The premiere of Outlander Episode #101: SASSENACH was a smashing success – at least in my humble opinion. Great fun was had by all with Ron D. Moore (Executive Producer) tweeting live from Southern California, Terry Dresbach (Costume Designer) tweeting in the wee late hours from Scotland, and Diana Gabaldon (Author of the wee book) tease tweeting us from Arizona – probably watching her husband’s reactions to his first viewing of her masterpiece rather than watching the show.
If you missed out, here are Mr. Moore’s entertaining and insightful tweets from beginning to end.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf my cast and crew in the US and the UK, it is with great pride that I can finally say: This IS Outlander.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The opening narration is a paraphrase of the first page of the first book.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
We played with several different shots for the opening, but decided we wanted a single shot to hold on.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Day one on the shoot pic.twitter.com/7AmgHiORNa
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Tried to capture the look and feeling of actual color footage from WWII
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Caitriona on the monitor in between takes. pic.twitter.com/BkR0V1nsW1
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Bear sent me a recording of this song "The Skye Boat Song" when I first reached out to him to be our composer. I fell in love with it.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
I switched the time of year the story takes place in from Spring to Fall because that when we were shooting. Beltane then became Samhaim
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
There was another bit with Mrs. Baird in the hallway where she told a ghost story, but it got cut for time.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Changed the story behind the blood on the door because in the book, the blood is there to bring luck to a row of new homes.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
We didn't have a row of new (post-war) homes on the location, so I opted to use a different story.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@dmk91107 Most of the adjustment was made in post-production during the process of "color timing" or "color-grading"
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The b&b is in a real house which is also the same location used for the Rev Wakefield's. It's a huge, fascinating place. Exterior elsewhere
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Caitriona & Tobias came up with jumping on the bed on set. See peeling paint on ceiling in b.g. Gary Steele would never allow otherwise!
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Scripted a second scene with Uncle Lamb in back of truck in India, teaching her to play poker — she wouldn't fold — but cut for time/money
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Thought that going to Leoch in 40's would be great and give us chance to flashback to very place she had been in the 18th century
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The exterior of the castle is Doune (also used in Python & Holy Grail), but interiors are on set. Gary took molds of stonework from Doune
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The Allies really did lose a huge number of would-be spies to the Gestapo during WWII
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
You'll be seeing this set again soon……….
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Much comment on this scene. Mistakenly said it wasn't in the script during podcast, but turns out it really was written.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Again, all Rev's interiors are in same house as Mrs. Baird's.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The tea scene coming up is one of my favs in the show. Love Mrs. Graham!!! She was delight to work with and really delivers this moment.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@LTWrites It is on stage, but modeled very closely on actual kitchen at Doune. Both 20th & 18th century kitchens were on stage.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@pursuing_happy The rock formation was created in VFX
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
@draiochta14 @LTWrites Oh, right
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Just realizing that many of you can't watch as I live tweet here. Will try to be careful, but remember this is a spoiler zone!
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Ghost scene was something we knew was very important. Hard scene to film since it's about not seeing him disappear, then realizing after
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Tiny thing: I like separating the lighting flash from the thunder, which is real as opposed to always connecting them which is TV.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
From the B&B shoot. On monitor in between takes. pic.twitter.com/RUYNhObxGT
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The B&B scene is lit entirely with candles & fire. Thought it was important to use natural light throughout the show. Kudos David Higgs!
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@MorganElektra Gotta lay in those nuggets for later…
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@lneffist Don't think we did any reshoots, but did various pick-ups and inserts weeks later.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Lot of work by entire production on the scene at the Stones. Very complicated piece with a lot of things happening. Turned out beautifully
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The dancers really out there in middle of night, freezing cold. They were troopers going above and beyond the call.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Terry came up with idea for lanterns in their hands. Showed me a painting of a woman holding paper lantern in hand.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Superbly edited scene. Micheal O'Halleran did a lot of work on this dance.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
I also love the music in the dance scene, tends to stick with me after it's over.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Sun was created in VFX. We just had a giant lamp on the set.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@travelingann Choreographed and rehearsed extensively
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
This moment with the girl returning to find her comb is something I love. Had to fight to keep it in the script & show. But it's beautiful
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
"Run Rabbit Run" is a song my daughter loves so I put it in the show as something that would always be there for her.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
And now for something completely different….
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Way back I twitted this photo with the caption: what were we shooting today? pic.twitter.com/w1DW2UIetW
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
That's the rig for the car crash. pic.twitter.com/DAJ0tN25Ws
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@Yr_Obt_Svt The credit for that goes to my Post Team, which is an outstanding group, led by producer Elicia Bessette.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
A good chunk of the VO as Claire first arrives in 18th century is inspired by the passage in the book.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Clanadonia was a band that was playing on the streets of Edinburgh (or Glasgow) and I think Maril Davis bought their CD and played it for me
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
I was there when they filmed this fist Claire/Jack scene, but had to leave in the middle to catch a flight back to US.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@OutlanderBkClub Stones were made out of styrofoam by an artist in Gary Steele's art department, then carried up to location.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@harlemert @Yr_Obt_Svt Lot of discussion on this point. Think it was something that Terry and John Dahl figured out.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@heatherharris5 Thought that would be more expected. Wanted something quieter and more unusual.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
The dislocated joint is a combination of a prosthetic on Sam's shoulder and VFX to smooth it out and move when it goes back into joint
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
You'll be seeing more of Angus ("Fetch me she says") and Rupert ("We could put it to the test") throughout the series.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Took a while to get this moment right — Claire definitively deciding she had travelled through time. Big buy for character & audience
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@BenignNuts Nice catch. There will be more on this very subject in 102
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@dumoza Decided that very early on. We're in Claire's POV, so if she doesn't understand language, neither should we.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
John Dahl wanted to shoot this ambush in daylight, so that meant extending the journey back to Leoch by another night longer than in book
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@LadyPoolak The stuff in the 40's was actually shot first, then the stuff with Claire and highlanders. Leoch shot later.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
From the scene after J&C rejoin highlanders pic.twitter.com/7d3hyzXDau
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Rained off and on all day pic.twitter.com/QQrVlrBc4t
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
From the scene forever known as "Stop! Help! He's going over!" pic.twitter.com/gRAVMDEfQT
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@txlady59 That's CGI applied in post production.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@draiochta14 And mud up to our ankles
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
.@LadyAyrmid Similar idea. Wanted difference between the two periods in color and texture. WOO is sepia at start, we didn't go that far.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
And there you have it, boys and girls — our little show.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Hope you enjoyed the show and that you'll join us for the rest of Claire's amazing journey. Thanks everyone! Good night.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) August 10, 2014
Ms. Gabaldon’s treats were nothing if not pithily entertaining.
Where to begin? pic.twitter.com/V5oHIyaIGd
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
.Countdown to Liftoff! T-minus ten (minutes) and counting…. pic.twitter.com/wlqtUyuSiS
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Je Suis prest! pic.twitter.com/RieJUlReOI
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG ee
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG mmmmm…..
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG Umm!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG ???
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG Ooo!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG whoa!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG Ohhh…!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@Writer_DG eek!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Yow!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
All!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Oo!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Well, this is getting interesting…
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Gle mhath!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Ayieee!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Slainte mhath!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Ahhhhh…….!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
So…how was it?
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@draiochta14 Good night and all's well!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
And hey, how about that @Outlander_Starz End Credits piece? Another haunting vocal by @RayaYarbrough. Each ep will have unique end music…
— Bear McCreary 🐻🎶 (@bearmccreary) August 10, 2014
@NewfieHart No, Showcase said from beginning would air on 24th. _Their_call.
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@BarbMac68 He says he liked the gunshots.
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
#OutlanderDay is trending! Thank you fans let's keep this going!
— STARZ PR (@STARZPR) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore You did it well!
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore Was indeed in script. Made me blink. <g>
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) August 10, 2014
Terry Dresbach watched the first episode with us for the very first time – eventually. Don’t know how that happened, but that’s a question for the universe to answer. Here are a few of her choice tweets.
@RonDMoore @Steffy76 @THEKimCollins So, anything you want to say about the show??
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore A ginat Tv screen, with two king size beds as a giant couch! Man heaven, LOL
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@ozbailey1962 @RonDMoore I can't watch in the UK. Ron, do something about this!!!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@drobertsjhs @RonDMoore It is?? Damn, I can't see but I am tweeting blind. Good Lord.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Is it on????
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore @mcastellanox4 Try not to be cryptic so I can follow along.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
He is soooo quiet.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore nice.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore That was an amazing day.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore It was hard to believe it was actually happening…finally
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore and spring clothes became fall clothes.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore She is one of my favorites. LOVED her.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore @dmk91107 Designed to make me lose my mind.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore which scene
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore @LTWrites Ron a lot of people following your tweets cannot watch.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
what is on now?
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore The dancers?
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore once he convinced his wife.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore Love those.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
I'm watching!!!!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Oh you do jump!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
It's a shift
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Tobias!!!!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Highlanders
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Filthy shift
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
I did miss the one handed kilt swirl
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
I love the flashback to Clair and frank
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Love our reenactor extras!!!!! Part of our cast now
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore it poured this day
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Help stop he's going over!!!!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore and rained some more
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
I love this part!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore oh that was some day
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Vi is visual effects
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Plaid looks beautiful here
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
@RonDMoore our little show.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Previews!!
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Okay, 3:20 am. This is me, out. Good night everyone.
— Terry Dresbach (@draiochta14) August 10, 2014
Episode #102: CASTLE LEOCH airs next Saturday, 16 August, at 9:00 PM EST.
And now here’s the trailer, for those 1 or 2 who haven’t seen it yet. Enjoy!
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Candida's Musings 
Love your reviews, and would love to see your review of this first episode as well!
Thank you, Cyndi. I’m not sure to what you are referring – review of this first episode? It looks like you are commenting from my review of EP101. Are you not?
Yes, but I found the actual review for the episode! For some reason, I was initially only finding the Twitter feed from the first night and that is actually where I’ve posted this comment, versus your actual play-by-play of the episode. I wanted to read your take on the ‘ghost’ appearance, so thank you for that. I so enjoy your blog, Candida. It’s another way to relive the books and the series. Hope you’re having a fabulous time in Scotland!
Thank you, Cyndi. Glad you found the review. I leave for Scotland in the morning for 10 glorious days.
Amazing post! Thanks for putting all this together and in order! 😘
OMG! This is a fabulous post. Thank you ever so much for assembling all these tweets. I’m going back now to click on all the links and savor the pics.
Had the idea this morning. Wish I’d thought of it last night. But . . . at least I got them together. Last night was a blast.
Well you did a fabulous job. Kudos to you. I can’t follow Twitter while watching TV because we have TVs in the living room and kitchen, but my computer is in the den. I should fire up my laptop and keep it with me so I could.