J.D. Robb discussion

I was reading the comments about Frank and I agree. I was also thinking there was nothing special about their relationship. I haven't even got to Jamie and Claire's relationship yet but I was thinking if Frank wasn't too special it was because Jamie was going to be really great. I also think the reason Frank isn't shown in a bad light is because it will give reason for Clair having love for both of them.

I have always seen Claire's devotion to Frank as a testimony to her character. I never liked Frank and most of that doesn't happen in Outlander, so I can't talk about it lol. But, if I I keep strictly to the first book...he has been away from his beloved for 6 years while at war, but is more concerned about his personal genealogy and contributing to the continuation of his family line than reconnecting with his wife. Jamie was always connected to Claire...no matter what. I think Ron Moore made Frank seem more connected to his marriage than I ever felt from the book.

My thoughts exactly Dawn!

Me too, Dawn. I didn't care for Frank right from first reading the book and I didn't know anything about Jamie at that point.

I remember wondering why Claire seemed to care more about building their relationship than Frank...He just didn't seem as committed to it as she did. After Jamie enters the picture, I really don't care! :)

Yes, once we have Jamie, Frank is a non-issue. I remember being really mad at Claire for running away from him when he left her alone. Then of course she almost drowns and gets captured. She really does need Jamie

Oh yeah Dawn! I was screaming at her - are you crazy?? You're leaving Jamie?? As a matter of fact, look at all the horrific things that happen to her each time they are separated!

I know...it takes her forever to get it lol

I can't either.

Dawn wrote: "I have always seen Claire's devotion to Frank as a testimony to her character. I never liked Frank and most of that doesn't happen in Outlander, so I can't talk about it lol. But, if I I keep stric..."

It's been two years since I read the book and I thought the episode had Frank being more invested in Claire than what I captured from the book.

I read this earlier this year. In the book I always felt like Frank was more concerned about appearances and how others thought of him. I agree it never seemed he was trying to connect with Claire as the person she is.

Dawn wrote: "I have always seen Claire's devotion to Frank as a testimony to her character. I never liked Frank and most of that doesn't happen in Outlander, so I can't talk about it lol. But, if I I keep stric..."

I always looked at it a different way. After 6 years of being away and in that time only being coming together only a couple of days, plus having to deal with the horrors of war. I don't remember it being in the book, but even if he was in Intelligence and had to send men out to their death I am sure it played havoc with his mind. So I understand why he might be standoffish.

As for Claire, why wouldn't she want to get back to her time. Again after 6 years of war her life was getting back to normal. All of a sudden she was jerked out of her "normal" life and put into a situation that she has to be careful how she acts or behaves. Like when the reverend accuses her of being a witch because she said if his wound is not cleaned it will go septic. The reverend believed she cursed him. Even if she was at Castle Leoch she couldn't answer Columns questions about how she got there. That must have been hard, not the lying, but the inability to tell the truth.

I think there are many aspects to Claire's behaviour and none of them are simple.

I totally agree with Dawn about clair's actions and them being a testimony for her character.

That devotion is what pushed her to try repetadly coming back to Frank. I would have been surprised if she hadn't actually. Of course we are all team Jamie but the whole situation is so so overwhelming.. Dee you are so right about the difficulties she was facing too... Castle Leoch is a mine field for her where she has to mind every word.

I'm now reading the part where she has just arrived there:)))

I can't begin to imagine waking up in a whole different world in the middle of fighting & shooting...of course, her goal was to return to her modern world & husband. She tried a few times. But then, time passes & her life changes drastically as she comes to care for not only Jamie but some of the other people around her. I can see where her emotions would be in constant turmoil. And the decision to go or stay becomes harder. I held my breath when Jamie took her back to the rock...what would she do??

This is now a spoiler zone for Outlander

I've got a TV series question....

I just read a blog post where the writer felt the first half was boring. Was it that way for you?

I didn't think so. I was happy with the intro into the series. I thought it gave us just enough of the background & reunion of Frank & Claire establishing the "tone" of their relationship, set the stage with the castle scene then for when she goes later with Jamie, etc. I liked it.

I saw those reviews as well, that the first half of the first episode was really slow. I think they had to put in the backstory. That whole forty minutes or so were 1945 and we got exactly what I expected us to get. Then, we hit the stones and it was all action. But then in another group people are complaining about everything imaginable. Claire is too tall, too thin (which I agree with), and blue eyes...Jamie is too short and his hair isn't red enough. Dougal is all wrong, the show is boring...it is funny.

Lol! I thought all was pretty perfect:)

Me too. The Outlander FB page has a preview of episode 2. I can't wait!

They announced on FB today that the series has been renewed for season 2 for Dragonfly in Amber. Whoo hoo

it is really cool that they are making it one season per book, perfect pace I think. Some serie just drag everything for so long that it isn't fun anymore..I hope they stick with this:)

Awesome news, Dawn! Wow...they made that decision pretty quickly. The first episode response must have been good! I know mine was! ;)

I thought I heard too that it would be one season per book. I think the TV series is perfect. The actors are what I pictured when reading the book.

I felt it was very believable how Claire gradually changed and ended up staying rather than trying to get back. At first she was trying to find a way to get back but after starting to feel something for Jamie and others and working as a doctor there, I think she felt this was her destiny. Her life during WWII had to be so unlike what she was experiencing after the war. I would imagine she felt a little lost. Once she got to the Leoch, she was needed again.

I agree, Karen. I know Claire was very conflicted about her feelings in the beginning & her desire to return vs. staying with Jamie. I think she begins to feel like she should want to go back...but begins to realize she doesn't.

I think once Jamie pulls her back from the stones, she has made her decision to stay

I agree too..her "final" decision was made in the last seconds it seemed. Confronted with the choice to go back she realised how much she would be loosing, perhaps not only Jamie.

That scene almost stopped my heart! And then for her to find Jamie in the cottage with tears on his face. So touching!

yes! I can't even imagine what he was feeling!

He loved her enough to let her go if that's what she wanted/needed...that says a lot!

I was holding my breath while I was reading that scene!

Here's more info re the TV series renewal:

"The premiere episode of Outlander‘s 16-episode first season has delivered 5 million views in its first week. Additionally, it was No. 1 in Nielsen Twitter Ratings among all television series on premiere day. “The overwhelming support Outlander has received from the fans, viewers and critics made the decision for us to go ahead with the second book a very easy one,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. Moore and Jim Kohlberg executive produce Outlander, which is filmed on location in Scotland and produced by Tall Ship Produs, Story Mining and Supply Co. and Left Bank Prods. in association with Sony TV."

Season 2 will consist of at least 13 episodes and will be based on the second book in Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling Outlander series, entitled Dragonfly In Amber.

I did my part by watching it at least 3 times...okay, 4 times! :) Got to get into Dragonfly asap!

I'm back home now and my STARZ subscription starts tomorrow! I'll be watching the first one over again on demand:)

We fans did our job! Sandra, don't know if I can catch up to you:)

Not only did they show it over & over last Sat. night, but they also showed it again Sunday afternoon. My hubby watched it then & really got into it also. Although his fav scenes may have involved Frank...I just said, "Wait until you meet Jamie!" lol

Sandra wrote: "Not only did they show it over & over last Sat. night, but they also showed it again Sunday afternoon. My hubby watched it then & really got into it also. Although his fav scenes may have involve..."

I'm going to try to get my husband to watch this.

He wasn't as infatuated with Jamie as I am but he did get into the story & history and started asking me questions about the book. He said he'd like to see all of it.

Lol, he got over the sex scenes huh Sandra? I watched it all night Saturday night.

I do believe those were his favorite scenes, Dawn! lol I'm waiting for Claire & Jamie's!! ;)

My hubby watched it with me then the next day asked about the books and what will come! Sandra he too liked Frank will see what happens. I am about to start book 8, looking forward to it.

I think it is funny how the women don't like a Frank but the men do...Mars vs Venus lol

I think (well for me anyway) Jamie is just aahhhhh but I must admit I did feel sorry for for Frank on this book as he didn't know what happened to Claire & I cannot imagine how that would feel.

I felt bad for Frank for those reasons also. But after Claire becomes involved with Jamie, I have no desire for her to go back even though I know she probably should. Jamie is just so...JAMIE! lol And part of it at this point for me also (not taking into account later books) is that I think Randall looking like Frank & being so horrible colors my view of Frank a little. I connect the two whether I should or not.

Dawn wrote: "I think it is funny how the women don't like a Frank but the men do...Mars vs Venus lol"

Totally agree:)

As I watched the first episode, I couldn't help thinking that we were going to feel much more torn about Claire's decision to stay later in the story.

Sandra wrote: "I felt bad for Frank for those reasons also. But after Claire becomes involved with Jamie, I have no desire for her to go back even though I know she probably should. Jamie is just so...JAMIE! lo..."

Good point Sandra, after Claire's encounter with Randall and what he did throughout the book I can't separate my strong hate for him from the little compassion I have for Frank.

The story Jamie told Claire about what Randall did to his Sister! my GOD!

I'm trying to make observations about only what I'm reading now:) NOT easy;)

Wow, I was really impressed with how well the wardrobe/makeup people did with Column's disease. And I really thought the second episode followed the book.

I just wanted to give Jamie a bath:)

Lol

**sigh** I love his portrayal of Jamie! Just love it. Some of the looks he gives Claire - you can just see the chemistry already.

I agree Dawn...they've done a bang up job on way around, I think.