Outlander Season Four (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony
Release Date: May 28, 2019
Rating: Not Rated
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
Season Four of “Outlander” continues the story of time-traveling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Highlander husband Jamie Fraser, as they try to make a home for themselves in colonial America. As Claire and Jamie build their lives together in the rough and dangerous back country of North Carolina, they must negotiate a tenuous loyalty to the current British ruling class, despite Claire’s knowledge of the American Revolution to come. Along the way, the Frasers cross paths with notorious pirate and smuggler Stephen Bonnet in a fateful meeting that will come back to haunt the Fraser family. Meanwhile in the 20th century, things are complicated between Brianna Randall, Claire and Jamie’s daughter, and Roger Wakefield, the historian who helped Claire search for Jamie in the past. But when Roger and Brianna search for proof that Brianna’s parents reunited in the 18th century, a shocking discovery makes both of them consider following in Claire’s footsteps.
 
My Thoughts
The fourth season is based on the book Drums of Autumn, the fourth of eight books in Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling Outlander series. While this series hasn’t had the buzz that Game of Thrones has gotten, the show is popular—especially with woman—and there’s enough historical context to keep me interested. It’s a must-watch show in my home since both my wife and daughter are HUGE fans of the book series.

Having read a few of the books myself, one of the things the show has nailed is the portrayal of the characters as written in the prose. The producers did an excellent job with casting in the first season and as the core ensemble have worked with each other for years you can see how much they genuinely care for each other and that comes out in their acting.

The audio and video is consistent with the previous three seasons, which means it looks and sounds great. The live landscapes looks amazing in 1080p, although some of the VFX shots stick out like a sore thumb, which isn’t due to the video encode.

Video 4.5/5 
 
Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Four “Outlander Untold” Additional Scenes
• Gag Reel
• “Here in the New World” Featurette
• “Nothing is Lost: A Look Back” Featurette
• “Training Rollo” Featurette
• 9 Deleted/Extended Scenes
• “Outlander Untold: Through the Stones” Featurette
• “People of Worth: The Frasers” Featurette
• Writer &  Producer Commentaries on every episode and “Outlander Untold” scene
• Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
This is one of the better shows on pay TV and its popular enough that it’s been renewed for two more seasons, which shows a commitment by Starz to hopefully see the series to its conclusion. The season ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger and it will be fun to see where it goes next year, but in the meantime be sure to catch up and enjoy the show. It’s definitely worth your time investment. Highly recommended.

[Paul Heroy]

Thanks for the review on this, David.

I watched S1 with my wife and we both liked it a lot - until the "torture porn" episode late in the season where she bailed early and refused to ever come back. Frankly I couldn't really get very enthused about watching it after that (or on my own), but I've heard that was a one time thing and the show continued with very good quality. Maybe I'll try again now that we're done with GOT. (Which very nearly got the boot after you know what episode in late S3.)

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review on this, David.

I watched S1 with my wife and we both liked it a lot - until the "torture porn" episode late in the season where she bailed early and refused to ever come back. Frankly I couldn't really get very enthused about watching it after that (or on my own), but I've heard that was a one time thing and the show continued with very good quality. Maybe I'll try again now that we're done with GOT. (Which very nearly got the boot after you know what episode in late S3.)

Having read 5he book, I knew that scene was coming and I just fast forward through it...no need to watch. The rest of the show has been great. Don't let that one scene ruin it for you.

[AVSLaurie]

I just love Diana Gabaldon's books and have been reading them for years. I find the television series to be very close to the books except that Jamie is supposed to be a very brawny, tall, red head - hence Jamie the Red.  But Sam Heughan does an excellent job despite being a little too short. 
I can't wait for the new season, it gets so exciting when they are in the Colony's

This review, BTW, was EXCELLENT - thank you!