Critic Reviews

Outlander succeeds admirably, and partly that’s because it follows the bent of both of its creators: It refuses to sit comfortably in any genre.

It’s not just well-written and lovely to look at. It’s downright immersive. ... Outlander feels important--even moreso in its second season.

A beauty finally returns, and the beauty very much remains.

What makes it just plain good is the escapist fun of a romance told uncommonly well.

This is a show that’s grown and matured since its initial premiere in ways that defied our initial expectations.

The story ages Jamie and Claire, so when they reunite after a deliciously agonizing buildup (marked by some inspired humor), the rapture is both emotional and spiritual. In season 3, Outlander, TV’s best romance, soars by making you fall in love with it all over again.

The marvelously textured performances and addictive narrative remain the most compelling reasons to watch Outlander.

It’s a smart wartime drama that’s gripping precisely because it takes sex so seriously, treating it as life’s deepest joy and its most terrifying risk, as dramatic as any act of violence.

Despite its supporting cast of international actors who bring even thinly drawn characters to life, Outlander truly shines when Balfe shares the screen with either Heughan or Menzies.

By the end of Episode 2, you’re likely to be so invested in the characters, you’d stick with them forever, just as book readers have.