**This is not a spoiler-free review of this episode. This review is also from a non-reader, and any comments revealing spoilers from the books will be deleted.**
No, he’s not dead, stop lying
Episode 710: “Brotherly Love”
Written by Luke Schelhaas, Directed by Stewart Svaasand
Let’s just get this clear — Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) has not perished at sea. I don’t need to read ahead for that to be abundantly obvious.
Welcome back to Outlander y’all! Where everything is pain.
Pain.
Papa! Ian (Steven Cree) has made peace with the pain in his chest. He joins Jamie for one last dram amid the beautiful Scottish countryside. I really loved that they kept their last conversation lighthearted — Papa! Ian never wanted pity, not about his leg, nor the consumption eating away his lungs.
He dies peacefully, speaking love with his last word.
Jenny.
Also, can we address the “On your left” moment for a second? I get that it was referring to their childhood sparring matches from the opening moment of the episode.
BUT.
ALL I COULD THINK WHEN HE SAID THAT WAS, “AVENGERS! ASSEMBLE!”
See? Not dead. (No, I’m not delusional.)
Meanwhile, Claire (Caitriona Balfe) contemplates her British citizenship in the Colonies! I loved her subtle scoff when the British soldiers completely ignored her papers. Outlander’s been so damn serious lately, so I love when Caitriona throws in a bit of Feisty! Claire to remind us that she is the main character.
And I love her for it.
Also, can ANYONE explain how our faves are making it to and fro across the Atlantic so quickly? Do they have an oceanic fast pass? For the sake of the story, I’ll ignore it.
Claire’s been called into action to rescue Henry Grey (Harry Jarvis) from a gunshot wound. Upon the way to the ailing Grey, Claire meets one of my favorite new characters, Mercy Woodcock (Gloria Obianyo).
I love that Mercy didn’t bat an eye when Claire pulled out Henry’s intestines during the pivotal surgery.
Meanwhile, Lord John Grey (David Berry) provided the episode’s other subtle hint of comedy. Watching him attempt to maintain his standard, sophisticated demeanor as Claire got down and dirty in his nephew’s intestines was downright hysterical.
Lord John did not sign up to be on an episode of “Colonial Grey’s Anatomy”!
I was downright amazed Claire managed to discover the bullet AND remove it without the ether wearing off. Denzell Hunter (Joey Phillips) manages to assist Claire alongside Mercy, while Denzell’s sister, Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small), finds herself in a bit of an Arch Bug (Hugh Ross) pickle.
I’m not going to lie — Arch admitting to stalking Ian for MONTHS for revenge wasn’t petty — it was terrifying.
Amid the terror, Rachel attempts to bargain for her life. Why would Arch put his soul at risk, killing someone innocent of the crime that led Arch down a dark spiral?
What makes Arch so dangerous in the moment? He has no soul left to lose.
It’s quite the calamitous reunion for Young Ian (John Bell) and Rachel. Eager to play hero, Young Ian throws himself on Arch.
And for one frightening moment, I thought we were going to lose Papa! Ian AND Young Ian in the same episode.
With a (literal) axe to grind, Arch gains the upper hand until Jamie manages to save Young! Ian.
Well — through his illegitimate son.
William Ransom (Charles Vandervaart) fires one shot, killing Arch Bug. I completely forgot about the William-Ian-Rachel love triangle until Young Ian brought it up in the last episode. And, after all, what says romance more than facing certain death?
“I’m deleting all the dating apps Auntie Claire,” — Young Ian, probably.
Rachel really goes, “William who?” after Young Ian declares his love with a speech so swoon-worthy it makes me wonder if Jamie’s been giving him lessons.
I’ll be honest. I still don’t buy the connection between Young Ian and Rachel. Maybe it’s a bit more apparent in the books? I’m not sold on their love in the show at the moment, but maybe I need a bit more time to see their connection.
SPEAKING OF CONNECTIONS.
Lord John Grey decides to take the role of “bearer of bad news” a little TOO seriously in this episode.
After Claire goes on a full espionage-filled side quest for Mercy’s sake, she learns that Jamie has perished at sea.
Naturally, it isn’t true. But that doesn’t stop Caitriona from delivering the most gut-wrenching moment in the entire episode.
You want to talk about connections? The moment when Claire was writhing in bed was almost hard to watch. Her pain, palpable, intense, reverberated in every cry and sob of pain Claire let out for her (not dead) husband.
Pain, part a million.
Naturally, this is Outlander, so Claire can NEVER catch a break.
It turns out the British soldiers Claire thought were ignoring her were doing their jobs quite well.
They’ve caught on to Claire’s espionage efforts. And in case you don’t know what they did to spies back in the day, google “Nathan Hale.”
Lord John quickly devises the only feasible plan. Claire must marry him. Do you want to talk about an interesting love triangle? What happens when the two people who love Jamie Fraser the most have to marry each other?
Now, that’s what I call an exciting development.
Well, at least they have something in common!
AND DON’T THINK I’VE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE RETURN OF GRAHAM MCTAVISH!
Is it a convoluted way to bring our faves back?
MAYBE.
Do I CARE?
NO.
Back to the Future, Outlander Edition
Roger’s father might be alive?? It would be lovely if Roger’s dad was the one who helped his son find Jemmy. I do no know where this storyline is headed, but I hope little Jem is okay.
The episode had a lot to unpack, but my main focus remains on Jamie. How the hell did he survive this predicament? How long will it be until he finds Claire again? Will Claire ACTUALLY marry Lord John? What happens if she marries him and THEN Jamie returns?
If you excuse me, I’ll be brushing up on 18th-century marriage laws!
Until next time, Outlander fans!
THIS WEEK, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, AT 8 PM ET: EPISODE 711: “A HUNDREDWEIGHT OF STONES”
Synopsis: “Claire turns to John Grey for comfort as they process difficult news. Ian and Rachel discuss their love and their future. Brianna confronts an intruder at Lallybroch.”
