nara

I didn't think I could rewatch this episode, but I did. Brutal the 2nd time around too. Couple of additional observations: I really thought that Claire could have shown a little more sympathy for Private McCreevey (not sure of spelling). She showed much more empathy when they saw the 2 men on crosses. She said it was a sad day for Private McCreevey when he was stationed in Scotland (as opposed to when he was murdered by the Scots). She did acknowledge a little that what happened to him was not right, but I thought she should have been stronger on that point, given her general stance on brutality. When she spoke about the lack of trials for the murdered Highlanders, I was reminded of the justice administered by Colum. I don't recall there being any evidence against Laoghaire when she was going to be beaten at the request of her father. Of course, the condemnation of Laoghaire was in Gaellic, so I could be wrong, but that scene popped into my head Also, I didn't pick up on this the first time, but was McCreevey's murder done in an especially harsh way because he was a Scot (assuming from his name, but I may be wrong) serving in the army? I thought the English soldiers at the amputation were a good contrast to the officers. They were immediately willing to take direction from Claire and I especially liked the one who gave his wife's scarf for a tourniquet. It showed a nicer side of the English When Claire mentioned that BJR had a bad reputation at Castle Leoch due to the beating of a boy, I got the impression that she had unintentionally given him a clue about where Jamie has been hiding. No solid evidence here, but just a flicker in BJR's eye that I thought I noticed. We'll see if it becomes anything later in the season. Had a crackpot theory pop into my head during BJR's monologue that Frank had also traveled back in time (to an earlier time than Claire) and was, in fact, his own ancestor BJR! I'll admit that was crazy, but wanted to share... ;)

I'm going to assume that Brigadier General Thomas was in a very good mood due to the large quantity of claret he'd imbibed. I'll be interested to see future interactions between him and Blackjack.

I think that in order to be considered valid in those days, the marriage would have to be consummated. However, I'm no expert on the topic. (ETA: looks like others beat me to the punch on this answer) Also, the fact that Claire asks the virginity question indicates that she believes it will be consummated. I doubt anyone would expect a man to marry her and then live the rest of their lives without sex, and if a future divorce was the plan, Dougal would have mentioned it. LOL -- wishful thinking was my first reaction too. I actually interpreted his look around as embarrassment to admit this to her, not anything related to the other men. Claire is older than him and has been married. He is less experienced than her in many ways, and that's probably hard for any young man to admit.

I doubt that he's ignorant, but would the lads really miss the opportunity to tease him? I assume that, living in such close quarters, they'd know he's a virgin. If they can tease a man by suggesting he sleep with his own sister, they'd certainly "teach" Jamie what to do his first time.

I would kill for a scene in which Murtagh and the other lads explain to Jamie his wedding night duties! That would be hilarious. Unfortunately, it's not likely, since Claire is in every scene. Perhaps as an extra scene available online???

All good points about the attitudes of the English officers towards non-English in general, not just the Scots. Thanks also for the reminder about Lt. Foster as a nice guy who is brave and willing to acknowledge that the Scots are not all brutes. At the same time, he was willing to fight Dougal (quite appropriately, I thought). I also liked the officer who was trying to translate Dougal's talk into the King's English. He seemed to genuinely think the Brigadier General didn't understand, vs. that he was using the opportunity to mock the Scottish accent. In the amputation scene, I was reminded of one of the first scenes in Episode 1, when a soldier is being amputated and a doctor comes in and takes over from Claire. I wasn't sure if that was a deliberate repeat to show men brushing aside Claire's skills or just a coincidence. BTW, I must comment on how absolutely gorgeous the scenery was at the pool where Dougal explained the marriage contract. I really want to visit that particular spot. On an unrelated note, I really love how we're seeing bits and pieces of the main titles in each episode, but they seem to be from slightly different angles than what we're seeing in the episode. Or is that just my imagination. Finally, am I the only one surprised that Jamie is a virgin? Yes, I get why no father would want to marry a daughter to him. However, he's very good-looking and strong, so I'd expect lots of women to be attracted to him. Also, no one seems to think anything bad about the men (Rupert, Angus, Dougal) sleeping around. Even if Jamie did not want to dishonor a woman, there seem to be "whores" around that would be acceptable for him to visit. I don't get it. Is it just wishful thinking fantasy for female fans? Is he embarrassed for people to see his back? What gives? tobacco?

Wow. What a fantastic episode! •Tobias rocked! We haven't seen much of him in the last few episodes, but he brought it today. I fell hook, line, and sinker for Blackjack's story of descending into darkness. I was completely caught by surprise when he hit Claire. I believe that some yelling at my TV screen occurred... •I also thought Caitriona's acting was terrific, particularly when she was listening to Blackjack and hoping to find some of Frank in the man. •I also felt kinda sorry for that hapless young soldier he was bullying, despite the fact that he didn't have much of a backbone. I really thought Blackjack might slit his throat. •The scourging of Jamie scene was very hard to watch. Well acted by both actors. I loved the touch of the soldier fainting and how that further inflamed Blackjack. •I also noticed Dougal glaring at the guy who spat on MacKenzie land! Made me laugh. •I enjoyed the exchanged roles of Dougal and Claire. This time, he was the one who couldn't hold his tongue and was getting in trouble. •Grinding your corn! LOL. I think I'll use that expression. •I didn't care for all the English being painted so badly. I would have liked a couple of them to be more honorable and not so rude about the Scottish people. It seemed very designed to make us want Claire to return to the MacKenzies and I would have preferred the choice to be more grey... •As usual, Jamie can be on camera for just a few minutes and completely light up the screen. Again, I enjoyed the scene between Jamie and Claire, and felt it was a very natural conversation in the face of an arranged marriage. I thought she might ask specifically about Laoghaire, in addition to broadly about women in whom he might be interested. Poor Laoghaire will not be happy at all next episode. :( •Was I the only one who thought the idea of marriage to Jamie was a little strange? As much as I want to see them get together, it seemed a little odd that Dougal would marry her to the one wanted man in the group. What if the English ask to see this "alleged husband" of Claire's? If they have to produce Jamie, he'll be taken immediately into custody. Or is that what Dougal wants? Dougal was very nice in this episode, but I can't help wondering if there is an ulterior motive. Does he mean to discredit Jamie by marrying him to an English lady? Or is he hoping that Jamie will be pardoned because he's married to an Englishwoman? Okay, now I've confused myself. In any case, I thought that it would have made more sense if Dougal suggested the idea of a marriage to the group and asked for a volunteer. The others would hem and haw (because they're still not quite sure of her) and Jamie would step up...Either way, I'm happy they're getting married.

Is this the mid-season finale? I read that in the Wall Street Journal, but I was under the impression that we would get 8 episodes before the break.

Game of Thrones is definitely binge-able since they have to leave out a lot of the book detail to fit it into 10-episode seasons, so it's very much about plot. However, the books on which they are based (A Song of Ice and Fire) are so intricate and the clues are hidden, so you really have to read and re-read to catch everything.

I think it's perfectly fair to find the show boring--don't be ashamed about your minority opinion. I am often a plot person and I don't typically read for detailed descriptions and characterization. However, in this case, I am really enjoying learning about the characters and the history through the way each scene unfolds. Even if a scene may not have a clear plot-driving purpose when I first watch it, I end up finding something that I can learn from it and links to another scene in a different episode. The attention to detail by the creators enables me to really analyze what's happening and theorize about the future, which I love (as evidenced by the obscene number of postings I've made on this forum). If you think you can enjoy it in the same way, great. If not, you might actually enjoy it more as a binge-watch later so you can enjoy the plot quickly. There's nothing wrong with that approach!

Is this the guy in that little short movie they posted to encourage watching on mobile devices? http://outlander.timewarnercable.com/ It's hard to tell because you can't really see the guy's face. It would be nice if they gave him some clips to "star" in himself.

I believe you just tipped the scales. I wasn't sure if I should read the books now or wait, but that line is AWESOME, so I think I'm going to have to read it during the hiatus so I don't miss out on the details they cannot include.

It's nice to see her have actual skill gaps. If I had been transported to that period, I'd have no skills to survive and would have been killed off by the Redcoats halfway through episode 1!

At the beginning of the episode, she had been there for approx. 3-4 weeks so I'm not sure how much she can have picked up. It seems like her days were mostly confined to the surgery. Mind=blown!

Perhaps I misunderstood the rabbit thing, but I thought there was no meat on it and it was a joke that they gave her the leftover bones. I've never seen a rabbit in that state or had meat fresh from a hunt, so I could be very mistaken. :) Regarding Jamie, my assumption was that there was an unspoken line in his head: "I promised that you would be safe as long as I was around, but you're not making it easy for me to protect you, lass!" And Murtagh is the one who originally rescued Claire from Blackjack (for which she's never really thanked him, I believe), so I imagine he's a little frustrated and annoyed with her behavior. However, more than anyone else, he sees the connection between Jamie and Claire, so he makes sure to educate her, rather than just giving up on her.

I didn't see Jamie as being a jerk. He repeatedly makes efforts to come and talk to Claire and in this and previous episodes. However, he cannot spend 100% of his time with her. He needs to continue to bond with the men or he'll lose the relationship/influence he has built with them. Also, if he is seen as always hanging around with Claire, people will start to notice and talk, and in that period the talk could hurt Claire's reputation.

I agree with your comments that it's unlikely that the random redcoat would recognize Jamie. However, more importantly (I think), Claire could have been in real danger from Dougal and Co. at that moment, given the argument they were having. I cannot see Jamie running off to save himself and not being available to intervene on her behalf if it became necessary.

I've been wondering if the timing of the airing of this show is entirely coincidental. I read somewhere that it's not being aired in the UK... Can someone confirm that, please? ************* Other musings... I like how Jamie has never been afraid to correct Claire when she's behaving badly. He escorted her out of the concert when she was drunk, was very direct with her regarding the fact that she's hiding info and clearly still thinking about bolting, and then he called her on her foolhardy argument with Angus. Do we know what the age difference is between Claire and Jamie? If it's not spoilery, can someone share their ages? I also like the fact that whenever there's been an especially sexual tension-filled moment between them, they revert to the formal Mr. McTavish and Mistress Beauchamp (I think that's how they spell it), instead of their first names or Sassenach. I also noticed that Jamie called her "woman" instead of "lassie" when he was angry with her. These differences are well planned. Random question: Why is Claire sleeping in the room fully dressed? That seems uncomfortable. I get that she has to do that when sleeping out with the guys, but you think she'd take the opportunity to remove some of those tight clothes when she has a private room....Of course, if Jamie had seen her not fully dressed, he would have probably dropped dead from embarrassment! A lot has changed since that first day when they found her in her "shift". I wonder how much of Dougal's tearing of Jamie's shirt was designed for dramatics vs. a desire to portray Jamie as a victim and diminish him in the eyes of the tenants of MacKenzie lands. He takes every opportunity to put Jamie down and this seems no different. He was also very willing for Jamie to go around in rags (another humiliation) in retaliation for Claire's defiance in refusing the mend the shirt. BTW, it annoyed me a little that Claire in her anger at Dougal's actions, did not just take the opportunity to do Jamie a favor. Was she annoyed that Jamie wasn't taking her side during the Dougal/Angus arguments? I've been a little critical of Claire's behavior in this episode. However, I have to say that Dougal and company should not have been surprised that Claire assumed they were doing something bad when they deliberately spoke in Gaelic so that Claire could not understand them and they behaved suspiciously (2 bags of money, displaying Jamie's scars, etc.). I know that I've been in situations when I suspected that people speaking in a foreign language were talking about me and it made me uncomfortable. I also am very careful to speak the common language when I am in the company of people of multiple nationalities to avoid that issue. It did make me wonder even more why Dougal brought Claire along. Surely, bringing a "spy" along when collecting money for the rebellion was especially foolish. Options include: 1) He wanted to prevent her from becoming friendly with Colum in his absence, 2) He wanted to get to know her better himself, 3) He sees that Jamie likes her and sees her as a way to control Jamie, or 4) he really did think there may be a need for a healer along the way (maybe some sick tenants) And finally, I'm glad to now realize why she traveled back to the year that she did. I though it odd that she did not go back exactly 200 years. Of course, it makes sense for it to be a few years before the major battle because it would allow her the ability to be there for a while.

My first reaction was that he was the English version of Jamie. He's he only one chivalrous enough to stand up for Claire. However, sensible enough to know that he was outnumbered and that getting killed would be of no help to a lady in distressed. He picked his battle, got reinforcements, and came after her to help her again. On a side note, it's starting to be comical how many times they show Jamie with his shirt off. It's almost like they have a Jamie shirtless quota the way other shows have a naked woman quota (I'm talking to you, Game of Thrones). I'm not complaining, but I don't recall any other actor in the show being seen that way for any purpose.

Loved this episode! My first reactions: Claire should be a little more careful about alcohol. She's seems to get loose-lipped when she's drinking and that will get her into trouble. Claire can learn something from Geillis and Jamie about tact. I was remembering the skillful way that Geillis manipulated her husband regarding the tanner's boy's punishment. Also, Jamie, despite being young, has shown the ability to defuse tense situations at the Gathering and when Angus was coming after Claire. Claire tends to be very direct and open with her comments and concerns. I really wonder if she would have been more successful regarding returning the goat to the family with the baby if she had approached Dougal privately and explained their plight. (He subsequently showed some compassion for the family that had lost everything to redcoats.) Instead, she openly challenged him and left him and Angus no option but to stand their ground. I also think she can spend more time observing and learning vs. voicing her opinion. I think that this is the flip side of the stubbornness that Frank found so attractive. I really liked that fact that Jamie is protective of Claire, but is also careful not to appear too much Team Claire in front of the MacKenzies. I thought that was very realistic vs. his openly defying Dougal to support her. Loved, loved, loved him sleeping outside her door! :) I especially thought it was a good tie to the previous episodes when a couple attacks were made on her. A very swoon-worthy moment! Is it just me, or did Jamie seem really young in this episode vs. the others. 1) He looked younger and 2) his embarrassment at the idea of sleeping in her room was adorable. Most of the other men would assume from all the flirting that Claire has done over the past few episodes and the invitation to sleep in her room that she was inviting him to do something more! He seemed genuinely confused at the prospect and concerned about her reputation, even though he ended with a trademark Jamie smoldering look, almost like he regretted not taking her up on the offer. I really liked that the men defended Claire, and especially that Jamie was not the one to start it but that Angus was. Was I the only one who thought that she should have me more open with her thanks? I was expecting her to give Angus a kiss on the cheek and was a little disappointed that she didn't. I guess that her teasing of Rupert accomplished the same thing... I do like the fact Murtagh was the one (once again) who told her of her role in the fight. He's doing her a favor by not hiding truths from her. I do also like the fact that there are now more young men in the Highlands (Willie and the Redcoat). It seemed strange that Jamie was the only young and handsome man around. I really enjoyed the historical ties, but it made me feel sad to know that the end of the clans was so near. I do think that this episode marks the beginning of empathy that Claire has for them. I enjoyed her conversation with the lawyer (whose name I didn't catch) and her efforts to save them from a failed rebellion.

Jamie definitely lives up to his family motto, "Je suis prest", and I think when he spoke those words to Claire, he had already decided what he was going to do. He even told her to find a place in the hall so she could get a view for his performance. Show off! ;) I certainly look forward to learning more about him. In some ways, he's just as mysterious as Claire, because he doesn't share a lot of what he's thinking.

Dude, based on the comments in the earlier part of this thread, prepare to be slammed! :) I think that part of the reason for including so many rapey moments in the story is to make it clear why Claire is so anxious to leave this world. In addition to returning to the husband she loves, she is trying to escape a world where women have few choices, are 2nd-class citizens and in danger of sexual assault. Otherwise, it would be easy for viewers to think that she should stay and make the best of her new life. (This is especially true since there is so much chemistry between Claire and Jamie that it can make viewers forget about Frank.) Perhaps it could be more subtle, but I think the show's creators want the threats to be real and constant.

Regarding the repeated threats of rape, it seems that women who are non-traditional tend to be threatened with that a lot in literature (and maybe even real life). For example, in Game of Thrones/ A Song of Ice and Fire, Brienne is constantly threatened with punishment by rape for wanted to be a knight. Claire is a stranger and very unusual (walks about on her own, acts differently, swears a lot), so perhaps the men think she is an easier target than Geillis (who is married to a prominent man or Laoghaire (who is a MacKenzie daughter). ************************* Regarding Claire's annoyance with hunting, I assumed that she was irritable about her escape being thwarted. They could have been going to pick apples in an orchard and that would have irritated her. Also, I think she empathizes with the boars because she feels "hunted" and "trapped" herself. I think it's no coincidence that she plays "the boar" in the game with the children at the start of the episode.

Based on my rewatch, I really don't think that Dougal intended to have sex with Claire against her will. I thought the conversation with dying Geordie suggested that he's fairly used to women willingly jumping into bed with him. It seems reasonable that he would assume Claire would be the same. When she indicated by slapping him that she was not, he backed off immediately. On a side note, in the Castle Leoch episode, there is some awkwardness around Claire's mistaken assumption that Hamish is Dougal's son. To me, that immediately suggested that Dougal may have had an affair with Colum's wife and there was some chance that Hamish was indeed his son. If true, it lends further credence to the idea that Dougal is a babe-magnet and used to women willingly having sex with him. I could be off-base, but... Regarding the rape culture, I get the impression that the men are used to having sex when they want, especially with a lower-class girl--but it's expected to be consensual. (They do seem terribly comfortable with joking about rape, as in when Claire first met Dougal's men and they suggested that they could have sex with her to determine whether or not she is a whore.) Note that neither Rupert nor Angus has any doubt that he will be "getting some" that evening. I believe it's the same set of drunk men who attacked Claire both times (correct me if I am wrong) and I think it's related to the large quantities of alcohol consumed, as opposed to a belief that their behavior will be considered acceptable. However, it appears that the rules are different with the upper-class girls. Laoghaire is a MacKenzie, and if Jamie is caught messing with her, he will be forced to marry her. On an unrelated note, was I the only one who heard the music after Jamie's non-oath and hoped he would dance with Claire?

Exactly. She was very kind to the man who actually was dying...