Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 2B breakdown

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Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 2B breakdown

As a dedicated fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, I can’t help but be captivated by the depth and complexity of the relationship between Jamie Fraser and Lord John Grey. While Jamie isn’t physically present in “Lord John and the Haunted Soldier” during this particular chapter, his absence is palpable as John writes him a heartfelt letter.

In “Lord John and the Haunted Soldier,” Jamie Fraser isn’t present, but he is referenced. Specifically, in part 2B, Lord John Grey pens a letter addressed to Jamie.

In this chapter, I find myself delving deep into John’s inner workings – his thoughts, fears, and emotions. For the first time, I witness the blossoming friendship between John and Jamie. Writing to Jamie for the very first time feels strange and unfamiliar to me, but I sense its significance. This is merely the beginning of a beautiful tradition of letter exchanges between us.

In addition, we catch a brief sight of the specter. It’s evident now that John is the “soldier with the haunting past” referred to in the title.

Breaking down Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 2B

The opening of the chapter finds John obtaining news from Tom Byrd. Much of this information is rumors, yet there’s been speculation regarding Captain Fanshawe’s fate. The details are hazy, but it’s known that he frequently visits Thackeray, and Thackeray shows him kindness in return.

John requires a meeting with the Consortium. Maude, Edgar’s spouse, shares his anger towards the allegations. Fanshawe and Trevorson suspect Oswald for instigating Marchmont’s involvement. The gentlemen consider traveling to London to address the accusations, but this might only worsen the situation. As an alternative, they decide to draft a formal complaint instead.

I find myself unable to sleep as I hear voices arguing in the next room. Nervous energy surges through me, and I consider my options. I remember Jamie, a friend with whom our last conversation left a bitter taste. Yet, I feel compelled to reach out. So, I grab a pen and paper, determined to try and mend what was once broken between us.

Initially, the content of the letter appears confused to John. Later on, during a pause in his work, he catches a reflection of a man resembling Lister in the mirror, but it’s not actually Lister. Could it be that John is being visited by an unfamiliar man who has haunted him in some way? It becomes apparent that John harbors deep inner struggles and returns to composing his letter. He confesses his fear of losing his ability to fight or lead.

I’ve been reflecting on Jamie’s impressive endurance and tenacity throughout the years. And now, as I ponder over our past at Ardsmuir, I feel compelled to ask for his forgiveness. But why do I need Jamie’s forgiveness? It’s not just about our shared history, but also about an intrusion of privacy that neither of us desired – the unwanted sight of him in a state of undress.

John concludes his letter with “I love you… I’m sorry it has to be this way.” as he doubts they’ll meet again. He keeps the letter from Jamie and discards it in the fire instead.

The following day, John receives a note from Coles at his home, bearing Anne’s jewelry designs and descriptions. However, before he can make it back, Maude intercepts him. She brings up the recent news article about John’s bravery, but John steers the discussion towards the reason Fanshawe had labeled Oswald a serpent.

It has come to light that Oswald alleged Edgar had engaged in corruption during the procurement of government contracts. This information takes Edgar by surprise, and he intends to discuss it with Harry Quarry further. There could be some truth to these rumors.

Could this chapter be used in a TV series?

From a gamer’s perspective, I ponder over the possibility of incorporating a “Lord John Grey” series into this narrative. If such an expansion existed, several parts of this chapter might not seamlessly fit in. The initial segment, where men deliberate on their next moves, would be particularly challenging to adapt. However, the ending could potentially be salvaged as it adds crucial momentum to unraveling Oswald’s intentions.

I’ve worked as a scriptwriter for years, and I understand the challenge of adapting complex internal thoughts into visual media. It’s a common issue we face when translating novels or plays to the screen. In this particular scenario, attempting to illustrate John’s deeply personal, internalized emotions through writing and showing it on screen would be an uphill battle.

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2024-07-18 18:38