Men in Kilts: A road trip with Sam and Graham
Credit: Starz
Men in Kilts: A road trip with Sam and Graham charming, semi-scripted docuseries by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, former co-stars in historical drama Outlander, also on Starz.
Heaughan, who plays Jamie Frasier Outlander, and McTavish, who plays his uncle, Dougal MacKenzie, is delighted to see them make their way across Scotland. You can tell that the two men are good friends, and although some of the situations in which they themselves are clearly written or written in part, for the most part the feast feels natural and the show thrives on the charm of both directions. They both have a natural charm about them and I found grief throughout the first two programs.
The docuseries are eight programs long and fly weekly on Starz, with the premiere of the season falling on Valentine’s Day. The first program focuses on Scottish food and drink, and if you love seafood and whiskey you’ll be salting all over. If nothing else, Men in Kilts it will make you go to Scotland and try the food or maybe dive into barley at a distillery.
The second program dives into some of Scotland’s sporting traditions including hammer throwing, rugby and, of course, golf. Sam and Graham start a friendly match with a high bet. I will not spoil who wins and who loses.
After this, Men in Kilts engages in a number of pieces and pieces of Scottish heritage and culture, although I wish they would spend a little more time on the food and drink. Future titles include “Song & Dance,” “Witchcraft & Superstition,” and “Battle of Culloden.”
You’ll recognize that last one if you like it Outlander. Men in Kilts usually goes down to old age Outlander film, showing pieces and pieces of the two men in their careers as Gaels of Scotland, and they talk about the show from time to time. But you can also see a different side of the two men.
Dougal MacTavish is brutal and arrogant and brutal inside Outlander; Graham McTavish is almost completely different. Sam Heughan is more like Jamie, but his red locks are gone and his accent is less thick. Really, the two men are just goofy most of the time. You can tell they are excited to explore their home country and the motivation is contagious.
Two programs in and I’m very happy with it Men in Kilts so far. It’s not perfect. It might have been nice if it felt a little less productive, a little more organic. A less polished approach could allow Sam and Graham’s friendship to shine through a little more. But this is a small cuibble. Following these two amazing actors on their adventure is the perfect little escape from reality. We may not be able to travel to Scotland at the moment thanks to the pandemic, but the show takes us there without leaving the court.
And since we have no idea when next season will be Outlander there will be air, this is also a nice little grip for tidying us up until then. no Outlander, but two of the best actors in that show are touring around modern Scotland and there is no torture or rape or war or floggings to contend with. We can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Give for sure Men in Kilts try Starz tomorrow. If nothing else, they eat a very scrumptious looking food and drink some tasty Scottish snacks. What is not to love?