Better to Marry Than Burn Season 5 Episode 506 Directed by Meera Menon Written for Television by Stephanie Shannon Jocasta shares her heart and difficult history. Murtagh tries to sway her away from marrying. Governor Tryon continues to cause trouble for Jamie. Jamie has a crisis of pride and hurts Claire. Claire hatches a plan that gets her 20th-c…

Perpetual Adoration Season 5 Episode 5 Written for Television by Alyson Evan and Steve Koracki Directed by Meera Menon It all feels very Greek tragedy with the webs and spinners. Claire is contemplative, hesitant, and pushed to discover how important a single patient was to her finding her way back to Jamie. Jamie, as ever, a man of honor, duty, an…

In this podcast episode I discuss both 503 Free Will and 504 Company We Keep. Roger is having incredible growing pains in the 18th century both in his relationship with Jamie and in his feelings of adequacy and fitting in. Brianna is processing through her trauma and assault even more deeply now that she's learned Stephen Bonnet is alive. Her fear …

Jamie Fraser is The King of men walking the razor's edge of loyalty, honor, and oaths between the Crown and his people. Murtagh Fitzgibbons has become a man of blood while stirring the Regulators to violence and rage. Claire Fraser is a frustrated 20th-century physician feeling stuck in the ways of the 18th. Roger Wakefield MacKenzie is feeling ina…

Season 5 Episode 1 "The Fiery Cross" Written for Television by Matthew B. Roberts Directed by Stephen Woolfenden The people of Fraser's Ridge, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the wedding of Roger MacKenzie and Brianna Ellen Randall Fraser. The big house was almost complete. Memories were shared and made, drinking games, feasting, dancing,…

The Fiery Cross Installment 13 Chapters 23-25 Domesticity, Building Bonds, and Duty Chapters: 23 – The Bard 24 – Playing with Fire 25 – The Angeling of My Rest Summary: Roger returns with mission incomplete. The baby is cranky. Brianna is at her wit's end. Roger gets beautified. He’ll sing to help Jamie prepare the guests. Roger gives an uncomforta…

The Fiery Cross Installment 12 Chapters 21-22 Chapters: 21 – Twenty-Twenty 22 – The Fiery Cross Summary: Claire administers an eye examination. Mrs. Bug takes ownership of the running of the big house. A family with a sordid past comes to visit. Claire worries. Claire struggles with the changes to come. Fight. Fight. Fight. Solace is found outdoors…

The Fiery Cross Installment 11 Chapters 19-20 Chapters: 19 - The Devil Ye ken 20 – Shooting Lessons Summary: The activities of the Ridge create a picture of the day today. A friend visits bearing news. Brianna and Roger go hunting. The dangers of the 18th century run through Brianna’s mind. Only one has experience with a gun. A willing student Roge…

Hello, A Dram of Outlander listeners. The podcast is back after an unexpected and unavoidable hiatus. We're jumping right back in with The Fiery Cross chapters 19-23 on June 25th. Thank you for your patience! Join me for the next many months as we tackle the GIGANTIC book five in the Outlander series. Desirre Please share your thoughts and comments…

The Fiery Cross Week 10 Chapters 17 & 18 Chapters: 17 - Watchfire 18 – No Place Like Home Summary: The Gathering and the longest day draws to a close. Jamie ponders the act of surrender. There is a call to duty. The caravan heads to Fraser’s Ridge. Jamie happens upon a spirit-filled place. A gift for Claire is picked up amongst the trees. There is …

The Fiery Cross Week 9 Chapters 15-16 Summary: A wedding feast is had by all. An evening calling of the clans occurs. Jamie makes a moving speech. The families of the Ridge are announced. Roger vows to always sing for her. Lactating breasts don’t care. Brianna takes matters into her own hands. Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, …

The Fiery Cross Week 8 Chapters 13-14 Summary: The age-old argument of what makes the best barbecue unfolds. Beans are indeed a musical fruit. Memories endure and bond. Aunt Jocasta is a savvy woman. What makes an honorable man? Jamie makes a confession. A religious event occurs. Marriage cannot wait. Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 wit…

The Fiery Cross Week 7 Chapters 11-12 Summary: Roger seeks a kindness from Jocasta. Jocasta shocks Roger and she gets a piece of his mind. The Gathering is drawing to a close. Claire’s guts are griping. Germaine sings a tune. The mobcap dies an ugly death. Jamie consoles Claire. Jamie has a plan for the Ridge. A deal is struck. Himself is in demand…

The Fiery Cross Week 6 Chapters 9 and 10 Summary: Claire uses a cautery iron. Claire receives gifts. Roger and Jamie recruit for the militia. Roger meets an interesting family. Where is Stephen Bonnet? Chapter 9: Germ of Dissent Chapter 10: Grannie Bacon’s Gifts Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Ch…

The Fiery Cross Week 5 Chapters 7 and 8 Summary: Claire greets an unexpected patient. Ghosts of Culloden emerge with 25-year-old shrapnel. Jamie is given orders. We meet an important pair. Roger questions his place in the family. A baby must eat after all. The MacKenzies of Leoch live on. Roger goes from zero to hero. Chapter 7: Shrapnel Chapter 8:…

The Fiery Cross Week 4 Chapters 5 and 6 Summary: Claire treats some interesting patients. There’s more to Goodwin than meets the eye. Brianna is grossed out. Roger and Brianna meetup. Celibacy or sex? Passion wins out. The implications of sex are made clear. Roger shares Frank's letter. Brianna is stunned. Roger comes to Frank's defense. What about…

The Fiery Cross Week 3 Chapters 3 and 4 Chapter 3: Bilious Humours Chapter 4: Wedding Gifts Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Claire Brianna Murray MacLeod and his patient. Roger Duncan Innes Of Note: Clinic set-up, syphilis, contraception, patient needs, and the care Claire gives. Cult…

The Fiery Cross Week 2 Chapter 2 Summary: Breakfast is served, but not for Claire. Jamie desires an astrolabe. John Quincy Myers summons Jamie. A thief-taker threatens. Claire has a pop-up clinic. The unintended consequences of high taxes. A personal account of the riot is offered. Chapter 2: Loaves and Fishes Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October…

The Fiery Cross Week 1 Chapter 1 Before I begin the opening of TFC, I feel the need to address what we didn’t yet see in some form in S4 of the television show. Six chapters were not covered in the adapted material. And since Roger returned to River Run instead of the Ridge, they’ll be some changes to the order of things and surely some scenes will…

Season 4 Episode 413 Man of Worth Directed by: Stephen Woolfenden Written by: Toni Graphia My initial thoughts are below, but you’ll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary: Roger remains imprisoned. Jamie and Claire arrive at the village but are turned away. River Run receives a guest. Brianna awaits the birth of her baby. Otter …

Season 4 Episode 412 Providence Directed by: Mairzee Almas Written by: Karen Campbell My basic thoughts outline is below, you’ll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary: Roger completes the initiation and remains a slave. He is known as dogface. Fergus plans. Lord John brings Brianna news. She requests an audience after reading th…

Season 4 Episode 411 If Not For Hope Directed by: Mairzee Almas Written by: Bronwyn Garrity and Shaina Fewell My basic thoughts outline is below, you’ll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary: Roger is recaptured. Brianna uses art therapy. Brianna sketches a beautiful woman. Jocasta plans a party. Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian are…

Season 4 Episode 410 The Deep Heart’s Core Directed by: David Moore Written by: Luke Schelhaas My thoughts are below, but you’ll need to listen to the podcast to get my in-depth perspective. Summary: Jamie teaches Brianna a valuable lesson. Roger continues to travel with the Mohawk. Claire offers Brianna a choice. Young Ian is smitten. Claire’s at …

Season 4 Episode 409 The Birds & The Bees Directed by: David Moore Written by: Toni Graphia and Matthew B. Roberts My thoughts are below, but you’ll need to listen to the podcast to get my in-depth perspective. Summary: Brianna returns to her room battered and bleeding. Lizzie tries to help. Roger returns to the tavern for Brianna but is greeted by…

Season 4 Episode 408 Wilmington Directed by: Jennifer Getzinger Written by: Luke Schelhaas Summary: Roger searches for Brianna. Jamie and Claire visit Fergus, Marsali, and the baby. Roger mopes in a tavern before finding Brianna. A declaration is made. A wedding transpires. Jamie and Claire are off to a play with the who’s who of Governor Tryon’s f…

Season 4 Episode 407 Down the Rabbit Hole Directed by: Jennifer Getzinger Written by: Shannon Goss Summary: Roger follows after Brianna with the help of a friend. Brianna is ill-equipped for the rigors of the 18th century Highlands. Brianna remembers her daddy. Unexpected hospitality is offered. Roger becomes a crewman for a wicked captain. Brianna…

Season 4 Episode 406 Blood of my Blood Directed by: Denise Di Novi Written by: Shaina Fewell Summary: An unexpected duo comes to visit. Lord John’s wife has died. The boy William is grief-stricken. Lord John asks for discretion. Murtagh serves up politics and distrust with dinner. The boy remembers Mac the groom. Murtagh discovers the truth about W…

Season 4 Episode 405 Superstitions and Cruelty Directed by: Denise Di Novi Written by: Bronwyn Garrity My basic thoughts follow below, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to get my complete thoughts. Summary: Claire and Adawehi bond. A misunderstood truth is given. The white sow is challenging her worth. Jamie shares a supernatural dream. Clai…

Season 4 Episode 404 “Common Ground” Directed by: Ben Bolt Written by: Joy Blake Summary: Jamie becomes a landowner. Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian leave Marsali and Fergus, turning toward the mountains. The boundaries of Fraser’s Ridge are marked. The land is prepared for a cabin. They meet the locals who are unhappy at their presence. Roger makes a…

Season 4 Episode 403 “The False Bride” Directed by: Ben Bolt Written by: Jennifer Yale Summary: Roger says goodbye to the manse. He goes to America to see Brianna and perform in a Scottish festival. Roger shares his intentions. Brianna shocks Roger. There is a row that strains Roger and Brianna. Jocasta throws shade at Claire. The Frasers and Young…

Season 4 Episode 402 “Do No Harm” Directed by: Julian Holmes Written by: Karen Campbell Summary: Claire, Jamie, Young Ian, and Rollo arrive at Aunt Jocasta’s plantation, River Run. Aunt Jocasta extends every hospitality learning they were robbed. Young Ian and Rollo meet a wicked predator. We meet a mountain man. Claire’s sensibilities and beliefs …

America the Beautiful Season 4 Ep 401 Written by Matthew B. Roberts and Toni Graphia Summary: Jamie, Claire, Marsali, Fergus, Young Ian, Lesley, and Hayes are in Wilmington, NC. There’s a hanging. Young Ian gets a dog. The Frasers are going to a party. They are broke and need to sell a gemstone for passage back to Scotland. A greedy pastor, flashba…

THE COUNTDOWN TO OUTLANDER S4 CONTINUES! News: The official Season 4 opening credits and the music was released on October 6thduring an Outlander panel at the NYCC. Bear McCreary masterfully creates the connection to the colonial south of America by once again altering The Skye Boat song to reflect where the story is going while maintaining its Sco…

It's been almost ten months since the finale of Outlander Season 3, and in a mere 5 weeks, Season 4 will premiere. Last seen, Jamie and Claire, the family, and crew had washed up on the southern shores of The Colonies in America. Season 4 is based on book 4 of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie and Claire are no longer being pursued by t…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 68-71 Week 34 “All Roads Lead to The Gathering.” Summary: Domesticity ruled the moment. Jamie and Claire drunkenly frolicked in the night. Roger and Brianna established married life. Duncan Innes came to the Ridge with a proposition. The family headed to the Gathering. The baby finally had a proper name. The Gathering hoste…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 66-67 Week 33 “Cowards Need Not Apply” Summary: Claire was annoyed with the rascally rabbits. Roger made his return. He performed a blood vow upon the baby. Jamie declared Roger and Brianna husband and wife by handfast. Brianna was timid around Roger. Claire tended Roger’s wounded foot. Roger convalesced at the partially co…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 63-65 Week 32 “New Life and Returning Home” Summary: Brianna was angry about Jocasta’s will. Lord John had a plan if he needed to help. Brianna feared how things would be between her and Roger if he came back. Only two riders returned. Brianna forgave Jamie. Claire assessed John. Brianna went into labor. Jamie and Claire su…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 61-62 Week 31 “Forgiveness” Summary: Claire was sent to the longhouse. She examined Roger. Jamie wanted to keep some facts to themselves. Roger baptized a baby. Young Ian was adopted into the tribe to replace the man Roger had killed. He was named Wolf’s Brother and joined Works with Her Hands’ family. With sadness Roger, C…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 59-60 Week 30 “Fighting Words” Summary: Brianna susses out a truth about Lord John. She allows herself to feel close to Roger. She hatches a plan and proposes marriage to Lord John. She threatens him. She apologizes and explains. He explains why he cannot marry her. They become “engaged.” The priest prepares for death. Roge…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 57-58 Week 29 “Difficult Negotiations” Summary: With the help of Young Ian and his friend Emily, Jamie agreed to offer a ceilidh to be hosted by the Pretty Woman with a whisky tasting. Claire became acquainted with the Pretty Woman and her granddaughter. The conversation began with, Claire searching for the truth about the …

Drums of Autumn Chapters 54-56 Week 28 “Prisoners of Circumstance” Summary: Roger met a priest. His situation became direr as he was thrown into a hut with the man. The priest was on trial. The priest was tortured. Roger became more worried and comforted the man the best way he could. Brianna was trapped at River Run in a gilded cage. Jocasta was p…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 51-53 Week 27 “Betrayal and Blame” Summary: Roger found himself a prisoner. He was concussed and battered. He forcibly traveled with the Tuscarora for more than a week. He escaped hoping they would not pursue him. He found a stone circle. He was recaptured. Brianna was at River Run until her parents returned. She was angry …

Drums of Autumn Chapters 49-50 Week 26 “Truth and Consequences” ****Warning: This podcast contains discussion about abortion, rape, and hastening death**** Summary: Claire contemplated offering and performing an abortion if Brianna wanted it. She and Jamie fought over the mere idea of it. Brianna wanted to keep the baby. Young Ian proposed to Brian…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 47-48 Week 25 “Of Partial Truths, Protection, and Forgiveness” ****Warning: disturbing content and discussion of rape**** Summary: Jamie needed doctoring upon his return. Brianna told her news. Jamie and Brianna bonded. Claire and Jamie walked and talked. Claire kept the rapist’s identity secret. Jamie lied and kept his sec…

Denver Comic Con 2018 An Outlandish Outlander Fan Panel We, Karen Daugherty, Courtney Williams, and I had a good turnout and excellent attendee participation for our first ever Outlander inspired fan panel. It was incredible fun to discuss our favorite books and television series with other fans. We discussed the television show and the books surro…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 45-46 Week 24 “The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions” *****Warning: There is a discussion about rape during this podcast. I have notated the time where it occurs in the podcast below.***** Summary: Brianna is pregnant. She doesn’t know who the father is. The pirate raped her days after being hand-fasted to Roger. S…

Drums of Autumn Chapters 43-44 Week 23 “It’s All in the Name” Summary: There’s a stranger inquiring about Jamie’s whisky. Worry increased over Roger not showing up yet. The small distillery was Marsali’s responsibility. Wee Germaine is a full-throttle toddler. A mysterious button was found. Brianna was a hot commodity. The winter preparations were …

Drums of Autumn Chapters 41-42 Week 22 “Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition” Summary: Brianna and Lizzie get safely upriver to Cross Creek, though the girl had yet again become ill. Brianna borrows a mule to scout out Cross Creek. She meets Jamie. He’s dubious at first. Then filled with utmost joy. To River Run, he takes her and Lizzie. Fergus i…

Drums of Autumn Chapter 40 Week 21 “Virgin Sacrifice” Breaking News: Outlander S4 will premiere in November 2018 with 13 episodes based on Drums of Autumn and adapted for television. The television series has been renewed for S5 and S6 with 12 episodes each season. S5 is expected to be adapted from Fiery Cross and S6 from A Breath of Snow and Ashes…

Drums of Autumn Chapter 37-39 Week 20 “A Wolf in Captain’s Clothing” Summary: Roger learns what being a seaman means. It’s tougher and lonelier than he expected. His goodness and love for others cannot be helped. He must do what he must when others are in trouble. His good Samaritan ways are found out. The good Captain shows his teeth. The coin is …