Blacklanderz®Convos!
Outlander S7 Epi1 – A Life Well Lost
Written by Danielle Berrow | Directed by Lisa Clarke
This conversation is between Blacklanderz® Olivia, Gwen and Lorinda. Arranged and edited by Vida.
L: They went from the jail cell straight the gallows! Claire looks to be putting on a brave front but that couldn’t have been me! I would have been fighting for my life.
O: This was a head fake. I didn’t think for one minute that she would be hanged. I knew it had to be a dream sequence. The only question was who was dreaming it. I thought it was Claire but turns out it was Jamie’s waking nightmare. That it was him was a good touch, though.
G: I can’t help but look at this scene and think back to S1 when she witnessed the parents dropping off the child assumed to be a fair. And how her wanting to help was used as evidence to charge her with witchcraft. I hope that Claire is thinking that if she somehow survives this, she will mind her business from now on.
Also I like that they have added more people of color to the cast this season. It’s nice to see them as (presumably) free men and women in NC.
O: Now, Gwen. When has Claire ever minded her own business? That’s how she got into this scrape to begin with. And yes, it was good to see people of color. I wonder will there be more of that in episodes to come. And characters who speak lines!
L: Claire realizes this is her last moment alive and she needs to find a friendly face and then bam! There are twisty mouth Brown, he’s an evil man all happy to see her take her last breath! I hate him so much! Every time I see him, I want to reach into the screen and punch him!
G: Ugh the Browns again! I know I belabor this point, but I can’t believe they left that biracial baby with the Browns. Richard may think he has the last laugh, but I can assure him that Jamie will be coming for him.
O: Richard Brown is indeed evil. Ugh!
It’s never very fun to have a noose put around your neck. In some ways, it’s interesting in how they film it and how the stunt guys set up the shot and how it will all happen. But any time you bring your character to the precipice of death, it is always a bit strange. Then again, it’s funny on Outlander because that’s what you do on a Tuesday morning and then I guess we’re moving on!
L: There’s the fight we all have nobody wants to die so easily. I would have head butted and kicked him. Poor Claire all she did was try to save the baby this is Brown and Christies fault!
O: This, of course, is reminiscent of Roger’s hanging. Now that was devastating to witness, even though you knew he would somehow survive it, it was chilling. Claire’s “hanging” didn’t live up to that for me because you knew she wouldn’t be.
L: I can’t stand that sound at all. I was praying Jamie would up and save her before this happened. That creaking rope. Why did they enjoy executing people like that? It’s just cruel. You all know where my mind goes when I witness a hanging.
O: One thing that stood out to me at the gallows was the atmospherics. Your point of view is Claire’s black shoes as she walks on the worn wooden planks. You even see the nails and warps of some of the old planks. Outlander is simply good at this.
G: This is so terrifying and is a testament to how barbaric these executions were. I was also hoping Jamie would ride in to save the day.
Claire and Jamie’s theme this season is that their bond — one so great that they know when one another is in trouble, or alive…or dead — will be stretched. They’re separated physically and on a different plane, so to speak. They come back together multiple times.
I canna let me darkest fears cripple me.
Blood of my blood,
Bone of my bone,
We open with something that’s really a vision in Jamie’s mind, but [it’s true that] Claire’s in a very precarious situation. Because of this war, the general rule of law has been broken down. So in one way, she’s left out to dry in this jail. But in another way, it’s also how she gets out.
I gave ye my spirit till our live shall be done.
That’s why I ken ye’re still alive.
L: Oh so this is his scenario, Jamie seeing the worst in his mind, but believing the best outcome is still possible. I feel like there’s a connection between Clair and Jamie that spans throughout time and distance. The look on Jamie’s face when he pictured Brown in this scene, he’s the bad man and Jamie’s not going to forget it.
O: The man is determined to get back to safety the love of his life. He is determined!
I’d feel it if you were gone.
You live.
I ken it in my bones, and I will find you.
G: Blood of my blood. Bone of my bone. He was having a dream sequence about his deepest fear. I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to Claire. He is off to rescue her.
L: The dynamic duo. They are also connected. He may be Jamie’s nephew, but I see them as father and son.
O: Yep. I agree, Lorinda. I loved seeing them riding out together.
G: I love seeing them together too. Ian is doing the planning for the trip and truly helping his uncle do what he needs to do. Ian is a wonderful nephew/son.
Let’s go get my wife.
L: The look in his eyes, blood of my blood and bone of my bone, you’re alive and Jamie is going to find her, come hell or high water!
G: Ian is truly Jamie’s “ride or die.” He is always there when he needs him. And I love the man that Young Ian has become. Let’s go get our girl!
O: That “Let’s go get my wife,” line tells you Jamie means business and nothing’s going to stop him. Nothing! Yes, Gwen, ride or die. That’s a good analogy.
L: The two of them riding to get Claire, although it’s only two of them, you’d think they were a full posse. The Browns took her once before and Jamie, Ian and the crew exacted revenge swiftly. So when they do find Claire, I’m sure others will pay the price for what they’ve done.
O: The ride out to get Claire also showcases the luscious green scenery. The horses, the one Ian is on, is it black or brown? Don’t remember. But you can’t miss Jamie’s white stallion, if in fact, it is a stallion. It reinforces his heroic role.
G: Ian and Jamie are ready for war. The soundtrack lets us know a battle is on the horizon and anyone who stands in the way will pay dearly.
L: Did you all hear how the song was sung? It was soft, then it was weak and then it was strong. I think she’s singing it according to the energy that’s going to be in this season – high, low and then strong. The title cards still begins with Claire running to safety when she first went through the stones.
You see the flag with the 13 original colonies so we know the Revolutionary War will take place. Jamie is getting his rifle ready for war. We know why they are scooping out water. I won’t say because I don’t want to ruin it for non-book readers. Who was that purple heart for? Every time I watch the intro that’s what pops into my mind. I like the song and the title cards.
O: Yes, the title cards are giving us a precursor to the Revolutionary War all right. That flag stood out. I hadn’t noticed the Purple Heart, Lorinda. I’ll have to watch for that again.
G: The Skye Boat song has a bit of a bluesy feel to it. Definitely a precursor for the ups and downs of being in America/North Carolina. I’m really worried about the buckets filling with water. Will there be a fire? Who will be impacted? So much foreshadowing for the rest of the season.
L: This episode is a dark one. The sounds that are in the jail, chains rattling, rats crawling around and it’s windy. Was I the only one that heard that? Claire makes friends wherever she goes. Ms. Ferguson was playing sleep talking about, “Did he give you any money?.” Then just bring us some gin. She’s an alcoholic or maybe that’s how she was coping being locked up for 29 days.
O: The scene leading to the jail – the flames in the lanterns on the street outside – got my attention. And yes, it is dark in the jail cell. When Ms. Ferguson asked Claire if she had money, I thought she might take it from Claire. But if she tried – and she didn’t – I figured Claire could handle it. She killed Geillis, after all, with a frickin’ ax!
G: Claire feeling utterly alone in the jail cell. I know she is more worried about Jamie than she is herself at this point. Claire is always making friends in the strangest places. Ms. Ferguson seems like a nice enough lady.
O: “One meal each day,” Mrs. Tolliver said. I was like, whoa. You could waste away in jail. You only get more food if you have money to pay for it. My goodness.
G: Mrs. Tolliver seems nice enough, but it’s interesting how money can provide comfort in jail. You can pay for your meals or extra comforts, but you can’t get released.
L: Right Gwen! And Ms. Ferguson knew it. She wanted to hit that liquor bottle! She lucked up on a cell mate with money.
G: Interesting how Claire is accused of being a murderer, but no one is really afraid of her. Sadie is just chatting away with her. Of course a lot of that has to do with Claire having money for extra food and most importantly, gin!
We’ve left her in this prison. Her future is very precarious. We don’t really know what’s going to happen. All we know is that the normal systems of law have broken down.
L: Gwen, Sadie wants to help Claire spend her money. The way she pulled out that deck of cards I bet she was going to cheat Claire out of her money.
O: I guess these women have seen a lot. They don’t appear to be too afraid of anybody. I was more worried about Claire than the other women.
G: Claire obviously has seen Jamie play enough card games to know never to gamble with someone who is a professional. I think it’s smart to play for beans. Now it’s more about friendship than losing money you may need to survive.
L: Just like I said, Ms. Sadie isn’t slick. She was going to swindle Claire out of her money.
O: That’s a good point, Gwen. Sadie is using her street smarts to protect herself, Lorinda. But Claire, though a woman of higher station than these women, isn’t about to be taken in.
G: “If they can’t try you, they can’t hang you.” Very valid point. But, I think this is giving Claire hope that Jamie will be able to mount a rescue.
L: Yep, the slower they are, the quicker her man can get to her. Look, Jamie has never failed her yet.
O: Sadie is giving some sound advice to Claire here.
I could not tell her what it was.
Could not say that I knew just how long this war would last,
G: Claire knows what’s to come. This disorganization, the war. Sure they won’t be hung in the meantime, but they won’t be let out either.
that the courts would likely remain closed for years to come,and we would languish here without rescue.
L: Right, she knew it was just beginning and all the people who were in charge either had to go into hiding or to prepare for war.
O: Yeah, she could be there a pretty long while if Jamie doesn’t somehow get her out.
G: Grateful for the delays. Jamie and Ian are on their way to rescue her!
L: Jamie riding in on his white horse and Ian in his Indigenous people regalia. They will find a way to save her. They are moving as fast as they can to get to Claire.
O: You know it. Jamie and Ian are getting closer to her.
G: Roger is exploring his passion and learning that he likes ministering to the soldier.
L: Isn’t it sweet how Bree just falls into her role as a minister’s wife. She’s very supportive of him. They work well together.
O: And she’s showing her baby bump, though there’s no fanfare about this.
O: Roger is a decent man, after all, whatever mischief he got into as a kid wasn’t much. He represents his surrogate father Rev. Wakefield well.
G: Roger lamenting his childhood with Revered Wakefield. He was somewhat of a rebellious preacher’s kid, who eventually got his act together. Wait, I forgot that Bree was pregnant! That’s a nice sized belly.
L: Girl, not all preachers’ kids are a little sneaky and mischievous, but a majority of them are. They’re human like everyone else. Yes and they progressed it just right. I saw a title card with a man putting something in a child’s pocket. I hope her pregnancy goes well.
L: Girl, not all preachers’ kids are a little sneaky and mischievous, but a majority of them are. They’re human like everyone else. Yes and they progressed it just right. I saw a title card with a man putting something in a child’s pocket. I hope her pregnancy goes well.
O: I was hoping Roger would have a witty retort to that soldier who called the clergy “devil dodgers,” which was a pretty good line actually. But I guess as a minister, even one in training, taking his time before responding was the better response.
G: I can’t help but compare and contrast Roger lamenting his childhood just minutes ago which seemed so fun and carefree with those of the soldiers who he is ministering to who might not make it back from war.
L: As a minister you are not there to judge the men, but to pray for them uplift them and give them encouragement.
G: The camp looks so clean and well managed. The crown is sparing no expense when it comes to keeping the colonies.
O: Yeah Gwen, the camp looked very precise. Castrametation is the setting up of a military camp. Guys, I learned that from Diana Gabaldon’s “daily lines” excerpts of her next installment of the series. I’d never heard that word before.
L: I’ve watched this three times and just realized it was a red coats camp. It’s very realistic with the tents and the divisions. Those are the rebels that have been captured.
O: As I said earlier, I wanted Roger to hit back more forcefully, but I know that really isn’t the way a minister should respond.
G: Roger may not be tumble ready like Jamie but can hold his own. I think as Roger continues his ministry I hope he realizes it’s more about the connection that you have to the people to whom you are ministering. I don’t know that they need bible verses as much as they need someone to listen.
L: What did they call them devil dodgers! Those rebels are rude. They don’t fear God or read the Bible. Like my granddaughter said you better take Jesus everywhere with you. Especially on the battlefield.
Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.
And God will surely go with thee.
O: That was quite the line. But it is a good set-up to re-introduce Wendigo Donner.
G: Hilarious that he chose this Ali quote. And then we see a familiar face. I wondered what happened to him.
L: Right Gwen, why did he say that? I screamed out loud when he started saying that. When he said “Ali” Roger was on him like bees to honey.
Ali.
O: I mean, you’re in the 18th century and while Roger is from the 20th, that someone would know that Muhammad Ali line is a stunner. So, it has to be another traveler. There is no other explanation.
L: Yes he is, but he’s a quick thinker and lets him know, I know who you are.
G: Honestly, at this point, I would just throw current events in conversations to see who knows so I can find all the travelers.
L: Let me tell ya’ll something, Roger was stumped. Did you see the way he looked at the other minister? He had to come up with something really quick. Who would have known a time traveler was in the camp. All the time travelers failed. You can’t change history because what will be, will be.
O: Good point, Lorinda, about not being able to change history, no matter what you know about the course of events. Jamie and Claire know that from Culloden.
G: There are so many travelers in this time trying to impact the war. The other men are just instantly forgotten.
O: Yeah, he was a coward. No question. But if Donner hadn’t run away after Jamie, Roger, Ian and crew came to get Claire from the Brown guys, they would’ve killed him for sure.
G: That’s BS! He didn’t help her, he just ran away. I wouldn’t help him, Roger.
L: Amen Gwen. He was a coward and could have cut her loose to help her get away. Hell, he could have run with her!
G: I understand empathizing with him trying to help the Indigenous people, but he is still shady.
L: Yep, he’s shady. I wonder if he ever went to warn the tribe. I think he got caught up with the Browns.
O: Wendigo ended up in the wrong time, as he says. He and the crew were separated, and he was trying to warn tribes at a much earlier time.
G: I wouldn’t put my neck on the line for him. He is gaming you Roger.
L: They should have learned from Stephen Bonnet, leave them criminals locked up. They always come back and get them.
O: No, he shouldn’t help Donner escape.
Season 7 is all about fractured villains. A supersized season calls for supersized villains — or multi-pronged villains.
G: So they have the prisoners doing laundry for the soldiers. I wonder if they got paid for it so they can put it on their commissary books.
L: That’s a good question. Maybe, they did. They sure put them all to work. Scrubbing floors, sewing clothes. No lazy people allowed in the jailhouse.
O: I hadn’t thought about them getting paid for doing some work in the jail. I don’t see Claire scrubbing, though.
G: Okay, this was scary at first. I thought they were coming to hang someone without a trail. Of course, someone always needs Claire’s skills.
L: Now, how did they know a healer was in the house. People are always gossiping. I bet it was Brown running his mouth. Then, they want to know which crime she committed. If she can heal whoever needs help, you need to let her go free.
O: It was scary. I thought, at first, she might be taken and come to some harm.
G: That was nice of Sadie. I reckon if Claire goes on this assignment, she’ll hopefully get some money and can take care of Sadie with extra food etc. when she gets back.
L: Is she really protecting her? They were going to take anyway. By the looks of it, Claire’s reputation has been ruined and spread throughout the countryside.
O: I don’t get what Sadie’s angle was here saying she was the murderess. Why would she help Claire?
G: Hurry up Jamie and Ian before it’s too late!
L: Right, especially since they took her away. Thank God for that fog!
O: I know.
L: Why is Jamie looking at that horse like that? Don’t get sidetracked Jamie is not enough time.
G: Hopefully, it’s not too late. But I fear what will happen if Jamie and Ian arrive and the soldiers are there with Claire.
O: That would be disastrous. I wondered about why Jamie stared at that horse so long, too, Lorinda. This obviously foreshadows something, though.
I think deep down, he probably knows Claire didn’t do it. But regardless if she did it or not, he’s not okay with this vigilante justice. He’s not okay with Richard Brown taking her off. He knows if Richard Brown takes her, he’s just gonna kill her by the side of the road. She’s never going to see a fair trial. So for him, he does want this to be done the right way. And he knows he’s also the only one that can make sure that happens because… the justice is his.
G: Ah, Tom Christie coming to check on her. Did he arrive after the red coats?
O: Yes. He fell down on the job, Gwen.
L: When Jamie said watch Claire he meant 24/7. I don’t care what the guards said Tom Christie! Now Jamie had to go on a hunt for information.
G: Jamie checking for himself. Making sure it was real soldiers not the Browns.
O: Of course he has to check for himself.
L: When he said, “blood of my blood and bone of my bone”, he meant that! He’s going to get his wife.
G: Sadie doesn’t want to get on Jamie’s bad side. He is not to be trifled with.
O: Jamie turned his burning eyes on Sadie. She took that one step back, but she’s really not all that intimidated, it seems to me. She’s going to get paid. She doesn’t know who he is really, but men have been trying to do whatever to this woman and others like her, and I guess she said, you know what, I don’t care how big and strong you are. If you want information out of me, you’re going to have to pay for it!
L: You sho’ right asking for more money. She was about to get her neck snapped. She calmed all of that down.
G: I don’t know why Sadie didn’t just tell Jamie the story from the jump. Of course the other prisoner telling the story probably saved her from getting her neck wrung.
O: Ha-ha.
L: I still think she was being sneaky. That murderess tale was going to sit for a long while.
G: Jamie is not playing with these women, they better let him know where Claire is now. He has two fears right now. One, she has been taken by the Crown. And two, she has been taken by the Browns. Either way, he needs to get to her immediately.
L: Girl this is the war chieftain Jamie. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will stop him from getting Claire back.
O: But have you noticed, Gwen and Lorinda, these women ain’t playing either. Jamie just realized that. He’ll have to accept what they tell him and that’s it.
G: She spilled the beans quickly, when she realized he wasn’t playing with her.
L: Mrs. Tolliver understood the assignment once Jamie gave her that glaring look. She hurried up and came down off her high horse quickly and gave up all the deets!
O: I don’t see it that way. She told what she knew, that was it. And she didn’t look at all that intimidated by him, either. I think she had her hands on her hips.
O: It’s the atmospherics that are getting my attention again. All that fog.
L: The British are always procuring people to do work for them. Demanding they work for them telling them how long and then they still are going to convict them. No pardon or anything. They are the most unforgiving group of people I know.
G: Claire is at sea again, held hostage by the Crown.
O: Mrs. Martin will figure out soon enough what kind of woman Claire is.
L: How did she know from the jail or the workhouse? How dare she talk about Claire like that! You need help and you had better take what you can get, Mrs. Martin.
G: Claire to rescue for. Is she from jail. . .hilarious.
G: Noticing how taking care of Mrs. Martin quickly relaxes Claire and puts her back in her comfort zone. Her patients always come first.
L: She falls right into her gift. They don’t know how blessed they are when she uses her skills on them.
O: I’m curious how Claire so quickly diagnosed Mrs. Martin’s problem as gastric upset.
O: I guess they are in the ship’s surgery. And Claire immediately finds something more palatable for Mrs. Martin.
L: Those people would take anything they thought would help them. She better be glad she is there to help her. Taking arsenic, and all kinds of different poisons.
G: Medicine back in the day was a complete mess. There is no bloodletting.
Oh, God, is it true?
Are you the one who . . .
who murdered her husband’s pregnant mistress
and cut the baby from her womb?
L: Strange stories seem to pique the attention of people. Once the story came out, I’m sure everyone in the region was talking about it.
G: Wow, news travels fast. Claire should have just minded her business and she wouldn’t be in this mess. But I understand her desire to help.
O: I agree, Gwen. Sensational news travels fast, even in the 18th century and by horse and buggy, no less.
O: I remember Richard Brown saying they had passed the news about Claire murdering Malva to all the towns they had passed.
L: The gossip circles I’m sure of it. The main contributor was Brown with his cow chewing on cud looking self!
G: News traveled quickly. I have no doubt that the Brown’s told everybody in a 50-mile radius. This was the Brown’s way of tainting a potential jury pool so that Claire would be executed.
O: She’s correct, Claire. But judging whether people are good or bad by how people look, and thinking they’re not depraved, is not a surefire way to judge character. Ask those women killed by good-looking Ted Bundy all those years ago!
L: That’s because she’s not one; she’s a medical doctor. Those people back then were so ass backwards. They didn’t even try to see the benefits of those who could help in substandard ways.
G: Of course, she isn’t a murderer. She is trying to help you and your baby.
O: As if that would stop anybody intent on murder. This lady is getting on my nerves. She talks too much. But I like her lace handkerchief.
L: Why would Claire harm your baby? She said she was a healer, drink the tea and sit back and relax. Like I said she should know by now that Claire is a kind woman.
G: She is taking all those tonics and is worried about ginger tea? I think she is starting to trust Claire and open up to her.
O: That was a sad story and made me dislike her less.
L: That’s a very hard thing to endure, whether in childbirth or as children. He must have taken it hard. She would rather die than watch him be depressed. Poor woman.
G: Interesting how she focuses on her husband’s heartbreak but not her own. I Imagine both must has suffered greatly.
L: Why do men think they can get things past their wives? Wives have extra sensory perception.
G: Hmm, Roger isn’t being up front with Bree about what he is doing. I wonder why that is.
O: I’m with you guys. Bree thinks something is fishy. But it didn’t look like Roger had all that much to me, to be honest.
L: Uh oh, the cats out of the bag. Roger is treading in dangerous territory trying to help a prisoner of the country.
G: Bree is sensing something is up. She is probably wondering if he is going to risk freeing some of the soldiers who have been conscripted at great risk to himself.
O: No, he should not be taking that risk.
L: Bree is pregnant, and she doesn’t want to be alone, if he gets caught. Yes, that’s the risk he shouldn’t be taking right now.
G: Bree is rightfully pissed. Roger is taking unnecessary risks.
L: Donner didn’t help her mother when she desperately needed him. I’m like her; Wendigo would have to figure it out for yourself.
G: Exactly, he didn’t help Claire. Why should they help him?
O: Roger is being very sympathetic to Donner here. A little too much, I think.
G: So did Claire, but he didn’t help her, Roger.
L: Right! He didn’t do a thing to help Claire. Let him figure it out on his own!
O: Did you guys catch Roger’s subtle facial expression where he closes his eyes briefly as Brianna mentions how those men in the tavern did nothing when she arrived at the tavern, though she never mentions that Bonnet had raped her. But Roger knows that happened. I thought that was a great touch by Richard Rankin here as Roger.
L: But Roger did help others. I know he couldn’t help at first, Bonnet’s evil self would have killed him. But when he did have the opportunity he saved Morag and her baby. So, no Roger you’re not the Wendigo.
G: I see Roger’s side, but I’m still against risking his neck for him.
O: And that’s when I could see Roger’s point of view. He wanted to help that mother and child but couldn’t realistically do so. Bonnet would’ve killed him.
L: Yeah that was horrible, if he knew it was going to happen I believe Roger would have died to help that baby and mother, but as I said before Bonnet was a psychopath, just evil.
G: I remember that episode and it was horrible. I remember the hurt on his face when that happened.
O: Man, this is an ethical conundrum for real. Lorinda, the Morag MacKenzie situation is different from the child who was thrown into the ocean by Bonnet. But yes, Roger did take a risk helping Morag and her child, his ancestors after all.
L: That’s comparing apples to Oranges, Wendigo didn’t do a thing to help Claire. Roger stuck his neck out to help Morag MacKenzie, he almost got thrown overboard, thank God he won that flip on the coin!
G: Roger, you’re not the same as Wendigo. You may not be able to condemn him as a man or minister, but you can’t expect Bree to feel the same.
O: That’s right, Claire. Find out what’s going on.
G: Stress on the ship. So it seems they are hanging out in the water offshore to protect themselves from the rebels. Claire is formulating a plan, I can feel it.
L: Yes, there is stress on the ship. The gov’ner doesn’t know anything about way. How are you going to attack anything in a fog? Claire is thinking if I can get them to stay here then Jamie can find a way to rescue me.
O: She’s trying to figure out how she can work this so Jamie can find her.
G: She is also trying to figure out what she needs to do to get word to Jamie. Be careful Claire.
L: Gwen, she knows if they stay put, Jamie has a better chance to rescue her. She also knows they are going to lose the battle. The rebels are many because they are tired of being cheated by the government.
O: I want Jamie to COME GET HER!
L: If they go north then Jamie would head in the wrong direction to get Claire. What is this the second time this has happened to Jamie and Claire?
G: I know she is like, not this again. Not being held captive on a sailing ship. And how will she get word to Jamie so he can find her?
G: She is trying to convince them to stay here so Jamie can find her.
O: Yes, she is, Gwen.
L: Maybe she can convince him to stay because of his wife’s health. He didn’t have to get all uppity with her. You gov’ner bought her here to take care of your wife. I wonder how this is going to turn out.
O: That was smart.
L: Do you think they are going to let her off the ship? I know this plan will fail, but stalling is a great idea. She is focused. Hopefully, she can get a message out.
G: Claire is still trying to find ways to get a message to Jamie. She is nothing, if not focused.
O: This Major MacDonald is not like the book character. This guy is a sleazeball. He can’t wait to trip Claire and Jamie up.
L: I liked the Major MacDonald in the book rather than this little vengeful twit. Shut up Major MacDonald!
G: Oh crap! Does that mean they are about to set sail? Hurry up, Jamie!
O: How is he going to mess Claire up?
L: Claire isn’t scared of Major MacDonald. She’s controlling that little mouth of his. He’s trying to throw her under the bus.
G: She is holding her ground.
O: Yes, yes. We will find out eventually.
G: Whose horse is that? Is it one of the Brown’s or one of the red coats Jamie hopes will lead him to Claire?
L: I’m not sure whose horse that is, but Jamie is studying it hard. Let me keep this little tidbit in my pocket for future use. I think it has to with someone in this story line.
Amidst all of this trying to save Claire and navigate that, in the back of his mind, there’s some other motive just ticking away that he’s going to deal with it at the right time.
O: Sh*t.
L: Shut your mouth Maj. MacDonald! He’s such an under handed blabber mouth.
G: Snitch! And he is a hater.
O: This man is trying to back Jamie into a corner and make him declare which side he’s on.
G: It seems they have turned having Claire by accident into using it to hold something over Jamie’s head.
L: Why is he making this so hard for Claire, didn’t she tend to his ailments at one point? No loyalty whatsoever! Shut your pie hole MacDonald! It does seem that way Gwen.
O: Obviously, MacDonald just wants to screw Jamie.
L: MacDonald was really trying to make it hard on Claire and Jamie. I like how Claire dismissed him with that little remark! She shoved that hat right into his gut! I bet she wanted to give him one of those slaps she gives out to silly women.
G: Claire has to tread very lightly. MacDonald is trying to make things more difficult for her.
O: I like Claire stuffing MacDonald’s hat into his gut. I’m sure she’d like to stuff something else into his gut.
L: Like I said before, it went right into his gullet and gave him a good little name. He just smirks and walks away, He will get his due before this season is over.
G: That’s right, Claire. He will be dealt with later.
L: Tom Christie understood quickly, he’d do anything to help Claire. Did you see his face light up?
G: Tom has caught on quick and is gleaning as much information as he can.
O: Ooh, Christie finds out where Claire is. This will be good. And yes, I did see his face light up, Lorinda.
L: Well he knows where she is and he’d help her and the crown, but when he looks at that last item he gets a little sad.
G: Hopefully, he can find Jamie and relay this information to him so he can get Claire.
O: Yes.
L: What is Vir Meus and why did his spirit drop?
Vir Meus . . .
G: Vir Meus?? I don’t know, and why does that seem to pain him.
O: I had to look it up. It pains him because he will never mean to Claire what Jamie means to her.
L: Like I said before, he’s a little uppity, talking to Claire like she’s beneath him. If you’re out there on that ship, I’m sure you have access to all the information. That’s why you’re the gov’ner.
G: I think he knows she didn’t do it. But I do think he is more concerned about how it looks. His wife did say that he wasn’t too concerned with gossip.
O: I understand Claire is a doctor and so she takes helping as her duty. But honestly, she never should have cut out that baby from a dead Malva. We know she was trying to save the baby, but nobody in the 18th century would understand what she was doing!
G: Yep, his wife knew and didn’t really care because she could see that Claire was a good person, just like he does.
L: Yes, your wife knows. She knew more than you did. Do you think he knows she is innocent? His wife understands that there is always important information to be given if you seek it. Did he even ask her if she knew about losing a child? Do you think telling him will help their relationship? She has empathy for you and your wife, now you need to pardon her.
O: Yes, Gov. Martin, it’s a sad tale – the deaths of your sons.
L: He seems to think it’s Claire and Jamie’s fault. The loss of his sons is painful, his daughters not having a brother to look out for them. It is sad, but it has nothing to do with Jamie and Claire.
O: Exactly, Lorinda.
G: This was so sad about him seeing the ghost of his son Sam who passed away at 8-years-old.
L: Treason and murder? You don’t know the Frasers do you Gov’ner?! Although they did try it before! (me giving the side eye look.) Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do.
G: No one enters war willing. Treason? Who us? :)
O: I don’t know about the “No one enters war willingly.” I think history is replete with many examples. And today: Russia invading Ukraine.
L: Jamie sure is focused on that horse, there’s an underlying story going on here.
G: Where has that horse gone and who does it belong too?
O: Tell us who the horse belongs to, already.
G: Jamie turned his attention from the missing horse to Tom quickly. We are off to find Claire.
L: Right! Jamie is focused on two things, the horse and Claire. I think he’s going to take care of the latter first.
O: Gotta go get Claire.
G: Ah now we know what Vir Meus means! My husband! Good job, Tom!
Vir Meus . . . my husband.
She wants you.
L: Yes ma’am! That’s why Tom’s countenance fell. She asked for her husband. Tom thought she was asking him for help. He did do the right thing to tell Jamie where she was and what she wanted. Jamie didn’t think twice about it. He’s on his way.
O: Yes, my husband. When I saw that, I was like, wow! Her husband is on her list and Christie has to tell Jamie.
G: I think Claire is expecting the “delivery,” so she is finding a reason to be on deck instead of down below.
L: I believe you’re right, Gwen! Claire is a thinker just like her husband.
L: Look at how she tilts her head to see if it’s Jamie. She knew he would come.
G: Is this Jamie? Is he here to rescue Claire?
O: The anticipation.
[V: I AM SCREAMING!]
L: I was screaming too, Vida!! He is always going to find his love! Me with heart eyes right now and hand folded on the side of my face, LOL.
G: OMG, it’s Jamie!!!!!!!! She is going to be rescued.
O: The look on both their faces when they finally see each other. That was priceless.
Do you wish to come aboard sir?
Aye, I do.
By whose authority?
I am a former Indian agent in
the governor’s employ and an acquaintance . . .
. . . of Lord John Grey.
G: I see Jamie dropping Lord John Grey’s name to get access to the boat. Yay he finally made it. I wonder where Ian is.
L: Right that name drop was everything and he’s going to get to hold his woman again.
O: Yes, he says. I’m a former Indian agent and friend of LJG. That’s right, tell that whippersnapper I’m not to be messed with!
Sassenach.
L: The crescendo of the music and the beat of the drums when they hug! I love me some Jamie and Claire. Passion, fire and desire!
G: Finally, they are back together. He will always find her!
O: I don’t remember now, but was the J&C love theme playing during this scene?
Excuse me.
This is not permitted.
G: Lt. Tate is like what is going on. LOL
L: He knew what was going on. He’s a grown man. Lt. Tate, go sit down somewhere. Mood destroyer ugh!
O: They couldn’t care less. A woman who could be hanged, or sailed off to who knows where and her beloved has finally found her. Who cares what Tate thinks?
G: Jamie has to remember his diplomatic skills. He doesn’t want to just yank her off the boat.
L: He was capable of doing it, but I think Gov’ner Martin is angry at Jamie for forfeiting his title as Indian Agent for the Crown.
O: Yes. Jamie had to gather his wits and think through this.
L: He could release Claire. He’s just an angry Gov’ner because the people have rebelled against him.
G: Jamie reminding him of his power. I think he has a soft spot for Claire but has a lot more ire for Jamie.
O: Jamie is trying to game this, but I don’t think it’s working on the Gov.
L: He knows Claire is innocent, but he’s angry with Jamie, because of stupid Major MacDonald.
G: But I think he knew that already.
O: He’s pulling rank on Jamie, letting him know I’m the boss kind of thing.
L: Right! Major MacDonald is jealous of Jamie. That’s why he stirred up trouble.
G: Major MacDonald is a hater. He won’t let Jamie be great. Jamie is treading this fine line.
O: MacDonald just tried to screw Jamie over.
G: I wonder if Jamie knows that it will be months before the courts can convene? But that brings me to the point I made earlier, if you aren’t processing inmates, why not serve out your time at home until your court date?
L: Gov’ner Martin has a bee in his bonnet, the little ninny! Get off of it dude! He was saying can he pay in return for her showing up to court. I’m with you Gwen. The audacity to say he should have them both swinging from a Yard Arm, ugh! I want to throttle this one too!
O: Uh-oh, the gov thinks Jamie is trying to bribe him.
L: How long would that take? Jamie doesn’t want to fight in this war with you. Major MacDonald is the reason he can’t have Claire. He wants to keep Claire at hand so she can deliver his child.
G: Ugh they keep roping Jamie back into fighting for the crown. And reporting to Major McDonald? Ugh
O: What? No.
L: You know that look. I’ll be back but not with 200 men to fight with the crown.
No, he will return with men to get Claire off that ship. The little man thought he won. Well, we shall see about that!
G: I can’t tell from Jamie’s demeanor that his stance has moved from asking nicely to taking by force. You will be free tomorrow Claire!
O: You know that had to be hard for Jamie, leaving Claire on that ship.
L: Girl, she said she didn’t’ have time to talk to God today, get out of here! She’s still mad at Roger.
G: Always! She is still upset. Rightfully.
O: Oh man, that line was a killer!
L: I think he thought about the repercussions of helping Wendigo escape. It’s not just him he has to worry about, but Jemmy and Bree also.
G: Good. I think that’s the right thing to do. Wendigo is not his problem and helping him escape doesn’t rid him of his guilt regarding the ship and Bonnet.
O: Yes, I agree. It was good that Roger didn’t help Wendigo escape. I wonder what that means for the future of Wendigo.
L: I like Roger’s heart for people. He offered a prayer and maybe somebody else may be able to help him.
Lord, it is said that God helps those who help themselves.
I always found that confusing.
Like those who help themselves to the last slice of cake, or . . .
Lord, please help Wendigo Donner, or
at least help him to help himself.
G: I think prayer is a fair compromise. And is a happy medium for both of them. Helping those who help themselves!
O: He’s becoming a minister after all.
G: I didn’t see Jamie recruiting men, but I definitely saw him hijacking the ship and kidnapping Claire.
L: Me either, I think he will be looking for a cannon, whatever it takes to get Claire back.
O: I was wondering how Jamie was going to do that. He’s done it once before for the Crown. But again?
L: He’s willing to die to get Claire, whatever he must! Blood of my Blood, Bone of my Bone, the protection of you with my body. He meant that and his integrity keeps him at that.
G: Yep that man means business. They should have handed over his wife when he asked nicely.
O: I was glad that Jamie wasn’t even considering gathering men for the Crown. But how does he outwit the gov and get Claire back, then?
L: I’m telling you Jamie means business, he doesn’t want Ian involved because he doesn’t want to deal with Jenny and Ian.
G: I know Jamie wants to protect the Ridge, so that if something happens, Ian will be able to take care of the tenants. But he would never leave his Uncle.
O: I was wondering about this. What is going on?
L: Tom is using that liquid courage to do something. Now what he intends to do is beyond me.
G: Oh no, Tom has lost his mind.
O: My, my, Thomas Christie, Mr. Holier than Thou, is drunk. Ain’t that a kick.
L: What does he intend to do? It must be pretty big if he’s begging him. Does he know who killed Malva?
G: I feel some kind of way about this. I do feel it’s his responsibility since he brought his wayward kids to the Ridge but also I would rather they pin this on one of the Browns.
O: I agree, and where is that demon seed son of his anyway?
L: He is asking him not to turn him away. He’s adamant about this.
G: Jamie is feeling some kind of way that Tom is helping her instead of him.
O: Tom was always jealous of Jamie and now he’s backing Jamie into a corner.
L: What has he done? He just wants to look Claire in the eye and tell her. Why Claire? You want to tell the Gov’ner and Claire. What are you going to confess to, Mr. Christie?
G: Jamie is torn because he wants her to be rescued, but he wants to be the reason she is set free. Having another man do it, it hard for him.
O: So let’s hear the confession, Tom.
G: Jamie has a hard time accepting help when it comes to his wife.
L: I don’t know if Jamie knows what he is intending to do. Right Gwen, that’s his love and he would feel better if he was in charge of the operation.
O: Jamie, like us, is trying to figure out what Christie is up to.
G: Such an interesting turn of events. If only he had said that from the beginning.
L: Well, I guess what he is going to confess will save Claire, but it still won’t be with Jamie’s body.
O: I thought it would be Jamie sacrificing himself for Claire.
G: This is very sad. He has nothing left.
L: I always saw a little bit of something I liked in Tom Christie. He’s humble and he knew his life wasn’t anything like Jamie’s.
O: He always knew that Jamie was the kind of man that others looked up to. That he was the sort who had the physical bravery to protect others, but a spirit filled with love that others felt and responded in kind. Christie never had that. And he knows it.
Send Claire back to me.
G: Jamie’s relenting because he needs her.
L: Jamie sees the determination in his eye and knows he’s the only one who can get Claire set free with a skirmish. He’ll allow it because he knows it can work.
O: That was gut wrenching. “Send Claire back to me,” Jamie told him. He was giving Christie leave to do what he must.
G: Tom is willing to risk his life for some peace.
L: Wow, he wants to hear his eulogy before he goes to the Cruiser. Tom, what are you going to do?
O: He wants to hear what the Leader of Men has to say about him. Christie needs to hear that Jamie respects him, I guess. He’s bared his soul to Jamie, laying it all out there.
In Season 6, he’d been incredibly uptight and pious with Claire in particular, and that was in order to hide his true feelings. When we get to Season 7, he’s in a position where he can reveal how he really feels, not just with Claire, but with [Jamie].
I would say that Thomas Christie was an honorable Scot. . .
. . . a leader of men in his own way,
though he didna ken quite where to lead them.
Stubborn as a mule . . .
. . . . but despite our differences,
a man I respected and whose respect I hope I had in return.
G: An honorable Scot and Leader of Men, though he didn’t quite know where to lead them.
L: That was a good eulogy, he would have been a great minister if it hadn’t been for his children distracting him with all their shenanigans. Some people do better leading by example. Tom did believe in holiness or hell.
O: It was a good eulogy. You know Jamie had to give Christie something, since he’s risking his life for Claire.
G: The disappointment on her face. That’s not Jamie!
L: Right! She was like that’s not my heart. Now we can figure out what’s really going on with Tom.
O: The disappointment in her face was so evident.
G: Wait, he is confessing to the murder of Malva. Why couldn’t he have done that in the beginning?
L: Why make them wait so long for this confession? I still think he’s innocent and someone else did it.
O: I don’t know why he didn’t confess earlier either, Gwen.
G: Him interesting that he refers to her and her mother as a witch. I assume that’s how they describe women who are free spirits.
L: Well Gwen, he knew Claire’s heart was good, and he called loose women witches. He knew Malva was bedding most of the men on the Ridge.
O: Sounds like his wife was more than a free spirit, though, Gwen.
G: This story is crazy. I’m sure there was more to the story. I wonder if Tom’s wife was happy with him.
L: Shut the front door! Malva wasn’t his daughter but was his brother’s daughter! Wow, Tom was carrying some deep secrets. I don’t think so Gwen, she was a piece of work. How is she gonna sleep with her husband’s brother?
O: So now the sordid details of the Christie family are exposed. It’s so often that people who force piety in their families, follow these strictures, don’t really prevent these sorts of things from happening.
G: This was heartbreaking for Tom.
L: Tom comes home from war to find his wife carrying his brother’s child. I’m surprised he didn’t take little Allan and leave his wife with his brother.
O: Claire understands the undercurrents in Christie’s life now.
G: I wonder if Tom is drawing parallels between Mona and Claire.
L: I think he did Gwen. He always getting Claire to tie her hair up or to wear a hat. I guess Mona beguiled his brother.
O: His attraction to Claire is evident.
We will see in S7 kind of the reasons why Tom has done what he’s done. Tom is a flawed character, played so brilliantly by Mark Lewis Jones. He’s flawed and he’s conflicted. He’s always at war with himself. He knows what’s right or what he thinks is right. He’s a very pious man. He’s very judgmental. Deep down, he’s a fair man and he wants to see justice for his daughter.
G: Whoa, that was unexpected. I didn’t see that coming. I wonder what he did to her.
O: I didn’t either.
L: See this right here, all the skeletons are falling out of the closet! Was she trying to cover up her affair?
G: I wonder who was raising them after their uncle/father died.
L: That’s a good question. So, what was dark about Malva then? She was a sneaky girl.
O: I want to know where Allan is.
L: I do too, Olivia.
G: Claire is so clueless. She needs to take those blinders off. Malva almost killed her and then cut her hair. And she is still feeling sympathy for her.
L: Oh she was almost successful too! Malva was very manipulative. She had everyone fooled. I’m surprised she didn’t try to kill Roger.
O: I know, Gwen. I don’t understand why Claire doesn’t want to believe Malva tried to kill her. We all know Malva wanted Jamie, and Claire knows that, too. Why is Claire, with all her sophistication, so trusting?
I think that’s the beauty of this character. Tom Christie is one of those really complex characters where… I think even Claire, had him pegged as one thing, and he turns out to be very surprising. I think what’s really beautiful is we get to learn a bit more about his backstory and the hurt and the pain that he has experienced, which led him to live it a certain way and act in a certain way.
The tragedy of Malva’s life and then when we discover who really was responsible and how dark that whole start storyline was. The conclusion of that is a really strong part. But it’s also nice to put that to rest because it was a really tragic, storyline.
G: I know this is hard for Claire to understand, but she shouldn’t be so trusting. She should have known she was capable of that when she accused Jamie.
L: I agree, Gwen. I think Claire believed Malva needed therapy, but that girl needed more than that!
O: Exactly, Gwen.
G: I don’t know if it was love or as much freedom. I agree with Claire.
L: Freedom? She wanted what Claire had and the Ridge. She was devious. She cut that dead man’s fingers off. She may have killed him too.
O: Malva was devious. We know that, whether for love/sex or wealth or both.
G: Hmm, I wonder if he really knows who the father is.
L: I don’t think he does, and I bet he knows it’s not Jamie’s either.
O: He didn’t answer that question.
I love you.
Up to that point, he’s had a tough life with it all — the jail and the kids and the wives — and in a way, it all comes to a head in the most simple way: just two people in a small room. It’s during his confession that viewers discover Claire’s physical similarities to Tom’s long-dead wife, the true parentage of Malva, being that of his brother, and the lack of love in Tom’s life until he met Claire.
G: Oh, this is crazy. I can’t see Claire with someone like Tom. She would be too much for him. So maybe he wanted that freedom as much as Malva did.
L: She knows Tom didn’t kill that girl. Did you see Claire she was very uncomfortable with Tom’s confession of love. She wasn’t ready for that.
O: Christie may love Claire, but I can’t see him accepting her individuality, her freedom, her risk-taking. Jamie accepts her fully and loves her fully. Christie could never do that. He’d probably try to rein her in somehow.
It’s interesting watching. I remember Lisa Clarke, our fantastic director who did the first two episodes and then came back later on in the season and I were talking about this and he is like a bull throughout this whole episode. He’s uptight and his shoulders are up here and he’s just like, ‘I’ve got to f—–g get her back.’ And then when her salvation comes, it’s in the form of Thomas Christie [Mark Lewis Jones], which is completely unexpected.
G: Obviously, she would never want him to take the fall for her (or the real killer), so this is very hard for her.
O: Christie has gone all Sidney Carton from “A Tale of Two Cities” on us. He’s all in. He will die to save her.
L: Yes, Olivia, he loves her so much he’s willing to die for her. That’s good! He gave the gift of love, a love he can feel, that he’d die for her.
G: Tom loving Claire is so crazy. He is fighting for her like Jamie. Jamie won’t like that at all.
L: Gwen, Jamie did allow it. He gave him what he wanted and needed to do.
O: Now the title of the episode, “A Life Well Lost,” makes sense. This is how Christie gives his life meaning. He has a beatific smile on his face as he declares his love for Claire.
G: Wow, that’s a big declaration of love. And of course he is willing to die because he cannot be with her.
L: He set her free. To lay down your life for your friends – not only Claire’s life but Jamie’s – that’s love.
O: I suppose it’s the grandest gesture anyone can make, if a gruesome one. How will Claire live with that, though? When Claire tells him, “his life has meaning and he can’t throw it away like this,” Christie indicates his life will indeed have meaning because he sacrificed it for her.
G: Wow such a sad state. I can see Claire feeling conflicted.
L: It is sad, but he’s a brave man. That’s also courage.
O: Yes, indeed.
G: Oh, I love Jamie’s jacket.
L: Jamie was waiting at the dock from the time Christie left. He needed to hold Claire in his arms again.
O: When Jamie and Claire reunite at the dock, the relief and love are on full display.
G: How they missed each other. Now they are back together again.
L: Everybody is always trying to tear them apart, but it never works. They are bound together.
O: It’s as it should be. Yet there are questions to be answered still.
G: Jamie and his thinking finger twitching.
L: Jamie’s with Claire, but he’s actually thinking of something else or about someone else.
O: Yes, I noticed the finger twitching as well, Gwen. It surely means that Jamie remains unsettled.
G: Nope, I think we all know it wasn’t him. And that he is doing it as a declaration of love for Claire. Which I did not see coming.
L: Yeah, that’s not in Tom’s character. So the killer is still free and roaming about.
O: Yeah, I don’t think Christie did it, either.
G: Right, he could have saved us so much drama if he had done it then. Maybe it was the shock of the situation.
L: He didn’t because he knew they wouldn’t receive it. They probably would have sold Tom off with Jamie.
O: I guess it took him awhile to work up to it. This is big.
G: That’s her guilt talking. Of course he did it for love. It’s just hard to accept because she can’t return it.
L: For my love, I would do anything. He did what he did to save Claire, just as Jamie would.
O: It’s interesting how calm Jamie is in acknowledging Christie loves Claire. There’s no anger, no jealousy, probably because he knows Claire loves him deeply.
G: Instead of celebrating, she is thinking about Tom.
O: She falls asleep quick, though. Going from being in a jail cell and worrying about being hanged, and then finding out someone is ready to confess to a crime he probably didn’t commit to save her, is exhausting.
L: It’s emotionally draining to know a person you cared for is about to die. There’s no glory in her freedom.
G: Jamie’s revenge isn’t done.
O: Nope.
L: Right, I knew Jamie wasn’t done. I wonder where he’s going?
I think it is interesting he knows the Browns are in town, and he doesn’t deal with it straight away. He’s very calculated. He’s very cold in his vengeance. But I think that is what has always been cool about Jamie. He knows how to wield his violence and it is great to be reminded of that. It is a satisfactory ending, I think, for Jamie to get rid of the Browns.
G: Ah, that’s who owns that horse he was looking at earlier.
L: Yep! He has to close the circle, he tried to take Claire from him.
O: Aha, now we know whose horse it was. Though, I didn’t guess it.
G: Finally, they meet to resolve this matter. I really hope Jamie takes him out this time.
L: Jamie isn’t drinking with you. He’s come to exact JUSTICE! The violent man has shown up.
O: Jamie is ready to come down on Brown. I wonder how he will do it.
No, thank ye.
I’d prefer to wait after.
“After”?
Come now. You harm a hair on my head,
you know my kin will hunt you down,
kill everyone you hold dear.
I’ve speared them the trouble.
By now, my nephew, the Indian ye tormented,
will be payin’ yer men a wee visit.
His Cherokee acquaintances will be giving him a helping hand too.
G: Good job Ian. Don’t leave any loose ends.
L: There’s a scripture in the Bible when God tells the Israelites to kill all of their enemies. Well, Jamie has done the same thing. This will never come from your family and friends again Brown.
O: Now, are we talking about wiping out the Browns or what?
We’ll have no more trouble from them.
G: Again, they left baby Alicia with this crazy family.
L: They did. Maybe they will save her. But that family is done being evil and spreading venom through Fraser’s Ridge and Brownsville.
O: How can Jamie guarantee this?
G: Jamie is a moral man, but he has an honorable vengeance.
L: Nah, his wife is the good one, but Jamie ain’t! Especially when it comes to his family. He made that mistake with Black Jack Randall.
O: Jamie is a warrior and Brown has threatened his wife. So Brown is up a creek without a paddle, it would seem.
You’re a good man. A moral man.
I am also a violent man.
Any goodness that prevails in me is because of my wife.
You tried to take her from me.
G: Oh Jamie is about to let him have it. Tie up those loose ends.
L: Jamie said I’m gonna finish this. There’s no pleading or strategizing. This will be your last day.
O: When Brown calls Jamie noble and knows he won’t kill him and Jamie responded, “I’m also a violent man.” I was like, okay, stuff’s going to pop off soon.
You won’t kill me. Not in cold blood.
You wouldn’t dare.
Make your peace with the Lord, if you must . . .
Mr. Brown.
Episode Rating (1-5 Shots)
The season is off to a good start. We give this episode 4.5-shots! The episode was beautifully written, and we knew it was going to be dark when they used muted colors for most of the episode.
The plotline diverges from the book, so we didn’t really know what was going to happen. It was compelling. Lots of twists and big emotional reveals. We were riveted and on the edge of our seat from the cold open. We love that Jamie is finally taking his revenge on the Browns. That twist about Malva poisoning Claire was completely unexpected to some of us.
Overall, we think the episode was well done. It picked up from the last episode of S6. It was a consistent story line, easy to follow. And while different from the book, there was a seamlessness to it; it connected the dots. The wrap up of the Malva story line was unexpected. And some of us didn’t have Tom Christie declaring his love on our bingo card. Whoa!
One of our favorable scenes was of Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) declaring his love for Claire. Every word out of his mouth was more shocking than the next. We also think his scenes with Jamie were top notch. His character arc moved from being this taciturn, rigid man, to one who showed his compassion and passion. Another favorite scene was the last one between Jamie and Richard Brown (Chris Larkin) by connecting the dots with the horse. Jamie, the King of Men, was a death angel to end the evil that has been persecuting and traumatizing his family.
Lisa Clarke, the director, did an excellent job. So did Alasdair Walker, director of photography. The choice of using muted colors for most of the episode made scenes somber with little laughter or happiness, outside of Roger and Bree’s scenes. The atmospherics of the scenes got our attention from the beginning. The shots of Claire on the gallows, down to her shoes on the worn, warped wooden planks were arresting. We also loved the sweeping scenic views. From the flames of the streetlamps outside the jail; the darkness inside the jail to the the fog engulfing the ship added texture and detail to the storyline.
One of the standout performances must go to Mark Lewis Jones as Tom Christie. He was superb and showed all the emotions from grief to unrequited love. Another goes to Sam Heughan for hunting the horse owner and understanding the assignment.
Our favorite costume goes to Jamie for this episode. His entire outfit on the pier, after Martin released Claire, is our favorite (especially his coat)!
The cinematography was outstanding. We particularly appreciated the landscape, aerial shots of Jamie and Ian on horseback, those of the ship, and the fog-shrouded ships were fantastic.
LOOKING FORWARD
What we are looking forward to in S7 Epi2.
L: Will Jamie kick the people, who turned against Claire, off the Ridge? What’s going to happen to Wendigo? Will the real murderer of Malva be found out? Follow Lorinda L. on Twitter – @RindalovesBruce.
G: I’m looking forward to Jamie and Claire reuniting with Bree and Roger. I want to know what Jamie does to Mr. Brown. And I want to know who was kneeling in the grass in the scenes from next week. Will we learn who killed Malva? Also, how will Claire process the damage that Malva did to her while also grieving her death. Follow Gwen on Twitter – @autonomy_6.
O: I want to see how Jamie handles Richard Brown and his crew. I’m also interested in seeing the introduction of William Ransom. Follow Olivia on Twitter – @newsollie.
Outlander S7 Epi2 Preview ~ Video via Starz
Synopsis:
Claire makes a startling discovery about Roger and Brianna’s newborn daughter. A familiar face returns to the Ridge with explosive consequences.
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