Oh, esteemed Outlander comrades, let us momentarily set aside Claire's infernal staycation and turn our attention to the grand return of one Murtagh. Murtagh is indeed back, resplendent with a dazzling white ponytail, forging metal with fiery passion, and stirring emotions within me. It was almost a foregone conclusion that Jamie's godfather would reappear once the TV series spared him from his literary demise (in the novels, Murtagh perishes at Culloden). They couldn't introduce his survival at Ardsmuir Prison solely to exile him to the Americas, consigned to indentured servitude, never to resurface again. Outlander may relish in tragedy, but such a fate would have been an excess of sorrow. Thus, ever since his departure in last season's "All Debts Paid," many of us eagerly anticipated his return, particularly with Claire and Jamie establishing their roots in North Carolina amidst a sea of fellow Scottish settlers.
Although I counted down the episodes until Murtagh's reappearance, my heart skipped a beat when Young Ian entered the local smithy seeking help with a broken horse bit, only to discover the grumpy old blacksmith was none other than Murtagh. Oh, reader, I let out an involuntary yelp!
While the unveiling of Murtagh was magnificent, a fleeting worry crossed my mind that they might prolong this heartwarming reunion, reminiscent of Outlander's fondness for tragic twists. Jamie, donning his tiny glasses once more (because when you've got 'em, flaunt 'em with pride), was poised to return to Fraser's Ridge and the comforting arms of his wife, having failed in his mission to persuade Scottish farmers to settle on his land. They all declined due to the taxable shenanigans orchestrated by Governor Tryon. Moreover, Jamie's covert secondary mission—entrusting a silversmith to craft something from his mother's candlesticks (perhaps a ring for Claire?)—also failed. Instead of finding the silversmith, he encountered the man's wife, who, upon laying eyes on Jamie, beckoned him inside for a "hearty slice of pie." Jamie politely declined, stating that his wife was an exceptional cook. Even the passersby seemed to wink and nudge, catching the hint. Has Jamie ever been more irresistible than when refused the horny advances of the silversmith's wife?
All this leads to the moment when Ian informs his uncle that the smith charged him an exorbitant 21 shillings to fix a horse bit. Jamie had zero tolerance for town folk trying to extort him. Marching into the smithy, ready to give the blacksmith a piece of his mind, Murtagh instantly recognized his voice. And there it was, after decades, Jamie face-to-face with his godfather. Oh, friends, Jamie's eyes welled up with tears, and Murtagh's joy knew no bounds as they embraced. Indeed, it was the most magical time of the year.
But the narrative takes a delightful turn. Recall the boundless joy that erupted on Jamie's face when Claire unexpectedly walked into that print shop after two decades? Well, Murtagh's happiness multiplies tenfold when Jamie breaks the news of Claire's return to his arms—away from Ian, of course. It's an endearing scene! Jamie regales Murtagh with tales of Claire, Fraser's Ridge, and their daughter Brianna, who is set to embark on a university journey in 1971. Pause for a moment and forget what I just said; Jamie has never been more enchantingly attractive than when he glows with pride, boasting about his daughter's college endeavors. Someone, please, hand me a fan!
Unfortunately, the reunion isn't devoid of underlying tensions. Murtagh reveals himself not merely as a regulator but as a king among them, furious at Governor Tryon and his tax collectors for fleecing honest folk. He invites Jamie and Ian to a clandestine meeting where he incites the Scots to rise up against oppressive taxation. This places Jamie in a quandary, having accepted 10,000 acres of land from Tryon and pledged his support. While Jamie finds the tax collectors' actions unjust, he equally disdains mobs. He refrains from discouraging his godfather but refuses to join him. The two part ways, uncertainty shrouding their next encounter....
I can't help but feel melancholy about Jamie and Murtagh leaving things unresolved (obviously, they'll reconcile; they're inseparable BFFs). Meanwhile, as Jamie lounges around town, all I can think is, "Please, go back to your wife, go back to your wife!" because, honestly, things have spiraled out of control while Claire is solitary at Fraser's Ridge.
When Jamie briefly departs from Claire, it seems harmless enough. I mean, he's not thrilled about leaving his wife, but Claire, seriously, have you met me? She's a whirlwind of activity. She bonds with her new BFF Adawehi, who keeps hinting at ominous things like Claire's daughter being present, though Claire remains oblivious. She grapples with mixed emotions—grief and arousal—after Jamie shares a dream where he glimpsed Brianna's concealed diamond-shaped birthmark, despite Claire never mentioning it. Oh, and she has to deliver a baby too!
