Outlander begins its third season with its lovers learning to live their lives apart.

How do you rejoin the battle that is life?

Outlanderthrives when it comes to these sorts of emotionally-driven questions.

There is enough drama and emotional suspense in these characters lives.

Ad content continues below

OnOutlander, its never about the plot twist.

OnOutlander, the plot isnt the point; the emotions are the point.

Jamies story The Battle of Culloden.

(Again: the plot is not the point.)

Basically, he is a terrible human being.

The two fight not for dominance, but for survival and, in Jamies case, for vengeance.

Killing Black Jack Randall was one of the things Jamie felt like he had left to do.

Other things on that list included: protect his clan and be a good husband to Claire.

He sends Claire and his unborn child back through the stones.

This is why, when John Greys brother spares Jamies life, Jamie begs him not to.

He doesnt want to live.

He is a man without a purpose.

Claires story The Battle of a Modern Life.

Social progression zigs and zags.

We dont always keep the progress we have made, and progress usually does not mean progress for everyone.

That being said, Claire has a pretty solid partner in Frank.

TheOutlanderlove triangle has never operated like other triangles on TV.

It is not about the suspense of who Claire would choose or who she will end up with.

If she could choose, she would choose Jamie.

And we know that she spends all of Brianas upbringing with Frank.

Its about theemotionof the relationships and not just Claire and Jamies.

Frank is a good man.

He is a feeling man.

He loves Claire, and wants a life with her.

And while Frank may be a good partner, that doesnt change the whole, patriarchal world.

This isnt paranoid or misplaced.

She has lost a baby before, and she has just been drugged against her will.

This is most obvious in moments like this one, which are so rarely ever shown on prestige TV.

When they are, they are not necessarily played for emotion, so much as horror or suspense.

Again, we know Brianna will survive, but that doesnt gut the powerful terror of this scene.

Claires terror, fear, and anger matter, regardless of the outcome of Briannas birth.

It also makes what comes next, following Claires terrifying labor, so comforting.

Frank enters the hospital room, Brianna in his arms and a supportive, loving smile on his face.

In terrifying or joyful moments, the reason why someone cant be there doesnt matter.

It just matters who can be there in that moment and, for now, it is Frank.

All in all, theOutlanderSeason 3 premiere was another solid chapter in this wonderful adaption.

You might know whats coming next, but it doesnt matter.

Its all about the journey.

Its all about what Claire, Jamie, and Frank feel.

Rating:

4 out of 5