As a woman of Scottish descent, born and bred in the Highlands where tales of clan loyalty run deep, I cannot help but feel a pang of sympathy for Lord John Grey. His plight to save his son, William, is a testament to the bonds that tie families together, even when duty calls.

In this week’s episode of “Outlander,” I found myself feeling a bit underwhelmed despite the promise of an explosive finish to the season. The show seems to be rushing to position everyone for a grand climax, promising intense battles on the horizon, heated exchanges between William and his fathers, and a return to time travel, along with some unexpected twists that “Outlander” is known for before we go on break.

In the upcoming season seven of Outlander, there’s much anticipation for William’s appearance, but it seems unlikely that this will occur as planned. The intrigue lies in how William manages his relationships with John, Jamie, and even Claire, which are both complex and engaging. However, when he’s off on his own, such as helping sex workers escape legal trouble, the scenes lack the same appeal. During these instances, I find myself admiring Charles Vandervaart’s stunning teeth instead. It’s hard to believe that those pearly whites belong to a British soldier from 1778! Just recently, we discussed Claire’s apple-eating habits to maintain her dental health. The oral hygiene during that era was far from ideal.

In this scenario, Jane, a woman working in the profession of prostitution, locates William, who is currently stationed at an army camp near Philadelphia, continuing his delivery duties following the Battle of Saratoga. He later travels to New York on parole. Accompanying Jane is her younger sister Fanny, and she seeks William’s protection. It turns out that Captain Harkness, a soldier whom William had saved from danger, returned to the brothel with an intention to pay a large sum for a night with little Fanny. Knowing this was unacceptable, Jane killed him in self-defense, and they both escaped. William intends to help them, demonstrating his kind-hearted nature, which hints at a resemblance to Jamie’s heroic traits. As the episode progresses, it becomes evident that William may face delays in reaching New York, which is concerning for Jane’s safety.

In 1980, William’s sister Bree continues to grapple with the troubles caused by her ex-husband Rob Cameron. With two accomplices ransacking Lallybroch while he pursues Bree and the children at Fiona and Ernie’s place, she is growing increasingly desperate. The only solution that seems viable to her is for her, Jem, and Mandy to use the stones again, seeking reunion with Roger. However, unbeknownst to Bree, not only is Roger in 1739, a time she would never consider visiting, but he is also planning a return trip. Can their thoughts bridge the distance through the stones? Most importantly, will Bree and Roger’s plotline ever cease feeling forced within this narrative?

How about we discuss the plot points that stood out in this episode? Specifically, it’s fascinating how Jamie and Claire deal with the looming threat of the Revolutionary War while also attempting to find tranquility amidst their ongoing conflict with Lord John Grey. Thankfully, Outlander doesn’t prolong the reunion of our beloved potential trio. The episode begins with Lord John taking an oath to support the new laws established by the Continental Congress and pledging loyalty to the United States of America, while also encountering a second group of militiamen who had rescued him during his escape from the first. It’s not long before he makes his way to Jamie’s encampment and surrenders himself directly to Jamie. (It seems his Bertram Armstrong disguise didn’t quite work as planned.) Claire is also present at the camp, alleviating any concerns that Jamie might resort to extreme measures against John. In fact, she appears visibly distressed upon seeing John’s condition. Interestingly, Jamie remains unapologetic for his violent actions, which is rather frustrating.

In simpler terms, Lord John ends up being General Fraser’s captive and they escort him back to his home for further plans. This isn’t the most unpleasant situation for John, but his mood changes when he sees the American flag given by George Washington hanging above his own fireplace. This unexpected sight doesn’t resonate well with him. However, it does provide Claire a chance to examine John’s injured eye more closely. The muscle is trapped in the fractured orbital bone, so Claire needs to manually adjust John’s eye for repair. As Jamie holds John firm during this undoubtedly painful operation, I can’t help but think, wow, this isn’t at all how I imagined these three interacting physically.

The procedure works, and Claire gifts John a fancy new eye patch while he continues healing. Jamie still does not apologize. Still, the two men will have to learn to trust each other again quickly because they get some alarming news about William.

Mr. Beauchamp, a French associate of the Marquis de Lafayette, enters under the name Percy Wainwright. John is taken aback to see Percy at his doorstep. He confides in Claire that Percy was once his step-brother and also served as a French spy. While he doesn’t elaborate, it’s clear to Claire that they had more than a brotherly relationship due to their past intimacy. Their bond seems complicated, and it would have added depth to the story if we had flashbacks of their history instead of repetitive scenes showing Ian and Rachel’s unwavering passion. It appears John played a part in Percy’s escape from British imprisonment years ago, but Percy seems to harbor resentment towards him for some reason, calling him an overly self-centered individual with only himself to be loyal to. However, the tender way Percy touches John’s face and admires his eyes suggests that old feelings remain unresolved.

Regrettably, Percy hasn’t come merely for a moment of affection with Lord John, who indeed could benefit from it; instead, he brings crucial intelligence. The information he delivers warns John about a plan to abduct William, which is intended to force John and his brother Hal, a duke portrayed in a flashback to 1775, into collaborating with the Continental Army. In the past, we’ve seen Hal making speeches urging England not to give in to the colonies. However, the leaders of the colonies wish for him to cease such actions. This is why Captain Richardson — recall the traitor who attempted to recruit Claire? — has given William a letter intended for a group of Hessians. Richardson stresses its urgency. Unbeknownst to William, the very letter he’s delivering orders those Hessians to capture him. By the episode’s end, we see William walking straight into that exact trap.

Currently, Jamie Fraser, known for his swift intervention in many situations, is finding it challenging to protect his son due to the demands of his new military role. He confides in Claire that he has never led 300 men into battle before, nor has he been responsible for so many lives. At this time, he is under significant stress. It’s worth noting that Washington admires him greatly – hosting a crucial meeting with his top officials at the Fraser residence, and it’s always enjoyable to see Claire excited about socializing with Marquis de Lafayette. However, Jamie finds himself reporting directly to General Lee. Although Claire might not recognize the name, anyone who has listened to the Hamilton soundtrack or knows American history will recall that General Lee is associated with the Battle of Monmouth, which we are preparing for in Outlander’s Philly – a battle that historically took place in June but still feels frigid. Though Jamie and Claire don’t possess this specific knowledge, after spending an evening with General Lee, it’s evident that he doesn’t inspire confidence in Jamie as a capable leader.

In this scenario, Lord John informs Jamie and Claire about a plan to seize and torment William. Sadly, Jamie can’t interfere with the scheme because he’s currently responsible for 300 men, choosing to stay with them instead of assisting William. However, John suggests another option: Jamie could release him as his captive. And that is exactly what Jamie chooses. He sends John away accompanied by Ian, even though John remains shackled, maintaining the pretense of captivity in case of questioning. “Go save our son,” Jamie instructs John as he lets him leave. I apologize, but it does have a strong emotional impact, which may be interpreted as intense or moving.

Read More

2024-12-28 06:54