Embark on the most theatrical climactic chapter in the annals of "The Bachelorette: Colonial Edition." We find ourselves amidst a scenario where one bachelorette, Bree, harbors little interest, accompanied by four hopeful suitors and an overpowering Auntie. Not a soul present harbors genuine intentions. Will this saga conclude in love's embrace or the bonds of matrimony?Surely, it cannot be both. Bree faces a dilemma: to cling to the glimmer of hope with Roger or to safeguard her unborn child from the ignominy of bastardy, a fate deemed graver than death itself. How will she navigate this thorny path? WHAT COURSE WILL SHE CHART?
If you postulated, "she will attempt, albeit fruitlessly, to coerce Lord John Grey into matrimony by blackmailing him over his concealed sexuality, a ploy he easily sees through but eventually succumbs to after she appeals to his compassion, leading to a pretense of engagement solely to assuage Aunt Jocasta's incessant pressure to wed one of her handpicked candidates," then hats off to you, for you've aced this narrative prediction with remarkable precision. Such is more or less the unfolding drama at River Run.
Aunt Jocasta forcefully steers her great-niece into attending an evening meal where, to no one's surprise, the majority of attendees happen to be single gentlemen. Bree, who hardly puts up a fight (oblivious to this dinner's true nature as an eligible bachelor gala), expresses her preference for solitude in drawing, reading, and tears—a sentiment I, too, can empathize with. However, when Jocasta waxes nostalgic about Bree reminding her of Ellen, her heart softens, and she finds herself open to companionship.
Descending the staircase adorned in one of Jocasta's gowns, Bree embodies the protagonist of a Hallmark Christmas film, wherein a humble American maiden weds a prince (seriously, those movies always feature staircases!). The bachelors, enraptured, include Forbes, whose subtlety is as absent as his decorum; Lieutenant Wolff, a natural for a reality show if ever there was one, with a penchant for melodrama, expressive facial gestures, and wild, untamed hair; and Judge Alderdyce, seemingly decent but unmistakably gay after Bree's ill-conceived dinner table game of "Psychoanalysis for the Uninitiated" (Bree, despite her trials, irritates me profoundly—what a dreadful icebreaker!).
Yet, when Lord John Grey arrives, the victor becomes evident. Officially, he is present at Jamie's behest to check on Bree, but in this arena, any unattached man is fair game—and Lord John stands unrivaled. Too noble for this spectacle, truly. His loyalty, kindness, and genuine empathy shine through upon discovering Bree's pregnancy, a revelation that naturally leaks from Lizzie's indiscrete lips. Later, when Bree tasks Lizzie with a mission while stressing discretion, I chuckled heartily, for discretion from Lizzie is as attainable as levitation. Everyone knows this all too well.
In any case, Bree emerged unscathed, albeit probably nauseated, from Jocasta's sleazy Pimp Dinner, enduring the cheesiest pickup lines imaginable ("I've gained a newfound empathy for your great aunt's blindness," Wolff remarked upon meeting Brianna — ugh, Wolff, my hopes for you were so high). Yet, her troubles were far from over.
That very evening, Bree stumbled upon Lord John and Judge Alderdyce indulging in an illicit tryst right there in the hallway. For heaven's sake, gentlemen! If discretion is your game, find a place with a door — it matters not what hour of the night it is.
The following morning, when Bree learned of Forbes's impending proposal, she devised her aforementioned scheme to blackmail Lord John into marrying her. She threatened to out him as gay unless he agreed, but Lord John was having none of it. He saw through her desperation and took pity on her. They shared an intimate conversation — as intimate as one can be with someone who's just threatened to ruin your life — wherein he conveyed his love for Jamie, albeit indirectly, and Bree confessed the entire truth about her pregnancy. Unable to resist protecting Jamie's children, Lord John stepped in at the eleventh hour and announced their engagement before Forbes could pop the question.
Just when you thought Lord John couldn't get any more admirable, he revealed to Bree that William wasn't his biological son but that he loved him "more than life itself." He assured her that Roger would cherish her baby regardless of who the father was. Then, he waxed poetic about hope and love, emphasizing that hope is the foundation of love. Honestly, I'm smitten. Someone, please hook this man up with a smoking hot boyfriend!
However, Lord John doesn't have the "strong yet soft-hearted man" archetype locked down just yet. If the Aristocratic Red Coat doesn't float your boat, what about the Surly Silver Fox? Murtagh is back, proving once again that he's the sweetest regulator you'll ever meet. This time, it's because he showed just how much he cares for Fergus. That's right, Fergie Ferg is back (more Fergus, less Bree in future scenes, right?), but Fergie Ferg is melancholy. Finding work in Wilmington has been challenging with his missing hand, and he's growing depressed about his situation. Marsali, whom I'm thoroughly enjoying this season, asked Murtagh to encourage Fergus to join the Regulator's militia — which he did, understanding that Fergus needed to feel wanted and useful. Ferg eventually declined the offer, realizing he needed to be with his wife and baby, not fighting in some rebellion, but the gesture was heartfelt. Moreover, this is probably not the end of that conversation.
For the time being, Fergus and Murtagh confront far grander challenges. Murtagh, true to his word, sets out to fulfill Jamie’s plea by enlisting Fergus to track down Bonnet, with the intent of enabling Jamie to exact his revenge. That rascal Bonnet seems omnipresent, his presence now even extending into the confines of a prison. Murtagh and Fergus are discovered dragging an unconscious Bonnet; Murtagh promptly punches Fergus, feigning his own innocence, resulting in their subsequent arrest alongside Bonnet. While I harbor concerns for Murtagh's impending fate, I take solace in the memory of his bravery in saving Fergus, akin to a comforting, cozy blanket. Murtagh instills in me a sense of security, if I may say so!
You might have observed that we've reached the conclusion of this recap without so much as a whisper about Jamie and Claire (except in Lord John's yearning heart). This episode, once again, seems to overlook the fact that Claire and Jamie are the heart and soul of this series, relegating their quest to find Roger – who, ironically, never passed through the new stones and was recaptured by the Mohawk – to a mere supporting role amidst the River Run drama. But heed this, show: Nobody can sideline our beloved couple. Despite their limited screen time, Jamie and Claire steal the show with the episode's – perhaps the season's – most poignant scene.
The chill between Claire and Jamie persists since their separation from Bree, and no amount of distraction with Claire's stylish headband can thaw it. Even Ian is pleading with his parents to reconcile. Claire finally reaches a breaking point, unable to witness Jamie's anguish over his actions towards Brianna any longer. One night, she ventures into his tent and confesses that she's not angry with him; she's angry at the world. She reveals that after Frank's demise, she and Brianna shared secrets, forging a bond exclusive to them – and she apologizes for not informing Jamie about Bonnet sooner, blaming herself for the ensuing chaos. She explains that parenthood has altered their marriage. Typically, a conversation about the struggles of balancing parenthood with a relationship might bore, but Balfe and Heughan are exceptionally talented (no revelation there), infusing the moment with vulnerability and honesty so profound that I'll ponder this scene for days to come. Indeed, when Claire reassures Jamie that Bree didn't mean her words and knows that Jamie, without a doubt, didn't intend his, and they both utter "I'm sorry" while wiping tears from their beautiful faces, their passion ignites in that tent – and rightfully so! Firstly, it symbolizes the healing of their bond, but also because this is, after all, Outlander! Every scene should culminate in Jamie and Claire's intimate embrace, regardless of the context!
