Victoria went full Outlander on Sunday and it was glorious
Thanks to “The King Over the Water,” it’s obvious that Victoria and Outlander have more in common than actress Nell Hudson.
The most recent episode of Victoria might go down in TV history as The One Where Victoria and Albert Get to Be a Normal Couple for Five Minutes. That would be fair and accurate: as far as I can see, their brief pit stop at the Scottish cottage is the only time either of them has been more than one room away from a servant.
But, to me, “The King Over the Water” is actually The One Where Victoria Goes Full Outlander. Victoria and Albert decide to get away from the weight of the crown by taking the whole gang to Scotland. Once they get there, I could’ve sworn that Victoria‘s characters had inadvertently been sucked through Craigh na Dun and straight into Outlander’s universe — and not just because Skerrett is played by Nell Hudson (aka Jamie’s crazy ex-girlfriend).
Here’s how Victoria tapped into its inner Outlander on Sunday:
Albert, like Jamie, is the heterosexual woman’s romantic dream
Jamie is known for his grand, passionate declarations of love (see: “You’re the mother of my child, and for that alone, I owe you my soul”). Albert doesn’t have Jamie’s natural swagger or public speaking skills — he’s more of an intellectual — but he still finds lovely ways of showing affection for his lady.
For example, who knew an umbrella could be the sweetest gift ever? After a few imbalanced youths decide to get famous by half-heartedly attempting to kill the Queen, Albert fashions a protective parasol for Victoria. Its interior and edges are lines with chainmail. “I also had it designed in your favorite color, purple,” Albert adds, brightly. It’s almost too cute.
Victoria has a thing for Bonnie Prince Charlie
Remember Charles Stuart from Outlander? The sniveling dude whose catchphrase is “mark me”? The guy who leads the Highland clans to their demise at Culloden, despite clearly being a moron? Well, apparently Victoria has always loved the story of the Bonnie Prince, the King Over the Water.
The episode doesn’t explore Victoria’s interest in Charles Stuart in too much depth, but it hints that she likes the mythology surrounding him. I suppose if you disregard the politics and the subsequent bloodbath, his story does have its merits: a prince destined for a throne, people fighting for what they believe in, a man narrowly escaping death. That narrative has intrigue, I’ll give it that. But, personally, I still prefer the legend of King Arthur.
Victoria, Season 2
MASTERPIECE on PBS
Shown: Nell Hudson as Skerrett
For editorial use only.
©ITVStudios2017 for MASTERPIECE
Skerrett meets her own sexy Highlander
Who needs a temperamental chef when you can have a good-natured, strapping Scotsman? That’s the question Skerrett asks herself when she arrives in Scotland. She meets the handsome, kilted Ewan and actually gets to have some fun — fun that is in no way connected to the Queen or Buckingham Palace. She dances, flirts, laughs, and literally lets her hair down. The best part of their encounter is that Skerrett remembers that she does in fact deserve her own life. As Ewan tells her, “You may be married to your job but you’re still a woman.”
I’m all for Skerrett having a casual, good time, but her dynamic with Ewan is so much more enjoyable than whatever she has with Francatelli. She should just let Ewan write to her already.
Claire and Jamie have some competition for Hottest Married Couple
Despite airing on PBS, Victoria is fairly upfront about Victoria and Albert’s physical connection. Their chemical attraction is what initially drew them together, and that spark has only become more intense since they got married. Like Outlander‘s Claire and Jamie, they’re a fun couple to watch because they are so genuinely into each other.
Now, thanks to some much-needed private time in Scotland, Victoria and Albert are giving Claire and Jamie a run for their money. After the end of their vacation, Victoria and Albert set aside some time in their regular lives for fairly vanilla role play, but role play nonetheless. They pretend to be a non-royal couple: he cooks over the fireplace and she darns socks. Or they pantomime doing so, at least.
It’s a game that they only play with each other, which makes it all the more sweet and, frankly, hot.
Victoria, Season 2
MASTERPIECE on PBS
Shown from left to right: Jenna Coleman as Victoria and Tom Hughes Albert
For editorial use only.
©ITVStudios2017 for MASTERPIECE
Scotland is the happiest place on earth
Throughout much of Outlander‘s run, and for various reasons, Claire and Jamie are forced to leave Scotland. So they idealize it from afar, reframing it as heaven on earth, the place where all their problems go away. Claire does something similar when she’s back in the 20th century at the beginning of season 3.
Obviously this isn’t merely a story device: Victoria has convinced me once and for all that Scotland really is paradise. It’s where Victoria and Albert recharge their batteries and live like ordinary people for 12 hours. It’s where Ernest and Harriet reconnect. It’s where Alfred and Drummond finally kiss! And it’s the place where, for once, the servants aren’t cut off from the good time. They get to attend the party instead of dressing the attendees and watching the festivities from the outside.
After an episode like “The King Over the Water,” who wouldn’t want to go to Scotland?
Next: Victoria is best when it lets the personal get political
Victoria airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.