Outlander – Untimely Ressurection [Ep. 205]

Have you held your breath during this episode?! I did, and not only once!

While all the internets and comments are abuzz with #BlackJackIsBack hash tag, and admittedly the scene in which Jamie comes face to face, for the first time after his assault, with his tormentor was riveting, I thought the scene in which his heart brakes one more time as he tells Claire “Jesus. God, Claire. You’d stop me taking vengeance on the man that made me play his hoor . . .  A man that lived in my nightmares and in our bed, who almost drove me to take my own life?” was the best of the night.

And once more Sam Heughan’s amazing talent is overlooked and glossed over, mentioned only a handful of times. Oh, and please don’t tell me it’s all in my head. It’s not. I understand the interest in  BJR, his character and Tobias Menzies’s great portrayal of it. I really do. It has been established, talked about and given due accolades. And while we don’t have to move on and ignore his talent, it’s time to give Sam [Jamie] his due praise and concentrate on his character if not more, at least equal time.

This scene was heart wrenching for me, and Jamie’s heart broke once more as he selflessly, albeit hurtfully, gave in to Claire’s demand and as a man of honor, gave his oath to not kill his tormentor.

Stop and think about it. This is a man that went through Hell and back, still hurting, still putting pieces of himself and his life back together and one thing that could help him the most, taking revenge on a man that had caused him so much pain, has now being denied to him. And when he angrily tells her “I can stand a lot more than most. I’ve proven as much! But must I bear everyone’s weakness, may I not have my own?” I just went to pieces… How in Hell can she ask this of him? Hasn’t he been through enough already?

And on top to bring in how many times she’d saved his life! No wonder he was offering her his blade to run him through! May as well! As I watched them both stand their ground, I knew he’d do what she asked because he is a man of honor, and honor is something no one had been able to take away from him, so he gives her his word. But man did it hurt! It hurt him so much that he refused her touch! The feeling of hurt, betrayal and utter devastation was all conveyed with a look and eyes filled with tears, but never shed.

The scene was sublime! Perfect! Both actors have once more proven their gravitas and it was painful to watch the chasm widening between the characters.

I’m honestly baffled by all the recaps and reviews of this episode and wondering why are only a handful of them mentioning and praising this scene. How can this scene be so overlooked?! Riddle me that, Batman!

And while I enjoyed this episode fully and loved the scene in which Jamie gives Claire a christening gift, and Claire’s fears about her impending motherhood, I once more thought that Jamie’s assurance was so sweet and straight from the heart.

“What you don’t ken, you’ll learn – we’ll learn together.” And when he says “learn”, the accent is to die for! Melting! And just to make me boil, both say I love you!

I am choosing not to talk about the scene in which BJR slow-mo’s in because enough has been said of it, but I will say that Jamie walking behind him was actually a pleasure to see. The look BJR had was almost of horror because he did not expect to see Jamie so well recovered, especially because now he looked weaker than Jamie did last time they were together.

A lot more happened in this episode.

The Prince forces Jamie into a partnership with St. Germain; Murtagh is feeling guilty over the attack on Mary and Claire, so he swears vengeance on the bad guys; Claire visits Mary, who reveals that she is in love with Alex and plans on marriage with him; Alex giving in to Claire’s suggestion to let Mary go for Mary’s sake and all this is propelling the story forward and to a conclusion we’ve already seen in the first episode of the season.

I can’t end this post without mentioning the scene from the very start of the episode in which Claire is awaiting Jamie’s return from the Bastille, sleepy eyed she sits on a setae with Fergus all curled up, sleeping.

Jamie walks in and sees them both, extends his hand to Claire and lovingly looks upon his “servant” who had been guarding his Mistress well. Picking him up to take him to his bed, he offers his lips to his wife … SWOON!

I’ll end this post with a thought on time travel and this “Frank must be born” situation.

Claire in this episode does not come off very honorable while she’s playing God with everyone’s life, yet I do understand her motivation. I don’t blame her. She’s doing her best to figure out this whole time travel situation and she’s having a lot of doubts but for Pete’s sake, why oh why couldn’t she have sat down and talked it all over with Jamie?!

What difference does it make if Alex fathers Mary’s baby and becomes Frank’s ancestor? Claire had created a ripple in time by just being there with Mary at the time of Mary’s attack. She had changed Mary’s future already, so why not do it all the way and not bless the union Mary and Alex wanted? Why on God’s green earth would you even consider even for a second handing over an innocent child into BJR’s evil hands?! F*ck the family tree!

Melanie for b2b