Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Custom of the Army Section 1 breakdown

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Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Custom of the Army Section 1 breakdown

As a dedicated fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and a seasoned gamer of the accompanying Lord John Grey books, I eagerly anticipate each new adventure that unfolds for this intriguing character. In “Lord John and the Custom of the Army” Section 1, we are once again thrust into the heart of the action as John finds himself in a precarious situation – a duel gone awry.

In every Lord John Grey novel, there’s always an engaging opening sequence. This is particularly true for “Lord John and the Custom of the Army,” where John plays a pivotal role in Section 1.

In the opening portion of the narrative, John finds himself in a precarious predicament. He becomes embroiled in an unsanctioned duel, which unfortunately takes a turn for the worse. This is merely the beginning of his journey in a new land, where he encounters yet another challenging personal circumstance.

In some of the later “Outlander” novels, there’s a character who plays a role, even if their presence isn’t immediately apparent at the beginning.

Breaking down Lord John and the Custom of the Army Section 1

At the opening of this section, we find Lord John Grey attending a party hosted by Lucinda Joffrey. An unexpected presence, an eel, catches John off guard. In true John Grey fashion, he denies any involvement and instead points fingers at those around him, all while expressing his delight in discovering new facets of the character through the Lord John Grey series.

John’s friend, Caroline Woodford, is present at the location. She’s currently being harassed by a persistent poet named Nicholls. In an attempt to shield Caroline, John becomes embroiled in a duel.

Prior to the start of the duel, a well-known figure makes an appearance – Dr. John Hunter, the renowned surgeon and anatomist. Surprise! He turns out to be the uncle of Denzell and Rachel Hunter. It’s under Dr. Hunter’s guidance that Denzell acquires his extensive surgical knowledge. I suspect it’s also thanks to him that Denny comes to appreciate a woman’s intellect and treats those around him with respect.

At the party once more, John insists Dr. Hunter keep his hands off before their duel. It’s evident that Hunter is aware of John’s injury from Crefeld. There seems to be concern about remnants in his chest, and I can’t help but smile at the disregard for doctor-patient confidentiality back then. However, Claire enlightens us that she possesses future knowledge, yet confidentiality remains a priority today.

The duel between John and Nicholls didn’t follow John’s intended script. He aimed to fire in a direction that kept Nicholls at bay. Yet, it was Nicholls who stumbled and collapsed instead. Given that dueling is unlawful, Ensign Richard Tarleton hastily intervened to remove John from the scene. The repercussions for the Joffreys and the Greys would be immense, regardless of John’s actions in the heat of the moment.

Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?

I’m torn between thinking this story would be included in an adaptation or not. The essential part is the conclusion where Malcolm Stubbs and the baby feature. This could be presented differently if Outlander decides to incorporate it into their plotline. If not, then what’s the purpose of keeping it?

In simpler terms, this part of the short story could potentially be overlooked during a reading or adaptation. While it’s nice to imagine John relaxing more, the overall impact on the story may not be significant enough to warrant inclusion due to time constraints.

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2024-07-29 18:38