Blacklanderz Convos! Outlander S4 Epi12

Blacklanderz Convos!

Outlander S4 Epi12 – Providence

Written by Karen Campbell | Directed by Mairzee Almas

This conversation is between Blacklanderz Cathy, Tqwana and Vida. Arranged and edited by Vida.

V: I liked that they had the Mohawks displaying some of their traditions in the title cards. It also showed how exquisite and detailed the set design of the village is. Jon Gary Steele and crew, once again, did an outstanding job! It is also an indicator that this episode will spend a great deal of time in the village. I also liked hearing the drumbeats and the flute. Bear always brings it with the music and makes it a character of the show.

C: I also liked the music and what it represents – each week is different, setting up the episode. What the title card showed was a community and nothing says “community” like sharing a drink. Vida, you’re right; Jon Gary Steele and his sets team knock it out of the park each scene in each episode.

T: The title card initially made me think of the Ridge and Jamie’s still. In a way, it shows a connection or similarity between the Indigenous people and the colonists. At the very least, we can all enjoy a drink. Those particular barrels of alcohol will be all too important later in this episode.

LOYALTY | REDEMPTION | RISK | BEAUTY

Cathy: Overall, I enjoyed this episode because of the cast of characters and the many representations of loyalty – Jamie to Bree; Lord John Grey’s to Jamie transferred to Bree; Fergus to Murtagh; Marsali to Fergus; Roger to his new friend, Father Alexandre; Father Alexandre to The Sacrament; Joheihon to Father Alexandre. Each had faltered in some way and through their loyalty redeemed themselves absolving them of guilt.

LOVE | DETERMINIMATION | FORGIVENESS | DEVOTION

Tqwana: I found myself surprised to really enjoy an episode that had no Jamie and Claire. The remaining cast carried the episode well, especially Richard Rankin, showing Roger’s anger, bitterness, and determination to be free again. His was the stand out performance this week, with Lauren Lyle’s and Sera-Lys McArthur’s as very close seconds. They epitomized devotion and love for their men, even if one of them didn’t necessarily deserve it. I loved the action of the jailbreak and the quieter, intense moments in the Mohawk village. And, it was nice to have an episode that was more evenly paced.

DETERMINATION | BRAVERY | PROVIDENCE

Vida: This episode was purely about determination. Roger’s determination to survive, and at one point, escape the hell he was in. Bree’s determination to free herself of Bonnet. Fergus and Marsali in freeing Murtagh. Father Alexandre in keeping his commitment to his faith and Johiehon’s in not allowing the father to die alone. For all the determination that each character showed, there also came bravery for them to carry out the acts needed for them to reach their goal.

Above all else though, was the providence on display in this episode with an overwhelming presence of religion and God. Although Jamie did not mention religion, we know he is a religious person and he did speak to it in reference to forgiveness and that of being concerned with Brianna’s soul. Roger, though he never really talked about it, was raised by Reverend Wakefield. There was little wonder that he prayed for God’s protection of the priest and that He would bring him comfort. And then there was Johiehon. I do not know if I could have left my child in the manner that she did. But, I am sure she felt that God or a supernatural power would protect her child once she was gone.

V: I hated seeing Roger get beat up. As I mentioned last week, he must think he is in the Twilight Zone. Gah!

C: “Poor Roger” seems to be on an unending loop. Seriously, when does it end for this guy?

V: And, what does that mean that he will remain captive? Do they view him as weak for not fighting back? If he had fought back, would they have freed him?

C: I saw it as Roger running the gauntlet and failing by falling and not getting back up. I think if he had managed to make it through, he would have been adopted into the tribe.

T: I have my issues with Roger, but what did they expect him to do after walking him hundreds of miles? There’s no way he was going to pass this test of theirs. Let the man rest his poor feet at least. Give him some water, a bite to eat to get his strength back. This is just too much.

This scene showing the gauntlet in the Mohawk village was written specifically for this episode, however, when we were watching Episode 411 in the editing room, we thought it would be a nice cliffhanger to start the gauntlet at the end of Episode 411 and end the episode with Roger in the middle of the gauntlet, not knowing if he makes it through or not. Thus, this episode picks up from the same moment with Roger mid-gauntlet and shows that he fails to make it through.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

Enhackonsah.

V: Wow, they surely do know how to give someone a nickname!

C: I like when they are speaking Mohawk without subtitles. It adds to the authenticity of the situation and takes us into their world. Yeah, but given everything they could have called him, he got off easy.

T: It also adds to the humor of the reveal later on about the meaning of his name. Poor Roger doesn’t know what it means, so the audience is in the dark as well.

V: I can’t believe Roger is still able to walk.

C: I’m surprised he isn’t a mumbling mess curled up in the fetal position.

V: There is Fergus. No, Murtagh will not be able to receive a fair trial. They’d better think of something quickly! I was just thinking that it was Fergus in the book who was standing trial in Wilmington. I am glad to see the changes made here and with Murtagh!

C: That’s what I liked best about this episode; Not knowing what was going to happen next because of the changes from the book. Anything that keeps Murtagh in the picture is a welcomed change – whew! Silver Fox.

T: The changes in this episode really did make it more enjoyable. Sometimes trying to be too close to the source material doesn’t produce an episode that flows naturally.

V: That was a determined look on his face. I am glad to see his confidence is building back up!

C: I find this Fergus too watered down. I miss the cheeky pickpocket. Fergus always looks scared and comes off as weak to me.

T: I miss cocky, snobby Fergus too. But, Marsali is good for his ego. I’m sure we’ll see it soon again. I love how she boosts his confidence.

V: David Berry brings a calming effect to his character and I love that about him.

C: Oh! Fine ass Lord John Grey in that suit that fits like a second skin. He’s such a gentleman. I can’t imagine what Bree would be going through without his stabilizing presence and lack of agenda.

V: I had the closed captions on when LJG showed up to give Bree the news of Bonnet’s arrest and it indicated ‘disquieting music’ was playing. Ironically, that is the least I saw from her when she heard the news.

C: I was curious as to what direction she’s given when shooting the scene, but then remembered from the books how she took after Jamie being able to hide her thoughts unlike Claire who couldn’t hide anything. I think I’m being generous though.

T: Sometimes I’m not sure what emotion she’s going for, but here I think she was trying to remain stoic and strong and hit it perfectly. You can see, or at least I could, when she falters. For once, I think that was deliberate on her part.

C: LJG, always the voice of reason.

T: He should be charging for his services at this point. That man is always saving the Frasers in some way.

C: I know that’s right! But love will do that.

V: That baby must be getting heavy to carry around. I noticed her struggling to walk or was it from the shock/relief that Bonnet had been captured?

C: I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it would be to be wearing a corset and being pregnant. I thought part of her reaction was having to face the reality of facing him rather than just the fantasy.

T: I always wonder at the damage wearing them while pregnant caused.

C: They’ve really stepped up Bree’s costume game. I guess living with a rich aunt has its perks.

V: Yes, it does. I noticed her costumes too. It is good that they didn’t mind sharing back then. I also noticed he had total resolve on her face when she says she wants to see Bonnet!

C: Lord John must think Brianna is cookoocachoo [crazy coo coo].

T: Or, he thinks she’s very much like her father.

V: I get that Bree wants his crime against her to be added, but LJG is right about it bringing shame to her. Once again, she is forgetting the era in which she is in.

C: Bree not understanding the effects of her rape being common knowledge seems like immaturity. Even today rape victim shaming is the norm.

T: I feel her frustration there though. Why should it matter? Why does she have to bear the shame of being violated? We’ve come a long way since then, but still have so far to go. Even in the 60s and 70s, Bree would’ve probably faced similar public shaming.

V: LJG is so funny . . . afternoon tea with a murderer!

C: I love LJG’s snark. It’s wonderful watching Bree and LJG bond. It is clear his love and concern for Jamie has transferred to Bree.

Daughter . . .

V: We finally get to read/hear what Jamie wrote her. I loved that they used Jamie’s voice over and the montage of them traveling to locate Roger.

I cannot say if I shall ever see you again.

My hope is that is shall be so
and that all will be mended between us.

C: I was so glad they read the letter in its entirety and using Jamie’s voice. It was beautifully written, but that he mentioned possibly not seeing her again was hard. I would think that Bree from the 1960s wouldn’t have been rewired to understand the inherent dangers of living in that time. Not only is there a chance she would never see Jamie again, but her mother. Somehow the gravity of that is lost.

I’ve been thinking about your
question of whether revenge would
heal the wrong done to you.

V: Listening to what he said to her, his rationale for it and Bear’s music that accompanied it had me in tears. It showed that he had thought not only about her and her situation, but also about how to answer her question about vengeance. That was some seriously sound, fatherly advice.

I advise you now, that you must not seek it.

T: I supposed Bree thought it would be another attempt to apologize to her and that’s why she didn’t read it for so long. That it was just Jamie being a father and passing along good advice shows that Jamie Fraser is still Jamie Fraser. He’s not going to grovel. He’s done his apologizing, now he’s going to be your dad. And I don’t think Bree would’ve be as open to forgiveness had it been.

For the sake of your soul, for
the sake of your own life, you must
find the grace to forgive.

C: David Berry does such a wonderful job with subtle mood changes without saying a word. His demeanor before he read the letter and after was a study in masterclass acting. He softened so perceptively.

Freedom is hard-won, but it is not
the fruit of murder.

V: He really is an excellent actor and perfect for that role.

Do not fear that he will escape vengeance.

C: I love voiceovers and the richness they convey. Jamie’s voice added so much, and I can only imagine how LJG felt reading a loving letter even if to someone else.

Such a man carries with him, the seeds
of his own destruction.

T: That voice over works. The others where Claire is just telling us what we can clearly see on screen is another story. I don’t miss those at all.

If he does not die by my hand, it
will be by another.

V: It really did. I am glad they are using less of her voice overs.

But it must not be by your hand.

Hear me for the sake of the love
I bear you.

Your loving father, James Fraser.

V: I also love how he signed it at the end. Though he did not mention it in the VO, he had added . . . Da! I was balling like a baby at that point!

T: They really should’ve included that.

I never said goodbye to him – – to Jamie.

V: It appears that Bree is coming to her senses when she mentions she never said goodbye. But, it irks me to no end that she is STILL calling him Jamie. Urrgh!

T: And it’s about time. I think I know where the writers are going with the repeated use of Jamie instead of Da or my father. I think the pay off will be worth it.

C: I don’t like the Jamie either, but I agree, it’s probably as a way to measure the change in their relationship later. When she calls him Da consistently, we’ll know they’ve bonded.

V: Well, I hope so. That would be special.

V: I am surprised she agrees with Jamie. I will admit that I am liking Sophie a lot more in these pasts few episodes. Guess she just needed some time to really get into her role, or is it playing off David that is making her a more likable Bree. Hmmm.

C: I think Lord John is having a good effect on Bree. Up until him, she really hasn’t spent much time with a man of this time who she can view a bit more objectively than Jamie. I think he’s helping her understand and navigate the times.

V: LJG did not really have a choice, but to help her. Did he?

T: Technically, as her fiancé, he does in fact have the choice. But, he’s too honorable to make it.

C: I get the impression that LJG is not as controlling as many men of that time, and that they share the bond of a secret and their connection to Jamie. At this point, he would do anything for Bree. Even when she asked to go, he mentioned his duty to the task he was given – his loyalty to Jamie comes through.

This scene shows that Brianna is finally taking her father’s advice and knows she has to try to get closure for her baby’s sake. We loved this sweet moment where John Grey asks to touch Brianna’s stomach. This is poignant for many reasons, chief among them is the fact that John Grey did not get to experience the birth of his son Willie, because he adopted Willie at age six.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

V: That was a sweet gesture that she allowed him to feel the baby kick. But, his comment that ‘he is real’ surprised me. Did he really need to feel the baby’s movement to know it was ‘real’?

T: I felt like Bree wanted to say “duh” to him. It just goes to show how little men knew about the ins and outs of pregnancy back then. John probably knew even less. Other than probably Minnie (who I really hope we get to see in this series), how many pregnant women has he been around?

C: I saw the “he is real” comment as an indication that the baby went from being abstract to requiring an emotional response to his presence. He seemed concerned about what watching an execution would do to the child, so he isn’t completely clueless.

V: I am loving this village and the time they gave to show the detailed intricacies of the design and all of the members in it.

C: There is never a misstep with the sets. Jon Gary Steele and his team are always on point. There are items that if not there, wouldn’t be missed, but create such depth.

V: I see Roger is still counting his days. I am glad they chose to have the Mohawk’s speaking in their native language and English, which shows they are intelligent people and not ‘savages’.

C: I’ve enjoyed watching Breaden Clarke’s nuanced performance as Kaheroton. It’s also very interesting to see Roger being treated essentially as a slave. He is a survivor if nothing else and seems to adapt to his role, almost.

V: And here, you have another member of the tribe, Johiehon, speaking French. And, she is a healer too? I love it!

T: I love how we get more depth and character development, finally. The Mohawk aren’t just plot devices and negative stereotypes anymore, though that is still an issue. And Johiehon has actual positive dialog with a member of the main cast, even if it is only to help Roger and come to his defense.

C: I was worried that the Cherokee in prior episodes and the Mohawk now, would be nothing more than window dressing or plot catalysts. Like you said Tqwana, there are real interaction and not just that of capture and the captured.

V: Oh Lord. Roger is about to get himself in trouble talking to her. But, she really is a beautiful baby. Damn Roger, are you crazy? Why did he feel it would be okay to ask her help to leave? Good grief.

C: Because he’s an idiot and because he thinks just because she speaks French, and gave him medicine, she’s sympathetic.

T: Ah yes, Roger’s flirtatiousness that’s always getting him in trouble. It’s not doing him any favors in this situation.

C: Testosterone, smh!

V: Too funny, Cathy. I am glad they finally provided their insight as to how they view Roger. I’d be like Kaheroton too and think he was dangerous since his own people sold him. In their mind, what other reason would they have for doing such a thing.

T: Yes! Again, now we have context for everything that’s happened. They see Roger as a possible threat, it isn’t just beating up this guy just to beat him up. Honestly, those questions should’ve been asked long before this. All those walking through the wilderness montages and we couldn’t take 10 seconds to get some of this before now?

C: “This man cannot be good”. That Kaheroton questions why Roger was sold to them by his own people, explains why he treated Roger as a possession, but also with some kindness which seems to be his true nature. I still think the initial beating when they arrived was to see if Roger was tough enough to join them.

V: Yeah, I believe you’re right. It just would have made sense for someone to explain it as a ritual.

V: I knew something more was there. So, he has a thing for Johiehon. She really is a wise woman.

C: Joheihon is beautiful and wonderfully acted. It didn’t occur to me until Joheihon responded to Katherothon’s concerns, that Roger would be considered dangerous.

V: Wow, LJG and Bree wasting no time getting to Wilmington. Again, close captions indicates ‘disquieting music’ is playing and I agree.

Bree looks anxious as hell being back there. She tries blaming in on being uncomfortable carrying the baby, but we all know what it really is. I guess, I can’t blame her.

T: She feels comfortable enough with him to admit it, at least. I’m sure he knew. But, of course is, too much of a gentleman to point out that he knows the real reason for her anxiety. I adore the line about memories.

C: I’m amazed by the realism of the set. You can almost smell the horse dung in the dirt (I have a preoccupation with how horribly it must have smelled in those days). Interestingly, the coachmen were white and not slaves (runaway risk?). One of the hostilities during that time was the poor whites against slaves; Why pay to have a job done, when there were slaves to do it.

V: That’s something to think about, but we’ve not seen any slaves in Wilmington. Perhaps LJG thought it unwise and decided to have white ones; or, it could be his status required it.

C: Ummmmm can we talk about how good Lord John looks jumping out of that coach? Damn!

V: Oh YES!! I loved that part. Dashing as e-v-a-h!

The baby is expected.

Memories are not. They simply come.

V: That was a tender moment about Claire, but funny as hell that LJG misses her too when he is ill. OMG, I love David Berry in this scene; he is so genuinely comforting to her. Obviously, Bree agrees!

C: Even though they are engaged, he’s a protective uncle. Bree probably hasn’t felt the protection of an English gentleman since Frank died. How could she not warm to LJG?

T: I absolutely agree with Bree! It’s impossible not to like Lord John. David Berry is just perfect. And easy on the eyes, which doesn’t hurt.

“You are impossible not to like” was one of our favorite lines. We are all such fans of the friendship between John Grey and Brianna, which we are playing somewhat warmer than is in the book. The actors have a natural chemistry and we look forward to writing more for these two!

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

V: Poor Roger could use some comfort right about now. Everything he does makes matters worse for him. They are all looking at him like something is wrong and he has no clue (nor do I) what it is.

C: I’m sure he’s not to speak unless spoken too, especially as a servant/slave to the Chief. But, I love how they show a man playing with the baby. The scene depict an ease with life and a sense of community.

V: OMG, what in the hell is going on? What’s wrong with Kaheroton? I know he did not like to see Johiehon smiling at Roger, but he looks like he is about to pummel him, right about now.

C: Maybe Kaheroton thinks Johiehon has a type, after all she had a baby with a French Priest.

V: Okay, thank you Johiehon for the explanation. Interestingly, they had me feeling like Roger and I guess that was the point. How would he have known of their customs and traditions, if no one told him.

V: Who is the Chief talking to when he says, You have learned nothing? I guess Roger, huh?

C: I think if Roger had learned their ways, he would have been absorbed into the tribe. As a historian, which blurs with archeology and sociology, you’d think he’d figure out how to fit in, unless he is so preoccupied with leaving to get back to Brianna, he never tries to fit in.

T: I was confused by that too. And exactly how much time has passed since Roger arrived in the village to actually have learned anything? The Mohawk are also at a disadvantage not knowing that Roger is a soft little history professor and not a man of their time. I doubt he’s done this much manual labor in his entire life.

V: I think you both are right. There is confusion all the way around. They think he is a regular white man of their time and Roger is only thinking about escaping and nothing more. He surely did not plan to stay there forever.

V: At least Kaheroton is trying to understand Roger and how he came to be in their village. Loyalty. Honor. A good indication of their values. But, he surely threw some shade when he told him he should not be smiling at Johiehon when his loyalty lies with another woman.

C: K was throwing shade with two snaps and a golf umbrella.

T: But is he wrong though?

C: Does Roger like biscuits? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

V: When they threw him in the hut, did anyone else hear Roger’s arm crunch when he fell? I felt that.

C: Based on where he put his hand when he got beaten up, and the sling suggests a clavicle (collar bone) fracture – VERY painful. The bone moves with each breath and any arm movement and the reason he grunted when putting wood on the fire. Falling with any part of his upper body hitting the ground, would have been excruciatingly painful. And yes, I heard the crunch.

V: I don’t think anyone has mentioned it before, but I find it interesting that Roger has felt more comfortable using MacKenzie as his surname, rather than Wakefield.

C: I noticed that. I wonder if that will cause more confusion later.

Much discussion took place in the writers’ room over the storyline involving Father Alexandre. The concern was that although the writers loved the priest’s storyline in the book, it’s difficult in the TV version to explore such a complex and involved arc involving a player who is not one of our central characters, thus the challenge was to show the effect of Father Alexandre’s predicament through the experience of Roger and explore how Roger’s story intersects with Father Alexandre’s. What does Roger witness and learn from the priest’s situation? The last line of the scene where Father Alexandre says he’s a prisoner because he “fell in love,” is where we start to show the audience that both men are struggling with their current situations, caused in part by affairs of the heart.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

C: Roger seems a lot tougher than when he started on his journey. And he mentions being beaten up and sold by who he now thinks is Brianna’s father. He must think Jamie attacked him because of something Bree said.

V: I was wondering that too. It will be interesting next episode, if all is explained. But, he can surely relate to being there because he fell in love just like Father Alexandre.

T: And both of them have been selfish in their love for these women.

C: I’d like to think I could love someone enough to go through all that when not knowing if they still loved me, but probably not. I would have been taking a hot shower in Edinburgh right about now.

V: So glad we are spending time with Fergus and Marsali. I love them and their chemistry.

C: She is one of my favorite characters and Lauren one of my favorite actors. For me, the wall color steals the scene. I am totally enamored with that wall color. It looks different during the day, but still just as spectacular…but I digress.

V: It’s okay. I am well aware of your fascination with wall colors. LOL

V: I love how happy she is that he is going to rescue Murtagh. She is so confident in her man. I absolutely love her!

T: She is a true ride or die, stand by your man, chick. She really loves her some Fergus and I’m here for all the scenes of the two of them together being all cute. The chemistry they want us to believe Bree and Roger have is so apparent with Fergus and Marsali.

When Marsali discovers Fergus embarking on a dangerous endeavor, we knew the expectation was that she would implore him to not put himself or their family at risk. However, our intention here was to subvert this expectation and show that Marsali, who’s quite spirited and a strong lady of her own merit, would back her husband and insist on taking part in his plan. Not only does she care about Murtagh, she desires to be a team with her husband. It’s a callback to Episode 313 when Fergus goes on another dangerous missions and Marsali insists, “I’m yer wife, I’m coming with ye.”

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

C: I think it’s clear who wears the pants in that family (a problematic expression, but you know what I mean.)

V: She is spunky and fierce; I’ll give her that. And, yes we know for sure who does.

V: How does Marsali know that Claire risked her life to save Jamie at Wentworth?

C: Pillow talk? But, it was before Jamie and Claire met Fergus. Maybe a campfire story with the details left out, or maybe an indication of how close Marsali and Claire have gotten.

T: That seems like something Fergus would’ve told her. Though now, I’m wondering how Fergus would’ve known…doesn’t seem like something either Jamie or Claire would willingly talk about.

V: She is surely Claire, Jr. in this episode! She will NOT be cast aside. These two were excellently matched as Marsali and Fergus. They have really good chemistry.

T: Exactly. This is why I need more of them.

C: More of this Marsali and old Fergus. And wasn’t Fergus described as a dandy in the books?

V: I am not Catholic, and I know this might piss some people off. Although I understand why Father Alexandre feels the way he does and it’s because of his beliefs, I hated that he viewed his relationship with Johiehon as a sin and could not get out of his own way to be able to move forward with her and the baby.

T: I have so many issues with him and his reasoning. Never mind that you came to their village and made them believe that their souls had to be baptized in order to be saved, but then to deny baptizing your own child because of your guilt and shame? My goodness. They wouldn’t even think this way, if it hadn’t been for him showing up in the first place. Probably looked to the Mohawk like he was just ashamed that he fathered that child at all.

C: What Fr. Alexandre described sounded more like lust than love. Lust and prejudice can, and do, occupy the same space (As an aside: I’m not Catholic, but attended Catholic schools and nuns are called by their first names rather than their last. Although priests use their last names more than nuns, we often didn’t use them for either. I think it has something to do with nuns being married to Christ – which is also the reason they wear wedding bands).

V: But he did say, he fell in love. Maybe both of you are right. He surely seemed to carry that shame heavily on his shoulders and could not let go of it. For Johiehon and the baby’s sake, I hated him for that!

Outlander is an epic story, and it’s often a thrill writing on such a large canvas with fabulous sets, costumes, large crowds and amazing locations, but a writer’s real thrill is writing these types of scenes—two people in one room just talking. Writing for Father Alexandre and Roger was almost like writing a play—dialogue-heavy, raw emotion that goes to the heart of two characters who have lived very different lives and yet find intimate emotional levels in which to connect to each other. Father Alexandre’s words resonate heavily with Roger and his own situation as the priest describes how he’s unable to let go of his love for a certain woman, despite all their obstacles getting in the way of living together.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

C: Did anyone else here Angus Mhor when Roger said “God All-might-tay”? Maybe it’s just me.

V: LOL No, I didn’t!

V: What does going out naked have to do with anything? Is it just to shame him? Oh no, he’s screaming.

C: Naked before God? I’m sure it was to defrock him, removing the symbol of his religious superiority.

V: Reverend Wakefield’s rearing and teachings are evident in this scene. That was a beautiful prayer Roger gave.

. . . O Father of mercies and God of all comfort . . .
we humbly beseech thee to visit and relieve the
sick servant for whom our prayers are desired . . .
look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy. . .
comfort him with a sense of they goodness . . .

C: Wasn’t it though? It was at this point, I decided I truly like Roger. He seemed to have grown a pair, but kept his compassion.

V: I agree with Roger, just put some water on the baby’s head, say a few words and move the hell on. So, you’d rather burn at the stake, for three days or more?

C: I guess he’d rather burn at the stake for three days, than burn in Hell for eternity. Roger’s like put some water on the baby’s head, say something in Latin, and move on.

In a monologue we called Roger’s “Idiot Speech,” we see how Father Alexandre’s story affects Roger and his struggle with his feelings regarding his relationship with Brianna, and the obstacles he has had to overcome. Richard Rankin did a phenomenal job in one of his best performances of the series so far. A writer rarely gets the opportunity to write a speech of this length on network TV, and this is one of the joys of writing for Outlander.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

V: Roger now knows that is was probably Bree’s father who beat him up. Yikes. I can’t blame him for being disheartened and bitter by his experience. I would be too, at this point.

T: He must think Bree sent him to beat up Roger for leaving her. Imagine when he finds out the truth. Richard Rankin is killing it in this scene. I can feel that bitterness in every word. Bree will not be getting back the Roger who left her in Wilmington.

C: Bree is going to get more of a man than she had in Wilmington. I just feel like his love is more mature than hers.

V: They both will get ‘more of‘ than when they were in Wilmington. Both have been through traumatic ordeals that have made them grow from it, in one way or another.

He gave up his chance to go through the stones because he loves Brianna. He’s now questioning that love because for all he knows, who he assumes is her father beat him senseless and sold him off to the Mohawk so he’s having doubts. We explore those doubts further and that for even a nice guy like Roger, a dark night of the soul, what’s he going to do? Is he going to choose to try to get back to Brianna? ~ Maril Davis

V: I honestly cannot believe this is a park in Scotland. And this hut?! Incredible. Jon Gary Steele and crew outdid themselves with this realistic village.

T: It really is amazing and so detailed.

C: Roger has a potty mouth by 18th century Catholic priest standards.

T: He is toughening up, finally. He certainly needs to if he’s going to survive in the 18th century. No cushy jobs at Oxford for you here, Professor.

V: Yes he has, and I am glad to see it. Richard surely did show his acting chops in this episode. The swelling of the music had my heart fluttering!

C: Sometimes I’ll react to a scene without realizing it’s the music causing my reaction. It says a lot that the music can elicit an emotion without being overtly perceptible.

V: Wow, that is a serious sacrifice the priest is giving. He truly does have strong convictions. There is no damn way I would do it, especially knowing what was coming too. Nope, not me . . . no way . . . no how!

T: How does he not see that God would see this as a waste of his life? He’s a priest. He’s supposed to be around to spread the Gospel. His convictions are blinding him, and he just comes off as self-centered. Get over yourself, guy. You can’t do God’s work if you’re dead.

C: In his mind, he couldn’t do God’s work if he’s tainted and damned. One thing is for sure, they’re both idiots.

V: Oh Lord, is that Fergus pouring the gunpowder?

T: I thought it might be Marsali helping out. That would’ve been awesome.

C: Marsali is a badass, so I wouldn’t put it past her to pour gunpowder.

V: Man, I have to admit that Bree and LJG make a good looking damn couple! He is so sweet to and caring of her.

I’m Lord John Grey and this is my betrothed, Miss Brianna Fraser.

V: Wow, what a way to make an entrance and command the scene! Wayta go, David Berry!

C: He is such a phenomenal actor made more obvious when seeing how he transforms from Australian surfer dude to a Lord.

T: He does that commanding, to the manor born thing so well. We need to start a David Berry/Lord John fan club.

C: Oooooo I’d join!

V: Me too! Sign me up.

V: Ah-oh! All the men are getting in position. I love how they are assembling themselves. Bear surely knows how to enhance the tension with the music!

T: It’s like showdown at the O.K. Corral.

V: Marsali has adopted Ian’s language, calling Murtagh an ‘old coot’.

C: She better not let Murtagh hear her say that! On second thought, I think she intimidates him.

V: That was a fantastic shot of Fergus jumping down out of the wagon and getting in front of the other men! Shit, he is about the business and ain’t playing!

C: I’m glad the writers are putting him as the leader. He needs it and his Ride or Die will back him up.

V: Oh God, there he is . . Bonnet. He makes my skin crawl! I was saying at the same time as Bree for him not to call her sweetheart.

T: I know he doesn’t care or isn’t even capable of caring. And, he seems to have no sense of right and wrong. Things just are what they are for him.

This scene where Brianna visits Bonnet was one of the most hotly debated scenes of the season in the writers’ room. When breaking the story, there were many different opinions about Bonnet’s motivations and how far Brianna should go in her attempt to “forgive Bonnet.” While we wanted her to follow her father’s advice and take the high road in forgiving this man who brutally attacked her, we questioned whether Bree should go as far as to gift him with the knowledge that he has a child who will live on in this world. We even discussed a version where she does not forgive him and goes there merely to give him a piece of her mind, unleashing her anger on him about what he did to her.

In the end, we settled on a version that played closer to the book, but we added the fact that Bonnet seems ungrateful for the forgiveness she offers, even taunting her further. Brianna shifts gears in the middle of the scene and lashes out with a strength and venting some of the rage she feels, letting him know on no uncertain terms that he will pay a price for what he’s done, and that the child will never know of his existence. Much discussion was devoted to Stephen Bonnet’s final words to her, and whether or not he is truly moved by anything she says.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

C: Throughout the season, I’ve long felt we needed less Pirates of the Caribbean and more Fifty Shades of Grey. In this scene we got less of one, nothing of the other. Although there was more subtly in his reactions.

V: He really is a sick puppy! And, the way he so matter of factly admitted what all he did to Claire and Jamie like it was no big deal. I want him GONE. [Side note: I want those beautiful earrings Bree is wearing!]

C: DG really knows how to write sociopaths. Bonnet enjoys tormenting anyone who crosses his path. He loves the idea of brutalizing the Frasers.

C: I’m becoming a fan of rubies.

V: Terry responded back to on Twitter when I asked where I could get the earrings. She said, I am pretty sure it was Macy’s or Nordstrom’s and posted a picture of them. Just gorgeous!

V: I just love me some in-charge Fergus. Seeing him lead the pack full of confidence is icing on the cake!

T: Pulling that gun on the guards was so sexy. More outlaw Fergus, please.

V: Ah, no, permission is not necessary. Loved that scene! They are NOT talking no for an answer. Me too, Tqwana. This is the Fergus I remember. Mairzee Almas is killing it with the shots she captured!

Seriously Bree, like forgiving him would mean something to him. I always hated that she told him about the baby. Though I was glad she handled it the way she did, I never thought he deserved to know.

T: This really made no sense to me in the book or on the show. Yes, she thought he was dying, but why would she think this sociopath would care that he is possibly a father? He’s a sociopath. She could’ve left it at forgiving him for raping her, which is also pushing it, if you ask me.

There was one [take] where I fully broke down and it was really weird. It was like I was this vessel for a victim I’d watched an interview of, and it poured out of me, and I was crying uncontrollably. When the take ended, [everyone] was like, ‘Are you okay?’ And I couldn’t stop crying. It was a bit mad. ~ Sophie Skelton

C: It seems the episodes with Bonnet are also the episodes with some of the most poignant scenes in the series and he gets badly left behind. This was another one that didn’t level up to the quality of the others in Providence.

V: Wait a minute. Are we final seeing some emotions coming from him? Hurt. Shame. Or, horrified at the thought of producing another being as psychotic as he is. Are his eyes watering up? Gross. What is he digging out of his mouth?

T: I’m really grossed out that he just pulled that jewel out of his filthy mouth. Because we know that man has probably never met a toothbrush in his life. Who knows what bacteria is living in there. If I were Bree, he would’ve had to put that in my handkerchief until I could sterilize it with grain alcohol or something

I watched a lot of interviews of women who’d been raped. I watched a lot of court cases where they confronted their rapist. I read a lot of interviews, and one that really stuck with me was this girl who said she felt like she wanted to peel her skin off her body, that she didn’t belong in her own skin anymore and she wanted out. That’s something I always kept in my head when playing Bree. ~ Sophie Skelton

C: The doctor in me thought, thank goodness she’s wearing gloves.

V: Yes, Cathy, I am with you on that one!

V: It looks like Bree regain some of her strength. He looks like the weaker person now. OMG, he is truly a sick f**k . . . for his maintenance. Maintenance, really? At least, he came back with . . . take care of him.

C: I wonder if this is a set up for Bree to find sympathy for Bonnet later. He really is a smarmy bastard, but did Bree’s speech get to him? I couldn’t tell what Bonnet’s reaction was supposed to be.

V: I think she hit an emotional nerve. Just think, no one has probably EVER spoken to him like that and with such venom dripping from each word! Oh yeah, he felt it, all right!

V: That look on Lord John Grey’s face is priceless when he turns around and sees that it is Fergus pointing a gun at him. Always the polite Fergus to apologize to him.

C: At first, I didn’t remember how Fergus and Lord John would know one another, then remembered Jamaica. Did anyone else notice Lord John go soldier on the Regulator when pushing him up against the wall? He’s not soft, that’s for sure.

V: Yeah, I did. He body-slammed him! He knows how to handle things, when necessary!

I still don’t know how Marsali knew about Claire planning Jamie’s escape from Wentworth, though, it was Murtagh, Rufus and Angus who got him out.

But, I am glad there was a reference to it and it was Fergus, this time, rescuing him! I love this story arc change for Murtagh.

C: I love that even though I’ve read the books, I have no idea what’s going to happen. Murtagh is a clear representation that we have no idea what the writers are going to do. I love it!

V: Me too. And, I can’t wait to see what happens with him in the finale. I also like how protective he is of Bree.

V: Oh, hell no! He’d better NOT get his hands on those keys.

C: Too late.

V: What a tangled web that is weaved . . . fiancé, godfather, brother and Bree. . . all in the same place and no one is understanding why the other is there! I love seeing Murtagh and LJG arguing as to who would take her to River Run.

C: The battle of the uncles and all for the love of Jamie. I guess at this point both Murtagh and LJG have a relationship with Brianna and would be doubly protective.

T: Seriously, you’re in the middle of a jailbreak. Is this really the time guys?

If Murtagh were thinking instead of just trying to rile up Lord John, he would’ve known he couldn’t take Bree himself. You’re a wanted man who’s breaking out of jail.

V: That is so true. It’s all rather comical. LJG is incredulous at the idea of blowing up the jail; all the while, Murtagh has that little smirk on his face, looking at Fergus, like . . . wayta go laddie, great plan!

T: Poor thing probably wishes he stayed in Virginia.

V: It was ironic that Bree didn’t want to leave the guard behind to die but didn’t think twice about Bonnet!

C: Bonnet was going to die anyway.

T: It’s possible that’s her interpretation of Jamie’s letter. She didn’t kill him, but he was going to die anyway. I certainly wouldn’t have freed him. The guard wasn’t on death row, though.

V: Well, that’s possibly true. But, I’m telling you, I am going to SCREAM, if he gets those damn keys and gets out!

C: Bree will think Bonnet died in the fire, but clearly we are supposed to know better. The scene of him getting the keys would have made a good flashback

T: What a great little cliffhanger for him, though. Is he gone? Did he get out in time? Will we see this bastard again next season? Good job by the director and writers cutting the scene at that precise moment.

V: I found myself holding my breath and counting them, as they all came out of the building.

T: I saw Murtagh’s white hair and I exhaled. They can’t take our Silver Fox away from us now.

V: OMG, I was so glad he made it out! That would have just killed me, if he died in there. But, I am hoping Bonnet dies in there. Sad, but true! I could not stand another sighting of him! Enough already!

Listen, we get notes from a lot of people [about that change from the books]. Some people felt like it was a little convoluted, and also we hadn’t really played the relationships with some of the characters from the book in that scene. It wasn’t really possible to get there because we had dropped some storylines. Sometimes with books this size, things fall by the wayside. We also wanted to end this on a little bit more of a cliff-hanger on whether or not Bonnet lives or if he’s killed in this explosion. ~ Maril Davis

V: Wow, that was quite an explosion!

C: That was too close for comfort. Running when that pregnant? My back would have been on fire because there is no way I could have moved that fast when that far along.

V: She did have LJG at her side, ushering her out of there.

Look at Marsali in Claire’s hooded cape. She is holding the reins and driving the hell out of their getaway wagon. She is surely Claire Jr. in this episode.

T: I am a Marsali stan now. She is everything! Let’s break Murtagh out of jail and be the getaway driver. I love it!

C: Marsali is gangsta!

V: Hurry, Roger. Please don’t get caught.

As Roger escapes, we see that he is haunted by his conversations with Father Alexandre, finding it hard to leave his friend behind.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

V: LJG was smooth in redirecting the conversation and trying to see if Murtagh and Fergus got away!

Who gives a rat’s ass about Gov, Tryon?!

I loved both of them in this scene and her little smirk, at the end!

This is a callback to Roger’s “Idiot Speech,” as Roger tries to talk himself out of “being an idiot, again.” In escaping while he has the chance, the character of Roger as we know him has too much honor and heart to let a man suffer, so he makes the only decision he can, which is to go back and try to help Father Alexandre.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

As we’ll come to see, Roger doesn’t really believe what he’s saying. He’s trying very hard to convince himself, and I think that’s what is so interesting about Roger — all of our characters — [is they] have flaws and are human, but Roger is such a nice guy. Some people have reacted negatively to how he’s been portrayed earlier this season because he came off as misogynistic and mean to Brianna, but he is a product of his time. The guy truly, deeply loves Brianna. He’s gone to the ends of the earth to try and get her back and has the best intentions at heart. ~ Maril Davis

V: I really feel for him. He has been tormented damn near the whole season. Now that he can escape, he has to listen to Father Alexandre burn to death. I can’t even imagine the turmoil of such a predicament.

T: That’s exactly what made me feel so bad for him in the books. That man is put through so much. Does it ever stop for him?

V: I loved this scene being in slow motion. Poor, poor Roger and Father Alexandre. I could feel both of their anguish and my eyes started to swell with tears. The music accelerated the flow to the point that I was totally overwhelmed with grief!

C: Roger being loyal to his new friend, running back to help him and grabbing the barrel of alcohol, made sense of the title page.

V: Yes, it really did. And, I know this is a horrific scene the Mohawks are witnessing, but their costumes are absolutely gorgeous. It is also a beautiful shot.

T: Roger did the right thing, putting Father Alexandre out of his misery. He was going to die anyway.

Better to make it quick than have him tortured for days. And that’s on top of the torture he’s already experienced. But, of course, his act of mercy comes with a huge unexpected consequence.

V: The visuals of him burning were heartbreaking!

I could feel every one of their emotions!

This scene was probably one of the best in the episode.

God, this was a very moving and emotional. Hats off to all involved.

I loved the music during this scene. The performances and cinematography were breathtaking!

Even though Roger’s unable to rescue the priest and save his life, he does the only thing he can—give him a quicker, less-painful death. This was a heartbreaking sequence to write as well as shoot, as there is so much emotion here, not only for Roger and Father Alexandre, but for Johiehon and Kaheroton.

It was important for us to show the cost of Johiehon’s death to Kaheroton, who was in love with her, as the Mohawk woman joins her true love in the fire and chooses to die with him, rather than live without him.

In the end, Roger pays for his decision to help by being recaptured by the Mohawk, but he made the only choice he could make, as this is just the kind of good person Roger is—and why we all love him.

~ Toni Graphia, Outlander Community

V: OMG, no! I can’t believe Johiehon joined the priest. I don’t think I could have left my child like that. God, as tragic as it was, that shot of the two of them was incredible.

T: It makes me even more angry at the Father for choosing this path. He took that wonderful woman with him. He didn’t even consider her love for him when deciding that he would rather die. And Lord she must have really loved that guy to choose to die with him in such a horrific way.

Iah, Johiehon! Iah!

[No, Johiehon! No!]

C: That whole scene from beginning to end – the slow motion, Adagio for Strings playing throughout, the tears and anguish (Sera-Lys McArthur and Braeden Clarke especially), was for me one of the most powerful and moving scenes in Outlander in any season.

V: I agree with you; it really was.

T: I do have to nitpick a little because this is the second Native American woman who has died on this show. Both women were the only ones with speaking roles, beyond a one-liner, and were portrayed in a positive light. And, they both died by violence. It’s just so glaring and problematic.

And if we had spent more time with Adewehi and her granddaughter, it might’ve not been so problematic. That’s a big might, though. We can blame the source material, because Lord was it a mess.

But, at some point, TPTB have to cut the cord and stand on their own. They literally have the power to “fix” some of the more problematic issues and the most obvious ones, they seem to overlook.

V: I hear what you are saying. I just thought they kept it in to go with the theme of the latter part of the season. Kaheroton is joining the ranks of other men in the OL world, such as Frank and LJG, who will raise another man’s child.

Though that is not a good justification for it, that’s how I saw it.

V: I had to go back and look at this entire scene again. It was over four minutes with no dialog, except Roger at the very end. That would be suicide for any other show. However, the showrunners and writers trusted Richard Rankin, Yan Tual (Father Alexandre), Sera-Lys McArthur (Johiehon) and Braedon Clarke (Kaheroton) and their abilities to convey exactly what all were going through and feeling in those moments. That was some serious acting. Absolutely superb! They should ALL win some awards for this performance.

C: Vida, I totally agree with you. The other moving scenes in Outlander – Faith, Culloden, etc., all had dialogue. I think the music was the ultimate touch – Adagio for Strings makes me cry on a good day. Playing with those scenes, and I was done.

That’s it lads. Take me back to the idiot hut.

Episode Rating (1-5 Shots)

We give this episode 5-shots (really, 4.8 rounded up)! This episode was clearly one of the best episodes, next to Bree and Jamie meeting each other. It definitely had a better pace than last week’s episode and was not as disjointed.

It was an emotionally charged, exceptionally performed episode that was a true ensemble that allowed others to exhibit their acting chops unencumbered by the big stars of the show. We really did not miss Claire and Jamie, which shows that the remaining cast held their own and gave outstanding performances. This was truly Richard Rankin’s tour de force of a performance. Some of us are hoping they send this episode in for awards consideration. He has proven that he can carry an episode against any actor.

Although we would have liked to have seen this more nuanced portrayal of the Native Americans much earlier in the season, the First Nation actors were more than just window dressing. They had parts they could sink their teeth into, to truly showcase their talent, and it was what we have been hoping for all season. This is the first time we have seen Yan Tual (Father Alexandre), Sera-Lys McArthur (Johiehon) and Braedon Clarke (Kaheroton) perform in a show. They were outstanding. But a big shout-out to Braeden Clarke, who stood out in prior episodes, but in Providence he shone brightest.

We loved seeing Fergus and Marsali bond together to free Murtagh, but some of us want the old Fergus mannerisms back that we first fell in love with. As for Bonnet, his scene never levels up to the rest of the episodes. He seemed too much Pirates of the Caribbean caricature and not enough Fifty Shades of Grey menacing sexiness. We also hope he is dead and gone!

The details put into the set designs and costumes are always amazing. Some of us never focus on those, unless they take us out of the narrative. The fact that they are seamless and not a distraction is a compliment of the overall production quality. Every location was genius. We were also glad we got the chance to view more of the details of Jon Gary Steele and his crew’s work in the Mohawk village. We still cannot believe it is a park in Scotland. The costumes were works of art. We can’t imagine, but appreciate, how much time and effort Terry, Nina and crew put into the details of the costumes, fabrics, accessories on their heads and the jewelry every actor wore in this episode.

The directorial choices of Mairzee Almas were most unique from the scenery shots, the aerial shots of Fergus and the regulators’ weapons drawn on the jail guards to the slow-motion running shots of Roger and the end with Johiehon and Father Alexandre burning at the stake. The final scene was as gut-wrenching as it was beautiful. Last, but not least, Bear and that damn music. Just brilliant! It is a character unto itself. We appreciated how it was used to heighten a situation and to add tension and sensitivity to others. But that ending with Adagio for Strings that Mairzee Almas chose . . . was powerful!

LOOKING FORWARD

What we are looking forward to in the upcoming episode.

Tqwana: We are at the season finale next week already and I’m not looking forward to Droughlander at all. But, as far as the final episode, I’m looking forward to some major reunions hopefully. I hope everyone is at River Run. I do hope that along with the story of Otter-Tooth, that Roger tells Claire about the standing stones he found. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @TqwanaBrown.

Cathy: I am glad there will be more First Nation actors next week and I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll end the episode. Since Murtagh is still with us, I’m glad that as a book reader, I have no idea what’s going to happen. I’m looking forward to watching the finale at midnight on Saturday, but I’m not looking forward to the inevitable withdrawal afterwards. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @DrkKnightingale.

Vida: There are several things I am looking forward to seeing in the next episode. The story of Otter-Tooth and the meaning of it all. The interaction between Jamie, Ian and the Mohawks. Jocasta and Murtagh. Will the flames rise with them or be snubbed out? Did I see her throw water or something in his face? I see Ian going through the same ritual as Roger and I am going to HATE seeing it. But finally, I am looking forward to seeing if Bree and Roger reunite. They have both been through entirely too much. Follow Vida on Twitter: @Blacklanderz.

UP NEXT

Outlander S4 Epi13 – Man of Worth ~ Video via TV Promos

Written by Toni Graphia | Directed by Stephen Woolfenden

Synopsis:

Jamie, Claire and Young Ian’s attempt to rescue Roger from his Mohawk captors goes awry when a ghost from Claire’s past lays waste to their plan. Meanwhile, Brianna worries Claire, Jamie and Roger might not return and contemplates life as a single parent without them.