You could broaden it a bit to include Claire's endless sobbing, just for variety.

That's true, she did but not after an awful lot of gasping and falling about. Again I say that Claire is not a strong enough leader/heroine to be the focus of the show and we should all just get on with making it Jamie's story, albeit told from Claire's POV.

Thanks for the tip. The podcasts are really worth a listen.

Even though Gambaldon's book are not serious ones - they tell fantastical, even ridiculous, tales based on absurd and improbable scenarios - it doesn't necessarily hold true that the characters are equally improbable and fantastical.

I just reread your post, not having given it the attention it deserved yesterday - inconvenient work life intruded! Up until now I've dismissed (apologies to the avid Gabaldon fans) these books as entertaining, scan-worthy fluff stuffed with relentless, far-fetched plotting; cloying or improbable stock characters; and…

…and was so glad when he did.

Just because someone sees drawbacks and deficiencies in a particular adaption doesn't mean they necessarily want to "gloat about cancellation".

You know how there's irony and sarcasm, right?

I don't agree with you on that one. I've worked for two chief executives who were outstanding men not to mention leaders - fiercely intelligent, compassionate, chivalrous, honest, transparent, courageous, funny, loyal, happily maried, excellent fathers. Those type of men are definitely not that common.

There were "best parts" of the English Patient? All I remember was screaming STOP TELLING YOUR STUPID STORY at the cinema screen, Juliette Binoche notwithstanding.

Jamie just removed his shirt. For that alone we should all genuflect at the altar of corporal punishment.

"No, don't take me back to Lallybrock. Jenny would never indulge me in my whiny, self aggrandising, self involved moaning the way you do, Jamie."

That's a good point - she waivers, but prevails. Hmmm. Do you think she will though? She does appear to be very fond of grand standing and moaning. It's not like she's had any real trevails so far (most of them were of her own making) and certainly not when compared to her husband.

Bonkers is the perfect description. Can you imagine the discussion with the poor beleaguered book editor?

PTSD: Agreed that it strengthens the time travel arc. How disappointing for that to have just been the device of Claire's arrival and never mentioned again. But Claire has a problem AGAIN? Flashbacks again? Claire suffered what thousands of other women suffered during the war.

..as is their right. In general, I think Moore has done Claire a great disservice in his portrayal of her which would bring me neatly to a tedious rant about "Hollywood's" portrayal of strong female leaders (make Carrie Homeland bi-polar, Samatha SITC a slut) but I'll spare you all.

Good post and I take your point but surely being competent in the face of unrelenting adversity is the more worthy, and trickier, story arc?

That whole Narcissus line was so hamfisted. Moore showing us his cleverness again.

Hey! I'm toootally, like, cool. I model myself on Show Claire - plucky to the point of stupidity, can't keep my mouth shut about ANYTHING EVER, routinely rip people's skins off because I'm traumatised, whiny, sobby, scowly or bossy.

Sex with small furry animals is totally a valid life choice.