The Sassenach Files: An Outlander Podcast

This week marks the final analysis of season 7, where Chelsea is discussing 716: “A Hundred Thousand Angels.” Join her as she chats about the particular lighting and narrative choices that made this episode “angelic”. She also discusses the moment that always makes her cry – the Mackenzie Family reunion, John's ongoing struggle to parent Jamie Fraser's son, and the long awaited “talk” between Jamie and William. But of course, we aren't closing the door on this season without talking about that massive cliff hanger. So, pour yourself a dram and pull up a chair. It's gonna get interesting!

Coming up on this episode of The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is discussing the penultimate episode of season seven, 715: “Written in My Own Heart's Blood.” Coming along as she talks about the common thread of family, or “blood”, and well as the “written” theme with all those dang letters and resignations! She also chats about the unique use of camera angles in this episode that give it a character-driven feel, William's completely justified anger with John, and Sam Heughan's phenomenal performance when everything comes crashing down for Jamie at the end of the episode.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is chatting about the episode every Outlander book reader has been waiting for – 714: “Ye Dinna Get Used to It” written by Herself, Diana Gabaldon. Come along as she discusses how Brianna's storyline finally pays off in this episode, Ian and Rachel's unnecessary presence in this episode, and her thoughts on how Jamie, Claire, and John's stories came to a head this week. By far and away her favorite part of 714 was the storyline that centered around William, Fanny, and Jane and their ever-evolving relationship, so stay tuned for her thoughts on the newest members of our cast and their stories!

Welcome back! This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is breaking down 713: “Hello, Goodbye.” Come along as she discusses Jamie and Claire's roles as parents to Ian and Rachel, and how that is reflected in the portrayal of their marriage. The echoes, callbacks, and parallels featured in this episode as they relate to previous episodes are strong, and elude to the fact that this was originally planned to be the final season. She also discusses Bree's conversion to Mama Bear, Roger's reunion with his father, and a few issues she had with the structure and writing that ultimately brought the episode down a few pegs.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is back to discuss her favorite episode of 7B, 712: “Carnal Knowledge.” Come join her as she discusses the development of Lord John from a supporting role to part of the main cast, a new face to the outlander cast – Sylvia Presente, aka Jane Pocock, and the technical genius that made this episode truly spectacular. But that is only the tip of the iceberg as she dives deep into some of the most controversial moments of the episode, including Jamie and John's brawl, Jamie and Claire's ten-minute long “come to Jesus” moment followed by a possessive *cough* encounter in the dining room.

Excuse the sniffles this week as Chelsea discusses 711: “A Hundredweight of Stone” on the newest episode of The Sassenach Files. Pour yourself a dram, and cozy up to the fire as she chats about the many shades of Lord John, the creative choices surrounding The Big Event, and an alternative approach to the balance of the Bree, Roger, and Buck story. From set and filming location choices, to the revelation of William's true parentage, there was a lot to process this week. So fasten your seatbelts as we attempt to sort through it all!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is back to chat about 710: “Brotherly Love.” Come join her as she discusses the gorgeous visual language and symbology utilized in this episode. She also chats about William and Rachel's adorable flirtation, Roger's constant string of surprises, and a fantastic bookend for the episode. She also talks about the shocking news of Jamie's death, and the phenomenal performances on and off screen that made the fallout so powerful!

Season Seven might be over, but the podcasting has just begun! This week on an all new episode of The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is breaking down episode 709 of Outlander, “Unfinished Business.” Come along as she discusses her thoughts on the creative choice to include Roger's voiceover, the impact on Claire and Jamie returning to Lallybroch after a decade in America, and the use of Midhope Castle as a way to link the separate timelines together. She also discusses the much anticipated reckoning between Jamie and Laoghaire, and how Young Ian's life choices and past traumas come to a head upon his return home.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is joined by her friend Angela from Queen Bee's Hive to discuss what they think is going to be included in Part 2 of Season 7. Come along as the breakdown each episode by writer, title, and content to analyze what plot points are going to be translated from An Echo in The Bone and Written in My Own Heart's Blood to the screen. They use their book knowledge, released promotional material, and cast interviews to piece together all of their prognostications. So, if you've been dying to know what's coming up in this upcoming eight episodes of Outlander, pull up a chair, pour a dram, and join the discussion! You can also watch the full version of the live event on Chelsea's group TSF Obsassenachs.

The week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is slowing things down–literally–to break apart the Season Seven, Part B Official Trailer. Come along as she muses about the darker mood of this trailer, as well as the use of gun shots, bayonets, and cannon explosions to emphasize the emotional turmoil of the season. She also chats about upcoming plot points like Jamie and Claire's return to Lallybroch, Jamie's encounter with the infamous Laoghaire MacKenzie, Claire and John's developing relationship, and what we can expect for Brianna and Roger Mac in the upcoming season.

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is breaking down the opening credits of Season Seven, Part B. Come join her as she chats about where she thinks each of these new tidbits fits into the season, all the easter eggs she could find regarding the plot of the next eight episodes, and her thoughts on the selection of each new “card” as a representation of the story to come.

This week on on The Sassenach Files's Droughtlander Book Club, Chelsea is wrapping up her two-part series on The Topaz Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join her as she discusses the ever changing dynamics within the clan and it's newcomers. She also discusses revelations on the Evil Force, Illuminati, and The Council in this book and what these new additions to the series mean for future books and the overall mythology of the series.

This week The Sassenach Files is hosting the latest episode of Droughtlander Book Club, the first in a two part series covering The Topaz Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. This is the abridged version of the live event hosted in TSF Obsassenachs on September 7, 2024. Come along as we break down what makes our newest set of main characters (Rick O'Grady and Billie Malone) tick. During this deep dive, we also chatted about a couple of prevalent themes from the novel, the history surrounding the War of 1812, and Chelsea's favorite secondary character of the series, Jean Lafitte!

This week, Chelsea is chatting about the Highlanders 7 convention in Birmingham, England, that took place July 19-21, 2024. Come along for a wee fireside chat as she discusses all the fun stories, interesting tidbits, and not-so-subtle hints she gleaned from cast panels as well as meet and greets with David Berry and Charles Vandervaart. If you're the sort that likes spoilers, you'll want to stay tuned until the end for all the Season Seven Part B and Season Eight tea!

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is breaking down the Season 7 Part B Teaser Trailer that was dropped on World Outlander Day (June 1st). Come join her as she talks about the look and feel of the trailer including the lighting and underlaid sound of horse hooves beating the ground. She also discusses parts of ECHO and MOBY that are hinted at in the trailer as well as overall themes, dialogue, and how this trailer creates a bookend to the trailers released for Part A of Season 7.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is chatting all about the modern timeline of The Pearl Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join her as she discusses Kevin and JL's matured marriage, their role as parents, and how they have come to lean on the clan, particularly Charlotte and Elliott. She also analyzes Pete Parrino as a character, the soul mate connection between him and Sophia, and several prevalent themes throughout the book including Reconciliation and Closure.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is breaking down all the history and romance of the 18th century plot in The Pearl Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Come along for the ride as she chats about historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Jacques Louis David. She also discusses the heroine of the story, Sophia Orsini, aspects of writing craft that connect the past and present story lines of this time travel romance, and how presentism can be a reader's own worst enemy when reading historical fiction.

Welcome back for another episode of The Sassenach Files. This week's episode covers the deleted, extended, and additional scenes for Outlander's truncated sixth season. Come join Chelsea as she chats about the unique choice of animating the season's Outlander untolds, and how the show runners used the opportunity to elaborate on some fan favorite book scenes. She also discusses references to historical events that could have improved the season's arc as well as a too-cute-for-words Marsali scene with wee Henri Christian, and why cutting another PTSD hallucination from 607: “Sticks and Stones” was the right call.

This week, Chelsea is telling all about Landcon 2024 in Paris. Come join her as she discusses the general format of the convention, her opinion on it's organization in comparison to other Outlander conventions she has attended. She also chats about each of the cast panels and all the tidbits she gleaned regarding 7B and Season 8. The highlight of the trip was getting to meet a few of her favorite actors from the show, so stay tuned to hear about her experience meeting Charles Vandervaart and Sam Heughan!

This week Chelsea is discussing all of the deleted, extended, and additional scenes from her favorite season of Outlander: season five. Come along for the ride as she chats about choices made on the cutting room floor that drastically impacted the shape of the season including the alternative ending to 506: “Better to Marry Than Burn” and higher quality Outlander Untold scenes in comparison to previous seasons. She also talks about her dashed hopes for an extended cut of 508: “Famous Last Words”, and how the majority of scene cuts for the season impacted some characters much more than others… **cough, cough** Lord John Grey and Bree…

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is discussing all of the deleted, extended, and additional scenes from Season Four. Come join her as she breaks down the Outlander Untold scenes created specifically for Blu Ray and DVD viewers. She also discusses the value of exploring Lord John and William's relationship prior to the events of season seven, how a few key scene additions could have drastically improved Brianna's arc over the season, and why certain editing choices change the trajectory of entire episodes. You won't want to miss this discussion, and stay tuned until the end to hear her thoughts on the latest news surrounding seasons seven and eight!

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is wrapping up her two part discussion of The Amber Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Come join her as she discusses the second love story of the book: Amber and Daniel. She chats about intriguing moments in US History covered within the story like the shootout at the Pueblo roundhouse in Colorado and The Bone Wars between paleontologists O.C. Marsh and E.D. Cope. Also on the docket are a few callbacks to stories and characters from other installments in the Celtic Brooch series as well as how the characters introduced in Amber fit in with veteran members of the MacKlenna Clan.   You can find The Sassenach Files on all major listening platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a moment to spare and like what you hear, please leave a wee rating and review on your platform of choice!

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is breaking down the eighth installment in Katherine Lowry Logan's Celtic Brooch series: The Amber Brooch. In Part One of this two-part series, she discusses the idea of bringing David and Kenzie back into the fold as main characters and why that was extremely appealing. She also chats about the blooming romance between Olivia Kelly and Connor O'Grady, how small moments of character development speak to a broader stroke of “show don't tell”, and the prevalent theme of "Coping with Loss". Rick O'Grady is an emerging character in this book as well, so he gets his time in the spotlight as she analyzes what makes him tick.

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is discussing all of the extended, deleted, and additional scenes on the Season Three Outlander Blu-Ray. Come along as she chats about some of her favorite hidden gems and why they are key to a viewers understanding of our favorite moments and character arcs. She also explains why certain editing choices were made and gives her opinion on whether those choices were of benefit or detriment to the overall feel of the episode and the season. From swooning over Lord John's proposal to Isobel and marveling at why a crucial Fergus and Jamie scene was cut, you won't want to miss this roller coaster of emotions!

Welcome back to another episode of The Sassenach Files. This week on the podcast, Chelsea reviews the extended cut of the season 2 standout “Faith”. Come join her as she chats about the stella performances of series favorites like Frances de la Tour, Stanley Weber, and Roman Berrux. She also discusses the scenes that were trimmed or completely cut from the TV version of the episode and breaks down how these decisions by the producers and editors ultimately impacted the trajectory of the episode and the season, particularly for Jamie's character.

Chelsea dives into some of the extras from the Season Two Blu-Ray / DVD to uncover what we missed with all the deleted, extended, and extra scenes that never saw the light of day. Join her as she chats about great moments left on the cutting room floor and the impact those choices had on the trajectory of the season's story. She also discusses background information and character motivations that were left to the viewers imaginations and could have been used to inform the viewer's understanding of the story. Tune in to see what she did and didn't agree with producers about regarding these behind the scenes goodies!

Welcome back for Part II of Droughtlander Book Club on The Diamond Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. In this episode, Chelsea discusses the tension in Kevin and JL's characters and how their recent hardships have impacted their relationship. The road to their 100% earned Happily Ever After is a bumpy one and she breaks down the ins and outs. She also chats about the main theme of this book: The Journey to Enlightenment. This is a topic that is relevant to all the main characters' stories (Kevin, JL, Jack and Amy), and she dives into the details. There's also discussion on the growth of the family and how this changes dynamics between our beloved characters!

Chelsea presents Part I of Droughtlander Book Club for The Diamond Brooch, the seventh installment of The Celtic Brooch series by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join her as she chats about the protagonists of Amy Spalding and Jack Mallory, breaking down what makes them tick and what makes their story unique from other brooch couples. Chelsea also discusses the main players in Amy's jaunt through 1909 New York City, and how earlier books in the series impact the emotional state of our beloved MacKlenna Clan.

Welcome back for another episode of The Sassenach Files podcast. This week Chelsea is discussing the midseason finale of Outlander's seventh season, “Turning Points”. Come along as she chats about Buck's pivotal decision to travel back through time with Roger, Ian and Rachel's palpable chemistry, and the use of the wind throughout the episode to communicate the turbulent emotions of the characters. She also talks about Jamie finally getting to speak to his son (!!!), the phenomenal performances by Angus MacFayden, Rod Hallett, and Barry O'Connor to bring their respective historical characters to life, and how the song selection for the final scene of the episode was absolute perfection.

This week on another episode of The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is talking all things 707: “A Practical Guide for Time Travelers”. So grab a wee dram, and pull up a chair as she discusses the humor Margot Ye weaved into the script as well as the character oriented direction from Joss Agnew. She also chats about Buck's rehabilitation as a character, the necessity of William losing Sandy, and Rob Cameron's resemblance to a bad head cold. The entire Battle of Freeman's Farm was a creative masterpiece, including it's portrayal through the British perspective, so stay tuned for Chelsea's thoughts on that as well.

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is chatting about 706: “Where The Waters Meet”. Join her as she discusses Roger's path toward finding himself in the 20th century, the difficulty of Claire's role as a medical professional, and her thoughts on the episode title. She also chats about Charles Vandervaart's creative choices and how they create a subtle link between Jamie and William. A couple of adaptational choices, one glaring continuity issue and the Gabaldonian Time Travel Theory are also on the docket this week.   You can find The Sassenach Files on all major listening platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a moment to spare and like what you hear, please leave a wee rating and review on your platform of choice!

Welcome back to another episode of The Sassenach Files! This week Chelsea is breaking down episode 705 of Outlander: “Singapore”. Come along for the ride as she discusses Jamie and Claire's oddly familiar Fort Ticonderoga journey as well as Ian's discovery that he has a son! She also discusses the practical location of the dam and how it made her eyes dance with cinematic beauty. But wait, there's more, because William also had a crazy arc this week and she makes sure to chat about what his first kill means for him and his relationship with Rachel.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is doing a deep dive into The Three Brooches by Katherine Lowry Logan. Come join her as she discusses character emotions, plot devices, writing techniques and much more!

The week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is breaking down episode 704 of Outlander: “A Most Uncomfortable Woman”. Come join her as she chats about Roger's struggle with his spirituality, Bree's inclination to take the bull by the horns, and William's journey to self-discovery. She also discusses the lighter side of Jamie and Claire's relationship and the kiss that sent shockwaves through the Outlander universe.

This week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is discussing Outlander episode 703: “Death Be Not Proud”. Come join her as she discusses why this episode felt like a premiere, which retrofits stuck out like sore thumbs, and how special effects were used to make the house fire just as epic as it was tragic. She also chats about her favorite content choices and musical creations for the episode along with a few scenes she thought were acting masterpieces.

The week on The Sassenach Files, Chelsea is chatting about her favorite episode of Season Seven, Part A, 702: “The Happiest Place on Earth”. Come join her as she discusses closure for the Christie story, the importance of Bree meeting William, and how the MacKenzie's decision to return to the twentieth century sheds light on Claire's ether dependency plot line in season six. She also breaks down Lord John's thoughts on William joining the army, the echoes of past episodes presented in this 702, and Jamie and Bree's integral father, daughter moments.

This week on the Sassenach Files podcast, Chelsea is breaking down the season seven premier of Outlander: “A Life Well Lost”. Come join her as she chats about the new found strength of Roger and Bree's marriage, the tragedy that is Tom Christie, and Jamie's worst nightmare – failing Claire. She also discusses some of her favorite creative choices of the episode concerning lighting and camera angles as well as a few adaptive choices she didn't care for.   You can find The Sassenach Files on all major listening platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a moment to spare and like what you here, please leave a wee rating a review on your platform of choice!   linktr.ee/thesassenachfiles

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I'm diving deep into the newly released season seven Official Trailer. Join me as I chat about the color palette, the music, and of course the content. Show watchers be warned THIS IS A SPOILER ZONE. I air my thoughts on what we are seeing in the trailer based on what I have read in the books, so there are A LOT of spoilers. I was so happy to see our favorite characters back in action and with many of my favorite books scenes hinted at as well. Make sure to listen in for my take on some of the creative choices also made when putting this trailer together including the book end dialogue, Caitriona Balfe's rendition of Ave Maria and much more!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I'm breaking down the season one finale of Men in Kilts: “The Battle of Culloden”. Come along as I chat about the lead up to that fateful day and the two men who commanded the field. I also discuss the weaponry and tactics used during the battle, the family-oriented nature of the Jacobite Army, and how the rising of 1745 forever changed the face of Scotland and it's people. The Battle of Culloden and the Jacobite cause has fascinated me for a long time, so it was a pleasure to close out this round of my Men in Kilts series with this topic. Enjoy!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I'm chatting about episode 107 of Men in Kilts: “Clans and Tartans”. Join me as I discuss some of the most infamous feuds during Scotland's Clan Wars from 1300-1600: the MacDonalds versus the McLeods, and the MacGregors versus the McLarens. I also break down the making of tartan, waulking wool, and where those brilliant colored plaids we've come to know and love first originated.

This week on The Sassenach Files I'm diving into the episode 106 of Men in Kilts: “Scotland by Land, Air, and Sea”. Come along with me as I explore the Highlands and Islands with Sam and Graham I will share some of my own stories and recommendations of places they visited including the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, and Loch Ness, as well as some places you may not know about including the Isle of Iona and The Kelpies. I felt this episode was unique because it was less on history and more on the land itself, so I hope you enjoy the change of pace!

Welcome back to another episode of The Sassenach Files where I am discussing episode 105 of Men in Kilts: “Tradition”. Come along for the ride as I discuss some of the basic elements of life in Scotland such as basket weaving, the Gaelic language, and being eaten alive by midges. As always, I take a couple of detours on my road trip with Sam and Graham, so you'll also hear me chat about the technicalities of training sheep dogs and beg the age old question, “How accurate is Outlander, really?” You'll get all of that and much more on this episode of The Sassenach Files!

Welcome back Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I am releasing the audio from my LIVE breakdown of the Season Seven Opening Credits from February. I chat about the visuals and music of this iconic piece of Outlander along with the frames and snippets of film we see throughout the wonderful rendition of The Skye Boat Song by Sinead O'Connor. Join me as I talk about the color and lighting choices, the roles of some of the behind the scenes worker bees that are credited, and how I think some of these images fit into the seventh season.

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files, I'm doing a deep dive into the fifth book in Katherine Lowry Logan's Celtic Brooch Series, The Broken Brooch. Join me as I break down the thoughts, feelings, and actions of our two protagonists, JL O'Grady and Kevin Allen. I also chat about some of the major themes we see over the course of the book, the inner workings of a good murder mystery plot, and how Elliott was really trying my last nerve. The Broken Brooch, coincidentally one of my favorites of the series, is our introduction to the O'Grady family, James Cullen's point of view, and the beginnings of The Diamond Brooch story. So hold tight! The Droughtlander Book Club train is departing the station, and you're in for a wild ride.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast I'm breaking down episode 104 of Men in Kilts: Witchcraft and Superstition. Join me as I chat about the lore and myths that are baked into daily Scottish life including a multitude of ghost stories, witchy woo woo, and Pagan traditions. In this episode I finally got to share my favorite hilarious Clanlands moment – the good ole Fiat Prostate getting stuck in the gates of Cawdor Castle. I also shared a couple of stories about my own experiences with the ghosts of Edinburgh. So, gather round the fire for a spooky tale a la The Sassenach Files!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast I'm discussing the third episode of Men in Kilts, “Song and Dance”.  Join me as I chat about all the different ways music has shaped the Scottish culture. Since one of the most famous songs from Scotland is “The Massacre of Glencoe” by The Corries, I thought it would be fitting to talk about the events that inspired the song. I also chat about a few other songs from the Jacobite era including my personal favorite, "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" and the events that inspired them. From waulking songs to sword dancing and everything in between, we run the gamut of musical inspiration in Scotland, and I hope you'll join me for the journey!

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I'm breaking down the second episode of Men in Kilts, “Scottish Sports”. Come along for the ride as I chat about some of the most famous sports in Scotland from shinty to the Highland Games and everything in between. During this wee episode, I discuss the regulations and history of Scotland's famed past times. I also throw in some fun stories about me, myself and I as I chat about the sports I personally love including racing and American football. Along the way, I bring in a few nuggets from Clanlands, so I highly recommend reading the book or listening to the audiobook as part of this podcast series.

Welcome back for another episode of The Sassenach Files. This week I begin my journey through Scotland with Sam and Graham by breaking down their show Men in Kilts. First up is Scottish Food and Drink, and I am here for it! Join me as I chat about the endless array of seafood in Scotland's larder along with the fascinating process of making whisky. As part of this series, I'm also including interesting bits and pieces of Sam and Graham's book Clanlands along with some of my personal experiences in Scotland. You won't want to miss it!

Hey Obsassenachs! On this edition of The Sassenach Files, I'm releasing a previously recorded LIVE episode from December 23, 2022 regarding the Season Seven Teaser Trailer. If you didn't catch the live chat on TSF Obsassenachs, head on over and check out this special podcast where I break down some of the key moments I caught in the teaser trailer and what that says about the upcoming season. I also chat about the overall aesthetic of the trailer in comparison to the season six color palette and themes, and gave my best guesses on answers to some of your burning questions regarding upcoming seasons of Outlander. Stay tuned for the announcement section at the end, as I have some interesting tidbits to share!

What's Up, Obsassenachs? This week, after a break for the holidays, I'm back with my friend Angela Hickey of Outlandercast Clan Book Club (Facebook) and Queen Bee's Hive (Patreon) to discuss the Gabaldonian Time Travel Theory for a very special 100th episode of The Sassenach Files. Join us as we chat about our favorite time travelers and the supernatural magnetism that draws them all together. We also break down some of the scientific theories that Diana has used to create the time travel of the Outlander universe and discuss some of the key differences between the time travel of the books versus the show. It's a wild ride full of facts, theories, and wild ass guesses, so come on in. The water's fine!

Happy Holidays Obsassenachs! This week on another LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I hosted my sixth edition of Droughtlander Book Club where I discussed the second half of The Emerald Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join me as I break down the major plot points of the remainder of the book including Kenzie's capture by Military Intelligence, Jack's crazy idea to ride along on a B-17 bombing run over Germany, and how saving Lieutenant Robert Manning from a terrible fate changed Kenzie's future for the better. I also chat about a few key themes and how David and Kenzie's complete honesty with each other makes them one of the strongest couples in the Brooch Universe.