As someone who’s spent countless hours engrossed in the rich tapestry of stories that is Outlander, I can confidently say that this latest episode was nothing short of a masterpiece. The intricate weaving of character arcs and historical context left me feeling as if I had taken a journey through time itself.
Once more, the long-awaited interval known as “Droughtlander” has concluded. The return of Outlander in its Season 7B premiere was nothing short of satisfying, weaving a story across three distinct eras.
Initially, I thought we were in store for a story unfolding across two eras. Our characters, Roger and Buck, seemed to have arrived in the year 1778 via the stones. However, it wasn’t until Roger reached Lallybroch that he discovered the truth – it wasn’t 1778 at all. Boy, did this realization complicate my search for Jemmy!
In the meantime, Claire, Jamie, and Young Ian returned to Lallybroch. This return provided Jamie with an opportunity to tie up loose ends, resulting in a shocking revelation. Here are some highlights from episode 9 of Outlander season 7.
The way Roger’s reveal worked
In 1778, you’d know that Roger wouldn’t be present, given his familiarity with the books. The journey to Lallybroch didn’t hold the promise of reconnecting him with Jamie and Claire, although it would have made locating Jemmy far simpler if it did. However, viewers who only watch the show would have remained unaware that Roger was in a different time frame altogether.
Indeed, it was evident that characters like Brian Fraser, Dougal MacKenzie, and Geillis Duncan were present in the series, hinting at the fact that Roger and Buck were from a past era. However, the manner in which the show subtly unveiled this twist was truly captivating.
1778 saw a knock on Lallybroch’s door, mirroring 1739 when Roger knocked. There was anticipation that Jamie would open to find Roger, but instead, it was Joanie who greeted him and Roger crossed paths with Brian Fraser. Watching the episode without knowing about Roger’s time-traveling predicament would have heightened the experience for me; it makes me envy those who watched first and read later.
Righting the wrongs with the Murrays and Claire
One aspect of the books that I found troubling was Claire’s withholding of the truth about time travel from Jenny. It would have been more appropriate for her to reveal this secret upon her return following their 20-year separation. This disclosure would have helped Jenny comprehend where Claire had been and why she seemed to have vanished rather than passing away. I can understand why Claire didn’t speak up initially, but given the length of their separation, Jenny deserved to be kept in the loop about such a significant matter.
Later on, Claire hadn’t shared with Jenny that she had returned to Lallybroch in 1778. Jenny sensed something unusual about Claire, a feeling she’d always had, but when Jenny required the truth, Claire was unable to disclose it.
Indeed, the show corrected that issue. It was heartening to see Claire foresee that Michael would face danger during the French Revolution if he stayed in Paris. By revealing the truth to the family, not only did she demonstrate her trust in them with this knowledge, but also her desire to rescue as many Murrays as possible. Unfortunately, she couldn’t save the one she held most dear.
Laoghaire realizing the truth about Jamie
In the realm of Outlander, Laoghaire is often met with much hostility. It’s essential to remember that she is a woman from the 18th century, and at just 16 years old, she attempted to have Claire charged for witchcraft. This action shouldn’t be justified, but it’s crucial not to vilify her as harshly as others do.
In the ninth episode of Outlander’s seventh season, it was reiterated that Laoghaire was merely a 16-year-old girl when Jamie suffered the beating on her behalf. This episode also delved into what Laoghaire believed she had witnessed. She mistakenly assumed that Jamie harbored feelings for her, but as time passed, she understood that those sentiments were never genuine. At that juncture, Jamie was indeed in love with Claire, yet he manipulated Laoghaire to provoke Claire’s jealousy.
It’s hard not to feel for Laoghaire when you consider all the facts. Having her accept some of it on the screen was a way to somewhat redeem some of her character. It also helped Jamie see that he played a part in her actions—again, remember that she is a woman of her time and women were just property back then.
This ties into how Laoghaire’s narrative concludes. Jamie managed to resolve things in an inventive manner. He devised a solution that allowed Joanie to fulfill her wish to become a nun, while Laoghaire could marry Joey without forfeiting her ancestral estate. Additionally, Jamie was released from the obligation of alimony.
The two Ians talk
Witnessing Ian Murray in such poor health was truly disheartening, yet it provided us with the emotional exchange between the two Ians. Given that we don’t often see Young Ian connecting with his family beyond Jamie, this precious moment was highly anticipated and definitely worth the wait.
I don’t know which part of the scene was my favorite, though. I loved having Young Ian share about his son with Emily and getting to give him his English name. I do wish Ian made a joke about “too many Jameses” after mentioning how good a name Ian is.
Later, I appreciated the remark that a dog isn’t a means to keep a woman waiting for someone. However, what truly caught my attention was Ian offering some guidance on wooing Rachel. Young Ian harbors affection for her, and his primary wish is for his son to be content. Initially, there was concern he wouldn’t be after the Mohawk encounter, but Young Ian now has this opportunity, which brings joy to Ian as he knows his days are numbered.
Roger seeing Geillis in 1739
When Roger escorted Buck to Cranesmuir, it became clear to everyone that Jenny was arranging this meeting for Buck’s requirements – none other than Geillis Duncan. While this is a slight deviation from the novel, I find it fitting for the series and its time constraints. It effectively maintains the essence of the original storyline.
It’s worth mentioning that incorporating Roger’s internal monologue as voiceovers throughout the episode was a brilliant move. This was essentially the only effective method for delving into Roger’s thoughts and understanding how he processed the shock of the time period he found himself in. Thus, hearing his thoughts when he instantly recognized Geillis was spot-on.
It’s important to note that Geillie isn’t simply a murderess who traversed the stones; she is actually Buck’s mother, which could significantly impact both of them. This new knowledge might pose a risk for both Buck and Roger, given that Geillie is capable of time travel and may recall having encountered Roger in 1968.
For this episode, the right dash of humor was essential since the tale from 1778 carried a heavy dose of sorrow and feelings.
Outlander airs on Fridays on STARZ.
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2024-11-23 21:42