Blacklanderz®Convos!
Outlander S8 EpiS8 Epi6 – Blessed Are The Merciful
Written by Danielle Berrow | Directed by Niall MacCormick
This conversation is between Blacklanderz® Gwen, Cathy, and Vida. Arranged and edited by Vida.
G: Let me first say I’m excited about this episode. I have lots of strong opinions so this will be a good conversation. I imagine Cunningham is thinking that, when he said he had five more years to live he should have been more specific about the quality of life.
C: For real! The whole scene I kept thinking, “you reap what you sow.” Death would have been too easy.
V: Isn’t that the truth. They focused way too much on the years to live and not what else could possibly happen in the interim. He’s such an arrogant prick.
G: Claire is showing him compassion, more than he would have shown Jamie, and yet he complains. Claire is better than I.
C: She is doing what many doctors do best: compartmentalize. Even still, no amount of compartmentalization would remove the smell.
V: The smell is coming from you, Mr. Man. He shut the hell up after he looked down there and saw his literal mess. Can’t imagine the stench.
You’re right, Gwen. She has the patience of Job in her later years, more so than she did earlier. And he has the nerve to blame her for his situation before she explains what happened.
G: I would imagine not too many people with paraplegia would survive in those days. If the sepsis didn’t kill them, the bedsores would. And without catheters, there was nothing to keep their wounds from becoming infected.
V: I agree.
C: And the UTIs. I feel sorry for Elspeth. Partly because no mother wants to see her child in that situation, but also because she will be the one taking care of him…and it hasn’t changed his nasty disposition.
G: I feel like he was ready for a soldier’s death, but this seems unimaginable.
V: He was, and it is. But that’s what he gets for trying to assist in Jamie’s death. In his arrogance, he never thought anything would happen to him.
C: Not dying isn’t the same as living, and he’s about to find that out.
G: As a side note, I really like Cleveland’s vest/waistcoat. This dude really gives me the creeps. I can’t imagine Cunningham surviving the night if Cleveland were in charge.
V: I ‘luvbs’ me some Josiah. I guess he and Cleveland bonded on this trip. But Cleveland is blood-thirsty and on a killing spree. He killed all the men of the Ninety-Six so Jamie would be indebted to him.
C: Cleveland may have helped Jamie, but I don’t trust him.
G: This level of blood lust is a lot for our modern dispositions, but I imagine in those days people didn’t learn lessons the easy way. If Cunningham wasn’t paralyzed, he’d still be plotting to kill Jamie.
V: I keep getting side-tracked with Jamie in his kilt. Yeah, it was shoot first, ask questions later in those days. I don’t think Jamie thought about enacting any laws when the Ridge was first established, but he needs to put some in place. Cleveland is like a bull in a China shop, especially when it comes to Tories.
C: “Well there’s sport in it. I won’t lie.” That’s a psychopath in any time. Buck is suspicious of Cleveland, and he’s not someone Cleveland would want as an enemy.
G: I actually agree with Cleveland here. He needs to make an example of them, or it will happen again.
V: True that. But who is he to point his finger in Jamie’s face while sitting on Jamie’s porch and drinking his whisky? He’s far too thirsty for killing people and hanging them. And I can’t believe that, after what they just did with the militia, Josiah would ask Jamie about Cunningham in front of Cleveland. He knows Cleveland is dangerous, and this could put another target on their home.
C: Josiah is fan-girling over Cleveland just a little too much.
G: I actually agree with Cleveland here. He needs to make an example of them, or it will happen again.
V: He almost had me agreeing with him, not about the hanging‑from‑a‑rope part, but about making Cunningham an example. But wait a damn minute. How does he look sitting on Jamie’s porch, drinking his whiskey, and talking about how he’d watch Jamie dangle from a rope just for the way he spoke to him when they first met? That would have been the end of the conversation for me. Jamie doesn’t owe you sh*t!
G: He doesn’t, but he has to watch himself. Jamie disciplining Cunningham isn’t just about sending a message to his tenants but to people like Cleveland. Cleveland knows Jamie is going to take the high road.
G: He doesn’t but he has to watch himself. Jamie disciplining Cunningham isn’t just about sending a message to his tenants but to people like Cleveland. Cleveland knows Jamie is going to take the high road.
V: First off, I have to get used to Jamie hearing Frank’s voice in his head. Second, I was glad to see Cleveland leave. I wondered where all those men were going to stay. Last, I wouldn’t trust him any farther than I could throw him. And, with his big ass, that wouldn’t be far.
G: LOL. True, right. I can’t help but feel like if Jamie had dealt with Cunningham in Epi 1, we wouldn’t be here.
C: I totally missed that it was Frank’s voice. I thought it was Buck. But then all I could think was “that poor horse.”
[Frank] It’s your own fault.
[Frank] You knew his help would come with a price.
You have my word.
G: Where are my men? Sir, you don’t have any men.
V: It boggles my mind that he feels he is owed any answers. He’s still acting like he has some kind of control, and he doesn’t.
C: Cunningham’s arrogance is astounding. Can’t walk. Lying in his own urine and feces, and has the nerves to act like he’s owed something.
V: Cunningham is such a jackass. If Jamie wanted to kill him, he could have left him at the post to bleed out. Ungrateful prick. I’m getting tired of this prophecy; it’s overkill now. That’s right, Jamie, clear it up. But I’m not sure I agree that Claire wouldn’t allow you to harm Cunningham, especially since he tried to kill you first.
G: Yeah, I’m not a fan of them making Jamie look so weak. This has been a common theme throughout the series. Jamie grants mercy, and it bites him in the butt.
C: Claire wouldn’t allow Cunningham to be harmed as long as he’s her patient. I’m sure she won’t care otherwise.
V: The way Cunningham is carrying on, I’m not sure I’d be able to resist putting a pillow over his face. Where’s Marsali? So he wants Jamie to put him out of his misery? I get that he’s upset about his condition, and even though he’s living off the prophecy, he failed to realize ole girl had other plans — karma.
G: We can have a repeat of the Browns. And not him calling Jamie cruel when he was going to have Jamie hanged.
C: Like I said before, this is a fate worse than death. And has Cunningham forgotten what he did? Jamie still has the scare around his neck!
V: I hope Roger and Bree make it back before Ferguson finds out about Cunningham. It will be interesting to see what Jamie does to/with him.
I can’t imagine kicking him out of his home, putting him in the back of a wagon that Elspeth has to drive. Then again, yeah, I could. They would have to leave the Ridge for good. Otherwise, Cleveland and his men might kill him.
G: I would say put him out of his misery. You can’t risk him getting out and plotting revenge, even from a bed.
C: What happened to Jamie justice? Where is the warrior?
V: That was the longest cold open. I almost forgot it was one. Who the hell is that running with a dog in the field? Wait, is that Ian’s son, Swiftest of Lizards?
G: It was so long, I thought they were going to skip it. It’s definitely a young boy.
C: I watched this through, even though I normally skip it. I find it hard listening to the Boat Song since the first season. At the time, it’s not obvious that the little boy is Ian’s son and his wolf.
V: How’d they get to New York so fast, in a wagon no less. I wonder what else Rachel is envisioning. She looks worried.
I hate that Ian has to relive that trauma of leaving his family behind.
G: Ian is getting back in touch with his Mohawk roots and wondering if his life now can be incorporated into who he once was. I imagine that since they left, she has been worried he might miss his old life more than he loves their new one.
C: Rachel is a better wife than I could be.
V: Oops, there it is. The other thing Rachel is thinking of, his marriage. I knew it was going to come out. I know Ian has a lot of emotions going on right now, but he better be nice to Rachel and stop snapping at her. Rachel is better than I am. I don’t know if I would want to hear my husband talk about his former wife. I know the circumstances are bad, but still.
G: Yeah, I don’t think any woman would be okay in these circumstances, even one who tries to be so forgiving and kind.
C: I don’t understand how she manages to go along without seeming weak. She’s worried but supportive.
V: No, Rachel. Don’t go down that rabbit hole of envisioning how things were between Ian and Emily. Next, you’ll be comparing your relationship with him to hers, and that is not a good thing to do. Understanding is one thing, but we don’t have to talk about her. I’m so glad Ian said their souls weren’t meant to be one. That should be reassuring for her to hear.
G: Agree. She shouldn’t let herself spiral. Ian loves her and their life together.
C: Coming from anyone else besides her, I’d think it was a trap.
V: I don’t think Rachel appreciated Ian telling Oggy he loved him in Mohawk. Lord, this is going to be a weary trip for them and me.
G: This is Ian merging his Mohawk life with his current life. He thought he had left it all behind. But I hope that Rachel feels like she is part of this new journey with him.
C: That must have been hard for Rachel. If she didn’t recognize the words, then Ian hasn’t been speaking Mohawk. I wonder if she’s worried Ian won’t want to go back to North Carolina.
What does that mean?
It’s Mohawk for “I love you.”
G: Yes Bree, I would have been afraid too. Roger has always been more of a lover than a fighter. So to see him with that warrior spirit has to be scary.
V: God, is that blood on the letter? I can feel Roger’s anguish. Imagine being a history teacher/researcher where you taught and studied the past to actually participate in a war during that time. It has to be surreal. Richard has really come into his own with his portrayal of Roger.
C: Richard gets completely lost in this role.
V: I remember when Claire said going through the stones was like being in a car wreck and we actually saw it. But for Roger to be talking like this. . . Whew!
I get Bree, but she should let him talk about what he experienced and went through.
G: I’m sure she couldn’t feel it. They’ve been through so much together recently.
C: If she can’t read the letter, why torture her with the details?
V: I don’t know why, but I didn’t realize that when the bomb went off, Roger was seeing what we were seeing when his father caught him. Or maybe that was a memory of his. I also hadn’t realized Roger didn’t know how his father was there until now.
C: Thinking about all the ways the characters time traveled, and what that meant, and who was where and when, will send you down a rabbit hole… actually, more like a sinkhole.
G: It’s come full circle. They were always meant to go back in time. And he saved his father and his father saved him.
I believe it was a memory that he was finally able to release because of the bomb blast and the amends that he made with his Dad.
V: I mean, how else can you explain what happened when Roger was a boy and what’s happening now? I really don’t fully understand this time travel. Roger sends his dad back through the stones, and his father is there to catch him when he was a boy. So the memory is an afterthought in the present day? I thought he was going to say that, in that moment, God caught him. And it’s crazy to think that he and Bree are part of history now. I wonder if Frank came across Bree being in that time during his research.
G: I’ve been wondering that too. Is Frank seeing them throughout history, and what is he thinking when he sees this? Is he afraid for her? Does he ultimately know how all of them die?
C: Vida, I think Frank knew Bree was in the past, and it’s the reason he taught her so many useful skills. I can’t wait for the next book about what Frank knew.
G: Hallelujah! I’m so glad that Roger has finally found his calling.
V: Roger and Bree have grown on me. Richard and Sophie have really developed their characters very well. I’m also glad he is finally content with his calling to become an ordained minister. That was a powerful scene.
C: I had absolutely NO hormonal reaction to the scene between Roger and Bree. All I kept thinking was “Roger got waxed. He was hairier in S3.”
V: Me either, Cathy. But I guess since Jamie and Claire are having less sex scenes, they thought they needed to add one of a Roger and Bree.
V: Yes Ben, you did deserve that punch. I think Ben is extreme in his thinking.
Williams is right, he is a coward. He’d rather have everyone think he’s dead than man up and tell the truth. And what about Amaranthus and Trevor? He just walks away from them too.
G: William wears his heart on his sleeve, so of course he was going to take it personally. I kind of feel bad for him; every time he seems to get himself together, he gets thrown another curve by someone who is supposed to be a trusted friend. Yes, he is killing his entire family with grief. What will everyone think.
C: Poor William. On one hand, he’s happy his cousin is alive. On the other hand, he’s pissed for putting him and his family through so much grief.
G: Side note, the first thing I thought of when he said Thomas Payne was that song from Hamilton. Work! Anyway, he couldn’t fight against tyranny but will allow his son to inherit his title. Sounds like he is having it both ways.
V: Too funny, Gwen. I thought the same thing and started humming the song. Exactly. I do hope William spills the tea to e’rybody.
C: Which grief would be worse? Traitor or death? William is between a rock and a hard place.
G: I can hear the pain in William’s voice. He mourned him. But Ben just seems so lackadaisical about it all.
V: Ben’s behavior was strange, like what he did was no big deal. He has no sense of the emotional roller coaster William has been on, and he is so matter‑of‑fact about everything.
C: I mean, that’s love and dedication. William traveled miles in the middle of a war to find answers. I’d be pissed too.
V: We all knew something was off about Amaranthus. We never saw her mourn because she knew Ben wasn’t dead, and she was ready to move on too quickly and lock William down with “their” child carrying William’s title.
She’s a cunning little something, isn’t she? It will be interesting to see how their relationship turns out now that William knows she was in on the deceit. Now I’m wondering what’s in those letters she has in the drawer.
G: I am vindicated! I knew I didn’t trust her. Yeah, she seemed like she was trying to move on way too fast. The good thing is that William can’t marry her now since her husband is still alive. I do wonder what her plan was. Was she trying to leave Ben, or was she just trying to hedge her bets between the Rebels and the Loyalists.
C: Poor William. He has really bad luck with who he falls in love with. Amaranthus is a snake. I thought so right from the beginning.
Well, William is both shocked and very angry, both because Ben (whom he’s been idolizing), has turned his coat, thus giving the finger to the King, Ben’s father and brothers, and William himself. “William taunts him with Amaranthus because he’s trying to rub Ben’s face in her betrayal.
(Per book, we have good reason to think that it’s not Ben that Amaranthus is betraying, but the show hasn’t got time or space to introduce that one…) It also gives William the excuse (he thinks) to punch Ben, which he badly wants to do.
Per book, when William finds Ben and finds out what he’s been up to, they retire to a private spot and try to kill each other. Ben succeeds in temporarily knocking William out and takes him prisoner, and a lot of other stuff that the show can’t do then happens.
G: I’m actually surprised to see that Ben is so attached to her, since he left her to play the part of the grieving widow. Was there a plan to get together later or on the sly?
V: Me too. It’s strange behavior. Before this, he didn’t seem to care at all. But I think he’s reading way too much into William saying he has been “consoling” her. That’s what set him off, but for the life of me I don’t understand why. He’s the one who left.
C: It’s all ego. Ben left but doesn’t want anyone else to have her…or are they making plans for after the war?
V: Cathy, they can’t be making plans for after the war the way she is going after William and trying to get pregnant by him. But then again, this whole storyline has changed, so who knows at this point.
G: Well, that sucks. It seems Ben is more of a Rebel than he is William’s cousin. William has to be thinking, were they ever really close?
V: He is, but he also doesn’t want to be found out to be a Grey. They kill me how they give people titled rankings so willy-nilly. How is he a general when he, with that name, doesn’t exist.
C: Like Bree said before, for a Loyalist, William seems to be very close to a lot of Rebels.
G: This is such an emotional visit. I’m glad Ian has run into a friend first. I’m sure it helps calm his nerves a bit.
V: These people have very long names. At any rate, I’m also glad he is a friendly and Ian knows him.
C: Am I the only one who was focused on the animal they were cooking? Looked like a rabbit. Just me? OK…For people traveling in an area where villages were burned, Ian and Rachel don’t seem to be taking any precautions.
V: No, you weren’t. I couldn’t get past all that red to figure out what it was.
V: Aww, I remember Kaheroton; he was in love with Johiehon. Ooh-wee, that was a hard episode to watch. Mentioning his name, the scene popped back in my head. Cathy, do you remember we met Sera-Lys McArthur, the actress who played her, in NY during the Comic Con? Courtney (Outlander BTS) had invited her out.
Sorry, I digressed. Man, what a sacrifice that was for them to fight so the others in the village had time to escape. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what happened to so many Indigenous people and their land.
G: Yeah, that was a really hard scene to watch. I’m sure it still stings for Ian, but I’m glad that this member is friendly to him.
C: Wow Vida, you have a good memory! I still cry when I hear the Adagio for Strings, the orchestral piece playing during that scene.
G: The first ray of hope. Trying not to get too optimistic but at least he is able to be pointed in the right direction.
V: I’m just glad he was able to lead them to finding her.
C: I wondered how conflicted Rachel must feel.
V: Hell yeah, Claire. I’m with Jamie on this one. I’d shoot them too if those men came back. And he’s right. How could he ever trust them again when they were willing to attack him on his own land and hand him over to Ferguson.
Everyone will be watching to see what he does with these men, and that is a tough position to be in. Yep, the men didn’t think about what would happen if they lost, so the wives and children should leave with them.
G: So, the next thing they need to build on Fraser’s Ridge is a jail. And you can put all of those men in it.
C: Why don’t they have a jail? Probably because people like Cleveland would carry out their own justice.
V: Cathy, I wondered that too. And where is the schoolhouse?
G: I would have preferred the men be rounded up and made an example of in the town square, but it’s the same sentiment. Claire is so naive. Oh, they won’t be foolish to try it again? That’s how you got in the situation in the first place.
“As you have each and all conspired
and acted to attack and arrest me
“with the desired end of causing my death,
the contract of tenancy signed between us
is as of this date, rendered
null and void in its entirety.
“By such actions as you have undertaken,
V: Me too, Gwen. I know people get more forgiving as they get older, but I’m not loving this naïve version of Claire either. It’s sad that it’s come to this, but it is what it is. And look at Josiah flying on that horse, being Jamie’s messenger.
C: I miss Jamie the fighter. With age comes wisdom. I’m not sure if this is it, but he verges on seeming weak.
and betrayed your sworn word.
V: I know Claire and Jamie have been gone for a bit, but Jamie was way too nice to Cunningham and way too accepting, even after finding out he served in the king’s army. He should have kicked him off the Ridge immediately. But at the same time, if these men who betrayed Jamie with Cunningham were that easily persuaded against him, I guess this was going to happen sooner or later. I remember someone on the Convos last week saying Buck needed to get his own house, but with how wild these people are, I want Buck living in the attic, close by.
“Therefore, you are each and all
G: Oh, that was me! I think he should get Cunningham’s house.
C: Why are the men who betrayed him still walking around?
“hereby evicted from the land you presently occupy.
“dispossessed of your title to said land,
and are required to depart with your families
from Fraser’s Ridge within the space of ten days.”
V: Hell, ten days is generous. I’d make them leave immediately. Too much can happen in a couple of weeks. Yaasss, Laird! You let ‘em know, Jamie. Don’t be trying to come back or you’ll be shot! They need to form some kind of police enforcement or something.
If you seek to return to Fraser’s Ridge,
you’ll be shot on sight.”
G: Yep round up everybody in the town square and walk them off the property line.
C: Why eviction notices? They should be too scared to still be on the Ridge.
V: I’m with Jamie. The unmitigated gall of Crombie. He doesn’t regret a thing. He was willingly at that post that night with a gun, waiting and looking for Jamie.
Now his regret is a little too late. He’s a liar; he absolutely acted against Jamie personally. He pulled the same thing during that whole Malva situation. Jamie should’ve dealt with him and his wife back then. Enough with these people.
G: Exactly, and that’s why we are in the situation. The same people who believed he killed Malva were easily rounded up by Cunningham. He needs to show less restraint.
C: I don’t understand this Jamie. He’s way too calm for a man who had people he’s helped try to kill him.
V: OMG, now Crumbie’s trying to throw others under the bus. Just pack your crap and leave. I knew from last week Jamie was relying heavily on Lizzie, Josiah, and Kizzie.
I’m glad they’ll be running the trading post. That’s it, that’s all. Periodt! None of them play when it comes to Jamie and Claire.
G: Right, Crumbie is all, I was just going along to get along.
I still think Jamie should have ordered them all to the trade post and marched them out of town. He was rather mouthy before he got that letter.
C: Crombie had plenty of choices he could’ve made, like warning Jamie or just telling Cunningham “no.”
G: Oh, that drawing room is exquisite. Kudos to the set design team.
V: Funny how Catherine thought Rachel was a peace-talker. That room is to die for.
C: I loved everything about this scene – the set design, the costumes, the dialogue, the acting – everything.
V: I’m glad Ian said they pushed him out and he didn’t want to leave. But now I’m feeling for Rachel.
I’m not sure if she even knew what all happened. I bet she’s feeling a bit uneasy hearing this.
G: It seems like this visit isn’t going to be all warm greetings.
I’m surprised Ian still claimed the Continentals since Jamie resigned his commission.
C: Poor Rachel, having to sit and listen to this.
V: That tea is the only thing steadying her.
G: Like, come on, just tell the man where Emily is. You can tell he is worried; just put him out of his misery.
V: Joseph makes it seem like everything is Ian’s fault, and it’s not. I wish he’d just tell him. It’s obvious Ian isn’t trying to get back with Emily or do her any harm. Rachel is with him, for god’s sake. And Catherine is pretty forward, isn’t she, asking what Rachel thinks. But honestly, I can appreciate her doing that.
And what does your current wife
have to say about that?
The Spirit has moved him to look for them.
C: Rachel didn’t sound all that convinced. She’s supporting her husband, but it is not easy.
G: Yeah, this isn’t going how it was planned. And I’m still surprised by Ian’s allegiance to the Continental Army. I’m glad Rachel is there to be the peacemaker.
V: Well, this was an interesting exchange. I’m glad Ian spoke up about the massacre Joseph participated in. I actually loved Rachel and Catherine even more than Ian and his banter; they’re the sane ones in the room. And no, he’s definitely not on the Crown’s side, so of course he’d lean toward the Continental side. Since Jamie resigned, he’s not fighting with them, at least not yet. Remember, he said wherever Jamie goes, he follows.
C: Ian had no choice but to be on the side of the Continental Army versus the Loyalist Army. It’s the only army he’s fought for, and as a Scot whose father died from a lung infection he contracted in a British prison, he’s unlikely to side with the king.
All who take the sword
shall perish by it.
War is an endless
perpetuation of violence.
How different things might be
if women were at the helm.
G: Oh, she has jokes.
It is a wise man indeed
who listens to his wife.
Particularly when he has
had two of them.And both are still living.
V: I am loving Catherine with her flip remarks. She doesn’t hold anything back. But these two, Ian and Joseph, having a pissing contest is a bit much.
C: Catherine’s remark went right over Ian’s head, but not Rachel’s.
And both are still living.
Where is she? I must see her.
You are a guess here
and in no position
to make demands.
Perhaps Mr. Murray
ought to consider how his
wives feel about this.
G: Finally the news we have been waiting for. So maybe Ian jumped the gun a bit and that’s rubbing him the wrong way. Leave the diplomacy to the women.
V: We know who runs that household.
Catherine was tired of the way Joseph was acting and flat-out told them Emily was there.
I am glad she made Ian think about how all of this is making Rachel and Emily feel. It’s not just about him and his desires.
C: Rachel isn’t about to come all this way and not accomplish what they came for.
It is a shame that
you will not see them.
I respectfully ask that you leave.
G: Mind you, she is begging for mercy, but she just lied to Jamie about Hiram being there.
V: Gwen, I was thinking the same thing. And about how they treated him and Claire with Malva. I’m still not over that.
But yeah, she was probably doing what Hiram told her to tell him, and now she is there for her, her children, and the other women who came with her.
C: It seemed weird that she was the only one asking for mercy.
G: Not the wives coming to beg for forgiveness. Their husbands should have thought of that before they betrayed Jamie.
V: Indeed they are and, hopefully, to keep a roof over their heads and their children. It’s obvious none of the men thought there’d be consequences for their actions. And for them to say they’d beat them if they stepped outdoors… that’s a bold move for the women to make.
C: Fools and Cowards would have been a good name for the episode. I know Jamie isn’t fearful, but they missed the mark in making him seem wise and fearless.
G: Mind you, they also repaid his kindness with how they treated him during the Malva situation. They are just bad all the way around. Since she is so forthcoming I would ask all of them their stance on the men wanting him hanged and if they knew about it.
V: Gwen, I’m SCREAMING because I cannot forget their treatment of Claire and Jamie in that situation either. What the hell does Claire have to do with this? Don’t bring her into you and your husband’s mess.
C: If I were Jamie, I’d need a bit more reassurance than “we have our ways.”
V: Oh, hell nah. Nice try, lady. Jamie, don’t fall for it. As soon as they get the chance, they’ll turn on him again. Kick them off the Ridge. And honestly, if those women had any real influence over their husbands, they wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with. Whatever, woman.
G: Nope. That’s how he got into the situation to begin with. Why couldn’t you persuade your men before they joined Cunningham?
C: Jamie shouldn’t trust any of them.
G: Rachel is a good woman. Put her love of him before her own feelings.
V: Oh, she has unwavering love for Ian. But I think things are changing. She’s looking wearier by the minute.
I absolutely ‘luvbs’ me some her. Izzy is killing this role.
C: She is perfect for this role.
V: Like Rachel said, she is an ordinary woman, and I’d hate to see her snatch off that bonnet and kick Ian’s ass.
But, I’d have her back. He’s acting like he’d lost his mind making demands to see Emily. And if he’d seen her, who knows what would’ve stirred inside him.
G: In the books, it explains that Ian and Emily had so many miscarriages because of their blood types mixing together. I do think Claire could have figured out some way to help if it came to that. But at the end of the day, he is with Rachel and I feel that’s where he is meant to be.
C: Poor Rachel. No matter what Ian says, she feels what she feels. There was nothing in that tie that would have prevented the miscarriages. That was over 100 years away.
G: I’m glad he has found peace but that is a long way to travel with no visual confirmation.
V: I’m glad he has too, and also put Rachel at ease. I was getting worried for her. But you’re right, they’ve come too far just to turn around and go back to the Ridge. That would also leave Ian with some doubt not laying eyes on them for himself.
C: Riiiight. No one, especially Rachel, believes that!
V: Once again, William finds himself in a bind. Wonder what’s going on in his head.
Yay. It’s Denny. Okay William just play along and play it cool.
This is hilarious. Who knew Denny was a comedian? Clyster (It’s huge) = An enema in those times. Humors = cleansing his bowels. Okay, got it!
G: Denny to the rescue. In the books Denny is married to Dolly, Ben’s sister.
I think she would have been a nice addition to the storyline.
I do love the friendship with Denny and William.
C: This whole scene had me cracking up.
I’m still trying to finger out what exactly Denny was planning on doing with that rolling pin looking thing.
G: Such quick thinking by Denny. I’m just hoping William has already had it. Would hate for him to actually get sick.
V: Yeah, me too. It sounds like they just drop people off there and forget about them, especially when Denny mentioned William would be there until he died. So with that, once dropped off, William could just escape.
C: For a Quaker, Denny sure is conniving.
V: OMG, how’d they get the frog to stay still?
G: Henri-Christian is so adorable. I can’t help looking at their children wondering which one is Claire’s ancestor.
V: Well, we’ll probably never know, unfortunately. He is an adorable little boy. Who’s Fergus calling a frog?
C: I was wondering where the children were. I wonder if they will stick to the Henri-Christian story line in the books.
V: Well, we’d better get ready for the possibility. We have next week.
G: Roger has earned his respect. It all paid off!
V: It surely did and God guided him throughout his time at the camp and in battle.
I’m glad Roger cemented his calling there and Marion realized he didn’t have a choice but to help them get guns.
This letter is
from Francis Marion.
He still has reservations about Jamie.
But after your actions in battle,
none whatsoever about you.
C: Marion is giving me whiplash…gladly, but still.
Then he’ll help you?
G: She is a virtuous woman and good wife for Ian.
V: Man, that was a bold move by Rachel to show up alone. I’m wondering where Ian is and where he thinks she is. Either way, she’s perfect for him. I can’t believe she admitted her “burn of jealousy” to Joseph instead of Ian, but honestly, I’m glad she did. That reasoning actually seemed to get through to him.
Yeah, I think she was definitely having to make herself be maybe more forgiving and taking the high road more than she might naturally have done if she wasn’t a woman of faith. I think everything in her faith points to turning the other cheek, being merciful, as the name of the episode is. Her, as a woman, was very jealous and then her, as like a Quaker, were really coming up against each other. But I think that there was a good balance to be had where she was honest about how she felt, but also was able to move through those with feelings with the help of her faith, I think.
C: Better he sees the woman than let her turn into a living ghost.
G: Oh, I think he would save you Rachel.
V: Knowing Ian, he would find a way to save both Rachel and Emily if they were in front of him in peril.
I mean, you know, Ian always finds a way to save everybody, it seems. But if he had to choose — that’s crazy. That’s a crazy question, Meghan! [Laughing] So I think he’s really happy with his situation now. I think he had to work some stuff out before he could fully move on. Maybe the start of this episode, he’s not too sure, but by the end I’m pretty sure he knows who it is.
I can understand why Rachel would question it. It’s a very human emotion and she knows how much Ian cared for Emily.
C: I understand why she feels insecure, but that’s a rabbit hole with no bottom.
G: So, I think that’s the turning point. He didn’t realize the child is Ian’s. You can’t keep a parent from their child. By the way, I find it interesting that the theme of the episode is women going to bat for their men when they are unable to handle situations themselves properly. Girl power!
V: Yes, I believe so and Rachel’s honesty and humility. I was also glad she told him the child is Ian’s, letting him know it’s more than just Ian seeing Emily.
Oh, me too Gwen. I’m a little surprise the title of the episode didn’t encapsulate that. But I guess, in a way, you can interpret it as the women showing mercy for the men.
C: Rachel doesn’t want Ian by default.
G: Oh Claire has planted some flowers for the bees. She needs to add marigolds. Looking at his wife and the kids, I think Jamie maybe having a change of heart.
V: I think so too. He’s probably wondering if he were one of the men about to be evicted, what would happen to Claire and the kids.
C: I wonder if Jamie was thinking about what he came close to losing.
G: If I were him I would allow the women and children to stay but the men would have to find a home elsewhere.
And if they didn’t want to separate, they could leave with them.
V: Jamie is a decent man, and I don’t think he would want to separate a family.
But I’m with you. I’d kick them all out! Okay, what does this mean he is revoking the eviction?
Why is Crombie looking at Claire like that when she entered? I can’t stand him.
C: Again, this makes Jamie look weak. They are making it seem as if it’s Claire’s idea.
G: So no weapons. He should also say no collusion. If the men are caught fraternizing they will be banished as well.
V: This is kinda funny. Calling all the ladies to the front and telling them what their husbands will do is making Jamie “Big Daddy’ to them all, and rendering the men powerless!
C: I wonder if it is even legal for a married woman to own land outright.
V: You’re right and everywhere else, probably not. But in the backcountry, Jamie is the law. So what he says goes.
G: He should have thought of that before he was scheming and plotting.
V: Crombie has a lot of nerve saying anything. You have no power here, in my Gandalf voice. They’re now stay at home men.
C: He better be glad he can still eat.
G: Crombie is reckless with his mouth. I think he needs to go.
V: Jamie should have snatched his ass up and thrown him out of the Lodge . . . for good. The nerve.
Why does Jamie have to remind him why all of this is happening?
Did Crombie forget the scheme he had with Cunningham and what they tried to do to Jamie? Seriously.
C: I don’t trust Crombie. He’s weak and he’s trouble.
G: But how am I supposed to believe Jamie this time considering he changed his mind.
V: Oh, I can believe him. He is showing kindness to them. But they know this is the last time and he won’t show it again. They can FAFO if they want to.
This neatly solves both the problem of throwing innocent (more or less; as he notes to Claire later, the women plainly knew what their husbands were up to, and didn’t tell him) women and children out to starve, and losing a substantial chunk of his potential military forces. Beyond that (we’re getting all this both through what Mrs. MacIlhenny tells Jamie, but more explicitly through Claire’s thoughts (which, of course, the show can’t do). Her thoughts also include the fact that Jamie really doesn’t want all that land lying vacant, not being farmed — which would put a substantial dent in his own income, as he takes a landlord’s share — but also being a temptation to outsiders who might see the decimated Ridge as easy pickings.
So he bites the bullet and gives the land to the women. He’s not out anything, the Ridge will continue to be occupied and productive, the brothers and sons will owe him, and the women now have the power to control their husbands, at least to some degree.
C: I wouldn’t be convinced that Jamie would do anything. The consequence of their actions is too lenient.
G: I still think this is a big mistake.
V: It could be, but a couple of things are happening here.
Even though I’m not over the Malva situation (no I’m not letting that go), Mrs. Crombie showed some balls initially approaching Jamie.
Now, she is the president of the wives’ club, a position of power she’s probably never had, and will be checking Hiram and keeping him in line in the future.
C: I’m still not convinced married women owning land is legal. A woman couldn’t get credit without her husband’s permission until 1974.
V: Women living in the city didn’t. But, in the backcountry, they make their own rules and laws.
Cleveland killing and hanging people. Jamie revoking contracts on his own.
He doesn’t have Ned Gowan, so he does everything himself. And with it being his land, I guess he can draft another contract with the women, and it be legal.
G: Claire with her modern thinking is going to get them killed.
C: Is there something in the clause about the men mistreating their wives? It seems like they are each one beating away from having no power.
This is more or less per book, but simplified to the point that it doesn’t make nearly as much sense as it does in the book. Per book, the women are a) distressed by Jamie’s edict, but b) much madder at their men-folk for putting them in this position.
V: It’s all kinds of crazy. Let’s see how it goes. You see the men walk off leaving the ladies behind. Positions of authority are already taking root.
And Cathy, you can best believe if any of them get a beating, they will let Jamie know. Just like Claire said, “the women will be watching their husbands like a hawk.”
G: So, basically no punishment for anyone. None of these people would have given Jamie mercy.
V: Well, Jamie did strip them of their weapons and took the land contract from them. At that time, this was a lot. But I was hoping for more punishment for them.
C: I’m a bit disappointed in how easily the men got off. I hope this makes sense in later episodes.
G: Elspeth is a bit lippy. I’m sorry I have no sympathy. He made his own bed.
C: I like Elspeth. She looks less witchy from when she first appeared.
V: She’s been that way since day one, Gwen. I don’t have any sympathy for them either.
G: I still object to him being released. This was the man who was going to turn Jamie over to be hanged and then take his land. He shouldn’t forget that.
C: Cunningham’s body is broken, but his mind and mouth aren’t. He can still do damage.
V: Jamie is right. She might not have too many years left either. So what will happen to him if something happens to her before his five years are up.
G: She should have thought of that before she consigned him in rebellion. But fine, let them go and give his house to Buck.
C: I mean, she raised him. She should have to lie in the same bed he made.
V: She should have, but hindsight is twenty, twenty. And how is he going to get through a voyage to England on a boat? He’d die before they made it there; she might too. I looked it up. It would be close to eight weeks to get there. So many questions.
G: A mother’s love.
V: True, but she was also okay with what Cunningham was going to do to Jamie. I would have made her beg for it.
C: Jamie is a softie.
G: Rachel is such a good wife. She made this moment happen.
White flowers.
[Rachel] For peace.
V: She really is and did. Probably responsible for the flowers too.
C: I wonder if Ian knows Rachel intervened.
G: Smart move by Ian to include Rachel in this meeting. Not that he isn’t trust worthy but he wants to put her mind at ease. Also I’m glad they removed the part of the book where Rachel dresses in the Mohawk way to meet Emily for the first time.
Thank you for this.
V: I think after all this time, he has come to his senses. OMG, I am glad they didn’t have her dress up like that. I always thought that was contrary to her authenticity and made no sense.
C: I think switching to have Rachel speaking Mohawk was an important inclusion.
G: They are both different now, but you can tell the love is still there.
V: Yeah, but the exchange felt strange. They are both different now, but what does it matter? It was funny how Emily asked who Rachel was, just as Catherine had.
C: Love and respect all around.
G: There will always be love there. But Rachel is his love now.
V: Is it though? I don’t think he actively loves her, as much as she was his first love.
I would say he still cares for her and her well-being, but love is a strong word for their dynamics. But I agree, Rachel is his love now.
G: Oh no that sounds horrible. Will Ian need to take him back to Scotland to avoid this dream/curse?
V: Welp. That’s exactly why you’re there, Ian.
No, they just need to take him to the Ridge. He’d be safe there. I can’t imagine Ian going back to Scotland.
C: I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to give your child away, probably never seeing him again
G: Of course he would take his son and make sure he is safe. But what about the other kids, and Emily? Do they need to leave too?
Will you take him to live with you.
V: Yeah, I knew they both would agree to take him. I guess since her nightmare was only about him, her other children will be safe. Imagine Emily going back with them to the Ridge. Ian would end up being the male Lizzie of sorts.
He will be safe by your side.
You can protect him from harm.
Well, in the script and the performance really it was kind of seen as like a moment of like, “Of course!” Young Ian’s experience being brought up — Jamie and Claire have fathered and mothered children that not necessarily are theirs. This is something that runs in the Fraser family. It’s basically the more the merrier. “Blood of my blood” doesn’t necessarily have to be your own blood. So I think for them it was, yeah, no questions. It was decided pretty quickly that if someone’s in need of help, if he’s in danger, then we can do it.
C: How could she prepare her son for leaving if she didn’t know Ian was coming? That’s not a huge ask for Ian, but it is for Rachel.
V: I wondered about that too. I’m guessing she and Catherine discussed it after Ian and Rachel’s initial visit, and possibly with Joseph after his visit with Rachel. But again, I have sooo many questions.
Of course we’ll take him
if thee is certain.
Yeah, I think for Rachel, she sees how deep the wound is with Ian from having to leave this child behind and everything that happened at Shadow Lake. Initially, she was really scared of that and it maybe made her feel a bit jealous. But they’ve definitely moved past a lot of that together and had a lot of really honest conversations. So I think when they get to the point of actually meeting Wahionhaweh, I think that Rachel has moved through a lot of the negative feelings.
At this point she, yeah, as John said, is very much like, “Of course, if there’s a child who needs help and it’s his child that’s like no questions asked.” But I don’t know if she would have felt that way at the beginning of the episode. She moves through a lot of feelings and they move through that together. I think that it’s a really lovely moment when you kind of see the three of them stood together like that. You’re like, “Oh, you can kind of see the future and it’s going to be okay.
Where’s the baby?
G: My heart! Swiftest of Lizards (SOL) with the puppy!!! Rollo’s grandson. Cue the tears!!!
V: I know, right?! And he wanted to immediately know where the baby was.
So I guess Catherine told her about the baby, for him to know Oggy is his brother, but not about Rachel? I have questions.
C: It was cute, but honestly, the little boy took me out of the story. It was too smooth and not convincing.
G: Wow, they’ve gone from being worried about meeting each other to Rachel taking care of her son. A full circle moment.
This is Rollo’s grandson?
Do ye remember me?
Are you safe lass.
Yer wee girl?
[Emily] Yes.
It was only my precious boy
in this dream.
V: They certainly have. And his kiss on Rachel’s hand was too sweet for words, and her kiss on his head sealed the deal.
C: As heartwarming as it was, the scene just seemed too contrived.
What 5-year-old walks away from his mother without hesitation?
He will always be thy son,
but I’m honored that
he will be mine as well.
V: Damn, did she know that is Rachel’s’ maiden name? She was definitely led by the spirits with that one.
So. . . You named my son for me.
G: Oh wow. How fortuitous.
Let me do the same for you.
I think she sees it as kind of divine. You know, she says, “You must be led by the spirit.” I think she really sees Emily as being kind of all-knowing in that moment. She’s like, “How can you know that? That should be the right name?” I think that also helps tell Rachel that taking Swiftest of Lizards on is all part of God’s plan in that moment.
C: What are the chances?
His name is Hunter.
You must be led by the Spirit.
That name is meaningful to me
in more ways than one.
G: So I hope this means that Ian will now raise his family in the Mohawk as well as Scottish traditions. I can’t wait for Hunter and SOL to play together. I’m glad Emily confirmed it was only SOL she saw in the dream and not the other kids.
V: That would make sense, so his son doesn’t lose his identity and culture. I am loving Rachel in this episode. Someone was cutting up some onions when she said ‘our children’ to Ian.
C: Ian chooses well.
[speaking in Mohawk]
I love thee, too, forever.
In spite of everything?
If I’m going to spend
the rest of my life with thee,
I have to believe that thee
loves me as much as I love thee
and our children.
G: Ummm, maybe a frenemy.
V: I think Claire was the only friend Elspeth had; another woman she could talk to and drink whisky with.
Claire has Jamie, her kids, and her grandkids to fulfill her life. All Elspeth has is Charles, who is now like a baby again.
In another lifetime, perhaps,
You and I might have been
great friends.
But as it is, I must say farewell.
Keep your friends close
and your enemies closer.
I can’t help but ask…
which was I?
I counted you as
a friend, Elspeth.
C: I thought she was going to say “both.
G: I hope it’s a bumpy wagon ride.
V: He looks so uncomfortable. Asshole can’t even make eye contact with Jamie. I guess it doesn’t matter if it’s a bumpy; he can’t feel it anyway. It’s going to be a miserable journey to England. He thought he would defeat Jamie, take everything from him, and take the Ridge, and now he is leaving with absolutely nothing. Not even his dignity. Again, karma.
C: Cunningham reaped what he sowed.
Doesna mean our troubles
have gone away, Sassenach.Cunningham may be gone,
but Major Ferguson is not.
We gave this episode 4 shots because the episode gave us a lot to appreciate, even with its slower pace. We loved the surprise about Ben’s whereabouts and the reveal that Amaranthus helped him fake his death, and the reunion between Ian and Emily was a highlight. Their moment felt honest and gave both of them the closure we’ve been waiting for.
We also had mixed reactions to Jamie’s storyline. Some of us felt he seemed too lenient or weaker than usual, even if the overall story worked. And the Bree and Roger love‑making scene didn’t land for everyone.
What carried the episode for us was the emotional payoff. Ian and Emily making amends, Ben finally admitting the truth, and Rachel’s steady love for Ian — along with how naturally she accepted Swiftest of Lizards — gave the hour real warmth. Even though it moved more slowly than last week, it still delivered the resolutions we’d been hoping for.
Favorite scene(s)
We connected most with the quieter, emotional moments this week. Swiftest of Lizards meeting Oggy for the first time was a favorite for some of us, especially the gentle way he accepted him right away. The presence of Rollo’s grand‑puppy made the moment even sweeter. Rachel standing up for Ian so he could check on Emily was another highlight and set the stage for everything that followed. Her story arc was also well written and acted.
We were also moved by the scenes centered around Ian and Emily. Emily naming Oggy “Hunter” added a layer of meaning, especially since she did not know it was Rachel’s maiden name. Rachel’s steady acceptance of Swiftest of Lizards as part of their family gave these scenes a warmth that stayed with us.
At the same time, the scenes with Elspeth stood out. She brought a gravitas every time she came into frame, and her line delivery — along with the pain she carried as a mother — was so convincing.
Directing
We felt the directing this week leaned into a slower, more reflective rhythm that suited the episode. Josiah delivering the letters over Jamie’s voice‑over was a standout moment for us, and the transition shots and scenery work carried us smoothly between storylines. The wide landscape views, the quiet stretches of forest, and the stillness on the Ridge created a calm visual flow even when the characters were dealing with conflict or emotional strain.
Outside of the fight between Ben and William and the Bree and Roger love‑making scene — which felt like outliers — the directing was strong. The conversations were allowed to unfold naturally, especially in the scenes with Joseph Brant and in the quieter moments between Ian and Rachel.
The Ridge storyline had a firmer energy around Jamie’s choices, while the MacKenzie scenes were framed with a softer touch that fit Roger’s personal realization. The directing kept the episode steady and purposeful, and the scenery work tied the hour together in a way that felt natural and visually satisfying.
Standout Acting / Performance(s)
We had two standout acting performances in this episode. Together, Rachel and Elspeth anchored the emotional weight of the episode and delivered its strongest performances.
We agreed that Izzy Meikle‑Small as Rachel delivered the standout performance of the episode. Her fierce support of Ian shaped every scene she was in, and she carried Rachel’s emotional arc with a quiet strength that felt completely grounded. The defining moment for us was her private meeting with Joseph Brant, where she risked her marriage to advocate for Ian and his child. It is because of her that Ian finds closure and Swiftest of Lizards comes home.
We also want to recognize Frances Tomelty’s work as Elspeth. She carried a powerful sense of gravity every time she appeared, and the emotion she conveyed as a mother in pain came through with striking clarity.
Favorite Costume(s)
We all agreed the standout costumes of the episode belonged to the Native American characters. The detail in their clothing was exquisite, and Catherine and Joseph’s attire in particular drew our eyes immediately. The richness of the textures and the layered elements reflected both status and cultural identity in a way that felt thoughtful and beautifully crafted, especially in the way the fabrics caught the natural light in their scenes.
Emily’s look carried a quiet elegance that matched her emotional presence, and Swiftest of Lizards’ costume was just as striking, with details that made him feel fully part of this world from the moment he appeared. The craftsmanship across all of these designs gave the garments a lived‑in, grounded quality that deepened every moment they were in. Together, these costumes were easily the most memorable of the episode for us.
Cinematography
The cinematography this week made full use of the countryside, especially in the travel sequences. The wide shots over the white‑water river and through the woods created a sense of movement and openness that grounded the episode visually.
The Ridge was captured with the same care, and many of those shots looked almost like paintings. The wide views consistently played stronger than the close‑ups for us, with the exception of the moments when Elspeth was on screen.
The title cards were another standout, carrying a warm golden tone that flowed directly into the scene with Swiftest of Lizards and his dog. That light created a nostalgic, almost sacred feeling, pulling our attention to the land, the sky, and all that open space. The silhouette against the glowing sky gave the moment a timeless, story‑around‑the‑fire quality that lingered.
LOOKING FORWARD
What we are looking forward to in S8 Epi7 –
Gwen: I’m looking forward to William confronting lying Amaranthus. I hope she gets dropped off at the camp with Ben. Follow Gwen on X – @autonomy_6.
Vida: Oh, oh . . . I’m looking forward to A LOT!! In the preview, Jamie jumping up in bed made me jump. What is he talking about that’s wrong? Who set the fire in the print shop? I’m hoping we see William confront Amaranthus, and he and LJG throw her out. I’m also looking forward to seeing what Jamie is talking about regarding Faith. He went where once? Follow Vida on X – @blacklanderz; Bluesky – @blacklanderz.bsky.social; FB – @Blacklanderz; IG – @blacklanderz.
Cathy: I’m looking forward to what William is going to do and how Claire and Jamie react to Swiftest of Lizards. I definitely want to see more of Frances. I am mostly on social media professionally: YouTube: Dr. Toomer & the TOTALLY YOURS Community – @drtoomer.
Outlander S8 Epi7 – Evidence of Things Not Seen ~ Video via STARZ
Synopsis:
Jamie and Claire search for answers regarding a past tragedy that once threatened to tear them apart.
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