Outlander Anniversary! Our Sassenie Awards celebrate the first year! Autographed Swag giveaway!
Can you believe it’s been a year since Starz launched the amazing Outlander
series? There was so much pressure for Ronald D. Moore and team to get this show right since fans have adored these books for decades. And, yes, the team delivered beyond our expectations!
In honor of the one year anniversary of Outlander’s debut on Starz, we wanted to take a look back at the wild ride through the stones with some well-deserved awards in overlooked categories! So lads and lasses here be our First Annual Outlander Sassenies, honoring the best of last season!
Best new line
“Looks like I’m going to a fucking barbecue” – Geillis Duncan at the witch trial
A lot of the dialogue is right out of Diana Gabaldon’s book, but not all of it! This original line is hilarious and it’s also the first clear hint that Geillis is not all that she seems. It’s a great line and perfectly delivered by Lotte Verbeek.
Line we miss most from the books
“Don’t be afraid. There’s the two of us now” – Jamie Fraser to Claire on their wedding night
Not only is this a swoon-worthy line, but it’s one that’s repeated often in future books. Perhaps it didn’t quite fit the tone of what the episode was going for, but we miss it all the same. Maybe we’ll still hear it in the future…we have many more seasons to go!
Least successful pick-up lines
“Well, I must admit the idea of grinding your corn does tickle me” – Dougal McKenzie to Claire
“How is it to be alive and wear so much dead flesh?” Black Jack to Jamie
We actually have two winners for this Sassenie since not all men are born with silver tongues. (Clearly!) Both lines perfectly sum up thsese characters in their own, um, signature way. It’s amazing that Graham McTavish could deliver that line with a straight face (and Caitriona Balfe didn’t giggle!) and that Tobias Menzies could say those creepy lines with such fascination.
Most testosterone-fueled fight
Dougal vs. Jamie during the shinty game
Sometimes, guys just have to let off a little steam and, well, a grief-stricken Dougal stepped into a bone-crushing game of shinty (ie…extreme field hockey) and battled Jamie (Sam Heughan) for the ball. We got bruises just watching this scene. Ouch!
Best foiled rape
Jenny Murray stopping Black Jack Randall
In a TV season with lots of violence against women, Outlander also had its fair share (poor Claire!). But armed with only her wits, Jenny Murray (Laura Donnelley) laughed off her would-be rapist. She stopped the masochist in this track without resorting to violence. Take THAT Black Jack!
Best use of threatened-violence during sex
Claire threatening Jamie’s life during sex
She is woman, hear her roar!
That’s right, in the middle of ‘getting it on’ with Jamie, Claire whips out a knife and threatens to cut out his heart if he ever strikes her again. (Nope, no irony here!) Even our own Billy Beer named this the best scene on TV ever.
Of course, once that’s done…ride ‘em Highlander! Tulach Ard!
Best villain
Black Jack Randall
Well…arguments could be made for quite a few characters – Father Bain (Tim McInnerny) anyone? Laoghaire (Nell Hudson)?
But, hands down, this honor has to go to Captain Jonathan Wolverton Randall aka Black Jack. He’s an equal opportunity sadist who has no fucks to give about anyone or anything. Like all good villains, he makes sense in his own head, which makes him all the scarier.
Best bromance
Rupert MacKenzie and Angus Mhor
No, Black Jack’s thing for Jamie does NOT constitute a bromance! But the fun and colorful bickering/banter between Rupert (Grant O’Rourke) and Angus (Stephen Walters) is everything a bromance should be. These two characters were nicely drawn and add more personality to the whole MacKenzie clan. Watching Angus’ eyebrows was a show by itself.
Best cameo
Diana Gabaldon, of course!
It was a pleasure to see Herself make an appearance and, brave soul, also give lines with a Scottish accent. A lady born to the manor!
(Honorable mentions to Ron Moore and the inspiration for Jamie – Frazier Hines).
Best moment for fashion
Claire’s wedding dress!
In a show filled with so many amazing kilts, tartans, 1940’s outfits, etc. Claire’s wedding dress was something all it’s own! That silver color alone is outstanding, but the details of the leaves!! Costume designer Terry Dresbach outdid herself!
Worst moment for fashion
When you realize how they set the dye back in the 1780’s
The amazing wool waulking scene was fascinating and punctuated with a lovely work song. There’s nothing wrong with this scene! But it’s when you realize what liquid they’re using to set the dye, well, that makes you re-examine whether you want to wear any period-accurate clothing. (That and the amazingly tight corsets Caitriona had to wear!)
Best two-timing
Tobias Menzies as Frank and Black Jack Randall
Every actor in this show is amazing, but we have to give special props to Tobias Menzies for playing two characters who are ancestors/descendants of one another. Polar opposites – charming and joyful vs. cold and calculating. Such an amazing job with each of the Randalls!
Best musical sequence
The Skye Boat song by Bear McCreary
Emmy-nominee for Outlander Bear McCreary (we love saying Emmy-nominee for Outlander!) wrote some gorgeous themes for this show and had some great spotlight numbers (the druid dance sequence, the wool waulking work song, Claire’s road show song, the swelling theme when Claire and Frank race to Craigh na Dun), but the opening title song is lyrical, haunting and beautifully song by Raya Yarbrough. We love hearing this every week!!!
Most surreal sequence
The musical road show of Claire and Murtagh
What was just 6 pages in the book turned into the focus of a full episode and, well, it seemed like some odd dream complete with a dancing Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix).
Trait we miss most from the books
Jamie’s “wink”
For those of you who have not read the books, one of the most endearing things about Jamie Fraser is his inability to wink. (It’s one of the few faults this man has!) Every time he tries to wink, it comes off as an owl-ish blink.
Jamie, I had found out by accident a few days previously, had never mastered the art of winking one eye. Instead, he blinked solemnly, like a large red owl. – Claire from Outlander
While this endearing little tick wasn’t written into the show, Sam was well aware of this trait of Jamie’s and gave us a demo during the Outlander Invades LA event a few months into filming season one. (He knows the books!)
And those are our Sassenies for this first season of Outlander! What additional Sassenies would you like to give? Comment below or tweet us!
And what’s an award show without some swag? To celebrate Outlander’s launch we are giving away an autographed Outlander swag pack!
That’s right! An autographed Outlander giveaway! We are giving away an Outlander trade paperback signed by Diana Gabaldon at San Diego Comic Con!
We’re also giving away an Outlander tartan bandana, Pocket Jamie, an Outlander shot glass, Outlander bookmarks, pin and postcard poster with the original premiere date!
All this can be yours if you fill out the rafflecopter below! Just fill it out and tweet/comment your Sassenie — we’ll be awarding extra entries to our favorite suggestions! You can also tweet daily if you really, really want to! Good luck!
Stay tuned!
Comment below or email us at Erica@MikeTheFanboy.com or thenovelstrumpet@gmail.com
For more adventures, follow us on twitter: @Cambear and @NovelStrumpet
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Least successful pick up lines because its funny.
Best use of time travel without the use of bad effects, they did it just right.
I’m only on the second episode, no awards yet. I am amazed how close they got to what I pictured when I read the books!
World’s best fan. and hottest guy on show
I think Jamie should get an award after he learns how to wink. lol.
Best “Man to Have Your Back”….. = MURTAUGH
I’m a romantic at heart but I love the one liners just to lighten the seriousness of the story line
I just want to give the whole dang thing an award for best book to TV series adaptation I’ve ever seen!
Character I’m most nervous about the casting of: Brianna!
The Award For Best TV Show Ever!!
The award I would give is: Best Meal of the moment, which could showcase a scene made more awesome by the display of a food feast or plate of yummy food in a episode!
So thrilled to read ANYTHING about Outlander:) makes my heart lighter while waiting for Season 2:)
Best Rescue: The Heilan Coos!!
“Just One if the Lads” award: When Murtaugh looked at Claire (after she fainted) and said, “You scared the piss right outta me,” then promptly apologized to Brother Paul but not to Claire. Endearing and completely lovable, Murtaugh strikes again.
I love all the awards you have listed. The only other I can think of is Best Filming Locations. Scotland has totally won my heart.
I loved your count down to Outlander, I did everything on your list.
Hottest knees… Sam in a kilt!!
I could not find anything I díd not like. Phenominal.
Most romantic line: Jamie describing seeing Claire: “It’s as if I stepped outside on a cloudy day, and suddenly the sun came out.” Inspired by what Ron Moore had said to his wife Terry.
Could also be when Jamie tells Claire at Lallybroch, “I knew since the first moment I saw you that you belonged here with me. I loved you when you cried in my arms at Leoch.”
I have to say, normally people scream and holler at the changes a show/movie makes in an adaptation. Outlander does a great job in not only bringing to screen the essence of the story, but elevating it. There are these tiny tidbits that I feel make the story better, like Claire’s wedding ring. It’s quite different in the book than it is on the show and I love the story of it on the show. It’s an added nuance to Jamie’s feelings for Claire.
Best supporting beverage: Scotland’s greatest gift to the world – Whisky!
Line we miss most from the books
“Don’t be afraid. There’s the two of us now” – Jamie Fraser to Claire on their wedding night
And the award for Best Slap goes to ……. Claire for slapping the snot out of Laoghaire (CHEERS, APPLAUSE, & STANDING OVATION)
I think a Sassenie should be given for …”The Best Arguement Scene”. When Jamie rescues Claire from Black Jack & they stop by the river. They have one hellava fight. Claire calls Jamie a F…ing Bastard and Jamie says ” Your’e tearing my guts out Claire1!”
I think a good award would be Best book to show character casting!
Best sensitive touch award for the Wedding scene.
Best Feminist Moment: Claire telling the Scots to shut their pieholes while she’s tending to Jamie’s shoulder
BEat use of present scenery and settings to portray the past.
best “that’s what she said” moments…moments that somewhere in someone’s livingroom, someone has cheerfully mumbled THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
Worst pickup lines ..so funny
Most Endearing Smile
Best Use of Gaelic: Murtagh in episode 116, at Jamie’s bedside, their argument. I love it!
Jamie telling Claire…. “I would SUGGEST that you stay away from Gellis….”. Fast learner that jamie! ;o)
I Love Outlander !
I can’t wait till Season 2 ..
Best Support for an Adaptation….to Diana Gabaldon, for supporting the Starz adaptation so wholeheartedly.
Thanks so much for this chance! You are amazing! I really can’t wait for the season 2! My favourite is the best moment for fashion!!! I love the style and i would love to live in that period just for that!!!! And another one to add could be: the best locations! COME ON!!! THAT PLACES WERE PURE MAGIC!!!!!!!
Lol, I’d love to give out Best Villain, Least Successful Pick Up Line, and Best Bromance. Those are def the best
Maybe best location scout…all of the locations were beautiful! Didn’t realize how beautiful Scotland was and now it is on my must see list!
Best couple
Best binge watch show!
I would like to give the Best Comedy Relief Award to Angus! I love him so much!
So worth the wait of many years to see this come to the screen. Capturing each essence that made this series so endearing to so many around the world, this show will make your heart sing and make you sob uncontrollably all in one episode. New to series or an old diehard book fan, to watch the magic unfold in sight & sound of the Scottish Highlands, is breathtaking.
Anything Outlander… The characters sure make you realize every day you have to find the love & Joy. And the actors make you fall into their world so completely.
I am such an avid fan of Outlander and anything Outlander!
I would do one for Best Use Of Natural Herbs for the scene during the gathering episode with the port dosed with valerium root. Hilarious his chugging back the bottle and him all sleepy just as the “festivities” in great hall get going.
Best (as in most sexiest) use of the rolled “r” sound. It would be a tossup between Murtagh betting his best shirt Claire isn’t a “whorrrr” in episode 101. And Jamie describing Claire’s hair, how it’s “like a burn, the way it ruffles down the rocks” in episode 107. Are you sighing right now? Because I’m sighing just thinking about it…
Best hand seks
Great way to spend the evening # outlander characters are out standing in their roles
I’d like to see an award for the best Scottish name-calling! I think the award should go to Graham McTavish for delivering them so well! And for the epithet, “Ye dozey smert” (spelling not counting) he calls the priest when trying to arrange the wedding.
Best “back side/tush” shot
award for truest to the book!
I would say best moment for fashion.
I pick the “Best New Line.”