Outlander (2014): Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 317 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 317 Ratings

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Outlander

Now Playing: Outlander

Season Details & Credits

Starz | Season Premiere Date: August 9, 2014

Starring: Graham McTavish, James Fleet, Prentis Hancock

Summary: Executive produced by Ronald D. Moore, married World War II nurse Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) time travels to 1743 century Scotland, where she meets Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) in this adaptation of the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon.

Creator: Ronald D. Moore

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E16. To Ransom a Man's Soul
Air Date: May 30, 2015
tbd
S1:E15. Wentworth Prison
Air Date: May 16, 2015
tbd
S1:E14. The Search
Air Date: May 9, 2015

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Sonia Saraiya

Aug 8, 2014

Outlander succeeds admirably, and partly that’s because it follows the bent of both of its creators: It refuses to sit comfortably in any genre. Read full review

Jeff Korbelik

Aug 11, 2014

It has the look and feel of a sweeping “Game of Thrones” kind of epic filled with romance, intrigue and violence. Read full review

David Hiltbrand

Aug 11, 2014

The show is wonderfully conceived and executed (if a little pokey pace-wise). Read full review

Lori Rackl

Aug 19, 2014

Some episodes chug along faster than others, but the stellar production values render even the slower-paced installments worthwhile viewing. Read full review

Tim Goodman

Aug 8, 2014

There is very little urgency in the storytelling--layers of voiceover bits don't help, even--and therefore Outlander can hardly be described as compelling. In many ways, this is a story well and thoroughly told but with almost none of the smart pacing of similarly dense fictions like Game of Thrones. And yet the world created in Outlander is not without interest. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Aug 6, 2014

Outlander is beautifully shot throughout, which somewhat makes up for some of the early tedium. It may not ever rise to the level of enthralling. But by the second episode, the story at hand is flexing a firmer grip. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Aug 4, 2014

The resulting series is a bit of a snooze--handsome, yes, but about as dramatically compelling as the cover of a Harlequin Romance, and too flaccid to make hearts go pitter-pat. Read full review

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User Score

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8.3

User Reviews

All_ButTrU4

Jan 3, 2022

Perfect. It takes it's time but is in no way slow. Relationships form realistically and the story is aware of it's time period. Adapted from Diana Gabon time travel romance epic ,brilliant performances all around.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LauraCarmichael

Aug 23, 2014

Outlander is a riveting ride, a stunning production - this is intelligent drama, with high-stakes choices for the central characters. Historical, political, social dilemmas, with family and personal relationships at stake. My husband and I are loving this! Best thing on the screen today, byOutlander is a riveting ride, a stunning production - this is intelligent drama, with high-stakes choices for the central characters. Historical, political, social dilemmas, with family and personal relationships at stake. My husband and I are loving this! Best thing on the screen today, by a wide margin.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

BogKid

Aug 9, 2014

The Starz Channel has not been notable for very high production values in its televised series shows. Things have taken a major turn for the better. Extremely high production values, good writing, and excellent actors makes this "must see" TV. A touch of science fiction, lots of ScottishThe Starz Channel has not been notable for very high production values in its televised series shows. Things have taken a major turn for the better. Extremely high production values, good writing, and excellent actors makes this "must see" TV. A touch of science fiction, lots of Scottish history, and lots and lots of romance makes this a women's show that men will enjoy too.

My wife has read every one of the "Outlander" books and she approached this show with an extraordinary degree of suspicion, expecting a cheesy cartoon of the books she so enjoys. She is now a believer in this show and recommends it to all of Gabaldon's fans and to everyone else too.… Expand

17 of 21 users found this helpful174

vampirelady64

Aug 12, 2014

I didn't think it would be any good, but I loved it. If I were to be whiney and criticize, ok. I will,
1--Claire's hair isn't curly & her J.H.R.Christ's were totally lame.
2--Frank/Jack Randall is totally wrong.
3--Where's Jamie's short RED spikey hair?

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Felindie

Jul 15, 2019

I feel 'Outlander' has too much to offer, however first season came short. It's good though.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mudslynger

Jul 4, 2016

Although I love Diana's writing and devoured the whole outlander series, I cannot watch it on T.V because of who they cast as Jamie. Jamie is EVERYTHING to the story and while I think they cast a fine actor in Sam Heugan, I do not think he comes close to being able to sustain the kind ofAlthough I love Diana's writing and devoured the whole outlander series, I cannot watch it on T.V because of who they cast as Jamie. Jamie is EVERYTHING to the story and while I think they cast a fine actor in Sam Heugan, I do not think he comes close to being able to sustain the kind of charisma, strength, gregariousness, intensity and masculinity that the character is imbibed with; that we as the reader have been knocked over the head with!. I'm sure they had a battle in casting but really....the part for Jamie is a total shame. The actor cast does not have exude the 'wise beyond his years' nor the command of a room. The books go on and on and on and on.....about Jamie's character and this actor doesn't have it. That brings me to your site, if Jamie doesn't have the content, surely they could have cast someone with the height and breadth of the man they describe!! Surely they could have invested a bit into colouring his hair!!! I mean if I read ONE more line about the various tones of red and the shocking swatch atop his tall standing crown! The Beauty department has the ability to, at least, give him that to work with since he appears only a bit taller than "Old Claire". I don't really mind "Old Claire" although I find her voice a bit grating....I would watch her but I think you have presented us with SO many better physical options for 'Jamie' that I am totally confused as to WHY on earth Diana Gabaldon would have allowed them to so miscast 'Jamie". So sad because some of the other cast is great and the Production Design is FANTASTIC as if the Wardrobe department. Period Drama is the most difficult and to then live up to this beloved series of books....well it was a tough task and it seems they have really tried by hiring some astute professionals. Too bad the most important element for the show, is for me, a deal breaker and an epic fail.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

KenyanCritic

May 11, 2016

Any TV show that requires a sex scene within the first 25 minutes to draw in viewers is probably a bad TV show. The only way this show made it to a second season is probably because it was ordered in wholesale. Sincerely speaking it's time Scottish accents include subtitles, because IAny TV show that requires a sex scene within the first 25 minutes to draw in viewers is probably a bad TV show. The only way this show made it to a second season is probably because it was ordered in wholesale. Sincerely speaking it's time Scottish accents include subtitles, because I struggled through a few episodes before it became pointless. Oh yes, and there's more horrifying sex scenes to spice up the drudgery of sitting through a few episodes of Outlander. Should be renamed Outsider because there's nothing that would save this show from being canceled.… Expand

Outlander (2014): Season 1

Season 1 Episodes

Seasons & Episodes