As a seasoned gamer of historical fiction and an ardent admirer of the Outlander series, I must say that Chapter 35 of The Scottish Prisoner has left me absolutely spellbound! It’s akin to unearthing buried treasure or stumbling upon a secret passage in a game, only this time it’s within the pages of a captivating novel.
In the moment when things seem crystal clear, a surprising disclosure flips everything on its head – exactly as happens in Chapter 35 of “The Scottish Prisoner“.
This starts off with a sense of justice. Siverly has been found guilty in his posthumous court martial. However, the chapter turns on its head when Bowles talks to John and shares some truths about Twelvetrees. The man was not as evil as the Greys would like to believe.
The end of the chapter is a beautiful moment between Jamie and John. I would love to see this play out on the screen.
Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 35
It’s trial day, which John testifies at. While he deals with the Duke of Cumberland questioning whether John is right in asking for this considering Siverly saved him at the Siege of Quebec, John stands his ground. Siverly is found guilty, and the trial is over.
As Bowles strolled toward Hal’s residence, he eventually met up with John. Their conversation centered around Twelvetrees. It became clear that Twelvetrees had been a secret agent for Bowles, aiming to expose the Jacobite conspiracy. Contrary to popular belief, Twelvetrees was not a traitor; instead, he sought to apprehend all the conspirators by gathering information. Moreover, Twelvetrees didn’t kill Siverly; rather, it was an Irishman with wavy hair who committed the crime, and that turned out to be Quinn.
It turns out that Twelvetrees understood John wasn’t involved, and he felt compelled to ensure the correct person was apprehended and punished for the murder. Despite his dislike of the Grey family, Twelvetrees recognized the importance of upholding justice.
John carries a heavy burden of remorse since he unjustifiably took Twelvetrees’ life. Upon returning to Hal’s residence, it is Jamie who converses with him, expressing his own sense of guilt for his role in the incident. He further notes that often, our actions can lead to unforeseen consequences.
Jamie reluctantly recounts the tale of Rabbie McNab, a man whom he avenged against his own father’s cruelty. Eventually, Ronnie handed Jamie over to the authorities, leading to the people of Lallybroch setting fire to Rabbie’s home, with him trapped within. This act was not something that Jamie supported or felt good about. He harbored some guilt regarding the outcome.
It seems that John is curious about what became of Rabbie after a certain point. Jamie shares that as far as he knows, Rabbie moved South for work. However, John clarifies that Rabbie is actually in London now and considering marriage. If Jamie is interested, John offers to find out more details. I admire the way Jamie shows concern for his old acquaintance, Rabbie.
Jamie finds himself on the verge of returning to Helwater, a place John claims he can delay. Although Jamie expresses his desire to go back, he conceals the true motivation behind it. The truth is that he cannot reveal it. Instead, Jamie mentions Betsy, a maid at Helwater, as his reason for wanting to return. This revelation catches John off guard, given Jamie’s strong feelings for Claire. I’m not convinced he completely buys the explanation either.
Could this chapter be used in a TV adaptation?
This chapter serves several purposes in the narrative. If “The Scottish Prisoner” were to be adapted, it would be crucial to include the court martial scene and the resolution of that plot thread. Additionally, we need to depict Grey discovering that Twelvetrees was not a traitor. This revelation is significant because it suggests that Quinn is still at large and there remains the unsolved murder of Siverly to be fully investigated.
At the closing act, it’d be fantastic if Jamie and John could forge a deeper bond. When Jamie reveals his past, it seems like they might just touch upon the essence of true friendship. The trust between them is palpable, and I can’t wait to witness how this relationship unfolds on-screen.
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2024-09-27 18:37