The sex scene in the first few minutes of the episode, IMO, was very revealing, emotionally. As a viewer, I felt the intensity of their emotions as Jamie pleasured Claire “down there.” I’m trying to put what they did in a more delicate written fashion. Yet, Murtagh’s incessant pounding on the door as Claire was moaning and clearly enjoying what Jamie was doing prematurely ended the passionate encounter. I did think it was funny that when Murtagh did come into the room, saw Claire only wrapped in a sheet, that he had interrupted the newlyweds during an intimate moment, he looked a tad embarrassed, LOL!
Anyway, after Murtagh tells Jamie that the Duke of Sandringham has arrived. Yet, Claire doesn’t trust the Duke of Sandringham for because she knows he’s the one protecting “Black Jack” Randall from all of the twisted, sadistic things he’s done, plus Frank mentioned that that the Duke must have been Randall’s “protector” before Claire disappeared through the stones. She tells Jamie and Murtagh about the Duke’s “friendship” with “Black Jack” Randall, but adds that she cannot tell him how she knows of their association. Jamie then reiterated his promise “never to ask you anything you didn’t wish to tell me” and doesn’t prod her for how she knows. To me, the fact that he didn’t try to get her to tell him how she came by such information and took the information blindly, showed me how much trust has developed between them, which to me, only strengthened their love. At hearing this information, Murtagh advises Jamie to have a word with Ned Gowan, who viewers of the show know is a lawyer. Then, Jamie, to me, started acted a bit giddy at the prospect of the Duke lifting the price on his head. He jumps onto the bed with Claire, who was still clad in only a sheet and with Murtagh still in the room and tells her that he will be able to make her truly happy, he could “take his rightful place as Laird and you could be my lady.” He then kisses her hand, which I thought was sweet as she agreed that they would be happy.
Jamie and Murtagh then go to see Ned Gowan, who tells Jamie that since he’s charged with murder, it’s matter of his word against “Black Jack’s” that he’s innocent and that the chances of a British judge taking Jamie’s word over “Black Jack’s” were slim. Jamie, looking defeated, moves to leave, but Ned, clever as he is, wanting to help Jamie and being fond of Claire and says they “may able to prove to the Duke that friendship with such a villain is more dangerous than it’s worth,” smiling the whole time. I love this character; he always wants to help Jamie and Claire and uses his great intellect to do so. Ned then proposes that he draw up a “petition of complaint accusing Randall of crimes against the Scottish people, your wife included,” and if Jamie can convince the Duke to deliver the petition to the “Lord President of the Court,” “Black Jack” could be court-marshalled or at least reassigned. Ned then adds that with “Black Jack’s” disgrace, he could take Jamie’s case to court and get him a pardon. Murtagh seems unsure of this plan. He’s another character I love because he ALWAYS looks out for Jamie, no matter what the circumstances are. His faith in Jamie NEVER wavers!
Next, we see a now dressed Claire going to find Laoghaire, who is giving her grandmother, Mrs. Fitz, a shirt she made for her herself. Mrs. Fitz is delighted to see Claire and shows her the garment, but you could see that Claire couldn’t care less about the garment and asks Mrs. Fitz to be alone with Laoghaire. Claire’s cold expression was priceless as you saw how she didn’t even acknowledge the nice thing that Laoghaire did for her grandmother because she knows her true nature. After Mrs. Fitz leaves, Claire tells Laoghaire that she knows that she was the one who put the “ill wish” under her and Jamie’s bed. Laoghaire of course denies doing so. Claire then immediately mentions Laoghaire’s “deep feelings” for Jamie and how being scorned can hurt badly and IMO was courteous in saying how she understood how her “jealousy could be directed at me.” She didn’t have to be so understanding given the fact that Laoghaire put something under their bed that represented “pain and death” according to Jamie. If it were me, I would have really let her have it for putting such a heinous thing under my marriage bed. Yet, Claire doesn’t mince words and tells Laoghaire that she never “conspired” to take Jamie from her, but the fact was that Jamie was never Laoghaire’s to begin with. Laoghaire, obnoxiously, fires back that “Jamie Fraser was and is mine.” Claire, still keeping her cool, though I have no idea how, refutes Laoghaire’s claim citing how young she is by calling her “child.” I thought was a smart way for Claire to give a dig to Laoghaire AND to underline the fact that Jamie needs a woman NOT a child! Yet, the scorned Laoghaire continues what I call her temper tantrum as she tells Claire that Jamie is trapped in a “loveless marriage with a cold English b**ch.” Claire then responds by slapping Laoghaire clear across the face, hard. IMO, she should have slapped her hard enough for her to fly across the room, LOL. Yet, Claire still trying to be the more mature person, apologizes. This shocked me! IMO, she was totally justified in slapping Laoghaire. If this show were set in the present time, I bet they would have broken out in a full on catfight, hair pulling and all. Still, Laoghaire continues her verbal assault on Claire culminating in her saying that eventually Jamie will be hers. In true Claire fashion, she fires back to Laoghaire, “that will NEVER happen!” Laoghaire then tells Claire that Geillis sold her the “ill wish” so she isn’t Claire’s friend like she thought. This, IMO, was an attempt by Laoghaire to make Claire doubt herself and her perceptions, which would lead her to come to doubt Jamie and that would end their marriage so Laoghaire could have him all to herself! Claire maintained a stone face at this new information and simply reiterates for Laoghaire to stay away from her…and Jamie!
Claire then goes to see Geillis, but is told by her maid to look for her “in the woods in the hours before dawn.” Claire does so, yet I wondered where Jamie was when she went walking alone in the woods at night. As readers of the books are well aware, Jamie and Claire always know where the other is. So where was he that he didn’t stop her from wondering into the woods alone? That didn’t work out so well for Claire the last time she did it (i.e. getting captured by the redcoats and taken to “Black Jack.”) She comes upon Geillis surrounded by lit fires, doing some kind of ritual dance, within a pentagon made of sticks, topless. Lotte Verbeek, who plays Geillis, must have some dancing background because I thought she danced with the grace and movement only someone with dance training could convey. Claire then recalls a similar ritual dance that she and Frank witnessed at the stones back in the 20th century. Geillis then calls Claire out and Claire notices that Geillis is pregnant. She then confides in Claire that the baby ISN’T her husband, Arthur’s but Dougal’s! Yet, Dougal is also married, but her vague talk about what the ritual she just performed meant and about her and Dougal having the freedom to be together clearly disturbs Claire, IMO. This scene, IMO, was meant to show Geillis’ trust in Claire as she asks her to keep her pregnancy secret as well as the “Summoning” ritual she just witnessed.
As they walk home, Geillis tells Claire that she wouldn’t have sold Laoghaire the “ill wish” if she knew she meant it for her. To me, this was supposed to reinforce that, at least at this time, Geillis was Claire’s friend and that Claire shouldn’t doubt her perceptions/instincts about the people around her. Claire then hears a baby crying, but Geillis tells her to ignore it because it isn’t a real baby, it’s a “changeling.” Claire disregards Geillis’ warning and goes in search of the child. She finds the “baby” dead and then proceeds to hold it close, apologize to it for not finding it sooner and starts to weep. IMO, this scene had MAJOR foreshadowing for when Claire becomes a mother herself and tragedy strikes. For those who haven’t read the books, I won’t say anymore. Jamie eventually finds her and he soothes her over the loss. This, IMO, was a powerful scene and showed their bond and how he’s already so in tune with her emotions even though they have only been married a very short time.
Back at Castle Leoch, Jamie gives the petition Ned drew up to give to the Duke for Claire to sign attesting to “Black Jack’s” sadistic crimes against her. I noted how carefully Claire seems to read the document, I thought this showed how she wants the plan to work, but also make sure Jamie isn’t hurt. Jamie again sweetly notes her distrust of the Duke, but grabs her hand and tells her that he has to try to get the Duke on his side…for their future happiness. To me, this reiterated how committed Jamie was to Claire in making her happy, which only further solidified my deep love for Jamie as a romantic hero. She then signs it ‘Claire Elizabeth Fraser,’ which makes Jamie smile because that’s obviously the first time she’s written her full married name. I thought that was sweet.
Claire then goes to see the Duke, unbeknownst to Jamie, to convince him to take the petition of complaint. To me, this scene was a mental battle of wits between Claire and the Duke. After much talk, the Duke says he won’t take petition under consideration. Yet, Claire isn’t one to give up easily and on her way out, she coyly asks the Duke “how much Jacobite gold did Dougal McKenzie pass along to you?” This veiled inquiry was Claire’s attempt to show the Duke that she was aware of his treason against the King by taking gold for Dougal. Simon Callow, who plays the Duke, turned white and stoic at her question. I thought the reaction was priceless and perfect for being accused of treason. Bravo Mr. Callow. The Duke then changes his mind and agrees to take the petition of complaint to the necessary magistrate for consideration.
Then comes Gavin McTavish’s (Dougal) big scene as Dougal gets “raging drunk” after learning of his wife’s “sudden death from an illness.” He fights off others with his sword, who are attempting to help him mourn. He starts bawling as Claire enters and she and Rupert devise a plan for her to drug a jug of whiskey to get Dougal under control. IMO, this scene was a tad too long especially since viewers never saw Dougal’s wife, now know he was having an affair with Geillis and did proposition Claire not much after her wedding to Jamie, so how much was real emotion at her death and how much was guilt and/or showing off? After Dougal passes out from drinking the drugged whiskey, Collum appears, ashamed at his brother’s public display.
Then, Claire runs into Geillis, who isn’t too broken up over Dougal’s wife’s sudden demise. Geillis tells her that her “prayers have been answered,” prompting Claire to mention the “Summoning” ritual she saw Geillis perform. She then asks Geillis if she thinks the ritual was a factor in Dougal’s wife’s death. She replies that she doesn’t know if it was a factor or not. Readers of the books know that Geillis has been suspected of being a witch so her conducting a ritual, which would cause Dougal’s wife to die wouldn’t be such a stretch. IMO, given the creepy vibe she elicits and her vast knowledge of herbs, her being a witch was pretty certain! Yet, Claire, IMO, trying to hold on to some semblance of reality, maintains that her death was just a “sad coincidence.” Geillis then beams that she and Dougal could now be together, but when Claire mentions Geillis’ husband, Geillis gives her an eerie look. Without even having to read the books, I could tell that her husband Arthur wasn’t going to be around much longer.
Jamie and Murtagh then go see the Duke and on their way in, see the McDonald clan leaving. Sworn enemies of the McKenzies, they wonder why they were visiting the Duke. Once inside, they present the petition to the Duke, who doesn’t mention Claire’s earlier visit. IMO, the Duke is super creepy in this scene since readers of the books know and Jamie mentioned it earlier, how he had an encounter with the Duke when he was 16 and the Duke pursued him sexually. Thankfully, Jamie was able to get away before the Duke could do anything to him. The Duke agrees to bring the petition to who it needs to go to, on one condition. First though, he touches Jamie’s face rather seductively, which made my skin crawl and to me, it looked like Murtagh wanted to run him through right there for even going near Jamie. The Duke asks Jamie to be his “second” in a duel he has with a member of the McDonald clan over an unpaid debt. Jamie agrees to be his “second” and the Duke agrees to take the petition. Jamie had no real choice here since his goal was to secure a pardon.
At a gathering to honor the Duke, Jamie and Claire act like a married couple, standing very close together. After Collum announces the Duke and welcomes him, with Dougal nearby, Jamie then introduces him to Claire, not knowing they’ve already met. When he leaves them alone, she berates for making Jamie agree to be his “second” in his duel. She threatens him if anything should happen to Jamie during the duel. He fires back that she had better hope he (the Duke) comes out unscathed or Jamie’s petition will be history. Then, suddenly, Arthur, Geillis’ husband collapses. Claire and Jamie try to help, but he dies and a voiceover from her indicates that she smells bitter almonds on his breath, which is indicative of cyanide poisoning. We then see, in slow motion, which I thought was a brilliant way to make the scene extra dramatic, viewers, Claire AND Collum see Geillis and Dougal smile at each other then Geillis runs to Arthur, letting out a well-acted scream of horror. Gary Lewis, who plays Collum, looked at Dougal smiling at Geillis with a mix of shock and anger that I thought was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for the situation. I did like that Claire and Jamie immediately reached for each other as Geillis “grieved” over Arthur.
Next, was the duel, which I thought was too long a scene. The Duke and a member of the McDonald clan shoot at each other, neither was hurt and the unpaid debt was now paid. Yet, the other members of the McDonald clan aren’t satisfied and start trash talking the Duke. When Jamie makes an insulting comment in response, he’s attacked by the other members of the McDonald clan, resulting in Jamie being stabbed in the side. IMO, Jamie not keeping his mouth shut showed his immaturity. The Duke then thanks Jamie as he’s now on the ground, takes the petition and leaves him in pain.
Claire sows up the wound back at the castle. Jamie notes how she hasn’t yelled at him, but when she hurts him as she sows him up, he mentions how she was indeed showing her displeasure. I would have liked some verbal confrontation between them about him doing something stupid NOT her. Then, Jamie is summoned by Collum. I thought Lewis’ portrayal of Collum berating Dougal about Geillis was SUPERB. The anger her exhibited I felt wafting off the screen. When Dougal then told Collum that Geillis was pregnant with his child, the rage in Lewis’ eyes only flares hotter! He then orders Dougal to leave the castle and orders Jamie to accompany him to his home. IMO, I don’t know how Jamie can stand by and be ordered to do something he doesn’t want to do when he’s a grown married man. I think that’s why he wants the pardon so bad, then he and Claire can leave Leoch and be free of Collum’s demands.
The scene where Claire bids Jamie goodbye and tells him to return safely to her soon was very telling, IMO. It showed how neither of them wanted to leave the other. Jamie then warned Claire to stay away from Geillis while he was gone because he didn’t want the wrath that Collum had in store for her to hurt Claire. Their heartfelt goodbye kiss then Jamie kissing Claire on the forehead made my heart melt.
Then, Claire gets a note from Geillis asking to meet…AND SHE GOES! I wanted to jump through my TV and scream at her, “Didn’t you hear what Jamie said?” WTF! She gets there and Geillis tells her that she never sent her a note. Claire then begs her to flee before Collum does something to her, but she stubbornly refuses saying that Dougal would never let anything happen to her or their baby. HELLO! Dougal’s gone, HE CAN’T HELP YOU! Then, men start pounding on Geillis’ door demanding to be let in. She lets them in and then she and Claire are arrested for being witches. As Claire looks out of the barred carriage she’s placed in, she sees Laoghaire coming out of her hiding place, smiling! Obviously, she NOT Geillis sent Claire the note knowing she would arrested along with Geillis. What a sneaky, conniving B**CH!
In conclusion, very stirring eppy and I can’t wait to see Claire and Geillis stand trial for being witches and for our beloved Jamie to come and rescue Claire!