Why is Outlander season 3 being secretive with Jamie, Claire’s voyage?
We’ve covered many of these subjects rather extensively — as a matter of fact, we even wrote about the viewership numbers for these videos yesterday! One of our goals with this article is to pivot to what hasn’t really been seen much in any of the season 3 footage: Jamie and Claire’s voyage to Jamaica. It is a huge component in the Diana Gabaldon novel Voyager, just as it also constituted a big percentage of season 3 filming. Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, and many members of the show’s crew were off working in South Africa for months earlier this year, and very little footage from that work has arrived online.
What’s the reasoning for that, especially with it being a huge part of the second half of the season? We’ve of course done our part to figure that out.
1. The fear of spoilers – It’s hard, as someone in the internet age, to think that there are viewers out there of Outlander unfamiliar with the books. Even with us not being a book reader, we still know the circumstances surrounding the trip of Claire and Jamie to Jamaica and the general events that are going to unfold as a result.
Yet, there are still some out there who don’t know the full story of Claire and Jamie, and the idea for Starz seems to be trying to keep as much of the story following the Print Shop scene a secret as possible. Even though they may have shared behind-the-scenes photos of the cast in South Africa on Twitter already, not everyone uses social media — plus, there’s a difference between showing a picture and giving actual footage from the show.
2. Timing – The first half of season 3 was filmed in Scotland many months ago, and there’s been way more time to get some of that footage together than there would be the content filmed in South Africa. They may need more time to perfect some of these later episodes behind the scenes. Just because filming is complete doesn’t necessarily mean that every aspect of post-production is, as well.
3. Waiting for another trailer – It wouldn’t surprise us that at some point during season 3, in particular after the Print Shop reunion, Starz releases a trailer for the second half of the season featuring much of this footage. That provides a second opportunity to hype up this story, which is great given that there is so much here worthy of illuminating. Visually, it should be such a feast for the eyes and different than anything else that has been presented to date. It may attract more viewers in its own right.
Why do you think Outlander has kept much of the Jamie/Claire at sea footage under wraps? Share in the comments!
Also, be sure to visit this link in the event you are interested in retrieving some further insight on the show! (Photo: Starz.)
Cynthia
August 5, 2017 @ 12:21 am
I think it’s simply because the print shop scene is apparently going to be about halfway and right now that’s what everyone wants to see (although I’m looking forward to everything as Voyager is probably my favorite of the series) so I’m figuring a part 2 trailer will hit at that time. By that time you’ll also have been introduced to characters who don’t really have much of a storyline until that part of the series – by then you’ll be able to recognize those characters and it will have some meaning. I also think that not enough post-production has gone into season 3 at this point – simple logistics.
Judith McParland
August 3, 2017 @ 11:21 am
I noticed the lack of any of the voyage in the enticing trailers and videos from Season 3, but I also noticed no mention of Claire discovering Jamie’s second marriage and the repercussions from that, which kind of affects their future, due to monetary responsibilities. Wonder why……
Beth Lamberth
August 2, 2017 @ 7:52 pm
For me, seeing J & C together again after 20 years is the “carrot” they are dangling in the shadows of S2. Seeing them again as a couple is part of the mystery we all have to wait for, even for book readers who know what happens. I actually am glad for the wait…..anticipation is exciting!
Meredith
August 2, 2017 @ 5:47 pm
I think another reason they don’t want to emphasize the voyage, is because you then have to get into cause. Why would Claire and Jamie be going there? That’s what the non-book readers are wondering. To keep the motive a secret, you have to get rid of the voyage itself. There are some who want to be startled by what’s on the screen, instead of simply comparing it to the source material. I’ve read all of the books and hope that they are all adapted. But a part of me wishes I could be shocked by what just happened on screen. Since these books take a while to come out, and #9 and #10 aren’t out yet, it would be interested if the last book hadn’t come out by the time series concludes. What if the writers had exclusive access to #10 manuscript, then the book was published after the series is over? That way even book readers wouldn’t have a clue what would happen in Season 10. Wouldn’t that be great?
Matt Carter
August 2, 2017 @ 7:31 pm
I certainly wouldn’t be curious to see what the reaction to that would be!
mable
August 2, 2017 @ 2:40 am
I know that they are still in post production for the later EPs but I’m sure they could have put a little something on the trailer. I think the reason they didn’t is because the focus now is on Jamie/Claire being apart then finding each other thus the heavy use of the “print shop” reunion scenario. I think the Voyager theme will kick off the second half of the season with key art featuring them back together and sailing off.
MelindaLP
August 1, 2017 @ 11:27 pm
I think #2 is most likely the reason. Production values are so astronomical, they don’t want to release anything that isn’t stellar, and there just hasn’t been time yet to make that so.