“The Fragility of Life” - a recap of season 8 episode 2 by your Aussie Blogging Lass

Outlander Homepage Originals 

Prophecies are unsettling things. How much stock should we put in them? The temptation is there, if the prophecy is positive, to believe wholeheartedly that it will come to pass. But what if danger or death is predicted instead? Is there any way of altering or preventing such a course of events? If we could be told the date of our death, would we want to know what it was? And what would we do with that knowledge once we had it? Throughout the course of the season’s second episode, a number of characters are forced to contemplate the fragility of life and the possibility of death. Some of these contemplations happen in real time, others via flashbacks or warnings from beyond the grave. It is serious stuff indeed and it makes for a dramatic hour. 

The episode begins with a brief flashback from 1775, as William and his cousins Henry and Ben Grey admire Ben’s new uniform and celebrate his posting to Boston. William, who has always appreciated the way Henry and Ben immediately accepted him as family, presents Ben with a talisman to keep him safe in battle, in the form of a small figurine from their childhood games. Ben appreciates the gesture, promising to keep the figure in the pocket of his jacket always.

“I know he’ll guard me well, cousin,” he says, as the opening music begins.

We return to North Carolina in 1779, with Claire and Fanny in Claire’s surgery. Fanny is looking through Claire’s microscope, equal parts fascinated and appalled by what she sees there. She’s not sure what is worse: discovering what is in the water she drinks every day, the fact that her stomach is full of acid, or being told that her body is full of mucus. Learning from Claire that mucus is used by the body whenever slipperiness is needed, Fanny is in more familiar territory, linking this to activities she has witnessed in the brothel. Claire quickly diverts the conversation to mucus’ role in childbirth instead. 

Fanny is an eager pupil, asking lots of questions and it is clear that Claire appreciates the young girl’s interest. But Fanny quickly becomes melancholy, wishing that Jane could be there. She talks of Jane and how the brothel madam and soldiers alike had taken advantage of her sister’s “strangeness.” Claire is quick to reassure her that she understands Fanny’s situation. She has seen things too, she says, and won’t be shocked by anything that Fanny wants to say. At the same time, she cautions Fanny about saying too much outside the family circle, adding that there are people on the Ridge who would not be as understanding. Fanny worries that this means she shouldn’t talk about Jane, a worry that Claire is quick to dispel. “You can talk about your sister whenever you like,” Claire says. “She wanted to keep you safe and now we will keep you safe.”

There is both a familiarity and warmth to this scene, qualities that were largely missing from the season’s premiere episode. This reviewer puts this down to two factors. Firstly, the scene comes from the book, and returning to the source material always lifts the quality of the words that the actors say. Secondly, the episode is in the hands of none other than Caítriona Balfe herself, who seems to have a natural ability to create a gentle, caring atmosphere for her young actor to work in. 

Outside, Roger has updated Jamie on Buck, explaining that Buck had decided to remain in 1739. Jamie, seemingly without a hint of irony, comments that Roger is good to forgive Buck for trying to have him hanged, adding that he doesn’t know if he could do the same. Roger replies that Buck is a good man, and that sometimes good men do things that they believe to be right at the time, only to find out later that they were wrong. It is impossible not to think of what Jamie himself had initially done to Roger, but if Jamie registers this fact, he doesn’t comment on it. “And he’s family,” Roger continues. “I love him for that alone.” We can’t help thinking again that Roger is talking about more than just Buck here, but never spells it out. 

Instead, Jamie asks for Roger’s advice. He has been reading Frank’s book, he tells his son-in-law, and wonders whether Roger has heard of any of the men who are mentioned in it. Roger hasn’t, but adds that that war wasn’t his specialty. Besides, he adds, there are many men named James Fraser.  He offers to read the book, but the conversation is interrupted by Captain Cunningham, who has heard that Jamie has been looking for him. Jamie gives the first phrase of the Masonic code and Cunningham immediately gives the response, thereby identifying himself as a freemason. Jamie promptly invites Cunningham to join the lodge that he is establishing on the Ridge, an invitation that Cunningham accepts.

In Philadelphia, a wedding is taking place. Henry Grey is marrying Mercy Woodcock in front of a small group of friends, William and Denzell amongst them. It is a union that is banned by Pennsylvanian law, something that Mercy hopes will be changed in time. As the only member of the Grey family in attendance, William makes a speech, apologising for the rest of the family’s stubbornness and expressing his pride in his cousin for following his heart. He leads the toast, but something is wrong - and Henry can see it. He asks to speak to William privately and although William is most reluctant to do so on his cousin’s wedding day, the news about Ben’s capture and subsequent death is finally revealed. Henry is understandably devastated, and William promises to try and find out more about what had happened. 

The women of the ridge are picking berries, swapping stories. They talk of Rachel’s religion and marriage to Ian, and of Amy discovering love again with Evan Lindsay. Rachel grimaces as the baby kicks, and Lizzie shares her own birthing story of her son, Rodney. Once again, the dialogue comes from the book, and the relaxed humour within the words translates to the screen beautifully. But just as swiftly, humour turns to danger and tragedy as a bear appears from nowhere and attacks Amy. The screams of the women reach Jamie, Roger and Cunningham and they race swiftly towards the noise. 

Jamie carries a gravely wounded Amy into Claire’s surgery, but it is obvious that there is nothing to be done. Evan and her sons are sent for, and are forced to say a tearful goodbye. Evan cannot believe it at first, saying to Claire, “Help her, please Mrs Fraser. You help everyone”. The pain on Claire’s face is evident as she apologises again that there is nothing she can do. Evan has time to tell Amy that she is safe, that he will take care of the boys and that he loves her. As Amy takes her final breaths, Evan asks Roger to pray. 

The rest of the women are in shock. Ian races to comfort Rachel, who tells him that it could have happened to any of them. Jamie emerges to announce that Amy is with the Lord, and Rachel and Lizzie share a tearful embrace. 

William has arrived at the camp where Ben had been kept, seeking information. The man in charge is most unhelpful, telling William that he has little information to share. He offers perfunctory condolences, but agrees to ask the surgeon about Ben’s personal effects so that William may return them to the family. While he waits, William asks to be shown to Ben’s grave. 

Claire is beginning the task of cleaning Amy’s body, when a shocked Brianna enters the surgery. Brianna is blaming herself. “I had my rifle,” she begins. “It all happened so fast.” She tells Claire that she is going to get ready for the hunt for the bear, as she needs to do something.

Claire returns to her task and is cutting off Amy’s clothes, when she is interrupted again, this time by Mrs Cunningham. While still brisk and efficient, Mrs Cunningham is no longer the Wicked Witch of the West that Mandy encountered in the last episode. Instead, the older woman says that she has come to help. She has brought Amy’s burial shroud, having asked Evan where it was kept. Claire is a little taken aback to hear that Amy already had a shroud, even more so when Mrs Cunningham ask Claire if she has one of her own. 

“No,” Claire replies. “Perhaps I should. Have you?” 

With unexpected black humour, Mrs Cunningham replies, “Of course. At my age, I wonder if I shouldn’t sleep in it.” She offers to roll the shroud onto Amy’s body, but goes immediately in search of hot water when Claire comments that she should wash Amy first.

Jamie, Brianna, Evan and a small party are getting ready to hunt the bear. Amy’s eldest son, Aidan is to join them and Jamie hands him a rifle, promising that he will be able to avenge his mother’s death by firing the final shot once the bear is captured. 

Mrs Cunningham adds salt to the water, to “wash away sin and stop her ghost from walking”. As they work, Claire muses about keeping Amy’s face covered for the wake. But Mrs Cunningham asks if Claire can do something to repair the facial features. “I’ve buried three husbands and four children,” she says, “and you always want to have one last look upon the face, no matter what’s happened.” The whole exchange has softened Claire’s previously harsh feelings towards the older woman (ours too!) and the two of them agree to a first name basis going forward - Elspeth and Claire replacing the more formal titles of Mistress Cunningham and Mistress Fraser. 

As it turns out, the hunting party are too late for revenge. Hearing two shots, they come across Captain Cunningham already hacking into a bear’s corpse. He assures Amy’s sons that the bear will not harm anyone else, explaining that since he had already been in the woods with a rifle, he had followed its tracks. 

“But you could have died,” young Aidan says.

“There was no danger of that, I assure you,” is Cunningham’s rather confusing reply. 

William is sitting at Ben’s grave, railing against the war that has taken his cousin’s life. It is a heartfelt speech. William has always considered Ben a brother, he says and promises to tell young Trevor all about his father’s bravery. Claire meanwhile, is telling the bees about Amy and how she had found love and joy on the ridge. “But her flowers still grow,” Claire says, as she lays one upon the outside of the hive.  

Later, Claire, Brianna and Rachel are preparing sauerkraut, watched by Ian, when Rachel’s labour begins.  As she is taken into the surgery, Ian calls Claire back, handing her a pelt and asking Claire to wrap the baby in it. But Claire reassures a nervous Ian that all will be well and that he will be able to wrap his newborn son or daughter in it himself. 

Ben’s personal effects have been gathered and another man comes to give them to William. The surgeon is mysteriously unavailable, but the man says that he knew Ben, describing him as a fine and civil fellow. He adds that he was surprised to hear that Ben had died, as he had seemed to be recovering well. Ben had apparently died overnight and had already been buried by the time morning came. It is obvious that William is beginning to have suspicions, which are further compounded when a search of Ben’s jacket reveals no little talisman figure in the pocket. 

Claire hands a tearful Ian his son, as a smiling but exhausted Rachel watches from the bed. Fanny is watching too, but looks sad. She explains to Claire that babies were never cause for celebration at the brothel. “This is different,” Claire assures her and Fanny breaks into smiles as she approaches the bed. Brianna is also there, and the conversation turns to what the child will be called. A few names are suggested: Marmaduke, Fox and Wolf are all suggested, with even Rollo being mentioned!

At night on the porch, Jamie and Ian discuss being fathers. Ian wishes that his own father could be there, and wonders if his mother will meet her grandson one day. 

“Jenny will be over the moon,” Jamie replies. 

Ian wants advice, but Jamie reminds his nephew that he never got to be a father to his children as infants. 

“You’ll get the chance I never had,” Jamie tells his nephew. “You’ll get to see your son grow up. You’ll be everything that the bairn needs.” 

Smiling at each other, the two men toast “wee Oggie” while gazing out into the darkness. 

Claire is collecting mushrooms when a man on horseback approaches, asking for Jamie. Rude and arrogant, he has no intention of speaking to a woman, refusing to even give Claire his name.

“Benjamin Cleveland,” he says to Jamie, upon following Claire’s directions to the woodshed. This is one of the men mentioned in Frank’s book, and Cleveland wastes no time in naming the others. They are raising a militia, he tells Jamie, to protect their properties from Tories and Indians. Cleveland also proudly takes responsibility for the hanged men that Brianna and Jamie had come across, hanging them simply for their beliefs. Cleveland is interested in another Tory, Captain Cunningham and wants Jamie to come and join the militia. Jamie wastes no time in refusing the invitation: “Mr Cleveland, I turned down George Washington himself. What makes you think I would change my mind for you?” He dismisses Cleveland, telling the man that he will look after things on his own land. Cleveland leaves, but we can’t help but be left with a feeling of unease. It is a smiling malevolence we have seen before, akin to the Browns. 

Roger has arrived on Cleveland’s departure and recognises the name. Jamie tells Roger that Cleveland also knows the other men mentioned by Frank, adding that Cleveland wants Jamie to fight with them.

“So you are the James Fraser in the book,” Roger remarks and the two share an ominous look.

Over dinner, Jamie tells Claire more of the story, and how Cleveland has advised that Jamie should kill Cunningham, naming the man as a danger to him. Roger, Claire and Jamie discuss the possibility that this could be true and Roger suggests that lodge will be the perfect place to keep an eye on the captain, in case he lets something slip. Roger asks whether he is mentioned in the book and Jamie replies that none of Jamie’s men are mentioned by name. He finds this strange, he says, as he can’t imagine fighting without them.

“Because maybe you don’t,” Claire says. 

It is a fair point. Other prophecies have failed to come to pass: their deaths by fire for one. Add to that their penchant for being able to change the future with their actions and there is no reason to assume that Frank’s statement about Jamie is a fait accompli. 

Left alone after Roger goes back to work, Jamie and Claire discuss the book some more. Jamie hasn’t told Roger all of the prophecy, not mentioning the fact that according to Frank, Jamie will die in the battle. Claire is pleased that Jamie has said nothing, as she is equally convinced that Jamie will not die. She is confused by the fact that Frank said nothing of his research to her in over 20 years. She had met his conditions by not searching for Jamie while Frank was alive, yet Frank had been doing the very same thing that he had forbidden her to do. 

“Why?” Claire asks. 

Jamie muses that if Frank had loved Claire as Jamie himself does, perhaps he was doing everything to keep Claire with him. Or possibly, it wasn’t Jamie he was obsessively searching for in history, but Claire herself, to see if she returned to the past. 

Lodge begins, led by Jamie, who declares the meeting open, reminding the men to set aside their political and religious differences. Jamie’s hope is to strengthen the ties that bind them and asks for a volunteer to speak. Cunningham volunteers. He begins by paying respect to Amy Lindsay and pledges his support to Evan. Cunningham goes on to say that he has looked on death as well, firstly with the death of his wife and then of his son, at Saratoga. Cunningham caught his son after being shot and, he says, felt his son die. But Cunningham speaks of a time in the hospital afterwards, where the life briefly returned to his son, long enough to be able to tell his father that they would be reunited in seven years time. Cunningham has taken this as proof that the soul lives on after death and that he himself will not die until the allotted seven years are up. He has come amongst them, he says, because he wants to use his time wisely. 

Afterwards, Roger and Jamie discuss Cunningham’s speech and whether or not it can be believed. “A man being called by God is one thing,” Jamie tells Roger, “a man who thinks he cannot die is quite another.”  Now we understand why Cunningham had had no qualms about tracking and killing the bear - it is because he believes himself to currently be immortal. 

William is also pondering death. Something about Ben’s death simply doesn’t add up. And so, he does the only thing he can to confirm his suspicions. Under cover of darkness he digs up the body lying in Ben’s grave and uncovers its face. Sure enough, it is not Ben. 

“Thank Christ,” William murmurs. 

But of course, the mystery is just beginning. Who is the man buried in Ben’s grave? And where is Ben? Could he still be alive?

Once again Jamie is reading Frank’s book, when Frank’s voice is heard in Jamie’s mind. “Seven years from Saratoga, Cunningham said. So he has five more years to live. He’s not the only one who knows the date of his death.” Jamie looks uneasy, and no wonder. We are now entering Black Jack, rather than Frank Randall territory. It was Black Jack who Claire had unsettled with the date of his death - a prophecy that proved to be true. For whatever reason, Jamie seems to have combined the two men in his mind, perhaps because of their strong physical resemblance. It unsettles him to such extent that he wakes Claire, telling her that he needs her. They make love, but as they lie entangled in each other’s arms afterwards, Jamie hears the voice again. 

“You’re going to die,” it says. “Who will hold her once you’re gone?” 

It is certainly an ominous way to end the episode!

The fragility of life is a theme that runs throughout the second episode, affecting many of the characters in different ways. The Grey family are grieving the loss of Ben, whose reported death has been unexpected and sudden; while the sudden loss of Amy Lindsay is equally sudden and gruesome. Her death is all the more unsettling for the women who survived, because Amy’s fate could just as easily have been their own. Ian worries while Rachel labours, worrying that he may lose her and their child and his joy and relief afterwards is completely understandable. Meanwhile, Benjamin Cleveland celebrates the taking of lives for nothing more than differing beliefs. 

Akin to the fragility of life is the uncertainty of death. Cunningham believes that his life cannot be ended until the length of time mentioned in his son’s message from beyond the grave has elapsed. William has discovered that Ben might still be alive, and Jamie is questioning the prophecy of his own mortality, being haunted by the voice of a Frank / Black Jack Randall hybrid, neither of whom had cared much for his welfare. But how much faith can we put in prophecy? Some events in Claire and Jamie’s lives have seen the future altered, while others could not be changed. What will happen this time? It is a question that could keep viewers just as unsettled as Jamie! 

This recap and review was written by Susie Brown, a writer and teacher librarian who lives in Australia. She was very relieved to see large chunks of Diana Gabaldon’s book in this episode and also thinks that Caítriona Balfe is a natural as a director!

“A Loss of Faith” - a recap of Outlander season 8 episode 1 by your Aussie blogging lass.

Outlander Homepage Originals 

As the date for the season 8 premiere drew closer, publicity proclaimed the final ten episodes of the beloved series as being “a love letter to the fans”. Indeed, ever since the opening moments of its first season back in 2014, these said fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander universe have followed the journey of Jamie and Claire Fraser, rejoicing whenever the author’s words were spoken aloud. Beloved characters were brought to life, the Scottish landscape was there in all its glory and Bear McCreary’s soaring melodies only added to the faithful rendition of Outlander canon. Yet as the seasons went on, changes began to creep in. Some were minor: an altered location or character name here, a missing scene that would have been lovely, but didn’t quite make it to the screen there. But in each case, the overall storyline itself didn’t change, so these small detours from the original were quickly forgotten. Gradually, the changes became larger. Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser didn’t die at Culloden and was sent to Ardsmuir Prison with Jamie instead. Later, he showed up as a blacksmith, was reunited with all of the Frasers and had a tender, ultimately sad affair with Jocasta Cameron. Different to be sure, but book fans accepted this detour too, because in the end Murtagh’s fate remained the same. He did die in a battle, with the same “It doesna hurt a bit to die” words murmured to Jamie as he did so. Again, everyone moved on. But by the time more changes turned Claire into an ether addict, book fans were getting distinctly nervous, because now there was a change that was completely out of character for the Claire they knew and loved. And so the phrase, “The books are the books and the show is the show” was coined. If you couldn’t appreciate the show, book fans were told, you should stop watching and return to the safety and familiarity of the books. Some did, but many more continued to watch. And then, at the end of season 7, came the biggest change of all. Young Fanny was discovered singing “I do like to be beside the seaside”, telling a shellshocked Claire that she had learned the song from her mother. Given that it was the tune that Claire had sung while rocking her stillborn daughter, Faith, Claire immediately leapt to the conclusion that their daughter had actually lived.

No. Just… no. 

How could this be, the fans wondered. Quickly, two popular schools of thought emerged. Could Master Raymond have taken the dead child that Claire had refused to relinquish for many hours and somehow brought her back to life? If so, why did he do that? And even if there was a barely credible reason, how could the adult Faith not only recall the song that her mother had sung to her as a dead infant, but recall it well enough to then teach it to her daughter years later? Alternatively, other fans suggested, maybe Master Raymond or Mother Hildegarde took the living Faith away from Claire while she was so ill after the traumatic birth and replaced her with a dead infant - albeit one with wisps of red hair and Jamie-shaped eyes. Again, why? And if that theory were true, it would mean that the real Faith would never have heard the song in the first place, given that it would have been sung to a completely different child. “I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside” wasn’t written until 1906, so no-one bar Claire would ever have known it. It simply didn’t add up. This was a change to Diana Gabaldon’s novels that didn’t make sense on any level. Surely it wouldn’t be pursued and season 8’s “love letter to the fans” would quickly resolve the season 7 cliffhanger by dismissing it as the nonsense that it was. 

Only it didn’t.

Season 8 begins instead with a scene featuring a Mr Vasquez, a smuggler who Jamie, accompanied by a demurely dressed Claire, has lured to a meeting point with the promise of many barrels of good whisky. As the conversation gets underway, Jamie suggests to Vasquez that he is interested in expanding his business to include human trafficking. Vasquez then cannot resist the temptation to regale Jamie with the story of the Pocock family, whom he had relieved of their cargo, before slitting the throat of the father, raping the eldest daughter and throwing the mother overboard. This mother is meant to have been Faith, and the thought of it is too much for Claire, who rushes forward from the shadows and promptly murders Vasquez, while Jamie quickly dispatches Vasquez’s accomplice. Back at their lodging, Claire scrubs the blood from under her fingernails in a Lady Macbethesque moment, all the while railing against the fact that she had killed Vasquez too quickly. (So much for Claire the doctor and her “First, do no harm” hippocratic oath…) Jamie assures Claire that Vasquez will receive his punishment in hell and the two quickly switch into grief mode, as they mourn all over again the child that they had lost. Neither can understand how it could have happened and wonder why Mother Hildegarde and/or Master Raymond could have done such a thing and taken their child from them. 

It. Makes. No. Sense. 

Despite some beautiful tearful acting by both Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, this entire plot line, which sadly looks like it will continue throughout this final season, is completely illogical. Moreover, it completely alters the Fraser family tree, by adding two grand daughters who were never meant to be there. (On top of all that, it also means that William slept with his niece.) This is a change that eclipses any others that have been made and this reviewer cannot understand why it has been done! When you have a master storyteller like Diana Gabaldon, and 9 books of material to work with, why do you suddenly believe that you can tell a better story? Love letter to the fans, you say? If that is the case, then it hasn’t started well… At least there were Annie Lennox’s vocals to sing the theme song while deep breaths (and maybe a nip of Jamie’s good whisky) were taken to fortify the soul for the rest of the episode.

A new day dawns in Savannah, Georgia in 1779. A sleepless Jamie and Claire are still mulling over Faith and what they don’t know, wondering whether they should tell Fanny that she is their grand daughter. (No! Because she isn’t!) Ultimately, they decide against doing so, preferring to focus on the fact that the young girl is now in their lives. Giggles outside the room soon reveal themselves to belong to Marsali and Fergus’ children, who have come to invite them to breakfast. Marsali is in hot pursuit, scolding them for not allowing Jamie and Claire to rest. Cheerful music takes over and we are soon immersed in family business, with no lingering after effects of the double murder of the previous evening. 

Fergus is now a printer and explains to Jamie how he is publishing a perfectly impartial newspaper. Jamie is admiring the shop, when he comes across a hidden panel in the wall that reveals seditious pamphlets that Fergus has also been printing in secret. Jamie cautions him against this, given the danger it poses to Fergus and his family. 

“If I am going to be killed for something, I would prefer it to be for something that matters,” Fergus replies, adding that the pen is his sword, and assuring a concerned but resigned Jamie that he is always careful. 

Over the breakfast table, the mood is positively jovial. Jamie teases the children and Claire presents them with cookies for breakfast, because “What else are Grannies for?” With the children sent outside, the adults discuss Fanny and how she is settling in. Fergus comments, as one whose childhood had been similarly spent in a brothel until rescued by Jamie, that while the brothel may have been difficult, it was still a home, and it would have been hard for Fanny to lose both it and the sister who had protected her in quick succession. Jamie agrees, telling Fergus and Marsali that they are going to return to the Ridge. It is time to go home. 

Meanwhile, in another home, John Grey is rocking a fractious teething baby when a drunken William is deposited onto his couch. William has been suspected of being a spy, but John wastes no time in vouching for the young man’s bonafides. Despite looking more like a highwayman than a gentleman, John tells the redcoat, William is indeed the 9th Earl of Ellesmere. Satisfied, the escorting soldier leaves, leaving John to introduce the baby - one Trevor Watiswade Grey - as the son of William’s cousin, Ben. William responds to this news by promptly vomiting into a conveniently placed vase. 

Jamie, Claire and Frances are walking around the grounds of the Ridge where the old house had once stood. A wagon draws closer: it is young Ian who greets them all enthusiastically and welcomes Frances to the ridge. He looks like a proud man of the land, and asks Jamie for help with some lumber. He has, he says, something to show them.

William is explaining to John how he had ended up in his drunken stupor: trying to get information about Captain Richardson had required ale and a game of brag. The news about his cousin having a baby has finally sunk in however, and William is looking forward to seeing Ben once more. But John has bad news on that score: Ben has died from an outbreak of jail fever while in the rebels’ custody. It is news that John is yet to relay to his brother/Ben’s father, Hal, commenting that the news may cause Hal to die of heartbreak. John continues the story, informing William that he has taken in Ben’s widow and child. William is immediately suspicious of the woman, despite being told that she had arrived on John’s doorstep with a bundle of love letters bearing Ben’s signet ring, and also having given the child the unusual and largely unknown family name of Watiswade. 

“Clearly, you’ve been hoodwinked by some damned woman!” William exclaims.

The damned woman, also known as Viscountess Amaranthus Grey, chooses that moment to appear in the doorway, and is just as unimpressed with William as he is with her. She labels her newly introduced cousin as a drunkard and a fool before sweeping indignantly from the room. 

Back at the Ridge, Ian proudly shows off his surprise. In the time that Jamie and Claire have been away, Ian has become a master craftsman and a building foreman, building the couple a new Big House. He has had the help of some of the others on the Ridge, with the house built from the plans that Jamie had left behind. (This is a convenient new skill of Ian’s that has never been mentioned before, but at least this change falls into the acceptable category of things that will not change the overall storyline!) The house was started with lumber from the old stables, Ian explains, and has been furnished with what could be spared by the residents of the Ridge.  There is even a new garden patch ready for Claire. 

Rachel appears and another happy reunion ensues. She and Ian take Jamie, Claire and Fanny on a guided tour of the new house. The pièce de résistance is Claire’s surgery, which has largely been stocked with materials from the new trading post being run by Hiram Crombie. Claire is overwhelmed, promising to take very good care of her first two patients: Rachel and her yet to be born child. Meanwhile Jamie has shown Fanny to a room that he tells her she may call her own bedroom, promising to build her both an armoire and a chair where she can sit and read. The young girl is overwhelmed to have a room all of her own, simply saying “It suits me well.” Later that night, in their own new room, Jamie and Claire speak of the night they conceived Faith - or the night that Jamie believes their daughter was conceived, at any rate. 

The following day, Jamie and Claire visit the new trading post. They are greeted by Amy McCallum, now Lindsay, (Amy having married Jamie’s Ardsmuir compatriot, Evan Lindsay) and her children. Hiram Crombie is the next to greet the pair, accepting Jamie’s congratulations on the thriving establishment and remarking that he has discovered that he is good at procuring items that people need. These items include various herbs for Claire’s surgery, with just one exception: that of Jesuit bark. At the mention of this item, Crombie’s partner, one Captain Charles Cunningham appears. He remarks that a Mrs Beardsley had been asking for the very same thing and suggests to Hiram that they acquire some. Introductions are made and Cunningham explains his connection to both the Ridge and the business.

Jamie and Cunningham walk and talk, swapping stories of service in the army, during which Cunningham reveals that he fought for the British before his retirement. This would have put him on the opposite side to Jamie at Saratoga and it is a revelation that has Jamie immediately on edge. 

“War is a terrible thing. I am most happy to be done with it,” Cunningham comments. 

He says all the right things, but  Jamie is still suspicious. “I’ve no reason not to take the man at his word,” Jamie says to Claire on their ride home, “but I do wonder if war is done with him.” 

Claire comments that the same could be said of Jamie, but he is adamant. He is done with the army, he insists, whether the war likes it or not.

John is attempting to cure William’s hangover, by means of a hair of the dog. William is in a petulant mood, and doesn’t respond well when John comments that wallowing does not suit him. William is still blaming himself for Jane’s death and his failure to protect her from Captain Richardson. John also wants Richardson to pay for his actions, but suggests that there are better ways of going about it than drinking oneself into a stupor each night. Still, he reasons, if William is done with the army, then he should return to England and take up the reins as the 9th Earl of Ellesmere. William is not keen to do this either, saying that his steward is doing a perfectly reasonable job, and adding that his title is only due to cuckoldry anyway. John retorts that William’s mother was married to the 8th Earl, so the title is William’s whether he wants it or not. William then asks how to renounce his title and at this, John finally loses patience. It is a peerage awarded by the King, John tells him and it cannot be renounced, but only withdrawn by the monarch himself, for something as serious as treason. 

“A betrayal of King and country hardly seems like a suitable means of solving your personal difficulties,” John says. 

He suggests that William needs to find out what he wants to do and William retorts that that would be easier if he knew who he was. John has had enough. Standing and putting on his coat, he tells William that the young man needs to figure out who he wants to be and act accordingly, starting with an apology to Lady Grey. 

Back at the Ridge, Lizzie has presented Jamie and Claire with a somewhat unusual homecoming gift, in the form of a hive of bees. Claire has always wanted a hive and Jamie promises to bring some honey to Lizzie in due course. Jamie tells Claire that bees are the link between the present and the spirit world, adding that it is always important to tell them what is happening. Otherwise, he says, the bees will take offence and fly away.

Indeed ,the first momentous occasion to announce to the bees is not long in coming. A modern rag doll is seen swinging from a young girl’s hand and the cry of “Hello, the house!” is heard. Claire and Jamie turn around, disbelieving. Roger, Brianna, Jem and Mandy have returned. Amidst tearful hugs, Mandy is introduced to her grandparents and when asked why they have returned, Brianna simply says “We wanted to come home.” That is enough for now, but leaves gaping plot holes to be filled, the largest being the answer to the question: How did they get from 1739 to 1779?

Later in the new Big House, Jamie updates Brianna with his side of the family news. Describing Fanny as “an orphan girl who William had taken under his protection” (and honestly, this is the most accurate description we have!) he adds that William now knows the truth of his parentage and is none too happy about it. 

“Give him time,” Brianna replies.

Mandy wants a story and Brianna and Roger decide that it’s time for the big book reveal. 

‘Goodnight Moon” has been brought through the stones, its colourful illustrations enough for Fanny to remark that the book looks like a painting. Mandy and Fanny are both mesmerised by Jamie’s dramatic reading (the latter showing no reaction to the word telephone). The children are soon dismissed to another room, with Jem given the task of reading to the younger ones. Left alone, Roger says he hopes that Fanny won’t react to the modern book. Claire responds that since Fanny has seen nothing like it, she is sure it will be fine. Other books have made it through the stones as well: a medical manual for Claire and a copy of Lord of the Rings for Jamie (this is another change we’ll allow, given that it was a particular love letter to Sam Heughan and his own connection to the novel - and one that hopefully won’t have any other planned repercussions!) 

Late night conversations continue. Jamie tells Roger that he and Brianna should reacquaint themselves with the folk at the Ridge, and asking for Roger’s opinion of Captain Cunningham. Meanwhile Brianna updates Claire on Mandy’s health, which is now thankfully fine. Jamie and Claire speak of the letters that they had left at the bank, in the hopes that they would somehow find their way to Brianna and Roger in the future. 

“We never dreamed you would use them to find your way back to us,” Claire says. 

Roger and Brianna share a brief look, but obviously now is not the time for updates of the more dangerous sort. Roger simple raises a glass and says, “To coming home.” 

There is one last gift though: a copy of Frank’s book, “Soul of a Rebel”, which used the research Frank had completed before his death and which had been published after Claire and Brianna had travelled to the past. Brianna admits to not reading it, not wanting to discover anything bad. Roger adds that they had spaced out the reading of the letters for similar reasons: for as long as there were unopened letters, Jamie and Claire were still alive. Astutely, Jamie remarks that something must have happened for them all to have returned, and Roger and Brianna nod. 

“A lot of things,” Brianna emphasises. 

Claire then adds that there is something they need to tell her too: “about Fanny and your sister, Faith.” (Nooooooooooo!) 

William approaches the garden where Amaranthus is sitting with baby Trevor. He wastes no time in beginning his apology, begging Lady Grey’s forgiveness for his ungentlemanly behaviour. Amaranthus admits to some fault of her own too, saying that she was unkind. 

“You had every reason,” William responds, accepting her invitation to sit. Amaranthus explains the circumstances of her and Ben’s quick marriage, adding that since the letters announcing their marriage had probably not been received before her arrival, a modicum of scepticism was understandable. The two share condolences over the loss of Ben. William remarks that baby Trevor looks like his father, a comment that pleases Amaranthus. She asks whether William will tell an older Trevor about his father, since he is too young to ever have a memory of him. 

“I promise I will do all I can for Trevor and for you, Lady Grey,” William replies. 

Brianna and Jamie have been hunting and Brianna has told her father about Robert Cameron and the knowledge that he now possesses. If Cameron can time travel, she comments, then danger definitely exists.  Brianna tells her father that she had decided that if no time were completely safe, then they they should all be together. 

Jamie decides to move the gold, so that if Cameron can travel, then any knowledge he has will be outdated. Jamie is also going to keep the information to himself. Suddenly, they come across two hanged loyalists. 

“There are devils on both sides of this war,” Jamie says solemnly, as they look at the bodies.

An old woman approaches the house, and finds Mandy sitting on the front porch. She asks Mandy where her father is and Mandy replies that she doesn’t know, holding up her doll Esmerelda, and introducing her instead. The older woman is unimpressed, branding Mandy impertinent and saying that she should be beaten. Mandy doesn’t respond well to this, telling the old woman that she looks like the Wicked Witch and should fly away on her broom. This comment earns Mandy a slap across the face. Jamie and Claire come to Mandy’s defence, Jamie ordering the old woman from the house and Claire remarking that the old woman is rude herself, having not introduced herself at all. The woman simply places a package on the front step, saying that her son had told her that Claire was looking for it. She adds that they are all going to hell, before she stalks away. The package contains Jesuit bark, which means that the woman can only be Captain Cunningham’s mother. 

Jamie sits by the fire. He has been reading Frank’s book. As he turns to the back cover, he sees the author photograph, and Black Jack Randall’s voice comes unbidden into his thoughts. 

“Is it my face that you see in the darkness?” 

Jamie abruptly closes the book as Claire comes to join him. Jamie remarks that Claire should have told him that Frank looked so much like his ancestor. Claire wonders how she could have explained that, adding that she had stopped thinking about the resemblance years ago, because the personalities of the two men had been so different. She adds that she had worried that Jamie would have been upset that she had been married to someone who looked so much like Black Jack. Jamie asks if Frank had been an honest man. Claire replies that he was, for the most part, adding that he may have kept some secrets, but so had she. Jamie presses further: “Can I trust him, do you think?”

Claire replies that Frank was a historian and wouldn’t write something he knew to be false. At last Jamie tells her why he is asking. Frank’s book has mentioned Jamie’s name fourteen times in the pages that he has read. More than that, the book says that war is coming to the back country and that there will be a battle at King’s Mountain in about a year’s time. It is a battle where James Fraser will die. And with Claire’s shocked look, we have the cliffhanger for episode one.

A lot was crammed into this episode, with a lot of details missing for some events and invented for others. Some scenes felt beautifully tender and familiar, while others, although beautifully acted, felt confusing. It leaves viewers, particularly book loving ones, in a precarious position. Will this season truly be a love letter to the fans as promised? Or will it be a break up letter instead? Book fans do, of course, have the option to stop watching. But, like any long term relationship that has hit a rough patch, the temptation is there to stick it out, in the hope that things will improve. Only time, of the non-travelling variety, will tell!

This recap and review was written by Susie Brown, a writer and teacher-librarian who lives in Australia. She is a completist, so is watching the whole series, but is doing so with more than a little frustration and trepidation at the moment. And if she reads one more theory that Faith could be Claire’s brother’s child, she may scream - yet another character who never existed in Diana Gabaldon’s universe!!