Roger’s voiceover brings comedy to a stressful situation in Outlander

Roger's voiceover brings comedy to a stressful situation in Outlander

As a seasoned gamer and binge-watcher of countless series, I must confess that voiceovers are not always my cup of tea, especially when they interrupt the flow of the action like Claire’s narration in Outlander. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and Roger’s voiceovers in season 7B have proven to be a delightful exception.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say, I’m not always keen on voiceovers driving the narrative. In the case of Outlander, Claire and Jamie’s voiceovers didn’t quite resonate with me. But let’s face it, sometimes voiceovers can really enhance a story, making it more immersive and engaging.

In the ninth episode of Outlander’s seventh season, we were greeted right away by Roger’s narrative voice. At first glance, it appeared to be reminiscent of Claire’s voiceovers, providing insights on aspects that couldn’t be depicted visually or offering some historical context for the character. However, it soon became evident that this wasn’t its primary purpose. Instead, Roger’s voiceovers served as a valuable source of humor, alleviating tension in an otherwise tense narrative arc.

Roger is thinking everything we’re thinking in Outlander season 7B

It becomes apparent quickly that we’re privy to Roger’s thoughts as they occur. This isn’t for narrative enhancement, but rather to provide an element that the series can’t offer – the portrayal of inner monologues that can’t be depicted solely through facial expressions in a visual medium.

Observe how Roger ponders on the implications of Buck’s death in the past, such as not having been born himself, or muses over Brian Fraser apparently still being alive. His genuine thoughts are revealed, followed by a glimpse into how he conceals these thoughts from others.

Voiceovers serve as a backup when acting isn’t up to par, but Richard Rankin is an excellent actor. However, voiceovers also bring out a deeper layer of his character that might otherwise be missed through facial expressions alone. They allow us to witness his thoughts and feelings on screen, which was crucial in scenes like when we wondered “but Brian’s dead?” or reacted strongly to Geillis being on the other side of the door.

Outlander does well with mixing comedy and tension

The series often provides a humorous contrast to the tense moments in the plot, which is partly attributable to its script. However, it’s important to note that the humor also depends significantly on the delivery, character expressions, and overall context surrounding the characters. A slight misalignment can result in the humor falling flat, even with excellent writing.

The show has always been able to balance to two. It usually comes from a few well-timed comments.

Absolutely, Roger can discuss certain topics with Buck at times, but not always due to the need for privacy or situations where they weren’t together. In those instances, Roger would have to mull over things by himself.

All in all, I’ve found the Roger narrations quite enjoyable thus far. However, there’s a chance they might become excessive if used excessively, so let’s wait and see how it unfolds throughout the series.

Outlander airs Fridays on STARZ.

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2024-11-29 16:37