Gif Credit: fuckyeahjamieandclaire.tumblr.com
Let me be clear: I love the tv series!
While I do still prefer the books, I thoroughly enjoy the show—including the liberties taken with characters & story lines (Angus, Rupert, need I say more?)
But it saddens me, as an Outlander fan, that the non-book readers have not experienced the painful yet satisfying sexual-healing of the ‘Stinging Nettle’ scene (which has a correlating recipe from Outlander Kitchen w/an excerpt of that scene by the way), or the more pronounced (yet subtle) badass-ness of Jamie in general.
Take this scene for example. A no-nonsense display of chivalry by Jamie in defending Claire’s honor to Simon Jr (who is hardly spineless, as he was portrayed in the show):
Dragonfly in Amber, chapter 40:
(Young Simon Fraser, to Claire) “I’d heard of ye, you know,” he said. “You’ve a bit of fame through the Highlands, Mistress.”
“Oh really? How nice.” I tugged inconspicuously; in response, his hand tightened around mine in a grip that was nearly painful.”
“Oh aye. I’ve heard you’re verra popular with the men of your husband’s command,” he said, smiling so hard his eyes narrowed to dark-brown slits. “They call ye neo-geimnidh meala, I hear. That means ‘Mistress honeylips,’ ” he translated, seeing my look of bewilderment at the unfamiliar Gaelic.
“Why, thank you…” I began, but got no more than the first words out before Jamie’s fist crashed into Simon Junior’s jaw and sent his half-uncle reeling into a piecrust table, scattering sweetmeats and serving spoons across the polished slates with a terrific clatter.
He dressed like a gentleman, but he had a brawler’s instincts. Young simon rolled up onto his knees, fists clenched, and froze there. Jamie stood over him, fists doubled but loose, his stillness more menacing than open threat.
“No,” he said evenly, “she doesna have much Gaelic. And now that ye’ve proved it to everyone’s satisfaction, ye’ll kindly apologize to my wife, before I kick your teeth down your throat.”
I know that they changed Simon Jr’s & Laoghaire’s storyline to make a different upcoming storyline more palatable, and that the rest of this season and the beginning of next are what ultimately shape Jamie’s ‘King of Men’ reputation, but I miss his subtle humor, his understated confidence.
They nailed that in the very first episode, 101, when Jamie is preventing Claire from escaping by threatening to throw her over his injured shoulder, lol …
It can’t be easy to translate Diana Gabaldon’s work into another medium; that’s akin to messing with perfection.
In the books, I feel like Jamie’s tougher, a little more rough around the edges. That’s no criticism of Sam Heughan or Production, mind you, they absolutely are doing JAMMF & Outlander justice. Perhaps it’s just the way it translates to script…
(But seriously, isn’t Jamie defending Claire’s honor in such an ‘alpha male’ way a turn-on, lol?)
outlanderfan.com 
vanessa said,
June 2, 2016 at 7:54 pm
For me, Jamie and Claire are completely different characters from the books. Jamie from books is one, from the series is another person… And we know what will happen in the next season, Jamie marries Laoghaire, even knowing now that she tried to kill Claire, this is unforgivable in my opinion and I didn’t like this Jamie. They changed Claire too, now, she lies and manipulate people! I don’t intend to watch next season. Ends here for me.
Margie Weaver said,
June 2, 2016 at 8:46 pm
I would love to see more of the book Jamie too.
Anonymous said,
June 2, 2016 at 10:26 pm
That was one of my favorite parts in the series I was so sad that other left out!!
Anonymous said,
June 3, 2016 at 12:45 pm
I will never understand why they selected an actor so physically commanding – so perfect to portray book Jamie – and then wrote him as such a weak character. No king of men here! They should rename him Egbert!
Anonymous said,
June 4, 2016 at 3:20 pm
I agree whole heartily Your statement
Missing his subtle humor and understated
confidence
adele bromfioeld said,
June 5, 2016 at 3:56 pm
The caster couldn’t have picked a better Jamie than Sam Heughan! Its as if the part was written for him. No one could do a better job as the character Diana Gabaldon created!
Hope he’s given the reputation his abilities as an actor deserves!
Debra Field said,
June 12, 2016 at 5:24 pm
I agree Sam IS Jamie! He’s doing an amazing job in acting the part. And I think he’s best when his character is written as commanding and strident like I believe a Highlander warrior and Leader would behave.
Chris said,
September 14, 2016 at 1:19 am
I totally agree with you. I only started reading the books from Voyager onwards so the TV Jamie Is more familiar with me than book Jamie but I loved the excerpt from the book you used. Would have loved to have seen that on the telly version .
Dawn of Pendraig said,
November 23, 2016 at 6:52 am
I read the entire series before they decided to make a tv show and while I love the actor the show is ruining the character. He is a dumb oaf in the show with Claire having to always solve the problems and lead hum bu the nose like with yoing John Grey when in the book he is brilliant and funny and very physical. He understands how to lead people and inspire them. Also how to just step up and knock heads which we modern women find so sexy. 21st century life doesn’t allow much of that and fee are the men I’ve met who would anyway.
The book Jamie is an amalgam that is both incredibly civilized and educated and savage and passionate. He somehow had ro balance these opposites. And he is a rebel through and through. He certainly could never have lived happily under all our modern laws.
Book Claire i detest more every show. They really did not cast that well or maybe it’s just the writing. All the clever deeds and initiative they stole from Jamie is piled onto her. And while Claire of tbe books isnt helpless she is also overwhelmed and surviving as best she can while also find6inf her true self. TV Claire is shrill, sly and manipulative and I really don’t care what happens to her.
And I was less than thrilled with Briana too. I stopped before the end last season, then binged it later.
Sort of spoilers ahead….
》》》》》《《《《《《《》》
I was just so fed up after the whole PTSD Claire episode. Huh?? She was always strong to a fault and that makes later events when she does get PTSD of sorts so much more jarring…. don’t understand that or the painfully dumb singing USO tour last season. Barf. Hubby quit humoring me after that one last season.