Greetings, fellow Outlander enthusiasts! Have you finally caught your breath from screaming into the abyss, having absorbed all the events unfolding in "Journeycake"? This episode, penned by the esteemed Diana Gabaldon herself, is brimming with pivotal moments, leaving us scarcely a second to savor Claire and Jamie's steamy window escapade (you know, the one where Jamie had ample opportunity to, um, "dive" — you're welcome for that mental image). Let's just say it was (1) scorching hot, a testament to the fact that those grandparents still got it, and (2) heart-pounding stressful, given TV history's tendency to depict women being, um, rather unceremoniously ejected from windows. Bless this show for jogging my memory of that memorable scene from "Reign."
So much is happening that we must swiftly navigate Claire's sheer delight as she reveals to Jamie his very own spermatozoa under her microscope. Yes, you heard that right; this is the show where such things transpire!
Now, onto the episode's meat and potatoes: the Frasers have discovered that little Jemmy possesses the ability to traverse time, and Roger and Bree yearn to return home — the real home, two centuries hence. They're making it happen! Claire and Bree are engrossed in making peanut butter to indulge Jemmy in the ultimate sandwich: peanut butter and jelly (don't even try to argue). Meanwhile, Jemmy is bonding with Ian, who produces that familiar opal once owned by Otter Tooth, setting off a chain of events. Upon holding the stone, Jemmy feels an intense heat. So intense, in fact, that it shatters in his hands. The stone scorches Claire, Bree, and Roger's touch too, yet it feels cold to Ian and Jamie. There's also that familiar time-travel hum, audible to Jemmy. Indeed, Jemmy is a time-traveler.
Roger and Bree deduce that the stone shattered due to Jemmy's heightened time-travel abilities, perhaps a byproduct of having two time-traveling parents — hinting at Roger being Jemmy's biological dad. This revelation solidifies their decision to return their family to their rightful place. Bree, though less enthusiastic than Roger, acknowledges it's the safest course. She doesn't want to vanish without explanation, however.
One unexpected individual who won't bat an eyelid when Bree, Roger, and Jemmy "poof" away, as Bree puts it, is Ian. Ian has always harbored suspicions about his enigmatic Auntie Claire — fairy was his guess, not far off the mark — and these suspicions were reignited after learning more about Otter Tooth and his opal during his Mohawk sojourn. Witnessing the stone's peculiar heat reaction firsthand has prompted him to finally seek answers from his aunt and uncle.
Ian absorbed the revelation that his aunt had journeyed from the future with remarkable composure, embracing it as an unquestionable fact. Perhaps this swift acceptance stemmed partly from his yearning for Claire or Bree to assist him in time travel, aiming to rectify an unspecified past mishap linked to a wife and his departure from the Mohawk. Alas, the mechanics of time travel defied such whimsical reparations, leaving Ian a somber figure. Nevertheless, he embraced the Team Time Travel mantra, a decision seemingly beneficial for all concerned.
Ian's lack of curiosity regarding Roger, Bree, and Jemmy's sudden absence contrasted sharply with the Ridge folk's inevitable queries. They concocted a tale about Roger securing a teaching position in Boston to placate the community's curiosity. This subterfuge set the stage for a succession of heart-wrenching farewell scenes, one of which unexpectedly moved even the most stoic among us during Lizzie's poignant moment.
"Goodbye" became the refrain of the day at Fraser's Ridge, as Lord John Grey made a poignant appearance, heralding his return to England to aid William in ascending the earldom as soon as possible. With a nostalgic sigh, he mused about the many things he would miss, and one couldn't help but admire his unwavering penchant for casting admiring glances Jamie's way. Prior to his departure, enhanced by Ulysses' companionship to avoid the latter's murder-related arrest, Lord John bestowed upon Jamie a portrait of William. The uncertainty of their next reunion weighed heavily, stirring deep emotions within Jamie.
Moreover, this impetus sparked Jamie's desire to confide in Bree about her brother's existence. Amidst their emotional parting, he recounted the origins of William, his sojourn with Lord John, and the necessity of concealing Jamie's true paternity. Sharing this with Bree was Jamie's way of assuring her of a broader familial network, a sentiment deeply intertwined with his anguish over her departure. He recalled Claire's initial absence, when Bree's existence alone was a beacon of hope amidst despair. Despite the potential for never reuniting, he assured her, "Though our paths may never cross again, you have completed my life." My own tears drowned out his exact words, rendering them a blur of emotion. James Fraser, indeed, evokes such profound sentiments within us all.
The torments continue unabated. Bree and Roger share a heartfelt farewell conversation with Fergus and Marsali, the latter, once again with child—as if their family tree wasn't burgeoning enough—revealing to Bree that she has now become a "sister" to her, adding yet another layer of emotional turmoil. Bree seizes the moment to speak with Lord John about William, lavishing praise on him as the fortunate father of her brother, all the while aiming to wrench my heartstrings. To make matters worse, Bree encounters Lizzie, who mistakenly assumes they're both relocating to Boston. Bree, with a heavy heart, corrects her, emphasizing the need for Lizzie to remain at Fraser's Ridge, aiding Jamie and Claire. "You saved me," Lizzie declares, her voice thick with emotion. "I am destined to be by your side, forever." Bidding adieu to loved ones to embark on a time journey two centuries hence proves an excruciating endeavor.
For their final eve at Fraser's Ridge, Bree and Roger indulge in a poignant family dinner, kicking off with Claire's experimental peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Jamie, tasting his maiden PB&J with utensils, sends shivers down my spine with his unexpected charm. They toast to home, to family, and then Bree, Roger, and Jemmy set forth. I held my breath, anticipating some calamity to halt their journey—for those versed in the novels know, this pivotal scene diverges from book five's narrative—yet no formidable obstacle arose. Ian accompanies the MacKenzies to the ancient stone circle that Roger discovered during his Mohawk captivity (Roger's life, indeed, is an adventure), and they bind themselves and Jemmy with a rope, embracing the simplicity of low-tech time travel. In an instant, they vanish.
Miraculously, they traverse the stones unscathed. Their ultimate destination remains a mystery, to be unveiled in due course. Judging by their astonished expressions and Roger's bewildered "what in blazes?" it seems their arrival is fraught with complexity! Oh, but you thought Bree and Roger's poignant departure from 1772 would monopolize all the drama at Fraser's Ridge this week? How quaint. I warned you; there's an abundance of emotions to grapple with!
Just as you convince yourself that the most mindless scoundrel to ever wander the wilderness in the late 18th century, Stephen Bonnet, has vanished into obscurity, leaving the Fraser family in peace at last, another menacing figure steps into the breach. Allow me to clarify—this is an old adversary with a renewed presence. I regret to inform you, but the Clowns from Brown Town have made a triumphant return! Richard and Lionel Brown, accompanied by their new accomplices Arvin Hodgepile and Wendigo Donner, descend upon Fraser's Ridge, proposing that Jamie and his men join their so-called "Committee of Safety," a self-created entity designed to exert control over the county.
Earlier in the episode, the Frasers stumbled upon a tragic house fire, evident from the signs that the family had perished before the blaze consumed their home. Suspicious activities clearly abound in these parts, yet trust in the Browns remains as elusive as ever. Jamie finds himself wondering if a man can't enjoy a quiet tryst by the window or savor a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with silverware without disturbance. He politely declines their invitation, marking the first strike against the Browns.
Strike two unfolds when Lionel Brown returns to Fraser's Ridge, accompanied by his wife with a broken wrist. Claire instantly senses Lionel's guilt in her injury. She reveals that Lionel assaulted her when she refused his advances—he craved children, while she had taken precautions inspired by an intriguing article by Dr. Rawlings on contraception. During his visit to Claire's surgery, Lionel catches sight of her Dr. Rawlings-labeled box, and his suspicions toward her ignite anew. His animosity towards Claire had already been kindled when she accused him of deliberately shooting one of their allies during the Battle of Alamance, and this discovery fans the flames of his resentment.
Before long, chaos erupts with a massive explosion at Fraser's Ridge Still. The men rush to investigate, leaving Claire and Marsali to attend to a patient. Suddenly, the Browns' companions burst in, knocking Marsali unconscious and abducting Claire! When the men return to find Marsali still unconscious but breathing, Jamie is beside himself with worry. He dashes to the colossal cross he constructed earlier in the season and ignites it, rallying all the men of the Ridge. The stakes are raised, and the tension is palpable—this promises to be an exhilarating saga.
