39 for 39

Note: I originally ran this post last year and have updated it for Season 4 and Sam Heughan’s 39th Birthday. Some moments on the countdown have been eliminated or shifted around. Enjoy!

Sam Heughan turns 38 39 on April 30 and I think we can collectively agree that the world is a better place for having him in it. So happiest of birthdays to the man who was born to play one James Alexander Malcom MacKenzie Fraser. In celebration- and as a birthday gift to all of us- here are Jamie’s Top 38 39 moments:

(Note- some of these pictures are frustratingly dark. If you’re on a mobile device or your computer try increasing the brightness to see them better)

39. “Bear” killing

So, not really a bear but a man in a bear pelt going crazy in the woods from exile and isolation. You know, the usual.

38. Bolting the door

Turtle soup for everyone!

37. Whispering sweet nothings to his baby niece

Ovaries exploding everywhere.

36. Fainting in the printshop 

Next time, Jamie, let me know and I’ll catch you.

35. Reminding Ian that it wasn’t his fault 

It’s never, ever your fault.

34. The dinner party brawl

Sometimes you and your awesome godfather just need to smack some dudes around.

33. Rescuing Young Ian from the printshop fire

You know your character is a hero when they rush into a burning building. Major thanks and respect to the men and women who do this every day.

32. His theatrical debut

Did my elbow slip? SOMEBODY CALL A DOCTOR!

31. Fear of needles…

Don’t think that Claire didn’t give that injection a little extra oomph.

30. …but willing to try acupuncture 

Seasickness is a bitch. Never let it be said that our Jamie isn’t open-minded.

29. Eye banging at the governor’s mansion

Translation of this look: “Listen, I know my nephew is missing and probably dead, and Geillis is lurking around somewhere, and the man who is in love with me and also raising my illegitimate son is actually hosting this shindig…but we are both smoking hot and I would totally hit that.”

I’m paraphrasing a bit.

28. This saucy jaunt through Edinburgh

This is the episode where we all fell in love with tricorne hats…

27. Fixing the mill

…and this is the episode where we all fell in love with water mills.

26. Taking Laoghaire’s punishment

The ramifications of teenage love be damned.

25. Dueling in France

The ramifications of time travel be damned.

24. Keeping tabs on Claire’s menstrual cycle

Yep, this was smart and sexy. Men of the world: take note.

22. Sacrificing himself for William

And claiming him as his own, even though the boy is (probably) none the wiser. A father’s run loves deep. Speaking of which…

21. Shooting the Earl of Ellesmere

What do you do when a deranged old man is holding a knife to your newborn son? You swiftly defuse the threat like a total badass.

20. Giving Fergus his name

A man with so many aliases uses his real name with care and gives it with love.

19. Baptizing Willie

“Dinna fash, lad. I’ll remember you.”

18. The end of Blackjack Randall

This surreal-like sequence was beautifully choreographed and a testament to the talents of all involved.

17. Romantic beach running

I may or may not make my husband re-enact this with me this summer.

16. Saying goodbye to Faith

The grief was palpable from both actors during this exquisitely sad scene.

15. Sparing the life of young Lord John Grey

Besides marrying Claire, this is arguably the smartest thing Jamie ever did. The debt owed to him here saved his life after Culloden- and many times after that.

Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

14. Bath time

A thousand kisses, a thousand ways to treat a woman right.

13. “I suppose that means yer coming with me.”

Mmmhmmm. I’ll come with you, too. You can even pick me up and throw me over your shoulder, as suggested. Just saying.

12. Rescuing Ian from Abandawe

Jeez, this kid needs a lot of rescuing.

11. Forgiving Claire

In case you were wondering, this is what unconditional love looks like.

10. Reuniting with Murtagh

Anger, indignation, shock, disbelief, then pure joy…all within twenty seconds.

9. Taking Claire to Craigh na Dun- the first time

When you love something, set it free (p.s. she came back)

8. Taking Claire to Craigh na Dun- the second time

The ultimate sacrifice for both of them. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

7. Meeting Brianna

Also earning official DILF status.

6. Blood of my blood

Everything about this scene- from the actors to the dialogue to the costumes- was gorgeous.

5. “Not one that is mine.” 

Not much to say here, especially considering most of us have watched this episode at least ten times. Super sexy, super romantic, super Jamie.

4. Letting Claire fix his shoulder

Where it all started. He felt it, she felt it, we all felt it.

3. The most amazing water rescue ever

Nothing says hero like diving into the ocean to rescue your wife during a hurricane.

2. “The first man forward will be the first man down.”

Couldn’t you just feel the intense rage coming off of this man? Say what you will about Jamie Fraser, he knows how to make a dramatic entrance— and he looks pretty damn good doing it.

1. “I’ll thank ye to take your hands off my wife”

Our Top Jamie moment. Everything about this was great— the bravery, the impeccable timing, the one-liner, the look on Randall’s face, and Jamie Fraser looking ridiculously handsome while crouched in a window.

Thanks for playing along! What did I miss? We will have to update our list next year; rumor has it a bear snake might be involved.

Until then,

Slàinte

p.s. If you want to get Sam a great birthday present might I suggest a donation to his select charity, Bloodwise? It is dedicated to funding research for blood cancers.  Click here to donate.

 

 

All photo credits owed to STARZ