Fans raved how the show depicted the sensitive scene, praising actress Sophie Skelton for her 'mesmerizing' performance.
- Dec 24, 2018
AceShowbiz - Starz issued a viewer discretion warning prior to the eight episode of "Outlander" season titled "Wilmington". Aired on Sunday, December 23, the episode, which also be the landmark 50th for the time travel series, featured a portrayal of sexual violence that might be uncomfortable to watch for some viewers.
"VIEWER DISCRETION: Tonight's episode is suitable for mature audiences only and includes portrayal of sexual violence," the official Twitter account of the series wrote.
VIEWER DISCRETION: Tonight's episode is suitable for mature audiences only and includes portrayal of sexual violence. #Outlander
— Outlander (@Outlander_STARZ) December 23, 2018
[SPOILER ALERT!] The episode saw Brianna (Sophie Skelton), the time-traveling daughter of Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe), getting married to her new husband Roger (Richard Rankin). They were seen getting intimate in front of a roaring fire in a sex scene which, just like many "Outlander" sex scenes, is romantic yet also explicit. However, those who read Diana Gabaldon's "Drums of Autumn" know that heartbreaking event would soon happen to Brianna.
Brianna was raped by none other than Stephen Bonnet (Ed Speelers), the same guy who robbed her parents. However, unlike the disturbing rape scene between Black Jack and Jamie back in season 1, Brianna's harsh experience mostly occured off-camera.
"There is a lot of rape in Diana's books," executive producer Maril Davis said to Entertainment Weekly. "Obviously we've seen some of it and every time we try to figure out what is best for the story. We certainly want to be sensitive to the character who is going through this situation. We knew from the outset that we wanted to [have the rape occur off-screen]. We're in the room with her at the beginning. Sophie did such an amazing job. It's just a heart-breaking moment."
Fans raved how the show depicted the sensitive scene as one tweeted, "As a survivor of sexual assault I appreciated the way they portrayed it. I've never seen it done that way and for me it was more haunting than seeing it."
As a survivor of sexual assault I appreciated the way they portrayed it. I’ve never seen it done that way and for me it was more haunting than seeing it.
— Whitney Hughes (@WhitneyLeigh817) December 23, 2018
"The actual attacking is NOT shown, just sounds and Bree's countenance afterwards. @SkeltonSophie 's performance was, well, mesmerizing, she is a beautiful talented young woman," another comment read.
The actual attacking is NOT shown, just sounds and Bree's countenance afterwards. @SkeltonSophie 's performance was, well, mesmerizing, she is a beautiful talented young woman.
— Ken Kates (@kenkates1943) December 23, 2018
Another fan pointed out the difference between reading it on paper and seeing it on TV. "Having read the books, I know what's going to happen. That being said, there's a sharp difference between reading it on paper and actually seeing it happen before your eyes," the fan shared.
Having read the books, I know what's going to happen. That being said, there's a sharp difference between reading iton paper and actually seeing it happen before your eyes.
"Outlander" season 4 airs Sundays at 8 P.M. ET on Staz.
