What Makes a Period Drama Awesome?

What made you interested in Outlander? The romance? The adventure? The Time travel? The characters? Maybe it was the historical setting and the intrigue of the time frame in which Outlander and all of it's sequels take place? I have ALWAYS been a fan of history and romance and combining the two together. I grew up on Disney Princess movies and got my start on period dramas watching the CBC and Disney production of Anne of Green Gables with Megan Follows. Gilbert Blythe was my first literary boyfriend and it kickstarted my love of romantic period piece dramas and television shows. So what makes a Period drama so wonderful anyway?

#1: The Costumes

Whether it's the beautiful dresses of The Tudors, the corsets of Victorian Dramas like Little Dorrit or Nicholas Nickelby, the costumes tell  a story as much as the movie or show itself. The costumes are a character and that's what makes them so important. The puffy sleeved white shirts, the cravats, the surcoats, the jewels, the hair, the simplicity or the ornate. Each costume is a part of making my heart aflutter.

#2: The Settings

What suits your fancy more? The gray and green Scottish highlands of Outlander, or the cheery hamlets of Prince Edward Island? Perhaps you prefer the hustle and bustle of London or the beautiful courts of Versailles there is always something to be admired. Much like the costumes, the settings are just as wonderful to gaze upon and soak up. They are a character too. If the settings don't seem authentic, then the entire production feels like a waste. With such settings, mixed with the costumes, you could also be transported to that place and time and if the production mucks up the setting then it's no good as a whole.

#3: The Speech

Speech, and dialects are often key to a period drama and make them awesome. The eloquence of Mr. Darcy as he proposes to Elizabeth Bennett, who's witty reply this hurtful comments make you wince with the sting of the burn inflicted. Shakespeare probably has the win here because there is nothing more romantic than seeing two people in period costumes professing love and more fantastic than characters demanding retribution or revenge. It just seems more refined, and the words a bit more flowery. The elegance and propriety of most makes it especially pleasing to the ear.

#4: The Men

Alright ladies, I think it's quite safe to assume that there is something extra special about men in period costumes. For instance, in real life, I don't think Sam Heughan is all that attractive, but when he wears a kilt and he's a little dirty, he's one of the sexiest men on the planet. Otherwise handsome men, look even sexier wearing puffy white shirts with a hint of chest hair showing at the vee of the collar. It's the fact that it hints at more I think, that makes it so sexy. It's probably why for men, back in the day, ankles when seen were so sexy. You wouldn't think they were but seeing just a hint of flesh under a lot of fabric gets the heart afluttering. Modesty really can be super sexy.

#5: The Romance

Probably what put's the cherry on top of the sundae for me is the romance that is seen throughout period dramas (especially those based on books). Growing up I wanted to be Anne to Gilbert, Elizabeth to Darcy. I wanted to parade in an extravagant ballgown and dance the night away with Bingley and be kissed under a tree by a handsome man in a cravat. Period dramas feed into this fantasy and as we grow older, watching a film, we can pretend we are part of the setting. Even as adults, we can act like little princesses again and enjoy a wonderful romance with the rakes and hellions of whatever time period we decide to immerse ourselves in.

#6: The Story Itself

Even with all of the above elements, what is probably most important of all, is the actual story. There are several genres of Period drama, though romance seems to be the most popular. The stories of war, of honor, of chivalry. The stories of beating the odds, of becoming more, of heroes and villains, of heroines and heart. They are relatable stories in one form or another, despite a space of time between them. With all of the elements, nothing completes a period drama better than a good story.  Whether it's overcoming one's own pride and vanity, like Elizabeth Bennett and Anne Shirley had to do, or overcoming selfishness and understanding that your feelings aren't the only one that matter as Scarlett did with Rhett. Perhaps it's the sad truth that even good heroes must die and that guilt or innocence, doesn't necessarily matter if you are in the way of a King as Anne Boleyn found out when her ambition was to great. That even if you are truly not a terrible person, a rule that does not cater to the downtrodden might end in your peril (as it did with Marie Antoinette). The story makes the drama, and makes all of the other elements truly worthwhile.

And to be clear here, it's not just the movies and television shows that are awesome. My favorite book genre is romantic historical fiction which is how I was so able to get into Outlander. I love a Julia Quinn, a Connie Mason and a Catherine Anderson to fill my world and immerse me in a story of love, and passion and corsets. I'm a history lover and history is my greatest passion. Seeing history and romance come together in books or in film, truly make it worth the while.


So what get's you excited about Period Dramas? The passion, the costumes? Feel free to let me know.

Gearing Up For Season Two!

Hello all, it's been a super long time since I updated this Outlander blog and a lot has happened since my last top ten list. What with the Golden Globes, and the Critic's Choice Awards and the People's Choice Awards and the BAFTAs and all the other awards of the season. I have been super busy getting settled into my new place, role playing (basically writing a story with another person) and trying to keep up on the latest news. Thankfully life has settled down and wouldn't you know it's nearly just in time for the start of Season Two. Last April, if you had told me I would have to wait a whole year for a new season, I would of told you I wouldn't of made it. Droughtlander 2.0 has truly been that. The worst kind of drought imaginable.

There have been quite a few casting reveals but as of this post we are still not aware of who they have cast as Bree though Richard Rankin was announced as Roger Mac way back in the middle of December. Outlander production says they are close so finger's crossed we at least have that. Come on Ron, announce it for Valentine's Day and we'll love you forever (maybe).

So, with Season Two being just roughly over two months away (depending on when they decide to premier since we only have April and not a specific date), I think it was time to discuss a game plan to really get back in the Outlander Spirit. I for one, have quite the plan to which I will share with you lovely people, my dear readers who are honestly the most amazing people there are.

First thing's first, I'm going to start a reread of Dragonfly in Amber. It's only my eighth time, but honestly, I might of missed something. You never know. Amiright?

I was also hoping to revisit the first season of Outlander by watching two episodes a week over the next couple of months, if only to pass the time until the Season Two Premier. Even though the last eight months have been agony, these months leading up to the premier are true and total torture because it's SO CLOSE and yet SO FAR! Ya feel me?

I'm also enjoying discussions in my favorite Facebook groups that center around all that is Outlander and I started coloring in my Outlander Coloring Book but I'm not the best coloring person, as calming as it is. I really fucked up the skin tone of Claire standing with that printed dress on and I'm completely and totally ashamed. I was trying to color blend and used way to much of this pale yellow color to add something besides just peach. It didn't turn out so well.

OH! I forgot to mention that I also started up a facebook page. I know a lot of people don't follow twitter or tumblr and aren't big fans of joining facbeook groups. It's much easier to click like on a page. I get it, which is why for shorter posts that don't warrant a blog, I've now created a facebook page that ties in with everything else that is OutlanderSassenach. I will post the link at the end of the blog post if you care to give it a like. No pressure though!

Anyways, so while I spend the next couple of months re-emersing myself in the world of Outlander, I'm curious. What will you all be doing to gear up for Season Two? Feel free to reply in the comments.

Until next time Sassenachs!

OutlanderSassenach Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/outlandersassenachpage/

Top Ten Moments of Season One: James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser

Welcome once more to a top ten countdown in relation to season one of Outlander. Thanks to the success of the Top Ten List on Claire Moments, I have decided to dedicate an entire series of top ten lists. This will be a top ten list of Jamie's best moments, and will be followed by top humorous moments and then top moments overall. Outlander certainly has become my passion over the past two years and nothing was perhaps more satisfying then seeing Jamie Fraser come to life. Sam Heughan, really has done a bang up job as the leading man, and it was an absolute joy to see him on screen. Before I get into this top ten list, I'm going to ask what your favorite funny moments, and favorite moments overall in the show were.

Contact Me

Via Email: graciedeardiarytumblr@gmail.com or outlandersassenach@gmail.com
On Tumblr: outlandersassenach.tumblr.com(through fan mail, anonymously, or the new private messaging service)
On Twitter: @GracieMac91

Now, onto the list!

#10 - "So long as I'm with you." Castle Leoch, S1E02

Jamie's character has always been strong, compassionate and as hot headed as Claire. The tender moments he shows Claire are honestly some of the best in the show. This is one of them. After a long ride, and a few scratches, Claire's meltdown prompts him to just hold her close and let her cry about her husband. He whispers calming soothing words in her ear and offers her a much needed shoulder to cry on. And then promises her that so long as he is around, he'll keep her safe but is also sure to remind her that she's an English woman and to be careful all things considered. Poignant, touching and wonderful, a true mark of Jamie's character.

#9 - "I guess that means you're coming with me." Sassenach, S1E01

We first get our eyes full of Jamie Fraser in the first episode and the best moment, for me, from the first moment is when he judges Claire's character accurately enough to call her bluff. He catches her running away from the men and informs her that if she doesn't come with him willingly, he'd pick her up, throw her over his shoulder and carry her back. She of course, doesn't want him to do that, and so he replies with that cocky grin. "Weel, I guess that means you're coming with me." It's the first glimpse we have of Jamie's ease of humor and wit (though, my one woe is how little of it we truly saw in the show, compared to the books, but that's another blog post altogether). It's a testament to Sam's acting to pull off ruthless and charming at the same time.

#8 - A Trip to the Snackbar. By the Pricking of My Thumbs, S1E10

Another humorous, and definitely sexy moment in the show, is Jamie waking Claire up with a bit of loving. And it's glorious, especially when Murtagh's trying to break down the damn door. There isn't really much to this scene in the form of substance, but it was super sexy and he was such a gentleman to let her finish. I don't know, I just like this moment because it's a rare tv moment for the focus to be on the woman's pleasure and woman's pleasure alone and honestly, Jamie certainly seems to satisfy her on screen.And what woman wouldn't want a man that saw to her needs before his own every now and then.

#7 -Fixing the Mill. Lallybroch, S1E12

In one of his more humorous scenes, Jamie wakes up with a hangover after playing Laird of Lallybroch the night before and finds out the mill is broken. Determined to fix the issue himself, we once more get that wry wit of his and well, a decent glance at his backside. While humorous, it's also a bit of a nail biter because the redcoats show up while he's fixing the mill. It's also the first time that Jenny sees the scars left by the floggings he received at the hands of Black Jack Randall. Which brings us to my next favorite Jamie moment.

#6 - Facing the Flogging. The Garrison Commander S1E06 & Lallybroch S1E12

Not many men who have received 100 lashes live to tell the tale. That same number probably would take the offer that Black Jack offered than take the punishment. Jamie's bravery certainly takes center stage. We first see the flogging scene in The Garrison Commander but the back story behind that scene takes place in Lallybroch. Jamie explains that he didn't want to have another flogging, but he couldn't dare imagine giving her body to Black Jack to spare himself the feel of the cat o nines again and that to do so, his father might think less of him. It is a strength of character, but it is also Jamie's tried and true stubborness.

#5 - The Oath Taking. The Gathering, S1E04

Thanks to Claire's shenanigans, Jamie finds himself in quite a dilemma. He has to swear an oath of fealty to his Uncle Colum at the gathering. If he doesn't pledge, the clansmen will kill him. If he does pledge, his Uncle Dougal will kill him. Quite the pickle I'd say. Regardless, Jamie's ability to think lightly on his feet grants him a perfect way of swearing fealty, but also ensuring that he is not killed by Dougal. It's eloquent, on point and perfectly encapsulates Jamie's intelligence.

#4 - "Fair is fair." The Wedding, S1E07

By far, one of the best episodes of the season finally gave Jamie the limelight. After six episodes of being a passive character in the background, he came to center stage as the virginal young man who thought that sex was done the back way. The best moment for me, during this whole episode was right after Claire explores his nakedness and then he counters that it's just as fair for him to ogle her. I could of went with a million moments in this episode that were poignant, funny or ultra romantic, but I think this statement really sets the tone for that second and much for satisfying sex scene in the whole episode. He was cocky, self assured and damn if it wasn't sexy as hell to watch.

#3 - The Spanking Scene. The Reckoning, S1E09

On the previous list, I included the argument between Jamie and Claire and highlighted it as one of Claire's best moments. I would of liked to duplicate it in this but decided to give you this moment instead. Now this has to be the most dividing scene of the entire season. People like me, who grew up in a house where a spanking with a belt was considered proper punishment, sort of laugh and giggle through it, especially since Claire's reactions are so similar to us bargaining kids doing anything to get out of it. I thought it showed that while Jamie is strong, he is a man who is also from a different time. A time where corporal punishment is the norm. And it's because this scene is so divisive to different audiences, that I decided to place it on this list.

#2 - Jamie's Acceptance of Claire's Story. The Devil's Mark, S1E12

Picture it. Your significant other, whom you love deeply, has just told you that s/he is a time traveller and is 200 years from the future. I bet most of us in that given situation, would just smile awkwardly, pick up the phone and call the local psychiatric hotline. We wouldn't believe it. What a crazy ass story right? But Jamie, dear sweet Jamie, actually believes her. He doesn't understand it, but he believes her all the same. If that is not a testament to true love, I don't know what is.

#1 - Jamie Offers his Body in Exchange for Claire's Safety. Wentworth Prison, S1E15

Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking scenes, and a true showing of Jamie's love for Claire, is when he offers himself up in exchange for the safety of his wife. He is already beaten, bruised and tortured but none of that matters. Even when Black Jack Randall drives the nail into his hand, he doesn't waver in what he means to do, even though he knows the steep cost. It is heartbreaking, watching the weight of his decision cross his features after Claire is gone, but that doesn't stop him from comforting her when BJR sends her away. He doesn't let her see how scared he is. He is the perfect embodiment of strength and vulnerability and it is one of the most devastating scenes of the entire season, and also the one scene that resonated the most with me overall.

So what were your favorite Jamie moments?

Top Ten Claire Moments of Outlander Season One

It's the end of the year, and with Droughtlander upon us, I decided to go back and rewatch all sixteen episodes of Outlander and pick and choose which moments I decided were the best. Claire is a complex character, both strong and vulnerable, both impulsive and patient. She gets shit done, and she is honestly one of the best female characters ever created. Many props to Diana Gabaldon for creating such an awesome, realistic, complex woman that women of all ages can relate to in one way or another. And so here are my top ten moments of Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser.

#10 - "You have strong fingers." The Way Out, S1E03

I have to say this was the pivotal moment where the friendship between Jamie and Claire was well and truly established. When she asks if he's got strong fingers and then they both set about rescuing the boy from the pillory, it always makes me grin. Especially the part where she feigns a faint and then Jamie says she faints at the sight of blood. It has to be the oldest trick in the book, though, considering the time travel, maybe the diversion is the newest trick in the book? Either way, it is one of my favorite moments of the entire series and always makes me giggle.

#9 - "Not a Wet Nurse." Sassenach, S1E01

By far one of the humorous scenes. Back in the day, the only nurses anyone knew anything about were the wet kind, so that moment when she's putting Jamie's shoulder back in place and says she's a nurse, his eyes go straight to her boobage and she's all aghast about it. Honestly, if not for the situation, I think she would have slapped him. And it would have been a well deserved slap.

#8 - "Oh Fuck" The Search, S1E14

Nothing quite encapsulated the moment so well when Claire was forced to literally sing for her supper, or at least information. She and Murtagh are scouring the highlands for Jamie Fraser and part of doing so means putting on singing shows. And so, Claire's first show to a rowdy bunch of drunks in a tavern is quickly started off with the exclamation. Brilliant and funny.

#7 - The Dagger to the Throat, The Reckoning, S1E09

After the six month break between episodes eight and nine, nine came in with a huge bang. And by bang, I mean Jamie slamming that window open and pointing that pistol at the sorry bastard BJR. Now the reckoning, was actually my favorite episode of the entire season and there are two moments on this list. This is the first one. After all the fighting, and back and forth between them, Claire and Jamie have some good ole fashioned make up sex, you know, the best kind there is and while she is on top, laying it on him thick, she takes his weapon, puts it to his throat and makes him swear to never lay a hand on her again. It's also a sex scene where she is most definitely in control of him and she lets him know it too. Considering the fact that he'd tanned her hide earlier, getting fucked while subsequently being told if he ever hit her again, he'd have his heart cut out and she'd eat it for breakfast, is probably enough for a man to get the picture. She was the boss, and Jamie knew it.

#6 - "Does it bother you?", The Garrison Commander, S1E06

After a really tense hour of superb tension between Claire and the disgusting Black Jack Randall, it is determined that the only way to save Claire from the clutches of the evil bastard is to turn her from an Englishwoman into a Scot. And that means marriage. And so, she and Jamie are set to be wed. After all that tension, the two moments that break up the anxiety the most are Dougal's Corn Grinding line, and this one when she asks Jamie "Does it bother you, that I'm not a virgin?" And when Jamie responds. "No, so long as it doesn't bother you that I am," the look on her face and the guzzling of her wine are proof enough that she's just not wanting to deal with this shit. It's also why she gets more than a wee bit drunk. Who wouldn't with that kind of news?

#5 - Choosing Jamie, The Devil's Mark, S1E11

One of the most pivotal moments in the entire show for Claire, was when she makes the decision to permanently put Frank behind her. In a way. When she decides to choose Jamie, in this world of war, pain and torment, versus the much safer world she lives with Frank, you can see the angst, the fear and then the complete and total determination. The moment she tells Jamie "On your feet soldier" and you seem them embrace and kiss, you know that everything, for now, is going to be alright. That she's found her soulmate and she loves him, even if she doesn't say the words.

#4 - The Dying Man, The Gathering, S1E04

This moment is truly when you see Claire's compassion. The man gored by the boar has no chance of survival and it is this moment that I also believe Dougal finally gives Claire some respect. Granted, he is still a major asshole, but he's the kind of asshole, you can't help but admire a little. Regardless, this moment when she comforts this dying man in his last moments, it's tender and shows Claire's true want to help and the grief when she cannot do so. A common thing for a woman who is used to seeing the dead and dying on the battlefield.  A poignant moment for Claire's character and her relationship with Dougal's character.

#3 -Pregnancy Announcement, To Ransom a Man's Soul, S1E16

The ending moments of the season, after all of the ups, the downs, the terrible things that have happened, when she tells Jamie she's pregnant is truly the light at the end of a dark tunnel. They love each other, and the child she never thought she'd have, is now in her belly and so she and Jamie are truly a family again. Things aren't back to normal, by any means, but they are getting there. And this baby is truly that hope for a better future between them.

#2 - The Big Fight, The Reckoning, S1E09

By far the best Claire moment with Jamie is this one. By a mile. The tension between them and the chemistry are clashing. The insults back and forth, the affrontry. The sexual chemistry is so strong between them in this one scene that you can feel it steaming off the tv screen and when they glare at each other, you don't know if they are going for blows or for hard kissing. It's sexy, raw, powerful. Claire hold's her own, she let's Jamie know what for, she calls him a fucking bastard, he calls her a foul mouthed bitch. By far some of the best acting of the entire series happens in this moment and I'm honestly sure when she slapped him, she really slapped him. Note to Jamie, never tell a woman to apologize when they don't think they've done anything wrong. I think he learned his lesson.

#1- The Bitch Slap Heard Round the World, By the Pricking of My Thumbs, S1E10

Ah yes, nothing quite felt as satisfying all season, in my opinion as the moment when Claire loses her shit on Laoighaire. Now...I get it. Laoghaire is a teenager. She's a bit bratty. She's got this huge ass crush on Jamie. But she really crossed the line when she tried to seduce him by the stream. Then she has the utter nerve, to say that Jamie must get sloppy drunk to fuck Claire. And the reaction to such a thing is the satisfying bitch slap that Claire lands on her. Now, hitting anyone is wrong, but admit it, most if not all of us felt a great deal of satisfaction in watching that display.

So what were your favorite Claire moments of Season One?

Sam Heughan is a True Winner

This morning, Outlander fans waited with bated breath, waited for the Golden Globe nomination announcements with fingers crossed. Surely, the Golden Globes would nominate Outlander after the Emmy's snubbed us. And sure enough, we were nominated. We were nominated for Best Drama Series next to heavy-hitter Game of Thrones. Caitriona Balfe received a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama and Tobias Menzies received a Best Supporting Actor nomination in a Drama. For the first time, on a stage that didn't rely on fan voting, we were legitimized. But almost immediately, there was drama within our fandom over the fact that Sam was not nominated for Best Actor. There was anger, a lot of it, over the fact that Sam did not receive a nomination, more anger than I remember when the Emmy's snubbed the entire show.

The problem with award shows like this, is that usually there is a lot of back door politics going on, not to mention, a lot of the basis for a nomination depends on screen time for the actors within the show. As it stands, Jamie's character was a side character, at best, for the first eight episodes and didn't become a full main character until after the wedding. Blame Ron Moore, blame the writers, that's just the way it panned out. So no, Sam did not receive a nomination. But to me, that doesn't matter, because Sam is the true winner.

Since becoming Jamie, Sam has dealt with a lot. Harrassment on social media, for his behavior, for his significant other, for not answering questions on his personal life, for dealing with crazy obsessed fans who get jealous of any woman in his life who might be his girlfriend; for being to thin or too buff; for having a beard and not having one at all; for anti-shippers who scream and throw fits on twitter and tumblr just so they can try and rub it in shippers faces that he isn't with Cait (I'm not a shipper myself but shipping them doesn't bother me in the slightest). He's handled it all fairly well, though it must be quite an adjustment to go from a small actor to catching the biggest break of his career and becoming the human embodiment of one of the greatest literary men in modern literature. He has handled it all graciously and humbly and to those who've met him in real life, they say he is nothing but a true gentleman.

So even though Sam did not get a nomination, to me he is still a winner. He has handled transition from unknown actor to a top tier actor gracefully. He involves himself in charity work, he has a life that is actually quite normal outside of his role as Jamie and his acting is superb. When the Emmy's snubbed us, everyone was angry. Emmy's and Golden Globe nominations legitimize television actors to most and there are plenty of actors in smaller TV shows that never get the recognition they deserve. Much like everyone knows that Leonardo DiCaprio deserves an Oscar more than plenty of men who've won over him. We know that despite never winning one, that he is a fantastic actor. So even though Sam did not get a nomination, I know that he is still a winner. I know that he is still a wonderful actor. That even though he did not receive a nomination, he is still one of the best actors on television right now and he will only grow as an actor as the show progresses. As I said when we were snubbed by the Emmys, we do not need these nominations to legitimize these actors, because they are already legitimized in our eyes. I'm excited that Cait, Tobias and the show nabbed nominations and am I disappointed in Sam being snubbed, a little yes, but at the same time, I know that he is an actor that is utterly wonderful, and just because he doesn't win a nomination, doesn't make him any less wonderful in my eyes. So congrats to Cait, Tobias and Outlander, and especially to Sam, who will no doubt treat his snub with quiet dignity and grace. To the fandom, Sam Heughan, you are indeed a true winner, regardless of the backdoor politics in Hollywood.

Slàinte mhath!

A Defense of "Hold the Fries"

Normally, I do not take personal matters to this fandom blog but I feel like something needs to be addressed. I am sure many of you reading this are members of a group on Facebook called Outlander Series. It is an extremely large group (the largest in fact) of Outlander lovers with fifty-four thousand members. I was once a part of this group. My first fandom group in fact. At first, I loved this group. I honestly did. I met a lot of great people, and I met a lot of awesome friends. Such a large group, is of course, going to have it's share of drama and there was no shortage of people who stirred the pot so to speak. But I took such things with a grain of salt. Back in January of this year (2015) now completely engrossed in all things Outlander, I found myself joining as many Outlander related groups as I could find. Outlander Uncensored, and Outlander Hold the Fries, and even creating my own Outlander Facebook group OutlanderSassenach. I was trying to find great discussion groups to discuss Outlander and also make friends that shared a similar interest to my own. Unknowingly I entered Hold the Fries, not realizing that this was an ordained "hate group" by the only active admin in the large Outlander Series group, Denise Fries. Now at first, I'll admit, I thought the commentary on how crazy this woman was was nonsense.

Personally, I had been getting contentious with a couple of catty women in Outlander Series, one of whom had essentially copied and pasted a tumblr post (with picture included) I had written way back in November of 2014 about how Kevin Ryan might possibly be in the running for the role of Roger MacKenzie. Now all I had done was screenshot what she wrote with my original post and then explained that the information was old and false. I was met with an explosion of catty remarks and the thread went on and on and on. I was relentlessly bullied for standing up for myself and so I left the large group after nothing was done to stop the bullying against me.

I ended up returning, still a member of this so called "Hate Group" with no issue. I had heard the stories of the crazy admin but we discussed plenty of Outlander that I just ignored what was going on when discussing a certain admin of OS. I even told my best friend about this group because the ladies within were fun and go lucky and maybe a little risque but I liked them. About three days after I told my friend to join the group, she too a member of Outlander Series, she was banned without notice or PM. I didn't understand. So I PMed a certain admin of Outlander Series and asked her about why my bestie was banned with no notice. It was a very polite discussion I'll admit. No mud slinging. I was told that if my best friend wanted to come back to OS she could PM said Admin and they would work it out. As it turned out, my friend had already been blocked by Denise and was unable to PM. I was then asked by Denise if my friend was part of Outlander Series - Hold the Fries and when I was affirmative, I was told, oh no, she can't be part of that. That's a hate group. I then informed her I was also part of said group (finding it unfair that people could be blocked and banned just for being in certain groups) and decided that I would leave OS voluntarily for I felt that my best friend was unfairly banned and I was going to stick up for my friends. I don't regret leaving, and by and far that was not the worst thing this woman has done. She accuses Hold the Fries of "stalking her page" But if you will look at this screenshot, you will see the recent activity in this supposed "hate group" is mostly Outlander related.

We aren't "stalking" her group. A few might have alternates and go in to take a peak at the crazy but most of our posts are in fact Outlander related. While there were some rather extreme memes made way back in the early days of this group, most memes are now just poking fun at her silly rules. There is even a twitter page dedicated to making fun of the silly rules that OS has (@DSFRules). "No Nitpicking" for example, or using the word "butthurt" are all considered bad form in Outlander Series. There is no real hate, and no one in the group is going to Denise Fries and bullying her in any form. If she is, trust me, you would know. An Example of Hold the Fries "bullying":

Many people that joined Hold the Fries have been maligned, called terrible, called haters, and from my experience are great people with only a single online enemy. Now Denise's reputation far exceeds her. Several groups online refuse to give her the time of day because of her behavior. Formerly, she was admin in Game of Thrones: Spoilers Welcome and was forced out for her micromanaging behavior. Groups were made as safe havens for ousted members in the Game of Thrones fandom as well. I've had several people tell me so and she was known "affectionately" in Spoilers Welcome as "Cape Ruby."

She refers to those she admins over as "lessers". She polices her group so that people that post a lot of Outlander related stuff have to be "limited to two posts a day" because people complain that those posting are posting to much. Over the weekend (between October 16-19, 2015) Hold the Fries had an influx of 150 new members. Part of a mass exodus from Outlander Series because one of the lovely ladies that posted videos there was thrown out, despite the videos dealing with her journey through reading the books for the first time. I feel, as a member of this Hold the Fries group, that we have been unfairly maligned and treated maliciously when in fact, most of the time, our focus is indeed Outlander. It's not a hate group so much as it is a safe haven for people to vent their frustrations and find new Outlander groups that are not admined by Denise Fries because they find her behavior controlling, narcissistic, and micromanaging. Rules of the group include that one cannot promote other pages, or personal products, and yet Denise promotes her own blog frequently AND her books while not allowing her group members to do so. How is that fair? Hypocrite much?

Threads that bash the show are left up while threads that promote what people love about the show are considered hate bating and are taken down. This isn't coming from me, but the countless people in the Hold the Fries group. For the group to have a No Drama motto, anything that promotes people's love of the show is often discounted or taken down or seen as stirring the pot. I just don't understand the hypocrisy of not being able to promote personal Outlander related stuff while the admin can shove the link of the book she wrote down the proverbial throats of Outlander Series Group members.

Now maybe in real life, Denise is a very nice person. Maybe she's a great person in fact, but online, her entire existence is revolving around smothering the opinions of others.

Outlander Series is a very very large group and with fifty-four thousand people, it's often hard to continue a popular conversation or posts get buried far to easily. The fact that people are not allowed to join certain groups just because the admin of one doesn't like it seems a bit weird you know? And also, when over 600 people are in a group relating the same sort of stories and experiences by a single person, perhaps the problem is not with them, but rather with the person they have contention with.

I just want to set the record straight. Yes, Hold the Fries sometimes get into a stint of Denise Fries bashing because often, those that go there are are hurt, upset and angry over the way they were treated. It is NOT a Hate Group though some may see it that way and is a gateway for people ousted from Outlander Series to find a new place to discuss their love of books.

I imagine this link will get to Denise in one form or another, as there are moles in the group and I am sure that I will be told to stop whining and be told "Omg it's just the internet" but if someone is able to write a blog post about how she has a hate group, I am allowed to defend my wonderful friends there who are great people, who felt they have been wronged and have a place to vent their frustration and anger. I was once a person who thought they were honestly just full of it, but I know these women. I've known them ten months and despite the treatment my best friend received from Denise, I'm glad she did what she did because I discovered how wonderful, and loving and embracing these ladies (and few gents) are. She can call us petty, say our claims are embellished. If that's the case, 600 people are all lying about similar circumstances, which seems a bit of a stretch does it not?

Anyway, if you are part of Outlander Series and are reading this, I just wanted to say that our group IS NOT a hate group, though Denise so often points out that it is. We spend most days discussing our lives and Outlander and not the woman who admins the biggest Outlander fan group of them all, as she so often states over and over again. Feel free to join us, but know that when you do, you will be banned because a single woman does not want you in other groups or promoting other groups and wants you all to your self. That's all it amounts too.

Until next time my fellow Sassenachs.

Droughtlander "Get Through It Initiative": Poldark, Part Five, A Recap

We start off tonight's Poldark certainly happy right? There's copper in that there mine! (Try reading that previous sentence with your best old prospector accent) Ross and Demelza confess their love and she's pregnant with his baby! I mean, obviously it's good times right? What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, as it always is with a great drama, the happy endings are almost always short lived.

As usual with an hour of no commercials, several things of note happen in this episode. It starts off sweet enough with Demelza having a little girl. Watch Ross hold his daughter is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. He's in awe of his little girl, perfectly happy with her, not disappointed that she isn't a boy. It's truly a fairy tale for him and for Demelza.

This episode really allows for Demelza to grow a bit more. Most of the attention has been on Ross and in this episode we get to see a lot more of Demelza coming into her own. I also love what they have done with her hair, having it flowing and long like that makes her look truly beautiful and she looks like a brand new mother with a certain glow. Job well done make up and hair team. Applause all around.

While Ross is dealing with his investors (who are selling out and dropping like flies), Demelza notes that her cousin in law, sweet Verity, is truly miserable with her situation and obviously lacking in love. At the christening and after, you can see the cogs in her head turning. She's going to do something about it, and that means going to see Captain Blamy.

Obviously it's been quite a long time since Verity and Blamy parted (thanks to Francis, a.k.a. Sir Dickbag), and when Demelza first arrives there, Blamy is very harsh with her and tells her that he's only married to his ship and does not think of Verity. I called bullshit because this is a TV show and there is no way in hell that that man hasn't just stopped thinking of her. My bullshit meter, was of course, right on the spot because later on in the episode Verity and Demelza are shopping for a cloak and he comes up behind them and in the midst of a riot, their true feelings came to be known.

As stated before, Ross is having to deal with his investors dropping and tries to buy them out but to do so is truly to much of a financial risk considering that to do so would be staking his entire property and house on the line and with a wife and child, that can't happen.

The most pivotal part of the entire episode is when Ross and Francis go to one of George's parties. You know, those parties where there are only men and whores, gambling, drinking and of course, talk of business. This is the 18th century after all, and those manly parties are almost always about business in one form or another. While there, Sir Dickbag is gambling and drinking with a friend of George and after a bad hand, he stumbles out, obviously angry. It turns out, that he gambled away his mine and lost. What does this mean exactly? Ross explains the situation to Demelza and therefore to us. By gambling away the mine, he has made himself destitute, losing his only source of income. The people who work for that mine, are now out of a job. It was the equivalent of a modern day corporate take over.

The final scenes of the episode involve Elizabeth, Verity and Sir Dickbag going to the mine to close it but he ends up writing a word in chalk on the mine. I don't know the exact word but it's meaning was clear. "We will rise again."

It is this episode that I finally find some respect for Elizabeth. She's pulled herself up by her bootstraps, not a child any longer. She's really coming to her own. She chose this man, money over love, and now she has no money but it's not bringing her down. She tells Ross that there are less fortunate people than herself and Francis and she'll make it work. She will do what needs to be done because obviously, Francis is not going to do anything except lick his wounds and feel sorry for himself.

What really surprises me, is how little Ross' cynicism has lessened. Here he is, in love with his beautiful wife, a father to a beautiful daughter, and when Demeleza makes that comment, after the christening, about how she believes "love conquers all" he responds that he didn't believe that. That love shouldn't disrupt the lives of others, or something like that. Crazy right? Ross, you can say, is definitely consistent in his behavior, level headed and not above mistakes but he certainly doesn't have a very bright view of the world around him.

It was the best thing, seeing Demelza truly start to shine and I'm hoping that next week, Verity and Blamy damn well run away together, but it looks like Ross is going to be gambling with the same cad that gambled Francis out of his livlihood. Well, here's to hoping anyway. Until next week. :D