Outlander Homepage Originals
What would you do for your family? Would you stay true to yourself, even if it meant giving up the people closest to you? Would you put the happiness of others above yourself? Would you try to change your fate, or would you trust that you would end up precisely where you needed to be? These are big questions and make for a big episode. Nearly all of the characters wrestle with personal demons this week, amidst the continued uncertain backdrop of war.
As the episode begins, Captain Cunningham is beginning to realise the gravity of his situation. He might be alive, but is unable to walk, nor can he control his basic bodily functions. As he demands to know what Claire has done to him, his mother appears. Elspeth asks Claire if she has seen others in her son’s condition before. With devastating honesty, Claire breaks the bad news. While he will have use of his limbs and upper body, she says, it is also unlikely that Cunningham will ever walk again.
Outside, Josiah and Cleveland are telling Jamie and Buck how their party had managed to cut off the militia from the 96 and prevent them from joining Cunningham’s men for the planned attack. The men have met their fate at Cleveland’s hands and neither Jamie nor Buck are pleased by Cleveland’s obvious glee at the men’s deaths. Cleveland reminds Jamie that he had warned against Cunningham’s gun runners and he has more advice now: the men involved in the attack should be strung up, so that they never bother Jamie again. Jamie insists that he has everything in hand, but Cleveland is not easily put off. He remarks that he had been tempted not to come to Jamie’s aid after the way that Jamie had spoken to him previously, but since he ultimately chose to help, Jamie now owes him a favour. As Jamie agrees, we hear the Frank voiceover again: “It’s your own fault. You knew his help would come with a price.”
It is an interesting device, having the voice of Frank continually judging and tormenting Jamie, not just with the decisions he has made, but also with the spectre of the Battle of Black Mountain and the possibility of his death. While Frank’s book was certainly part of the ninth book, “Go Tell the Bees that I am gone,” the vengeful ghost device wasn’t. Tobias Menzies manages, through voice alone, to create a menacing atmosphere and we can certainly see the effect that this inner commentary is having on Jamie’s peace of mind.
Back in control, Jamie approaches the prone Captain Cunningham and asks what the man has to say for himself. Cunningham asks after his men and muses that perhaps Jamie had Claire save his life only so that he could then take pleasure in killing him. Jamie replies that Claire would not allow him to harm a man in her care, prompting Cunningham to suggest that perhaps Jamie should do so after all.
”I’m not dead, but I might as well be,” he says, bitterly.
Cunningham admits that he is not sure that he can stand his current condition while he waits for the 5 year prophecy of his death to come to pass. Jamie agrees that a death on the battlefield would have been more honourable, before leaning forward and murmuring, “But you have made your bed, Captain. And now you must lie in it. You will remain in my custody here, until I can determine a more appropriate fate for you.”
It is certainly a big serving of karma for Charles Cunningham, and the reality of this is not lost on either man.
In New York, Ian and Rachel continue to search for news of what has happened to Emily, Swiftest of Lizards and the other people of Shadow Lake. Ian is reminiscing about the place that he knows so well, saying that it is the place where he was reborn and died a death as well. He is avoiding talking about Emily, but Rachel encourages him to talk about his first wife. Ian admits that he thinks of her sometimes, something that Rachel says is not surprising, given that Emily had shared his bed, body and part of his soul. Ian wonders aloud whether Emily’s soul is still in this world. It is only Oggy that can bring a smile to Ian’s face, and he tells his son in Mohawk that he loves him. We can see that Rachel is troubled by what might await them, and the consequences for her future life with Ian.
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Brianna is rereading Roger’s letter sent to her from the Continental camp. Roger explains that after his initial feelings of defeat by Marion’s refusal, he had then been overcome by a sense of purpose and conviction, so much so that he couldn’t leave the men behind. He likened the battle to the feeling of going through the stones and how he had felt his head might split apart. Brianna stops him: she can’t stand to know how close he had come to death, she says. But Roger reassures her: he is all right, but at the same time he needs to talk about it. The experience has made him realise that he wishes to be ordained. He tells Brianna of the loud blast that had sent him flying backwards, and that it had awakened a memory from his past. He knows now how he had managed to survive the bombing of the shelter in World War 2 - it was his parents who had saved him. His mother had thrown him through the air as the stairwell collapsed, and he had been caught by his father.
“I think I saved my father when I sent him through the stones and he saved me,” Roger says. “We were always a part of history, even if we didn’t know it yet. We didn’t change God’s plan. We were always part of it.” For Roger, this has cemented his calling. “Called to be here,” he says.
Brianna understands, and says that if he has made up his mind, then it sounds like a good plan. They promptly celebrate his decision by making love.
This scene presents an interesting theory in terms of the wider story. Throughout the years, the main characters have all tried to change history and prevent certain events from happening. But Roger’s speech challenges the measure by which they have determined their efforts to have been a success or failure. If their actions have always been part of God’s plan, and if they have all been “called to be here” - Frank’s book and its revelations included - then does this mean that their actions have already been, pardon the pun, “set in stone”?
William is admonishing Ben for his new identity as General Bleeker and calling him a coward for pretending to be dead and bringing grief to his family. But Ben counters with the argument that his father would prefer him dead than know that his son had joined the Continental army. He explains the reason that he changed sides, telling William of a man that he met in a tavern in Philadelphia, a man who had written a pamphlet called Common Sense. Whilst a prisoner, Ben had read the pamphlet, which had convinced him that the Americans were in the right. So rather than bring shame to his family, he had changed his name and faked his death, including creating his own grave should anyone come looking.
“But what about your wife?” William asks. The answer is not what he expects: according to Ben, the plan for Ben’s faked death had been devised by Amaranthus, for baby Trevor’s sake.
William’s continued protestations arouse Ben’s suspicions: why is he so concerned?
“Who do you think has been consoling her, comforting her in her grief?” William replies.
Another scuffle ensues, one that ends with William being taken prisoner, branded as an invader by Ben when soldiers enter the tent.
One of the Mohawk finds Ian and Rachel’s camp. He has news. Emily’s second husband has been killed and there is nothing left of Shadow Lake but ashes. Some of the people were able to flee, but while the man does not know the fate of Emily and her children, there is someone who can tell them.
Jamie has made his decision regarding the fate of the men on the Ridge who had supported Cunningham in the attack. He has penned a letter which promises that the men will be shot on sight should they try and return. Claire says that it is unlikely that the men would try anything again, but Jamie wants to set an example, so that any of the other tenants who might have been considering rebelling against him will think again. Immediately, Claire argues for the women: it is a severe punishment for them and their children, when it was their husbands who had done wrong. Where will they go?
“A good husband would have thought of that,” Jamie replies, “and a wise one would have listened to his wife.” He quotes the rite of excommunication: “Ring the bell, close the book, quench the candle.”
Jamie has every intention of performing his own excommunication for the wayward members of the Ridge. Personal notes of broken tenancy are duly delivered to every man who supported Cunningham. The men and their families have ten days to depart the Ridge.
Jamie delivers Hiram Crombie’s letter personally to the trading post. Watched by his wife, Crombie expresses his regret at what had happened, but comes short of an apology. Indeed, he challenges Jamie, asking if the opinion of his settlers means so little to him. But Jamie has no time for settlers who attempted to stab him in the back. He informs Crombie that he is no longer welcome on the Ridge and that the Beardsleys will take over the trading post.
Ian and Rachel have arrived at the palatial home of Joseph Brant, a man who has had “a foot in both worlds.” As well as being influential amongst the Mohawk, Brant has also been to London and spoken with King George. Brant and his wife Catharine sit with Ian and Rachel and Ian explains his wish to know what has happened to Emily and her children.
“You forfeited that right when you left and joined the enemy,” Brant says.
Ian replies that he didn’t leave the Mohawk to join the rebels, but had been asked to leave. It is a tense conversation. Ian supports the Continentals, who were responsible for burning Shadow Lake, but that had been in retaliation for another massacre, which Brant had participated in. It looks like the conversation will descend into blame calling for various battles, but Rachel interrupts, saying that war is a continual perpetuation of violence. Her words impress Catherine, who comments that the world might be a far different place should women be in charge. She provides the news that Ian has been seeking: Emily is still alive and living at their house along with her children and other dispossessed Mohawk. We see the news affect both Ian and Rachel - Ian with his determination to see Emily and Rachel with feelings of trepidation as to what a reunion might mean. But Brant refuses to let Ian see his first wife.
The women and children of the dispossessed men have arrived at the Ridge to beg their case, led by Hiram Crombie’s wife. They have disobeyed orders from their husbands in doing so, she tells Jamie, but the women are determined. Mrs Crombie says that they understand Jamie’s actions and also know the kindness he has shown their families in the past. They insist that their husbands had acted without their knowledge and promise to swear an oath to Jamie that the men will not defy Jamie again. Jamie asks how they can guarantee the men’s good behaviour.
“I expect your wife could answer that for you, Mr Fraser,” Mrs Crombie replies, inviting him to imagine what women could do the men who had taken the roof from over their wife and children’s heads.
But Jamie will not be persuaded. He cannot honour tenancy contracts with men who would have seen him hanged.
“Then it is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we go,” Mrs Crombie replies.
They do, and we see Jamie look after them, deep in thought.
Ian too, has finally realised the impact that his actions have had on his wife. Emily admits that she hadn’t expected to feel as she does and that she had attempted to put aside her feelings. But the fact remains that Ian had not left Emily of his own free will and would be with her still had circumstances been different. She knows it isn’t rational, she tells him, but love isn’t rational.
Taking her hand, Ian assures her that it is enough to know that Emily and her children are alive and that they will go home.
The imprisoned William receives a visit from the doctor, none other than Denzell Hunter. Implying that William has a disease requiring purging of the bowels, Denny manages to dismiss the soldier guarding him. Quickly he outlines his plan: to tell the officials that William is displaying signs of small pox. He will escort William to a quarantined area from which he will pronounce him dead.
“Fine physician you are,” William jokes in response, before adding that he hopes he will see Denzell again.
“So do I,” Denzell replies.
This was a brief but amusing scene, well acted by Charles Van de Vaart and Joey Phillips and certainly a welcome reprieve from the intensity of the other scenes surrounding it!
Roger and Brianna have arrived at Fergus and Marsali’s where they discover Henri Christian outside, contentedly making a home for a pet frog. Fergus has a letter for Roger, sent by Francis Marion, the man who had refused Jamie’s request for guns. While Marion’s opinion of Jamie hasn’t changed, Roger’s dedication during the battle has impressed him and he will grant the guns to Roger instead.
Rachel has returned to Joseph Brant’s alone, to beg for Ian to be allowed to see Emily.
“I have burned with a jealousy I did not know I was capable of,” Rachel says, “and I do not wish to be consumed by it.”
She admits that she worries about Ian’s feelings for Emily and hers for him. She tells Brant that she doesn’t know whose aid Ian would go to first in a time of crisis, but she cannot prevent him from seeing Emily, or their son. Brant expresses surprise that Swiftest of Lizards is Ian and Emily’s child and Rachel tells him that no-one else knows.
“How can I stand between him and his child?” Rachel asks. “I risk losing Ian perhaps, but it is a risk I must take if I am to stay true to myself and the woman he fell in love with.”
This is a beautiful piece of acting by Izzy Meikle-Small. We are left in no doubt as to the conflicting emotions Rachel is experiencing, nor the courage she is showing to face her fears.
Jamie stands on the porch, watching Claire, Jemmy, Mandy and Fanny over at the bee hives. He smiles at their laughter and we see him make a decision. Shortly afterwards, Jamie and Claire hold another meeting with the people of the Ridge. Jamie announces that he will revoke the order of banishment and will instead take out new tenancy agreements with the women. Their husbands must swear fealty and turn in their weapons. Unable to hunt, the families will need to purchase meat from the Beardleys, as new proprietors of the trading post. It will be the women who will be responsible for the rents and other expenses and while they might accept advice and help from their husbands, the land will be theirs.
“And if he proves false to you or to me, he will be answerable to me, even unto death,” Jamie adds.
It doesn’t take long for the women to agree. As they leave the meeting, Claire tells Jamie that he has done the right thing and he admits that the new arrangement has lightened his heart.
“And now you know that the women will be watching their husbands like hawks,” Claire comments.
“Blessed are the merciful,” Jamie replies, “for they shall obtain mercy.”
Someone else seeking mercy approaches, in the form of Elspeth Cunningham. She tells Jamie and Claire that she wishes to take Charles home to England.
“Charles is all I have left,” she says to Claire, as emotion cracks her steely demeanour. “If I am to spend the final years of his life.. my life.. wiping his bottom and changing his sheets, then I would like to do it in a place that is at least known to me.”
Turning to Jamie, Elspeth says that if she has to, she will beg. She will do anything for her child. “Wouldn’t you?” she asks Jamie, and we see the question hit home.
Ian, Rachel and Oggy wait in the Brants’ drawing room. Ian comments on the white flowers for peace, thanking Rachel for organising the meeting. Brant brings Emily into the room and he and Catharine leave the group alone. Emily and Rachel greet each other and Emily tells Ian that she is a woman changed by sorrows. Ian asks if there is anything that he can do, and Emily replies that there is. She has had terrible dreams about the war, she says, dreams in which their son is captured, forced to fight and then killed. Desperately, she asks Ian to take Swiftest of Lizards to live with him, “if your wife will have him at her fire.” Rachel’s answer is immediate: of course they will. The door opens and Swiftest of Lizards walks in with a puppy in his arms. He walks straight over to Oggy, saying that that the puppy is for him. Emily adds that the pup is a descendant of Rollo’s, news that brings Ian further joy. Rachel assures Emily that while Swiftest of Lizards will always be Emily’s son, she is honoured that he will be hers as well.
Tearfully, Emily says that since Ian had given Swiftest of Lizards a name for when he walked in Ian’s world, she wishes to name Oggy for him. Walking over to the basket, Emily looks at the little boy before proclaiming his name to be Hunter, a name that Rachel tells her holds special meaning. While Emily says farewell to her son, Ian and Rachel also proclaim their love for each other.
Charles has been strapped into the back of a wagon, and Elspeth comes over to bid farewell to Claire. “In another lifetime perhaps, you and I might have been great friends,” she says.
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” Claire replies with a smile.
Elspeth comments that this is very wise and asks which one Claire had considered her to be.
“I counted you as a friend, Elspeth,” Claire replies and the older woman kisses her hands in farewell.
There are no warm farewells to be had between Jamie and Cunningham and as the wagon moves away, Jamie comments that their troubles are far from over. Cunningham may be gone, but his commander Major Ferguson remains. The music swells dramatically and the episode ends.
The strength of women is a theme that is explored throughout this episode. While men might be seen as the ones with the power in the eighteenth century, it is ultimately the women who show the most resolve. The women of the Ridge petition for, mercy and ultimately earn the right to stay on the Ridge and control their own land. Rachel, Emily and Elspeth show personal strength as they fight conflicting emotions in order to do what is right for the families. And while it has only been hinted at so far, it seems that Amaranthus may have shown the strength to manipulate a situation to her own advantage. Against all of this strength stands the idea that everyone has been called to be exactly where they need to be and that they are all part of God’s plan. If that is true, could the strength of women determine the fates in the battle to come? We only have four episodes left to find out!
This recap was written by Susie Brown, a writer and teacher-librarian who lives in Australia. She is not a dog person - but would love a pup like Rollo’s grandson! She also greatly admired the strength of the women in this episode and wonders whether she would be as strong in a crisis.
