Ahead of Outlander’s return later this year, one fan has admitted the show is so dark that they’re now “struggling to get past the doom”.
Outlander fans have been discussing the show’s more “disturbing” scenes after one fan confessed season one left them feeling like they needed “a session with my psychologist”.
The Starz show, which will return this Autumn, is well-known for its brutal violence as well as its more romantic scenes between actors Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, who play Claire and Jamie Fraser respectively.
Outlander is a historical fantasy series based on Diana Gabaldon’s books of the same name, first making its debut back in 2014.
Many viewers are invested in the show, thanks to the amazing chemistry between its two leads, who will soon be bidding an emotional farewell after over a decade together on-screen.
Fans are definitely excited for the second half of Outlander season 7 ahead of its November release date, but some cannot get past the “doom” of the earlier seasons.
Taking to Reddit, user @buttonandthemonkey posted: “I’ve just finished the first season and I think I need a session with my psychologist. Holy hell of trauma.
“So many people have recommended the series over the years as a romantic and interesting show but I’m struggling to get past the doom.
“I’m on episode 2 of season 2 and so far it’s been good but I’m worried it’s going to convert to season one’s horror. Should I continue?”
In the comments section, fans reflected on some of the show’s tougher scenes.
One reasoned: “It does get easier….and it is definitely worth watching, imo. That being said, there are a few more disturbing scenes in future episodes, but the good outweighs the bad. Enjoy it!!” (sic)
A second concurred: “No. It doesn’t. If you feel that strongly about the trauma in the first season it’s probably not the show for you.”
A third pointed out: “The last episode of season 1 is known as the most graphic and gruesome of the entire series. There are some other scenes with sexual assault in future seasons, but that one is the worst.
“Many of us loyal fans have watched that episode one time and never again. There’s a list of triggers warnings pinned somewhere in the sub, so you might want to take a look at those.
But if you’re enjoying the other aspects of the show, I’d say definitely stick with it.” (sic)
The season 1 scene being referenced sees Jamie being brutally raped and beaten by Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) while in prison. It was a shocking moment for the show, and Heughan later described it as a very tough day on set.
Another fan agreed: “There’s more but you kind of get used to it. I used to get anxiety watching the show, especially with the graphic and SA scenes but you get past it eventually. I didn’t watch the very graphic scenes and if they came up, I just skipped through them. I never watched that one prison scene and so glad I didn’t. Many people mentioned it’s forever stuck in their head.”
Yet another fan chimed in helpfully: “You managed through the worst part. I will put Trigger List in case you want to check out / be prepared for more triggering scenes.
One more person agreed with the original poster to an extent, adding: “Unlike most people, I can’t binge this show. I need to rest between episodes so as not to become depressed. It doesn’t get much easier, but time between episodes helps.”