The first season of Outlander was a stirring, sensual affair bolstered by fearless performances, stunning on-location sets, gorgeous production design, and of course the steamy love story between Jamie and Claire that has stolen the hearts, imagination and um, other regions, of book readers for the last 24 years.

While at Comic-Con, stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, executive producer Maril Davis, showrunner Ronald D. Moore, author Diana Gabaldon hit the Ballroom 20 stage to debut first-look footage from season two, talk about their experiences from filming season one, and drink a little scotch. There’s no doubt this is a group that has a good time working together, and it all added up to one of the most fun panels I saw at the con.

Footage

The panel kicked off with some footage from season 2, played at chipmunk-voice high-speed, but there were a few notable moments that I’ve compiled in a list for you: Claire in a suit - looking mighty modern, Claire ugly crying, ornate French locations and costumes, sexy French men, a very cranky looking Jamie downing a drink, a shirtless jaime, a thrusting jaime, a smirking Jamie, a blood-spattered Jaime vigorously stabbing an unknown person, and finally a pregnant Claire as the couple shares a tender moment.

All in all, season two looks to have a completely different aesthetic from what was established in the first season -  not entirely unexpected since they boarded that boat to Paris. I’ll miss that Scottish charm, but what’s always made Outlander special is the connection between Claire and Jamie and that looks strong as ever.

They also played the season one gag reel, which includes a number of goofy moments; including lots of flubbed lines, stumbles, tumbles and falls, Caitriona almost sewing up Sam’s real skin, and some very durable mid-kiss spittle. These guys obviously have a lot of fun on set. The Outlander season 2 trailer was a Comic-Con exclusive and isn't online yet, but they did release the gag reel and you can watch it for yourself above!

Panel Highlights

• What can we expect in season 2? Claire and Jamie are headed to Paris, trying to stop the Jacobite rebellion and change the course of history. However, they will eventually return to Scotland in the second half of the season.
• There will be a bit of a different dynamic to their love story. Moore said, season one was a courtship, now they’re a married couple.
• Given the location changes, Claire’s pregnancy, and time jumps, Moore said to expect a completely different show, saying it’s a “whole new Outlander next year”.
• Series creator Diana Gabaldon will write a script for one of the episodes.
• There are changes from the second book. It’s a more complex story, some things are moved around or condensed, but they always try to get back to the essence of what fans love about the book.

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  Sam Jests, “She likes working with French actors, especially the really attractive ones
• “Well, you know, it makes a change, hon,” Caitriona snarks back.
• Suddenly the moderator breaks out a bottle of Laphroaig quarter cask. “I thought this was all a bit dry,” quips Sam.
• Gabaldon is not planning another cameo this season.
• Cairtiona talks about being surrounded by all the handsome new frenchmen and Sam playfully acts jealous and put out.
• Moore says the second season is more challenging, because they have to create France. It’s a whole new production. They had to create new sets, environments and costumes, as well as filling out a whole new cast.
• The DVD hits September 29th. It  includes another version of the episode from Jaime’s point of view. It’s a work print of the original version, though Moore says the reworked it to make it better. There are also deleted scenes and a gag reel.

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• Caitriona ays she and Sam share the same sense of humor, which is probably akin to a five year old’s.
• Diana knows the last scene of the last book, “Ron and Sam are the only people in the world who have seen it.”

Audience Q&A

• What are the pivotal episodes of season two? Moore singled out the the pivot from paris to Scotland and the finale.
• Challenging aspects of filming outdoors in Scotland? “It’s fucking cold,” says Moore, adding that it’s easy to see the Americans because they’re always totally wrapped up. “The make ‘em tough in Scotland.”

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  Sam and Caitriona get through their tough emotional scenes by using humor to leave things behind. Filming an intense scene earlier this week Sam broke the door when he walked in and they couldn’t stop laughing.
• Sam beat out Colin O'donoghue (Once upon a Time) in E!'s Alpha Male Madness tournament and they made a bet that the winner would dress as the loser’s character. Sam obliges and is an amazingly good sport. Caitriona applies eyeliner and gives him a pirate mustache.
• What would you sacrifice for love? “Certainly not my left arm.” He follows that up with, “I guess everything,” The crowd eats that right up, screaming and swooning in their seats.