Blacklanderz®Convos!
Outlander S8 Epi3 – Abies Fraseri
Written by Madeline Brestal | Directed by Metin Hüseyin
This conversation is between Blacklanderz® Lorinda, Andrea, and Ayana (Ay). Arranged, edited, and interrupted by Vida.
L: What’s up with the bugs? I read the book, but it’s been so long ago that I can’t remember. That last bug has got to have a meaning to it. It looks old and weird. It’s called the male Hercules Beetle.
A: I’ll admit, I usually skip the title cards, though I quickly glanced at the bugs.
Ay: Pretty bugs, I wonder how this will fit in.
L: You know some of the things that Fanny remembers have to be triggers for her. Mrs. Abbott really sticks in her mind. She’s shocked that she could actually have one as her own.
A: That poor girl. She has been through it. It is going to take some time for her to understand she can have her own things.
Ay: What is that made out of? Ivory?
[V: Ayana, it looks like it.]
L: Number one, why is this man coming up to her and talking to her? And number two, what does he mean it doesn’t look like it belongs to her? He seems creepy to me.
A: Me yelling at the TV, “Man, if you don’t get away from her.” Instant ick!
Ay: All the people in this market and you’re picking Fanny to pick on?
L: Why did he wait for Bree to leave to approach her? That’s right, Franny, stranger danger! He’s a pervert and a pedo. Franny still looks like a child; that slap was warranted, and I love the fire Franny has.
A: Git him, Franny. Also, watch yourself man, Bree will light you up.
Ay: Isn’t she like 10? What type of company does he want with a child? People are just gross in all centuries. I’m glad the insults got him to walk away.
L: She’s a wise one; she has been around that type enough and knows he’s no good. That slap said, I’m safe, and I have a protector now.
A: So poised and so smart, and has someone who will make sure she is safe.
Ay: I hope Bree is armed.
L: Fanny didn’t want any parts with them. I think it may have reminded her of her sister Jane and what they did to her.
A: Agree, doesn’t want what happened to her sister to possibly happen to Bree.
Ay: What exactly is Bree going to say to them? Hopefully, it was her gun she wanted to do her talking, otherwise just walk away.
L: Jamie is still angry. Lol. That ‘former husband’ thing is like a knife to his heart.
A: Oh, good grief, Jamie. This man. I get it, it hurts, but let it gooooo.
Ay: How much time has passed cause why is he still mad? I love that’s not stopping Lord John from writing. Former husband is a bit much and I swear Claire needs to hit back with a Laoghaire mention or two.
L: Him looking out the window while he’s talking to her is a tell. Shoot, William doesn’t even make him smile.
A: Just over there, looking out the window, sulking.
Ay: I wouldn’t let Jamie know shit. Let him read the letter himself. He has an issue with Lord John writing, but okay with reading Frank’s book? Make it make sense.
L: I bet he’s thinking you had my wife, now you want my daughter. Ooh-wee, he looks mad as hell!
A: It’s not funny, but he is pissed. Geez.
Ay: He’s acting like a big baby and it’s funny.
L: Jamie ain’t having none of it; he’s holding on to that grudge. Claire is like, “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” Jamie is sticking to his guns; he wants nothing to do with Lord John Grey. Claire’s marriage to John is really eating him up.
A: She looks like she is about to throw something at him, “Who the f*ck are you talking to and WTF!”
Ay: Jamie has switched from big baby to dumb ass teenager. Claire has more patience than I. Who does he think he’s talking too?
L: There is no way to explain this away; he had his wife and still thinks he wants to kill him for it. Franny shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.
A: Welp, now Franny knows all of your business. Eavesdropping is a no no, miss ma’am, and these two….
Ay: He’s saying all this like he doesn’t know who he married. He signed up for this. He’s really mad his baby mama slept with his baby daddy. Lol. Now, we about to have Fanny worried needlessly.
L: Claire actually thinks Jamie is done with that? He will never be done with that, not one bit; all he sees is them being intimate with each other. Poor Jamie.
Ay: He got over Frank; he will get over this. He needs to stop creating baby daddies all over the place.
L: That jealousy is on full display. I haven’t heard him talk like this in a long time. Usually, his anger is direct, quiet, and calm, like when he killed Brown. This is rage, boiling under his skin. I wonder if he feels this way about Frank, too.
A: He is not going to let this go. This jealousy is just eating away at him. I’m worried for the future.
Ay: He better let this go. Lord John is so intertwined with this family that he isn’t going anywhere.
Jamie can forgive some things, but don’t sleep with his wife. Ultimately, it’s hard for him to let that go.
L: Well, she really does say and do as she pleases, but I think that’s what he loves about her.
A: Yup, 100% she does. And I agree; it is definitely one of the things he loves about her.
Ay: Jamie loves that part of Claire.
L: Jamie doesn’t care about William either. His slamming that door and walking away is his way of saying I’m still angry, and I’m done talking about it.
A: Settle down, Jamie.
Ay: Not William catching a stray on his way out the door 😂. I’m not sure why this is all so funny to me, but we’ve been through too much to have a third husband derail anything.
L: Well, he is pigheaded, Scot! Fanny still feels insecure; she doesn’t realize how connected her family is to her.
A: I laughed out loud. He definitely is just that.
Ay: Nice to see Fanny being reassured here.
L: Why is Fanny concerned with William? I don’t think she’s witnessed Jamie being angry, so it makes her nervous, where she comes from, that means a punishment is coming to someone.
A: Fanny is definitely worried about that anger.
Ay: I’m actually surprised Fanny doesn’t ask after William more.
L: Here again, we see the unnatural knowledge Fanny has, saying she knows what swive means. She shouldn’t have been exposed to these types of things, but because she and Jane were orphaned girls, this was their only way of surviving. That’s really messed up.
A: She is too young and should have never had to know any of this. It’s so sad.
Ay: It’s sad that she knows this stuff. Heartbreaking really.
L: As I said before, her outlook on life was shaped by a brothel. Where broken agreements meant change. So she believes the brothel is waiting for her to come back, but little does she know that they took her in because of who she is to them.
A: Poor thing. I’ve got no words.
Ay: People usually don’t keep their word. I’m glad she feels comfortable saying this and not keeping it inside and running away or something drastic like that.
L: Why don’t they just tell her the real reason they took her in? As a matter of fact, they can at least tell them about the children they fostered as their own. I’m speaking of Fergus and Lizzie. That would at least ease her mind.
A: She is so worried she will be sent away. Is there not something they can do to ease her mind more.
Ay: I agree. Tell her the stories of how they acquired all their children. Help ease her mind.
L: Jamie is a man of his word. When he showed Fanny her room in the Big House, he meant it was hers to keep.
Both she and Jamie said they would take care of her, and they mean it. I hope this comforts her and gives her some peace.
A: This family is all about keeping their word. I hope she realizes this with time.
Ay: I think with time she will.
L: This is a lively discussion, and both LJG and William each have valid points. The question still remains, is Ben still alive or dead? Who knows.
A: I’m not sure that Ben is alive, but I do see both sides of this. Accidentally being buried in the wrong grave probably occurred a lot then.
Ay: What is the timeframe here? How is he just going state-to-state and back?
L: Well, that could be true too. I can’t wait to find out which one is true.
A: I would love that for him, but I don’t think Ben made it.
Ay: He didn’t think to dig up the other grave to be sure? Can he go back and check?
L: That tin soldier is like a talisman between Ben and William. It’s kind of like the rosary Jamie gave to William. That could be a key that he’s still alive, if he thought it brought him good luck.
A: Points made.
Ay: This makes me think of Sawny the snake.
L: John said he will not turn to drink when he’s frustrated. That’s right, John, stop him from becoming a drunk. He does need a purpose; if he’s not doing something constructive, he may become disconnected from life.
A: He is very aimless and needs to be doing something. Drinking will definitely NOT help the matter. LJG is doing what he knows best.
Ay: What else is he supposed to drink? Water? Let that man wet his whistle. He’s grieving his maybe, might be dead cousin.
L: Sounds to me like LJG is tired of talking to William and decided to put a distraction in his path?
A: Go talk to her William.
Ay: He can’t tell her without something more than suspicions.
L: Well, at least this can confirm his death, and it gives William something to look forward to and to do.
A: Maybe something to it. Definitely gives him something to do.
Ay: Seems we have a plan.
L: Well, he does need to get back into society, but it will also answer the questions William is having.
A: He’ll get there. But for now, let’s see if he can find anything out.
Ay: Killing two birds with one stone.
L: I really love their mother and daughter conversations and the openness with one another.
A: I love them and their relationship now.
Ay: I have the biggest smile on my face and just kicking my feet. They have so much to discuss. Love having Bree back with her mama.
L: Bree was like MA!!!! That was funny. She didn’t shun her at all, She was like tell me more!
A: Okay that was hilarious. I’m surprised she didn’t say so how was it? Lol
Ay: I am laughing my ass off. I need Bree to ask for details.
L: She’s right because when you know someone’s secrets, it changes your perspective of them. It’s always in the back of your mind when you see them.
A: I am curious if she will be all blushing and knowing smile or awkwardness.
I love that scene. It’s really funny and what I love about it as well is you sort of see Claire enjoying the madness of it. She could never admit that to Jamie or John. I think not that she enjoyed it, but somewhere she’s tickled by the fact that it was such a crazy, bizarre situation.
Ay: She has seen LJG f*cking in a pantry. She will look at him just fine and ask him for details.
L: That was funny! She’s right not to mention it, calling LJG Da in front of Jamie, which will start his blood boiling again.
Wait, I don’t have to
call him Da now, do I?
Yeah, I really love that scene. I mean, so that scene originally took quite a turn, actually, because that’s when Brianna in the book, she has a heart problem so I then kind of go into AFib. So that scene had a really beautiful shape, but I’m glad we’ve kept the humor at the top of it because it’s something from the books that we haven’t managed to see much of Brianna and Claire have in the series.
Do not joke about that
in front of your father.
A: Lord girl, that was funny but stop playing. Please do not “joke” about that to Jamie.
Ay: I paused here and just died.
L: I don’t think I trust Cunningham. Something’s not right with him. If Jamie doesn’t trust him, I’m not going to trust him either.
A: Don’t trust this man. I’ll leave it at that. Jury still out. He seems shifty.
Ay: That is an extreme trip for dropping off belonging. I can believe it., I just don’t in this situation.
L: That’s one reason he moved there. He knew the war was coming and he wanted his family in a safe place.
Ay: Jamie is too slow to evict and kick people off his land.
L: It was a long way, and didn’t he say his son died in his arms? This isn’t making sense to me. What is he hiding? Fanny was right about those men.
A: Nah something is off. He screams not trustworthy
Ay: Wouldn’t you mail his stuff? It isn’t like they came to deliver the news of his son’s passing.
L: That is his land, and he makes the rules. Throw him out now, Jamie! I think Frank gave him information that is actually helping Jamie.
A: This is Jamie’s land. What he says goes. Period.
Ay: I don’t like how he took that gun out of Jamie’s hands.
L: There is no excuse for a nice young man to speak to Franny that way. I thought he said they came from a long way off. Why would he see them again?
Ay: He is sticking to his story. That’s what it seems like now too, a story.
L: Now, why did she just walk into his room like that? What if he didn’t have any clothes on? Hmm, I’m going to be watching her. That’s a nice waistcoat, and it must have taken her a long time to do that.
A: That’s a lovely waistcoat.
Ay: Did she sneak another peek? The waistcoat is cute.
[V: Yes, she did, Ayana. You see how she stood inside the door, looking at him, before she fully entered.]
L: Oh, so that’s what the title card was about. She had to work on that for a long time. Who has time to do that with a newborn? Well, I guess back then there wasn’t much else to do.
A: Incredible details.
Ay: Title card explained! The pop of color on some of those beetles are so pretty and jewel like.
L: She sure is touchy-feely; that touch was an awakening. Hmmm, this nobility thing is so stupid. We are who we are because of how our parents raised us, not the nobility of society. I’d like to know who her grandfather is.
A: Okay with the hands. I wonder about her family background too and would love to know more.
Ay: We saw that right? So your father and grandfather weren’t of the nobility. They were, instead, out here doing important things.
L: They really get each other, don’t they, those goo-goo eyes. She’s looking for her next husband. She wants to keep the name in the family. Smart girl!
A: I smell a potential love match in the future.
Ay: William out here falling for every woman he meets. I don’t trust her now.
L: Roger and Bree want to be prepared for whatever is coming to the backcountry. So they are going to Savannah to do the commissioned art work for John. I thought Jamie said NO!
A: If they don’t start listening to Jamie. He’s stubborn but he is smart. Sometimes.
Ay: Arm yourself. I’m with the children on this one. You don’t want war, but you have to be prepared just in case.
L: Well, she’s correct about the safe passage and that they would not be suspicious under this pass.
They do have a boatload of gold.
A: Between the safe passage via LJG and the gold they should be fine but…
Ay: Money on lock and safe passage in lock. Let’s go get some guns.
L: Jamie is riled up because of that book. He wants to protect his family and keep them from harm’s way.
It amazes me that he feels this way, this plan is something he would usually come up with.
A: This book prediction has this man on edge. Can’t say I blame him.
Ay: He hasn’t learned you can’t change the future?
A: I don’t think it’s a punishment because of LJG. It’s that book.
L: I agree with you, it’s that book.
Ay: I think it’s a combination of both.
L: Well, they are grown. They wanted his input and I do believe his blessing on the guns, but not on going to Savannah.
A: Grown with two kids, but a parent will always be a parent.
L: Yes they will, just ask me how I know.
L: No, Claire couldn’t lie to Jamie; that man knows his woman. It’s like they’re spiritually connected. That’s why they had animals that reached out to them when they were in two different dimensions. Right. And LJG has always been up front with Jamie.
A: Claire could never lie. This is correct.
Ay: Claire and her glass face. Girl please. Also LJG couldn’t keep his mouth shut either.
L: Right, because once again visions of him swiving his wife would pop into his head. Those are demons wrapped around his brain.
A: Claire, girl, you know anything about this man is setting him off.
Ay: Now, I’m wondering if she’s pushing his buttons on purpose. That backside remark was intentional.
L: As soon as I saw her ask him to help her undress, it reminded me of their wedding night.
Honesty is a double-edged sword; it maintains trustworthiness, but it still hurts when you know it, so I don’t think it’s worth it.
Ay: Claire not one time throwing Laoghaire in his face is true love.
Cause let me tell you, my whataboutism would be on peak levels right now.
L: Frank couldn’t handle the truth, and Jamie wasn’t talking about them but about that stupid book he wrote. I think she should say that. Why would she be glad that she did?
Ay: Oh, he wants to bring up Frank. Bring up Laoghaire. Let’s have an all-out ex- spouse royal rumble.
L: Now you can’t go around killing people or destroying what you’ve built up together. Well, Jamie, how can you love if you haven’t forgiven her?
Ay: I’m tired of this conversation. I need them to kiss and makeup. What does she need to be forgiven for exactly?
L: How can you love someone that you’re holding a grudge against? If you do that, it becomes a routine, and you become angry over and over again when you don’t forgive and move on. They thought he was dead, how is that considered cheating?
A: This constant going in circles is exhausting to me. Jamie, please, you have got to forget this and move past it. They did this in the heat of the moment, thinking you had died and were both very very lost.
Ay: Exactly, Claire. You did nothing wrong.
It definitely upset Jamie Fraser, and upset everyone on the show, honestly. And I was quite delighted about that. I guess it goes back to my roots on Home and Away, I liked being the homewrecker!
But anytime you get a chance to really disrupt the material – and I knew I was coming between this relationship – everyone adores Jamie and Claire – so to step in between that and to just tread that line, was really quite fun as an artistic challenge. I know fans were kind of horrified, but I took a perverse delight in it, to be honest.
L: This right here is what unforgiveness looks like. They have a connection, and his name is William.
They both confessed to it and said why they did it. Jamie, it’s time for you to remove that demon from your mind, and every time it tries to slip in, tell it no and to get out.
A: Get it gone from your head Jamie. Get it gone.
Ay: That’s trauma, Jamie. You have to deal with it. The important word being YOU dealing with it.
L: Tell him, Claire, all she’s ever wanted in her bed was Jamie; you can ask Frank about that.
A: The ONLY person, past present future, that she wants is you Jamie. If you don’t listen to this woman.
Ay: Claire be thinking of Jamie while in bed with her other husbands.
[V: Ayana, I was hoping she would have said exactly that.]
L: I guess she’s saying let me see if you see us or anyone else in this bed with us. I like how she keeps her clothes on in these scenes.
Their intimacy and chemistry together.
A: One thing they’re gonna do is work it out in the bed.
Ay: I do like the staging of this scene. I love their theme playing too.
L: They are one. If he has it in his system, it really affects both of their systems. That smile he gave her was beautiful and fun-loving.
A: I hope they HAVE gotten it out of their system. Aye!
Ay: If he starts in on LJG tomorrow, ‘Imma’ be mad.
L: She was talking about that tough skin of unforgiveness and the anger he was holding onto. I think it’s out of their system now.
Ay: They are so precious together.
We go to bed fighting
about your third husband,
and I wake to find
L: I liked that comment he made, and they are back to loving instead of Jamie’s ire.
you gazing at a book
written by your first.
A: That was cute. These two.
Ay: Haha. He’s in a better mood.
Well, lucky for you, I’m only
in love with my second.
L: That sounds like something Frank would do. Maybe he was going to have it published in England and not in America. Hoping she would find the book after he was separated from her, living his life with his side piece.
A: That 100% sounds like a Frank move. I hope it isn’t true. It better not be.
Ay: I can see show Frank doing that.
L: Yep, that sounds like Frank. He was hurt. Claire loved another man more than him.
A: Frank was hurt. He would be that cunning.
Ay: Frank was hurt enough.
L: I believe it’s a bit of both. As my daughter says, “a hit dog will holler,” and Frank is really hollering. He should have felt grateful for Jamie’s protection of Claire in that timeline, and for giving him a daughter he never would have had.
A: I do wonder if Frank knew. I am thinking he did. That he found out somehow. Wrote this book saying this will happen to Jamie.
Ay: I think it’s both too. It’s the Bree of it all. If he knew Claire went back, he had to know Bree did as well.
L: Well, he is torturing you both with this death date and the people who have shown up on the Ridge. Let’s pray he’s wrong. I don’t want to see Jamie die and be separated from Claire.
A: I’m going to go with he did this to scare, to separate them and it’s not a true prediction. Because I will flip a table. if Jamie dies.
L: I’m with you! Clearing the room, while flipping tables.
Ay: I think he did it to keep them informed and therefore prepared. The torture of knowing when Jamie die is just extra. But I think Brianna was taught and raised the way she was because Frank knew she would be going back in time too.
L: Here comes the truth, which can be a double-edged sword, and at this point, Claire used it to hurt BJR. But I don’t think he really believed it. Yes, and who can trust Frank at this point?
A: I can’t trust Frank. After all, look who his ancestor was.
L: BJR was a scandalous, ruthless p.o.s!
Ay: I trust Frank’s knowledge of history. He may have had ulterior motives writing the book, but I believe he used real historical facts that can be relied upon.
To tease some of the stuff, I think they returned to the Ridge because they wanted to protect themselves and their family from the world events that were going on around them. But you can only hide from things happening like that for so long. Sometimes the inevitable just has to happen. As we know, the war can come to their door. Eventually, they’re going to have to face a lot of things and not just try and hide from it.
L: I have asked this question before. How many times has Jamie beaten death? The fortune teller told him he had nine lives. I lost track. What is on the cover of that book? I think it holds a piece of this puzzle.
[Frank] You know it’s real. In your heart,
you know what’s written is the truth.
A: Frank’s voice unnerves me and I need Jamie to live.
Ay: I’m glad they got Tobias “back” for this last season.
L: Look at all those wigs! You know they were full of lice, eww!
William was waiting for him to be alone to talk to him. As soon as he mentioned who his dad was, he had his full attention.
William is a sharp man, and he used the jacket to lead into a segue about his cousin. What a smart and quick thinker he is.
Ay: Are they not in Georgia? I bet it smells so bad in that room. Just hot wet suffocating ass. Humidity of funk.
[V: Yes, they are and I bet it’s hot as hell with no air conditioners.]
L: He’s doing a great job of trying to pull out some information on Ben. Although Leslie isn’t taking the bait.
A: Keep at it William.
Ay: These sound like perfunctory answers.
L: Good sleuthing, Willie! I wonder what LJG is thinking. I betcha he thinks he may seem like he’s lost his mind if he’s talking to the General.
A: William being a regular old Sherlock Holmes.
Ay: LJG got one thing accomplished. William is dressed, out of the house, among his peers and not drunk. Next is getting him to care about his estates.
L: Yes, he did deal with prisoners, and his favorite one was Jamie. Anyway, here’s an opening for William to do some digging around for information.
A: Oh, this will be interesting. I wonder what will come of this.
Ay: Uh-oh where is this going?
L: You mean to tell me LJG didn’t tell William about all of his assignments?
I guess some things were meant to be kept a secret or an indiscretion.
A: Oh this will get very interesting. I’m seeing a thread from governor of the prison, to Jamie being a prisoner and his indentured servitude.
Ay: William didn’t know this already.
[V: He should. But he was little and I can’t remember if they talked about it in the show.]
L: Even the black people knew where to get medical treatment.
But how did they end up on the Ridge?
A: I’m already nervous.
Ay: I’m scared and worried all of a sudden.
Did she use a road or just walked through the woods in a general direction?
L: I know that moaning, and I never want to experience it ever again. I understand why they call it labor. Binta must be the midwife, and she couldn’t figure out what the problem was. Clair’s fame is spread throughout the mountains.
A: If anyone will get you through it will be Claire.
Ay: They don’t understand how lucky they are to have found Claire.
[V: Oh, I think they know because they knew where to find her.]
L: I knew she was a midwife.
Twins, you say, oh wow! It is stuck, Binita did right!
A: TWINS!
Ay: The twins announcement would have sent my stress so high I would have passed out.
L: If they were in regular times, a quick C-section would have taken place.
Hopefully, the walking will help the babies out.
A: I cannot imagine going into labor with twins in those times
Ay: When my mom got tired of waiting for her grand baby, she took me on a long ass walk. I went into labor a few hours later.
L: Now, where is William going to sit? Who is this Percy? One thing is for sure, he and John know one another.
[V: You know, but you just forgot. He is LJG’s stepbrother and former lover.]
A: Oh Percy! This dude again. He’s about to be up to some shenanigans.
Ay: Percy just saved Lord John from a William inquisition.
One of the main points of feedback that I get from fans is a real yearning. Calling for Lord John to have some kind of meaningful romantic connection with someone, because, as we all know, he cannot have that with Jamie Fraser. And he’s had some very roundabout ways of being connected, tangentially through Jamie Fraser, with marrying his daughter, or nearly marrying his daughter, becoming his son’s adopted father, and then, of course, marrying Claire. What is exciting about season eight is that we may see another romantic interest for Lord John.
L: It seems to me he’s a spy. He doesn’t seem too happy to see him; LJG is actually quite perturbed. If he’s a great liar, then he most definitely is a spy.
A: He’s got something up his sleeve.
Ay: Who is he spying for again?
L: So that’s how they know each other, they used to fool around, looks like he wants some more, but John isn’t for it at this table. What does he want with Fergus?
A: I need Percy to LEAVE Fergus be. This dude is shady and shifty. He cannot be trusted.
Ay: I’m going to assume Percy is in it for himself. I was going to say leave Fergus alone cause he’s just minding his own business. But that’s not what all Fergus is doing.
L: Fergus ain’t trusting some stuff that came in the mail. It could be a setup; Jamie taught him well.
A: Good I am glad Fergus is wary.
Ay: Fergus knows better.
L: Percy is trying to blackmail LJG? You’re going to have to try harder than that. Does LJG know Fergus?
A: LJG don’t be a sucker. Don’t fall for it.
Ay: I was about to ask the same thing. Has Lord John and Fergus had any scenes together? I know they know of each other. But have they met on the show?
[V: Yes, I believe they met in Jamaica, S3.]
L: LJG is a gentleman, and he’d like to return the favor. Hopefully, Percy doesn’t mean to harm Fergus. Capt. Richardson is the one who tried to kill William. John said find him because he has some ‘splaining to do!
Ay: Richardson is the one that cornered Claire in the ballroom right, and asked her to spy?
[V: Yes.]
L: Mr. Whitaker is walking and knocking with authority on their door.
A: He looks mad. I hope he’s not an abusive husband.
Ay: Aaron doesn’t look too happy. Where has he been this entire time?
L: How is she supposed to get up and leave in labor? I understand you care about your family, but your wife is in danger, dude!
It had to be hard to trust any white men or people during this time. But he needs to stay there until it’s done.
A: Men. That’s it. That’s all. She isn’t going anywhere. I get the trust issues but you’re gonna need to stay.
Putting your wife in more danger than being caught.
Ay: Go? Go where? Sir, your wife is in labor.
L: I understand his fear; they would take freemen and women and sell them into slavery. How can he trust any of them?
With respect, Mr. Fraser…
I’ve little trust in white men.
I’m a free man.
My wife is a free woman.
And I intend to raise
our children free.
Claire and the twin birth. Well, this is from the book. For what it’s worth, there weren’t a lot of Black people in the mountains of North Carolina at the time. Down on the coast, yes, but freed slaves (or more prosperous Black business people–and there were some of those) generally didn’t have a strong reason for going up into the mountains.
A: Again, it’s understandable but you are going to have to take a leap of faith.
Ay: The fears are valid.
L: They have to be staying on the Ridge, because how would they know about Claire and where to find her?
[V: No, I think they live in the vicinity of Fraser’s Ridge, not on it. With so few people, they had to have heard about Claire and took Savannah to her; obviously, without her husband, Aaron, knowing. That’s probably why they were on a back road where no one could see them. ]
I’m glad Jamie and Claire didn’t agree with slavery. If Jamie says something, he means it. Fanny is always watching and learning.
A: I appreciate that Claire and Jamie CAN be trusted.
Ay: Trust Jamie and Claire.
L: That’s a peace offering. He needs it, and what other choice does he have?
A: Yes, go get a dram.
Ay: Yes, get a drink to calm your nerves.
L: She looks shook, I guess if brought the grief back. I’m thinking she thought it was a special gift for her.
We had a lot of debate about Amaranthus because I think she is polarizing.
A: The look on her face.
Ay: She came down those stairs giddy. Only to be slapped with grief and mourning.
L: Maybe she thought William put himself in danger, or just the sight of his uniform brought back her grief. It would be good for the baby to have.
A: I don’t know but she is making me suspicious. Maybe it’s just grief. I don’t know. Time will tell.
Ay: Her reaction isn’t what I’m expecting. I don’t know what that was, but it didn’t look like grief.
I think, you know, every character or villain or whoever they may be has to believe that what they’re doing is the right thing. So I think that’s kind of how we approached Amaranthus, that she is fighting for the well-being of her son. I mean, that’s absolutely what she’s doing.
She’s like, ‘How do I protect his future? How do I protect him?’ And that’s to me what she kind of aims to do this season. I mean, where they’ll end up, we don’t know.
General Roulon (the toy soldier) is show-only, not book,” Gabaldon explains. “Per book, William knows the man in Ben’s grave isn’t Ben, because he uncovers the corpse sufficiently as to discover that the man in that grave has no ears. (i.e., the man was a thief, and had had his ears cropped at some point prior to death–but he absolutely can’t be Ben.).
I don’t know whether the show just thought that was too gruesome, or didn’t want to go through the convolutions that would have been necessary to explain to the audience what the absence of ears meant (or didn’t want to show a half-decayed corpse sans ears…), or whether they just wanted to keep the waters muddy as to whether Ben was alive or not.
L: Well, the mystery of the toy soldier is answered, so does it mean Ben is actually dead? Maybe he had a premonition that he would die. Who knows, we have many loose ends to tie together. She held it like it was insignificant, and why did they pan back to those letters? Is William going to read them?
A: Oh, I hope this doesn’t mean that Ben is actually dead.
Ay: I’m glad the toy soldier has a resolution. However, I have even more questions.
L: She’s talking about birds and songs, but her body language is saying something different. Why did she smooth down the front of her dress like that? Something is strange about Amaranthus.
A: What are you getting at girl?
L: Why is she all flirty? What is she up to? I told you that the last bug has something to do with this episode.
A: Is, is she making moves? Too soon.
Ay: William seems to only be interested in women that are related to him. He is going from niece to cousin’s wife. There are way more people on the planet than that William.
William and Amaranthus…I don’t know that he’s confused, but he is surprised, and his natural caution (he does have some, show appearances to the contrary) is aroused. He thinks she’s sexually attracted to him (she’s certainly acting that way), but given the suddenness of her behavior (again, the show has a problem with having to squash things together in an improbably quick sequence, while the book can pursue a more nuanced evolution–though even in the book, William is somewhat surprised (but still aroused) by Amaranthus’s…um…shall we say flirtatious? actions toward him. He’s definitely attracted to her, though.
L: So, if you’re a proper young woman, why are you secretly kissing your dead or not-dead husband’s cousin? Nope, I think she’s trying to lure him, and I think I know the reason why.
A: Something is up. I don’t like it.
Ay: Amaranthus making moves. She is trying to secure her position.
L: A baby boy! But didn’t she say there were twins? Here comes the next one.
A: One down.
Ay: All that pushing and you need to do it again. Hell nah.
L: Oh, no this isn’t good for Claire!
She’s triggered, but she stays in her Dr’s role. She will not let Jamie have the baby.
A: This is making me cry. Poor Claire
Ay: I know she triggered. Yet and still, still trying to save the baby.
[V: Yeah, that look on her face is so telling without saying a word.]
L:I told you she was triggered.
She’s going back. Poor Claire.
A: She is being taken right back to that moment.
Ay: Up to this point, I have just flat out ignored the Faith stuff in the first episode this season.
I have a feeling what’s about to happen and now I’m actively thinking, what if?
[V: I haven’t figured out where they are going with the Faith storyline or why.]
[Mother Hildegarde]
We will take care of you.
[Susannah] My Baby.
[Master Raymond]
Everyone has a color about them.
All around them like a cloud.
Yours is blue.
[Claire] I’d lost my child.
But yes, Claire is discovering/developing her healing powers (we’ve seen these, in her and in other people, elsewhere in the books before this), and in this moment of extreme crisis, is able to reach the final spark of life in the dying child and hold onto long enough for the spark to grow and take hold again.
L: I bet they couldn’t believe it. But Claire heard what Master Raymond told her about her color blue, maybe she used this to pull on the power that’s in within her.
A: I’m so lost. What does this mean?
L: I have no idea.
Ay: Now I’m actually wondering about all the Faith stuff.
There’s always been these special energy moments within Claire’s life. We’ve seen them peppered throughout the show. She’s a time traveler. She’s had these connections to things and these understandings of things. We never knew why she was able to [do] these things or not.
With the babies, it’s quite a shocking moment, but I don’t think it’s necessarily out of the blue. For Claire, how does she come to terms with the understanding of what has happened? It’s a further evolution of other things that have happened in her life. I’m not sure that she fully understands it yet, at this point.
L: I’d be confused too. Nah, I would have given the baby to Jamie or the mother and started praising God in the dance!
A: Claire is as lost as I am.
Ay: It would be easier if the show just showed the blue light or her hand glowing. Something like that.
[V: They did show it. But if you were not up on your TV screen, you didn’t see it. On the computer, you can see something blue moving through the veins in her hand. Scroll up and look at the picture.]
L: Jamie knew how long she had worked on that baby, and it had been without oxygen for a long while. It was a miracle!
A: It’s as if Claire is magic.
Ay: Claire put some of her life force into that baby.
L: She knew she was dying, and she wanted to die, but Master Raymond knew she needed to live.
A: Why did Master Raymond help her live? I am very happy about it but I’m really looking forward to finding out.
Ay: I need a Master Raymond spin-off to explain himself.
L: Did she heal herself, or was it what Master Raymond did to her? According to her explanation, Master Raymond coaxed it out of her, called it forth? He called her Madonna, so she had to be a mother at some point. I remember now Master Raymond had her call out Jamie’s name to heal herself.
A: I need some answers.
Ay: I need an ‘Inquisition of Master Raymond’ novel so bad. I have so many questions.
L: Maybe the remembrance of Faith pulled it out of her again and into the Whitfield baby. I’ll call her a Master Healer.
A: A healer in the truest sense.
Ay: Claire is coming into her power.
I mean, we know that Claire has something. That’s from the days in France. There’s magic in Outlander. We know that, too. That’s a given. She touched a rock and went through time. So there’s magic somewhere.
L: Maybe the two of them together, Claire and Jamie, helped save the baby. I always wondered why he asked for forgiveness.
A: Jamie looks so confused. I’m confused.
Ay: I’m glad Jamie just rolls with the magic/supernatural stuff.
L: Yeah, Master Raymond got caught up with that witch trial, and he had to leave. I always wanted to know more about him.
A: I hope we learn more of where he disappeared to after the trial.
Ay: Which means at the witch trials, Faith was alive.
Master Raymond didn’t give a hint to Claire?
He just offs Saint Germaine, pick up Faith and skedaddle out of France?
L: What did the Indian woman tell her when her hair was white, her powers would come through. Something to that nature, and Claire is now grayer than Jamie.
A: Woah! I forgot about the Native American woman.
Jamie, what color is my hair?
All the colors on the earth.
But…but here…
…all around your face…
‘Tis the color of moonlight,
mo ghràidh.
Ay: This is why I no longer like the “previously on Outlander” cause it reminded me about the Native American women telling Claire when her hair turns all white it means she’s fully come into her powers. So I expected this scene.
L: Jamie has a lot of intuition and thoughtfulness as a man. I love how he thinks of others’ needs and helps them to get through hard times. Fanny really needed this.
A: I love how gentle he is and the care he gives to others.
Ay: This was thoughtful. I also thought he was going to say Dougal.
L: I’m sure he would, since Jane was his granddaughter; he is a family man.
A: What a lovely thing for Fanny to have a special place to talk to her sister. Do we KNOW for certain they’re related by blood? That they are Faith’s children.
L: That’s a mystery. Epi1 said they were. But sometimes, the writers flip the script.
Ay: You have to let me know cause I ignored that part of the episode. All I remember is Claire telling the Hippocratic Oath to kiss her ass as she murked a guy in his back.
L: He gave a place to talk to Jane, just like I believe he has a place to talk to his mom, dad, Murtagh, and Ian. I also believe he talks with Jane there.
A: This will really help Fanny heal.
Ay: Aww. I’m reminded how Bree has one for Jamie at Lallybroch.
L: Hopefully, it will quell her thoughts of being cast out again, and it will make her feel more connected and at home.
A: I hope that she is learning that she can trust them.
Ay: I want Fanny to know this is home. Those were gunshots! Who is shooing at who?
L: Jamie doesn’t just believe anything anyone tells him; he needs proof. He remembers his time in Scotland, and there are some things he just won’t do, and hanging dead men to scare others isn’t happening on his land or his watch.
A: If ya’ll do not stop playing with this man, his property and his Ridge.
Ay: It seems we have to escalate from evictions to outright killing people. Cleveland is acting like he owns the place.
L: Jamie is bullheaded, and not one person is going to make him do something he said he wasn’t going to do. Cleveland is a bit of a bully.
A: Cleveland is an asshole. And if Jamie said it isn’t happening, it isn’t.
Ay: Both these men need to go. The one from earlier in the episode, Cunningham, and this one. They think they own the place.
L: Yep, Franny confirms who these men actually are and ties some loose ends together.
A: Definitely no crying for these two.
Ay: Didn’t Jamie ask her to stay by the cairn?
L: At this point, I don’t care what Cleveland says at all! Jamie did the right thing, not telling him what he found. Why did he keep the guns? What is he going to do with them? Jamie remembers what the book says, and I don’t think he wants to work with Cleveland or Cunningham.
[V: To arm his militia.]
A: Just move on and off of his property. He is right to not trust any of these men.
Ay: Why he get the guns? He just shot two people without proof. What kind of operation is Jamie running over here?
[V: I guess he’s thinking, he found them, so he is going to keep them. Jamie has none. He’s been gone so long. The Ridge has its own operations, and he is just catching up to it.]
L: Crombie is a mark! I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I don’t trust him. Telling him to wait while he goes and gets him, this is Jamie’s property, and he’ll do as he damn well pleases. That locked door was for his protection.
A: I am sick of these folks being in Fraser’s Ridge trying to tell Jamie what to do.
Ay: Who do these people think they are?
A: Jamie is running this investigation. They were here and now they’re not. They were smuggling muskets, mistaken my foot! He’s not giving Cunningham time to come up for air.
L: You’re right. He knows that the stench in Denmark is coming from Cunningham.
Ay: I do appreciate Cunningham not fully outing himself until he was caught.
As to Cunningham and Jamie, this sequence is purely show–engineered to bring the Jamie/Cunningham conflict to a very quick boil. It’s picking up the hint of confrontation and rivalry that started in the previous episode, and now we’ve got open conflict and struggle for the soul of the Ridge, so to speak.
It’s in keeping with the overall plot/notion of loyalties, but the context and pacing are much more condensed.
L: We know that Jamie is great at decoding letters; he intercepted those in France. Now I know why he picked up that gun the first time he was in Cunningham’s office.
A: You can’t sneak anything past Jamie. He’s not new to any of this.
Ay: Oh, so this is where the episode title comes from.
L: Pay close attention to the look on Cunningham’s face. He knows his cover is blown. I bet he’s trying to come up with an explanation. The lying devil, talking about how he was done with war. I betcha Crumbie is part of it.
A: Lying lying. Is this man about to cause Jamie more problems?
Ay: Once his cover is blown, he doesn’t keep trying. He gives up the knowledge and then tries to recruit Jamie. Respect 🫡. Hell no, you must go. But respect to the game.
Provide update on Fraser’s Ridge.
Additional arms coming soon.
Progress is slow in Rowan County.
In need of new recruits.
L: That low-down dirty dog! Kick him off the ridge, Jamie, better yet, kill his behind.
A: Jamie needs to get rid of him asap. Bringing a fight to his ridge. Oh this makes me sick
Ay: Eviction notice should be on his shop and home posthaste.
L: He wasn’t ever retired; all he had to do was say no. I still say kick them all out. Find the list and banish them. The loyal southerner….
A: No no no no. Nip this in the bud Jamie.
Ay: Go scorched earth and kill them all.
L: Well, the land belongs to the landlord. Most of them who left and came to the backcountry were against the king. I’m sure Jamie will formulate a plan to put them out. I knew he was a backstabber; they smile in your face all the time, they want to take your place, those backstabbers.
A: It doesn’t matter who they’re loyal to. Who owns the land on the Ridge? They all need to go.
Ay: Be loyal to whom you please. But if it isn’t to the landlord, your asses need to go.
L: The crown has ‘nevah’, ever, done anything right by James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser.
A: Yeah, that is a negative. It’s like the Godfather. Just when Jamie thinks he’s out, they pull him back in.
Ay: Thinking Jamie will be loyal to the king is hilarious.
L: Jamie, tell that demon to shut his pie hole! I can’t believe they would tell us the ending and have us fretting over the known outcome.
A: I’m sick of him too. I’m so stressed. So so stressed.
Ay: Not Jamie’s inner voice being Frank Randall. 😂
[Frank] I told you, Fraser.
It’s coming.
The pieces are falling into place.
Just as I wrote,
each day brings you closer to Kings Mountain
and closer to your history.
We give this episode 5‑shots. We rated the episode highly because the story flowed smoothly and the pacing kept it moving well. The cast delivered strong performances and seemed to benefit from great direction throughout.
It was also an emotionally effective episode that left us deeply engaged, even while raising more questions than answers.
Favorite scene(s)
We had a few favorite scenes, each for different reasons, but all of them revealed something essential about the characters. Jamie’s confrontations with Cunningham and Cleveland were especially satisfying. Both men carry themselves with these oversized personas, yet Jamie still manages to eclipse them without even trying. With Cleveland, he drew a clear line. This was his land, his authority, and he was not about to let anyone trample over it. And with Cunningham, watching Jamie, Franny, and even Cleveland (begrudgingly) unravel the deception on the Ridge let his take-charge, King of Men stature shine in full force.
We also loved the quieter, more intimate moment between Claire and Bree. Their banter about Claire’s marriage and the playful honesty that followed felt warm and real. It is always a treat to see their mother and daughter dynamic in full swing, especially when it leans into humor and affection. The whole conversation about husband number three was not only funny, but also a reminder of how strong and easy their relationship is.
Directing
We were impressed by how confidently the episode was directed. The pacing felt effortless, with each scene flowing naturally into the next, giving the whole hour a sense of cohesion. We appreciated how the director pulled Jamie into a battle he clearly wanted no part of, letting that tension simmer without ever feeling forced. We also liked seeing where each man in Frank’s book truly stood, a thread the directing helped clarify rather than clutter. And the clean, intentional way the LJG–JAMMF–Claire scandal was wrapped up felt especially satisfying.
Standout Acting / Performance(s)
We all agreed that the acting in this episode had some real standout moments. Sam Heughan, in particular, delivered a performance that hit every emotional note. We could hear the weight of everything he was carrying in his voice and see it written across his face. It felt lived-in and honest, the kind of work that pulls you right into his internal struggle. We were also on the same page about how strongly Sam anchored the episode. He really did his thing here, grounding every scene he touched.
And we cannot overlook Florrie May Wilkinson as Fanny. She continues to steal scenes with the kind of presence and natural ease that is rare in a child actor. Every moment she’s on screen feels bright and alive.
Favorite Costume(s)
We were completely united on this one. The waistcoat Amaranthus made and gave William was the clear standout. The detail, the fit, the craftsmanship, all of it looked incredible on screen.
It was not just beautiful to look at; it was also surprisingly educational, especially with the way it highlighted the different beetles found in the Colonies. The design managed to be elegant while also nodding to the natural world around them, which made it feel even more special.
Cinematography
We were really taken with the cinematography in this episode. The sweeping sky views of the Ridge, the outpost, and the Big House gave everything a sense of scale and quiet beauty. Those transitions that lingered on nature, especially the shots of the night lit only by the moon, added a calm, almost haunting atmosphere that grounded the story in its setting.
We also loved the scene in the woods with the cairn. There was something serene and almost sacred about the way it was framed, as if the land itself was holding its breath. And Claire’s garden in front of the Big House looked lush and alive, a small pocket of peace captured with such warmth.
LOOKING FORWARD
What we are looking forward to in S8 Epi4 – Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut.
Lorinda: I’m looking forward to the preparation Jamie is going to put in place to protect Fraiser’s Ridge, and I want to know who this Scottish guy is. Oh, last but not least, what’s the deal with the sauerkraut? Follow Lorinda on Bluesky: rinrin65.bsky.social; IG: wmofgod and FB: Lorinda Cockrell.
Andrea: I’d like to know more about how they will prepare for whatever may be coming. I’m nervous and will be until the end. Yeah, what is up with the sauerkraut?
Ayana: Where is this William and Amaranthus thing going? I need more Lord John Grey in my life and hopefully this leads to checking in on Fergus and Marsali. What does Percy want with Fergus? I want this all in Epi4. Follow Ayana on X @Ayana80Smith & IG @Ayana80Smith.
Outlander S8 Epi4 – Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut~ Video via STARZ
Synopsis:
See why we love Outlander on Blacklanderz® Speak!
Disclaimer: We hold no rights to any of the pictures. No copyright infringement intended.
I always appreciate your comments on the scenes when you do your convos. You often notice and discuss things some other sites that do commentary don’t notice. I thought this episode was a really good one, dramatic, funny, poignant at times. It also seemed well paced. I was glad to see Metin Huseynin (sp?) directing again, as he has done some of the best episodes in other seasons. I think I read that Sam and Caitriona said they enjoyed working with him too.
Thank you so much. We really appreciate you reading them and commenting. It really was a good episode, and I like when he directs. It takes on a different feel when he does.