Blacklanderz®Convos!
Outlander S7 Epi7 – A Practical Guide for First Time Travelers
Written by Margot Ye | Directed by Joss Agnew
This conversation is between Blacklanderz® Ayana, Caty, and Marva. Arranged and edited by Vida.
Dear Bree,
We’re camped near Bemis Heights,
A: The ‘previously on’ section is such a spoiler. Oh so now the show wants to give us a date? The cinematography has always been outstanding on Outlander and this opening shot is proof.
New York, outside of Saratoga.
C: The shot of the camp is beautiful, along with Claire’s mini desk and also what lovely penmanship she has!
Your father has accepted a new commission as
Colonel in Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Corps.
You can imagine how I’m feeling,
a strange mixture of fragile optimism
and a troubling sense of unease,
knowing what I do know, and yet, still uncertain
C: Aww, Claire misses her baby girl very much, who wouldn’t?
about what exactly might be in store for us.
There is so much to tell you, Bree,
A: Claire has better penmanship than most doctors I have come into contact with. I am so happy the letters were not a one off for the show.
but perhaps the most
important thing since I last wrote
is that I crossed paths with your brother at
Ticonderoga. I’d been captured.
A: Yeah …yeah … yeah, William this and William that. Where the hell are Fergus and Marsali? What about them? I’m a bit bitter that we got the scene in the last episode of “tell me about my son” that we did not get in S3 about Brianna. Claire is always getting captured at this point. We just roll with it.
I’m safe now, thanks to your father and Ian,
but that was when I met William.
M: Hah. I imagine Bree reading that her mother was kidnapped again, and just waving her hand, “Yes, yes, sure, sure… and?”
It lifted my heart to see him again,
that the sight of him made my heart bleed for you.
I miss you, darling.
C: Well Buck looks different from who we saw in S5. Looking forward to him explaining how he got to Lallybroch.
A: They need to put that chest up somewhere. It seems they just have it out all the time. They get renovations done on this castle still. They need a safe. Buccleigh does look like Graham McTavish did in S5. By looks alone, this casting is on point.
M: Hah! He looks a lot less like Graham McTavish! This guy favors Roger a bit more, though.
C: RIP Sinéad O’Connor
A: Condolences to Sinéad O’Connor’s family and friends and may she rest in peace. It is a reminder that our time can be up at any time. Outlander remains the only show where I don’t click ‘skip intro.” There are only a few scenes in the opening credits that we have not witnessed yet. I wonder if a new theme will be introduced for S7B when the shots change again?
M: Yes, rest in peace. I wonder how close this performance was to her last composition. I never skip the intro. I still sing along and startle the dog.
C: The whole thing is still lost on me even though Roger mentioned it in S5. The Tufty badge is cute!
A: I believe he mentioned Tufty being like America’s Smokey The Bear. There have been so many callbacks this season. So many parallels.
M: Tufty’s back! I appreciate the little things that tie the seasons together.
C: Sounds like what happened to Claire in reverse and definitely scary and surreal.
A: He said, “we heard a strange noise.” I wonder if he means the entire family.
M: Well, he must have touched the stones. I guess that’s what you’d do if you were curious. That’s a lesson, though. Don’t touch strange buzzing things!
C: Better seeing roaring carriages than guns shooting at you. Buck is right. He came to the right people (Roger & Bree) for answers.
A: I’m thinking he followed landmarks. He made out a mountain pass and walked that direction avoiding people, is my guess Marva. He’s so fortunate he recognized someone.
M: I still wondered how exactly he got to Lallybroch. Even if he saw them in the store, How could he have followed the car Roger must have been driving in. I don’t remember how he got to Lallybroch in the books.
C: Buck is relieved to have recognized a familiar face in Roger, even if he himself wasn’t as kind to Roger when their path crossed. Who wouldn’t be?
A: I’m glad someone brought up the hanging. That would have been the first thing I asked about.
Damn this traveling through time. He attempted to have Roger killed. Let’s start and end there.
M: I don’t accept his explanation. Scaring the kids into getting food for him is not an honorable thing to do.
I think he was just too scared to face the hanged man! Back from the dead as far as he knew!
C: This shot reminds me of Culloden camp – many moons ago!
A: I need Outlander to keep this same energy when it comes to letting us know where/when the hell we are, throughout the rest of the seasons.
M: I imagine that desertion was a common problem back in those days. What a horrible meat grinder.
People who really know war probably don’t use the words “lily-livered” and “cowards.”
A: Good strategy, but it all needs people to enact and fight. Seems like they are not caring much that their men are deserting them and joining the rebels.
C: These men are just using their old playbooks and what has worked for them in the past.
M: They seem way too overconfident, seeing as I know how this war ends. The Hessian general is more practical. I think he’s seen more and knows more when it comes to war.
C: Can I say William looks handsome and sharp in his redcoat!
A: He looks great. Glad he’s paying attention.
M: He looks as nice in his redcoat as Jamie does in his kilt. Wait.. that might be heresy. Humm . . . do the Americans fight “in open ground?” I think I read somewhere that the Continental Army was one of the first armies to use guerilla tactics.
C: What possible information and how much could be in that tiny piece of paper?
A: That’s how messages were passed. Rolled up in a feather pen?
M: LOL. It was small! Hmmm. Had to be written in shorthand. Looked like bad news, though. The bigwigs got so serious.
M: LOL. It was small! Hmmm. Had to be written in shorthand. Looked like bad news, though. The bigwigs got so serious.
C: William learned …
A: Sandy said I ain’t leaving here with nothing! Smart taking food William.
M: Yeah, smart kid!
A: He did not wipe off that sword before sheathing it. That’s not proper care.
C: I hope they are not about to eat that dirty apple.
M: LOL. Eighteen century people were downright living in their filth and grime.
A: Aww, he fed his horse. Good on him.
C: Better the horse got the dirty apple.
M: Half for his horse! Of course he’s Lord John Gray AND Jamie Fraser’s son!
A: I can’t figure out Capt. Richardson and I can’t remember the book. Is he a double spy? Is he using William?
C: I’m not sure. I’m a bit rusty in this part of the book. Something seems to be brewing though.
M: His friend has the cocky attitude of the pilots in modern day war movies. I guess that comes with the territory. William is great, but his self-assuredness comes off as naive, rather than cocky.
A: William is really paying attention. Good for him, cause I’m not.
C: Hahaha… I’m also over the wars and the fighting.
M: Ayana, I’m not a big fan of the war parts, myself. I’m here for the time travel!
A: William is not pleased to be kept away from battle. I, for one, would welcome being away from the front lines.
C: I suppose William is eager, this being his first time in battle.
M: I wonder if someone has put a bug in Richardson’s ear that William should be kept away from the front lines?
A: Peanut Butter Jelly time. So many callbacks. Get past the stickiness and enjoy the taste, Buck.
C: Roger looks disgusted watching him eat like that. LOL. I gather the PB&J is the easiest thing to whip up quickly for a starving man.
M: “Do you feed this to your bairns?” It took me a second to realize he was eating peanut butter! Hah! Who feeds adults a peanut butter sandwich? That’s funny. It is hard to swallow. Why DO we feed it to our children?
A: Buck asks about the children. I find that cool.
C: It is cool, but also hurry up and get to the story. I’m with Roger here.
M: He is grounded by talk of children. Safe territory for him.
M: He’s got a point. Why would a militia man try to help him? As far as Buck is concerned, Roger was just some weirdo “hot eyeing” his wife. Roger was still in his awkward 18th century phase, not reading the room correctly.
A: We have learned not to “hot eye” Buccleigh’s wife. I can’t blame him either Marva, he’s right to protect his family from weirdos. Roger can be a bit touchy-touchy to women.
C: I don’t blame Roger for not being intuitive about every social norm back then though. He was on a mission and saw a familiar face at the moment.
A: Buccleigh could give a damn that Roger is Morag’s great, to the power of six, grandson. Don’t touch his wife. LOL. So far, he is taking this pretty well. He seems to care for family.
C: He better take it well, he’s being fed and is appreciative of the hospitality at the moment.
M: Poor Buck has a lot to process. I haven’t forgiving him, but I believe he believes in family, and might be a little taken aback by having almost killed his kin.
A: I get that technically her parents are dead. But not really. She knows she has the ability to travel 200 years, at least, into the past. As long as you know they are alive in 1778, you can see them.
I wouldn’t read all the letters. I would space them out. BUT I would read the dates on each letter. This way I stay within the 200-year mark.
M: I think their plan was to space them out. But Bree started missing her Momma.
C: Bree is simultaneously living in two worlds that seem to be blurring lines by the minute. I Imagine the need to re-orient yourself from time to time, especially in this situation with Buck arriving.
A: Do you tell him? Do you curse him with the knowledge? Also knowing how humans record things wrong all the time, do you even trust the dates? Their own children will have suspicious birth dates. They need a safe.
Also knowing how humans record things wrong all the time, do you even trust the dates? Their own children will have suspicious birth dates. They need a safe.
M: Tough call. I don’t think I’d want to know.
C: Why do they have important documents in plain sight?
A: This confused me a bit, at first. But I realize that Buck put together Roger can travel, he never encountered Bree in the past. He did not know she had the gift too.
C: Whatever the case, I understand Roger’s apprehension.
M: Looks like he took some time to decide whether to tell Buck.
What year was it that you came through?
The year of our Lord, 1778.
A: Wait, did Rob Cameron call first? Who just shows up at people’s houses without notice?
C: This Rob guy is so suspicious. I actually wanted to see Fiona. LOL.
M: Hah! That’s what Roger said, Ayana. That’s what we ALL said, except Rob Cameron and other really annoying people. I like the way Bree said, “It’s Rob Cameron,” the same way she would say, “There’s soap scum in the tub.”
Oh, God, Roger. It’s Fiona and the kids.
Can you . . .
No, it’s Rob Cameron.
A: Am I the only one who would just not answer the door? I do this in my own damn time. Call or text first. Don’t just show up. The wine does not get you a pass either.
Jesus Christ. I told him he could come to dinner sometime.
I didn’t think he would just show up.
M: I’m with you. I would not answer the door. Is that a woman thing though?
What?
Who doesn’t call first?
C: Same. I’m hiding with Buck in that priest hole until he leaves.
A: Why do I trust Buccleigh more than Rob Cameron?
C: None of Roger’s body language and hints worked. LOL. This Rob guy is so annoying!
M: It looks like Roger tries to get him to go away, but finally gives up and invites him in!
A: He is nosy as hell. Keep his ass in one room and don’t let him wander.
M: If there wasn’t such craziness going on, Roger would be seriously in the doghouse for inviting Cameron in the second place and telling him too much in the first place!
M: Rob just gives me the creeps. I don’t think it’s just because I’ve read Book 7. The actor does a good job of portraying a character we shouldn’t trust.
A: I agree, Marva, it isn’t just book knowledge. He makes my skin crawl. I trust Buck more and he got Roger hanged. The pushiness is over the line. It’s entered creepiness territory at this point.
C: Very creepy! Roger, you don’t have to show him everything and certainly don’t leave him alone in there, goodness!
Oh, by the way, I’d love to have a look at your father’s old hymnals, you know seeing as, um,
I didn’t get a chance in your class.
A: I am sending him home with that hymnal. I am not leaving an uninvited person in my home office alone. And it’s a co-worker? It’s a double no. I think it’s the introvert in me. I say again, THEY NEED A SAFE!
C: Lots of people would feel the same, Ayana.
M: Yup. You know Cameron’s the type that comes over without calling first. That means he’s capable of all sorts of dastardly acts!
A: Title card! Something is going to happen to Jemmy.
C: They sure love this Tufty Club.
M: It’s time for Roger to get over Tufty!
A: I know Roger is not getting antsy. This is all his fault. When you met him outside, you should have taken the wine, explained you were busy and put Mr. Cameron right back into his vehicle.
C: This Rob man has overstayed his welcome for real now, ugh!
M: I bet he’s thinking that those folks out there are eating something other than that stuff that sticks in his craw!
A: As a book reader, I’m seeing this scene differently, especially knowing this is the penultimate episode to the mid-season finale. I want Jemmy to stay away from the tunnels.
I feel like he flirts a little bit with Brianna at the dinner table.
He definitely does a bit of flirting.
C: Same…even if you haven’t read the book, this all just feels wrong, and you can sense the danger.
M: Jem is curious about his mom’s work! Maybe he’ll be an engineer someday!
The tunnels!
Will you take me to see them, Mama? Please?
A: Right thing to say, I don’t like the messenger. Mr. Creepy overstaying his non welcome.
Oh, you know, honey, the tunnels are not
best suited for children.
Well, some people might’ve said the same thing about women. And they’d be wrong.
C: Why is this man still talking?
M: Well, that was the exact right thing to say to Bree. But it’s also a little off. A full-grown ass woman is a lot different than a child, Mr. Creepy.
A: The uninvited guest gets a cooked meal, and a member of the family gets peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Buccleigh should feel some type of way.
Eww . . . bringing work home. Please stop. Children are a natural out of any situation. You need to spend some quality time with them…alone.
Invite Rob to leave. Y’all don’t have time for another wee dram.
Well, that was wonderful.
Thank you so much.
And, um, compliments to the chef, eh?
Mm, you know what would be perfection right now, though?
Just another wee dram, eh?
C: Go home, Rob! Is what I’ve been yelling at my screen this whole time.
M: Smarmy. Rob is plan smarmy. Get him out of your house! I’m surprised Jemmy is falling for his act.
A: Even in war, he brings his wife gifts. He’s so wonderful. I can’t believe he’s pulling off that outfit, but he is pulling it off.
C: Is Jamie wearing that outfit from the guy we saw at the end of last episode?
[V: Yes, it’s what Morgan’s Riflemen wear.]
M: He’s so sweet. In the middle of the battle, bringing a book for his Claire.
C: Jamie is funny… It’s a book.. Words written on paper. You’ll recall the sort of thing. Lol
A: What the hell is Claire talking about? Wasn’t she wearing glasses in S3? She’s a surgeon; she needs to see well.
M: Claire is full of wisdom, but coming face-to-face with her own failings as she ages, well that’s a whole ‘nother thing for her.
A: Why doesn’t he just write Lord John? Lord John finds everything. He can find glasses for Claire and be happy to do so.
C: I think it’s sweet of Jamie planning to get Claire options!
M: Jamie needed spectacles a while back. I think he’s glad she’s joining him in this rite of passage.
We’re bein’ mustered for battle in three days’ time.
I dinna suppose there’s a spectacle-maker this side of Philadelphia, but when we get back to Scotland, I will buy ye
a tortoiseshell pair for every day and a pair of gold rims for Sundays.
You’ll come back to me.
You always do.
And if you don’t, I’ll
come looking for you.
A: Yes, she will. Let’s just pray it doesn’t come to that. But this is Outlander.
C: Another call back from S1 when she said something similar before Jamie and The Watch went missing.
M: Unlike the confident and likely unseasoned British officers, Claire and Jamie are always aware of the dangers soldiers face. No brash confidence in the rebels’ camp!
A: It’s a good idea he has, eating with the rank and file.
C: Sandy seems cool. I like him.
M: “Glory’s afoot!” A message opposite of Jamie and Claire in the previous scene.
I don’t believe Fraser believes a word of that. He’s just spouting that stuff to feed the souls of naive soldiers like William.
A: Good on Sandy for pushing William to seize the opportunity.
C: William is determined to be a soldier.
M: General Fraser acts like William is crazy to turn down that cozy courier position. Poor William. He’s going to find out sooner or later about “glory” and “courage.” Unfortunately.
A: Who asked for this? He’s nosy, pushy, creepy and volunteers personal information no one asked for.
Dude just leave, please. We understand your ex’s decision to leave you with just this interaction. Not to mention the hazing incident.
C: I’m tired of seeing Rob. Get him off my screen.
M: Raise your hand if you’re surprised some woman kicked Rob Cameron out. Ish.
A: Hold up, did he invite guests to someone else’s house? The audacity! I would have asked which movie.
C: I’m just going to assume Jem has spent the night at Bobby’s before because it would’ve been a quick hell no from me.
M: I think they will agree to anything to finally get him out of their house. Hah.
Rob’s a wrong-un, no doubt about it. All other considerations aside, actions do indeed speak louder than words, and while Bree was (quite reasonably) not a Rob fan to begin with, she and Roger really should have had more reservations about him. (He’s really smarmy, too—great acting!).
A: It seems like Buccleigh spied a way out.
[V: My question is how did he get out of the house without them seeing him?]
A: The fact that moving pictures aren’t freaking him out is pretty amazing. He’s born for this, quite literally.
C: Buck has adjusted rather quickly to the times.
M: Buck is just taking it all in. Can you imagine the overload he’s getting? He’s doing well to not be curled up in a ball under a tree.
A: Brianna is closer related to Buccleigh than Roger is. Buck is her second uncle, I think. I trust the children’s judgment here. Children can ground you.
[V: No, it’s more like a second cousin since Dougal was her uncle. It’s crazy how they are all related.]
C: The kiddos have warmed up to him.
M: So Buck is a learned man! The simplicity of his 18th century thinking – trying to make sense of this new world – turning what they are into star travelers – is really kind of beautiful. Jemmy liked it too.
M: If Mandy likes you, you’re probably an okay dude.
A: Hum, what’s Bree gonna do, Roger? I agree Marva, I’m trusting Mandy’s judgment too.
C: Exactly!
A: Glad he’s discussing this with Bree first. He should have done this before agreeing to have Rob Cameron over. I’m just saying.
C: Hahaha. A little empathy goes a long way.
Well, Bree hasn’t (almost) been a Presbyterian minister; she doesn’t feel religiously constrained to forgive her enemies. Besides that, though, Roger is (reluctantly) fascinated by the sudden arrival of a) another time-traveler (whose presence also adds substance to the theory that time-travel is indeed genetic), and b) a relation.
Both these considerations feed Roger’s intense curiosity about How Things Work (in terms of time-travel) and Who He (and his family) Is/Are. Growing up as an orphan leaves one with a lot of unfulfilled curiosity, and suddenly…here’s a way to fulfill some of it. Also, how could a historian resist the opportunity to talk to someone historical who (now) knows he’s ‘historical’?
M: So Buck, the man that hanged you, is approved to stay in the house, but get rid of the neighbor who brought wine as soon as possible. Hah. Just goes to show you. You just never know.
A: Roger is very forgiving and that’s a great trait.
Are people able to just take family members to work? They left Rob Cameron unsupervised in their house.
C: Take your time traveler guest to workday? LOL. This was all weird to me.
M: I’m so glad Roger beat on ol’ Cousin Buck just a bit. Some fans up here thinking Roger is not a man!
He is tough enough! Sometimes he thinks too much. He’s better when he punches first and analyzes later!
C: Buck is taking it all in even though he’s missing his family.
M: The people are all gone, but the mountains remain the same.
At heart, Cousin Buck is a poet.
M: I still think Buck’s explanations about what he did and didn’t do are a bit suspicious.
Why won’t he tell her what he was thinking about?
A: It does not seem like William Buccleigh MacKenzie is telling the entire story.
Yeah Marva, we need to keep our hackles up.
C: True Ayana…. what might Buck be hiding?
A: Seems like Bree is gathering more information for Rogers Time-Travelers journal. I like how, in this show, we know as much about time traveling as the characters on the show. Next to nothing. Did Geillis have a stone when she traveled? Do we think the human sacrifice had her going back years beyond our standard 200 years we have become used to?
C: Seems like every traveler has made up their own theories specific to what happened to them.
M: Buck is a little glassy eyed here. More information overload for him.
A: Okay this arm touch is bothering me. My creep factor is at the 10th degree.
Get. Your. Hand. Off. Her. I’m with Buccleigh on this one. Get the rope!
C: He can’t be hanging anybody willy-nilly in this time period though.
M: Looks like Buck is ready to hang another one, and I’m here for this one.
A: I’m uncomfortable. I also want to know what picture they plan to see.
C: I chuckled at Bree’s expression towards Buck here…like alright calm down buddy.
M: Unlike the rest of the family, Buck ain’t playing with Rob.
A: He notices something off about the box and letter and he still doesn’t move it to a safer place?
Just for everyday traffic you want that box out of the open. Roger is very fetching in that kilt. The ‘80s seem to be his time.
C: The man looks great in his modern kilt!
I agree, please hide the documents in a damn safe!
A: He is staying on the grounds of Lallybroch though. He is keeping his curiosity inside the family. I would let him roam.
C: Buck’s Jeremiah can have a toy plane (in the past) too I guess? *blank stare*
M: Buck is never where he’s supposed to be. He’s like a curious kitten and a huge toddler. He might need to be locked in the priest hole after all.
A: I have to agree with Buccleigh here. So glad he is telling Roger though. Hot eyes lead to hot nooses in Buccleigh’s world.
That Mr. Cameron I met today, he’s trouble.
He’s got a hot eye for your wife.
C: Buck has a PhD in inappropriate looks towards people’s wives.
M: I think Buck is right this time. Even though he never gives the woman credit for having her own mind in these situations.
There’s something I should tell you, I think.
I did find the MacKenzie family tree.
And, uh, I didn’t know whether to tell you
because – – I don’t even know if it’s correct.
A: I’m kind of glad he is telling him and laying out the other possibilities as well. They could have claimed he was dead and then he came back, and no one corrected the records. There is a myriad of possibilities. It’s good that he is informed with this information though.
C: The characters in this show discovering key information from the future and the situations playing out differently than what they imagined is my favorite thing.
I saw the year of your death. Do you want to know?
M: Oh Roger, I don’t think Buck needed that information on top of everything else? Will knowing this make Buck more reckless? Or more cautious?
No. But I’d like ye to tell me anyway.
It was marked as 1778 . . .
M: Bree is giving Roger the ol’ hot eye.
A: I enjoy their flirting, they have come such a long way. LOL, Marva.
C: Interesting song choice? Lol
A: I wouldn’t let him call me Gov. Nice music choice here. Side note: I will never forgive that Adagio for Strings monstrosity they did in S4 Epi 12 “Providence” #Neverforget.
C: The ghost of Rob won’t leave this couple.
M: How about we don’t ruin the mood by talking about Rob Cameron?
A: I like the music choice here. Roger and Bree are hot.
They have come such a long way.
C: Cute scene, but a little too long for me.
M: I figured in the 20th Century Roger might shave his back. But I guess not. Hee, hee. Is 1980 still too early for manscaping?
A: Just as I’m thinking that that red coat is not camouflage, he takes it off. Smart man.
His reaction to almost being shot though is not strong enough. How do you not, at least, move behind the tree?
C: That aerial shot was pretty cool and Ian!!! *Thinking of the gif of Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at the TV*
M: Everyone knows you don’t trust a man alone without a horse in the forest.
Who are you then?
A: Good on Ian. The British didn’t seem too worried about deserters earlier.
C: And we’re off again to fight!
M: The music, the demeanor of the characters. Everything points to the seriousness of the moment. This is war. There is no glory.
A: Off to battle…again. Hold up, why is Burgoyne leading the charge? Aren’t range weapons supposed to be at the rear flank? I do enjoy these moments with Jamie and Claire.
C: We should be used to this show separating Jamie and Claire by now, but nope. It gets harder every time!
Will ye kiss me, Claire?
M: A kiss for strength. Wow. I want to cry with worry instead of rolling my eyes at how naive William is when we are at the other camp.
Always.
A: I like the direction here. Jamie is making that outfit fire!
C: The slow motion in this scene is too ominous for my liking.
M: There he goes again.
Will Jamie ever get to retire from the soldier’s life?
A: I would not want to be on the front line of any battle.
The British are so used to having numbers on their side.
M: They are standing there, lined up like toy soldiers.
C: Yes, all lined up and ready to go.
A: They’re really just standing there, like cows waiting for slaughter.
William is just a bit too excited. Life hasn’t slapped him enough.
If he makes it out alive, I don’t think we will see him smirking on a battlefield ever again.
C: Oh, William is about to experience war for real now.
M: William seems awfully excited to be there. Has he figured out this isn’t a game yet?
M: Hammond looked intense there for a second. He had to break it up with a bit of tomfoolery.
Rachel? I didn’t get the feeling she was interested in William at all. I think she sensed he was … unseasoned?
A: I feel that way too, Marva.
But I guess he’s stuck on her.
C: I’m not surprised to hear William likes Rachel.
He was sweet with her when they parted.
A: Well life just slapped William. Shit’s real now.
C: Oh damn, Sandy is out at the gate!
M: Oh no! I kind of liked him, an 18th century version of “Goose” from Top Gun.
A: So they just stand there while shots are being fired? They aren’t taught to load while ducking? Ain’t no way.
C: It’s getting real for William now, I bet.
M: Why aren’t these people ducking and running? They are sitting ducks!
I mean I’m not on their side and all. But shesh!
A: At least William ducked. I wonder if we will switch to the Rebels perspective. I want to know who fired at Sandy.
M: What did you say, Ayana?
William learned…
C: I don’t think he knows what to do.
A: Oh good, William pushed though. Fraser is a sitting duck on top of that horse.
William has learned.
M: I don’t want this for William. I don’t want this for anyone. Fueling his charge with fury at the death of his friend.
C: Can’t go back now, he’s in the thick of it.
A: I would not take a sword to a gun fight, but he is enraged now.
C: This is where I mute. I don’t like the sounds of war at all.
M: This is all awful.
A: William is going off. This is going to sit on him heavily.
C: Kill or be killed.
M: How to cure naivete in two easy lessons.
A: Wonder what woke Roger out of a dead sleep. He still has that chest just out in the open.
That can’t be shock and confusion on his face. He invited it to be tampered with.
C: Maybe they like looking at the chest so they want it in view at all times. LOL
M: The guide for time-travelers needs a whole chapter on security.
[V: Totally agree, especially since Roger told Rob they were renovating, meaning workers would be in and out of the house too.
Mandy’s scream made me jump.]
A: I need Roger and Bree to listen to their children faster. As they should realize, their children don’t go around just telling stories.
M: The connection between those kids is amazing, and a Godsend in this situation. I hope their connection will be explored more. I’d like to know more about it.
Jemmy’s gone? He’s gone!
C: Same Marva – there are levels to time travelers it seems.
He’s not here with me.
There were stones. They screamed at me.
A: Her mentioning the stones got them to finally move and believe her.
M: This is terrifying. Once Mandy touched her hand to her head, they knew it was serious.
That bad man took him.
C: Who might that bad man be I wonder?
A: I think they would be this trusting, but they would have at least called the sister to make sure it was okay for Jemmy to stay over. Rotary phone! I remember those.
C: That sleepover was a bad idea, wasn’t it?
Roger! It was Rob.
He lures her into a false sense of security.
He’s a bastard.
Jem isn’t with Bobby.
I just spoke to his mom.
And there was no movie.
There was no sleepover.
A: I think they would be this trusting, but they would have, at least, called the sister to make sure it was okay for Jemmy to stay over.
C: I said earlier, they have to have had previous sleepovers that’s why Bree okay’d it in the first place and didn’t think too much of it?
M: What on earth? Why would anyone do this? This is set in 1980. Would we trust a neighbor like this in our time? I think maybe we would!
A: Wonder if we will see a safe next episode.
C: Has Rob been sneaking in to read the letters?
M: Yeah, maybe keep those locked up starting now.
He [Buck] operates on two levels: as a plot device and a thematic link. He got Roger hanged, for starters (which opened a whole lot of follow-on in terms of the destruction and recovery of Roger’s self-image), and now is providing a sounding board and source of physical assistance in the search for Jem (personal redemption — a child’s life for a child’s life).
Meanwhile, there’s a lot going on about the nature of family ties and obligations: How important are the people in your family that you don’t know, and maybe never will?
A: Nightmare material right here. Not only does he have to wonder where his child is, but also when his child is as well.
M: I can’t believe he can even drive. He must be mad with worry. Poor Jem. What a nightmare.
C: Yup!
A: Why mention Geillis, she’s for sure going to pop up somehow.
M: How horrible. He must be worried that JEM is the blood sacrifice.
This is all horrible.
C: Right…I’d be thinking the same that he plans to use Jem as the human sacrifice.
A: I knew something would happen to Jem. This was what the title card represented.
M: Tufty shows up at an inopportune time.
C: Well, they didn’t see a body though, so that’s hopeful.
[V: This was a serious gut-punch for me when they showed his scarf.]
[V: The amount of extras they have this season is incredible.]
A: I am seeing a lot of Jamie in William.
C: Absolutely! It’s what Jamie would’ve done.
M: William sheds the coat like he’s shed his youth. William had my respect.
It’s deep enough I tell you.
And I tell you it is not!
These men died bravely.
And we did not retrieve their bodies from the field
only to see them pulled out of shallow graves
and devoured in the night.
We dig deeper.
M: Glory is a damn lie.
The British Army has weathered the storm,
as we knew we would.
Best army in the world. The victory and the glory is ours.
A: I agree, Marva.
C: William is not impressed.
M: I think William is wondering why they are celebrating when they won by the skin of their teeth.
A: I appreciate Fraser. William just lost a friend and can see no reason to celebrate. He also understands they barely won.
C: Right, exactly what is there to celebrate?
Well, William is (painfully, like everyone who goes to war) learning the real costs of war, in terms both of personal loss and general disillusionment—an army may have ideals, but seldom lives up to them. And seeing how the sausage is made…well, as the Brigadier observes, ‘You’re a different man, now.’
A: He looks so much like Jamie. They did a wonderful job with the casting of William.
“They send forth men to battle, but no such men return,”
so says Aeschylus.
C: In this moment, William had to grow up quickly.
You’re a different man now.
M: I think I will miss the old naive William. Poor thing.
“They send forth men to battle, but no such man return.
And home, to claim their welcome, come ashes in an urn.”
A: So much death.
C: Such is the reality of war.
M: Oh oh, these camera shots and music do not bode well…
A: Jamie better get up. We don’t have time for this.
C: I’d like to think Jamie has a few more lives to live.
M: Aw man… why?
Episode Rating (1-5 Shots)
We give this episode 5-shots (rounded up). It was was excellent and a wonderful addition to an exceptional S7. The introduction of Buck made the show interesting to watch and we also enjoyed the modern timeline scenes. This has been a great season.
The story is moving along at a good pace. It did not feel like a filler episode. We loved all the parts with Bree, Buck, and Roger. We were glad to spend some time in the eighties with their storyline. Jamie and Claire made their small scenes together meaningful and memorable. We have seen them in war and don’t need much time to spend there again. There were too many war/battle strategy scenes though. We also witnessed William transition from a naive teenager into a war-torn man that was needed. We are glad we spent the time experiencing the war from his point of view. He grew up in this episode.
We have four favorite scenes in this episode. One is when Hammond was shot and the scenes that followed. It was a turning point for William. This leads to the second, we enjoyed William’s scenes, especially the battle. We appreciate seeing his personality and character develop. The camera loves him! The third scene, of course, was with Roger and Bree. Their hot eye scene was…hot. We love us some Roger. The last favorite were Buccleigh’s scenes. He is our way of seeing what Jamie would be like in the future. We soaked that up!
Joss Agnew did a wonderful job with this episode. We got some nice aerial shots over the soldier in the woods before we saw Ian, and nice shots of the army camps. For one of us, directing is not something that she really notices. However, what stood out is how the battle was shot. We appreciated staying in William’s point of view for most of it.
The cinematography was outstanding as always. This show does a great job of highlighting where they are and the scenery. The scenery is just as much a character in Outlander and the wonderful cinematography is the main reason why. Since they work with the director, again the camera over the soldier in the woods before we saw Ian, and the shots of the army camps were memorable.
All of the actors’ performances were done well. However, overall standout goes to Chris Fulton. His portrayal of Rob Cameron is pulling off companionable creepy really well. You buy just enough of his story, but you know something is up. We also liked Charles Vandervaart’s performance throughout the episode. We come to like William a lot more after this episode.
Again, our favorite costume goes to . . . Roger MacKenzie in his KILT!!! He got us all hot eyes looking at him. More please!
LOOKING FORWARD
What we are looking forward to in S7 Epi8 – Turning Point.
Ayana: Jamie has to be okay. I will accept nothing else. I look forward to seeing the changes this battle has brought upon William. I hope Jemmy is found safely. I want to check in with Rachel and Denzell too. Follow Ayana on Twitter – @Ayana80Smith.
Caty: The cliffhangers with which we were left. Jamie on the battleground with Claire coming to his rescue and Roger looking for Jem. I am looking forward to seeing some old faces again. Follow Caty on Twitter –@catyposh.
Marva: I’m hoping Jamie is okay too! I hope they find Jemmy and Roger gives Cameron one of his beat downs before Bree pulls out her rifle – okay… never mind. All the violence in the episode might have me a bit revved up. Follow Marva on Twitter – @mjsol.
Outlander S7 Epi8 – Turning Point
~ Video via STARZ
Synopsis:
Jamie fights in the pivotal Second Battle of Saratoga; Roger and Brianna search for Jemmy.
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