Never write off Outlander just yet. I was poised to dive into a post about how, admittedly, Claire Fraser's ingenious invention of penicillin in the rugged backcountry of North Carolina in the 1700s was a fascinating twist, but the episode's latter half seemed somewhat underwhelming—until, oh until, Jamie Fraser commits an outright murder. Jamie. MURDER. I'm reeling.
And yes, fellow Outlander enthusiasts, I grasp the reasoning behind his actions. I comprehend the impetus, the necessity. It was all part of "Jamie and Claire's dire necessity to eliminate Dougal for their own protection," yet my psyche was utterly unprepared for Jamie to revert to such lengths again. To commit murder. It was a detour in Hillsborough I hadn't envisioned.
Upon arriving in Hillsborough with Fergus and their makeshift militia, Jamie finally confronts the equally murderous Lieutenant Knox, who receives intriguing news. Governor Tryon has penned a missive intending to pardon all Regulator leaders and disband the militia, allowing Jamie to return home. No one comprehends this strategy, least of all Knox, who's disheartened by the prospect of Murtagh Fitzgibbons escaping the gallows, especially after discovering a breakthrough in his manhunt: Murtagh was once a prisoner at Ardsmuir, and Knox has requested a copy of the prison roll, which is en route! With this, he'll identify individuals from the list who relocated to North Carolina and probe if they're harboring Murtagh. Jamie is instantly troubled, for, indeed, his name will be listed, exposing his connection to Murtagh. Initially, I thought Jamie was handling this with remarkable composure. But now I see; murder was always on his mind.
The stakes escalate when Knox receives an update from Tryon: everyone is pardoned, except Murtagh, who will still be hanged as an example. Knox will persist in his hunt while Jamie is ordered home. That night, Jamie visits Knox in his chambers to surrender his militia muster roll before hanging up his rifle and heading back to Fraser's Ridge. Knox invites Jamie to play one final chess game, waxing lyrical about how much he'll miss him, seemingly believing they share an unbreakable bond. Hence, when the Ardsmuir prison roll arrives and Jamie casually mentions his name will be on it, along with the revelation that Murtagh is his godfather, Knox is beside himself. His expression resembles that of a jilted Bachelorette, tears of mascara streaming down his face as he realizes Jamie has been undermining their mission from the start. He's shocked, disgusted, heartbroken. Connecting the dots, he accuses Jamie of betrayal and declares he must turn him in. Jamie tries to explain that his ultimate oath is to his family, but then he strangles Knox to death on the spot, his message lost in the act. He stages the scene, sealing the chimney to make it seem Knox perished in his bed from a fire, before slipping out the window.
It was a ruthless, desperate act that left me pondering the eventual impact on the heart of someone as kind-hearted (admittedly, a relative term in any era, I concede) and loyal as Jamie. Along his fugitive path, he serendipitously encountered a little gray kitten, fondly christening it Ardso (rejoice, fellow book enthusiasts!), which he later presented as a token of affection to Claire. This tender moment, though heartwarming, should not obscure the fact that this kitten was destined to become a "vendetta feline," a burden of guilt that would haunt Jamie for the rest of his days. Perhaps all cats carry a touch of mystery, but Ardso was exceptionally special. When Jamie confided in Claire, "There's so much I want to tell you about Hillsborough," I found myself silently hoping for a refill of my glass, sensing that the drama was about to unfold. Sadly, however, such confessions had to be temporarily shelved, for Fraser's Ridge was abuzz with activity that week! Indeed, Claire had successfully brewed penicillin and performed surgeries on Keziah and Josiah. She administered copious amounts of medication, sat calmly before them, reached into their mouths to excise their tonsils, and cauterized the wounds. Throughout, she remained seated, composed and unflappable. Though gross to behold, it was a testament to her formidable resolve, and I harbored immense respect for this lady!
The discourse surrounding penicillin inevitably reminded Claire of a patient she encountered in Boston after Frank's demise. The entire episode unfurled amidst these recollections. The patient, Graham Menzies (perhaps a nod to some former cast members?), was charismatic, rugged, and possessed a fierce, unyielding love for his deceased wife. He stirred within Claire those long-buried, sweet memories intertwined with Jamie. Not in a romantic sense, mind you, but more like a heartfelt realization of, "Oh, how I miss Jamie terribly." Poor Graham succumbed to an allergic reaction to penicillin, leaving Claire deeply devastated. More crucially, his fate impelled her and Bree on their fateful journey to England. There, they learned of Reverend Wakefield's demise and unexpectedly encountered Roger. Claire realized that it was Graham who had steered her back onto the path towards Jamie. Though this storyline wasn't indispensable, the appearance of Joe Abernathy always filled me with joy. And this time, he specifically mentioned "The Impulsive Buccaneer" (a whimsical yet beloved romance novel of theirs), delighting fans immensely. This episode was truly a feast for book lovers!
The intensity of the Fraser's Ridge saga reaches a fever pitch through the tumultuous tale of Roger and Bree. Roger stumbles upon the gemstone that Bonnet bestowed upon Bree during her prison visit, a token meant to comfort him before his execution by falsely claiming Jemmy as his own. You, dear reader, are well-acquainted with this piece. Recognizing it from his time aboard Bonnet's ship, Roger confronts Bree, who is compelled to confess not only their clandestine conversation in Wilmington but also her deceitful revelation about Jemmy's paternity. Roger is incensed, feeling a profound betrayal. Has he forgotten his solemn vow, made during their wedding, to accept Jemmy regardless of his biological father, vowing to remain unperturbed and content? Evidently not, for his composure is shattered.
What exacerbates the situation is Roger's furious demand for Bree to disclose Jemmy's true father, as though she possessed such knowledge. Good heavens! Consider your surroundings and the harrowing ordeal Bree has endured! Roger's emotional upheaval leads him to seek solace in a self-imposed exile amidst the woods overnight, a respite that one wishes had lasted for days.
Yet, it is Claire who interrupts his solitary confinement. Finding him lounging near a tree, she, as a woman who nurtured a child with a non-biological partner, imparts her wisdom: what truly matters is that Jemmy feels secure and cherished. It's astonishing that Roger, raised by a non-biological father himself, takes so long to grasp this fundamental truth. Claire urges Roger not to squander his time with Bree, reminding him of life's unpredictability. Eventually, Roger returns to his wife, offering a heartfelt apology for all that has transpired.
However, Roger notices something amiss in Bree's demeanor, hinting at a deeper layer to the Bonnet saga. Bree finally reveals that Bonnet is alive and residing in Wilmington. Roger's response, delivered with remarkable acting prowess by Richard Rankin, almost makes amends for his earlier actions. Their plan crystallizes: to ascertain if Jemmy possesses the ability to time travel and, subsequently, to utilize Bonnet's gemstone to escape their predicament. This resolution is noble and heartfelt, yet one can only hope Roger devises a more proactive contingency plan, for Bonnet's inevitable reappearance looms on the horizon.
