The Small Fries

...say could that lass be I?

We were left back in September with James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser in the window of Black Jack Randall asking to take his hands of his wife, Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser, at gun point. In case you forgot, Claire had been captured by BJR’s men when she was making her way back to Craig na Dune, so she could pass through the stones back to her own time and to her husband Frank Randall.

Caitriona Balfe and Tobias Menzies as Claire Randall and Frank Randall

For those of you just tuning in, here’s the Sparknotes version of this amazing show:

 Outlander is a Starz primetime show based off the popular book series by Diana Gabaldon. It centers around Claire Randall who travels to Scotland with her husband, Frank, for a second honeymoon after the end of World War II. She falls/travels through the stones at Craig na Dune – which resembles a mini Stonehenge – and lands in 1746 Scotland, just before the Jacobite Rising. Here she befriends suspected Scottish rebels from the Clan MacKenzie. With them is the dashing young Scot, Jamie Fraser, a man with a price on his head. They help to hide her from her husband’s ancestor, the ruthless Captain Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall. This leads to Claire’s arranged marriage to Jamie and a very sexy wedding scene.

Sam Heughan as James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Jamie Fraser)

Claire, however, desperately wants to get back to her husband, Frank. When she makes a break for it, she finds herself captured by Black Jack. This is where the mid-season finale left us. The struggle has been so real as we have all suffered from what the fandom has dubbed this long period as “Droughtlander.” It left us with so many unanswered questions: What will Black Jack do to Claire? Is Jamie going to save her? What will Jamie say when he realizes Claire didn’t listen to him? Is Claire going to survive Randall? As a book reader, I know what to expect. I just couldn’t wait to have more JAMMF back into my life.

Claire and Jamie on their wedding night

Not only am I in love with the characters in the books, but I am in love with the casting for the show. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are the closest thing to the perfect Claire and Jamie. Tobias Menzies even does an amazing job portraying both Black Jack and Frank. His characters are polar opposites, and their portrayals show just how talented Menzies really is. Both Julie and I agree that the casting for this show is nearly spot on. We both pictured Dougal and Colum MacKenzie to be slightly younger in the books, but Graham McTavish and Gary Lewis, respectively, do a fantastic job portraying such brooding characters. McTavish doesn’t give off the same vibe of being the creepy uncle that I felt in the book. He does every so often each time he goes after Claire (ew!). Don’t worry, those few scenes make up for how creepy he actually is in the book. I guess the only major problem I have is with Laoghaire, but that may be from my complete hatred for the character. Nell Hudson does a fine job playing this young “lassie.” Needless to say, this show is a very refreshing book to screen adaptation, and I am not the only one who thinks so.

Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie

The mid-season premier, titled “The Reckoning,” is told from our dear Jamie’s perspective. I absolutely loved hearing Jamie’s thoughts, easily making this one of my favorite episodes of the season. We already know Claire is being held captive by Black Jack, but how exactly did Jamie find out.

Tobias Menzies as Captain Black Jack Randall holding Claire hostage

Last season we learn that Jamie could possibly clear his name as a wanted man, thanks to a man named Horrocks. Jamie orders Claire to stay behind, in case the meeting takes a wrong turn. Here is where our episode begins. When Jamie learns that BJR is the only witness to his alleged crime, he realizes he will never be able to clear his name. Here, Jamie also learns Claire has been taken by English soldiers. He, of course, rushes to Fort William to rescue her.

Jamie to the rescue!

BJR is overjoyed to see an armed Jamie there to claim his wife. He threatens to slit her throat if Jamie does not put his gun down and watch him rape Claire. Randall quickly grabs the gun and fires it at him, only to learn too late that the gun wasn’t loaded. This leads to a struggle and Jamie rendering Randall unconscious. Honestly, Jamie should have killed him. He is going to regret it later, trust me.

A scene from earlier this season. Black Jack flogging Jamie

Claire and Jamie successfully escape the fort and make a break for the forest with the rest of the troupe. This leads to the newlywed’s first fight. Jamie is looking for an apology from Claire, who claims she did nothing wrong. Eventually it leads to Jamie breaking down and confessing to her that he risked his life to save her with nothing but a blank gun. Jamie shows her how truly helpless he felt when Randall was on the verge of raping her before his eyes. Claire begs for Jamie’s forgiveness, but Jamie’s narrative tells us, “the truth is, I’d forgiven everything she’d done and everything she could do long before that day. For me there was no choice. That was falling in love.” *cue sobbing fangirls everywhere.*

Jamie and Claire's first fight

Seriously, how do you continue the episode on from that? The writers were able to find a way. As they continue on their journey to Castle Leoch, we notice the men ignoring Claire. She put all of them in danger, and they refuse to have anything to do with her until she fully understood. Jamie then realizes what he must do.

The following scene is a very controversial one and is highly anticipated by many readers. Jamie intends to punish Claire by spanking her. You read it right. He’s going to spank her. The scene in this show is much more comical in the book, to be completely honest, as Claire and Jamie play cat and mouse. As you can guess, our Sassenach does not wish to be spanked by our Highlander. She does put up a good fight, throwing dishes and kicking Jamie in the face, but she finally loses to him and is punished for her disobedience. Jamie tries to explain to Claire this is what is expected of Scottish women, and this is what has to be done. This causes an obvious rift between the pair.

Claire avoiding her punishment

The troupe finally make is back to Leoch, where our Laird Colum MacKenzie is most unwelcoming. He is upset with Jamie for marrying Claire. Since he has married a Sassenach, the rest of the clan will not support Jamie as Colum’s successor. Colum is not only furious with Jamie but with Dougal, as well. Dougal had been collecting money for the Jacobite cause, which is a treacherous act against the crown. Colum wants the clan to have no part in the support of Bonny Prince Charlie.

Gary Lewis as Laird Colum MacKenzie

Tensions are now high at Castle Leoch. Claire wants nothing to do with Jamie; Colum and Dougal are on the verge of a clan war; Laoghaire is heartbroken over Jamie’s marriage (She’s sixteen. I’m sure she’ll be fine).

Nell Hudson as Laoghaire

Jamie finally manages to convince Colum to give Dougal back the Jacobite money to spare the clan a civil war. With one problem resolved, Jamie gains another. The young “lassie,” Laoghaire, is hopelessly in love with Jamie. I actually can’t blame her for that, but that doesn’t excuse her behavior! She follows him to a creek and tries seducing him and stealing him from Claire. This little... “lassie” had me fuming the entire episode, especially since I know what is to come. Jamie rejects the little “lassie’s” advances and quickly returns to Claire.

Laoghaire following Jamie to confess her love for him

Jamie finally explains to his wife that he understands the normal way of Scottish life may not apply to their marriage. To prove to her he is sincere, he kneels before her and vows his fealty and loyalty on pain of death. When Claire doesn’t accept his vow, Jamie believes she no longer wants him. I wanted to shake her and say “what is wrong with you woman? The man is on his knees begging you!” Obviously she heard me, because Claire says she does want Jamie. Our newlyweds relieve the ridiculous amount of sexual tension in the air right there on the floor, and just as I think to myself “HALLELUJAH!” Claire holds a knife to Jamie’s throat and threatens, “If you ever raise a hand to me again, James Fraser, I will cut your heart out.” With that being said, our lovers FINALLY make up in a scene so steamy I guarantee it will cause your screen to fog.

However, just when we think their troubles are over, Claire finds an “ill-will” under their bed. Jamie says this is something someone makes to wish bad luck, harm, or death on someone. He doesn’t have to say it, but I know he automatically assumes that Laoghaire – that cute little “lassie” she is – placed it there.

Claire accepting Jamie's vows

The end of this episode has left me wanting more. Luckily I can go back and rewatch it again and again. I am pleased with it, much like I am for the rest of the show. So far this season has been very accurate compared to the book, with a few very welcomed changes. In the books we do not see much of Frank Randall and how distraught he is that his wife is missing. In the show, we learn more about his story and his search for Claire. Julie and I both agree that this makes it easier to feel sorry for Frank. He is clearly in love with his wife and wants nothing more than to have her home.

In “The Reckoning,” there are several changes and additions to the story that work. These changes have given us a deeper look into our favorite and least favorite characters. Colum does not find out about the Jacobite gold in the book, but the scene between him and Jamie shows the viewers that Jamie has such great potential to be an amazing leader and diplomat. That might come in handy in the next book, who knows...

Jamie and Claire

On top of these changes, there are several events that Julie and I can’t wait to see: the inevitable return to Lallybroch and the witch trial. I won’t say any more about these events for fear of spoiling the season for you.

This episode has definitely quenched my Outlander thirst for now. It was nice to sit down and watch a new episode again, and getting an episode where James Fraser is the centerpiece is a fantastic added bonus I think the writers should consider doing more often. If the rest of this season is as good as it has been, we are headed for some amorous and action packed episodes!

Watch Outlander every Saturday at 9ET on Starz!

Check out the book series at your local book store!

--Kasey