Fiery Cross (Chapter 75):

I caught a glimpse of firelight shining on the bones of [Roger’s] face, and then his expression changed in an instant, from wariness to horror. He lunged to his feet, mouth open.

“STOKH!” he roared.

SS: Sophie said Richard is only interested in two things: his camera and video games.                                                                                                                                  RR: As if on cue, Richard whipped out a couple of his prized cameras from a bag. A discussion ensued with some audience members about his cameras, lenses, etc. He brought five cameras on this trip. He carefully handed one for Sophie to hold while demonstrating and explaining the other camera; all mechanical. She did a fab job as Vanna!  He watched her like a hawk and even let her take a picture of us with his camera! He said her photo was “good.” (damning with faint praise!)                                                                                                                          SS: Sophie quickly said, “Hold it like a baby” and “Support the head!”as Richard was lecturing her on how to hold the camera and to be careful. (Like a daddy with his kid, aye?) 

Q: Fav Outlander scene:                                                                                                                RR: “I will always sing for you” from ep 508 “Famous Last Words:”

This is the quote from “The Fiery Cross:”

Roger: “Everybody wants the old Roger back. I’ll never be that man again. I studied history. I taught it. Now I’m livin’ it. When I saw that tarot card, I thought, ‘this is who I am now. A dying man.’ Maybe this was my fate. My own ancestor tried to kill me. Maybe I wasn’t meant to exist.”
Brianna: “That isn’t true.”
Roger: “Perhaps not. But I have changed. Remember when you asked me about my last words?”
Brianna: “Yeah.”
Roger: “I thought I knew what they’d be, but what mattered was the last face I saw. That face was yours.”
Brianna: “Oh, Roger.”
Roger: “I’ll always sing for you. No matter what, no matter where. Whether you’re there to hear or even if my voice isn’t able, I will always sing for you.”

Q: To SS, how did you prepare for the rape scene?                                                       SS: Sophie watched a lot of You Tube and court cases of rape. She wanted to portray her response as tonic immobility. The victim cannot fight because her body shuts down in response to the trauma. It occurs in women who feel the trauma strongly. 

Q: What other character would you like to play in the TV show?                        SS: Jamie                                                                                                                                          RR: Bonnet, Jamie and Roger (News flash – Richard, you already play Roger!)                                                                                                             SS: Rollo                                                                                                                                            RR: At which point, Richard states he f**king hates Adso. We both hate cats. Cats are dicks! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Q: What role would you like to play in another film/show?                                                                                    RR: Sophie is a “Friends” fan. She would be Monica.                                                  SS: Richard would like to play Gunther.

Q: Most awkward scene?                                                                                                           RR: Filming the last sex scene of S5, Roger lost his privacy pouch.                                                                                                                        SS: Similar to a “nip-slip.” The camera man got right in between them during the filming.  Very intrusive!                                                                                                                                     RR: Richard said to the crew, “Sorry you had to see that.”

Q: How did you prep for the birth scene (ep 413, Man of Worth)?                                                                           SS: She watched many videos of births. Most shows have the woman screaming but she heard low, animalistic sounds during childbirth videos. She was very interested in the birthing chair. One crew member told her she was sitting in it wrong – she needed to squat on it and face the back. Sophie said “Thank you for mansplaining to me how to give birth!” Major applause from the audience!

Q: We see your big beautiful dog on SM:                                                                          RR: “I am right here!” 😁                                                                                                              SS: His name is Luca. He is 10 months old and 6’3” tall. Roger’s dog is Gonzo. During lockdown, Sophie took Luca and some friends to Richard’s house. She tried to get Luca to poop many times before the visit but no luck. Once inside, Luca pooped on Richard’s beautiful new multicolored, high-end carpet. The carpet has designs, but Luca went right on a white area! Her friend tried to clean it up but it just got worse. The cleanser contained bleach and soon it was apparent the carpet was Chlorox-ed. Sophie said: “Bye, we need to go!” Richard is silent. 🤐

Next Panel –  Saturday Afternoon: RR, SC, DB, DL

These lads were in fine fettle! First question?

Q: Meet our mascot known as “Murtagh’s dildo.” (It is an ear of corn in an “upright” posture) …Will we get to hear Roger sing the corn grinding song in S6? 

SC: WTF? 😂

Q: Which other Outlander character would you like to play?                                 SC: BJR so he can do episodes 115 and 116 with Sam!                                                              DL: “Mark me!” Yep, he wants to play the Bonny Prince!                                         DB: “Ian.”                                                                                                                                              RR: DB would play a great Brianna!                                                                                       SC: People are complaining that Claire and Jamie aren’t shagging enough! (Steven was basically a stream of consciousness 😜)

Q: Not really a question but a comment praising SC for his work on men’s mental health. 👍🏻

Q: What nice thing happened on set?                                                                                DL: “No one has ever said anything nice to me.” 🥺                                                  DB: Carol Ann (Crawford), the dialect coach, helped David learn a lot of new lines quickly. She worked with him late into the night so he would be ready for filming.                                                                                                                                         DL: I didn’t know she offered those services!                                                                 SC: Carol Ann has no idea she is being implicated in a sex scandal right now! (David shakes his head – “Can’t say anything nice.”)

Q: How were you as a student?                                                                                            SC: Flew f-bombs all the time. When he was 10 y. o., a girl asked to get moved from his school table because he swore too much!                                                     DL: Went to a boy’s trade school that was rough. He faded into the background to survive.  😨                                                                                                        DB: Never got into trouble. Spent time doing music.                                                  SC: “Boo!”                                                                                                                                        RR: At school, a four y. o. a girl asked him to stick his head under her skirt. He did and got into terrible trouble. Also, suspended for smashing a window. Always in trouble. 

Q: Which actor would you like to work with:                                                                 RR: Graham McTavish                                                                                                               DL: John Sessions, who played Arthur Duncan, Geillis’ husband the pre-factor fiscal of Crainesmuir.                                                                                                  SC: Tobiahs Menzes                                                                                                                  RR: Steven Cree, Tobiahs Menzes                                                                                         SC: “Everyone wants to play Jamie. He’s so wonderful. Blah, Blah: Eyes, arse, cock!” 😆

Q: How do you prepare for combat scenes?                                                                     DL: Beheading the Duke of Sandringham (ep 312, The Hail Mary) took some preparation to get it right. Simon Callow was terrified. After the scene was over, Simon told the director, “Sam is a gentleman but that Duncan is a psychopath!” 🪓🩸

Q: How have things at Outlander evolved behind the scenes?                                                       DB: Feels bad he wasn’t in S1 because the fans are so nostalgic for it.                                                                                                                           SC: “F**king wonderful, a well-oiled machine!”                                                               RR: More efficient. Size and scale of all sets from S1 to present. All preserved and stored. Huge wardrobe department and armory. 

Fan Comment: “David, thank you for portraying LJG with such sensitivity.”                                                                                                                                    DB: It was tough to accept a part as a gay man because it was a big risk, but societal attitudes have changed. David tries to move the character in a slightly different direction so sexuality doesn’t define LJ – he tries to give LJ dimensions beyond his gayness to create a full human being.

Q: Did you have previous careers?                                                                                     DL: Plenty of jobs; hundreds of jobs in factories, cleaning roadways, etc.                                                                                                       DB: A journalist.                                                                                                                            SC: Many jobs, worked in bars and restaurants and stuffed envelopes: he was a good letter licker! Wink, followed by a pregnant pause…. (Cheeky wee laddie) 😆                                                                                                                                       RR: Lots of jobs. Worked in Royal Bank of Scotland. Also sold kitchens and windows by cold-calling. If people were rude, he would say, “Oh, so you don’t want the round-the-world trip and hang up. Or, “ You don’t want your new BMW?” Richard was also a bar manager, and he quite liked that job. 

Q: Favorite episode?                                                                                                                    DL: “Episode where Graham gets stabbed to death!” (ep 213, Dragonfly in Amber)

                                                                                                                                               RR: The one where Roger goes back home to Inverness and settles down with a nice girl.                                                                                                                             DB: “The first episode I was in!” (ep 303, All Debts Paid)                                        SC: “Episode one! Cunnilingus in the first 13 seconds!” They call it “downtown Frank!” 😱

Next Panel – Saturday Afternoon: CD, SS, LL

Q: Lauren, how did you prepare for the face plant (ep 511, Journeycake)? It looked so realistic!                                                                                                                      LL: At first a stunt woman was assigned to do the face plant, but Lauren decided she wanted to do it. The brick floor was replaced with a padded surface that only looked like a brick floor. She fell from a kneeling position. The first time hurt despite the padding. Then the stunt woman suggested Lauren let her shoulder take the impact, and that did the trick!

Yep, that was Lauren! 👍🏻

Q: Will we see Loughaire again?                                                                                               LL: Would love to work with Nell (Hudson) again. She only worked with her in one episode (ep 308, First Wife). No one knew if she will be back. Book readers know! Wink, wink. 🤞🏻

Q: Where will the S6 premier be held?                                                                          Dead silence. No one would say.                                                                                            SS: Can you go to London? Wink, Wink, Wink!

Q: Do you like to do your own stunts?                                                                              CD: He does his own stunts and uses his wooden hand as a weapon. He did a movie about free diving. He says it was terrifying just to stay alive. They were breathing through a straw and he suffered lots of panic attacks. Cesar learned to dive for the show, and he was scared! The untitled thriller will be shown on Netflix-France.                                                                                                           LL and SS: Both want to Tom Cruise it. 

Q: New projects other than Outlander?                                                                              LL: Plays a detective in Karen Pririe, a series out this fall. She takes on a cold case of a murdered bar maid (ITV).                                                                                    CD: SAS Rogue Heroes where Peaky Blinders meets “something”  (unintelligible) – on steroids!                                                                                                      SS: A film with Diane Keaton is next – a ballet movie.

Q: Does your family watch your Outlander performances?                                        SS: Yes, her family does watch, but not her friends.                                                 CD: His friends are disappointed in his choices. He asks Lauren to watch his performance and tell him how he did, “I’m too scared!” He doesn’t like to watch himself after doing his roles.                                                                                      SS: Richard does the same thing –  “You just watch them for us.”                          LL: Friends don’t watch the show. Her 90 y. o. grandpa read the books but said “There are things I have to pass over.” (He has since passed)                                                                                                         SS: Sophie was staying at her brother’s house and the neighbors showed films (including Outlander) outside on a huge garden wall. Her sister-in-law told Sophie to distract her brother not to look out the window – they were showing her sex scene with Richard.

Q: Favorite and least favorite set:                                                                                            LL: Hated Wilmington because it was wet and cold. Loved South Africa!                                                                                                                        CD: Loved their wedding scene (ep 311, Uncharted).

Cesar also shared that when he and Richard rode into Brownsville, the “mud movers” had made the road muddy. They were supposed to get off their horses as if heading to kick ass but were slipping all over the place.  So instead of manly marching down the street, they had to take baby steps so as not to slip. In Cesar’s lilting French accent, “ It was so hard to be cool walking down the street because we were slipping in the mud.” He demonstrated that, and it was hilarious. Also, Richard fell getting off his horse!

Q: Have you taken anything from the set?                                                                          LL: I have the wedding ring. She also wants a pot or crockery from their new cabin (!) in S6.                                                                                                                                CD: Hard to take anything. The crew is on it!                                                                     SS: “I almost took the pearls!”

Q: How was it to work at night on episode 512, Never My Love?                        CD: It was like a dance. Very cold in the forest. And, you would never be in a forest at night. Super intense. High stakes. 

Q: Do they send assessment emails after filming?                                                              SS: Yes, we get emails about what we can and cannot say. Publicists are clear about our talking points. 

Closing Panel – Sunday: RR, SC, DL, SS, LL, CD, DB

They all seemed pretty weary, which is why Steven might have quipped:

SC: Are you sick of us yet? Safe to say, “you can go fuck yourselves!”                                                                                                            SS: “You guys rock.”                                                                                                                     RR: “What happens in Seattle……”                                                                                          DL: “Absolutely amazing. Duncan is going to have a long, very intimate adventure in the fog,” (very foggy out).                                                                               SS: “Thanks to all of you!”                                                                                                            RR: “Thanks!”

Q: How has your life changed during COVID?                                                               RR: More drinking home alone. Gonzo (his dog) drank with me.                              SC: Raised more money for “Cash for Kids” and “masturbating!”  What???                                                                                                                    LL: Long evening walks to clear my head.                                                                          CD: Play Station, drinking alone, and more gym work.                                                   DB: Getting to know his 5 y. o. better. They threw a lot of tantrums together.

Q: What is your fav body of work?                                                                                       RR: Black Watch; Philomont                                                                                                          SC: Cabaret in 2007, West End in London, and The Little Princess                            DL: “One man underneath the Lintel.” Seen by five people!   (Duncan might have meant “Underneath the Lintel?”)                                                                                             LL: Karen Pririe!                                                                                                                              CD: His first film at 13 y. o. “My favorite show I’ve ever acted in was my first because my mom was so proud of me.”                                                                                                        DB: His fav is the one yet to come. He loves the freshness. 

Just two questions and then it was over! And, just like that, they bid us farewell! 👋🏻

An hour or so later, I hopped into my trusty Subaru, and headed for Oregon. It was a beautiful day and Mt. Hood looked spectacular!

Big hugs to my gal-pals who helped so much! 🤗

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist 

Follow me on:

Photo Credits: Starz, Tom Cook, Jo KC, Ally Nisbet, Kristine Wilcox, Outlander Anatomy

 

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Fun Fact: Anatomy of an Easter Egg Hunt!

Welcome, Outlander fans and Anatomy students!

This Fun Fact documents my attempt to identify Easter Eggs in Claire’s “dreamscape” from Outlander episode 512, Never My Love. Doubtless, I have missed some, so please chime in with those you have found. And, no problem if you don’t agree with mine.

Each of my eggs is matched with events (mostly) from prior episodes. As nearly as possible, each Easter Egg is followed by an earlier appearance of the thing Claire imagines.

Recall, that during Claire’s horrific abuse, her mind retreats into a dream-like state wherein she cloaks herself with the many loves of her life. Her dreamscape, although distorted, is rooted in past memories.

Here we go!

1. Modern House:  Claire conjures a picture-perfect home; a real beauty and typical 60’s style, too!

Episode 505:  In the doctor’s lounge, Claire picks up Modern Building Review,  a magazine featuring four outstanding family houses in North Carolina. Her imagined 60’s home appears on the cover! After a moment, she puts down the magazine in favor of the “Impetuous Pirate,” courtesy of Dr. Joe Abernethy! 😉

Episode 213: Poor Greg Edgars, Gillian’s (Geillis) ill-fated hubby. In a few hours, he will be toast at the standing stones.  A few fans have seen a resemblance between Claire’s imagined 60’s home and the Edgars’ abode: similar wood, windows and plants!

2.  Big House:  Claire imagines her beloved refuge in the form of an abstract painting.  Some fans see flames and smoke rising from the house, a hint to the obituary found by Roger and Bree? You know, the one that sent Bree back to the 18th Century to warn her parents? 🔥

Episode 508: The Big House is safe and sound (for now) on Fraser’s Ridge. Magnificent!

3.  Red Dress: Claire outfits herself in a delightful Red Dress for the dreamscape! 😍

Episode 202: Who can forget Claire’s stunning red dress with plunging neckline?  Weil, Jamie asks for a dress that will grab the French King’s attention. And, Claire gives it to him, in spades… or would that be in hearts?

A quote from Diana’s second big book, Dragonfly in Amber! (Louis notices!) 

I had forgotten the red dress; His Majesty halted directly in front of me and bowed extravagantly, hand over his waist.

4.  Red Shoes:  Must have footwear! Claire’s strappy sandals along with Jo’s red boots and Murty’s red loafers. (psst…Who chose Godfather’s pants? Precursor of 70s leisure suits?) 😱

Episode 202: Oooooh! Red shoe porn! ❤️

And, another infamous Red Shoe wearer!

5.  Claire’s Hair:  Sassenach imagines herself with Jackie Kennedy hair, perfectly coiffed with Claire-ol to the rescue – nary a grey strand in sight! 😉

Episode 505: In reality, Claire has a few silver strands here and there!  

6. Red Nails: Claire grants herself a matching red manicure! 💅🏻

 

Episode 505: Sometimes Claire wears red nails, even at work? FYI, women in the healthcare field did not wear nail polish in those days, especially a surgeon! 😉

7. Rings: Claire’s dreamscape remains true to her rings; she wears both, just as she does in life. The lass takes her vows seriously! 💍

Episode 111: Claire takes a moment after the witch trial to check her rings. Yep, both are still there!

8. Watch:  Claire imagines herself at the 60s house wearing a delicate wrist watch.  

Episode 101: A callback to episode 101, as she rouses after traveling through the stones. The small wrist watch….. why didn’t the jewels inside cause it to burn up? 

9. Rings: Episode 506: And, another ring callback (there are a bunch of these). This time, Jamie requires Claire’s rings as a stake against card shark, Phillip Wylie!

Herself explains in her fifth big book, The Fiery Cross book:

“The gold is worth more,” he said, and then, after the briefest hesitation, added, “in terms of money.”

“I know that.” I turned round to face him.

… “I meant—hadn’t you better take both of them?” My hands were cold and slippery with sweat; the gold ring came off easily; the silver was tighter, but I twisted it past my knuckle. I took his hand and dropped the two rings clinking into it.

Then I turned and walked away.

OK, Jamie Fraser! Take the rings, but I will never forgive you if you lose them to that handy-dandy fop! 😡

10. More Rings: At the turkey-table, Claire adds a wedding ring on Jocasta’s finger! 😃

And, a ring for Godfather Murtagh. Seems she imagined a Murcasta wedding!

Episode 506: No doubt, Claire’s grey matter recalls Murtagh’s proposal of marriage to Jocasta on the day she is to wed Duncan Innes! 😢

Switching gears, how does Claire remember Himself! 

11.  Jacket: Jamie arrives wearing a yummy belted, brown leather jacket! The lad looks fab in leather (or not 😉)!

Episode 512:  In the same episode, Jamie drops Lionel’s body before older bro, Richard Brown. Talk about a smackdown! 🤼‍♂️

12. Jamie’s Hair:  He arrives at their 60’s home sans brush or comb ! 😜

Episode 104:  No doubt, Claire remembers Jamie’s “Je suis prest” hair. The lad cleans up verra well. We all love this one! 🥰

13.  Jamie’s Sark: For non-book readers, Claire remembers Jamie’s shirt.

Episode 107: Behold, the sark, in all its glory! A quote from Voyager as Claire reflects on this remarkable garment: ❤️

He would not have worn his kilt—the wearing of all tartans had been outlawed after Culloden. Breeks, then, likely, and a linen shirt. I had made such sarks for him; I could feel the softness of the fabric in memory, the billowing length of the three full yards it took to make one, the long tails and full sleeves that let the Highland men drop their plaids and sleep or fight with a sark their only garment.

14.  Jamie’s Breeks: Claire includes Jamie’s trousers, throw back to the 18th century, for sure!

Episode 511: Jamie’s 18th century breeks sport a wee tie and poofy rear-room, mayhap ease for riding a horse?

15.  Jamie’s Boots: Claire approves of his footwear (As do we! 🥾)

Episode 501: Jamie boots are everywhere – here they are bathed with tears after telling Godfather, “be hard to find!” 😢

16.  Plaid Wrap: Claire dreams she is swathed in the warmth and safety of Jamie’s plaid.  She’s shaking so hard it’s rattling his molars! 🦷

Her first vision of the plaid imagines it a light brown, changing until finally it assumes the Full-Fraser plaid as her mind focuses!

Episode 101: We heard that waaaay back in the beginning, after Claire reduces Jamie’s dislocated shoulder. Brrrrr! 🌧🌧🌧

“You’re shaking so hard ye are making my teeth rattle!”

She doesn’t forget Ian!

17.  No Tattoos! Claire’s dreamscape stripped Ian of his Mohawk tattoos! She also returns his original sunny disposition! 

Episode 508:  When he first returned from the Mohawk, a line of tattoos covered his cheeks and nose. Claire describes them in Drums of Autumn: 

Jamie laughed in gratified surprise, and Ian grinned broadly back. His face was weathered to a deep brown, and the dotted lines of his Mohawk tattoos ran in fierce crescents from nose to cheekbones—but for a moment, I saw his hazel eyes dance with mischief, and saw again the lad we had known.

18.  Warrior Ian: Claire reimagines Ian as a decorated Infantryman of the US Army! 🎖

Episode 508: In reality, Ian returns from the Mohawk, a warrior in every way!

19.  Ian’s Hair: Claire’s dreamscape gives Ian a Mohawk-style haircut! ✂︎

Episode 510: Ian’s hair is striking as he muses about removing Steven Bonnet’s!  😳

20.  Ian’s Awards:  Claire imagines Ian with a Decorations and Awards Ribbon above his left breast. Also known as “fruit salad” or “Travel Ribbons,” these are awarded for outstanding service in the US Army. 🎖

Episode 508:  So cool because Ian’s Awards Ribbon is composed of his Mohawk beads – likely made by “Works With Her Hands!”

21.  Native American Patch: Claire conjures a splendid red and gold Native American patch on Ian’s left sleeve!  The patch indicates his Unit of Assignment, the Mohawk, in this instance.  

Learn about all the insignia and patches of Ian’s uniform in my last Fun Fact: Anatomy of Ian’s Uniform. Thanks to LTC Edward Maloney for his expertise!

Episode 513:  Ian begins his Unit of Assignment when he is adopted into the Mohawk tribe along with his new name! From The Fiery Cross:

“That would be the proper thing to do,” Ian said softly. He had a new, strange stillness to him, and I was forcibly reminded that he had been a Mohawk for the last two years—washed free of his white blood, renamed Wolf’s Brother—one of the Kahnyen’kehaka, the Guardians of the Western Gate.

22.  Service Cap: Claire’s escape places Ian’s service cap on a side table. Being a Heiland gentleman, he doesn’t wear it to the turkey-table.

Episode 103: Remember Frank’s and Claire’s service caps, waaaaay back in S1? Claire does!

Let’s see, what else has Claire given to her dinner guests? 🤔

Oh, yes, Murtagh!

23.  Murty’s Hair:  Godfather gets a haircut in Claire’s dreamscape, but his hair remains silver and plentiful! 

Episode 412, Yeah. That hair! 👇🏻

24.  Jo’s sight:  Claire, ever the healer, chooses to restore Jocasta’s eyesight as when she was a younger woman. So wonderful! 👀

Episode 402: Sadly, from the first we meet, Jocasta is not sighted (ITB, she retains some limited light perception). 

Here, when Claire first detects of Jo’s condition, from the Drums of Autumn:

Suddenly, the truth dawned on me: her hand on the butler’s arm, her touching Jamie’s face in greeting, the glass put ready for her grasp, and the shadow on her face when Ian talked of her painting. Jocasta Cameron was blind.

Now, we move to some odds and ends!

25.  Blood Vow: At the 60’s house, Claire graciously accepts Jamie’s turkey-day toast! 🍾

‘Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.”

Episode 107, The full blood vow from Outlander book:

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.

I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.

I give ye my Spirit, ’til our Life shall be Done.”

🥰

full

26.  Telephone! Speaking of phones… OK, we weren’t but, Claire inserts a 60’s style push button phone near the wine bottles!  ☎︎

Episode 201:  Phones are scattered in a few episodes but this is a good one. Heading back to S2, a rotary phone sits on an officers desk at the constabulary where Frank verbally abuses the chief of police!

“My wife is NOT with another man! “

Erm….. 🙄

Episode 303: Frank storms out. Claire receives a call summoning her back to the hospital. Such a fateful moment and it is the last time she sees Frank alive! 😔

27.  Fergus Left Hand: Bless Claire’s heart! She restores Fergus’ lost hand in her dreamscape.  Both hands enjoy turkey, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and sweet-and-spicy, Marsali! 🙌🏻

Episode 213: The last time Claire saw Fergus’ dear wee left hand was in the final hours before Culloden! 🤚🏻

Jamie signs a “Deed of Sasine” conveying title of Broch Tuarach (Lallybroch) to James Jacob Fraser Murray (young Jamie). And who will take the deed to Janet and Ian? Herself clarifies, in Dragonfly in Amber book:

“Will ye have me take it to your sister?” Murtagh asked as I shook the paper carefully to dry it.

Jamie shook his head…

 “No. Fergus will take it.”

28.  Ringo: Speaking of Fergus and Marsali, Claire hears them suggest a new name for their unborn babe. Ringo? Please, no! 🚫

Episode 512, In the same episode Wendigo Donner talks to Claire about moon, stars, and Ringo Star. Yep, she kens the drummer!

This Fun Fact has steadfastly held the line to Easter eggs in Claire’s dreamscape, but here is one exception….

29. Man in the Moon: Speaking of Wendigo Donner,  early in the episode, he says to Claire:

“The Moon — That’s the same wherever you go. Looks like a man on the moon”! 

Hum…. Actually, Wendigo, the moon doesn’t look the same wherever you go. The moon appears upside down in the Southern Hemisphere compared to what is seen in the Northern Hemisphere! 🌗

Episode 309: Claire tells Jamie about the man in the moon aboard the Artemis while gazing at the night sky.

30.  Family Dinner: A blessed time for family to gather and share fun, food, laughter, and memories. Any wonder Claire’s mind latches onto such an event? 😋

Episode 410: there are other family meals through the seasons, but this one, after Bree arrives at Fraser’s Ridge, is awesome sauce!

31. Wine: Claire imagines a good hostess offers libations; few Thanksgiving meals are complete without wine! 

Episode 201: Claire mind harkens back to Uncle Jared’s wine business after sailing to France. 🍷

…Instead of proceeding directly to Paris, though, we had come down the coast from Ste. Anne to Le Havre, to meet first with Jamie’s cousin, Jared Fraser.

A prosperous Scottish émigré, Jared was an importer of wines and spirits, with a small warehouse and large town house in Paris, and a very large warehouse indeed here in Le Havre, where he had asked Jamie to meet him, when Jamie had written

32. Spoons: Recall the table setting prior to guests? Each setting is adorned with a pair of large spoons. 🥄🥄

Episode 205: Possibly intended, possibly not, but these remind some of the Apostle spoon set Jamie gave to Claire in honor of their unborn child….way back in Paris!

33.  Ceiling Leak: A leak in the ceiling! What does this mean? I side with the theory it represents Claire’s attempts to keep at bay the horrific abuse she suffers.  But, the limits of her carefully crafted mental barriers are tested. 💦

The ceiling leak could also represent that ghastly leak at the Beardsley’s cabin in S5! 😳

And, three other apropos leaks appear in the books.

The first, from Drums of Autumn, deals with a leak in the roof of the new cabin on Fraser’s Ridge!

“Another one!” Jamie sat bolt upright in bed beside me.

“Another what?” I asked sleepily, opening one eye….

 “Another bloody leak! It hit me in the ear, damn it!” …

I shifted my glassy gaze from the hairy ankles in front of my nose, to the roof overhead. Sure enough, the torchlight revealed the black line of a split in one shingle, with a spreading dark patch of dampness on the underside…

He halted by the door, glared briefly at me, then, with the rebuking expression of an early Christian martyr, laid down his tools, stripped off the shirt, dropped it on the floor, picked up the tools, and strode majestically out to deal with the leak, buttocks clenched with determined zeal.

The second is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes. This is the book wherein Claire is abducted (in the TV series, it was moved forward to S5) Here, Jamie rescues Claire and brings her back to the Ridge. Not a light -hearted moment… 😭

Another drop struck him in the back of his neck, and he hunched his shoulders in surprise. Caught by his movement, she looked up, and he met her eyes with shock. She shared it; the shock of strangers meeting one another naked. Her eyes flicked away from his, up toward the ceiling.

“The roof’s leaking,” she whispered. “There’s a wet patch.”

And, a third from Voyager book:

The cloak behind me dripped water on the floor, a slow, arrhythmic patting. It reminded me unpleasantly of an old Highland superstition—the “death-drop.” Just before a death occurs, the story goes, the sound of water dripping is heard in the house, by those sensitive to such things.

34.  Wallpaper:  A wall in Claire’s 60’s house is covered with the most  interesting print featuring Scottish thistles! Have ye seen it before? 

Episode 112:  Aye, we have! Same wall covering in the master bedroom at Lallybroch!

35. Sunburst Clock:  Right out of the 60’s! It appears to read 3:15 – was that time significant in Outlander? Not to my knowledge. 🕰

Episode 505: A similar sunburst of the Monstrance at Claire’s house of worship!

Let’s turn to science/medicine. I spy two candidates! 🤓

36. Microscope: Claire’s dreamscape includes her beloved microscope, a 60’s style similar to the one she used before returning through the stones! 🔬

If you are interested in a brief history of microscopy, check out Anatomy Lesson #34, The Amazing Saga of Human Anatomy! (Current light microscopes are much more sophisticated than the ones Claire used.)

Episode 305: Glory be! Blurry, but that microscope sits on the shelf in the office Claire shares with Dr. Joe Abernethy! 🤗

37.  Brief Case: A close look at the desk and behold: Claire’s briefcase lays on its side,  in front of the typewriter. Is this really an Easter egg? Oh, I think it is! 🤗

Episode 302:  Recall Claire first day in medical school? She sussing out the anatomy lecture hall and the prof’s scalpel! He wasn’t amused even though she offers a winning smile. Check out her leather brief case. Yep, that’s the one! 💼

38.  Vase:  Blame the vase! Claire remembers the blue and white vessel that launched this amazing saga! Would her life have played out differently had she gone into the shop and bought the vase? 🤷‍♀️

Interesting question, but I dinna think so. In Outlander book, Claire buys a set of three vases but the stones take her, anyway! ⚱️⚱️⚱️

My gaze lingered on a shop window filled with household goods—embroidered tea cloths and cozies, pitchers and glasses, a stack of quite homely pie tins, and a set of three vases.

I had never owned a vase in my life…

Tucking my handbag firmly under my arm, I marched into the shop and bought the vases.

39.  Ashtray: Every 60’s house must have an ashtray, although I don’t recall seeing any of these folks smoke.

Episode 301: A callback to Claire hurling an ashtray at Frank’s head? A traumatic event. Yep, the battle joined, indeed!  😮

Episode 101: Oops!  I forgot!  We did see someone huff-n-puff! 🚬

Episode 303: Double Oops!  🙄 Erm… another one! Claire is angry with Frank, embarrassing her on graduation day by the unexpected appearance of Candy-Sandy at her door. So angry, she resorts to a puff or two!

Claire also creates a little animal menagerie for her 60s home! 🐰

40.  Turkey:  Back to Jamie’s toast and the turkey roast. That is a delicious-looking bird on the table! 🦃

Episode 502: Gobble, gobble! Who’s a turkey?  Dead-eye Bree shoots a turkey after Roger misses. Wonder if it is same one ion the dreamscape table? 

41.  Buffalo (American Bison): Claire’s dreamscape includes a Jo 🆚 Germain pillow fight! In the background, a buffalo sculpture adorns a  cabinet.

Episode 509: Bree at the Buffalo-Bash!!! 🤸‍♀️😱

42.  Bunny alert! Claire spies a bunny in her imaginary home. So apropos for our Easter Egg hunt! 🐰 🥚

Episode 301: Bunnies are special for Jamie and Claire. This one was chuffing at Culloden Battlefield.

43.  Adso! Well, perhaps not Adso perched on the fireplace, but a reminder of the wee cheetie! (This is a Starz promo image)

Episode 505: What a cute, wee little fellow. Jamie finds him in an alleyway after killing Knox and then takes him home to Claire! This quote from The Fiery Cross gives us the background on his name:

“No. I’ve never had a cat before,” I admitted. “Frank was allergic to them—they made him sneeze. And what’s a good Scottish cat name, then—Diarmuid? McGillivray?”

He snorted, then laughed.

“Adso,” he said, positively. “Call him Adso.”

“What sort of name is that?” I demanded, twisting to look back at him in amazement. “I’ve heard a good many peculiar Scottish names, but that’s a new one.”

He rested his chin comfortably on my shoulder, watching the kitten sleep.

“My mother had a wee cat named Adso,” he said, surprisingly. “A gray cheetie, verra much like this one.”

“Did she?” I laid a hand on his leg. He rarely spoke of his mother, who had died when he was eight.

44. Dragonfly: Perched on the TV, near Claire! 😃

Germaine flies off with this stylized dragonfly.

Episode 301: There are many callbacks to the dragonfly that Hugh Munro gives Jamie and Claire as a wedding gift! This one appears in 301, as the piece of amber tumbles from Jamie’s grasp onto Culloden Battlefield.  

An excerpt from Dragonfly in Amber book:

“I had not seen Hugh Munro again, but I had wakened in darkness the night before to find Jamie gone from the blanket beside me. I tried to stay awake, waiting for him to return, but fell asleep as the moon began to sink. In the morning, he was sound asleep beside me, and on my blanket rested a small parcel, done up in a sheet of thin paper, fastened with the tail-feather of a woodpecker thrust through the sheet. Unfolding it carefully, I found a large chunk of rough amber. One face of the chunk had been smoothed off and polished, and in this window could be seen the delicate dark form of a tiny dragonfly, suspended in eternal flight.”

45.  Germain’s “Dragonfly Plane:” Germain flies his dragonfly through the air. Look closely at its head, very reminiscent of the nose of an airplane! 

Episode 201, Through A Glass Darkly. Roger holds his beloved plane. He kens Frank just uttered awful words about his own wife!

46.  TV:  Claire kens no 60’s style home would be complete without a TV! 

Episode 305, Two different TV shows, show up. 📺

In the doctor’s lounge, Claire and colleagues watch the first orbiting of the moon by the crew of Apollo 8.

Meanwhile, Roger watches Barnabus Collins of Dark Shadows! 🧛‍♂️

47.  The Orange! Mustn’t forget the citrus! Claire picks up a perfect orange and slowly walks away. 🍊

Episode 207: Claire remembers a bowl of fruit in King Louis’ apartments. She leaves with her dignity (in the form of an orange) following her “transaction” with King Louis! It was forgettable! 😜

48.  Woodpile!  Claire grants her imaginary home a woodpile. 🪓

Episode 512, Why not a woodpile? A massive one is maintained at the big house which sports three brick chimneys! 

Episode 301, Claire has a small woodpile in the back of her car. Millie offers to help.

49.  Stone Wall: Claire’s imaginary house sports a stone wall feature. 

Episode 102: Outlander has lots of stone walls – Lallybroch, Wentworth Prison, Ardsmuir Prison, and Castle Leoch, to name a few.  Let’s go with the castle. She will recall those stones! 🏰

50.  Bulletin Board: Everyone needs one in their dreamscape! 😄

Episode 213: Roger’s very,  very messy bulletin board waaay back in S 2! 🧹Course, there are a bunch of other bulletin boards, too.

51. Green Couch! Yep. I noticed this beauty.  I love the color and so popular in the 60’s. Green washing machines, dish washers, fridges, ovens, etc. The harvest colors were so in!

in!

Episode 305: Hearkens back to a green couch in her Boston Home!

52.  Chess: The base of that green lamp behind the battling bolsters looks like a chess piece to some!

Episode 203:  Jamie plays chess with the French finance minister! There is a bit of resemblance. He also played chess with Lord John Grey at Ardsmuir and with Lt. Knox before choking him to death. 😵

53.  Cops! Doubtless, everyone recognizes the two cops at Claire’s door delivering tragic news about a car crash. Spoken in flat tones without care or compassion, the lives of beloved Bree, Roger, and Jemmy! Yep, Hodgepodge and the Weasel, a pair of…. 👿👿

Episode 512: Here are the cowards! Hodgepile listening as dead-eye Lionel delivers his scathing accusation against Dr. Rawlings column, informing women about their reproductive lives! And, depriving him of his god-given rights in the marriage bed. 😡

54. Prestonpans:  As Murtagh messes with Germain, he mutters:

“Its Prestonpans all over again!”

Episode 210: We all remember Highlanders charging through the mists like vengeful ghosts!

55. Painting: I have struggled to find a connection for the stunning painting in the dining area of Claire’s 60s home. But, then, a reader came up with this excellent suggestion! 

Episode 213: Here it is!  Oh, I can see it! How about you? 🥰

56.  Gone: Claire’s tragic face after the news that her beloved child, grandchild, and SIL are gone. killed in a car crash! 🚙

Episode 511: Claire’s mind sifted through the memories and latched onto the tragedy of Bree, Roger and Jemmy having gone back through the stones.  

Episode 101: Claire has sad memories of car crashes. In episode 101, she compares traveling through the stones to the weightlessness of a car crash she once experienced.

And, her beloved parents were killed in a car crash causing Uncle Lamb to take her with him on his world travels. This quote from Outlander book:

My father’s only brother, and my only living relative at the time, he had been landed with me, aged five, when my parents were killed in a car crash. Poised for a trip to the Middle East at the time, he had paused in his preparations long enough to make the funeral arrangements, dispose of my parents’ estates, and enroll me in a proper girls’ boarding school. Which I had flatly refused to attend.

Episode 303:  More bad news at the door as Claire faces Dandy-Candy-Sandy! Oops! 😳

Episode 303: And , finally, there was Frank. Another fatal car crash. 😥

Let’s finish with three special Easter Eggs just for Jamie and Claire!

57. Honeypot!  Matt B. Roberts declared a honeypot marked with a bee appear in Clair’s 60s home. I may be mistaken but it could be the pot at  green arrow.  🍯  Meanwhile, Marsali shoves Jamie out of the way as she goes for more sweet potatoes and marshmallows for wee Jemmy!

Episode 202: Claire visits Louise de La Tour and comes away, to Jamie’s dismay, with a bare honeypot!

“Claire, What have you done to yourself? Your honeypot, It’s bare!” 😃

58. Slow Dancing:  Claire imagines herself cradled in Jamie arms as they slowly dance together. 

Episode 213: As Jamie leads Claire towards the stones to send her back to Frank, he faces her and grasps her hand as if they are dancing.  🥺

Let’s end with this splendid moment. We all ken it well!

59.  Dinna be Afraid:  Another call back moment as Jamie cradles Claire’s face between his strong, capable hands. She remembers! 🤔

Episode 306: Whispering together in the print shop after 20 years apart! 😭

From Outlander book: 📖

“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered into my hair. “There’s the two of us now.” I felt warm, soothed, and safe for the first time in many days.

That’s All Folks!

Many thanks to those fans who shared Easter Eggs I originally missed! 🙏🏻

A trip down memory lane for me. How about you? 

How many Easter Eggs in your basket?

Mine is full!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo and Video Credits: Sony/Starz;