The Outlander season 6 world premiere took place on Thursday night in London at the Royal Festival Hall. The show’s stars all came out to celebrate the return of the series, which will officially premiere on Starz on March 6. Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Richard Rankin (Roger Mackenzie), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Fraser), and executive producer Maril Davis were all in attendance. Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts were not there in person, but they did join virtually for the premiere and the Q&A session that followed. The red carpet was a live event that fans all around the world could watch online, but the screening and Q&A session was closed off for media, and for around 300 fans who attended in person.
Getting an opportunity to virtually attend the world premiere of my favorite show and watch the episode two weeks early was an absolute honor and a moment I will cherish forever. It has been two years since season 5 ended, so getting to end the Droughtlander a little bit earlier than expected is something I do not take for granted.
So I’m sure you’re all wondering: how was the Outlander Season 6 premiere? The episode, “Echoes”, was 90 minutes long and gets nothing but raving reviews from me. It managed to introduce us to new characters, catch us up with old favorites, and set the stage for the rest of the season.
I can’t give away any spoilers but I can promise you that fans will not be disappointed. It was well worth the two-year Droughtlander, I promise.
What happens in the Outlander season 6 premiere?
As I said, I can’t give away any major spoilers but I can give you a taste of what to expect. We’ve been hearing for the last year that the infamous Christie family is going to come to Fraser’s Ridge. We meet them in this episode. It’s clear almost immediately that they’re not welcome, and having them around will surely stir up some issues for the people at Fraser’s Ridge, specifically Jamie (Sam Heughan).
I love that the series wastes no time in introducing the Christie family because they are an integral part of the storyline in Diana Gabaldon’s sixth Outlander book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Playing the role of the Christie family members are Mark Lewis Jones (Tom Christie), Alexander Vlahos (Allan Christie) and Jessica Reynolds (Malva Christie).
“Echoes” gets us acquainted with the Christie family and explains the history between Tom and Jamie. This history will be a point of contention between the two characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting a sneak peek in the premiere.
Perhaps the best moment from “Echoes” involves Caitriona Balfe’s performance as Claire. For those of you who watched the season 5 finale, you know that Claire endured a traumatic assault. The season 6 premiere picks up some time afterwards, and while Claire seems to be on the mend, nothing is quite what it seems. She’s got a very tumultuous journey ahead of her, and all I can say is that she does a good job of hiding her emotions.
I’m 100% certain that fans will enjoy the 90-minute Outlander season 6 premiere because it gives us everything we could want and a little bit more. A gloomy, dark aura hangs over everything like a cloud, and as always, each and every cast member gives one hell of a performance. I would prepare yourself for a difficult journey ahead, as I don’t think season 6 will be for the lighthearted. It’s going to get very, very dark, folks.
All I can think about is that if the premiere was this good, what the heck is the rest of the season going to be like?
Outlander season 6 premieres on Starz on Sunday, March 6.
Grade: A
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