Listen closely, my friends, for we shall indeed delve into the intricacies of the Revolutionary War, but first, let us address the tumultuous happenings at Fraser's Ridge—shenanigans of the darkest variety are afoot! Malva Christie, that mischievous wench, has truly descended into the depths of creepiness. Our last glimpse of her found her eavesdropping on Jamie and Claire's intimate afternoon escapade, but now, she has embarked on a sinister path, one that bodes ill for all.
And lo, what she is about—I must consult my notes—is the ghastly task of severing fingers from the decaying corpse of a sin-eater and crafting eerie seaweed-infused love charms. True to her fishing roots, one might say. Meanwhile, the ladies of the Ridge embark on a hike in search of a suitable site for Bree to construct her water wheel (a grand project indeed, for she aims to bring indoor plumbing to the Ridge!). Their journey leads them to the site of Malva's macabre offerings. With practiced ease, Malva deflects suspicion onto Amy McCallum, who has been spending an inordinate amount of time with Bree's spouse, Roger. Perhaps these are love charms meant for him, she muses aloud, planting seeds of doubt.
Malva cleverly exploits Roger and Amy's burgeoning friendship multiple times throughout this episode. When Roger catches her and Mr. Henderson in a compromising position within the church, she blackmails him into silence, threatening to reveal her fabricated tale of witnessing him and Amy kissing. A baseless threat, perhaps, but one that hits home given their frequent companionship. And though her tactics are devious, they serve to awaken Roger to the perceptions others may hold of his friendship with a widowed woman, prompting him to finally step back.
Malva's true motives remain shrouded in mystery, yet she continues to flit between the men of Fraser's Ridge. By episode's end, she is once again engaged in her grim task of finger-severing (typing these words never ceases to chill me). All indicators suggest that strange and terrible events are impending, as is all too common in the realm of Outlander.
Cannot she comprehend that our time is precious, and such nonsense is ill-afforded? Jamie, meanwhile, finds himself in Wilmington, experiencing firsthand the realities of deserting the crown to embrace the rebel cause. His initial conflict stemming from this sudden change of heart arises with none other than Lord John Grey. They say the first wound cuts deepest, and indeed, these grown men weep openly at finding themselves on opposing sides of the impending conflict. Nothing to see here, merely men grappling with the gravity of their choices!
So, how did we arrive at this juncture? The governor received Jamie's resignation letter as Indian Agent, replete with phrases like "my personal convictions no longer allow me," alerting him to potential trouble. Jamie wields considerable influence in the region and commands a militia, and should he turn rebel, it would be a significant blow. Thus, he summons Lord John Grey to ascertain the situation. Though John publicly defends Jamie, asserting his honor and loyalty to the crown, privately he harbors suspicions about his "dearest" friend.
To decipher the unfolding events, John attends a grand gathering where Jamie and Claire are also present. The renowned historical figure, Flora MacDonald, is set to deliver an address emphasizing loyalty to the crown and the preservation of peace and unity amidst these turbulent times. Flora MacDonald is celebrated for her pivotal role in aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie's narrow escape from Scotland post-Culloden (a flashback to their famous 1746 voyage serves as an opening scene for this episode). Now, this former Jacobite finds herself in the service of the English, striving to energize the Highlanders to remain steadfast in their allegiance. While history lessons interspersed within the narrative may not always captivate, I appreciate how 'Outlander' took pains to elucidate why the former Jacobites, who once fiercely opposed the English monarchy, now fiercely support it in the colonies. Initially, it seems paradoxical, doesn't it? However, as Jamie and Claire converse, it becomes evident that many Highlanders who survived Culloden witnessed firsthand the repercussions of rebellion defeat and labored arduously to rebuild their lives, preferring not to revisit the confrontation with the crown. Weariness permeates everyone, including Aunt Jocasta, who sponsors this Flora MacDonald event.
Upon discovering Jocasta's involvement, Jamie, accompanied by John, intervenes to thwart the Sons of Liberty from meting out vigilante justice on a local printer who dared to publish Jocasta's pamphlets. Realizing much of her patronage stems from her mourning over Murtagh's demise, Jocasta blames the rebellion for his loss rather than supporting it. She funds the loyalist cause, even acquiring a print shop for this purpose, which she entrusts to Fergus to manage. This fills Jamie with dread, given his recent witness to a printer nearly losing his life for simply doing his job. Fergus risks peril, whether printing materials反对 or supportive of the English, in these perilous times. Jamie warns Jocasta that any harm befalling Fergus ("my son," he repeatedly emphasizes, evoking my heartfelt swooning) will be her fault.
Yet, another layer unfolds as Jamie and his aunt edge towards opposing factions. When Jamie made his defiance of the crown overt last week, he hadn't foreseen the poignant challenge of confronting loved ones who would inevitably turn against him in wartime. Authenticity can be more challenging in practice than in principle. Here lies Lord John Grey's dilemma: he believes Jamie would never violate an oath, considering him too astute for such folly. Yet, he's seen Jamie's name associated with the Sons of Liberty, rebels unashamed of their affiliation. Initially, Jamie deceives his friend, reassuring him of tranquility. Yet, such subterfuge cannot endure. Oh, camaraderie! When John learns of an upcoming secret Sons of Liberty meeting in Wilmington and Jamie confirms his attendance, John's heart shatters in real-time, comprehending Jamie's stance. John Grey stands among the show's most compelling characters, David Berry's portrayal nothing short of magnificent, particularly in this poignant scene. Here, John feels betrayed, worried for Jamie's safety, and enraged that Jamie might view him as an adversary. "Am I seen as the face of tyranny to you, Jamie?" Both men (and your recapper) fight back tears, torn apart internally. Despite his disapproval, John vows to delay British soldiers' arrival, determined to protect Jamie at any cost. Such is his fate.
John keeps his word, affording Jamie ample time to alert the others of impending arrest if they remain. Suspicions about Jamie's loyalty arose after he shielded the printer, but this confirms his allegiance beyond doubt. Jamie Fraser is now a rebel, with no turning back.
