sj4iy Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I would have understood this if the narration would have been bad. It was not in any way though. It was beautifully written and flowed like good prose. I actually remarked to myself while watching that this was a great example of narration being done right and I wish that more shows could do things with it like this. The narration is bad. It does't add anything to the story that we don't already see on screen. "Sex was our way back to each other" *in the middle of a sex scene* It's self conscious and continually pulls the viewer out of the story. There's really no reason to have it, because we should be able to see what she is feeling and thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdyphillip Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 The narration is bad. It does't add anything to the story that we don't already see on screen."Sex was our way back to each other"*in the middle of a sex scene*It's self conscious and continually pulls the viewer out of the story. There's really no reason to have it, because we should be able to see what she is feeling and thinking.That line was one of many that described in detail how she was feeling about a five year separation from her husband during a war. All of it was beautifully spoken, and the line you point out as egregious I find compelling. In the end of things, the narration gave me a much deeper understanding of the characters, and in particular Claire's perspective. I really am sorry that this pulled you out of this story, but I really think the reason it does so is that you just expect bad narration and any time this medium is used you turn it off. The narration in this story is solidly written. Next episode, I encourage you to actively listen to the prose and give it a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polishgenius Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I think there was a little too much narration in places, but for the most part it was alright. And I think there's a tendency (not just in relation to this) for people to criticise voiceovers on general principle because they're a pretty obvious violation of the show don't tell principle, when they're not necessarily a bad thing if used right. I know they ruined Blade Runner, like, but Badlands would not be the same film without its narration.This is no Badlands, of course, but there were parts where I don't think you could have got the point across without an even more clunky scene or additional dialogue to explain these things. The opening part in particular. And like hp says, I think the narration itself is quite well written (I assume it's largely or entirely ripped from the novel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sj4iy Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 That line was one of many that described in detail how she was feeling about a five year separation from her husband during a war. All of it was beautifully spoken, and the line you point out as egregious I find compelling. In the end of things, the narration gave me a much deeper understanding of the characters, and in particular Claire's perspective. I really am sorry that this pulled you out of this story, but I really think the reason it does so is that you just expect bad narration and any time this medium is used you turn it off. The narration in this story is solidly written. Next episode, I encourage you to actively listen to the prose and give it a chance. But we didn't need to hear her say that...we could see it, clear as day. And no, I don't 'expect' bad narration. I've watched things that had narration before that wasn't as jarring or unnecessary as what I saw in Outlander. Keep the voiceover at the very beginning of the episode...that would have been fine. But we didn't need her to tell us what's going on all throughout the episode. I had absolutely no preconceived notions when I started watching the episode. I have never read the books and I didn't know what the story was about. I had no expectations. This is just my honest opinion as someone who was giving the show a try because the trailers looked interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bauer 24 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Anybody watch tonight's episode? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sj4iy Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Anybody watch tonight's episode? Don't have Starz. Was waiting to see what I thought about Outlander to see if I wanted to order it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdawnb Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Anybody watch tonight's episode? I haven't yet either. I am looking forward to it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errant Bard Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Do you think they will keep the moment she accepts being beaten by Jamie because that's how it works in this time period and anyhow he could have beaten her worse, or the "healing" rape reenactment ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bauer 24 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Outlander has been renewed for a second season! It'll be at least 13 episodes and be based on the second book Dragonfly.http://ign.com/articles/2014/08/15/starz-renews-outlander-for-season-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdawnb Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Do you think they will keep the moment she accepts being beaten by Jamie because that's how it works in this time period and anyhow he could have beaten her worse, or the "healing" rape reenactment ? I saw a short interview on this, as far as I know, they are keeping the scene in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datepalm Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I found the second episode a lot less compelling than the first one, I have to admit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bauer 24 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 The first season is 16 episodes? Little much, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veltigar Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I have just started the second episode. It opens with another pointless voice-over :crying: Oh, well hopefully the rest of the episode is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red snow Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 The first season is 16 episodes? Little much, isn't it? More than usual cable, less than regular TV. I guess if it's a book per season they are letting the length of the book dictate the number of episodes. Far more reassuring to hear than making something fit a certain number of episodes like pretty much all the other shows do. I guess GOT at least split ASOS into two seasons (sort of). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sj4iy Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I have just started the second episode. It opens with another pointless voice-over :crying: Oh, well hopefully the rest of the episode is better. I watched the second episode (by means that I will not divulge here). The voiceover in the beginning was pretty bad. But they really pared the voiceovers down on the second episode, which made it much more bearable to watch. Claire's really smug for a person who is basically a prisoner. And maybe it's just me, but could Jaime be any more perfect? Ned Stark and Jon Snow have absolutely nothing on Jaime's pristine goodness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bauer 24 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 More than usual cable, less than regular TV. I guess if it's a book per season they are letting the length of the book dictate the number of episodes. Far more reassuring to hear than making something fit a certain number of episodes like pretty much all the other shows do. I guess GOT at least split ASOS into two seasons (sort of).Less than regular TV? I don't know about that anymore. I watch a lot of TV shows and it seems 10-13 episodes seems to be the sweet spot now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veltigar Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I watched the second episode (by means that I will not divulge here). The voiceover in the beginning was pretty bad. But they really pared the voiceovers down on the second episode, which made it much more bearable to watch. Claire's really smug for a person who is basically a prisoner. And maybe it's just me, but could Jaime be any more perfect? Ned Stark and Jon Snow have absolutely nothing on Jaime's pristine goodness. I agree with you. There were only 3 voice-overs IIRC and although the first two were completely redundant, the third did have its charm. That made this episode definitely much more enjoyable. Jaime indeed seems to be to good to be true. If this wasn't based on romance novels, I'd suspect him of alterior motions (getting more power because of being liked by the common members of the clan). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sj4iy Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I agree with you. There were only 3 voice-overs IIRC and although the first two were completely redundant, the third did have its charm. That made this episode definitely much more enjoyable. Jaime indeed seems to be to good to be true. If this wasn't based on romance novels, I'd suspect him of alterior motions (getting more power because of being liked by the common members of the clan). Same here...I'm almost waiting for the "Oh god, Jamie is a..." revelation XD But then I remembered it was based on a romance novel, lol. I think this episode was much better than the first episode, all around. But it's definitely getting more into the 'romance' part (Jamie comforting Claire, Jamie telling Claire that he's a wanted man and that he trusts her, etc etc). I would like some more action, truth be told...I think the story could really use it, because it kind of drags in parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martini Sigil Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I would have understood this if the narration would have been bad. It was not in any way though. It was beautifully written and flowed like good prose. I actually remarked to myself while watching that this was a great example of narration being done right and I wish that more shows could do things with it like this. Agree... I usually dislike voiceovers, as they are often used by bad/lazy writers.... but Claire's were written beautifully, and were nessasary as she has no one to convey those thoughts to.... but its important that she convey them to us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raja Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I know I'm a bit behind ( I've only just caught the first episode ) but boy the narration is grating. I don't have an inherent problem with using a voice over, I quite like it in some movies/ shows ( About A Boy, Dexter etc.), but in this show, it seems tacked on to make sure I understand exactly what's happening and exactly what she's feeling.I'd much rather it show that she's feeling that way as opposed to just telling me, or at least let me try and get to that conclusion independently rather than spell it out for me. I'm mostly with Datepalm on this, but I will stick to it for the next couple of episodes as it seems like the narration will be used more infrequently? The dialogue is a bit hit and miss, some of it I think is rather good, whilst at other times it's poor, though I suppose that is true of most shows. Howdyphillip, is it that much of a surprise to you that some people might not like the show and will post about it in a thread dedicated to the show? Surely discussion and criticism is the point of these threads. Neither do I understand the argument that if I don't like the narration it's either because 1) I don't understand the prose or appreciate it 2) I've already made up my mind to dislike it because it's in 'vogue' to not like voice over narrators.I hope I'm not sounding harsh, because I don't mean to. I'm just frustrated as we've had a few threads lately where anyone criticizing a show is reduced to 'of course people on forums criticize shows because it's the INTERNET' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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