Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie Review

"It's often something like this. But, no, this is unusual. It's different..."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown March 11, 2015

If the frothing at the mouth and raw, unbridled enthusiasm of Game of Thrones fans strikes you as unsettling, you've yet to meet an Outlander addict. Comprised of eight novels (thus far), Diana Gabaldon's beloved book series is more complex than the usual historical fiction, carefully blending elements of fantasy, science fiction and other seemingly disparate genres to the delight of ravenous readers everywhere; a fact that Ronald D. Moore's Starz adaptation doesn't take lightly. Faithful to what some might deem a fault, Moore's Outlander is a remarkable show, not just for its sumptuous Scottish locations, authentic production design and outstanding performances, but for the counter-television boldness of its languid pacing and slowburn storytelling. The black and white sign on the wall of Moore's production offices may remind his staff to always "Do Epic S#!t," but the Battlestar Galactica mastermind understands the beauty of creating a truly epic drama through an impossibly patient, meticulously constructed, novelistic narrative. And while the first eight episodes of Outlander -- presented here, in a 2-disc Season 1, Volume 1 set -- will no doubt leave some viewers scratching their heads, scoffing "that's it!?", the strong foundation established and the intentions so proudly declared promise a mature, uniquely riveting series; one that will eventually draw newcomers to the fold as readily as it treats fans of Gabaldon's books to the kind of adaptation invested readers deserve.

The series stars Caitriona Balfe as WWII nurse Claire Randall, who, while on a second honeymoon with her husband, Frank (Tobias Menzies), finds herself inexplicably transported back in time to Scotland, circa 1743. Forced to marry Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a chivalrous Scottish warrior, Claire begins an extremely challenging new life. Soon, though, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. 'Outlander' also stars Gary Lewis, Graham McTavish, Lotte Verbeek, Duncan Lacroix, Grant O'Rourke and Stephen Walters. The series was developed by executive producer and Peabody Award Winner Ronald D. Moore, best known for his contributions to the 'Star Trek' franchise and his helming of the 'Battlestar Galactica' reimagining.

There are moments -- perhaps a few too many -- in which Outlander threatens to tremble and swoon, falling into the arms of cheap romance-novel plotting. You know the sort. Books covered with shirtless European hunks cradling dainty, wafer-thin damsels in corseted distress; the sort built on fluttering prose that leaves unhappy, middle-aged housewives with heart palpitations. But there's a delicacy to Balfe and Heughan's performances, along with Moore's touch and cinematographer David Higgs' photography, that continually pulls the series away from such gaping pitfalls and places it on a path less traveled. Melodrama and convenience are replaced by engrossing character arcs and compelling chemistry, while Gabaldon's refusal to pen a predictably throbbing tale provides as many obstacles, twists and complications as one might expect from Game of Thrones. The bulk of the first eight episodes find Claire desperate to escape her captors and return home, to her own time. She's intrigued by the handsome, selfless Jamie, but isn't so easily torn from the husband she inadvertently left in the 20th century. The tug of war that ensues is handled with the utmost care, with Claire's hope fading as quickly as her unexpected feelings for Jamie bloom. Is her love born from circumstance? Desperation? Gratitude? Or is it a product of something deeper and more substantive? It's this simultaneous yearning for the familiar and unfamiliar that lends Outlander and its heroine their power, provides the story with momentum (yes, even when very little is happening), and leaves viewers begging for more.

Moore, though, is banking on the book's fanbase to propel the series into future seasons. So far, it's paying off. Gabaldon has never been interested in speeding her story along, and Moore isn't interested in rushing ahead either. Those who've never read a word of Gabaldon's books will have to be patient -- extremely patient -- as Moore takes his sweet time moving from one plot point to the next. It allows for increasingly rich detail, both in terms of the production and the characters, but it also risks losing the very viewers to whom television shows typically pander. It's a dangerous gamble; one most networks are too nervous to make, regardless of how popular a source novel may be. Will it continue to pay off? Only time will tell. Fortunately, the groundwork Moore has laid, the thoughtful changes he's made to Gabaldon's story, the depth of emotion Balfe and Heughan commit to the screen, the terrific contributions of their co-stars, the eloquence of the writers' dialogue, the loveliness of the Scottish countryside, and the stirring music of Bear McCreary's score are more than enough to make Outlander a rewarding experience.

The Blu-ray release of Outlander: Season 1, Volume 1 features eight episodes spread across two BD-50 discs:

• Sassenach: While on her honeymoon, WWII combat nurse Claire Randall (Balfe) is mysteriously transported back to 1743 Scotland, where she is kidnapped by a group of Highlanders and meets an injured young man named Jamie (Heughan).
• Castle Leoch: Claire is taken to meet the Laird. As suspicions about her grow, Claire befriends the mysterious Geillis Duncan (Lotte Verbeek). When the clan discover her medical skills, Claire goes from guest to prisoner.
• The Way Out: Claire decides to use her medical skills to aid her escape from Castle Leoch and, with Jamie's help, she tends to an ill child. During an evening's entertainment, a story gives Claire hope for her freedom.
• The Gathering: As the Castle prepares, Claire plots her escape. But after a dangerous encounter with a drunken Dougal (Graham McTavish) and an unexpected run-in with Jamie, her plans are dashed.
• Rent: Claire joins the MacKenzie rent-collecting trip. To her horror, Dougal uses Jamie's scars to gain sympathy for the Jacobite cause. Claire recalls that a defining moment in Scottish history is fast approaching.
• The Garrison Commander: Claire's unexpected meeting with a British general turns tense with the arrival of Captain Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies), a dangerous man determined to uncover her secrets.
• The Wedding: Claire and Jamie’s unfolding marriage causes deeper feelings to arise, along with confusion and guilt. Claire finds herself torn between two men in two different times and must make a difficult decision.
• Both Sides Now: Frank (Tobias Menzies, in a dual role) searches for his missing wife. Meanwhile, a life-changing opportunity arises for Claire as she attempts to come to terms with her marriage to Jamie.

Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Outlander: Season 1, Volume 1 features a striking 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that remains true to Moore and cinematographer David Higgs' intentions at every turn. Determined to accurately capture the cloud-cast light of the Scottish skies, the bleakness of the inhospitable, ever-changing weather, and the earthiness of the countryside, costumes and castle interiors, the showrunners deliver a lifelike palette that, while stark and darkly shadowed, boasts tremendous beauty. Skintones are natural and capably saturated, black levels are deep and forboding, and richer hues, rare as they are, are warm and satisfying. Detail is excellent too. Edges are crisp and clean, without any aliasing or ringing to report, and fine textures are revealing and refined, with many notable close-ups. Crush is present throughout but rarely an issue, but other anomalies -- macroblocking, banding and the like -- are nowhere to be found. Fans will be thrilled with the results.

Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Just as Outlander's story unfolds slowly, without pomp or circumstance, the series' sound design concerns itself more with convincing, enveloping sonics than booming, head-turning trickery. Not that anyone should be disappointed. Not even remotely. Sony's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is disarming in its subtly and effectiveness, with restrained but ever-ready LFE strength and reliable, wonderfully engaging rear speaker support. The soundfield employs light directional effects and subdued ambience to its advantage, crafting a believable soundscape that's neither underwhelming or overbearing, striking an ideal balance between dialogue, organic sounds and Bear McCreary's score. Voices are always clean, realistically grounded and perfectly prioritized, without anything in the way of muffled lines or unintelligible whispers. Bottom line? Outlander's AV presentation leaves nothing to be desired.

Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Script to Screen Collector's Edition release of Outlander: Season 1, Volume 1 features the same bonus content as its standard edition BD/Digital HD counterpart. However, the Collector's Edition also offers a collectible lenticular, a 32-page book with photographs, script excerpts, and an introduction from author Diana Gabaldon, and a placeholder for the eventual Blu-ray release of Season 1, Volume 2. Extras include:

• Outlander: An Epic Adaptation (HD, 7 minutes): Author Diana Gabaldon, showrunner Ronald D. Moore and co-executive producer Maril Davis lead the charge on this short but satisfying introduction to the development and adaptation of Outlander, with the three talking about the faithfulness of the series as well as the necessary changes made along the way.
• Authentic in Design: The Dresses & Kilts of Outlander (HD, 7 minutes): The cast and crew touch on the colors, textures, embroideries, and historically authentic costume designs of the series, courtesy of Moore's wife, costume designer Terry Dresbach.
• Casting Outlander (HD, 7 minutes): Moore, Gabaldon and Davis discuss casting Sam Heughan (Jamie), the first to audition and first to be cast, and Caitriona Balfe (Claire), the last and best in a long line of failed attempts to find the series' lead.
• On Location: Castle Leoch and the Magic of Scotland (HD, 7 minutes): The beautiful Scottish countryside frames the series, with an intact, well preserved castle, not CG wizardry, providing the backdrop for all the drama and romance.
• Emerging a Scot: Cast Goes to Bootcamp (HD, 6 minutes): Bootcamp? For Outlander? Yep. Riding horses, swinging axes, and brawling and bonding between the cast members, refined to look as chaotic and out of control as possible.
• A Walk Through the Sets & Stages (HD, 7 minutes): Another seven-minute featurette that's appreciated -- entertaining and informative even -- but feels too small to contain the production of Outlander. Moore, wearing a kilt, leads a tour of the sets, stages and facilities.
• Deleted Scenes (HD): Twenty-one solid deleted scenes are spread across both Season 1, Volume 1 discs, although the various scenes are filed beneath the Episode Selection menu (alongside each corresponding episode) rather than the Special Features menu.

Outlander: Season One, Volume One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Outlander will divide initial audiences, but those patient enough to see what unfolds will find themselves growing more and more addicted to the strange, slowburn tale Moore is adapting. Sony's Blu-ray release only helps, thanks to a striking 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation, an immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a solid selection of supplements. (A few commentaries would have gone a long way, but so it goes.) Ultimately, picking up Season 1, Volume 1 will be a no-brainer for fans of Gabaldon's books. Newcomers, though, may want to rent before committing more time and money, or at the very least, sample episodes online to determine if a full purchase is in order.