Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Blast to the past Pick of the day
OUTLANDER MORE4, 9pm ROMANCE, war, violence, a sassy heroine, men in kilts and time travel – it doesn’t get more epic than this.
This historical drama, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, has already had two smash hit series on Amazon Prime, but now finally comes to mainstream British TV. Caitriona Balfe stars as Claire Randall, an English nurse in 1945 who heads off on a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) to celebrate reuniting at the end of the Second World War. There are lots of wistful glances, driving around in opentop cars, visiting castles and having sex in places they shouldn’t. But then it all starts to get a little bit creepy. First, Claire gets a palm reading and discovers her life lines and marriage lines are divided. And although Claire doesn’t believe in all that nonsense, she does start to worry. Then Frank comes across a weird ghostly figure just hanging about in the rain. The eerie music ramps up a notch and the couple go to watch women perform a ritualistic dance at an ancient standing stone circle – not something on the well-trodden tourist trail. Heading back alone later to pick a flower (bad idea) – the wind starts blowing, Claire touches one of the mysterious stones and she’s swept back in time to 1743. But it’s not all bad. After a close shave with nasty British army officer Black Jack (who happens to be the spitting image of Frank), she’s saved by Scottish rebels – one of whom is dashing Highland warrior Jamie (Sam Heughan). Will the married time-traveller be tempted into a Highland fling?