Oh, alright, Outlander. I won't go so far as to claim it was utterly "worth every moment of anticipation," but there's no denying that this stellar season finale felt like a bountiful reward bestowed upon us for enduring the more sluggish stretches of season four. As any proper finale ought to, "Man of Worth" deftly knots several lingering narrative threads while expertly laying the groundwork for the formidable conflicts awaiting us in season five. There are tender kisses, forehead brushes, and individuals hurling beverages at one another in desperate bids to quell the undeniable sexual undercurrent pulsating between them. Reunions and farewells unfold, accompanied by one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the entire series' history. No amount of revisiting Jamie donning his comically tiny, endearingly endearing glasses can ever erase the image of his lip trembling in distress. HIS LIP TREMBLES, folks. Let us emulate Claire by donning our fiercest headbands, for we have weighty matters to address.
Foremost among these matters is rejoicing in the delightful twist that our beloved Silver Fox, Murtagh Fitzgibbons, finds himself the central figure in his very own romantic comedy. My excitement is palpable! He arrives at River Run under the guise of "checking up on Bree," yet finds himself entangled with Jocasta for the bulk of his visit. Sparks fly. They clash over Murtagh's disapproval of Brianna's engagement to a Red Coat, over his belief that Jocasta could contribute more to the Regulator cause, and over her enduring disdain for him and the turmoil he seemingly invites into everyone's lives. She even dumps her drink in his face—a precious whisky, mind you, indicating just how incensed she is. As any avid rom-com enthusiast knows, such heated exchanges often prelude passionate kisses. It's a tried-and-true formula.
Sadly, we're denied the sight of Murtagh and Jocasta's inaugural make-out session, undoubtedly fiery and magnificent, that must have transpired shortly after the drink-throwing incident. However, we do cut to these two lovebirds waking up entwined the next morning. Murtagh's silver locks cascade freely around him. Granted, he's a fugitive and danger lurks around every corner, but for now, they are impossibly cute and profoundly content—a rare sight in this series. "Breakfast awaits," she whispers. "Let it linger," he replies with a smile. Frankly, I'm already in a blissful coma. Murtagh also bonds with Bree's newborn son, rendering my existence on this earth all the more redundant.
From this joyous respite, we plunge into darkness. Roger's Rescue Team has finally reached the Mohawk village in New York, and as is typical with Claire and Jamie's escapades, complications ensue with swift precision.
From the instant they set foot in Shadow Lake, the atmosphere thickened with tension. They bore valuables intended for trade, with the aim of securing Roger's freedom, yet negotiations came to an abrupt halt upon beholding Claire adorned with the stone she had unearthed in the woods, alongside that sinister skull with its silver filling—a foreshadowing of doom! One wonders why the Frasers omitted the rugged backwoodsman John Quincy Myers from their company on this perilous journey; his presence would have been invaluable in such a crunch. Alas, they did not, and Ian's mediation prowess proved inadequate, leading to their exile from the village.
Scarcely had time ticked by when a contingent of Mohawk warriors descended upon the Rescue Team as they hatched Plan B. They coveted the stone, explaining it once belonged to Otter Tooth, a figure who had arrived centuries ago, forewarning of the Mohawk's annihilation and the demise of their Native American way of life. They deemed him possessed, ostracized him from their tribe in fear of the trouble he'd bring, ultimately resorting to his demise. The legend of Otter Tooth haunted their collective psyche. Yet, some Mohawk believed his prophecy, convinced that the possessor of his stone would gain visions of their tribe's future downfall. Claire readily agreed to surrender the stone—provided they returned Roger. Thus, Plan B was conceived!
Yet, it crashed and burned in spectacular fashion. One cannot simply stroll into the Mohawk village under the cloak of night with a modest group, extract a person from their idiotic hut, and escape unnoticed. Chaos erupted, and the Frasers emerged unscathed only in retrospect. The rebellious Mohawk were banished, while Jamie, Claire, and Ian were commanded to depart, stone in hand, Roger remaining behind due to the absence of a fair trade.
In a moment of atonement for his past treatment of Bree, Jamie, without hesitation, volunteered himself as tribute. Claire's heart shattered; she hadn't journeyed through time to endure separation from Clarence the Donkey. Jamie, her noble Jamie, vowed he'd return to her side, and they bid each other a poignant farewell as Ian was dispatched to negotiate the terms with the Mohawk.
But then, Ian too volunteered as tribute! A double tribute of selflessness! Jamie, powerless to intervene, watched as Ian sealed the deal with the Mohawk. Motivated by penance for his actions towards Bree and Roger, and fueled by his unwavering loyalty to Jamie and Claire, Ian stepped forward. Jamie's farewell to his nephew, whom he regarded as a son, ranked among the most heart-wrenching scenes in the series—and that's saying quite a lot! Sam Heughan, already delivering a stellar season, excelled in this scene. His devastation at losing Ian was palpable, yet pride shone through for Ian's bravery. He had truly become the "Man of Worth." Tears streamed down his face, an almost unbearable sight to witness.
At this critical juncture, I must emphasize that Roger never once intervenes to suggest they depart without him. I understand his past traumas have left him yearning for escape, and he owes little to Jamie or Ian, who once brutalized and betrayed him. Yet, does he not harbor deep affection for Claire and an unwavering love for Bree? Jamie and Claire, devoted as they are, would never dream of abandoning him. Yet, as he stands by, helplessly witnessing this cherished family fragment before his eyes, one wonders why he doesn't at least attempt to propose a solution. In summation, Roger retains his ignoble title as the World's Most Inconsiderate.
The heart-wrenching scene unfolds as Jamie and Claire are compelled to sever ties with Ian. It's agonizing, though a glimmer of hope shines through: later, Ian emerges victorious from the Mohawk's rigorous trials, embracing his newfound tribal identity with joy. Yet, the sight of Jamie's lip trembling in sorrow remains unassuaged—nothing can ever mend that wound.
When Jamie and Claire find themselves alone with Roger, the air thickens with the need for explanations. Initially, Jamie allows Roger to vent his fury through a physical altercation—a touching yet playful gesture from Roger. Jamie's eventual roar, "That's the last unanswered blow!" evokes deep emotions. Despite the recycling of information we're already privy to, this scene could easily have fallen flat. Instead, it captivates due to the exceptional performances of Balfe, Heughan, and their costar. This is undeniable proof that keeping Balfe and Heughan in every episode is a necessity, folks.
Once Roger is privy to the entire narrative, Jamie and Claire present him with an ultimatum: either return with them and embrace Bree and her child wholeheartedly, regardless of paternity, or depart immediately. They refuse to countenance his return solely to shatter Brianna's heart anew. They are her guardians, after all. Unbelievably, Roger requires time to contemplate this! Granted, it's par for the course with sanctimonious Roger, whose lack of apology for his slut-shaming incident still rankles. Yet, here he is, having endured countless trials to be with Brianna, and now he hesitates due to a profound trauma she endured. Roger is hardly the aggrieved party! Left alone in the wilderness to grapple with his selfishness, Claire and Jamie return to River Run to inform their heartbroken daughter that Roger, though alive, is wavering in his devotion. Brianna deserves far better, and that's saying a lot, considering my lukewarm feelings towards her.
Jamie and Claire, officially the sexiest grandparents ever, endeavor to cushion the blow by reassuring Brianna of their unwavering support. Just as they prepare to return to Fraser's Ridge, lo and behold, Roger reappears! He professes his undying love for her and eagerly anticipates meeting his son. While heartening, Brianna has endured enough waiting.
However, the saga doesn't conclude here! Red Coats descend upon River Run, prompting everyone to assume they've come for Murtagh. Amidst the frantic attempts to conceal him, Murtagh and Jocasta cling to each other, their love palpable. Jamie's side-eye, witnessing his godfather and aunt's affection, is a comic gem, delighting in its irony. Murtagh narrowly escapes, but the commotion was in vain; the soldiers had merely come to deliver a letter from Governor Tryon, ordering Jamie to assemble a militia to combat the Regulators. His initial task: to track down and terminate Murtagh Fitzgibbons.
Perhaps the panic was justified after all, for this presents a formidable dilemma.
