Outlander Moments of Impact: And Then What…
(Spoiler: as I was selecting screencaps for this wee blog, I had the most difficult time possible using ONLY 10. Tumblr: ya need to up your limit for research purposes such as this. Please and thank you)
Oh goodness: a “sex scene” analysis.
If you follow my blog (hehe), you may have picked up on the fact that I have never actually written about a sex scene. I have analyzed the aftermath of sex and the intentionality behind sex, but never actually the scene itself.
I focus on the intimacy surrounding moments of interaction between Jamie and Claire because I have found that be the most intriguing and complex. Any show can film a sex scene; what is rare is to capture genuine intimacy on screen.
Outlander, on the whole, has given viewers a stunning depiction of what intimacy and sex can look like within a marriage. A matchless example of this point is the scene from 3x13 “Eye of the Storm”
This scene is unique. It is different. It is set apart from others in my wee opinion. I find it to be breathtaking and without equal to any other in the show.
Let’s break it down for some context (and fun), shall we?
- After all the separation, after all the adversity, after all the heartbreak: Jamie and Claire are finally able to rest in the peace of resolution. They are alone in their cabin bathed in the light of the sun. All the darkness has been cast out.
- Jamie pours water into a basin and prepares to shave his “beard” (OK. I AM ALREADY FEELING THIS. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO IS ALREADY FEELING THIS?)
- Before he picks up a blade, his bride walks over to him and tells him, “Don’t shave your beard.” What I love about this is there is no timidity with Claire. She is confident enough in her love with Jamie to express that she loves him just the way he is; the thing that he wants to change is the thing that she loves (😭)
- Claire sweetly admires her husband’s new, white hairs around his temples. She finds her man incredibly handsome no matter the changes and no matter the aging.
- Lightly tracing the lines of his jaw, Claire expresses that she loves the stubble because it is different. Playfully, Jamie responds, “Aye? How different?”
- Teasing him, she slowly moves around his face. Kissing him, Claire responds, “When you kiss me against my skin.” (Ok I’m dying over here)
- Jamie, without missing a beat, lovingly affirms his wife’s beauty: “You have verra fine skin, Sassenach, like pearl. Indeed you have a lot of fine skin if that’s what you had in mind.” (OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS DID THIS ROOM JUST GO UP IN FLAMES? 🔥)
- Jamie meticulously begins to share that he has “considered in great detail” what he desires to do to his wife if he has her “naked, willing, no one hearing…and enough room to serve her suitably.” (😵 I’ve passed out; give me a second)
- There is a playful, sensual banter about her “response” (LOL) to Jamie’s touch and well…#squeakinnoises. Jamie notices and loves everything about Claire; even the sounds she makes when he is expressing that love.
- Then Jamie requests, “Hand me that towel.” Instead, Claire decides to serve him. Carefully, taking her time, Claire wipes Jamie’s face; her eyes are burning full of desire. In response, Jamie returns the gift. Tenderly wiping her face and lips: all his movements full of passion. (Excuse me, I’ve fainted and fallen down the stairs)
- Gazing longingly into Jamie’s eyes, Claire simply asks, “And then what…”
- The scene escalates as Jamie continues to unveil his lover’s wish to his mo chridhe. And Claire melts in the enraptured eyes and touch of her husband…
- I am not going to go into the explicit details from this point on because Jamie and Claire execute it better than I can describe it ❤️
This scene is a waltz of pleasure between a husband and wife. Every movement, every touch gliding them further along into bliss.
All of their actions are full of:
ADORATION
PASSION
AFFIRMATION
DESIRE
AFFECTION
TENDERNESS
ARDENCY
Here a man and a woman bestow all of their passionate desire onto one another. One makes a sweeping gesture and the other reciprocates. Jamie and Claire give and receive; it is never one-sided. It is never selfish.
The spark that sets off this entire flame is Jamie’s dream of his wife. All those times of separation, all those times of solitude: what did Jamie yearn for? Making love with his wife.
What this man dreams about, fantasizes, and longs for is to give his wife pleasure and to be one with her. He aches to be in the protective arms of his beloved. As he shares his desire, he does not speak of all the things he wants her to do to him; oh no. He conceals all the wonderful things he wants to do to her. And Claire relishing in the pursuit of her husband, gives it right back to him.
This is a picture of what selfless love, selfless pleasure, & selfless sex looks like.
Jamie and Claire allow their heart to overflow from the love they feel. They allow their eyes to convey the depth of their desire. They allow their hands to act as a healing balm to their precious one. They allow their kisses to ignite pure pleasure. They hold nothing back.
Thomas Hardy has a quote from his novel Far From the Madding Crowd that says it best:
“I shall do one thing in this life—one certain thing—that is love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die”
Jamie and Claire are purely felicitous just to be together. They NEVER take this for granted: that they may behold the one they love. That they may touch the one they love. That they may kiss the one they love. That they may be one with the one they love. All of it is a gift.
Oh the bliss of being loved by you.
Artistic side-point: From a directorial standpoint, this scene is not only beautiful, but incredibly respectful. It is NOT gratuitous. There is no nudity and no graphic expression, but it is still VERY affective at communicating the passion between these two people. Thank you Matthew B Roberts for leaving something to the imagination and allowing for a breath of mystery to this love scene.
Love this @ecampbellsoup !