War takes many forms and the residents of Fraser’s Ridge have just been made soldiers in a few of them.
In the long-awaited season six premiere of Starz’s “Outlander,” the looming threat of the Revolutionary War took a backseat to more personal battles brewing on the homefront as Claire (Caitríona Balfe) fought to quiet her trauma, Marsali (Lauren Lyle) and Fergus (César Domboy) faced troubles in their marriage, and Jamie (Sam Heughan) asserted his dominance as a potential new enemy moved in next door.
“There is never a moment of peace for Claire and Jamie and their family, and I think they thought up at the Ridge they might be shielded from some of these things but they are slowly realizing that war touches everyone,” said series executive producer MarilDavis. “You can’t outrun it.”
Fans have waited nearly two years for new episodes of the epic show based on author Diana Gabaldon’s book series and season six wasted no time thrusting its characters into a new storm of conflicts from internal and external forces.
In the final moments of Sunday’s premiere, Claire violated one of the core tenets of medicine – don’t sample your own stash – when she took a hit off her home-brewed ether. Few could blame the time-traveling healer for wanting to silence her mind as she wrestles with the wounds from her devastating assault by Lionel Brown and his gang in the affecting season five finale. But Davis warned this won’t be a one-time occurrence.
The producers wanted to do right by what Claire endured and how she deals with it is only going to get worse before it gets better – if it ever can.
“There’s not quite as much in the book to play with, so that is why we decided to use the ether as a method of her trying to cope,” Davis said. “For Claire, the ether is not addictive in itself, but the feeling it gives you is. The idea of putting yourself to sleep and not having to deal with any of these feelings she’s having inside, that is something Claire will become addicted to.”
As the seismic revolution that only she, Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) know is coming pushes closer to a reality, Claire will start to unravel in upcoming episodes, testing her limits and the dependence she forms on her new habit.
“It is quite a traumatic season for her,” Davis said.
Elsewhere on the Ridge, Fergus drowned his sorrows with the Frasers’ whiskey supply to deal with the guilt over not protecting his wife and Claire during Lionel’s attack on the Ridge. His drunkenness and feelings of inadequacies will drive a wedge between the usually harmonious couple, right as Marsali is days away from giving birth to their fourth child – a moment fans should also brace for in episode two.
“She and Fergus have always had a fiery, tempestuous, loving relationship and one of equals, and this will be one of the first times we see them at odds,” Davis said, calling their marital strife just one of this season’s “heartbreaking” stories.
If there wasn’t enough going on, the premiere also introduced Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones), Jamie’s devout Protestant adversary from Ardsmuir Prison, and his family as the Ridge’s newest residents.
Davis said while the revolution is picking up steam elsewhere, season six is about the war at home, and a possible clash with the Christies poses the greatest immediate threat to Jamie’s leadership of the Ridge.
“We will slowly find as the season progresses that their home is turning against them,” she said. “The people they have invited on their land are going to turn on them.”
As was previously announced, season six was scaled back from 12 episodes to eight as the creative team adjusted their scope due to constraints imposed by COVID-19.
Davis confirmed this means the show won’t quite make it to the action of the Revolutionary War, which are part of Gabaldon’s sixth book, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes.” Fewer background extras and more outside shoots meant the season will stick pretty close to Fraser’s Ridge, leaving the show’s inevitable battle set pieces to simmer until season seven.
“Interesting enough, I think book 6 is now the only book that spans three seasons,” Davis said, acknowledging the irony that it is also the longest of Gabaldon’s books at 1,157 pages. “It's been a little bit of season 5, a little bit of season 6 and it will be a little bit of season 7.”
Fans who have braved the long “Drought-lander” – the term they’ve affectionately given the hiatus between seasons – will be rewarded in the coming seasons because Davis confirmed season six is only building to something big.
“It’s the same ticking time clock we had with Culloden, when you know something is on the horizon and you’re speeding toward it,” she said. “I imagine it's how the ‘Game of Thrones’ guys felt with ‘Winter is coming.’ Although war really is coming here.”
Judging by the hallmark events fans will see peppered throughout season six, that war is right over the ridge.
To learn more about the Colonial North Carolina history featured in "Outlander," listen to the new podcast "Burgwin-Wright Presents... Outlander in the Cape Fear." Now streaming on all major podcast platforms and online at BurgwinWrightHouse.com.
As a seasoned enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of "Outlander," it's evident that the latest developments in the show's season six premiere promise a riveting exploration of diverse conflicts, both personal and external. The narrative complexity and character dynamics, shaped by Diana Gabaldon's rich source material, are poised to captivate audiences. My depth of knowledge on the series allows me to dissect the nuances and shed light on the multifaceted elements introduced in this latest installment.
The article kicks off by emphasizing the diverse forms of warfare the characters on Fraser’s Ridge are thrust into, both in the broader context of the Revolutionary War and the intimate battles within their homes. The executive producer, Maril Davis, aptly highlights that there's no respite for Claire and Jamie, emphasizing the inescapable reach of war into their lives.
One focal point of the episode is Claire's struggle to cope with trauma, particularly her violation in the season five finale. The mention of her turning to home-brewed ether as a coping mechanism is a strategic adaptation by the producers, adding layers to her character. Davis hints at an impending deterioration in Claire's mental state, emphasizing the addictive nature of the ether-induced relief. This insight into the character's trajectory demonstrates the show's commitment to exploring the psychological impact of war on individuals.
The article then delves into the challenges faced by other characters. Fergus, grappling with guilt over his perceived failure to protect his loved ones, turns to alcohol. This coping mechanism strains his relationship with Marsali, introducing marital tension—an emotional subplot that adds depth to the overall narrative.
Introducing new characters, the premiere brings in Tom Christie, Jamie's adversary from Ardsmuir Prison, and his family as the Ridge's newest residents. This introduces an internal conflict, with Davis suggesting that the Christies may pose a threat to Jamie's leadership on the Ridge. The emphasis on the war at home and potential betrayal by those they've welcomed onto their land adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
Furthermore, the article acknowledges the impact of real-world constraints on the season's production, leading to a reduction in the number of episodes. Despite this, Davis assures fans that the narrative focus remains on Fraser's Ridge, postponing the depiction of the Revolutionary War action to the following season. This decision reflects a commitment to maintaining the narrative integrity while adapting to external challenges.
In summary, the latest developments in "Outlander" season six promise a character-driven exploration of war's multifaceted nature. The internal struggles, psychological trauma, and interpersonal conflicts set the stage for a season building towards significant revelations. As a seasoned expert, I look forward to unraveling the intricacies of this captivating narrative alongside fellow enthusiasts.
