Outlander Review: Echoes (Season 6 Episode 1)

Outlander‘s Season 6 premiere hits the ground running, determined to take back the time the lengthy hiatus has cost this series and its fans.

That hunger for creative power, that giddiness to have these characters return to their rightful place on the ridge propels Outlander Season 6 Episode 1, “Echoes,” forward with intoxicating tenacity.

This is a story on a mission, and it’s commendable, even comforting, to see this time-traveling drama get right to the point — the point always being our handsome Scottsman Jamie Fraser, amen.

If there’s one thing we love more than Jamie, it’s an excuse to visit the moors of Scotland.

The Jacobite era and those blustery green hills will always hold a special place in our hearts. Regardless of how un-American the lands of Fraser’s Ridge truly are, it’s rewarding to return to the show’s roots in an official capacity.

Ardsmuir prison may be bleak, but it does wonders for the prosperity of this episode, offering both Scottish familiarities and one of the few points in Jamie’s past untouched by Claire’s presence.

It’s a rarity Outlander allows Heughan to take full advantage with a top-notch acted character study.

Revisiting a less familiar chapter from Jamie’s past gives his personal arc space to fester and, through clever parallels, establishes his knack for leadership as a firm foundation for this season’s struggles.

This flashback is clever in that way as it realigns the season with Jamie’s core character values.

We love to see Jamie and Claire prosper together, but it’s clear from Jamie’s ethereal vision in the prison that the time these two spend apart only serves to make this story stronger.

Jamie’s history with Tom Christie is his to bear. Heughan’s stoic gaze does a fantastic job of conveying to the audience what the dialogue cannot afford, especially when that lethal expression resurfaces later on the ridge.

Viewers must cling to his gaze for guidance throughout this episode. Sure, we would never balk at an opportunity to run into Jamie’s comforting embrace, but it’s impressive to see Outlander force our hand with Ardsmuir.

Regardless of how engaging Jamie’s individual performance is throughout this installment, it’s good to see him return to Claire’s side.

We should be used to seeing Claire and Jamie make love by now, but after such a long hiatus witnessing these two rekindle their love physically gets our hearts racing all the same. This series rightfully continues to treat its sex scenes as if they are works of art one hangs in a museum.

Despite the darkness looming over Claire, it’s rewarding to know that not much has changed regarding her and Jamie’s loveable antics. Of course, Jamie thinks Claire is dead, and of course, Claire is more concerned with sharing the amazing medical advancement she just made. Oh, how I’ve missed these hooligans!

It’s beautiful, Jamie declaring Claire his angel just as the Christies force religious threads on the story. The power in the suggestion that Claire is Jamie’s faith does not go unnoticed.

Nor does that insane moment in the Ardsmuir where it’s implied they are connected across time, seemingly appearing when the other needs them. Damn, that’s love!

Now, let us talk villains because “Echoes” not only tips its hat to previous antagonists but acts as a backdoor pilot for Outlander‘s nasty new baddies, The Christies.

The backstory of Tom Christie does little to frame him as a good man and leans into some truly sinister music as the scene transitions from Scotland to Fraser’s Ridge. There’s no subtly in his arrival, and I appreciate doing away with smoke screens altogether this season.

This is especially true with Malva, who enacts girl-next-door energy but is betrayed by the haunting soundtrack that plays her out. Anyone who says Lucifer’s name that often in conversation is a walking red flag.

The Christies are introduced with an ominous flare worthy of their reputation in the books. These crooked settlers establish they will do plenty to shift this season into a new gear and ramp up the tension.

The villains of Outlander have a reputation, and unfortunately for us, the Christies are determined to uphold it.

More Outlander is never a bad thing, especially with a shortened season. However, it does feel like this premiere’s generous run time hinders this episode’s final act.

This series enjoys slower-paced premieres, and that time spent working methodically through this world pays off spectacularly. But the pacing does pitter off into lesser antagonists and self-medicating.

The thorough storytelling becomes bogged down by the extra time and could have benefitted from a cleaner exit. That said, I’m sure fans won’t be upset by the prospect of more, not when this show’s presence has been missed so dearly.

What could be a better way to announce the return of Outlander than with a dynamite episode like this? If there’s one thing this series knows how to do well, it’s put on a show and put on a show “Echoes” does.

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Outlander airs Sundays at 9/8c on Starz.

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