Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Outlander: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 14, 2016

Time travel has always facisnated viewers and, whether as the primary driver of a series or a one-off episode, numerous past movies and TV shows have dealt with its whims of fancy and, much more important, its more deeply rooted and complex implications, not to mention the physical, emotional, maybe even spiritual tolls on those who make the journey, live the new life, and understand beyond man's linear existance forward. Outlander tackles time travel with a somewhat different approach. Series protagonist Claire doesn't travel through time with the intent of changing the past (as is the case in programs like 11.22.63 and Quantum Leap) or to stop someone else from doing so (Timecop, Back to the Future Part III). Instead, she falls through time by mistake. Her only goal is to return to her present (1945 England), but that doesn't stop her from learning of, and indulging in, all the past has to offer and when presented with the opprotunity, attempting to change the future and the spare the lives of the people she has grown to love.

Official synopsis: Claire and Jamie arrive in France, hell-bent on infiltrating the Jacobite rebellion led by Prince Charles Stuart and stopping the battle of Culloden. With the help of Jamie's cousin, they are thrown into the lavish world of French society, where intrigue and parties are abundant but political gain proves far less fruitful. Altering the course of history presents challenges that begin to weigh on the very fabric of their relationship - but, armed with the knowledge of what lies ahead, Claire and Jamie must race to prevent a doomed Highland uprising and the extinction of Scottish life as they know it.

In an interesting narrative and structural decision, Ronald D. Moore begins Outlander's second season in Claire's present (1948) and then goes back in time as a flashback to Claire's stay in 1740s Paris. The season spends much of its screen capital in the past, leading up to the events of the first episode of the season before moving the final episode forward to 1968. While the book didn't exactly follow this pattern, it allowed the show to progress in a manner that worked better for the screen rather than the page while maintaining the broader integrity of the original works.

The lavishness of 18th century France makes a startling change in backdrop from season one to the beginning of season two. Once again Claire, and now Jamie as well, are outsiders pretending to be Jacobites while they work to subvert the uprising. A "sassenach" or "outlander" is, by definition, someone from the outside, essentially a "foreigner" or a "stranger." In season two, both Claire and Jamie become the outlanders, physically as they pretend to be Jacobites in the French court and emotionally as they each struggle with their personal demons and hope to become whole once more with one another. Season two sees plenty of character growth as Claire and Jamie face new challenges and must overcome them if their relationship is to survive. Both Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan do admirable jobs of showing their character's emotional depth from the end of season one throughout season two. Tobias Menzies also demonstrates a command of two related, yet still disparate, characters while playing his dualing roles in the past and the present.

The following episodes comprise Outlander's second season. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging. Spoilers follow.

Disc One:

• Through A Glass, Darkly: Returning to her own time in the 20th century, Claire must reconcile her future with the life and love she left behind. Shifting back to the 18th century, Jaime, Claire and Murtagh arrive on the shores of France to the tides of history, but quickly learn that Paris presents its own unique set of challenges.
• Not in Scotland Anymore: Life in Paris is not without its trials as Jamie struggles to triumph over the traumas of his past. A fortunate meeting with Jacobite leader Prince Charles presents opportunities, while the Duke of Sandringham's presence brings complications.
• Useful Occupations and Deceptions: Jamie's days and nights are dominated by political machinations, while Claire finds solace in her healing skills. As their plan to stop Culloden progresses, including engaging the aid of a young pickpocket, the past threatens to derail their forward momentum.

Disc Two:

• La Dame Blanche: Claire and Jamie throw an elaborate dinner party intended to derail investors in Prince Charles' war effort. Meanwhile, Claire's revelation that Black Jack Randall is alive sparks Jamie in an unexpected way as he and Claire struggle to regain their physical intimacy.
• Untimely Reflection: Reunited, Jamie and Claire attempt to extinguish the fires their dinner party ignited, however, Claire is set off on an unexpected change of course. Jamie and Claire's relationship is put to the ultimate test when the past rears its ugly head.
• Best Laid Schemes...: Jamie and Claire use Claire's medical knowledge to devise a scheme to stop a wine deal which could fill the Prince's war chest. When Claire learns Jamie has gone back on his word, the couple is met with dire consequences that will forever change their lives.

Disc Three:

• Faith: Claire is brought to L'Hospital des Anges where doctors try to save her life and that of her unborn baby. King Louis asks Claire to judge two men accused of practicing the dark arts - one an enemy, one a friend.
• The Fox's Lair: Claire and Jamie call upon Jamie's grandshire, Lord Lovat, in an attempt to elicit support for the Jacobite cause. However, a visiting Colum MacKenzie has other plans, and Lord Lovat's manipulative machinations ensure that no matter what, his own interests will be served.
• Je Suis Prest: Claire and Jamie reunite with the Lallylroch and MacKenzie men as they train for war. Jamie's power struggles with Dougal and Claire's personal battle with her memories of WWII weigh upon them, but new, helpful information comes to light when a young Englishman named William Grey pays a surprise visit to their camp.

Disc Four:

• Prestonpans: Trusting in Claire's knowledge of "history," Jamie leads the Jacobite army into a critical battle with British opposition near the town of Preston. Meanwhile, Claire attends to the dead and dying, a reminder of the truest costs of war.
• Vengeance is Mine: Claire and the Highlanders are sent north after the Jacobite leaders decide to halt their march on London. A band of Redcoats makes trouble for the Scots, leading to a most unexpected reunion for Claire.

Disc Five:

• The Hail Mary: As Jamie puts all his efforts into turning the Jacobite army away from the impending slaughter at Culloden Moor, Claire attempts to comfort the sick Alex Randall. She is stunned when Alex reveals an outrageous plan to save the mother of his child.
• Dragonfly in Amber: Flashing forward to 1968, Claire revisits the past and reveals to her daughter, Brianna, the truth about her parentage. Back in the 18th century, the day of the Battle of Culloden has arrived, and Jamie must do everything he can to save the ones he loves.

Outlander: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Outlander's second season comes sourced from a clean, absorbing digital shoot that shows some sporadic source noise in lower-light segments but generally pleases, even dazzles, as it reveals the show's complex and era-specific costumes, characters, and environments. Skin textures, and the palette in general, can be a little pasty and cold, reflecting some of the more overcast and drab locations. It can, and when called upon does, open up considerably to reveal a much more vibrant, full-bodied, and nuanced color scheme, reflected in attire to be certain but also natural greens, blood, makeup, hair, and other elements that push beyond the constrains of drab grays and earthy tones in favor of a more resplendent palette. Sony's presentation certainly has no trouble with the series' alternating needs. Detail is much more readily consistent. Well appointed suits in the "present" and the blend of ornate and utilitarian attire in the past show every stitch, seam, fray, and fabric intricacies with remarkable ease and clarity, even at medium distance. Skin textures and finer hair details are always complex, even when conditions push skin a bit pale. Black levels are very deep and hold perfectly dark, threatening crush at times but never quite getting there. Fans should be very pleased with this 1080p presentation from Sony.

Outlander: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Outlander's second season features a clear, robust, and detailed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation satisfies along all fronts, including music. Its opening title music is particularly strong, yielding nice front end width, seamless surround integration, and a healthy dollop of support bass as-needed. Music throughout the season fares just as well and with the same characteristics; instrumental clarity is excellent, and even "popular" music, as opposed to score, is energetic and never lacking even in its more nuanced details. Ambient effects settle and nicely define the listening environment, reflecting any number of locations and timeframes, presenting more bustling modern clatter and older environmental specifics with ease. Surrounds are never shy about carrying critical information, but they're not spread thin or forced to carry too much of the load. Sword clanks in the past, a jet flyover in the "present" and other era-specific details are always clear and, just as important, well positioned with respect to on-screen scene and element placement. Dialogue is the primary driver throughout the season, and it's featured prominently in the front and center with excellent prioritization and always natural clarity and cadence.

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

Outlander's second season contains supplements spread across all five discs. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introductions by Ronald D. Moore (1080p): For "Through A Glass, Darkly" (10:07 total runtime): To His Majesty Over the Water and God's Eternal Plan. For "Not in Scotland Anymore" (11:17 total runtime): Give Me Your Hand and A Friendly Warning. For "Useful Occupations and Deceptions" (2:04 total runtime): Choose One For Yourself.
• Outlander Podcasts: These podcasts are essentially episode commentaries. Each features different guests and concentrates on different elements of the episode. For "Through A Glass, Darkly:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore, Michael O'Halloran, & Elicia Bessette (59:01). For " Not in Scotland Anymore:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Terry Dresbach (58:31). For "Useful Occupations and Deceptions:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Anne Kenney (56:25).

Disc Two:

• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introductions by Ronald D. Moore (1080p): For "La Dame Blanche" (6:07 total runtime): Charles Likes What He Likes and Medicine Is Your Calling. For "Untimely Reflection" (11:35 total runtime): I'm Needed Here and A Kind and Loving Mother. For "Best Laid Schemes..." (7:38 total runtime): Like Cheese For The Rats.
• Outlander Podcasts: For "La Dame Blanche:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Toni Graphia (57:11). For "Untimely Reflection:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Terry Dresbach (50:57). For "Best Laid Schemes...:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Matthew B. Roberts (51:59).

Disc Three:

• "Faith" Extended Episode (1080p, 1:14:35).
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introductions by Ronald D. Moore (1080p): For "Faith" (7:28 total runtime): Practitioners Of The Dark Arts and How Can We Ever Be The Same?. For "The Fox's Lair" (3:57 total runtime): Are We Foolish?. For "Je Suis Prest" (9:03 total runtime): Give Them Something To Fight For and Spear Them With Your Dirk.
• Outlander Podcasts: For "Faith:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Toni Graphia (1:03:34). For "The Fox's Lair:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Anne Kenney (59:46). For "Je Suis Prest:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Matthew B. Roberts (55:21).

Disc Four:

• The Characters of Season 2 (1080p, 13:43): A quick look at the new characters introduced in season two and how they impacted the overal story arcs.
• Designing History: The Costumes of Outlander (1080p, 10:55): A closer look at the more lavish costumes necessary for the French portions of season two, how Terry Dresbach and her team worked to make the costumes authentic but filmable, and the difficulties of making Claire's wardrobe reflect both 18th century France and 1940s England.
• Recreating 18th Century Paris (1080p, 11:54): A look at how the sets were created and decorated to recreate the opulance of Louis XV's France.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 5:24).
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introduction by Ronald D. Moore (1080p): For "Prestonpans" (10:28 total runtime): Hell or Glory, History Isn't to be Trusted, Chamber's Empty, and Dougal on the Battlefield.
• Outlander Podcasts: For "Prestonpans:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Matthew B. Roberts (58:50). For "Vegeance is Mine:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore & Diana Gabaldon (55:12).

Disc Five:

• Jamie & Claire: To Hell and Back (1080p, 10:31): A look at the relationship between Jamie and Claire and all the difficulties they must overcome if their relationship is to survive.
• From Book to Screen: Discovering the Differences (1080p, 10:44): Cast and crew discuss how they determined which scenes to include and which to cut or change in order to make the books come to life on the screen.
• "Dragonfly in Amber" Alternate Fight Scene (1080p): I'm Sorry Uncle with Introduction by Ronald D. Moore (1:53).
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introduction by Ronald D. Moore (1080p): For "Dragonfly in Amber" (12:27 total runtime): We Will Win, Shall We All Go And Find Some History?, Season's Are Just Mere Suggestions and Tell Her I Love Her.
• Outlander Podcasts: For "The Hail Mary:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore (59:43). For "Dragonfly in Amber:" Podcast with Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis & Toni Graphia (1:28:02).

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

Outlander is certainly an interesting show: part high concept, part soap opera, part costume drama, part Sci-Fi. Season two's continuation builds on the narrative with Claire in both eras, at its most interesting upon her return to her own time but foundational in her travels to the past. The show boasts wonderful production design and quality performances, building on contrasts and helping Caitriona Balfe through the challenges of her tug-of-war part. Sony's five-disc release features quality video and audio as well as a nice allotment of extra content. Recommended.