Romantic54·12/16/2018in TV Discussion
Let me begin by saying that I enjoyed this episode a lot, especially with the addition of Frank into the storyline. It brought some loose ends together very nicely. But I also thought the overall story was a bit flat. Too much time was spent with Laoghaire and not in the right context at the expense of Bree having the opportunity of meeting her family at Lallybroch especially Jenny, not to mention her having the opportunity to present a key proof of her identity, the pearl necklace, to the family. Bonding with her family at Lallybroch was very important to Bree in discovering who her father is and who she is too.
Oh and Steven Bonnet? Oh how you want to hate that guy when he pushes that child over board. The man, if you can call him that, is a completely dark black soul. What a monster but very well played, some of the best acting in the episode inspite of the character. I am however very glad to see that Bree and Roger are both now in the same time as a Jamie and Claire and I look forward to the next episode when Roger and Bree meet up, at least the preview suggest that, and Bree meeting her father, at least I hope that is what happens in the next episode as our Outlander Christmas gift. But overall I think this episode, "Down the Rabbit Hole," was a bit flat, but that's just me.
Post script: I need to edit my comment above. I have learned that Laura Donnelly, Jenny," was not available for filming. This does not speak well of those behind the scenes who set up casting. If they knew they had a hit on their hands, they should have secured her ahead of time. One other scene that was left out which was a disappointment was the visit to the cave that Jamie lived in by Bree and Ian, because that sets up a later bonding moment between Jamie and Bree in the woods on Fraser's Ridge.
(Edited by administrators)
Down the Rabbit Hole
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GadjanovD·12/17/2018
I am certain her other projects are great, but as it may be I had not heard about her in any other projects but as Jenny Murray from Outlander.......she is as famous as she is for being Jenny Murray ..........apparently it was her who ruined the show.for us in S4 re: Brianna's expected reunification with her family......this does not look like an insurmountable conflict, but like she quit.....I hope they find a much better Jenny for S 7...
outlandertvnews.com/2018/11/laura-donnelly-hints-at-not-returning-as-jenny-murray-on-outlander
(Edited by GadjanovD)
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Romantic54·12/17/2018
Eva, excuse me but I get the distinct impression that you think you should not have to wait until 48...48...48 minutes before you get go the meat and potatoes of the story. How impatient of you 😉...but but I am with you on that Adso the Cat! 🐱 Let's get to the meat and potatoes at minute 2 or 3 so we can savor the meal while we are at the table.
GadjanovaD, I agree with you too. They could have filmed Laura Donnelly at a date of her choosing and masked any pregnancy. I can understand her wanting to move on, since she wasn't in the show much so they should have given her more prominence and money, after all she has a family in real life to support. Oh well, spilt milk, but I do like milk, just saying, especially with chocolate in it. I only hope that what let down there was from this episode with the lack of any significant meeting with the Fraser/Murry family, Jamie's letters, Ellen's picture, and the pearl necklace is somehow added onto the father and daughter meeting to make us forget by being overwhelmed with emotion.
(Edited by Romantic54)
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GadjanovD·12/17/2018
So does anyone know when actors are cast in a supporting role for a show that is expected to have seasons, is it a multi year contract? So if you auditioned for a supporting role and accepted it, then you should know that over the years you will be called now and then, but you can still do other projects........I am just saying that 2-3 scenes as Jenny a season does not stop her from moving on.......I find that quitting now is irresponsible and offensive to the fans........imagine tomorrow David Berry decides to move on or Cesar or Lauren Lyle.........she could have done it after S4 at least ........... Jenny does not show in S5 and S6, ...then in S7 she is 60 yrs old, so they could have cast someone else.......I am not happy with this woman at all......
(Edited by GadjanovD)
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Adso The Cat·12/17/2018
Oh let‘s not be too harsh with her. Remember we don’t know the full story! We are just disappointed is all. (Is there a podcast this season? That‘s where these things are explained.) And Dave yes, I wouldn‘t mind around minute 10 but I‘m fully with you on being granted enough time to savour the meat and the potatoes!!
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Romantic54·12/17/2018
GadjanovD and Eva, I understand what you both are saying but Eva I think you have it right. We are just disappointed that Jenny (Laura Donnelly) didn't appear in this episode because of the binding element she brings between Bree and her Fraser heritage, especially to the father she hasn't met yet. Since Jenny will not show up again until season 7, according to the books anyway, then between now and then the producers should do a couple of things in my estimation. One find someone that looks a great deal like Laura and introduce us to her in some small contrived events so that we can get accustomed to her as the new Jenny before she becomes prominent once again in the storyline of season 7. The other possibility is to remove Jenny from all future episodes and let the character fade away. However the latter possibility would cause an uproar just look at the cry for saving Murtagh, once people invest themselves in a character they don't want to see them removed.
(Edited by Romantic54)
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Ddonald·12/17/2018
I hated this episode with a passion. So disappointed with the reasoning behind it. Cast a new Jenny if need be and forget Frank. He was an ass. Most of us have read the books and if you have not then do so.
I do not like change unless it is absolutely necessary. I can’t believed they ruined this for me! I have been waiting all week lol. The writers are taking too many liberties for television. This is not theirs, it’s Dianna’s and ours. Does not give me much hope for the finish of this season.
(Edited by Ddonald)
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Sassenach Lass·12/17/2018
Oh NO! What a sleeper. Now do you really think Brianna would travel two hundred years and all the way to Scotland and walk as far as she did in the cold and be within a couple hours walk to Lollybroch that she wouldn't tough it out? Really? The writers really blew this one. If Laura wasn't available to play her role as Jenny Murray then you would have thought they would have let the fans know. This meeting with Brianna and Jenny was such a big part in the books! I couldn't wait for Brianna to get a glimpse into her Da's childhood by roaming the halls of Lollybroch and seeing all the family portraits and yes reading the letters. It gave her a sense of belonging. It was said that Brianna was a dead ringer for Ellen in one of the portraits. So disappointed and I have to say I'm getting frustrated with this up and down ride of emotions this season. Having Frank come back to explain his relationship with Brianna and his failing relationship with Claire (Brianna as a little girl in bed covering her head with the pillow while her parents fight about Franks girlfriend Candy, or Sandy) certainly did fill in some blanks. He wore the same color turtleneck in the car with Brianna as he did when he stormed out of the house after arguing with Claire and that same night had the accident and was killed.
The series watchers will have absolutely no bloody idea who Morag and little Jemmy are and how important it was for Roger to put himself in such danger hiding them. They come into play later in the books again (unless the writers are going to ignore that also) and are instrumental in Roger's should we say accident? Bloody hell I hope the writers and producers have someone scanning the fan websites to see how this season is being received.
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Italia Vin·12/18/2018
I actually liked this episode. It was nice to focus on some of the other characters. They should develop the others more rather than give us the gratuitous sex scenes. Outlander is a success. They don't have to do that.
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Katya4444·12/18/2018
In the podcast...they said they tried to convince Laura Donnelly (Jenny) and waited almost too late and had to scramble to re-write the episode. They said they were so disappointed. They kept hoping they could get her to change her mind.
They also said in the books the fire dosen't happen in years and they did not know when it would happen so there was more urgency to get to the ship.
(Edited by Katya4444)
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GadjanovD·12/18/2018
Dave, we need a new Jenny - absolutely cannot drop her - what would S8 look like..........now in B9 she will meet Roger again after having met him in her 20s....the author is talking about that a reunion this would be.....Jenny needs to be back........we in Canada do not have the podcasts, but from what I read I am really pissed with Laura Donnelly..........hope other decision making figures in the show biz notice this complete lack of responsibility.......for what - 3 or 4 scenes is what Jenny has in this episode...........
As for the acceptance of S4 in general - I don't agree that acceptance is low - the last three episodes were great and we were all raving .............unless some other supporting character has quit, I see no reason for the incredibly interesting second half to be nothing else but awesome........one episode has disappointed because of one actress...........the acting of everyone else on set was great........let's not take away from Sophie Skelton in our upset over Laura Donnelly
What do you think?
