If you tuned in to "Providence" harboring the misplaced notion that Jamie and Claire's screen time could somehow diminish from last week's generous portions, then prepare yourself, with an open heart and welcoming arms (ever so susceptible to capturing your sentiments, you understand), for the regrettable revelation that you are bound for profound disappointment. I've already vented my frustrations over this season of "Outlander"'s underutilization of its two exquisitely charismatic leads, so I shall refrain from further elaboration. However, I must emphasize that this is the penultimate episode of season four, a season that has already witnessed one episode devoid of Claire and Jamie's presence. Did they truly merit being sidelined to a fleeting "woodland gallop" montage, accompanied by Jamie's voiceover? I admit, I adore watching Jamie meticulously clean his firearms, but surely, there's more to be desired.
Fortunately, Lord John's enchanting presence remains steadfast, as ever. Even Bree, seemingly a challenging critic, concedes that it's "impossible not to like" him. Upon learning of Stephen Bonnet's arrest in Wilmington, sentenced to death, Lord John fulfills his noble duty by informing Bree, who insists on visiting him before his demise. Might Brianna be the most demanding character in "Outlander"? Your thoughts, please!
John opposes her plan, grounded in sensibility and mindful of Jamie's probable disapproval of her "taking tea with a murderer"—a quote that has now etched itself as my all-time favorite Lord John line. But hold your horses, John! Brianna produces Jamie's letter, its entirety a plea for his daughter to seek forgiveness for her assailant. It's the path to healing. Lo and behold, John is now fully onboard for a journey to Wilmington. Indeed, if Bree is bent on reliving her nightmare, Lord John is the ideal companion—kind, empathetic, yet never overpowering. Upon reaching the prison, he allows Bree her moment while reassuring her of his constant support. Everyone could use a Lord John in their life!
Bree confronts Bonnet, shackled within his cell. As vile and odious as anticipated, she stands her ground. She conveys her forgiveness and shares news of the baby, informing him that if knowing a part of him will live on makes his passing easier, then he is now aware. He persists in pushing her limits until she nearly breaks. She finally unleashes the truths he deserves to hear: this child will never acknowledge his name; he will cease to exist. In the end, Bonnet retrieves a gem from his mouth, offering it to her for the baby. With the gemstone in her possession, Bree bids farewell to her assailant forever.
Oh, but behold this curious twist! Just as Bree draws her task to a close, she unexpectedly stumbles upon a contingent of Regulators, led by none other than the illustrious Fergie Ferg himself, in a daring bid to spring Murtagh from his jailhouse confines. Witnessing Ferg parade through the streets of Wilmington with an air of audacious grandeur, and subsequently taking over an entire jail, is nothing short of glamorous in its brazenness.
Upon Murtagh's apprehension, Ferg's prompt decision to rescue "the weathered warrior" garnered hearty endorsement from Marsali in a delightful vignette, casting them as the embodiment of Jamie and Claire 2.0, embarking on perilous quests and pledging eternal devotion to one another. What a pair of treasures they make!
Though Ferg hadn't foreseen an encounter with Lord John, whom he knows well, and Brianna, whom he doesn't, this unforeseen meeting didn't deter him from his mission. Admittedly, Murtagh and Lord John shared a tense moment, given Lord John's unwavering allegiance to Team Tryon during their last meeting, but miraculously, they all escaped the jail unscathed mere moments before it went up in flames. Murtagh leapt into the back of a horse-drawn carriage, expertly steered by Marsali, and they hared off towards Fraser's Ridge. Lord John once again demonstrated his angelic nature: when confronted by one of Tryon's men, who, cognizant of their presence at the jail, grilled them about the explosion, Lord John remained tight-lipped about the perpetrators or their destination. Bree would indeed be fortunate to wed such a paragon of discretion and valor.
Yet, amidst the jubilance over Murtagh's liberty and Lord John's noble demeanor, these escapades bore a dire fruit: amidst the commotion, the jail keys were tossed perilously close to Bonnet, who seized them with a gleaming eye. Though we didn't witness him unlocking his cell and bolting before the blast, one thing is certain—cockroaches, like Bonnet, never truly perish.
Apart from that, the entirety of the episode revolves around Roger. Now, let me clarify: Richard Rankin does an admirable job with what he's handed, but Roger as a character is incredibly challenging to warm up to. My eyes can't help but roll whenever he's on screen. For instance, I don't require a lengthy soliloquy about how he could have saved himself and returned to his own time, but chose otherwise due to his idiotic infatuation with Brianna – it's obvious he's irrational! And yet, that's precisely what we get.
Roger isn't faring particularly well among the Mohawk people. He manages to offend virtually everyone except their healer, Johiehon. He's thrown into "the hut," where he encounters another Mohawk captive, Father Alexandre Ferigault. Ferigault is yet another minor character to whom we dedicate an excessive amount of time. I don't mean to sound heartless, as his plight is genuinely heart-wrenching, but this character appears and vanishes almost instantly, and we only get 13 episodes per season.
Ferigault's tale is a melancholic yet infuriating one. He was initially welcomed by the Mohawk with the intention of converting them, and he lived peacefully among them until he fell ill. Johiehon nursed him back to health, and their bond blossomed into love, culminating in the birth of their adorable baby daughter. The Mohawk accepted their marriage warmly, but problems emerged when they requested Ferigault baptize the child, which he refused. He had fallen out of favor due to his sins, and performing the baptism would condemn the child to hell. The Mohawk threatened to hang him and set fire beneath his feet until he succumbed unless he agreed to baptize the child. As you might have guessed while reading that, Roger points out that the Mohawk don't comprehend the intricacies; they could simply pour water on the child's head and call it a baptism. But no, Ferigault wouldn't do that to the child. Despite Roger having an escape plan (he digs a tunnel beneath the hut's perimeter), Ferigault chooses death as punishment for his sins.
Do you see what I mean about dedicating too much screen time to this character? At least give us a couple of scenes of Jamie meticulously cleaning his gun for some balance.
The climax of this episode unfolds with a brutal ferocity that left me questioning the necessity of such grimness, much like my recurring ponderings throughout "Outlander." Was it merely because the narrative allowed it? Ferigault, bound and subjected to惨不忍睹的折磨, while Roger attempted a daring escape, could scarcely endure the priest's heart-wrenching screams. Amidst much internal turmoil (my eyes rolled involuntarily, dear reader), Roger ultimately succumbed, racing back to the village. In a desperate act, he hurled a barrel filled with combustible material onto the pyre, engulfing Ferigault in flames—a gruesome yet mercifully swift end to his suffering. Yet, our ordeal was far from over! Johiehon, who had witnessed her beloved's torment with a shattered heart, could bear no more when she saw him consumed by the inferno. Abandoning her baby, she rushed to join him on the blazing pyre. Kaheroton, the man hopelessly in love with Johiehon and seemingly responsible for overseeing Roger, clutched the infant to his chest, tears streaming down his face in an emotional breakdown. The scene, set against the haunting melody of "Adagio for Strings," was nothing short of harrowing. And to add insult to injury, Roger was once again captured by the Mohawk and dragged away to what he now sarcastically terms "the Idiot Hut." At least he's aware of his predicament. So, Jamie and Claire, the stage is now meticulously set for a daring rescue—let us embark on this perilous mission without delay.
