The Small Fries

Death is only the beginning...

Last night’s episode of Game of Thrones was the episode I have been waiting for all season. It was the most action packed episode of the season, and I hope in the next few episodes we see more of that. So much has gone on in the last few episodes that I haven’t had the chance to review, but this episode topped them all.

Tyrion and Jorah are finally at their destination; Cersei is getting what she deserves; Sansa and “Reek” finally have a conversation long overdue; Arya is “No One”; and Jon Snow makes his case to the rest of the Wildlings. Things that have been set up all season are finally coming together, leading to an increase in the body count and characters’ paths finally crossing.

Tyrion and Jorah facing the Queen

Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), after much convincing, becomes an advisor to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) all while saving Jorah’s (Iain Glen) life. He ends up returning to the fighting pits to fight for her. However, it looks like Tyrion will be serving as “Hand of the Queen” now. He tries to convince Dany to stay in Essos, because she is making a difference there. However, our Dragon Queen thinks otherwise. “Lannister. Baratheon. Stark. Tyrell. They’re all just spokes on a wheel...I’m not going to just stop the wheel. I’m going to break the wheel.” This is by far one of the most powerful quotes in the entire series, and from what we know of Her Grace, I predict she will indeed break the wheel.

One of the spokes on the wheel is falling, and fast. I am talking about the Lannister house. Tywin is dead, and Tyrion is a fugitive. All that is left of the major players of House Lannister are Jaime and Cersei. With Jaime in Dorne, Cersei (Lena Headey) has no allies to help her now. She is FINALLY getting everything she deserves. Cersei has been arrested by the High Sparrow with three charges being held against her: treason, incest, and adultery. We saw her arrest at the end of the last episode, so this episode focuses on her imprisonment. Everyone keeps telling her the only way to be free is to confess her “sins.” We all know Cersei, and she is entirely too proud to admit to anything. She’s certain that people will come to her aid. Well, none of her family is coming to help. Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman) won’t see anyone, because he is distraught with not only her arrest but also Queen Margaery’s (Natalie Dormer) as well. I can only hope that whatever takes place at the trial will bring everything full circle for Cersei, and Karma hits her where it hurts. Sorry, not sorry, Cersei, but I just love to hate you.

Sansa confronting "Reek" about him betraying her to Ramsay

 We see glimpses of our two favorite Stark sisters for a brief moment, because the majority of the episode is dedicated to their bastard brother, Jon Snow. Sansa (Sophie Turner) has a confrontation with “Reek,” (Alfie Allen) where he finally explains that he did not kill Bran and Rickon. I can only hope that “Reek” finally breaks and Theon is somehow reborn. With being married to Ramsay (Iwen Rheon), Sansa could really use a friend right about now. However, it seems Ramsay may be leaving to lead an attack on Stannis Baratheon’s army that is just north of Winterfell. Meanwhile, Arya (Maisie Williams) is becoming a true servant to the Many-Faced God. JaQen H'ghar (Thomas Wlaschiha) has tasked her with watching and then ultimately killing “the thin man,” a terrible man who makes bets that his crew will fail, only to screw those who win the bet out of money in the end. We will have to wait and see if Arya is ready for this task.

Arya growing accustomed to Braavosi life

Now, the most exciting part of the whole episode was the last twenty minutes. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Tormund (Kristofer Hivju), along with several other Night’s Watch, have made their way to Hardhome. After lengthy discussions and a few threats, Snow and Tormund convince most of the Wildlings to ban together with the Night’s Watch, because “Winter is Coming” and only together can they defeat it. Everything sounds so promising, right? They’re all going to just hop on a boat, sail down to Castle Black, and prepare together for the Army of the Dead. Yeah, if only.

The Wildling settlement, Hardhome, under seige

While Wildlings are being boated to the ships in the bay, the Army of the Dead attacks, forcing them to close the gates, leaving thousands of the Wildlings unprotected on the other side. This, then, makes the Army even larger as they crash through the gates and attack those safely on the other side. Tormund and Jon try to fend off as many as possible. However, the White Walkers arrive and change everything. Jon faces off against one of these creatures, and with a swing of his sword, defeats it. Now, I thought only Dragons’s Glass could defeat a White Walker...hmmmmm. I guess there’s more to learn about the Walkers than we thought. Jon and Tormund make it back to a boat, all while a White Walker comes forward with the ultimate “come at me bro” (or should it be “come at me crow?”) gesture, as it raises the dead to join its army.

What did I say? "Come at me, Bro."

With Jon safely on his way back to Castle Black, we are left with the question, “Now what?” What’s to come with the inevitable face off at the Wall? What about Stannis and his attack on Winterfell? Winter is coming, and the people of Westeros are hardly prepared. They have been too concerned with who sits on the Iron Throne to bother worrying about the Long Night that is upon them. The ninth episode of a season is famously known as the episode where a major battle or plot twist occurs. Seeing as that is the next episode, I don’t know what to expect. This episode was very jaw dropping and full of several nail-biting moments. I have the statement from the beginning of the season “this will be the bloodiest season yet” playing in the back of my mind. Seeing as the body count is just now starting to climb and there are only two episodes left, I am now sufficiently worried about many of my favorite characters.

Jon Snow defeating a White Walker

Dear GoT Producers and GRRM,

 Please show some mercy.

 Sincerely,

 Can’t Take The Feels

 P.S. I know this message is futile, but it’s worth a shot.

Tune in to Game of Thrones Sundays on HBO at 9ET or on HBOGo.

-Kasey

We stand before the journey that leads us all...TO OREGON!!

The Oregon Trail. I remember sitting in school learning about the pioneers heading west and the many challenges they faced. I have seen numerous documentaries and movies about the pioneers and The Old West - full of cowboys and Indians; bandits and buffalos. However, the one thing I think of almost immediately when hearing “The Oregon Trail” is the old computer game. That’s right. The computer game where someone randomly breaks their leg in the wagon, dies of dysentery, is bitten by a snake...don’t even think about fording the river. The last thing I would ever think of would be a musical. That is, until now.

Last summer, Team Starkid performed their newest musical, The Trail to Oregon, and then released it on YouTube this past Valentine’s Day. This hilarious musical parodies the computer game that many of us played so long ago. Written by Jeff Blim, Matt Lang, and Nick Lang, TTO is a one of a kind musical that allows the audience to interact with the characters. Blim not only was a contributor to the script, but also wrote all of the fun and catchy numbers. I’ve had “Wagon on Fire” and “Lost Without You” stuck in my head for weeks, not that I am complaining. In the opening number, “Gone to Oregon,” the characters are immediately calling on audience members to “decide on the names of all the people in our wagon party.” The audience must choose who are wagon members are, “are they carpenters or bankers or leaving their farm?” Careful with your decisions, because this is more than a game.

From Left: Rachael Soglin, Jaime Lyn Beatty, Corey Dorris, Lauren Lopez, and Jeff Blim

As we dance through the first number, we name our Wagon Leader and Father (Jeff Blim), Wagon Mother (Rachael Soglin), Son (Lauren Lopez), Daughter (Jaime Lyn Beatty), and Grandpa (Corey Dorris). However, what is a wagon party without a wagon and a yoke of oxen? Obviously the best place to get supplies is “where our great trek begins.” Independence, Missouri! It's the city that’s “so pleasing that everyone’s leaving.” Enter Joey Richter, our fast talking townsfolk, General Store Guy, and horny ox. He switches between various character giving advice and ripping off our wagon party. Richter’s many characters warn everyone of the various hazards on the trail like dysentery, losing your ox, and fording rivers. I believe his exact words are “Friends don’t let friends ford the river; take a ferry.” “Independence” is a fast paced song that informs and warns the audience and wagon members making The Trail to Oregon “fun and edumacational.” This is one of my favorite parts of the whole musical, because it shows just how talented of a group these actors are. Richter manages to fly through several sections of the song listing things to do and not do on the trail all while switching between several characters (I lost count after a while) and keeping the song and show moving forward.

Joey Richter as one of his many roles in "Independence"

Now that our wagon party is ready to go with their supplies and “Wago-9000,” we are almost ready to start our journey. Except for one small detail. We have yet to meet the villain of our story. Joey Richter piles on yet another role to the stack he already bears. “The name’s McDoon, and I make the ladies McSwoon,” or so he tells the daughter. McDoon, partnered with Cletus Jones (Corey Dorris), is the infamous Bandit King, and he has his eyes set on the daughter. He wants to make her his “bride, alright alright!” The Mother has something to say about that, and basically denies him the chance of marrying her daughter. This now gives the family a new enemy, The Bandit King.

Joey Richter as The Bandit King

As our wagon party heads down the bumpy trail, they stumble over a broken axle, hunger, and your typical family road trip obstacles. “The Grind” pretty much covers everything from playing I Spy to enjoying time with the family on the road. Honestly, this song sums up every one of my family road trips. Once the family is set in and is going at a great pace, they realize they’re out of food. Grandpa take both children out to gather more food via hunting which leads into the next song, “Pays to be an Animal.” This teaches the son a lesson about being an animal, because “sometimes it pays to be an animal, sometimes it don’t.” In the end they shoot an entire adorable family of buffalo, approximately 2000 pounds, but they can only carry back about 20. This is obviously poking fun at the computer game, because of the amount of meat you can bring back to your wagon after killing several animals. *insert side-eye at the game makers.*

Joey Richter as "Horny Ox" and Rachael Soglin as Mother

We open on the next scene which leads to a very powerful and beautiful song performed by Rachael Soglin. “When the World’s at Stake” is about her difficulties as a young mother and how she is doing everything to give her daughter a better life, despite the fact she may resent her for it in the end. Just before the song, Mother and Daughter have a typical mother-daughter fight, and this song justifies her reasoning behind everything she’s done for her children. Soglin does such an amazing job with this emotional number and conveys such strong emotion throughout the entire performance. You can feel the love she has for her children.

"I can do better, hold you closer. I'm learning that as I grow older." - When the World's at Stake

The next few scenes leave behind the serious and head into the hilarious and ridiculous. Blim’s character travels through a snake venom induced dream telling him that one of his family members will die of dysentery. “Dysentery World” is telling the audience that someone they choose is doomed to die. Yes, the audience does choose who dies at the end. “No two shows will ever be the same.”

"It's a shitty shitty world for all you boys and girls. Oregon is for the damned." - Dysentery World

Once the family decides to pick up where they left off after a good night’s rest, we head into the end of Act One and one of my favorite songs of the show, “Wagon on Fire.” FINALLY, Joey Richter has a villain song. As long as I have been a Starkid fan, I’ve wanted to see him in a villainous role with a villain song. “Wagon on Fire” is an intense song that shows McDoon and Cletus capturing the daughter. Not only that, but it blends together all of the themes already sung making it a very powerful song that ends the first Act. On top of that, Richter does an amazing job showing his range as a vocalist and an actor.

The Second Act follows up with just as strong of an opening with Jaime Lyn’s song “Lost Without You.” We see this angsty teenage girl finally realizing how much she loves and needs her family. As “in love” with McDoon as she was at the beginning of the show, Daughter resents her captor, because she believes he killed her family in order to achieve his goal. She’s not as naive as her mother thinks she is. This song is a sad, but catchy number that gives her a chance to show off her pipes that we haven’t really seen since A Very Potter Musical.

"Your wagon is on fire! Your wagon is a flame! Your wagon is on fire! It'll never be the same." - Wagon on Fire

When we finally catch up with our broken and beaten down wagon party, they are at a bar in the middle of winter. Frustrated, Mother takes the rest of what’s left of her family and leaves Father behind. Leading to a heartwarming reprise of “When the World’s at Stake” performed by Jeff Blim. It shows that his character is a true family man, because he just wants his family to be safe and happy. He thought this road trip to Oregon would be the “Greatest Family Vacation.” He often reminds me of Clark Griswold in how often he puts his family and their happiness first. We see his motivation and love for his family in the sweet reprise, along with Joey Richter’s great improv skills when he tries to belt out his own version of the song. Each time his story is different, and Blim’s reactions are priceless.

With our family headed after McDoon to get their daughter back, they’re “gonna have to go down this trail like no one’s ever gone before. [They’re] gonna do a Speedrun.” I enjoy “Speedrun,” because it makes another nod at the game about reducing rations and going faster down the trail, trying to make it to the next checkpoint/Oregon before you die. Honestly, it’s impossible. I always die or run out of food before I can get to my next checkpoint on a speedrun. Kudos to this Wagon Party.

Remember the piece of advice the townsfolk gave earlier about fording the river? Well in “Caulk Your Wagon,” McDoon is planning on fording the Great Columbia River, the most dangerous river in the world, and sailing south to start his new life with his “Child-Bride.” This song is hilarious and full of fun innuendos as McDoon, Cletus, and Daughter prepare to sail down the river. Of course, her family arrives just in time to save her, leaving McDoon and Cletus behind.

Corey Dorris, Jaime Lyn Beatty, and Joey Richter caulking their wagon

Just as the family is reunited and they finally make it to the Oregon border, a Doctor (Joey Richter) appears and does his “routine check” for dysentery. Sadly, one of them has it and cannot cross over into Oregon. This is where the family member the audience chose dies. “You Gotta Go” is by far the funniest song in the entire show. From the fart noises Richter makes on his arms to the different dramatic interpretations of dying of dysentery, this scene is a riot. Each character’s ending is on Starkid’s YouTube channel, and each character does a hilarious interpretation. On top of the character dying, you have the other characters reacting behind them to the smells and sight of the death. I can’t pick a favorite ending because they are all so different and equally hilarious.

"You gotta go when you gotta go. Close you eyes, give it a shove." - You Gotta Go

Now, just because they’re dead, doesn’t mean the rest of the family will cross over into Oregon without them. Once everyone is safely on the Oregon side, the deceased rises from the dead. Everyone is happy and reunited, and finds their favorite stretch of land. And you know what that means, “come on, buddy, the water’s just right. So come on, buddy, let’s have a water fight.”

“Naked in a Lake” is such a carefree and fun ending to this piece of comedic gold. Everyone is taking a “mini-vaca wearing only your birthday clothes.” While our Wagon Party is singing and having a great time, Jeff Blim randomly walks out playing his saxophone. Honestly, highlight of the whole show right there. Who knew Blim could play the sax so well?!

Let's get NAKED IN A LAKE!!

Overall, I think this show is one of the best Team Starkid has done so far. Not only is it incredibly funny and well-written, but it gives the audience a sense of nostalgia to see their favorite educational game come to life on stage. The actors have done a great job with portraying their characters and working with the audience to create a storyline that is different each time. For those fans who missed the original run last summer, Team Starkid will be doing a limited run of the show this week in New York City at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Seriously, this is a show you do not want to miss.

 For Tickets follow the link below:

http://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9992989

 Can’t make the show? Check out the YouTube version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxKCX-UvPrI

--Kasey

Alright, fasten your seatbelts kids, it’s time for another…

RETRO REWIND!

In this edition of Retro Rewind, I’ll be reminiscing about the classic educational PC game, Oregon Trail. Whether you played it in its original format on the Apple II computer or you have the app downloaded to your iPhone, there’s no doubt that this game has had an impact. Throughout this Rewind I’ll regale you with my own personal memories of the game, as well as give some history about it.

The Oregon Trail was created in 1971 by Don Rawitsch. He originally created it as an aide to help his 8th grade class learn about the period in history where many American families were moving west with hopes of land and riches. The game immediately became popular amongst the students, and was soon adapted for the Apple II computer, making it accessible for students across the globe. Oregon Trail went on to be the most popular educational game of all time, and a defining part of any elementary school student in the 80s and 90s.

Everyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s has their own memories of Oregon Trail. When I was in 5th grade, I was put into this program during lunch for the smart kids who weren’t in gifted classes. It was called Explorers or Avengers or something. I’m not completely certain of its purpose because all we did was play Oregon Trail. I’m pretty positive that we were supposed to be doing other brain-enriching activities as well. Anyway, I have countless memories of creating families with names of fictional characters, buying a ton of supplies, and eventually dying of dysentery. I would compete with my fellow smart kid friends to see who had the least amount of family members die during their game. It was definitely a highlight of my school week.

Although Oregon Trail isn’t commonly played in classrooms any more, it lives on in the form of a mobile app. Now both kids who grew up on the game and their children can enjoy the entertaining and educational app.

--Julie

Jon Snow, Lord Commander and Brother of the Night's Watch

Last night was the mid-season episode of Game of Thrones. Yes, season five is halfway over. "Kill the Boy" was a very intense episode with tensions even higher than before and a death to start the episode off. Several things happened last night that are going to set the rest of the season down a bloody path. SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE, DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT. Unless you want spoilers...

For starters, Ser Barristan Selmy died at the end of the last week’s episode during an ambush by the Sons of the Harpies. Now, Daenerys is out for vengeance. She has decided to punish the heads of the major families in Meereen by arresting them and taking them to her dragons. After threatening them and feeding one to her two “children,” she has then escorted back to their cells. She doesn’t want to “overfeed” her dragons. I think she has made her point not to mess with the Mother of Dragons. Missandei councils the queen and convinces her to reopen the fighting pits. Dany agrees to this on top of marrying a head of one of the prestigious families in Meereen, Hizdahr zo Loraq (Joel Fry). This can’t go over well with her current bedwarmer, Daario Naharis.

Mother of Dragons doesn't mess around when threatening the wealthy families of Meereen

Meanwhile in Westeros, Jon Snow is struggling with the fact half of the Night’s Watch hate him and the rest will follow soon with his newest decision. Before we learn what that is, Maester Aemon advises Jon to “Kill the boy and let the man be born.” Basically he’s say Jon needs to man up and just make the hard decisions, despite how popular he will be in the long run. This tough decision is teaming up with the Wildlings in the fight against the White Walkers and their Army of the Dead. Jon has basically elected a new leader of the Wildlings, Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), and has asked him to recruit the rest of the Wildlings north of the wall. Tormund only agrees to do so if Jon accompanies him. When Jon shares his plan with the rest of his brothers, we see that it does not go over well, even among his supporters.

In the midst of all this at Castle Black, Stannis has decided that his time at the Wall has finally come to an end. He has packed up his family and they’re moving South. I guess it was too cold for the Lord of Light. He is bringing everyone with him to march on Winterfell to face the upcoming battle I suspect we will see soon. That probably won’t end well for someone in that party, or all of them. Who knows? It is Game of Thrones.

The Princess, Shireen Baratheon, portrayed by Kerry Ingram

Speaking of Winterfell, we see more of Sansa Stark and what her life will most likely be like after she marries Ramsay Bolton. For starters, the more I see of Ramsay the more I realize he is a whack-job. Brienne of Tarth has a message sent to Sansa in order to tell her she still has friends in the North, and that is the last we see of Brienne and Podrick. The rest of the time we are in Winterfell, we follow around the Boltons.

We first see Ramsay having a spat with his lover and he threatens her when she begins to bore him. However, Miranda is just as crazy as Ramsay. They truly belong together. Anyway, after they do whatever it is that crazy people do, we see Miranda follow Sansa to the broken tower (where Bran fell from in Season 1). She takes our new Lady Stark to the kennels where she is reunited with her family’s ward, Theon Greyjoy turned Reek. Of course, Ramsay’s brainwashed puppet tells his master that Sansa saw him. So naturally, Ramsay turns the tables for his benefit. Ramsay parades Theon in front of Sansa constantly reminding her that she has no family; they’re all dead. He makes Theon apologize for killing Bran and Rickon, but the look on Theon’s face tells me that he’s going to find a way to tell Sansa the truth; her brothers are still alive. I hope something goes right for Sansa, because Ramsay is about the worst thing that could have happened to her next to Joffrey.

Theon Greyjoy, or Reek, serving Lady Sansa

Tyrion is still the hostage of Ser Jorah Mormont, who plans on handing the Imp over to Daenerys in the hopes she will pardon him for his “crimes.” They are sailing through the fallen civilization of Valeriya, where we hear the tale of the Doom as they sail through the ruins. A dragon, what we assume to be Drogon, appears in the sky, distracting our duo. Suddenly, they are attacked by the Stone Men, men infected with the highly contagious disease Grayscale. Jorah warns Tyrion to not let them touch him, and we find out why once they have made it safely to a beach not far from the ruins. Jorah was touched by one of the Stone Men and has now been infected with the disfiguring and deadly disease.

Tyrion being attacked by a Stone Man of Valeriya

This is where the episode leaves us. Wondering and worrying about each character’s fate. Book readers probably have some idea what to expect, as for viewers like me who are behind on the books, I sit here each week at the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop. This season has done a fantastic job, so far, setting up the story arcs for each character and leaving the viewers hungry for more and fearing for our favorite characters. We are exactly halfway through the fifth season and with at least one wedding and battle most likely to occur soon, things are bound to turn very bloody very soon. I’ve already made a bet with myself that the Attack on Winterfell is going to happen in the ninth episode, following in the footsteps of all major battles before it. Now, to wait ever so impatiently for the next episode to air. Valar Morghulis.

Catch Game of Thrones every Sunday 9ET on HBO.

--Kasey

Avengers Assemble

It’s not even officially summer yet, and Age of Ultron is already the hit movie of the season. The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the 2012 hit film, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and the Hulk take on a different kind of threat in the form of the evil artificial intelligence of Ultron. As a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this has been one of my most hotly anticipated films of the year, and as a whole it didn’t disappoint. However, I will say that I enjoyed the first Avengers film a lot more and Age of Ultron left a few things to be desired. CAUTION: SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT.

The Good

• Nobody does a good, snarky one-liner like Joss Whedon. The dialogue was one of my favorite things in the first Avengers, and once again it did not disappoint.

• There were a lot more action sequences in Age of Ultron, and they were all breathtaking. I could not take my eyes off the screen. I’m pretty sure I didn’t blink during the Hulk/Iron Man scene.

• Speaking of Iron Man and the Hulk, every scene between Tony and Bruce was fantastic. The acting chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo is out of this world. I would watch a movie with just those two. Science bros for life!

• The plot itself was wonderful. Ultron managed to make the idea of artificial intelligence scary again, and we got a glimpse into the Avengers biggest fears.

• The introduction of characters such as Pietro and Wanda Maximoff and Vision were excellent.

• The cameos! War Machine, Falcon, and many more appearances made me extremely happy.

• To connect the previous two points, the new Avengers team being trained by Steve and Natasha at the end blew me away. I’m so excited to see what they do with the new crew.

The Not-So-Good

• I felt that the whole Bruce/Natasha relationship was very rushed and forced. It came out of nowhere, as neither of the two characters had even hinted interest in each other in previous movies. The chemistry was awkward and I felt it was a waste to use those characters as a romantic side-plot instead of exploring them further as individual

• Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson had terrible Russian accents. Otherwise, they were well cast in their respective roles as Wanda and Pietro Maximoff (Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver).

• I really did not like Hawkeye’s backstory. I don’t know if that’s because I have a special place in my heart for Matt Fraction’s version of Hawkeye, but I thought it was completely lame. Hawkeye is supposed to be a normal dude, but I wasn’t crazy about the whole family thing.

• I think I speak for everyone when I ask “Where was Bucky Barnes?” Our favorite Winter Soldier was conspicuously missing, not even warranting a mention.

• There was no point in introducing Pietro only to kill him off at the end of the movie. In the comics, he is a main member of the Avengers team, so I thought this was pretty pointless.

• When Hulk went incognito in the jet at the end of the movie, that could have been a perfect opportunity to set up a solo Hulk movie. I love Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the tortured Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk, and a reboot would be great after the mediocre Edward Norton film. However, since Marvel has revealed the films for Phase Three, there is no possibility for the Planet Hulk film of my dreams to happen.

 All things considered, this was definitely a fun film to kick off the summer season. I definitely recommend it for MCU superfans and newbies alike.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is now in theaters!

--Julie

Photo: hellofromthemagictavern.com

I may be a little late to hop on this bandwagon, but lately I’ve come to find Podcasts as a refreshing form of entertainment. Thanks to our other editor, Julie, I have come to enjoy several different ones from Serial to Welcome to Nightvale and Comedy Bang Bang. However, recently I saw a new podcast sneak its way on to my Twitter feed and decided to check it out. That was possibly the best decision I made all day.

Hello, From the Magic Tavern is truly a one of a kind podcast about a man named Arnie, played by Arnie Niekamp, who fell through a magical portal behind a Burger King into a land called Foon. He is able to get a weak WiFi signal from the restaurant and broadcasts weekly episodes from the tavern, The Vermillion Minotaur, in the town of Hogface. He is accompanied by his co-hosts Chunt and Usidore, and each week they have special guests talk about this magical land so that people on Earth know that there are other worlds in other dimensions.

Chunt was Arnie’s roommate, that is Arnie has become a permanent resident of The Vermillion Minotaur. Chunt, played by Adal Rifai, is a shapeshifter who is currently in the form of a badger. He is a different kind of shapeshifter, considering he only changes shape when he has sex; he takes his partner’s form. Chunt is a very “chill” character who used to work at the tavern. His job there really depends on his current form. If he’s a larger form, he is usually a bouncer -- as opposed to being a caterpillar, to which he is in the kitchen. Chunt is a badger/shapeshifter who is just looking for a good time. Which is why he frequents the hot spot, “Make Out Point.” It’s not what it sounds like. Make Out Point is a haunted shack, and if you and your partner are able to make it through alive, you will fall in love. Chunt is 0 for 30. Poor Chunt. Over the last eight episodes of Magic Tavern, I’ve decided that Chunt is a character that I would love to be friends with. He’s laid back, easy-going, and won’t hesitate to let you room with him during your hardships. Everyone needs a Chunt in their life.

Usidore, the wizard of too many names to remember and played by Matt Young, is Arnie’s other co-host/friend. He is a wizard of great power and has the ability to summon miniature horses for imps to ride all while famously falling into the “Wizard State” mid conversation. Usidore is hellbent on completing his quest to defeat the Dark Lord with his carefully selected party. For the majority of the show so far, he has had no one join him, that is until the most recent episode. Pimbly Nimblebottom, an imp that poops coins and rubies, has volunteered to join Usidore on his quest. Now, he only needs to recruit twelve more adventurers, and he can continue on his quest. Good luck, Usidore! I would join if I were in Foon….maybe. This character is such a funny character. He is the polar opposite of the relaxed Chunt, because at any moment he could be bursting with energy and exploding on the podcast about his quest or something that could doom us all. He is the type of character that any description given would not do justice. I can only suggest you go listen to this podcast and experience all that is Usidore yourself. He goes on rants and tirades that usually get the group off topic of whatever the guest is speaking about. However, like Chunt, he has done a wonderful job educating us on Foon: from the seasons to social norms. By the way, there are six seasons in Foon, just in case you were wondering.

There have been various special guests on Magic Tavern ranging from a talking Flower to the Foon Mittens League Commissioner to a Princess. Each tie in with the other in some way: For example, the Flower is a key component of the sport, Mittens, and each episode we learn something different about this magical land. It is the home of goblins, wizards, and smorps. Yes, smorps. I am not going to explain Smorps only because Usidore and Jak Vorpal, Foon's Greatest Swordsman, do a better job explaining these magical beings.

This podcast is a healthy mix between weird, ridiculous, and hilarious which is what makes it so addicting. I can honestly say that I have listened to each episodes multiple times, and not just because they are that funny; I know I’ve missed something in each cast just from laughing all the time. To give you a better idea of what kind of podcast you are getting into, I mostly describe it as The Chronicles of Narnia meets Saturday Night Live. Each episode is funnier than the last and full of things that you won’t see coming; each an adventure in itself.

Hello, From the Magic Tavern is released every Monday.

Catch up, subscribe and review on iTunes!

Visit their website: http://hellofromthemagictavern.com

--Kasey

I was elated to see Orphan Black return to my television last weekend. It’s definitely one of the most unique shows on television. Last season, Sarah Manning and her fellow clones (all played by the incredible Tatiana Maslany) found out that they are not the only set of clones out there. The season ended with the revelation of Project Castor, a set of male clones developed by the Armed Forces.

The season premiere deals with the revelation of these new clones and how it affects the Project Leda ladies, an arc that will probably last the entire season. No one is quite sure what their motivations are, but one thing is for certain: no one is safe. The Castor clones were bred to be perfect soldiers, making them quite the force to be reckoned with. Sarah agrees to work with Delphine, who is now leading the Dyad, to see what the male clones want in exchange for help in finding Helena. Sarah confronts one of the captive clones to question him, but he essentially laughs in her face. Shortly afterwards, the captive clone’s brother breaks him out of captivity and they escape together. The unhinged performance of Ari Millen as all of the Castor clones is very noteworthy. I’m excited to see where these characters go.

However, the team of Sarah and Delphine continues throughout the episode. A higher-up named Ferdinand comes to visit at the worst time possible. With Rachel recovering from a pencil through the eye, Delphine calls on Sarah to play Rachel. During a rough BDSM session with Ferdinand, Sarah-as-Rachel discovers his and Rachel’s plan called Helsinki to have the clones killed. Sarah and Delphine successfully shut the plan down.

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah and Ari Millen as Rudy

Afterwards, Sarah confronts Mrs. S about selling out Helena in exchange for her and Kira’s safety. Mrs. S called it “a wartime decision”. Sarah is infuriated, saying it wasn’t her call to make. Meanwhile, Helena is released from a crate into the army base where the Castor clones are located.

The second episode of the season sheds a little more light onto two of the Castor clones, Rudy and Seth. The episode opens with them assaulting a drunken girl, which puts Art on the case to find the clones. However, adding some backstory to the male clones does not interfere with the diverging storylines of Sarah, Helena, Cosima, and Alison.

Meanwhile, Cosima shows Scott the genome sequence hidden inside of the book Duncan gave Kira. Together they ask the doctor to see if he is aware that the sequence is out there. He supposedly doesn’t know, but I suspect that there’s more beneath the surface of this mysterious new doctor.

After deciding to run for school board, Alison finds out that her husband Donny lost his job. She comes up with the plan of buying a local drug dealer’s supply off of him both to supply income and guarantee voters. This storyline will presumably bring a few laughs this season. The dynamic between Alison and Donny is so entertaining, especially when they are up to no good.

Ari Millen as Rudy

Sarah is given a brief moment of happiness in this episode when Cal buys a house for them. A game of stickball is interrupted by a call from Art regarding the Castor clones. She goes to him to see what he has found and to hopefully get closer to finding Helena. As a viewer, it is so heartbreaking to see those moments of happiness for Sarah, knowing that they are temporary given her situation. Later on, Kira is yet again held hostage, this time by Rudy. Sarah attempts to bargain with him, but it is only when he hears Seth’s screams that he lets Kira go. Rudy then mercifully kills Seth to make him stop “glitching”. The remorse shown by Rudy after he kills Seth illustrates the closeness of the brothers. After the incident, Sarah decides to let Kira and Cal leave the country for their safety.

Helena is being tortured and experimented on by the military in an unknown location. She is being waterboarded until the newly-introduced Dr. Coady tells the soldiers to stop because Helena is pregnant. What is impressive about this scene is that Tatiana Maslany was actually being waterboarded. Talk about commitment to your craft! The tests being done to Helena are the same sort of tests administered to the Castor men. Down the line this might explain why some of the Castor boys glitching.

All in all the first two episodes of Orphan Black have been dizzying. There are so many new plotlines and characters being introduced so rapidly that I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. However, the breakneck speed of this show is part of the reason why it’s so enjoyable to watch.

Catch Orphan Black Saturdays on BBC America 8/7c

--Julie

Winter is Coming...

Last night’s episode of Game of Thrones, "High Sparrow," featured many of the main characters of the series and their nail-biting story lines. Arya is at The House of Black and White, Jon is the new Lord Commander, Cersei is now Queen Mother, Sansa has returned to Winterfell, and Tyrion has been captured. A lot has happened in Westeros in these last three episodes and by the looks of it, things are going to get even worse for our favorites and least favorites. Who would expect anything different on a show that is notorious for putting the lives of the majority of its lead characters in danger?

The last we saw of Arya Stark, she was being welcomed into The House of Black and White. She is where she wants to be, but “a girl” is most unhappy. For days she has been sweeping the same floors and has learned nothing about the Faceless Men. She has expressed her unhappiness, but as we learn later, Jaqen H’gar (Thomas Wlaschiha) says she’s not ready. “A girl” is still Arya Stark. In an attempt to adapt, Arya sheds all of her clothes and belongings, except for Needle. She can’t part with the small sword her brother, Jon, gave her the day she left Winterfell. Instead, she hides it in a pile of rocks before returning to The House. Next thing we know, Arya has been tasked with a girl who previously picked on her to wash a dead body. She asks questions about what she is doing and why, but we receive no answers as to the meaning of this scene.

Arya Stark and her Needle

Jon Snow, the new Lord Commander of the Watchers on the Wall, has finally decided to give Stannis Baratheon an answer to his proposition. Jon feels his place is at The Wall and not at Winterfell. Though he has always wanted to be a Stark, his vow forces him to sever all ties with the politics of the realm. Much to Stannis’s dismay, he understands Jon’s decision and instead requests for Wildlings to be sent South to reclaim Winterfell, which is being held by Roose and Ramsay Bolton. Jon’s time as Lord Commander has already been off to an interesting start just by defeating Alliser Thorne in the elections. He decides to name his opponent as his First Ranger. Janos Slynt, former Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing and rival of Jon’s, has been tasked with rebuilding the Night’s Watch post in Greygard. Janos, played by Dominic Carter, loudly refuses and is soon executed by the Lord Commander himself, even after his pleas for mercy.

Jon carrying out his first execution as Lord Commander

In King’s Landing, a wedding has taken place. Surprisingly enough, no one died at this wedding. Margaery and Tommen are finally married, making her the new queen of Westeros. Of course, Cersei is even more unhappy about that. Slowly, she is losing her grip on the kingdom as she is now the Queen Mother. She still has some sway and power, considering she sits on the King’s Small Council. The High Septon runs to her for help as The Sparrows have publically ridiculed him for being in Littlefinger’s brothel. This is considered a terrible sin in the Faith of the Seven. He has asked she seek out the High Sparrow Jonathan Pryce, and have him executed. Cersei, instead, sends him to the dungeons in the Red Keep and seeks out the High Sparrow as an ally.

Cersei finding an ally in the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce)

Our poor, poor Sansa is travelling to an unknown destination with Littlefinger. We learned in the previous episode that he had extended a marriage proposal to her, but now we learn it wasn’t from him. Sansa has returned to Winterfell and unhappily accepted Ramsay Bolton’s offer of marriage. With their union, Bolton’s hold on the North will be solidified. However, when Sansa had earlier learned of the proposal, she was outraged. She did not want to be apart of the family that killed her mother and brother, Lady Catelyn and Robb Stark respectively.Sansa makes her way to her old room, and an elderly maid tells her, “Welcome home, Lady Stark. The North remembers.” I sure hope it does. 

Sansa making her way to Winterfell with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish

Seeing Bolton in Winterfell makes my stomach turn. Sansa is putting up with way more than she bargained for. All she wanted was for everyone to get along and to marry the king at the beginning of season one, and now she is being forced to marry Ramsay “bat-shit crazy” Bolton in order to hold the North. Help is not far though. Brienne and Podrick are on their way to Winterfell; I just hope they can make it in time to help Sansa.

Lord Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) and Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon)

Lastly we see Lord Tyrion still trapped in a box on his way to Volantis. He has all but lost his mind and leaves the box to walk around. His relationship with Varys is the comedic relief we need in the show, especially since Tyrion has been going crazy after being trapped in a box with him for so long. He explores the lower parts of Volantis, where slaves work and are sold. We hear one slave preaching about the Lord of Light and learn they believe Daenerys to be their Savior. Tyrion finds his way to a brothel, no that I am surprised, and finds it hard to find pleasures with the company of one of the whores. He takes a walk, only to be captured by Jorah Mormont. He is taking him to see the Queen. We can only assume that he means Daenerys.

Tyrion and Varys observing the business at a local Volantis brothel

Several things have happened this episode that has allowed the story to unfold even more for each character. We are learning a little more about the secret society in Braavos, Cersei is no longer as powerful as she thought, and we are finally reunited from the banished Jorah Mormont. However, this episode has only left me with more questions: What is in store for everyone involved? We have yet to see how Dorne will react or if they will to Oberyn’s death, and what about Tyrion? What will Daenerys do when she sees Tyrion Lannister? There have already been several deaths this season, and this is only the third episode. The rumors have already proven true: This is the bloodiest season yet.

King Tommen and Queen Margaery Barathoen

Catch Game of Thrones every Sunday night on HBO at 9ET.

Seasons 1-4 on HBOGo and on Sale now!

--Kasey

...all that was good, all that was fair/ all that was me is gone...

SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ PAST HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS WEEK'S OUTLANDER!

Laird Broch Turach has finally returned! Jamie and Claire made their way home to Lallybroch in the latest episode of Outlander. However, this place harbors many dark memories for Jamie. The last time he was home, Black Jack Randall was flogging him and then was attempting to rape his sister. I’m just going to say what we are all thinking: Randall is just a terrible person.

Laird Broch Turach collecting rent from his tennants

Jamie is nervous about seeing Jenny, his sister, after hearing the rumors about her floating around. Apparently, Randall did rape her and she gave birth to his bastard. These rumors are all but confirmed when we see Jenny and her son, Wee Jamie. Of course, our Jamie flies off the handle when he sees the young lad and his pregnant sister, automatically thinking her to be a whore. Everything is put to ease when Ian Murray, Jamie’s childhood friend, limps forth and says the children are his.

Laura Donnelly as Jenny and Steven Cree as Ian

Throughout the episode, Jamie and his sister butt heads, and Jenny seems to hold some type of resentment towards Claire for the better half of the episode. Jamie is trying to be his father when he was Laird of Lallybroch instead of becoming his own man, and knowing our dear Sassenach, that doesn’t sit well with her. The atmosphere between characters is very tense while they are getting used to one another and adjusting to the drastic changes that are occurring at Lallybroch.

At one point, while Jamie is reminiscing on his father’s turn as Laird, we learn more about his time as Randall’s prisoner. Jamie’s father, Brian, was at Fort William pleading on his son’s behalf for mercy. He doesn’t want to see Jamie flogged again. However, when Randall tells Jamie that his father’s plea didn’t work, it is obvious he has something else in mind for the Highlander. He wants Jamie to submit his body for Randall’s pleasure. Yep, Randall likes the Scottish lads, and since Jamie denied him, he was flogged...again. Black Jack flogged him until he had passed out. Little did Jamie know, his father witnessed this flogging and then collapsed in the courtyard. He didn’t know at the time that Brian Fraser had died.

Randall giving Jamie an ultimatum

Though Jamie has escaped the English, he still has a price on his head. So, while he is fixing the mill, Jenny and Claire cover for him when an English patrol rides by. Jamie is underwater trying to free the clogged gears. Kudos to Jamie for being able to stay underwater for that long. However, he ends up downstream in the nude, when Jenny and Claire rush to find him after the patrol moves on. Outlander: always entertaining.

A very upset James Fraser after the English Patrol.

Jamie, instead of being grateful, is upset that Jenny even came up to the millhouse in her condition. Later that night, Claire gives him what for by yanking him out of bed in the middle of the night. She finally has his attention and says, “I did not marry the Laird of Lallybroch. I married Jamie, but I haven’t seen much him since we walked through the gates of this place.” She is right. The Jamie we know and love hasn’t been around much this episode, but she finally knocks some much needed sense into him.

Jamie in the doghouse while Claire is screwing his head on straight.

He takes her advice into consideration and visits his father’s grave for the first time the next day, and has a moment with Jenny. She blames herself for everything that happened, and Jamie blames himself. However, he is troubled by the thought that Jenny would sacrifice her virtue for his life by going with Randall. Jenny argues, “If your life is a suitable exchange for my honor, tell me why my honor is not a suitable exchange for your life?” With that, the siblings have made up and all differences have been put aside.

As the episode winds down, we see Claire and Jamie in the Laird’s Chambers where she admits feeling like she’s where she belongs. This scene is very intimate, and trust me, you will feel all the feels. Jamie tells Claire about the first time he fell in love with her. “I loved you when you first wept in my arms that first night at Leoch. But now I wake up everyday and I find that I love you more than I did the day before.” Okay, James Fraser, thank you for making me set my standards entirely too high...bloody perfect Scotsman.

Jamie telling Claire when he first fell in love with her

Now, knowing how this show works, we shouldn’t expect that to be the end. Well, it’s not. Claire wakes the next morning to find Jamie missing from bed. She gets ready and prepares for a normal day, until she walks in on her husband at gunpoint and surrounded by three men. One of them is giving Jamie instructions to stay silent or “this lovely lass is going to be scrubbing your brains off the floor.”

An intruder holding Jamie at gunpoint

This episode gives us a quick glimpse into Jamie’s family and his marriage to Claire post-Craig na Dune. We learn that the Frasers are all alike: stubborn and hot-headed. But Jamie and Jenny are truly the ultimate siblings. They were both willing to give anything to save the other. Despite their fights, they do it all for love. Jamie and Claire are definitely more comfortable with one another since Claire has FINALLY confided in him the truth of her past. However, their comfort is about to be tested.

The rest of this season is going to be the most gut-wrenching and heartbreaking program to watch. I love this part, because it shows just how strong Jamie and Claire’s connection is, but it is also a very painful milestone they will have to cross. Stock up on your kleenex, bottles of Rhenish (wine), and maybe a box or two of chocolate. You’re going to need all the comfort you can get.

Catch Outlander every Saturday night on Starz at 9ET.

Outlander Season 1, Part 1 is on sale now.

Don't forget to check out the book series!

--Kasey

...billow and breeze, islands and seas / mountains of rain and sun...

Last week we were left with Claire and Geillis being arrested for witch craft, thanks to Laoghaire. The trial over their charges is the centerpiece of this episode. Claire and Geillis have been thrown into the thieves’ hole to await their trial; each blaming the other for their current situation. They sleep in the freezing pit overnight, until they are abruptly awakened by screaming villagers and their escorts across town. Despite the severity of the situation, the whole first half of this episode just reminds me of the Witch Trial from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I was just waiting for someone to shout, “She turned me into a newt!” SPOILER ALERT BEYOND THIS POINT!

The Witch Trial from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Anyway, as the trial begins, Ned Gowan comes to the rescue and offers to serve as both Claire and Geillis’s legal representative, to which the church agrees. During the first half of the trial we go through three witnesses: one, Geillis’s parlor maid; two, a weeping mother; three, a bystander who witnessed Geillis’s witch craft.

The maid swears that Geillis was a witch and used her magic to kill her husband. She was known to make potions and charms for various customers without hesitation. She was often seen with Claire picking herbs and even concocting potions with her. She even explains how Geillis would go into the fields at night to perform ceremonies to her master, like the one Claire witnessed in the previous episode.

Lotte Verbeek as Geillis and Caitriona Balfe as Claire at the Witch Trial

The weeping mother claims to have witnessed Claire casting spells over her sick child she left on the faerie hill; the changeling child that was to be switched by the faeries for the healthy human child. She said that Claire killed the baby and now her own child is lost to the faeries forever. I am thinking the entire time, “So faeries are okay, but witches are out?” Makes sense, peasants. Gotta love their logic.

Ned Gowan manages to thwart these accusations by blaming the maid’s testimony on being a disgruntled house maid. He brings up the fact she was looking for work in Leoch because she felt underpaid and underappreciated in the Duncan house. He also consoles the grieving mother by saying Claire merely helped take the changeling away, and now her baby will live a healthy life with the faeries. Instead of condemning her, they should be thanking her for saving the baby.

Everything seems to be going smoothly and working in their favor, that is until the last witness of the day testifies. He is a townsman that claims to have seen Geillis in the middle of a storm commanding the lightening and sprouting wings to take flight into the chaos of the storm. Claire and Geillis share an amused look, and honestly I lost it myself. Picturing Geillis Duncan sprouting wings and taking flight like a bat in the night cracked me up, but villagers aren’t known to be reasonable when on a witch hunt.

Geillis and Claire being led to their trial

The trial ends for the day, and our witches are escorted back to their hole. They share a flask and sit patiently waiting until the following morning. Claire learns that Geillis is a Jacobite that has been stealing money from her now deceased husband for years and giving it to Dougal, proving she is actually in love with Dougal McKenzie.

The next morning, the pair are escorted back through the Monty Python scene to begin the second half of their trial, where things take a turn for the worse. Laoghaire is our first witness of the day (ode to joy). She doesn’t attack Geillis so much as she does Claire. She explains that Claire gave her a potion to persuade Jamie to love her, but instead bewitched Jamie herself and stole him away. Claire tires to defend herself, but is silenced when Laoghaire continues. She says that she struck her for trying to seduce Jamie. Claire explained that Laoghaire placed an ill-wish under their bed and had every right to confront the young girl about her actions. Claire defending herself makes everything worse as Laoghaire starts crying. Ned tries to defend Claire by saying Laoghaire is just a jealous, broken-hearted woman.

That is completely overlooked when Father Bain approaches as the final witness. For those of us who have seen the first half of the season and/or read the book, we know that Father Bain completely despises Claire and has called her a witch from the beginning. He gives a very “heartwarming” court room performance by claiming how wrong he was about Claire, because she was able to determine a young boy at a poisonous plant, whereas he believed it was the work of the devil. He states he is going to leave the priesthood, because he has failed the citizens of Crainesmur and isn’t fit to serve God.

Nell Hudson as Laoghaire testifying against Claire

This, of course, enrages the villagers. Many are shouting that it takes a witch to make a man of God turn his back on Him. As Father Bain takes his seat next to Laoghaire, he gives the witches a smirk of satisfaction. Seeing the trial taking a turn for the worst, Ned calls for a recess.

He gives Claire and Geillis a new plan. Since he is certain they are going to burn, he wants Claire to forsake everything and claim Geillis had her under her control the whole time without her knowledge. To which, Claire will repent her sins and be forgiven. Ned leaves to tame the crowd while the women discuss, and with Geillis contemplating on following through with the plan, she asks Claire for the truth. She knows that Claire is lying about why she is at Leoch. Claire doesn’t divulge everything, but Geillis knows she is not from this time. She, somehow, understands. Claire ends up not following through with the plan, but instead screams and damns every villager to hell. Leading to her being whipped. Before she is being taken to the center of the room, Geillis keeps telling her “1968! 1968.”

Geillis confessing her "sins"

Claire is dragged kicking and screaming to the middle of the room and is whipped for her outburst, but a very angry Jamie bursts through the room, swords drawn, ready to protect his wife exclaiming, “I swore an oath on the altar of God to protect this woman! And if you’re telling me you’re considering your authority to be greater than that of the Almighty, then I must inform you that I am not of that opinion myself. The first man forward will be the first man down.” All I can say is, Praise the good Lord for Jamie Fraser!

Geillis being led to her fate

Geillis takes this moment to condemn herself and save Claire. She says she placed the poor Sassenach under her spell and controlled her. She shows her small-pox vaccine scar and claims it to be a mark of the devil. That’s when Claire, along with the viewers, realizes Geillis is from 1968. Geillis continues to stir the crowd by revealing her pregnant body and claiming her child is the child of Satan. The villagers seize her and take her to the pyre to burn. Claire and Jamie then make a quick escape and leave Leoch for good.

Jamie stops in the woods to help care for Claire’s wounds while also asking her for the honest truth. He’s seen the same mark on Claire’s arm. Finally, Claire tells him the whole truth, and Jamie believes her. He says he asked for the truth, and he can tell she is not lying to him; no matter how outlandish it sounds. Jamie wants her to tell him everything about her time and how she came to the stones, and Claire does just that. He realizes that he beat Claire for running away the day she was trying to make it back to the stones, and he hates himself for that.

Claire confessing everything to Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser

As they continue on their journey away from Leoch, Jamie talks of Lallybroch and the life they could have together, but little does Claire know, he is taking her to Craig na Dune. *start crying here* They finally reach the stones, and the uncertainty is written all over her face. Who will she choose? Right when she is about to touch the stones, he stops her. Only to apologize and say he wasn’t ready. *sobs* Jamie tells her to go, saying, “There’s nothing for you on this side. Nothing except violence and danger.” He leaves her at the rocks to pass through to her own time, but says he will stay at the campsite until he knows she is safely across. “Goodbye, Sassenach.”

Goodbye, Sassenach. *still crying*

*sobs even more* Claire turns to the rocks with her hands outstretched and everything goes black. Only to focus on Jamie asleep by a fire and…

“On your feet, soldier,” a voice calls. It’s Claire! “Take me home to Lallybroch.”

This ending destroyed my emotions. I knew what was going to happen, but just like it did in the book, it made curl into a ball and sob. Claire and Jamie’s story is both gut-wrenching and heartwarming. The chemistry between Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan can be felt through the screen, especially in these emotionally intimate scenes. They work well together, conveying the raw emotion behind each character’s actions. Jamie takes Claire to Craig na Dune to save her from the dangers of 1746 Scotland. He loves her that much to send her away. Heughan does a phenomenal job convincing viewers how in love Jamie really is. When Geillis asks Claire is she loves Jamie, Balfe is able to show the gears turning in Claire’s mind as she comes to realize she just may be in love with James Fraser.

During the trial, Lotte Verbeek has her final shining moment in the show. Her very dramatic sacrifice was a major high point in Saturday’s episode. Despite the obvious fear she has of burning at the stake, she displays a very convincing performance that she is indeed the witch the villagers claim she is. “The Devil’s Mark” was full of breathtaking dramatic performances from the leads to the minor characters at the trial. It really showed the versatility of the show and the true talent of the cast. I can hardly wait until this Saturday’s episode, where we finally make our way to Lallybroch!

Watch Outlander Saturday nights on Starz 9ET.

Outlander Season one part one is now on sale!

Check out the Outlander series at your local book store.

--Kasey