Outlander: Things Beyond Your Ken

Last time on Outlander: Claire arrives at Castle Leoch and befriends the housekeeper, Mrs. Fitz. She continues to tend to Jamie’s wounds and learns more about the mysterious young Scot in the process. Claire meets the Laird, Colum MacKenzie, who is suspicious of her. The entire castle is, except Mrs. Fitz and Jamie it seems. And Geillis Duncan, who befriends Claire. Just as Claire spies freedom, Colum yanks it from her and declares she will be their new healer.

CREDITS! And I finally found out the name of the song used for the opening credits—“Skye Boat Song.” I’ve heard it before; George Donaldson sang it on the Celtic Thunder DVD Heritage. But it only appears on the DVD, not the CD.


We open on a train platform, steam billowing out as two figures walk along. They are Claire and Frank, in uniform. He says he’s talked with someone and that Claire should have new orders soon. But she says that’s not fair to everyone else. Frank doesn’t want his wife going to war; Claire wants her husband home. Since he’s needed, she’s going to do her part. And nothing is going to stop her. Frank understands and says that her stubbornness is one of his favorite parts about her. The whistle blows and Claire boards. She and Frank kiss before he makes her promise to come home. She does as the train pulls out.

(I don't even know what this face is. Really)

And then cold water gets dumped on Claire. Mrs. Fitz is helping her bathe and dress, even though Claire insists she can dress herself. Mrs. Fitz is happy to help and then compliments Claire, saying her next husband will be a happy man. This, of course, makes Claire all sad about missing Frank. Mrs. Fitz asks her what’s wrong and Claire asks if she can tell her something. She says that her husband isn’t exactly dead. So Mrs. Fitz believes she’s running away from an abusive husband. Claire defends Frank and then reveals that her husband hasn’t been born yet. She spills the story out and begs Mrs. Fitz to believe that she’s from the future. Mrs. Fitz calls her a witch, slaps her and runs off to tell Colum.

But it’s only a dream. Claire comes around as Mrs. Fitz continues to brush her hair. Outlander readers everywhere relax—this scene was not in the books and they were concerned.

(Fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief at this point)

Claire reads over the books in her little prison cell, learning 18th century cures. And shaking her head at it. Claire gives a voiceover but this seems to be also shown in the scene. The part that isn’t about Claire’s hope that if she works hard, she can earn Colum and Dougal’s trust. And then maybe they’ll let her go to Inverness so she can try to get back to 1946. Anyway, she goes through several injured and ill residents of Castle Leoch. As she does, she talks about how Colum has her watched but that they were okay with leaving her to go hang out in the kitchens. She takes it as a good sign.

She goes to find her guards, saying she needs their help in getting rid of ingredients that are no longer usable. Her guards—including Rupert—want to know who died and made her Laird. But Mrs. Fitz sends them on their way as she and Claire talk. But another woman drops a plate and everyone goes silent. After a moment, everyone rushes to help her and tell her it’s alright. Mrs. Fitz tells Claire that the woman’s son died the night before. He had gone up to an abandoned monastery that the people believe is the devil’s church and that the boy was possessed by a demon. She then introduces Claire to her nephew Thomas, who was friends with the dead boy.

Claire is summoned to Colum’s chambers. There, he is trying on a new coat made by the best tailor in the Highlands. The man is honored as he married a MacKenzie. But Colum asks if the man is mocking his wife’s Laird. The man is confused until Colum points out that the coat is longer than the ones typically worn by gentlemen. He realizes the tailor thought Colum would want to hide his legs but Colum is not ashamed of him. He takes a knife as the tailor pleads for his life. Colum gives him a day to make him a proper coat. Claire stands, watching the scene and trying to figure out what type of barbarians she has landed amongst.

(Claire's poker face is impressive)

A proper coat guaranteed, Colum turns to Claire and says her predecessor used to massage his legs to help his mobility. He lies down on a table and waits. Claire studies his legs and Colum asks if they repulse her. She replies no and that she was thinking it would be better if she massaged the base of his spine. He pulls up his shirt, mooning Claire. She pauses still and he asks if his ass offends her. She replies it doesn’t and begins massaging him. Colum tells her that a musician he favors will be performing that night and invites her to join him. She accepts.

That night, Claire wanders into the room and listens to the harp player. Dougal tells her that her massage helped his brother and thanks her. She continues to drink her rhennish and excuses herself to go sit by Laoghaire, the girl whose punishment Jamie took last week. They chat and Claire confirms that Laoghaire fancies Jamie but she says he likes someone else. Gee, wonder who that could be? Anyway, Claire says that sometimes men don’t realize what they want. That’s what women are for.

(I think I need to check my copy of Outlander, but I’m remembering that Colum’s favored musician was a fiddler).

Speaking of men, Jamie slides in between Claire and Laoghaire. He and Claire talk about the musician while Laoghaire tries to talk to Jamie. But he’s more focused on Claire, who at this point needs a good whack with the clue stick to realize his interest is in her. They establish that Jamie was in Castle Leoch before and that he knew Laoghaire then, though she was a young girl. He says he was a teen not really paying attention to the “bairns” when she asks if he remembers her.

(The face of teen girl scorned)

But then it becomes obvious that Claire’s had a little too much rhennish, so Jamie makes up an excuse to get her out of the hall. He claims his bandages are bothering him and in the kitchens, Claire says she would’ve removed them in the stables the other day. But Jamie says he couldn’t do that in front of Alec. He explains that while Alec knows about Jamie’s flogging, he knows seeing the wounds will make it real and Alec will never look at him the same way. Claire asks why he lets her see his wounds and he says that she has a way of letting him know she feels sorry he was flogged but she doesn’t pity him. Aww, they’re having a moment. Claire checks on his wounds and there’s a really intense moment.

Excuse me while I fan myself.

(Excuse me while I go mop myself up)

The next day, Claire goes out to look at some new ingredients with Rupert. She runs into Geillis in the fields. Geillis tells Claire that Mrs. Fitz’s nephew, Thomas, has fallen to demons like his friend. Apparently he went to the black kirk has well. Geillis says the local priest is coming up to pray over the boy. Claire, though, doesn’t think he’s possessed. She thinks there are other explanations and asks Geillis if she believes the same. Geillis says she believes there are powers beyond their knowledge and asks Claire if she’s ever found herself in a situation with no earthly explanation. She tells Claire that she won’t go near the boy and warns Claire against doing the same.

(That's the look of a woman who probably knows more than she lets on)

But Claire doesn’t listen. She goes to visit Mrs. Fitz and her family, examining the boy. Claire doesn’t know what’s wrong but she’s certain he isn’t possessed. But the priest, Fr. Bain, shows up to begin praying and he’s not thrilled that Claire’s there, insisting he is not needed. No doubt hard as Catholics were very repressed under the English, so he must not want to give up any hold he has…even if it is wrong and he is doing more ill than good.

As Claire ponders Thomas’ situation, she crosses the courtyard. She spots Jamie and Laoghaire cuddling and kissing again. So that night at dinner, she teases Jamie about it. But not outright. She and Jamie veil it in comments about horses, confusing Murtagh. Jamie and Claire seem to play footsies under the table until she kicks him. Jamie excuses himself and Murtagh warns Claire to lay off Jamie. He says that if she draws attention to Laoghaire and Jamie, he may end up married to her. Claire doesn’t think that’s a bad thing. But Murtagh says that Jamie needs a woman, not a girl. And he pretty much says that Laoghaire will never be serious and mature enough for Jamie. Claire understands, excusing herself.

Tears prick Claire’s eyes and she goes outside to cry. In a voiceover, Claire insists that she wasn’t jealous of Laoghaire because she was kissing Jamie. She was jealous because Laoghaire and Jamie could kiss while she was centuries apart from her husband. We even flashback to Claire and Frank kissing on the train platform. Her misery is interrupted by Rupert, who tells Claire that he’s been ordered to take her to visit Geillis the next day so she can pick up supplies. Claire thanks him.

So the next day, Claire gets to spend some time with Geillis. They talk about cures and herbs and plants and other things. Geillis and Clare talk about Thomas. However, they are interrupted by a commotion in the street. A young apprentice is being accused of theft and Geillis’ husband, the fiscal, must pass judgment. Claire asks Geillis what will happen. Geillis says if her husband’s breakfast had agreed with him, the boy probably would’ve gotten off easier. As it is,  it’s likely the boy will lose a hand or something of the sort. Claire is really starting to question what types of barbarians she’s landed amongst  and wonders if there isn’t any other type of punishment they can give the boy.

The fiscal, Arthur Duncan, comes in complaining about his bad case of gas. And yes, there are sound effects. I’m not sure who in production decided that was necessary, but I will find you. He asks his wife for a dose of peppermint, which she gives him. As it relieves him (not enough to get rid of the sound effects), Claire asks about the boy. Arthur reveals he confesses and so his hands are tied. Looks like the kid is going to lose an arm.

Geillis can tell this upsets Claire, so she uses her feminine wiles to charm Arthur into a lesser sentence. He decides he’ll give the boy an hour nailed to the pillory. Geillis says that’s a good sentence and lets him leave. Thankfully, he takes his sound effects with him. Claire asks what it means to be nailed to the pillory. Geillis responds that they are going to drive a nail through the boy’s ear into the pillory. Which we get to see! Hope you weren’t eating. Actually, I’d advise to not eat at all while watching this show. Anyway, the priest tells the kid he’ll get absolution now and walks away. Because Jesus was all about corporal punishments…oh wait…Meanwhile, people gawk. Some things never change, eh?

While Claire watches the spectacle below, Geillis watches Claire. She’s intrigued by the woman and her beliefs, asking if they don’t have the pillory in Oxfordshire—where Claire is pretending to be from. Claire’s like “Not really.” And then slips up by revealing she grew up all over. Now Geillis is really intrigued and wants to hear all about Claire’s childhood.

But Claire is saved by the arrival of Jamie! He explains that Dougal had to return to the castle and sent him to fetch her. Geillis tries to get Claire to open up more, but Claire sends a tiny signal to Jamie that she doesn’t want to do that. He understands and makes their excuses. Claire thanks her for the afternoon and the supplies before all but running out of there.

Outside, Claire asks about the boy still nailed to the pillory. Jamie reveals his hour is up but the boy’s just not courageous enough yet to pull his ear from the nail. Ouch. Claire feels the same. She asks Jamie if he has strong fingers. He says he does and Claire asks him for a favor. So Jamie climbs up the pillory, seemingly to convince the boy to just rip the ear away. He pretends to help him and when Claire swoons, causing a distraction, Jamie pulls the nail out. The boy runs off, grateful.

He helps Claire up and shoos away the crowd. She thanks him for taking a risk for her. He replies that he’s not going to be less brave than some Sassenach. Claire asks him if he is willing to risk helping her again. She asks him to take her to the Black Kirk.

(He just can't say no)

Jamie takes her up there, explaining it’s a rite of passage for the boys in Castle Leoch to spend time in the Black Kirk. He says most have uneventful nights while some come away possessed. But it’s macho to stare down the devil. Claire asks if he really believes in demons and the like. Jamie replies that he’s an educated man—he had a tutor who taught him Latin and Greek. 

(Jamie tries to impress Claire)

But he’s also a Highlander and knows better than to dismiss the superstitions. Claire seems impressed by this answer. She asks what the boys do to stare down the devil. Jamie responds some mark their territory while others eat the wood garlic found in the ruins. He’s not fond of the plant. Claire asks him to show her the plant. He does so and Claire says it’s not wood garlic but lily of the valley. Jamie’s not familiar with the plant and Claire replies that it’s not native to Scotland. She asks if the monks were from Germany…before correcting herself and saying Prussia. Jamie’s suspicions are aroused but he pushes them aside to respond the monks were Prussian. Claire reveals that lily of the valley are poisonous.

Claire returns to Mrs. Fitz’s house and explains her theory that Thomas has been poisoned, not possessed. She believes she can help him. But Fr. Bain pretty much calls her the devil and tells her to leave. Mrs. Fitz, though, stands up to him and reminds him that this is her family’s house and he pretty much has no say in what happens. 

(Sorry. Mrs. Fitz can't hear you over the sound of how awesome she is)

She lets Claire administer the antidote—belladonna. Claire waits to see if it’ll work—if she’s right, the effect will be instantaneous. Sure enough, Thomas starts to cough and color returns to him. He grows cognizant and everyone realizes that Claire was right. The priest once again calls her a devil and storms off.

Later, Jamie finds Claire and tells her that Mrs. Fitz is singing her praises. He tells her the woman has called her “the miracle worker.” And he seems kinda proud of her. Claire, though, isn’t thrilled about the name. She realizes that curing Thomas bound her more to Castle Leoch than she wanted. Even if Colum and Dougal trusted her, they would never let her go now. Not if she could perform such miracles. Dejected, Claire wanders into the next music night, hoping to get spectacularly drunk on rhennish in order to forget her plight.

But Jamie has other plans! He pretty much drags her to a bench to sit with him. Laoghaire is none-too-pleased. Anyway, the harpist starts up again and Jamie translates the song for Claire. He explains it is about a woman who discovers a large circle of stones. She touches one and ends up falling into a strange place. There, she makes new friends and family and love. One day, she goes back to the stone circle and returns to her own time.

Oh look. A falling anvil.

Claire though takes hope from the song. It describes what happened to her. So maybe she can go back through the stones, return to Frank and 1946. As everyone applauds, Claire vows via voiceover to escape Castle Leoch and return to the stones. Or die trying.

(Claire can see the light. Sadly, it's not about her feelings for the Scot sitting next to her)

Intense.

I like how the series is building up Jamie and Claire’s relationship. And I like how Sam Heughan’s acting choices show how in love he is with her already. Don’t worry—the clue truck will hit Claire soon enough. But for now, Claire’s making more enemies than friends. Things are getting dangerous. Are you on the edge of your seats? I know I am. And I read the book!

(Speaking of the book, I checked. I remembered wrong—it was a harpist, not a fiddler).

Next week: Dougal’s taking Claire somewhere! Claire tries to escape! A gathering!