I don’t know if you watched “Outlander” like I told you to, but I sure hope you did. Because it was very, very good. Epic. Romantic. Adventurous. Feminist. Sexy. A big part of that has to do with the exquisite Caitriona Balfe. As Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser (whew, that’s a mouthful), she is a heroine to be reckoned with. Instead of being “spunky” like your average cookie-cutter independent TV heroine, Claire is a bit of a crank. She can be foul-mouthed and impatient and calculating. Always she is her own person, and a full-realized person at that. That means both her intellect and her sexuality, which is not glossed over with mood lighting and gentle fades to black. “Outlander” is one of the very rare shows on TV to luxuriate in the female gaze, we feel her lust and it’s fantastic. Granted, big burly Scottish Highlanders aren’t really my thing. But, still, well done, Claire. Well done. And none of this would work if Caitriona wasn’t up for the task. She carries Claire on her elegant shoulders with an air of confidence and capability. Also, heavens, has she been lovely to look at. It’s almost enough just to gaze at her beautiful face until “Outlander” returns in April. Almost. Damn, April is a long time away. Happy weekend, all.
p.s. I agree, there was a bit too much sexual menace for my taste. Like, even if it is historically accurate, that is a lot of attempted rapes. Sigh.