The fourth season of the hit time-traveling historical romance—based on the bestselling novels by Diana Gabaldon and airing on the Starz network—takes lovers Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) from 18th-century Europe to the new world of the American colonies. As they build a homestead in North Carolina and Jamie tries to recruit fellow Scotsmen to settle on nearby plots, the pair become drawn into a rebellion led by Jamie’s godfather (Duncan Lacroix) in protest of corrupt taxation: the first rumblings of the American Revolution. Meanwhile, their 20th-century daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelton) follows Claire back in time with her own lover Roger (Richard Rankin) close behind, to warn of events that may lead to death. As with previous seasons, this one is lively and packed with action, history, and cultural conflict refracted through the modern sensibility of Claire, and it also confronts slavery (Jamie’s aunt, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy, relies on slave labor to run her farm) and racism as white settlers coexist with native tribes. The show also offers interesting character contrasts as Jamie, an 18th-century Scottish Highlander, proves more accepting of sexual equality than Roger, a Scottish scholar raised in the progressive 1960s. Outlander remains an adult drama in all the best ways: mature, smart, and filled with layered characters and complex relationships. Compiling all 13 episodes from the 2018 fourth season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and a gag reel (the Blu-ray edition also features episode commentaries, additional featurettes, and deleted and extended scenes). Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Outlander: Season Four
Sony, 5 discs, 746 min., not rated, DVD: $45.99, Blu-ray: $55.99 Volume 34, Issue 5
Outlander: Season Four
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