Outlander: Blood of My Blood

Blood of My Blood is slightly more interesting on some fronts (Ellen’s) than others (Henry’s). But .... The vivid world-building lends real heft to the love stories. .... Its corner of 18th century Scotland starts to feel like a place you really might find yourself after wandering a bit too far into the woods.

The most impressive part of this prequel is how exciting this story feels, even though we've spent so much time here already. Time will tell if this series has the legs its predecessor does, but the first six episodes and the four main characters, especially, easily answer the question of whether we needed this show at all with a big, bold yes.

The result is a lush, addictive tale about the kind of love that conquers all—be it across centuries, countries, and even completely separate television series, reminding us why its predecessor is so beloved, even as it strikes out on its own path.

It has the all-consuming romance, gritty action, gorgeous costumes, shocking melodrama, mystical magic, feudal politics, and enchanting Celtic backdrop that made Outlander such an intoxicating hit over a decade ago. Outlander: Blood of My Blood is going to be your new favorite escapist obsession.

Even as the preamble to a story on its way out, the series confidently debuts as a moving and frankly hot addition to an already deeply felt universe of storytelling.

Although it brings with it a new cast of characters (albeit accompanied by a few old favorites, now a few decades younger), it's every bit as engaging, romantic, and yes, steamy, as we've come to expect from "Outlander."

An early and frequent reliance on flashbacks does occasionally slow the story's pacing in ways that might make you eager to get back to what's going on in the present day, but once the show positions its two leading couples in a place to cross over with each other, that's when Outlander: Blood of My Blood really gets going.

There’s a lot of family background and drama to set up, which explains the need for the first episode to clock in at nearly 80 minutes. But the episode never lags, as it creates indelible characters, peppers in a few spicy moments and revels in the period details of the time, all richly brought to life.

While Blood of My Blood could stand to trim some storytelling fat here and there, the truth is that probably won’t bother Outlander fans or just fans of sexy period romances in general. Blood of My Blood isn’t particularly deep TV, but it’s glossily watchable—unafraid to be earnestly romantic, earnestly smutty, or earnestly melodramatic as the moment calls for.