Outlander: The Not-So Great Escape

Last time on Outlander: Claire got to work as Castle Leoch’s resident healer and the residents kept her busy. Meanwhile, a young boy fell ill after visiting the Black Kirk, said to belong to the Devil himself, and people believed demons took him. Mrs. Fitz’s nephew also falls ill but Claire is the only one who doesn’t believe he is possessed. Geillis warns her to stay away but she doesn’t. After a visit to Geillis’ where Claire experiences some 18th century punishment, she asks Jamie to take her to the Kirk. There, she discovers the boys ate a poisonous plant and she is able to save the boy. In doing so, she makes an enemy of the local priest and assures the fact that Colum would not let such a talented healer go. But a song about a person who fell through the stones and managed to go back gives her hope of returning to 1946 and Frank.

CREDITS! It’s now a tradition, it seems, for me to talk about the credits here. I guess now I must comment on how brilliant it was that they keep the credits faceless. You can still tell who is who, but you don’t actually see their faces. Brilliant.


We open with guards standing at outposts along Leoch’s land. They ready their muskets as we see Claire running through the woods. Her heart is beating fast. Is she making her escape now? Is she doomed to be shot? Caught by the MacKenzie men?

Nope. She’s playing a game with the children of Castle Leoch, led by Hamish MacKenzie himself. 

(Claire's "It"!)

They catch her and she falls to the ground. A man in a kilt stands over her and she averts her eyes, saying it’s a sight she’ll not forget soon enough. The kids want to keep playing which Claire supports but Rupert and his fellow guard pretty much whine that they are missing the Gathering games and festivities. So Claire agrees to end the games. As she does, Hamish notes that she’s missing a ribbon and that she lost one during an earlier game. She waves it off as a consequence of their game.

But the truth is that Claire’s been tying the ribbons around the lands so she has a trail to follow when she makes her escape. She believes everything will line up for her to make that night during the Gathering. And this is all told via voiceover. For the most part, I haven’t minded the voiceovers, but this time it’s annoying. Who is Claire talking to? Was all this necessary for the voiceover? Couldn’t it be conveyed through the acting? Have Hamish mention the missing ribbon and then just flash to it. I’m pretty sure we as the audience could figure out what was going on.

Claire, her guards and the children return to the courtyard to view some of the festivities. But not for long as she drags Rupert to the stables, saying she needed to pick a horse for the hunt the next day. Colum wanted her to go on it. Rupert is less than thrilled. Claire herself is a bit unhappy that Jamie isn’t around to help her. (Take a hint, Claire!) Old Alec tells her that it’s best if she leave Jamie alone during the Gathering before introducing her to a horse named Brimstone. He assures her not to be fooled by the name—the horse is quite tame. Claire thanks him.

She returns to her chambers, 40s music playing in the background as she does so. But she is surprised by Geillis, who is waiting for her. Geillis notes that Claire has a lot of food around and asks if she’s expecting. Claire says she just keeps the food around so she doesn’t have to keep going to the kitchens. But Geillis is convinced that Claire might be pregnant and that’s why she’s so eager to get to France. Claire assures her that she isn’t pregnant and that, yes, her husband is dead. She says they tried to have children but she had not yet conceived. Geillis suggests that Claire might be barren.

(Geillis is figuring everything out)

Claire tries to rush Geillis along but the woman won’t take a hint. She goes on about how when she arrived there, she had nothing but her wits and knowledge of plants. She managed to find a respectable husband—even if not the best looking one—and make a good life for herself. She tells Claire that there might be a whole new life for her if she just gives it a chance. Geillis then notices that Claire has a powerful sedative on her table and gives her some advice on how to prepare it.

Once she gets rid of Geillis, the 40s music returns as Claire strides toward the kitchens. She pretends to help move baskets around but really she’s there to steal a knife. She’s going to need a weapon out in the Highlands after all. But she’s interrupted by Mrs. Fitz, who is surprised Claire isn’t dressed for the Gathering. Claire makes a pretty convincing excuse—she doubted a Sassenach like her would be welcomed at such an important event. But Mrs. Fitz insists she’s a guest of Colum’s and drags her off to change.

Mrs. Fitz leads a dolled up Claire through the Gathering, stopping to speak to a woman named Iona. Iona makes a remark about Mrs. Fitz’ housekeeping and Mrs. Fitz notes that Iona is wearing the same dress she wore to the last Gathering. Mrs. Fitz: 1, Iona: 0. It’s also worth noting that Iona was played by Diana Gabaldon, the author of the Outlander books.

(Author! Author!) 

Mrs. Fitz and Claire take up a place next to Murtagh to watch the festivities. As bagpipes sound, Colum enters the hall. Letitia greets him and he takes his seat next to her. Hamish sits at their feet, looking bored. Dougal steps forward and swears his fealty to Colum. Claire realizes that she’s in for this several times over and makes her excuses after a few men have sworn fealty.

Rupert, though, doesn’t want to leave and begs her to stay. So Claire throws up her hands, declares “What the hell” and downs some port. Rupert takes the bottle and downs it, not noticing that Claire spit her port out. She even tells him there’s a sedative in it but he doesn’t know what that is. Enjoy your nap!

(Claire Beauchamp, sedating people with a smile since 1743)

Claire seizes the opportunity and returns to her chambers. But she’s stopped by Laoghaire, who asks for a potion to make someone love her. Claire guesses she wants to make Jamie love her and is surprised. From what she’s seen, it appears he’s quite taken with Laoghaire. But the girl says she needs to move his heart on. From who, I wonder? Claire gives her a simple concoction made from dried horse dung, tells her to sprinkle it on Jamie’s doorstep while chanting “There’s no place like love” three times.

Someone likes the Wizard of Oz.

(Poor Laoghaire was in for a surprise when she ended up in  a place called Kansas instead)

Laoghaire gone, she gathers her provisions, her weapon and makes for the stables. Narrating the entire time. Really? Did we really need that? Anyway, she’s intercepted by three drunken men who wonder why she’s not at the Gathering. She tries to fend off their assaults but Dougal comes to her rescue. Only to give her a drunken kiss and try to have sex with her himself. She pushes him off and when he goes for the pack she’s dropped, Claire wallops him over the head with a chair.

With Dougal passed out on the floor, Claire continues to her escape plan. She makes it to the stables where she ambushed again. This time, though, it’s a sober and friendly face—Jamie. 

(Can you feel it?)

He lowers his own knife and asks what she’s doing. Claire comes right out and admits she’s trying to leave. She’s a prisoner in all but name at Castle Leoch and she wants to get back to Inverness. Jamie tells her that there are men patrolling the woods, given how many people are in the Castle. He says she wouldn’t make it very far and then she’ll really be a prisoner.

This takes the wind out of Claire’s sails and she gives up her escape pretty easily. Jamie offers to take her back to the castle and she agrees. But as they approach, a group of MacKenzie men spot them and ask Jamie why he’s not at the Gathering. They bring them into the kitchens, where Jamie is given more proper clothing for the Gathering. Including the MacKenzie crest. But he tells Claire he can’t wear it because he belongs to another clan, whose motto is “Je suis prest” or “I am ready.”

(Swoon)

Claire returns to the hall, finding a place by Murtagh again. Everyone goes silent as Jamie enters the hall and Murtagh explains why. Jamie has a claim to be Laird of the MacKenzies in the event of Colum’s death. Which given his condition is probably sooner rather than later. Murtagh tells Claire that there are many in the clan who would rather Jamie be Laird instead of Dougal. Dougal, of course, isn’t too happy about that. If Jamie swears fealty to Colum, he then takes his place in the line of succession. And it’s likely Dougal will kill him. But if Jamie refuses to swear fealty, then he’ll be considered an enemy and a threat. And it’s likely Dougal and several MacKenzie men will kill him. Talk about your rock and a hard place. Claire realizes why Jamie’s been scarce the past few days and why Alec warned her to leave Jamie alone.

Everyone waits to see what Jamie’s going to do. He steps before Colum and says he cannot swear fealty to him. As men reach for their dirks, Jamie instead offers obedience and friendship for as long as he’s living on MacKenzie lands, as Colum’s kin. Colum smiles and offers Jamie a cup to sip from. Everyone relaxes; crisis averted. Whew!

(Chug! Chug! Chug!)

The next day, Claire joins the men as they hunt a boar. And Claire is definitely against animal cruelty. She lays into the injured men as she tends their wounds. Until she comes face to face with the boar. It is killed and Claire continues her job. One of Dougal’s men—and a good friend—has been gored by the boar. And though the femoral artery hasn’t been cut, the wound is still fatal. Instead of letting his friend die a slow, painful death, Dougal lets him bleed out. He and Claire keep the man talking until he dies in Dougal’s arms.

(The softer side of Dougal)

The party returns to Castle Leoch, where the games continue. Dougal drops everything and joins in. He takes his frustrations out on Jamie, who seems to understand. But he gives as good as he gets, in the end beating his uncle. But all seems well.

(Truce. For now)

Later, Dougal visits Claire. He notes that she’s seen men die violent deaths before. She confirms it but doesn’t elaborate. She’s learning! (And she’s sober. Always helps). Dougal thanks her and then tells her that she’s getting out of the castle. He’s taking a party to collect the rent for Colum and he wants Claire to come along. He figures they may need a healer.

Claire is thrilled at the chance to get out of Castle Leoch. And, of course, back to the rocks and to try to go home.

(Time for Plan B!)

So ends another episode! This one was mostly Claire and I think Caitriona did a great job carrying it. There were pretty much no Frank appearances and Jamie was off in hiding for most of the episode. Things will really start to pick up next episode, if I remember the books right. So hang on to your seats!

Did you spot Diana Gabaldon?

Next week: I hope some version of “I can’t pay the rent!” “You must pay the rent!” ensues. 

ETA: Screencaps from here. There is no excuse for forgetting to include the link originally.