The Outlander writers answered questions about episode 309 on Tuesday. Toni Graphia and Shannon Goss (who wrote the episode) answered the questions this week. Below are the answers provided to fans this time around.
Just as an aside to this Q & A, Lynette Rice, a writer at Entertainment Weekly, tweeted about it after she did not like how one of the questions was asked of the writers. She questioned why this person had a copy of the script “(stolen?).” l don’t always agree with how people ask the writers or anyone involved with the show about certain things. I also don’t like when someone doesn’t know that scripts are provided to fans from Starz and are certainly not stolen. Maril Davis followed up Lynette’s tweet with comments on the situation. Lynette has since deleted the tweet.
Just to clear up any confusion, we willingly post the scripts on https://t.co/DLVPIl9Dv3 as a way for fans to get further insight into the process/see how the sausage is made. We appreciate all feedback. https://t.co/WhSAc6rCrh
— Maril Davis (@TallShipProds) November 15, 2017
Now back to the nitty gritty…
@OutlanderWriter – is there a reason Jamie and Claire are going by 'Fraser' and not 'Malcolm' on the voyage? I thought Fraser wasn't safe for them right now… #OutlanderALN #TheDoldrums #PrayForRain
— Stratton Gray (@StrattonGray) November 15, 2017
Jamie Fraser has been pardoned for his crimes. The people who are after him know him as Alexander Malcolm, the name he went by in Edinburgh. https://t.co/Rw9hvVXzgU
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN why are there only 10 episodes this season ? It feels rushed and seems disconnected from the characters and energy the book delivers. Is there a reason for a shorter season
— 🌻Rosalie✨🇺🇸 (@melelelynn) November 9, 2017
Great news… there are actually thirteen episodes!💃🏽 But no matter how you slice it, there are elements of the book we don't have room to cover. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/P2zYsNc9on
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
And yet again @OutlanderWriter the editor screwed the pooch! Whats up wit that? Do ya'll realize u would NEVER hear 1 complaint if this dialogue had actually bn in the Epi? #OutlanderALN #TheDoldrums COME ON PEOPLE! Throw us a BONE! MORE Jamie & Claire scenes please! pic.twitter.com/ZNJxM1b8KZ
— Susie Bradford (@SusanKBradford) November 14, 2017
Aw, don't blame our fabulous editors. Our Executive Producers work very closely and ultimately have to make the tough calls on what to trim from any given episode. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/cbZbnp1Dlr
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Is the young brit on the ship helping Claire Jamies son? #OutlanderALN @Outlander_STARZ
— JDG (@jaimego23878905) November 13, 2017
No, but wouldn't that be something! (Jamie's son actually would be a wee bit younger.) #OutlanderALN https://t.co/z3jopjoKbx
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Was it deliberate or coincidence that Yi Tien Cho was seen painting from a water bucket just after we saw Jamie's sick bucket? #OutlanderALN
— DarkStardust #StandWithUkraine (@redgoldrush) November 14, 2017
Ha! It was a coincidence. Hope he didn't pick the wrong bucket! 🤢 #OutlanderALN https://t.co/JdPGApDe87
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN Is the director of The Doldrums related toRDM??🤔
— Atticus’Daughter🕊 (@SuzanneMNelson) November 15, 2017
No relation. David Moore is a wonderful director from the U.K. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/S3vZZfVK1B
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN @OutlanderWriter Was anything written in the script and/or filmed w/ Claire meeting with anyone else in France?
— Victoria Fox (@vfox56) November 14, 2017
No, we knew early on that the episode wouldn't be able to handle a trip to France as well. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/yNLfIsGO7X
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Didn’t Claire give Bree her stuffed bunny when she was in the playpen and rolled over? 🐰 #OutlanderALN
— Lucy Provost (@Mon_Repos2) November 14, 2017
Aye. There are rabbits seen/mentioned throughout the season, if you look for them. 🐰 https://t.co/xarFwA8Hcc
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN #Doldrums excellent episode! J&C felt familiar again. My question is, what was Mr. Willoby writing on the floor? Was it real? Can you translate? Thanks again for the excellent episode.
— Kathy Goble (@kgoble_61) November 13, 2017
It's Classical Chinese poetry, the translation is "Fire rises, in my heart ash remains." #OutlanderALN https://t.co/JxxoK8yWCj
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/liza_undemar/status/930542139540496384
The actors get the whole episode to read before filming starts. Then the individual scenes are xeroxed and passed around on the day of shooting for reference. They are called "sides." #OutlanderALN https://t.co/apFsK3oRWZ
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Let me just say what a awesome episode this was! Who were all the me men that came aboard with Jamie and Claire? I think I know but have heard different names. #OutlanderALN
— AmieCrazyCat 🐈⬛🐈🏴🇮🇹 (@MissAmeliaCat) November 13, 2017
Traveling with Jamie and Claire were Lesley, Hayes, Mr. Willoughby/Yi Tien Cho, Fergus and surprise guest, Marsali. The others were part of Captain Raines' crew. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/MwpBV4O2YB
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter In the books Marsali is 15. Did you age her up for the show? #OutlanderALN
— Shelf Blame (@shelf_blame) November 14, 2017
Yes, we chose to make her a bit older. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/Cd5lDYThxa
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Thank you for this great episode! ❤ #TheDoldrums
Curiosity: what happen with Brianna's photos? In Voyager Jamie keeps the photos with him, all the time, he want to know things about his daugther, etc… Will we get some of this in the show? #OutlanderALN— Lole (@adoro_adoralo) November 13, 2017
The photos are still with Jamie. Stay tuned… #OutlanderALN https://t.co/EC6ttZpLnK
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN #TheDoldrums #PrayForWind https://t.co/cZAaeYiDjt
— Helenb (@hajb0212) November 13, 2017
The ships were never out on open water. They were specifically in a parking lot. #MovieMagic #OutlanderALN https://t.co/rinnlOGK07
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter Sometimes the script describes an emotion or how a line should be spoken. When it doesn't, is the interpretation up to actor or director? #OutlanderALN
— Alicia (@leesh1219) November 14, 2017
It's a collaboration between the actor, director and the writer/producer who is always on set. Some scenes/lines need little or no discussion. Some need more discussion than others. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/gvDQ5MDzKq
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter Whose idea to use "Goodnight Moon"? Adore that book! #OutlanderALN @caitrionambalfe
— Leah Mac (@_LeahMac) November 15, 2017
It was Shannon's idea to use Goodnight Moon.🌛 She did a wonderful job on the episode! Read her annotations here. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/2CTkVx10fJ https://t.co/78KjyC7k9Q
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/Methyglyn/status/930056199114035201
Technically women could not be pressed into service, but the Captain of a powerful military vessel was desperate for a surgeon and Raines was not going to deny him. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/z8Ztc2HRRs
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Yes… Definitely a theme here 🤔 #OutlanderALN pic.twitter.com/jhmXsWrAJz
— Ali Mac Stands For #RogerandBree (@BluRaceCar) November 14, 2017
Yes, we have slipped bunnies into some unexpected places. Very sneaky. 🐰
Look for more this season… #OutlanderALN https://t.co/AlLAqbiLWW— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Why was Mr. Willoughby’s pelican left out of the series? Too difficult to replicate? #OutlanderALN
— Stephanie King Bryant (@twingles321) November 13, 2017
We kept Ping An in until the 11th hour, we even looked for a trained pelican, but ultimately, yes, it would've been too much to do from a visual effects standpoint when we had so much VFX already in the show (every shot that is above deck was a VFX shot). #OutlanderALN https://t.co/W1RpZHxaJj
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
The acupunture .. … real or prosthetics?? #OutlanderALN #TheDoldrums
— StephanieinSD (@StephanieinSD) November 13, 2017
It was makeup and prosthetics. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/bSXrzF51BL
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/lindsaylmason/status/929913404424253440
In a word: wonderful. And having @caitrionambalfe bring her to life is icing on a rad cake. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/rmAU71s02B
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter #OutlanderALN is Marsali pronounced Mar-saul-lee (as enunciated in the audiobooks) or Mar-suh-alee (like the show).
— Paige Hodnett (@PaigeHodnett) November 13, 2017
Mars-lee. Rhymes with parsely. (But most of us spent about half a year mispronouncing it.) #OutlanderALN https://t.co/Ac2sLXa7mB
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Why didn’t the two Ardsmire men tell Hamie they knew Marsali was already on board? @OutlanderWriter #OutlanderALN
— Lee (@LeeLee126m) November 13, 2017
They knew Jamie wouldn't be pleased… to say the least. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/dnVLPdURpz
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
#OutlanderALN This was one of best Eps in a great season. We had the intimate J&C moments that we love about the books. Is Shannon Goss writing Eps for S4?
— Kerry (@KerrynLyn) November 15, 2017
It's usually both, meaning it indicates what we think the "out" of the scene is for the director, but also often includes prose that indicates the emotional punch for the actor. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/OuBZZJOcTb
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter #OutlanderALN Was that really @SamHeughan up in the ship saving Hayes? No rope, no stunt man? My heart was in my throat!
— Sherry Riley (@txsherbear) November 13, 2017
Yes, he was! As was James Allenby-Kirk who plays Hayes. They did have safety harnesses on, which were removed in post. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/700qO5IIwQ
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Did you use special effects to dry Mr. Willoughby's poem away? #OutlanderALN pic.twitter.com/DysgysFOog
— Fotini (@23ophelia) November 14, 2017
Yes. Movie Magic! ✨ #OutlanderALN https://t.co/ozDRMN2zhS
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter is it difficult writing/shooting season 4 without knowing whether there is a season 5? #OutlanderALN
— Melissa Gonzalez Boyce (@MelissaGBoyce) November 15, 2017
Not at all. Each season must stand on its own and we just make it the best season we can. But of course our fingers are crossed for Season 5! 💚 #OutlanderALN https://t.co/s5Xs2zdZsk
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
What's the origin of the song the sailors were singing? #OutlanderALN
— Fotini (@23ophelia) November 14, 2017
We researched old sea shanties. 🎼 #OutlanderALN https://t.co/NTgfaqEpHo
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter From a writing perspective, was it a difficult transition from the familiarity of Scotland to the unchartered voyage ships and beyond? What excited you most about this drastic change of setting? #OutlanderALN
— Maddie Date (@maddie_date) November 14, 2017
Shooting on the ships was unchartered territory (pun intended), but it was exciting — it's rare in TV shows that you get to drastically change your surroundings episode-by-episode. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/iLCijmXC18
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
@OutlanderWriter #OutlanderALN Great episode overall, but opening with Jarrod in Scotland was confusing as he is supposed to be in France. Obviously the practical reason is one less scene and one less set, but what is the "story" explanation here?
— Mrs Emma P. (@Mwillauer) November 14, 2017
Though based in France, Jared does business in the U.K. so it seemed plausible that he would be relatively nearby and able to help Jamie and Claire. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/7Qe8a4rp9G
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
Great directing. Will we see more of David Moore? #OutlanderALN
— Kerry (@KerrynLyn) November 15, 2017
Yes, he directed next week's episode "Heaven & Earth." It's not to be missed. #OutlanderALN https://t.co/Q1UNMqS68j
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/AccentColors/status/930703491605172227
Check out script annotation on Outlander Community! https://t.co/2CTkVx10fJ https://t.co/J7Im3EnoNp
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/come_il_mare/status/930702335441014789
It's not a Q & A. It's called Outlander "About Last Night" because we invite questions after the previous night's episode airs! We answer on Tues so those not in the U.S. will have seen it too! We chose a variety of questions which arrive over those two days! 🙂 https://t.co/gkapy6ziAY
— Outlander Writers (@OutlanderWriter) November 16, 2017
Source: Outlander Writers
