Blacklanderz®Convos!
Outlander S7 Epi12 – Carnal Knowledge
Written by Toni Graphia | Directed by Lisa Clarke
This conversation is between Blacklanderz® Amanda-Rae, Ayana and Vida. Arranged and edited by Vida.
AR: I don’t think LJG is used to walking that fast…
V: I don’t think so either, Amanda. Also, he is not used to being told what to do. He looked like a fish out of water.
A: He looks cold. Also worried. Another Fraser issue at his doorstep.
AR: What’s hidden in your coat Jamie?
V: You know Jamie is always up to something and doing things he does not want others to know about.
A: I wonder too what couldn’t be discovered, Amanda.
AR: Provided Jamie doesn’t get arrested, how are they going to untangle the whole, “Who is Claire married to,” mess?
V: Well, it’s like they said. Claire was free to marry because they thought Jamie was dead. Since he isn’t dead, her marriage to LJG is null and void. But my first thought when LJG asked why he came to the house was why wouldn’t Jamie come there. He knew Claire would be there and worried. LJG looked clueless as to Jamie’s response.
A: It is a valid question. He is ‘kidnapped’ after all. There were ways to get word to Claire that he is alive. Instead, he just brought trouble to LJG.
AR: I’m shocked no soldiers on either side are following them or hearing the horse’s hooves.
A: Where are they going exactly? Why isn’t there more soldier activity?
V: Where did they get horses so easily without someone seeing them take them? So many questions.
AR: I believe Jamie’s apology is genuine. He knew what would happen to William’s position in society.
V: I believe so too. He was sincere and grateful for LJG’s help once again. I know he didn’t want William to find out like that. Now, they are going to have to help him come to grips with his new reality, which isn’t going to be easy.
A: The way LJG says Claire’s name is hilarious. Like he has never heard of her before. Claire?! I also agree Jamie’s apology does seem genuine. LJG seems to have his mind elsewhere.
AR: LJG’s face needs to become one of those, “record scratches, let me explain how I got here,” memes!
V: I know, right?! He is pale because in his mind, he is seeing a ghost. Jamie is not supposed to be there. I bet that hamster was really running around on the wheel in his head trying to think what would come next.
A: It seems he has a load on his chest. A hundredweight of stones worth.
[Jamie] Are you quite well, John?
You look a wee bit pale.
AR: Well, that’s awkward…
A: I’m like that too. I am not carrying that around. I won’t have you asking me, ‘Why didn’t you say something when I saw you?,” See, his color is already returning. Weight lifted.
I have had carnal knowledge of your wife.
V: It was very awkward and so abrupt. He knows how Jamie feels about Claire and knows he has a temper. I was mad that he did not allow Claire to tell him.
Oh? Why?
AR: “Why” is fairly calm, but hmm things can get worse.
V: Jamie wasn’t thinking from Claire and LJG’s point of view. During that time, he was just trying to get to America and to Claire. He probably didn’t think they would be told he was dead and what that would do to them. The ‘why’ was very calm, but it was because Jamie knows LJG is not into women. Initially, I don’t think he believed him. So, “Why would you sleep with my wife,” was fair.
A: That ‘why’ was so calm. I’m proud of Jamie, waiting for an explanation.
AR: This is a fair question because the terms “comphet” (trying and failing to be straight) or “bisexuality” were not used in this era.
V: Again, Jamie is trying to understand under what circumstances Claire would sleep with LJG and vice versa. And that she must have been out of her mind to allow it with HIM.
A: Why not lead with your wife is a spy and was caught? Then, we thought you were dead. End with, no one was forcing anyone.
Are you implying the news of my death deranged
her to such an extent that she lost her reason
and took ye to her bed by force?
Unless I’ve been seriously misled regardin’ yer own nature.
Or am I wrong.
AR: This was an iconic moment in the book, and it was very well done.
V: Yes, it was. But honestly, I always thought LJG was trying to hurt Jamie. He didn’t have to say what he did, the way he did and with such vigor. He should have known THAT would push Jamie over the edge, and it did. Jamie cold-cocked his ass right out.
A: I agree with Amanda, this scene is so well done. I feel LJG here, Jamie just accused him of rape. He gets to lash out a minimum. So ‘fucking’ is a thing now said in these times? Or did LJG pick that up from Claire?
We thought you were dead,
you bloody arsehole! Both of us!
And–and we–we–
We had too much to drink one night, and . . .
damn you, neither of us was making love to the other.
We were both fucking you!
Lord John is very fearful of how Jamie is going to react. He doesn’t get the nice romance and reunion as Claire [does]. Instead, he gets a brutal beating.
V: We already know now what the title means. So, my first thought seeing the apple was the old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Could that be William and his temper? We’ll see.
AR: It could be about William’s anger, but it could also be more literal regarding sexual desire/sin/temptation as many people believe the Devil offered Eve, specifically an apple.
A: That looked like a pomegranate to me, at first.
V: Claire is in their drinking and all giddy because Jamie is alive. And yeah William, any way you look at it, she is your stepmother.
A: What has he been calling her? I remember what he calls her in the books, which makes this scene in the book all the more poignant. Either way she is his stepmother.
AR: William’s questioning his entire existence and also what he knows of Jamie. So while we may be offended by this, it’s a fair question given the circumstances.
V: I agree, all are fair questions. But why did he jump to the conclusion that Jamie must have raped Geneva. I know it’s a debatable scene, but I would say Geneva took advantage of Jamie’s lower status and had HER way with HIM!
There’s a lot of the Fraser stubbornness, and then there’s also a lot of the Grey reservedness. He’s not an easy person to get to know necessarily, especially when he’s not fully aware of who he is.
A: There isn’t a more perfect situation to utter the words GO ASK YOUR FATHER. This isn’t Claire’s story to tell.
AR: Claire’s doing her best, but William is definitely way too angry to process all of this.
V: He should have had a drink to calm his nerves. As the saying goes, “Don’t ask if you really don’t want to know the answer.”
A: I’m glad he’s asking; it’s just not the right person. But that’s not on him. Claire should be telling him we will learn when your fathers get back.
This is probably William at his absolute worst. He’s having a full-blown crash out in this episode.
AR: Now I see why Charles Vandervaart said this scene was a lot of fun to play! [Article]
V: He was like a bull in a China shop, wrecking everything in his path. Now, where oh where, does he think he gets that temper from? Asking for a friend.
A: Not the chandelier! It was so pretty. Who is going to pay for all this?
AR: Siri, play “The Man in The Mirror.”
V: Amanda, you are so crazy. Well, his image has greatly changed. Who he sees in the mirror now is not the same person he saw that morning. Can you imagine what is going on in his head? I can’t.
A: He should have had that Brandy.
We had a lot of discussions about maybe small mannerisms that William would carry that would be reminiscent of Jamie’s mannerisms. We decided William picked them up when he was a child and they were interacting a lot. We had a lot of discussions about the two characters and how similar they are.
AR: Jamie doesn’t know about the spy accusations, so his anger is going to explode.
V: I loved this transition – from son’s to father’s anger outbursts. Why would his anger explode? He’s done the same thing several times. I think Jamie calling LJG a ‘filthy pervert’ was like a gut punch and that is why LJG just wants him to kill him.
A: This is PTSD. I think Jamie is thrown back to his time with Black Jack.
I think that [Lord John] was just acting out of spite and testing Jamie and his anger. Like just throwing that venom into his face, like trying to shame him in a way. Like, if you’re going to do it and just go ahead and kill me. You have no values here. You’re acting like an animal, like a terrible, brutal barbarian. And I think that his frustration in that moment is Jamie’s not talking to him; he’s beating him up.
AR: The last thing Jamie and LJG need is more nosy Regulators or random Continentals getting involved in their fight.
V: And the way they approached them was so random. There was no way they would tell them what they were doing out there, let alone why they were fighting.
A: Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Fraser or Grey can’t catch a break.
AR: The American troops or militias, even if they didn’t always have uniforms, knew that officers on either side would wear their uniforms at all times. They’re right to suspect that either or both men are lying or are really spies.
V: Yeah, I guess that is true. But I wanted to ask ole boy questioning them when was the last time he’d bathed. Oh, I ‘luvbs’ how LJG spat out his name.
A: Interesting how the prisoner speaks for himself.
AR: The last thing Jamie needs is Americans chasing him on top of the British. It’s better for the Americans to think they caught a spy.
V: Agree. But I was wondering why LJG was in such a tit-for-tat with Jamie and yelling he wasn’t ‘bloody sorry’ is beyond me.
We are not finished, sir.
No. We are not.
A: I should not be laughing but I am. LJG is sassy! Wait, where is Jamie going? He isn’t going for real, is he? He can’t let John be captured for real for real.
And I am not bloody sorry!
AR: Yeah, LJG isn’t doing himself any favors. They definitely suspect he’s a spy.
V: I didn’t understand why he was being so ornery and acting like Claire – forgetting where he was and with whom. It’s obvious he is in uncharted waters.
A: I wonder how long they have been traveling because John’s eye looks horrible.
AR: “Remember Paoli” could refer to the town of Paoli, Pennsylvania. There was a battle there so it’s possible these men lost comrades there.
V: Yes, it is what they were referring to. I was thinking of Italian (like cannoli) and thought the way they pronounced it was wrong and funny!
[Note: One of our followers on X (GiGi McBreen @CharmingStation) sent me a message about it. She lives outside of PA and said, “They mention the Paoli Massacre, but they all said “pow-lee.”
They said it that way several times. It is pronounced just as it is spelled, “Pay Oh Lee”- three syllables with the accent on the O.”]
A: The pronunciation threw me off.
AR: I don’t think William understands what this woman is about…
V: No, he probably doesn’t because he is not about that life. He is very naive.
A: Very naive.
The scene with Arabella, um, not the physical stuff but everything leading up to that was one of the audition scenes.
AR: William is embarrassing himself and I’m cringing.
V: I was trying to figure out what the hell he was doing and then to tell her he needed a moment. Ah, hello, you are in HER room.
A: Embarrassing yes, but at least he was cleaning himself. Good hygiene is always welcome.
AR: William’s having a mental breakdown which also looks like drunkenness to the untrained eye. Either way, this woman doesn’t need to deal with it.
V: He is just lashing out at everyone he comes in contact with, but the realities remain the same.
She shouldn’t have to deal with his issues.
A: I like this actress. That dress is rather pretty. William is just a walking pile of rage.
No one has time for it.
AR: Now I see why Jamie needed to avoid the British. Those letters would be a death sentence.
V: And this is why he wouldn’t explode about Claire being a spy. He does it all the time.
Boy oh boy, Claire is going to be jealous that he met with George Washington.
A: I like this uniform better than the all whites.
Oh, this is what Jamie couldn’t allow the British to discover on his person.
AR: Wilmington seems like forever ago.
V: It was a long time ago. Wasn’t it like four or so years ago?
A: So glad he didn’t bring up Cherry Trees like Claire did. Washington left before the surgery Claire performed in Wilmington, right? There would be no way he forgot the Frasers if that were the case.
AR: Jamie’s definitely ready to lead men again!
V: He is THE LEADER OF MEN. So, yes to the Brigadier General promotion. I find it strange how they just handed out military titles so willy-nilly.
A: I thought Jamie resigned his commission. I was curious about the same Vida. I am glad he added that part about Congress having to approve. I wonder how Claire will take this. Does this get him out of the front lines?
AR: I suspect Rachel is the only person who could make William smile for real right now.
V: Yeah, but you see the smile didn’t last long after he saw Ian was with her.
A: That was such a genuine smile.
We went to see some Quakers near Valley Forge
to ask if they’d allow a marriage at thier meetin’.
AR: That happy news isn’t going to improve his mood either. Rachel is the girl who got away.
V: I didn’t like William that much in the books, but Charles’ portrayal made me feel sorry for him. At every turn, he is getting bad news.
A: William didn’t see this coming? Really?
A marriage?
We are betrothed. Ian and I.
AR: William is spiraling because he thinks Ian was in on the “lie” too.
V: Yes he is, but picking fights with the wrong person could get him seriously hurt. He’d better watch it. He doesn’t know Ian that well to know Ian will kick his ass too.
A: That escalated so fast. I do credit him for attempting to walk away first.
AR: Blaming Ian makes no sense; he was a child when William was born…
V: No, it doesn’t. But for him, it’s all adding up in his head that everyone around him knew and didn’t tell him. He’s not thinking from Ian’s point of view, only his own.
A: Yeah he is realizing everyone was in on a secret except him.
You, you lied to me too, cousin.
AR: Ian’s right but William won’t see it that way because he sees himself as a proud subject of the King.
V: Chil’ please, that is the last thing he wants to hear. He views Jamie as a criminal and a ‘low-life Scot’ and himself as a lord.
A: I get them both here. What’s crazy is I think Ian and Rachel still believe Jamie is dead.
V: Yes they do and William didn’t mention seeing him at the house.
AR: Rachel is very observant.
V: Yes, she is observant to notice the resemblance to Jamie. But what did I tell you, William? You will NOT speak to Rachel that way. Ian isn’t having it.
A: People in this episode need to express themselves with words and not fists. William did not say anything wrong to Rachel. Ian is getting his get back and also protecting the name of Jamie.
AR: That was a setup.
V: I don’t know if it was a setup, but a prime opportunity to get Ian out of the way and out of his face. Just having a temper tantrum and using his position to inflict pain onto someone else.
A: Now William on some true bullshit. Didn’t he just hide a body for them a couple days ago? William, much like his daddy, protects the Frasers. But he saw an opportunity to get his get back and went for it.
AR: That “kiss” was a tantrum, to be honest. William is mad that Rachel chose Ian. I’m glad Rachel defended herself though.
V: Because he is so naive; he thinks that’s going to cut it. Rachel always reminded me of Claire. You’ve got that right. She is letting him know, again, that Ian is the one for her and not him!
A: This reminded me of Jacob kissing Bella in Twilight: Eclipse. I’m glad she protected herself too. However, it makes me even more pissed that she didn’t against Mr. Bug. He was out right trying to kill her. She spat out William’s kiss. Ha-ha!
V: LOL. I remember that kiss, Ayana. Rachel also wiped her mouth afterwards for good measure.
You know, he’s not part of that triangle, really. He’s like the third tricycle wheel that’s just like not really being used at all. The real love story is between Ian and Rachel. So yeah, I think he acts in a kind of horrible way and hopefully outside of his character. I hope that he can make it up to her at some point in the future. But at this point, he’s seeing red. I think he is a tornado of destruction. I don’t think he’s thinking rationally about what’s going on.
~ Charles Vandervaart
V: Yep Claire, I thought that was the title card – like father, like son. William is running wild right about now and has lost his damn mind.
AR: She never saw William in meltdown mode before.
A: Title card reference!
AR: This news leaves Claire potentially in a precarious position if the British command question the marriage.
V: True, but the soldiers are leaving. We all know Jamie is coming back for her and is now a Brigadier General. Washington now controls the city.
A: LJG really didn’t know he was being recalled. He really was acting like a civilian. Military service yes, but not currently.
AR: I see why those Americans were upset, that was a war crime. At least LJG has something to bargain with the Americans with.
V: It was and in cold blood. They want their pound of flesh from whomever they can get it from.
LJG does have something to bargain, but he has been a little too naive since he’s been in the camp. He thinks life is as normal as he is used to, and it isn’t.
He thinks life is as normal as he is used to, and it isn’t.
Will talk to Washington about LJG being of service.
AR: Jamie’s thinking, “Oh no, what now?”
V: It’s always something, but he shows up in the knick of time.
A: Where is he off to now? He is doing a lot of traveling. How much time has passed? I’m glad Ian kept his cool because I could not have. I would have lost my shit.
AR: Jamie figured out right away Ian and William had a fight.
V: He should be exhausted. Has he slept or eaten since his return? Rachel probably told him all he needed to know.
A: I want to know how Rachel answered Jamie’s question. Your bastard child is totally acting like a bastard and cowardly used his power to arrest his cousin? Close?
And it’s, of course, hugely dangerous for William, but also really hard for William to fathom, to put together. And Jamie’s always wanted to be a part of his son’s life but could never be directly. So, it’s gonna be a huge storyline that’s played out throughout S7 and perhaps into S8… It’s a catalyst for William. It sort of sends him on this spiral that has all these repercussions. So, it really is a catalyst for the explosiveness and drama of the next two seasons.
AR: William is angry but he’s also super embarrassed. I also see that Jamie isn’t taking the cursing too seriously.
V: Listen, William has met his match and then some. Did you see the look in his eye when he realized Jamie wasn’t playing with him and that he’d better do as he was told?
Just outside of that one scene at the end of the previous episode, this was kind of the first time the two men face with William having the new knowledge that this is his dad. And of course, I think he is so quite heated, and William is not really thinking rationally in this episode ever. So, I think he’s just seeing red when he sees his father.
But you know what? He’s the one person that actually gets through to him. And maybe it’s the connection they had when they were younger – with Jamie being the groom at Helwater when William was a child. But he does see reason for a little bit.
A: Isn’t Jamie still wanted? Did he just ride his ass into a train of redcoats? Ian spied him in the open. Too bad William is in a rage ‘cause he would realize that’s a bluff. Jamie isn’t about to tell William’s secrets. William should start asking Jamie the stuff he asked Claire earlier. Hear it from the horses’ mouth.
AR: Those Frasier punches are hard.
V: Indeed, they are. Brute force!
A: I barely recognize Lord John, not sure how Denzel does.
The way that people treated me on set, because the makeup was so convincing, they were shocked and appalled at the way I looked [very gnarly prosthetics needed for Lord John’s injuries]. It really did help me inform my performance and inform the way in which I was feeling.
AR: At least John admitted that he understood Jamie’s anger.
V: Yeah, he knew all along. That’s why he blurted out what happened so quickly. He probably didn’t expect it to be so brutal though.
A: I think the initial calm ‘why’ threw him. He took measures to get back on track. At least John is being seen by a competent doctor. No unnecessary leeches or tobacco smoke up the bum. I keep forgetting not everyone knows Jamie is alive.
AR: Denziel definitely made the right medical decision.
V: Yes he did, and I was so glad.
A: Smith is on Plan B now.
AR: William is so jealous right now.
He had a very strong sense of direction at the beginning of 7A. That is [now] questioned. I think he’s a bit disillusioned to the ideas of war, and he realizes how horrific it is.
But he still is very much rooted in his identity as a lord and someone who fights for king and country. And then when we pick back up in 7B, that kind of all falls apart. His entire sense of identity is taken from him.
V: And feeling smaller by the minute.
A: But a man of his word.
AR: Rachel’s instinct is to make peace but honestly William has to be the one to do it.
V: Like Claire, Rachel is only worried about Ian. I ‘luvbs’ how they speak without words.
William can’t even look at her/them.
A: I feel their chemistry more in this episode than I did in the last.
AR: Oh, NOW he wants the woman he almost beat up earlier. Ugh.
V: No, I think he is taking into account what Harkness was saying/describing and realized that is what she has to deal with all the time with those soldiers.
A: I think William is trying to protect her.
V: Harkness’ arrogance was at ‘check,’ but William pulled off his military gorget and ‘check mated’ his ass! And that was the end of that.
First and foremost, Silvia [Presente] is an absolutely incredible actor. I’m so glad we got to do those scenes together because she’s very, very talented and made everything really easy for me.
AR: William was definitely ready for this match-up!
A: I agree. Harkness was seething.
AR: William is once again not thinking about how his actions affect other people.
V: Because he is not about that life and is clueless. At least he apologized and offered to take care of what he could.
A: He led with, not inflicting harm and apologies. We can work with that.
In his mind, him allowing himself to enjoy that moment and not resist that kind of temptation is a loss of his honor. I don’t think he wanted to be with Arabella. I think he wanted to be with Jane, which is an important distinction. It’s something that he would’ve liked to experience with Rachel, his first love interest in the show. But this time around, he does feel a connection. It’s two people that are fighting for an idea of what they want in their lives, and not in very good circumstances.
AR: Paying for the ruined items is a good start. However, this one-night stand is not going to lead him to Mrs. Right.
V: Yes, it is. It is not going to lead him to Mrs. Right, but I think he just wants to protect her at least for one night. [Whispers: I do hope they include the later storyline.]
A: Paying for damages too? Okay William.
I think that was the first time. Well, I think so. Now you probably have to consult Diana Gabaldon for the actual answer. But that’s how I was playing it, because I think that makes it a bit heavier that his honor has been stripped in kind of this weird way. He was holding on to that last bit of himself, you know? Yeah, I think it was his first time. I think he was shocked enough. You know, I think if he had done that before, it would have been a little bit more, you know, run of the mill. But no, I think this was probably his first time.
AR: Arabella did not ask for the trauma dumping but she’s getting it anyway. Also, I totally believe he’s dreaming of Rachel while doing this.
V: I think they made a connection and wasn’t thinking of Rachel. After learning her real name, that is what he called her. He now understands what it is to be someone you’re not.
A: I didn’t get the sense he was thinking of Rachel either. Really great casting done here and I want to see where this goes.
William is a lost person when he meets Arabella and Arabella is also not in the circumstances she wants to be, and I think they do they do bond over that. There is a strange sense of familiarity there that they both feel even though they couldn’t be more different. William comes from extreme wealth and power and she is struggling with specifically men that have that kind of power over her.
So I think it’s quite beautiful that they can form a bond. I think that William has maybe some kind of duty that he feels to protect Jane . . . and hopefully that continues.
AR: I’m glad Denziel gave him the heads up; hanging is disproportionate for the fight.
V: It was the right thing to do. I am just glad he had the presence of mind to give him a knife to try and get out of there.
A: Wow Denziel was willing to risk a lot to free John. Where is Jamie? Shouldn’t he be rescuing John by now?
AR: More Frasier stubbornness.
V: Jamie is pissed. Pissed, I say.
A: He doesn’t look too happy.
AR: Jamie’s clearly angry Claire didn’t tell him first but there was no time to.
V: He’s logical enough to know there wasn’t any time from when he returned and when they had to leave before William came home. Nah, he is pissed she slept with him.
A: I think he’s mad they slept together or specifically how they slept together.
AR: Jamie wants answers but he’s only going to bring up bad or hazy memories.
V: But he doesn’t know that at this point. He does not understand how Claire would sleep with LJG, of all people.
A: She should ask him how he could marry Laoghaire of all women, knowing she attempted to have Claire burned as a witch.
AR: I’m hoping some empathy kicks in as Claire was definitely thinking of self-harm.
V: Sam gave a masterclass of acting in this scene. You can see when he starts to understand the situation, especially when she mentions she was thinking about drinking a whole bottle of Laudanum.
A: The acting from them both is great. I really believe them.
AR: That was very inflammatory and Claire’s right to hate him for it.
V: Damn Jamie, read the room. You ask for an explanation, and she is giving it. Now, you are going to ask something like that. Really?
Claire had every right to slap him. But again, it goes to show that, in his mind, that is the only position LJG would have sex with anyone.
A: I’m surprised she didn’t hit him.
V: Ayana, we just had to wait for it.
[Jamie] Ye both thought I was dead.
And I ken what ye’re like when ye’re drunk, Sassenach.
AR: Claire has a point; he was assumed dead. This isn’t a simple case of adultery or abandonment.
V: Now he is coming with that caveman mentality. The funny part is that this discussion is all about Claire and LJG having sex. LJG nor Claire brought up being married. So in Jamie’s mind, LJG took advantage of her.
A: REMEMBER LAOGHAIRE? It’s weird that her name isn’t even mentioned in this conversation. Jamie stuck on sex positions.
AR: Jamie was so close to saying the right thing and then he stepped his foot in it again.
V: You are so right. I was trying to figure out what the hell he was saying, like yeah Claire you are a loosey-goosey with your body when you’re drunk. But he didn’t mean it that way. I am glad he cleaned it up.
A: This is what brings on the physical violence? We all know Claire’s a lush.
AR: Jealousy or possession is definitely at the core of Jamie’s feelings right now.
V: Yes, they are. At least he knows it too and admits it.
A: I think he is talking himself into some sense.
AR: I’d call it catharsis, but I see the metaphor here.
V: Yes, it was a great metaphor and appropriate. Otherwise, he could have returned to a dead Claire.
A: Totally agree.
AR: He didn’t exactly think through his anger and very well put LJG in disproportionate danger.
V: He never thinks it through, especially when it comes to Claire. And putting LJG in danger was the least of his thoughts at the moment he let those soldiers take him.
A: Speaking of LJG, can we go check on him please?
AR: I’m glad Jamie can still at least think fondly of his past friendship with LJG. It will make eventual forgiveness easier.
V: Claire explaining it as triage for her allowed him to understand what happened, just like what LJG did for him after what happened with Geneva and William. The light bulb finally turned on.
A: Maybe he needed to hear it from her because she is telling him the same thing LJG told him earlier.
AR: Claire never wanted to be publicly known as LJG’s wife.
Are ye my wife?
V: No, she didn’t and still felt like she was married to Jamie.
A: Can’t they do this on the road? Lord John needs help!!!!
V: LOL. Ayana, he is the last thing on their minds right now.
How could I not be?
AR: Denziel was smart to give him the shank!
V: Yes, he was. Now, let’s see if LJG can get his ass out of there.
A: So glad he is saving himself. I was half afraid he would not take Denziel seriously.
AR: I remember the book version of this scene was super intense and this is matching it.
V: Yes, it really was. Jamie was like, “No one is home so we can start right here” – even though all the curtains were open in the windows.
A: Wasn’t this in a shed or something in the books?
AR: Run LJG run!!!
V: OMG, he is free. He’d better run fast.
A: I hope his escape is quiet.
AR: This table doesn’t seem comfortable but that’s never stopped the Frasier’s before.
V: Are you kidding? Remember, they used to be on the ground outside, at times. This is nothing for them.
A: That table looks sturdy.
AR: Col. Smith woke up too quick for my liking.
V: Mine too, but he had to wake up eventually. I’d rather it in this episode than the next one.
A: Damn, not a quiet escape after all.
AR: LJG can barely see but he’s clearly following what Denziel told him to.
V: I would have no sense of direction out there. How can he even see? This transition from him trying to escape back to Jamie and Claire on the table seems a bit disjointed, though the intensity and climax (no pun intended) matches.
A: Let’s hope that forest is as empty as it was earlier in this episode.
Each season and every year that we see these characters live with each other, it deepens, it gets stronger, it becomes more mature, but I don’t think you lose the fearless romanticism with that. They are as deeply in love, as deeply passionate as they were in Season 1. It’s just manifest slightly differently. We always try and find new ways to tell our story.
Through the romance of it all, or whether they’re fighting, whether they’re making love, whatever it is, we want to try and find new ways of showing where they’re at in their lives. I think that’s one of the beautiful things about telling a story in such a long running show.
AR: Of course, this episode ends with yet another intense cliffhanger.
V: Yes, it did. They are moving quickly with these episodes with no dull moments.
A: The fade to black on a gunshot seems cruel. Very Outlander like.
Episode Rating (1-5 Shots)
Rounded up, we give this episode 5-shots. We have waited for these storylines for 10 years. Overall, there was no disappointment.
However, some of us didn’t like the juxtaposition between Claire and Jamie’s lovemaking reunion and LJG escaping through the woods. The tension and emotion in both scenes felt disrupted by putting them together, back and forth, rather than the audience seeing Jamie and Claire in full, then seeing LJG’s escape.
Favorite scene(s)
We had three favorite scenes for this episode. First, William smashing everything in this path in the house – the table, vases, chandelier, and the mirror – were equally tense and hilarious. Second, LJG and Jamie’s fight was almost how we pictured it while reading the book.
Last, Claire and Jamie’s discussion at the end. So much of the episode was from the male rage perspective, it was good to hear what happened between LJG and Claire from Claire’s perspective. The discussion was very authentic to their characters and their relationship.
Directing
There was so much going on in this episode. The directing leaned heavily towards closeups or smaller framed shots within crowded scenes, especially from the action shots of William crashing everything in his sight, the fighting scenes to the close-ups of Ian and Rachel and scenery shots. We were able to keep up story wise and felt like we were getting what we needed from each scene.
Standout Acting / Performance(s)
This was a well-acted episode all around. But we have two standouts for this episode. Charles Vandervaart captured William’s spiral perfectly. It was all there – the anger, the identity crisis, the jealousy, the lust that has nowhere to go. Just outstanding!
And David Berry. He was asked to do the most and pulled it off. He showed sides of LJG that we hadn’t seen before, from his facial expressions, sassiness to his self-preservation.
Favorite Costume(s)
We continue to love Jamie’s blue leather coat. Also that color burgundy looked great on Lord John. It matched his bruised eye quite well.
Cinematography
The scenery shots were captured beautifully. We were especially impressed by those of Jamie riding from destination to destination that captured the beauty of the area. We also enjoyed how much detail was captured in the woods at night. You could see every branch LJG was tripping over.
LOOKING FORWARD
What we are looking forward to in Epi13 – Hello, Goodbye
Amanda-Rae: I’m looking forward to William realizing he should apologize to everyone. I’m also looking forward to Jamie interacting with all of the men we know from the history books.
Follow Amanda-Rae on BlueSky – @amandaraeprescott.bsky.social and Threads –@amandarprescott, as Twitter is now only for reposts of links.
Ayana: Rescuing LJG, of course. I hope we get more of Arabella/Jane along with checking in on the other timelines. Will Roger find his father? Will Bree get Jem’s location from Rob? Follow Ayana on Twitter/X @Ayana80Smith.
Vida: I am looking forward to seeing several things. Claire and Rachel getting closer. Where are LJG and William and what are they up to. Bree and Rob’s interactions and if Jem is found in this episode. Will we see Roger and Buck? Follow Vida on X – @backlanderz and BlueSky – @blacklanderz.bsky.social.
Brianna works to thwart a treacherous plan that endangers her family. A surprise encounter brings new understanding to Roger’s journey in the past.
Ian and Rachel take a big step in their relationship as the Revolutionary War rears its ugly head once again.
Disclaimer: We hold no rights to any of the pictures. No copyright infringement intended.
I don’t think William is going to be apologizing to anyone any time soon, unless the show takes a VERY BIG veer away from the book.
That’s true. So, we’ll have to see how it plays out.
“However, some of us didn’t like the juxtaposition between Claire and Jamie’s lovemaking reunion and LJG escaping through the woods. The tension and emotion in both scenes felt disrupted by putting them together, back and forth, rather than the audience seeing Jamie and Claire in full, then seeing LJG’s escape.” I didn’t like that either. I thought it diminished both scenes.
Totally agree. ~ V