Loes Wijgman

born in 🇳🇱 live in🇵🇹feel at home in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪love music🎶 books📚film🎥 animals🐈🦮nature⛰🌲history 🏰⚔️🛡#Outlander #MPC #Peaker since 2021

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

When you @VisitScotland you have to bag a Monro🏔Why not the highest one? #BenNevis is amazing and what a view! #wemadeittothetop Where were you @ScotStreetStyle ?😜

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@AngusAngels

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@Josmun50 @peekaboo_jen Love it!👌🏻✨

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen It sure did!

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@MyPeakChallenge 2021!💪

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@jamesyorkston But it’s Israel so it’s ok🤯😤

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@jamesyorkston 😢

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@SassenachSpirit @SamHeughan Did you steal my 🎄🎅wishlist??

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@daviehollywoody And thank you for taking us on your #outlander journey!🚙

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@jamesyorkston 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen 🙏🌺

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen Keep sending sparkles Tash. They are much appreciated ✨✨✨

[Tash @peekaboo_jen]

I've always enjoyed a really good rant.

I find it cathartic for the soul.

Over the years, I've certainly had my fair share of rants about a number of different things here on social media.

Watermarking images that aren't yours.
Editing images of Sam.
The old "rules for thee and not for me."
And, of course, the fact that Sam hasn't received the critical acclaim or attention that I feel his portrayal of Jamie Fraser is both worthy of and that he is deserved of.

For years, it frustrated me to no end.

Yes, I am aware that the awards are slowly becoming irrelevant.
Yes, I am aware that they are often political.
Yes, I am aware that an award doesn't define a performance.

And yes, I am aware that many of you feel that "he doesn't need them."

But, as I said earlier, this was my opinion, and from my perspective I would have loved to have seen his peers formally acknowledge what I think has been a truly masterful portrayal of an incredibly complex character over almost seven seasons.

To me, Jamie and Sam have always been the very heart and soul of Outlander, both on-screen and off-screen for over a decade, and I couldn't understand why that wasn't being recognised critically.

But.

As with most things in life, things change over time.
Opinions change.
People change.

Oh, people definitely change.

With this change comes understanding and perspective.

I don't think Sam will ever be awarded anything of critical note for Outlander because his character simply isn't written in a way that affords him those opportunities.

Which, in many ways, makes his performance even more incredible.
After all, you'll never win a chocolate cake competition if you're only given the ingredients for a carrot cake.
Irrespective of how god damn good that carrot cake is!

But, back to my perspective shift.

As disappointed as I am that Sam will probably finish Outlander without a critically acclaimed, industry voted, award attached to his name, I'm no longer worried.

You know why?

Because what he is winning, what he is being awarded is a million different honours for products that he has designed, created, founded, funded, and sold.

That is so much more important and valuable.

MPC is raising MILLIONS for charities and changing people's lives all over this wonderful world of ours.
Clanlands, award-winning show and best-selling books.
His best-selling Waypoints novel.
His incredibly successful Sassenach Spirits winning over palates and awards at an exponential pace.
His beautifully crafted Sassenach Spirits scarves, bags, and other products.
Three doctorates honouring the contribution he has made to the arts and the impact his philanthropy has had on the world and the people and creatures that inhibit it.
Self-funding multiple RCS scholarships and screenwriting competitions over the next 10 years.
(10 years! That is so incredibly generous.)
Fundraisers that have been held in his name, seats saved, theatres saved, turtles saved, UNICEF services delivered, support provided to those who are homeless.

Sam in a bottle.
Sam in a product.
Sam advocates for others.

All of these are successful.
Award-winning.
Life changing for others.

All because of Sam.

I find that incredible.

Don't get me wrong, Sam's portrayal of Jamie is remarkable.
I think he's an amazing actor and producer.

When he won the BAFTA Scotland Audience Award, I was so very happy and proud.
After all, we, the audience, are why shows are made and why shows remain on the air.
The audience is important, and seeing Sam win that award was amazing.

But seeing him being so successful in personal endeavours just feels different.

I am happy to see him happy and so very proud.

He's a truly lovely guy.
And I'm so very proud to say that I'm a fan of his.

Ironically, this post in itself became a rant.
That's kind of hilarious.

So, cheers to you, Sam, and cheers to each of the sparkly souls that are now a part of my life because of you.
We are ready for whatever is next.

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen Beautiful and so true

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen

[Loes Wijgman @w_loes]

@peekaboo_jen Definitely!