Poetic justice seems to be the norm in the last episodes of both Outlander and Game of Thrones. Sincerely, my whole expression became euphoric while watching both episodes to the point that my husband had to hold my hand to calm me down a little bit. I also apologize for my late post since I have one of my boys with me and summer vacation has started, so I have to dedicate a certain amount of time to him.
The episode starts with the Jacobite army being encamped in Northern England. The support that they have been expecting from the Scottish Lowlands and Northern England has not materialized, which means that they do not have enough troops and supplies to hold London. In the meeting between Prince Charles and his advisors, it is revealed that they are five days away from London. The English army with larger numbers stands between the city and them. Everybody in the council advises retreating except Jamie, who kneels in front of his Prince. The Bonnie Prince is not satisfied with the almost unanimous decision of his advisors. He reminds them that he is the king by divine will. He curses O’Sullivan, his most trusted advisor, with damnation. The Prince makes it clear that he prefers to die instead of going back. To understand this scene, one has to remember that kings in the past were seen as the representation of God. For example, in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the state of nature is altered when the rightful king is not seated on the throne. Furthermore, Jamie admires the Prince’s ambition by telling Claire that he has the heart of a fighting man, a characteristic that his generals lack. Viewers cannot forget that scene in which Prince Charles is hoping to fight in Episode 210 – “Prestonpans,” and is not allowed. Of course, it is a foolish move, but as Jamie says, he deserves some credit. Jamie supports the march to London because he wants to change history, even though the Jacobites will be unable to hold the city for long. An attack on London might alter the course of the events that would lead to Culloden. It seems that the men from Lallybroch have heard the rumors of retreat. Jamie assures them that it would be for the winter. There is no mention of the cause being lost. He tells Claire that he will see her safe regardless of what happens.
Then there is the scene in which Claire is sleeping, and Jamie is looking at her, and saying a prayer for her safety in Gaelic. He refers to her as his “white dove.” Of course, it is an allusion to one of Claire’s color, but I guess he is mainly referring to her pale skin. There is also a hint of Claire having another child. It demonstrates Jamie’s confidence in Claire bearing another child. This scene is one of those that many of us have been expecting for a while, especially those readers interested in the romance aspect of the Outlander series. It also has lines that are adapted from a similar scene in book 2.
Next morning, Dougal carries a message from the Prince’s council. They want Jamie to go back to Inverness since O’Sullivan thinks that he may have too much influence over the prince. Dougal is not happy, but Jamie follows the orders. However, while on their way back, their camp is surrounded by English soldiers. Some of Jamie’s men get shot. Jamie’s troops need to be split to mislead the English. Claire leaves with him accompanied by Dougal, Murtagh, Fergus, and Angus. However, a bullet hits Angus on his right eye. Dougal jumps onto Angus’s horse to prevent him from falling. He leads Angus to safety. This scene not only portrays Dougal’s skills in riding a horse but his courage and the fact that he is not incredibly selfish as viewers are led to believe in a previous episode. He is selfless when it comes to helping a clansman in need. This scene is reminiscent to that impressive one in which he is riding a horse to measure the marshland in Episode 210. He is sacrificing himself; he takes risks, and he deserves credit for it.
They meet the other men at a church, and Claire successfully removes the bullet from Angus’s eye. However, the English find them and ask them to give up the arms and the horses. They have captured the other Lallybroch men, and they are about to set the church’s roof on fire. Jamie chooses to give himself up to save everybody. Dougal reproaches him and prefers to fight. Claire screams for help and reveals herself as a hostage. Dougal and Murtagh think it is an excellent idea what she is doing. However, Jamie finds it senseless and he is not willing to let her go. This scene portrays Jamie’s future struggle to let Claire go back to her time. It will be a tough decision but a wise one. Claire convinces him that the men are also her responsibility since she is Lady Broch Tuarach. Dougal goes to negotiate with the English and reveals Claire’s last name as Beauchamp. He prevents Jamie from heading out since he is recognizable, a smart move since viewers later see the posters of Red Jamie in an English town. Of note is what Jamie tells Claire before their separation: “We will find each other.” The truth is that they will always find each other throughout their lives. Similarly, Dougal’s response to the English soldier of them heading home and being faithful to the King is revealing of his aggressive nature: “I’ll be glad to, as soon as the True King is wearing that crown.”
Claire is subsequently taken to the estate of the Duke of Sandringham. She is lucky to have found Hugh Munro on her way there. She provided him with the details of her whereabouts.
The first conversation that Claire has with Sandringham is revealing.
- He does not disclose her real identity to the English soldiers because he was once at the Tower of London, which implies that he was Jacobite or suspected to be one in the past (First Jacobite Rebellion?)
- The redcoats are patrolling the estate because of him being suspected a Jacobite, which means that they will capture Jamie the moment he comes in to rescue her.
- He wants to be saved because he is a Jacobite. The issue with this explanation is why would he risk being associated with Red Jamie by escaping his estate? He is only suspected, and there is no reason to abandon property and luxuries. If he escapes with Jamie and Claire, then he would be confirmed as a Jacobite and his property could be confiscated. He is playing Claire because he knows she thinks he is a Jacobite.
The Duke suggests sending a note to Jamie so that he would know Claire’s whereabouts. Claire opts to write in Gaelic to make unintelligible for anybody who might be able to intercept the letter. Of interest is how Sandringham refers to the Scottish Gaelic language as barbaric, a typical description of it in the books by the English. The letter makes it to Hugh Munro who eventually finds Jamie and Murtagh.
Out of a sudden, Mary Hawkins appears and is happy to see Claire. She reveals that the Duke is her godfather even though she is not a blood-relative to him. The Duke has arranged a marriage for her. In fact, she will be marrying a loyalist, Mr. Granger. Of course, she is not looking forward to the marriage and Claire tells her that she will discuss with the Duke about it. However, this conversation with the Duke leads to Claire recognizing his valet as the man responsible for the attack against her and Mary in Paris (birth mark or spot on his hand). So far, viewers have the notion of the Duke being a sneaky hypocrite. Once he snaps at the valet because of being recognized, his aggressive nature is revealed. The Duke divulges that Le Comte St. Germain was behind the attack and that he was able to convince him to have Claire raped instead of being killed. The valet tells her that they could quickly dispose of her at that moment. Then, the Duke reveals that he is leading Red Jamie into a trap and that the English soldiers have been informed about it. He is planning to have Jamie and Claire arrested for their crimes to prove his loyalty to the Crown.
I will not go into the details of how the events happened in regards to Claire’s rescue. However, one change from the book is that Mary is the one to kill the valet. Of course, Jamie knocks him down, but she has the courage to stab him. I think this modification makes sense since she is the one who suffered from it the most. It is poetic justice, and it gives her the chance to take control of her life. It is like Mary coming out of a shelter where she has been told what to do and how to behave. Murtagh chopping Sandringham’s head is another instance of poetic justice. Of course, Jamie throws the Duke off balance by removing his wig and telling him that he would lie to save his own skin. Of note is how Jamie looks at Murtagh immediately afterward. He acknowledges that it is Murtagh’s role to finish Sandringham off. Murtagh proceeds by killing the Duke with one blow and severing the head with two more. Then he lays the head at Claire’s feet fulfilling his promise of revenge.
Other Highlights
There is a scene in which Jamie and Murtagh need to steal some horses. Murtagh asks Jamie whether his decision to marry Claire was the wisest thing to do since they have become traitors and thieves.
The scene in which Jamie and Murtagh are reading Claire’s letter written in Gaelic is an excellent addition. It serves as comic relief in a way.
You have confused Angus, who died at Prestonpans, with Rupert whose eye was shot out. Otherwise a fine post of the one tv episode written by Herself.