The Sassenach Files: An Outlander Podcast

Droughtlander Book Club: The Ruby Brooch

Hey Obsassenachs! This week I’m taking a wee detour from Outlander for my first edition of Droughtlander Book Club. The subject of this week’s chat is The Ruby Brooch, the first novel in The Celtic Brooch series by Katherine Lowry Logan. Come join me as I dive deep into the characters of the novel and the history of the Oregon Trail (the historical setting for this novel). I also take a look at Katherine’s writing style, her use of symbolism, and the inclusion of major themes such as grief, loss, and forgiveness. In preparation for this book study, I also had the opportunity to ask the author a few questions, and those answers are sprinkled throughout my analysis as well. Enjoy!

King of Men: Part I

Greetings wonderful listeners! This week I was joined by my friend Angela Hickey of Outlandercast Clan Book Club and Queen Bee’s Hive (Patreon) to break down every facet of Jamie Fraser’s very nuanced character. Because his story is broad in scope and crucial to the overall shape of Outlander, it was impossible for us to cover everything in one episode. So in Part One of our King of Men duo, we discussed his backstory including the influence his family had on him growing up, his faith as a Celtic Christian, and the events of Wentworth Prison and how that created a ripple effect throughout the rest of the series. Make sure to check back for more details on Part Two coming soon!

Season Five Superlatives

Hello everyone! This week, I was joined by my friend and fellow Obsassenach, Angela Hickey from Outlandercast Clan Book Club and Queen Bee’s Hive (Patreon) to discuss all the highs and lows of season five on a live edition of The Sassenach Files. This is a replay you won’t want to miss as we discussed all the best musical moments, laugh out loud moments, and scene stealers. We also chatted about our favorite episodes, character arcs, and romantic moments alongside some of the adaptation “misses” and why certain characters and scenes fell flat for us.

Kill Them All

Greetings Obsassenachs! This week I’m discussing 512: “Never My Love”. Join me for a wild ride as I express my thoughts on how Lionel Brown matches up to some of the greatest villains in this series, Jamie’s immense sense of guilt and failure of what Claire endured, and the stunning cinematography of this episode. I also chat about Claire’s crazy dreamscape, it’s many, many Easter eggs, and why I felt that this particular form of escapism made total sense for Claire’s character.

You Have Made My Life Whole

Welcome back Obsassenachs! This week I’m discussing 511: “Journeycake”. Come along for the ride as I chat about everything from the slight differences I’ve noticed in the episodes written by Diana Gabaldon, to the giant head fake of the episode–Roger and Bree’s leap through the stones (or not), to why the cold open was so critical to understanding our main characters. I also dive deep into all of the call backs surrounding previous episodes, the critical role Lord John plays in raising William, and how this was the perfect time for Ian to learn about this crazy thing call time travel.

Two Sides to Every Story

After a long hiatus to enjoy Season Six, I’m back to continue my break down of all things Outlander. This week I’m taking on 510: “Mercy Shall Follow Me”. Join me as I discuss, Stephen Bonnet’s complexity as a villain, Jamie and Roger’s adorable father/son relationship status, and the question everyone wants answers to: Why did Brianna really kill Stephen Bonnet? I also chat about the major themes of this episode including what motivates our characters and the use of iconic pieces of literature as allegories for the stories being told in this episode.

You Tried to Die on Me, Didn’t You?

Welcome back for another episode of The Sassenach Files! This is my last episode before I go on hiatus for Season Six, and it’s a doozy. Join me as I chat 509: “Monsters and Heroes” in all its wonder. This episode is very character driven and centers around the life Jamie and Claire have built for themselves. So, dust off your earbuds and settle in as I talk about Roger and Bree’s marriage growth, the similarities between Claire and Bree as modern career women, and that fantastic scene between Ian and Fergus. Saving the best for last, of course I discuss Jamie and Roger’s ever evolving relationship. They have finally worked out their differences and that is certainly something worth celebrating on my 75th episode!

I Will Always Sing For You

Greetings Obsassenachs!! This week on The Sassenach Files I’m chatting about 508: “Famous Last Words”, and it is a doozy. From Roger’s struggle back towards normalcy, to Jamie’s grief over Murtagh, and Ian’s return to The Ridge, this episode is full of dark material worth discussing. I also chat about the use of the Silent Film technique, Brianna’s much improved communication skills, and an issue very close to my heart, mental health and veteran suicide. In this episode I mention the Til Valhala Project, and you can find the link below if you would like to support this wonderful cause!
https://tilvalhallaproject.com/

Countdown to Season Six

Hello all! This week I have a very special episode for you. My dear friend Angela dropped by The Sassenach Files to discuss everything we know about the upcoming season of Outlander in a LIVE event. Join us as we talk about the look and feel of the season so far, all the interview deets we were able to glean from our time in Seattle at Outlandish Vancouver, and everything Starz has given us ahead of the Season Six premiere! We also took the opportunity to break down all eight of the episode titles and try to sort out the plot of A Breath of Snow and Ashes. We had a lot of fun, and we can’t wait to see what this season has in store. ONE MONTH TO GO Obsassenachs!!

It Doesna Hurt A Bit To Die

Hey Obsassenachs! Welcome back to another episode of The Sassenach Files. This week I’m discussing my favorite episode of season five “The Ballad of Roger Mac”. Come along for the ride as I gush over Sam Heughan’s amazing skills in this episode. I also chat about the multitude of historic details included in the lead up to Alamance, Roger’s increasing confidence and interaction with Murtagh, and the mind blowing experience of watching JAMMF don a red coat. There was a lot to unpack this week, so hang on tight!