Is there any value in Outlander set-photo speculation? It doesn’t feel like it

Over the past couple of weeks especially, we’ve given you a series of Outlander filming updates showcasing what Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe, Richard Rankin, and others have been up to while working on the Starz series in Scotland. In doing so, though, we have always tried to make a point as to not guessing what some of the story content for these scenes could be about. For starters, we’re not a book reader and cannot speak too much to finer details in advance. Beyond that, though, it doesn’t feel as though there is that explicit of a need.

While seeing many of these photos, one thought has always crossed our mind: What value is there in saying that something probably is happening based on the photographic evidence that is out there? Is there any way that anyone is happy as a result of Caitriona filming this or Sam filming that?

It really feels like there are only one or two possible outcomes to speculating as to what’s going to happen based on set photos.

1. Your predictions are right – Then, someone gets angry at you for spoiling part of the show and taking some of the magic away from them.

2. Your predictions are wrong – Then, someone gets angry at you for sending them down the wrong path.

Also, in general it’s extremely challenging to draw assumptions about footage based solely on photos of actors alongside other actors in costume. They are out of almost any content and without editing or proper effects. To us, there’s just no value in trying to ascertain the content that is being filming when it’s so easy to be wrong and there’s no real incentive to even being right.

It’s nice to know that the cast and crew are filming — it’s a reminder for promotional purposes that characters are filming, just as it’s fun to picture them in various places. We don’t think that Heughan or Balfe being at a park doubling as North Carolina, for example, gives anything away. That allows your imagination to run wild without pinpointing any one or two things that the characters could be doing. It’s only when things start to get more specific that story speculation really begins and you have to worry about sending viewers down the wrong path.

Related – Outlander and the value of Starz’s early-release strategy

Ultimately, certain things just feel better off saved until teasers and trailers, and that includes video footage or set photos that threaten to give something big away. Not everyone will agree — there’s certainly nothing wrong with those who love seeing every single photo that’s out there — but as production companies continue to get smarter and have no problem throwing out red herrings, relying on set photos alone for spoilers can be a dangerous game.

To you, what is the value of set images and video content, whether it be for Outlander or any other series? Share now in the comments! Meanwhile, you can also like CarterMatt on Facebook for some other insight regarding the Starz drama. (Photo: Starz.)