Outlander TV: That Scene Between Alex and Claire in Episode 205, “Untimely Resurrection”

– – -Spoiler Alert – – –

Initially, I was not planning to write this post. However, today I came across a chapter from Dragonfly in Amber, that convinced me to write about it (I am still rereading book 2). I also had a discussion in a Facebook group with other readers, which convinced me radically to write this post.

Episode 205 is emphatic about Claire’s efforts to ensure Frank’s existence.

1. There is the voiceover in which Claire feels like burning Mary’s letter to release Alex from incarceration. Claire makes it clear that she wants Frank to be born.
2. After Alex is released, she strives to separate him from Mary, by telling him that he cannot provide for her. He has not much to offer her. Of course, she feels guilty about it afterward. This scene has some resemblance to Jamie’s announcement of Louise’s pregnancy in episode 204 during the dinner party.
3. The argument at the end of the episode between Jamie and Claire makes it clear that she wants her other husband to survive.

I enjoyed watching Episode 205 except for that scene between Alex and Claire (number 2). I cringed when I watched this scene (and I have never cringed when watching Outlander). Claire is interfering with the personal lives of other characters, something that I do not recall her doing in the books (if I am wrong, please let me know). She gives advice to other characters, especially in later books. What I mean by “advice” is that it is always something positive. In episode 205, she is working to have somebody sweet married to a sadist, and there is nothing good about this. Overall, the portrayal of Claire in this scene is inconsistent with the character we know from the books. Furthermore, this scene seems to be not a requirement at least at this stage. It might be significant later, though. The voiceover (number 1) and the argument (number 3) are by themselves emphatic enough of Claire striving to ensure Frank’s existence. Of course, I have come across reviews and articles detailing about how certain aspects of both Claire and Jamie, mainly virtuous ones, are lost while being in Paris, playing the political game and putting on a facade. I am willing to accept them as long as the essence of the character is kept. I was not expecting to see Claire meddle in the private lives of others (especially for her own ends as another book reader puts it).

On the bright side, the interaction between Alex and Claire is consistent with the storyline. It supports the first and third points. It is compatible with the story detailed in Dragonfly in Amber. Chapter 42, “Reunions,” reveals that Mary and Alex did not see each other for a long time after her departure from France. Mary relates:

“. . . He didn’t ask me to come,” she added quickly. “I c-came by myself.” Her chin lifted in defiance, but there was a small quiver as she said, “He . . . he wouldn’t have written to me, but he was d-dying, and he wanted me to know . . .to know . . .”

If it were not for Alex’s illness, he and Mary would have never met again. The following passage reveals the short time that they have had together.

“We’ve had . . . two months. I k-keep telling myself that that’s more than most people ever have, two months of happiness . . . but we lost so much time that we might have h-had, and . . . it’s not enough. Claire, it isn’t enough!”

“No,” I said quietly. “A lifetime isn’t enough, for that kind of love.” With a sudden pang, I wondered where Jamie was, and how he was faring.

These passages portray a parallel between the couples. Claire and Jamie will also have a short time together to enjoy their love while they are young.

In the Facebook group mentioned above, some members (and also book readers) would have liked to see the scene of Fergus comforting Claire by combing her hair and telling her his story, instead of the one between Alex and Claire. Hopefully, it will be in a subsequent episode. However, the TV adaptation has included a particular scene in which Fergus can read a woman’s feelings. It is in Episode 204. While they are waiting for both Mary and Claire to finish their duties at the charity hospital, Fergus tells Murtagh that Mary is in love. There is a reference to the way she walks and the perfume she wears. This scene is indicative of Fergus being raised in a brothel.

Finally, I would like to discuss the scene in which Jamie announces Louise’s pregnancy at the dinner in Episode 204. He is releasing somebody else’s private information. Louise’s husband even mentions that they have not made an announcement yet. Of course, what Jamie does is not proper. However, he is helping Louise to keep a good reputation. Furthermore, having a relationship with a “dreamer” (delusional prince) doomed to fail is not worthy. Of course, he is working to benefit Louise, as opposed to Claire, who is working to shorten the period in which two lovers will be together. Keep in mind that Jamie is also willing to betray Prince Charles and his supporters for a greater good.

For those book readers that are upset about the changes and who have not been enjoying the second season much, I recommend them to hang in there. You might not be happy with individual episodes or with certain scenes. However, you might be happy if the second season is seen as a whole.

The featured image is from Outlander-Online.

Sources

Gabaldon, Diana. Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.