Blacklanderz Convos!

Outlander S4 Epi10 – The Deep Heart’s Core

Written by Luke Schelhaas | Directed by David Moore

C: I love a good fire and thought the title card was their home fireplace and immediately felt a sense of warmth. Then, it moved on to show it was actually a distillery fire – still warmth but a different kind (better kind).

[V: It is funny you said that. I also thought it was in the cabin.]

This conversation is between Blacklanderz Cathy, Alaina and Tyrese. Arranged and edited by Vida. [For those who don’t know, I also interrupt at times – just because.]

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SECRETS | IDENTITY | DIFFICULT CHOICES | FAMILY

Cathy: After the warmth of Epi9, the harsh events that unfolded due to secrets kept then revealed, was heartbreaking.  Bree is settling into her identity and that of her baby, while Roger’s life takes a drastic turn when his identity is mistaken for another.  Difficult choices were made in the name of family – to maintain one, to restore one, to create one.

TOUGH DECISIONS | RECKONINGS | REVELATIONS | HEARTACHE

Alaina: This was a tough episode for me, as I tried to find someone to blame for all the heartache. As Brianna struggles with what has happened to her, everyone around her has been given bits and pieces of the truth. So many lies and secrets were whirling around that needed to come to light. When they finally did, we see this amazing family structure begin to crumble.

Roger’s journey seems like it is just beginning and it’s especially terrible because he’s in this situation because of a misunderstanding. He gets that one opportunity and stumbles upon the stone circle. I’m excited to see what Roger’s really made of in the coming episodes. All the while, the Frasers are making plans to retrieve him from the Mohawk.

SECRETS | MISCOMMUNICATION | GOOD INTENTIONS | IMPOSSIBLE

 Tyrese:  In this episode, we see the ramifications of what it means to keep secrets and the result of miscommunication. If Brianna had decided to disclose, or allow Claire to disclose, who it was that raped her, what happened to Roger may have been avoided.

Ultimately, it was Lizzie’s good intentions that led to her friend’s heartache. Now everyone is facing a seemingly impossible task. Claire, Jamie and Ian are venturing the impossible task of finding Roger; Bree with her impossible undertaking of having a baby in the 18^th century as an unwed woman.

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A: I love the set design for Fraser’s Ridge. It instantly immerses you into this world. I love that Jamie isn’t going to just let Bree be. It’s a shame that everyone is keeping secrets and just lying about this huge elephant in the room. Lizzie’s entrance there has to mean something. Seeing her gave me a visceral reaction… I’m annoyed!

Ty: I also love the way they’ve interpreted Fraser’s Ridge. The isolation is idyllic. And, I agree. Lizzie walking around in the background is sort of symbolic in this moment where they are alluding to Brianna’s rape.

C:   Lizzie has some ‘splaining to do’! Earlier in the scene, I love how Jamie looks a Bree with such love and appreciation. I am still struck by their resemblance – brilliant casting.  But then LIE#1…When Jamie tells Bree how he hurt his hand. I think this comes from a place of protection not malice, so it’s easy to forgive especially since it skirted the truth. LIE#2…When Bree says she doesn’t know the man who raped her. Still protective and understandable, but seems bigger since was blatant when asked a direct question.

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In Jamie’s time, women got married earlier and certainly having a child out of wedlock or having sex with someone out of wedlock — in our more liberal culture, it’s a little more rare to get married to someone you haven’t been intimate with. But for someone like Jamie, it’s just not done in his time. That doesn’t make him a Neanderthal, he’s just a product of his time. ~ Maril Davis

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A: I’d been waiting to see this conversation between Brianna and Jamie brought to the screen. It must have taken guts for Bree to start this conversation. She’s nothing but the worst. Jamie’s reassuring Brianna that he doesn’t think it’s her fault would probably be a rare reaction in that time, but you’re quickly reminded of when and where they are when he insists that she be married.

Ty: This scene (and this episode, to be honest) is difficult for me. I am not the biggest Brianna Randall fan. I am working on giving her the benefit of the doubt, but she is so irrational and headstrong, to a fault sometimes, that I want to throw my shoe at her.

A: You can almost see Jamie’s decision here to show her rather than try to explain that it wasn’t her fault. His words hurt ME listening to him build up to what he’s trying to show her. To see him grab her like that is so tough! I just really feel for Bree here. I think she got the point, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

Ty: I am sympathetic. I know that I would’ve been thinking the same thing, “Did I fight enough? I could’ve stopped it. Will Roger want me?” All are part of the grieving and recovery process of dealing with trauma. I am not a fan of how Jamie handled it though. He is coming from a place of having lived with his own trauma for a while. It feels unfair that he is not allowing his daughter to grapple with her feelings in her own way. I think there was a better way for him to help.

I could break your neck, right here
and now. I could take yer life, if
I wanted to. Could ye stop me?

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There were a lot of conversations about the moment where Jamie “fights” Brianna to prove that she couldn’t have done anything to stop her attacker. It’s a shocking, iconic and powerful moment in the book and we wanted to get it perfect—Jamie realizing that this extreme measure is the only way to get Brianna to see the truth. We discussed it amongst ourselves, and with the actors, and then we rehearsed it well in advance of the shoot. As always, when you go from page to screen, you have to make it work visually. I think in the end, we got it right.

~ Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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C: How difficult would it be to ask your father, if he hated you.  What if he said, yes? Then what?! I know this is a touching scene, and I know I should be paying attention to the dialogue. But, all I could think was, “Damn Jamie’s hot!” Then, reality set in with the best example of fathering possible.  A brave move on Jamie’s part.  He understands what it means to be violated and the post-traumatic stress so easily triggered, yet he man-handled his daughter to make a point. How do you come down from that, even once the point is made?

A: To see them talk about Jack Randall just brings everything back and it’s painful. They were both trying to find an end to their suffering so I completely understand the urge to want to kill Bonnet. It’s troubling of thinking about Brianna going after him! I don’t want her to get hurt!

C: It took a while to recover just watching; and then before I could recover, Bree asked about Jack Randall. I almost passed out from holding my breath. Just so brilliantly acted.

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There is a really lovely moment coming with Jamie of all people, who also has undergone his own assault at the hands of Black Jack [Tobias Menzies], who is the one to say, ‘It really wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have done anything. It’s a really wonderful scene that is also in the book that Jamie is the one who has to physically put his hands on her and show her. We questioned whether or not we could show that scene on TV or not, like how would that come across? ~ Maril Davis

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Ty: Did she really have to bring up Randall? I know she’s curious. Here is the thing that kills me about Brianna. She will bring up all these painful topics with him, yet she wants to spare his feelings and not tell him about Bonnet? I don’t understand her.

Ty: Also, goodness, the sunlight on Sam’s face in this shot. Goodness! He is an EN-TIRE snack this episode.

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A: The Mohawk costumes are incredible! Poor Roger! I can just tell that they’ve been going for days and he’s barely hanging on. But, he still has the strength to stand up for others.

Ty: Roger and those damn culottes. My thing is though, depending on what the Mohawk intended for Roger and the other guy, why would they have them walking behind them and possibly wasting the investment they just made. We know that there were many native tribes that purchased, sold and owned slaves.

We don’t know for what purpose the Mohawk bought Roger, however, we do know that the intention was to keep him alive. It’s a waste to then have him treading through the woods and possibly dying. Which then plays into stereotypes about native peoples and so-called savagery.

C: I noticed the costumes also, especially the red coat worn by British officers. A carry over from the French-American war possibly?  Poor Roger’s looking rough. As much as I love Rik’s acting, I’m having a hard time getting emotionally invested in Roger. I’m hoping that changes in time. I live in the Carolinas and would think each scene was filmed right here. It makes sense that so many Scots stayed – it looks like home.The music! The drums and flutes – Bear has outdone himself. If it hadn’t been for the music, the initial scene (men in a line riding horses) would have seemed long and meaningless, but instead was transformed into one with depth.

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As is often the case, in post production, we rethink the pacing and placement of scenes. At some point it was decided that we needed to see Roger earlier in the episode, so a lot of this stuff comes much earlier than it did in the script.

~Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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A: Beautiful cinematography here and the landscapes are amazing. I want to know the rest of the story about Sapling and Flint!

C: Sitting around a fire and telling stories of their past are such a universal activity and has been a common thread throughout the seasons – remember Rupert? I like that Indian customs and stories are being included and not just being used as window dressing.

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Our First Nations actors were so fantastic. They had to learn all of this Mohawk dialogue phonetically, as none of them were actually speakers of the Mohawk language. They did an amazing job.

~ Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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A: Roger’s always been analytical and smart. He’s keeping his wits about him and making plans to escape and get back to Bree. Always thinking…

Ty: It’s nice to see that he hasn’t given up. Maybe it’s futile, but it’s at least necessary. He doesn’t give up easily when it comes to Brianna. He followed her through the stones when he didn’t have to, when she expressly said, “don’t follow me through the stones.” But also, if he gave in to the situation, then he would have to admit to himself all the mistakes he’s made from day one. And, I don’t know if he (or Brianna) is capable of doing that.

C: He is smart and tougher than he looks.  When he said “I can’t die like this. Not here, not now…” the tears started.

I’m going to escape. I’m going to get back to my wife.

You’re going to need a longer string.

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A: It kills me that they’re having this conversation. But it’s real… Claire is probably the only person that could do this for Brianna. My heart breaks for both of them that they even have to consider something like this. Sophie plays it so well. She barely says anything, but her reactions are really on point. I loved that Claire continues to affirm Bree that both her and Jamie wanted her and loved her from the start. That was in doubt for Bree in the past. The fact that Bree has hope that the baby could be Roger’s brings me so much hope and I sighed with relief.

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This idea that you can take a baby through the stones when you’re pregnant, but possibly not when the baby is in your arms, is a really interesting and important idea for our series—that you couldn’t be sure a baby would make it through because you wouldn’t know for certain that they could time travel. I remember reading that in the book and realizing I’d never even thought about it before but it was eye-opening—and of course it makes Brianna’s decision here really urgent.

~Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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C: What I saw in this scene was a doctor compartmentalizing. Having a matter-of-fact conversation about a “fetus” and not her grandchild. Only getting emotional when comparison was made between Bree’s decision and Claire’s situation.  This scene would have been the perfect place to have the line from the book where Claire explains what they call people who use the withdrawal method – parents.

Ty: As Claire discusses performing a possible surgical abortion for her daughter, I wonder if she has a moment here where she thinks of Faith, her and Jamie’s first child. The baby came to mind as I imagined what performing an abortion, such as what she is describing here, would actually be like.

She has seen and handled almost everything, but holding a tiny baby in her hands, her grand baby, would not only be traumatic for Brianna, but traumatic for her as well considering the loss of her first child. Though, for me, the question is a reasonable one. What Brianna has to ask herself is whether or not she can love a child born into this world from a place of such hate?

C: The cabin! When they hug and the scene pans out, the richness in the wood and cloth are breathtaking.

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A: Bree’s theme song is so beautiful. They did such a good job with this piece of music!!

[V: It really is a nice theme. It was also sweet how he glances at her and she smiles back at him.]

A: Ian’s costume is perfect for him!

A: Jamie knows his nephew and sees the stars in his eyes when Brianna comes around! Also kind of weird conversation about cousins, but I guess I understand it was something done at the time. Bree’s not having it though!

C: The costumes make me forget Bree is from the 1960s. She doesn’t seem like a fish out of water. And Ian is so cute – all googly for Bree. I wonder how Lizzie feels about that?

Ty: It’s funny that Ian would be so smitten with her given that he also admires Jamie so much. It’s weird because she is so much like her father.

C: This is my favorite conversation of the whole episode. Bree and Jamie watching Claire in her garden. So much was packed into a short bit of time, but in no way seemed rushed.

She seems at peace here, doesn’t she?

Ty: I think it’s nice for her to see Claire in a state of peace. I wonder, if in their 20^th century life, whether or not she saw her mother in any real state of happiness. She said in a previous episode that she was always off in her own world. I hope that she knows that the world Claire was in was right there with Jamie and that she can see what it means to finally be content in life.

Oh, aye. She’d grow roots there if
she could. In her wee garden . . .

A: I can feel his guilt here and I loved her reassurance that she came to find him just as much as to find Claire. That warmed my heart.

You must think it’s my fault she left ye. After all
that’s happened to you coming here to find her —

C: He doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions.  There’s more to bravery than being a soldier.

No. I’m glad she did.
And, I came here to find you, too.

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A: Seeing everyone peacefully coexisting is so special and I love that they are all working together . . .

trading with their neighbors, and sitting down for lovely family meals.

While that’s all beautiful, I know there’s trouble coming!

Ty: Life on the ridge can be beautiful.

But, if you are an Outlander fan, you know that anytime you get these brief montages of peace, things are about to blow up.

C: I loved seeing everyone settled into what is clearly now their home.

Yes, calm before the storm.

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A: I use to fold sheets with my mother like this and it brings back memories. I love the way that Claire’s trying to cheer her up with talk of their own time. Cheeseburgers, PB & J sandwiches, and aspirin are definitely things that I take for granted! Toilets that flush!!! Imagine….

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Another favorite scene. Cait and Sophie loved playing these moments together as mother and daughter and I love how this scene turned out. Of course, the loveliness of this moment belies the earth-shattering revelations that are about to come in this episode. It was important for us to find moments where we see Brianna struggling with the trauma of what happened to her in Wilmington but it was also important to find moments of simple pleasure and rest—especially in the company of her mom. Led Zeppelin’s eponymous first album came out in 1969—after Claire went back through the stones and before Brianna came after her. Perfect timing for it to be referenced in this scene. The burger place Claire mentions—Carmi’s—is a nod to STARZ president of programming Carmi Zlotnik.

~ Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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C:  I could hear my daughter’s voice in this scene. If I had a dollar for every time she’s told me, “You’re such a doctor”, I could retire.  Yes, aspirin; but since it’s from bark, I’m surprised Claire doesn’t already have an alternative. I was surprised Claire didn’t say “hot showers”, then remembered the bath scene. If given a choice…

Ty: Seeing Cait and Sophie side-by-side and across from one another, I wonder who they had cast first, Sophie or Richard. I say that because both Cait and Sam are tall and Sophie is much shorter than they are. Had they considered an actress who was built more like Brianna’s biological parents, but maybe went with Sophie because they had already hired Richard, who is not tall? Physically, she matches Richard, but not so much when you compare her to Sam and Cait.

What would I miss if I had to leave the convenience of the 20^th century for the 18^th? I think central air, plush mattresses; and I agree with them, toilets that flush!

[V: I don’t know who was hired first, but Richard isn’t short; he’s 6’0”. Sophie is only a few inches shorter than Cait.  I think she is 5’7″ or 5’8″. And, wouldn’t you miss your freedom? LOL]

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A: This dream sequence breaks my heart! To see Roger and Bree together again made me instantly smile. And to see Bonnet’s face just kills me! He’s the absolute worst. I couldn’t imagine what she’s going through. Constantly reliving those horrible moments in her dreams.

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The idea for this dream came late in the writing process. We wanted to show that Brianna was still struggling with the rape in a visceral way. Sophie plays that lingering trauma powerfully, but we also wanted to show visually what it is she’s going through. It was also a reminder of Jamie’s nightmares in Season 2 after his rape by Black Jack Randall. That moment where Roger turns into Stephen Bonnet is a shocking moment—a visual trick conceived by our fantastic director David Moore.

~ Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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C: The predictability of having Roger become Bonnet took away from its impact a bit for me. Then remembered they did the same with Jaime, Claire, and BJR. Rehash? Or a genius parallel?

Ty: I think the repetition is lazy writing in some ways. Is there not another way to present she is torn? It made sense with BJR because he was such a psychological manipulator. He made Jamie believe that it was Claire in the room with him at some points. But, it’s easier to write a dream scene to express her guilt toward Roger (although the first thing she says to him when she sees him is, “I knew you wouldn’t leave me.” Like hold up, what about, “I’m sorry that I told you to go”?).

A: I’m glad she has Lizzie, but I’m still so frustrated with her. At the same time, it’s not solely her fault. Everyone has a part to play in what went wrong with Roger. All of this could have been avoided.

Ty: Finally, Lizzie tells her what happened. Honestly, I would’ve lost my mind on Lizzie. If I were Brianna, I’d be like why didn’t you say something to ME before saying something to Jamie?

[V: I’m with you on that, Tyrese. I’d really be pissed at her for not telling me first.]

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We needed a way for Brianna to learn the truth, that Jamie beat Roger and sent him away. We used this scene as a vehicle for Lizzie to tell her, but since Jamie had ordered Lizzie in Episode 409 to “speak nothing of this to my wife and daughter,” we had to justify Lizzie telling Brianna because she was so worried about Brianna’s violent nightmares that Lizzie wants badly to soothe and reassure Brianna and thus reveals the truth. I love how the truth slowly dawns on Brianna here through her confusion.

~Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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Aye, good. The next batch is
almost ready for a taste – Tom
Burley’s already requested a cask.

A: Bree is so much like both of her parents.

I can understand her anger here and the need to get answers.

Where’s Roger?

It’s interesting to see Bree command this room. She’s going to get to the bottom of this.

Lizzie told me that Roger came here and Jamie beat him.

[V: Jamie looked at Lizzie like, ‘I thought I told you not to say anything to my wife and Brianna about this.’]

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We talked about how interesting it was that Jamie and Claire are so loyal to each other and there’s no one that can get in the way of that, but what happens if Claire’s daughter comes back? This is your child and you have certain loyalties to your child that supersede even your loyalty to the love of your life. ~ Maril Davis

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I thought Roger went . . . back.

A: Murtagh’s feeling a bit uncomfortable and needs some fresh air!

So did I, but he didn’t.
Did he? What did you do to him?

Ty: Murtagh was like “I’m out!”

C: For someone who always wants to know what’s going on, he was out! I guess one angry Fraser is bad enough, but three?

Your hand.

He stays. He was involved in this too.
Weren’t you, cousin?

A: Jamie’s mouth is crazy. I would’ve slapped him too! But Bree, like her father, is quick with the comebacks and can say things just as hurtful.

Ty: I agree, Alana. I wish everyone had just said, “Bonnet raped her.” or “Bonnet raped me.” But, alas, how else would they have made her brutalization into a plot point?

I was violated, you self-righteous
bastard! By someone else!
You beat up the wrong man.

C: Another scene where I held my breath.  Poor Jamie; To watch Claire seem to side with Bree while she insults him.  He must feel ganged up on. Daaaayum – Rocky Randall. Girl’s got a right hook.

Ty: Ok, but Brianna calling Jamie a “savage,” though…that was a low blow. She acts like she wasn’t only a few days ago talking about how she wanted to kill Bonnet.

I’ll make it right – – my word as yer father —

My father would never have said the things you said to me.

He was a good man. You’re nothing but a savage.

If it wasna Roger, then — who?

A: Claire shouldn’t have kept that secret from Jamie. I think she should have made Brianna see reason and the importance of telling Jamie. But, I guess I get it at the same time. She wanted to protect her daughter’s secret.

Him.

Bonnet.

Yes. Now where the hell is Roger?!

. . . wi’ the Mohawk. I sold him to the Mohawk.

A: And now, Roger’s with the Mohawk and Bree’s beating everybody up! Is Lizzie going to catch them hands next?!

You sold him?

C: And poor Ian, had no idea what’s coming. How did Lizzie get out scot-free? (no pun intended).

Ty: I do have to admit that I laughed when she punched Ian. Now, they’re really cousins. I got into so many fights with my cousins growing up.

No, you don’t get to me more angry than me.

A: I appreciate the show giving us a clear understanding how far the Mohawks really are. In the books, I felt like I didn’t really have a grasp on the distance at this point.

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A: Aww, it’s really sad that this man didn’t make it. I feel for Roger here. He must feel so helpless. He’s all alone now.

C: How utterly lonely he must feel.

I guess he’s growing on me after all.

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A: “It’s said that they adopt folk into their tribe in order to replace those that are killed or die of sickness.” Hmm… That necklace is gorgeous. You can see Bree’s disgust with Ian here, but he recovers! I love Murtagh’s little glances throughout! I understand her anger, but Jamie and Ian are trying to make it right!

Ty: Again, back to my comment above, if the Mohawk had plans to adopt Roger and the other guy into their tribe, then why would they not take care of them? I’m not talking about anything extravagant, but it would make sense to have them treat Roger and the other man with some sort of concern for their well-being. The way this is portrayed, at least in the beginning of the episode plays into stereotypes and it bothers me. Common sense would dictate that if you pay for something or someone, you are going to treat it like a possession. And most people do not drag their possessions around in the dirt.

C: Poor Ian looks so hurt. He wants his cousin to like him and he knows he’s screwed up. This whole scene was well acted; and for the first time I realized, I wasn’t distracted by Sophie’s American accent. Her acting is on point, though, and has been for most of the season.

Ty: Her being angry with Ian is annoying. How was he supposed to know what was going on? He was the least involved with this out of everyone.

A: I jumped with joy when Bree confirmed that she’s keeping the baby.

It shows her love for Roger, her maturity and her love for her unborn child, regardless of who the father is.

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They don’t know about the other stones in North Carolina. They would have to go all the way back to Scotland and use those stones. And, that’s a three to four-month journey. So, when Claire says, ‘Brianna, you would have to go now,’ they’d be still cutting it close. And, thankfully Bree decides not to go and stay there. We’ll see what happens. ~ Matthew B. Roberts

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Ty: Brianna said, “We’re all going,” and Murtagh looked at her like, “nah son.” LOL!

C: He volunteered to take Bree to River Run awfully quickly – hmm (go ‘head M – get your freak on, Silver Fox).

Godfather to the rescue.  This reminds me how fierce and formidable Jamie and Murtagh are when together. I love the way Murtagh looks at Bree with the same love and warmth as Jamie and Claire, but Ian – poor Ian – is a clueless idjit.

Ye told me he’d gone back . . . how was I to know? And ye knew it was Bonnet and said naught to me – –

A: We don’t see Jamie and Claire at odds too often anymore, so it’s interesting to see it here. It’s sad!!

You told me you punched a tree.

C: I still don’t understand her reaction to Jamie fudging the truth. Did she think she had the moral high ground, since it was Bree’s secret she was keeping?

No, you said that. I let you believe it.
I didna tell ye as I didna want
ye thinkin’ the man could come so
close to hurting her again. Claire —

 

A: Oh no Jamie; no good can come of tracking down Bonnet. It’s not going to be as easy as you all think.

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We were originally planning to have the Mohawk warriors throw Caleb’s body into the river, but we learned through talking to representatives of the Mohawk nation that they revere water and would never intentionally place a dead body in it. We went to great lengths to achieve authenticity in our depiction of the Mohawk and Cherokee people—from their customs, to their dress, to their language and stories—on down to things like hand gestures and social practices.

~ Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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A: Roger looks done in here. Still, he’s able to keep his sense of humor.

C: I’m glad they showed at least one of the Mohawk being (relatively) compassionate. I found the multiple scenes of Roger being dragged along, a bit boring though – simply too slow to watch at midnight and expect to stay awake. Well, until he fell down the hill and all I could think was – wrist fracture and rotator cuff tear. Whatever it takes to stay in the story lol.

Ty: Right, no injuries is just like bad guy aim…you just have to suspend disbelief. I agree. They needed something to happen in those scenes that made the stakes higher. Seeing him dragged along is one thing, but we don’t know what lies at the end of the road. If during those scenes they said what they planned for him, then maybe the dragging could have had some purpose.

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A: It’s scary to think that they’ll be gone for so long. Claire has to be there when the baby’s born! Claire confirming what to tell Roger is important. Let’s not have any more miscommunication. The OPAL is around Claire’s neck now!!! This should be interesting….

C:  They made it so obvious that Claire has the opal. I can’t help but wonder if she will encounter the standing stone.

A: Oh no, Ian! Don’t do it! He really put himself out there only to be called an idiot. Aww, poor Ian!

Cousin, for my part in this calamity,
I want ye to know, if we dinna find him  . . .

I would be honored to take yer hand
in the holy sacrament of marriage
and to care for the —

Ty: I love Ian. Lizzie probably saw him bow down and was like, “Oh no, now I’ve ruined everything.”

Get off yer knee, ye idjit.

I will find him, lass. I wilna
rest until I do. Ye have my word.

A: Brianna’s so angry with Jamie and it breaks my heart.

Ty: He knows that she is never going to forgive him until he brings Roger back. It’s not only a search to bring Roger back, but a recovery mission to bring his daughter back to him (again) as well.

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A: Roger is fading fast. I couldn’t imagine. Yikes, that’s a scary drop-off, especially for someone so unsteady on their feet.

Only a few sips of water… that’s it!

And there he goes! Gosh, that looks painful. I don’t know where he got the strength to run, but I’m glad he had it in him. I don’t know if I would’ve made it.

[V: I was thinking the same thing, Alaina. But you never know. If you fear for your life, adrenalin will kick in.]

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So much fun to conceive of this sequence. So much fun to write. So much fun to scout these locations and plan this complicated shoot. So much tension and excitement and pain and fear and hope…

I wrote this whole sequence in my mother and father-in-law’s spare bedroom in Sun City, AZ, looking out at cacti and roadrunners. I love how this episode ends. I hope you do too.

~Luke Schelhaas, Outlander Community

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C: I just couldn’t get excited about this. I fast forwarded through. I find the dialogue and interaction between characters the best part of this episode. So without it, it fell flat.

Don’t kill him.

Ty: Again, suspension of belief. Ok, Roger didn’t break a bone? Dislocate his shoulder? Why would he shoot him? Again, why would you buy something just to kill it? Stop playing into racist stereotypes!!!

C: The music is the only thing that saved it for me. I also liked how they spoke in their language without subtitles.  I sometimes feel like subtitles make the characters “other than” when translated – Gaelic, Cherokee, or Mohawk.

Ty: The chase scene was pretty. Actually, the cinematography in this entire episode is brilliant. I love the lighting in these scenes.

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A: Brianna’s theme music is literally perfect! I get the feels every time I hear it. But, unfortunately we’re back to River Run. Obviously, it gives me the creeps.

C: As much as I listen to the music, I’ve never made the connection between certain music and Bree.  What I DID notice, was her trying to acknowledge each slave she encountered and that she noticed each and every one. It clearly bothered her, but not enough to refuse to stay at River Run though. I wonder if she’s thinking about her friend Gayle.

Ulysses – smoooooove.

A: Ulysses is back, and Phaedre, so that’s always a welcome surprise!

Ty: I wonder if Claire prepped Brianna about the slaves off screen. I hope she did. I think it will be even harder for Bree to become accustomed to plantation living considering her roommate and her feminist leanings; however, she really has no choice at this point.

A letter, Mistress, from your
nephew. Written in his own hand.

A: Very cool to see Jocasta and Murtagh’s interaction. I want to hear all the stories about Murtagh and Ellen; I need to know!

It says “This letter is carried to
you by my godfather Murtagh Fitz—”

C: He’s got game! Next episode . . . How Aunt Jocasta Got Her Groove Back!

Murtagh? Is that you?

Ty: She is like, “Heeyyy, Boo.”

‘Tis.

He better be careful though. She has gone through a good number of husbands…

Blessed Bride. Come closer.

Och, aye. I’d know those hands

anywhere. They told ye, no doubt,

that my eyes have long failed me?

Brianna. Jamie and Claire’s daughter from Boston.

A: That look on Ulysses face as Bree is telling her story to Jocasta . . .

That I am with child and unmarried. It asks you to
look after me, despite the mark this may bring to your good name . . .

Oh, my sweet girl, come here, come close to me.

Of course ye may stay wi’ us.

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A: I hear the buzzing! I can’t take this!

Well, would you look what Roger found! He can’t believe it either.

Oh, my God.

And he still has the gemstones. I bet he’s glad he asked for those instead of cash.

I can feel his inner conflict and it breaks my heart. I don’t know if I’d be thinking that hard about it, if it were me. I love Bree and everything but…

Ty: Look, if I were him, I would clutch my pearls (or my rubies, in this case) and jump through the stones. Brianna has done nothing but give him heartburn and a busted face. GO HOME, ROGER!

C: Well, we know Roger doesn’t go through to stones. But, is it because he changes his mind, or because he’s discovered and stopped?

Ty: But of course, you know he’s not going. He has two stones for a reason.

What will he decide?

A: And, we have to wait until next week to see what happens! Ugh!

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Episode Rating (1-5 Shots)

We give this episode 3.5-shots! This episode was not as strong as previous episodes were.

We were a little split with this episode. For some, all the actors, specifically Sophie and Sam and Caitriona, did a fantastic job showing their individual perspectives and making the audience feel that each made the right decisions. These performances made it tough to choose whose side to be on and who to be upset with. For another, the acting was not the stand out in a given scene. It was the words, the set, or the music that was the most interesting.

We loved seeing the Mohawks. Their costumes were fantastic, and we especially loved the use of their language and oral history tradition. On the one hand, it made some of us feel like they took some effort to have as much authenticity as possible. On the other hand, for another, the scenes with Roger and the Mohawk were frustrating in their promotion of illogical racial stereotypes pertaining to native people. The show did not put in more than a cursory thought about how the Mohawks may have treated Roger. It felt as though they were using these so-called “savages” to play the role of ‘heathen bad guys’, rather than to think through what their motivations might have been.

Though we try not to compare the show and the book, one of us thought the depiction of the Mohawks in the book was bothersome and there was hope the show would do a better depiction. And, she wonders why Gabaldon did not put more thought into these things as well. It was as if someone just watched Last of the Mohicans and stole aspects of the plotline because it was easier than sitting down and thinking it through.

We also enjoyed the cinematography and lighting in this episode. Some of the scenes put us there in the woods and on Fraser’s Ridge with the characters. The music is always exceptional, and we appreciate how Bear is not only talented, but also respectful. He respects music, its source, and the listener. Every time the music played, it moved us. It was beautifully placed, particularly Brianna’s theme song. Kudos to Bear McCreary!

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LOOKING FORWARD

What we are looking forward to in the upcoming episode.

Alaina: I’m really looking forward to see how Jamie and Claire make it through this rough patch, especially on the road for such a long journey. It will be interesting to see Brianna settling in at River Run. I also look forward to seeing how she interacts with Jocasta and how she’ll deal with life on a plantation. I can’t wait to see Billy Boyd as Gerald Forbes! And, Lord John Grey is back! He brings such light to every scene that he’s in; so I’m excited to see how he will play into the River Run storyline. I’m nervous about Murtagh’s mission and I’m praying that he stays safe!!! Follow Alaina on Twitter: @_alainaxm.

Tyrese: Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing how the producers and writers of the show have changed certain elements from the books for the series and predicting what will or what will not happen next. I am 100% certain that Murtagh and Jocasta are about to be a ‘thang‘ and I am SO here for it. I am also ready to see more about the Revolutionary War and how both Jamie and Murtagh get involved. Follow Tyrese on Twitter: @tylachelleco.

Cathy:  What am I looking forward to the most? Phaedra! (Lord John Grey, a close second). I’m excited that there will be adaptations that are not in the books; having that element of surprise is wonderful. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @DrkKnightingale.

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