Outlander Book Club: The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 17 breakdown

Outlander Book Club: The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 17 breakdown

As a die-hard Outlander fan with a heart that beats for every twist and turn in this captivating saga, I find myself utterly engrossed in the 17th chapter of The Scottish Prisoner. It’s like reliving the highlands through a time portal!


Following a series of events in the preceding chapter, Lord John Grey and Jamie Fraser arrive at Athlone Castle in Chapter 17 of “The Scottish Prisoner”. Now, it’s crucial for them to discuss Siverly.

In this chapter, Quinn doesn’t linger; it seems he’s aware he’s been discovered, so he hastens to leave town temporarily. Yet, there’s no doubt in our minds that he’ll return later on.

John needs to keep the focus on Siverly, though. That’s what brings him to Castle Athlone in the first place.

Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 17

In this account, I find myself making my way to Athlone Castle, eager to meet Sir Melchoir Williamson, the Justiciar. Refreshing my memory from a past chapter, I recall that his assistance might be crucial in apprehending Silverly swiftly. Thus, it seems prudent to be present here.

In this chapter, we delve deeper into John’s family history, uncovering an intriguing fact: his forefather, John de Grey, served as a Justiciar in this exact castle during the 13th century.

Given that Sir Melchoir is about to depart for France, John immediately delves into inquiries concerning Siverly, currently residing in Glastuig. Siverly’s father was part of the Wild Geese, a group of Irish outlaws who were Jacobites. This allegiance is widely known, and the region is known to be a stronghold for Jacobites. This doesn’t make things look good for John and Jamie.

On top of that, Siverly has come into quite a bit of money, which is a surprise to John.

Jamie chooses to inquire about the “Wild Hunt” poem since Melchoir claims he’s never encountered the work himself, yet he’s familiar with its existence. He advises that they should pay a visit to Michael Fitzbibbons, who serves as the abbot at Inchcleraun, for more information on this topic.

It seems evident that Jamie has some knowledge regarding this Abbot. Could it be merely knowing his name, Fitzgibbons, or could this knowledge potentially cause complications for both Jamie and John in the future?

Could the chapter be used in a TV adaptation?

In case a film adaptation of “The Scottish Prisoner” ever comes about, it’s undeniably crucial that we include this chapter. The mere thought of Sam Heughan portraying Jamie Fraser’s reaction upon hearing the name Fitzgibbons sends shivers down my spine. This moment holds significant weight in the realm of “Outlander“.

In order to align with how the Outlander series adapted certain elements, there might be a small modification required for the TV show. John, as portrayed in the books, is unacquainted with Murtagh. However, in the show, their relationship has already been established. The character Fitzgibbons holds significance for both of them, which was not explicitly mentioned in the books but will be crucial in the adaptation.

In the event of a continuation as a series, this particular chapter holds significant importance to the main storyline, hence may require adjustments or enhancements.

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2024-09-03 18:39