War. Intrigue. Love. Action. Conspiracy. And time travel. All against the dramatic landscape of the Scottish Highlands. This is Outlander. All of this and so much more.

In 1991, Diana Gabaldon’s first novel in what would become a ten book series was published. It was a historical, time-traveling romance that defied a genre that went on to win the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Best Romance of 1991. It has sold more than 25 million copies so it is no wonder that this novel, set in Scotland but written by a writer who had never been to Scotland herself, has gone on to become a wildly popular series.

The story revolves around Claire Beauchamp, a post World War II nurse, who finds herself in 1740s Scotland at the beginning of the Jacobite rising. In order to survive, she aligns herself with Clan Mackenzie and becomes a medicine woman of sorts. Using her knowledge of 1940s medicine and relying on her keen interest in botany, Claire carves out a life for herself in her new century while trying to find her way back to her own era. Instead, she finds herself married to outlaw Highlander, Jamie Fraser and together they walk the fine line between survival and rebellion.

The story is a compelling read. Gabaldon’s writing still is descriptive yet accessible and the way she could weave uncommon history through an action/romance story is brilliant. But with her original novel topping out at more than 300, 000 words it is almost unfathomable how the story could be reduced to a script and maintain the integrity of the plot. Almost unfathomable but not impossible. After a few false starts, over two decades, Gabaldon eventually persuaded Ronald D.Moore to give development of this series a go. And he knocked it out of the park!

Right from the opening notes of Bear McCreary’s beautiful opening theme a tone of mystery and timelessness is set. The narrative and styling of the series is warm and intimate as the story is predominantly told from Claire’s perspective. It’s hard not to be drawn into the story with the combination of wide, sweeping landscape shots of the highlands and tight, artistic close-ups of characters, décor and costumes. This creates a consistent sense of tension and familiarity throughout the series.

In the end though, it is the masterful casting that brings life to this series. Sam Heughan (James Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Beauchamp) light the screen on fire from the first. Their chemistry is the stuff of legends and it keeps fans coming back for more. Tobias Menzies plays a double role as Claire’s 1940s husband, historian Frank Randall and his notorious ancestor “Black Jack” Randall. He lives out each role with equal parts sincerity and menacing coldness that leaves the viewer torn between feeling deep compassion for Frank while loathing Black Jack.

Gabaldon has written eight out of the scheduled ten books and five have now been brought to screen (four now available of Netflix). The hardships, scheming,  striving and surviving pull the story forward effortlessly through each season. Claire’s modern sensibilities are an interesting contrast to her ancient times that brings an underlying conflict to the series that shifts and changes as Jamie and Claire face the new challenges that time and culture introduce.

This is the best kind of binge-worthy series as each time rewatch a new theme or detail is revealed and with each new season the characters become more dear and more familiar yet they continue to surprise. The four season currently available on Neflix take us from the early stages of the Jacobite rising, through the Battle of Culloden to the shores of the New World where a whole new conflict is brewing. Hunker down and binge on these delicious season while we wait out the Droughtlander until season five arrives.