Is the printshop scene being hyped too much?



Here's something I have been pondering recently:

I have been wondering if the reason STARZ hasn't announced more Season 3 episode titles (only the titles of the first five episodes have been confirmed) is that they're worried about losing a large part of their audience at the beginning of the season. If it's confirmed weeks ahead of time that the reunion (and the very-much-hyped printshop scene) doesn't take place until Episode 306, will casual viewers decide to skip the first 5 episodes? I can imagine STARZ not wanting to risk that.

Sometimes I think they're paying way too much attention to the printshop scene already. With all the buzz about the printshop, can it possibly live up to the fans' expectations? Like the Red Dress in Episode 202 ("Not in Scotland Anymore"), which was hyped incessantly, and turned out to be not quite what I was expecting.

Will the actual scene(s) be anticlimactic? God, I hope not!! Matt Roberts, who wrote the episode, is one of my favorite OUTLANDER writers, and a huge fan of the books. I trust that Sam and Cait will both give amazing, unforgettable, emotionally wrenching performances. <g> But my point is, by paying so much attention to that one scene in the media ("Printshop! Printshop! Printshop!"), they make it sound like there'll be nothing else worth watching in the first part of the season.

It's true that STARZ has been trying to counter this impression, by releasing many images and video clips focusing on other aspects of Season 3. But what about the mockup of the printshop set at SDCC, which was clearly designed to attract a LOT of attention among a more general audience who might not be familiar with the books?

All this hype around a single scene (no matter how pivotal it is for Season 3, and the series as a whole) is probably inevitable, but it still bothers me. It's sort of the TV equivalent of those readers Diana Gabaldon has talked about sometimes, who skip the early parts of VOYAGER because they think the Ardsmuir and Helwater sections are boring (!) and they just want to get to the reunion and the sex scenes that follow.

What do the rest of you think about this?

14 comments

Susan said...

I worry about them losing fans anyway, having taken so long in between seasons.

SPOILERS in next comments!

But the print shop scene is what we're all waiting for--that preciois reunion. Maybe they're hyping it up so people WILL keep watching, and not just for the reunion. I want others to see Helwater and Adsmuir--they have to see the hell Jamie went through. They have to meet grown up Lord John. And I hope they portray Claire's rocky marriage to Frank with as much feeling as Jamie's time in prison/in the cave.

I'm hanging in there. But I know what's coming! ��

Marthan said...

Remember the wedding episode? Did it disappoint? Was it what you were expecting? (Remember - what they skipped the whole wedding - when they opened with "you may kiss your bride"... How many times have you watched that episode? Dinna fash.

Elisa said...

I have not been disappointed at all with how they've interrupted the books for television (well maybe for not including J & C carving their initials into each other's hands). They really make every effort to stay true to the books. Being tv they do need to make some adjustments but the integrity of the books does remain intact. Dinna fash!

Beth Pittman said...

Hey Karen. Honestly, I have been a bit worried about the ratings for Season 3 anyway - especially since this particular Droughtlander has been so long. I have heard people say they have lost interest (which I cannot even imagine). It may be that the hype surrounding the Print Shop is aimed at those people who may not have enjoyed S2 as much as S1, who may not have read the books or who have just moved on to other things since last season's finale. Those who are not the avid fan perhaps? For myself, I'm not worried that the Print Shop episode will disappoint. I think it will probably be the climax of the entire season so it might be that viewers will be lost after that episode but I hope not. I'm looking forward to seeing how the show makers portray the years apart for Jamie and Claire, the reunion and everything else that comes after. I'll be around to watch no matter what!

Unknown said...

Skip Outlander book or TV scenes.. What is this phenomena U speak of?? ���� #ThisDoesNotCompute ������ #NoWayInHell

Renata said...

I'm afraid of too much Frank and Claire, this can be fans run off firsts episodes, IMO. Adsmuir and Helwater it's great part of it but too much Frank and Claire can be dangerous to low ratings... :(

Arnel said...

For me I love the story--the whole story. I want it to be about the journey, not the destination. I couldn't skip episodes and wait for my favorites parts because that somehow diminishes my favorite parts. I wish they hadn't waited so long in between and it seems like they don't write as many episodes for one book as they started out saying they would. I feel like they are rushing the story.....

Anonymous said...

Ardsmuir and Helwater are a great part of the story - if not pivotal in the arch of the whole story line. If you're an Outlander fan how could you possibly think these storylines are boring? We see the start of the friendship with LJG and then there's Geneva and William. Good stuff.

Yes, the print scene is key and J&C's intimate scenes are always good viewing but there's so much more to the story than that. I also think Entertainment Weekly perpetuates this with some of their tawdry photos that scream more drugstore novel cover than anything else.

If people are tuning in just for the print shop and turtle soup scenes - then they are seriously missing out on the other details that make this such a beloved book by many fans.

I might be in the minority here, but I look forward to seeing those Frank and Claire scenes.

Unknown said...

Oh I hope they don't lose viewers!!! We need a confirmed season 5 :) I was so excited reading that scene and I hope they do it justice....however there are so many other great moments in the book that I am looking forward to....the cave scene for one! I am so excited!!!!

Susanlynn said...

It's all good. I think that they are trying to reassure people who have not read the novels that Jamie and Claire will be reunited and that their epic love story will continue. The hype for the print shop scene is the promise that the lovers will indeed find each other. I hope non book viewers hang in there so that we get all the books on screen. Fingers crossed. I cannot wait to see the whole new season ...all of it . ..every detail that can be squeezed into 13 episodes.

Mary Tormey said...

Hi Karen I think the hype is for no readers and fans who don't read the books I think some are in a big hurry for the reunion episodes and don't want to give the rest of the series a chance , which is not how I feel I feel the more you build up the reunion , the more greater it will be , I think season 3 will be the best one yet so will be watching soon. please post more soon. Sincerely.

Anonymous said...

I too am looking forward to the entire season, not just the printshop scene which had its own surprises in the book! I want to see both Claire's & Jamie's life apart before the reunion & witness Brianna's (hurried) development & see as much of Roger as possible (dreamy man that he is & so perfect for the role!) I feel I'll be transported right back to my initial emotions & want to savor every single moment.

Anonymous said...

I am hoping that the first few episodes will give Sam Heughan the chance to really demonstrate his acting credentials and provide many award opportunities. Cait was given this opportunity in "Faith" where Sam's part was deleted to just a few seconds. Now it's his turn.

Daphne Schwartz said...

I completely agree. Ardsmuir or Helwater are integral parts in heightening the anticipation for the print shop reunion! I prefer the whole enchilada ... or meat pie! Knowing the whole story often provides depth to what I'm watching. But, to each his own; if you prefer to skip through the book or the series you're just short-changing yourself!

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