Want a minute-by-minute recap of Outlander Season 3 episode 5, “Freedom & Whisky” We give all the details….
Do you find yourself gabbing obsessively about Outlander to your friends and family? Wishing your Sunday nights included a living room full of people with whom to watch, discuss, comment, cheers, jeers and well, experience alllllll the feels? Dinna fash, Obsessenach—you are not alone.
Good news—we can get new family and friends pour ourselves a dram and, through the magic of technology, enjoy it together! As we brought to you during Season 2, we’ll be LIVE blogging all the episodes in Season 3. Like the Outlander Cast podcast, it will be SPOILER FREE for non-book readers.
Not into distractions during your visit to the World of Outlander? That’s okay! Our LIVE blogs double as episodic recaps to serve as a trusty viewing companion on your second, third and umpteenth re-watches (hey, we get it).
So get all your post-18th Century gadgets ready and settle in, because the best things in life should be shared with a buddy. Hi, buddy.
Now let the show begin…
[8:03 p.m.] Weekly title card riddle: One could argue that Brianna’s 1st Christmas might have a fresh meaning this year given that it’s her first Christmas knowing the truth.
[8:04 p.m.] Great to see Claire in her element and on screen with Dr. Joe, who has had so little screen time thus far this season but who plays a largely important role in Claire’s world.
[8:05 p.m.] “Let’s pack her.” For 18th century Scotland? I concur, Doctor. STAT.
[8:07 p.m.] What’s changed might be the most loaded question ever asked. Everything, Professor, EVERYTHING.
[8:09 p.m.] While there are few among us still shedding tears for Frank, I needed this scene to remind me that it’s not just about us or about Claire’s all-consuming love for Jamie. It’s also about Brianna, who lost her father and will be spending her first Christmas without him amidst a complete identity crisis.
[8:11 p.m.] “FUCK FATE.” – Dr. Joe, taking an early lead in the race for my favorite quote of this episode.
[8:12 p.m.] Because we’ve established how I love music, this is “Show Me a Man” by Joe Tex. May we always welcome Roger the edible scholar onscreen with a toe-tapping ditty. That would be either the most daft thing the producers could do, or the most brilliant.
[8:13 p.m.] Impeccable timing, Roger. No really, IMPECCABLE. I’d say you’re family now – climb into the unfiltered chaos.
[8:14 p.m.] “I need a break” – said no Outlander fan ever, with regard to the two-week hiatus we’re about to endure.
[8:15 p.m.] “Until she grew out of it… or maybe Frank and I did.” Claire darling, I’d say put it on your tab. You grew out of just about everything when it came to Frank, except your shared love and devotion for Bree.
[8:16 p.m.] I just want to take a moment to praise the work of Jon Gary Steele and team for the Boston brownstone interiors. Between the rich woods and textures, crackling fire sounds and warm lighting, I’m getting a TV contact high on the delicious aroma of books, wool, cloves and whisky.
[8:17 p.m.] May we all experience something in life that brings us such an elated shock that we make our own Claire “I found him” face.
[8:18 p.m.] For those intrigued by the significance of this Robert Burns poem on which the title – “Freedom & Whisky” – is based, we’re publishing a blog post this week by the talented Anne Gavin, digging deeper into its history and significance here. Stay tuned!
[8:19 p.m.] Printed by Alexander Malcolm. Is anyone else’s heart palpitating out of their chest? Of course it is. To the beat of their theme in the background, no less. Just to completely do you in.
[8:20 p.m.] Claire weighing her parental instincts over her life’s greatest happiness is more than I can bear. It’s not just leaving home to reunite with her partner; it’s leaving time to do so. Gasp.
[8:21 p.m.] Roger’s all, “I’ll just leave these right here, just in case. You can clutch them in one hand, pearls in the other while continuing to ponder #ImpossibleChoices.”
[8:22 p.m.] It’s the Master Raymond theme! Without spoiling, let me just say that this scene was included for its applicable, later use in a “previously on Outlander” opening. And so my co-editor Janet Reynolds can squeal in satisfied delight.
[8:23 p.m.] “They tell all… now what aren’t you telling me about your main in Scotland?” – Joe logging the oddest segue ever, but we’ll take it to get this moving along.
[8:24 p.m.] Interrupting this incredibly important “that’s what friends are for” moment to do a little online shopping in a hunt for Claire’s dress. LOVE.
[8:25 p.m.] Just when I’d given up hope for a turtlenecked Roger this episode – phew. And now that his Scottish accent has muttered a love for daytime TV, lobster rolls and Boston cream pies, I get Anne Gavin’s wish to roll around naked in every one of Roger’s turtlenecks. And tweedy coats. Me next, me next!
[8:27 p.m.] I’m absorbing the enormity of what this dialogue means, how deeper it goes, how it’s propelling the character development forward. And yet, I’m fixated on a need for Bree to get some face-framing layers. I get it, it’s the 1960s, but that hair…
[8:28 p.m.] Those two just rambled more words under those arches than we’ve heard from Jamie in 20 years.
[8:29 p.m.] Oh SNAP! Welcome back, Sandy Candy! And by welcome back, I mean – MOVING ON.
[8:31 p.m.] Excuse me, waiter – I believe there’s been a mix-up. I didn’t order a side of Sandy Candy’s grief-fueled guilt. Please take it off my bill. And this episode, ASAP. For the limited exposition we get in these episodes, I don’t need this. Thank you kindly.
[8:33 p.m.] If you’ve experienced the life-changing joy of becoming a parent – no matter how it came to pass – then I imagine Claire’s note about holding her baby for the first time, nursing her, etc. has left you in the same weepy, knowing state as me.
[8:34 p.m] Annnnd, the weepy turns to ugly girl whimpering at the “I love you but I don’t need you…. Not the way I did when I was little” admission. In raising a child, this is what every parent strives for, and dreads… in equal proportions.
[8:35 p.m.] Joe Abernathy is to Claire as Morgan Freeman’s Red was to Tim Robbins’ Andy in The Shawshank Redemption – that trusted pal who always spews quotable wisdom via a distinct, measured voice.
[8:36 p.m.] “White Roses of Scotland” is one of my favorite Bear McCreary tracks from the Outlander Season 2 soundtrack.
[8:38 p.m.] “You gave Jamie up for me, now I have to give him back to you.” – Bree now out in front for my favorite line of the night, and also doing her level best to diminish Claire’s #ImpossibleChoices.
[8:39 p.m.] “You’re a skinny white broad with too much hair but a great ass. He’ll be in heaven when he sees you, Lady Jane.” Nope, Joe’s back in the lead. Dear God, may we all have a friend like Joe at our side as we age gracefully.
[8:40 p.m.] Is too early to put up Christmas decorations? Asking for a friend. This episode is putting said friend in the holiday spirit.
[8:41 p.m.] Dinna fash – all our time-traveling packing woes will be solved in a new blog post from the hilarious Nikki Gastineau. Stay tuned!
[8:42 p.m] That damn Singer and the distracting, hokey inclusion of this Batman theme are all that stand between us and this frigging reunion – sew Claire, sew like the wind!
[8:44 p.m.] Girl, I’d prioritize my roots too. But if she’s worried about a long-term plan for grays, Claire better bring her pal Clairol in one of those pockets.
[8:46 p.m.] Keys to the kingdom, bank accounts, final instructions… this is so much adulting for a 20-YEAR OLD. (Thank you, Bruce, for correcting my goof on her age!)
[8:48 p.m.] Ahh, I see Roger subscribes to the same pre-flight protocol as Nikki: a wee nip before the road. Make it a double if that “road” involves long stints in a commercial airliner.
[8:49 p.m.] Between their freedom-and-whisky toast and their theme building to a crescendo in the background… I might pass out before she ever steps foot on The Royal Mile. Legit.
[8:51 p.m.] Well played, Rodge. And that longing stare – swoon! In love, we should all strive to be on the receiving end of The Dickens Glare.
[8:52 p.m.] YESSSSSSSSSS! Be still my hyperventilating heart, that was a PERFECT transition. Like the outstretched hands in the Season 2 opener, the poetic use of puddles was a smart way to show the passage of time. We know about the stones. We’ve been there. We get it. We don’t need them here. Brilliant choice!
[8:53 p.m.] Pass the paper bag, STAT! I canna breathe. I canna breathe. I canna breathe. THIS IS HAPPENING.
[8:54 p.m.] Fondle the sign, but then keep moving. There are much better options inside for fondling.
[8:55 p.m.] And I thought hearing Murtagh’s voice from around the corner in that prison did me in………………………..
[8:57 p.m.] I’m assuming our collective reaction mirrored Jamie’s, no? Still struggling for air, grasping the wine like it’s oxygen.
[9:00 p.m.] Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, those last 10 minutes did me in! I long suspected that they were going to cut the episode off at the ding of that doorbell, and I’ve never been more satisfied to be so wrong. Because while waiting two weeks to see more should be punishable by flogging, they gave us just enough. Just enough to whet our anticipation. Just enough to satiate our palate for what’s to come. Just enough to know what Claire was feeling, to experience in real-time what Jamie was feeling. As a TV watcher, you might be wondering how did Jamie end up a printer? Why Edinburgh? What’d we miss? Let me assure you, who cares. It doesn’t matter. In the way that “Of Lost Things” was for Jamie, we needed this episode for Claire. And I LOVE that we, like, Claire had to experience the heart-stopping anticipation in waiting until the final moments to lay eyes on Jamie. And now we all take up the duty of basically talking about nothing but this extended episode (let’s just call it, “The Wedding 2.0”) for the next two weeks until it airs. You can thank the programming powers that be for that one, family.
Thank you, friends, as always for joining me. And like I always say, my husband thanks you too, as I’ve found an appropriate place for my episodic outbursts. If you’ve missed any of our episode recaps, you can spend the next two weeks re-watching to your heart’s content and catching up with them here:
Episode 3.01: “The Battle Joined“
Episode 3.02: “Surrender“
Episode 3.03: “All Debts Paid“
Episode 3.04: “Of Lost Things“
I’m here, with tissues and Macallan??
That’s my girl.
how do we see the comments?
I can see you… can you see me? Hehehe
Ellen C, I think we have to periodically refresh our screens.
Yes, just keep refreshing ladies…both your browser and that glass of whisky.
Sound advice. Rinse and repeat.
On my second dram!
ALL the jewel tones, Claire??
I need this in Facebook live format. Nobody else in my house shares my feeling about this — so it would b great to ‘watch’ with a friend. Or a bunch of friends!
We’re here for you, Heather. Gab along with us! And Mary & Blake record their weekly recap episodes for the Outlander Cast podcast live on facebook.
Dark Shadows??
Karen, did you notice the dialogue from Dark Shadows? If not, go back and have a listen.
Ohhh, thanks, Glenn! I’m going to do the same.
Oh, chills! Put the CC on to get it all. “She was desperate to be reunited with him!” Would love to know how that particular Easter egg was hatched. Thanks so much!!
Ugh, Candy 🙁
I think Sandy’s character helps flush out Frank. Disassociated grief – here this poor girl ( and we started with her as a college student) loves a man for 15 years, and he loves her, but not as much as he loves his daughter. She blames Claire, which is way easier than blaming Frank who right at the point her (Sandy’s) whole life is finally going to be real. has the bad timing to get in a snit and crash his car, she cannot publicly grieve and Claire, who practically killed Frank herself (in Sandy’s POV) gets to “play” grieving widow. Plus she got a professional dressing down in front of Claire, when she should have been the one getting to bask in Frank’s reflected glory. The show Frank is a bit more likeable because we are not only in Claire’s POV. He had the bad grace to have a relationship, rather than just screw around. It is much easier to dislike him if he is cheap. I like Sandy. I like what she mirrors in Claire’s character. Don’t get me wrong, I love Claire, but sometimes, even most of the time – she is a self centered bitch.
Kari – completely agree with all you’ve said. My issue is that we have 13+ hours only to fit this whole book in. So we get this scene with Candy to illustrate Frank’s (who is already gone) plight, likely instead of something else that might be more preferential. If we had unlimited time to develop these characters, by all means. But for me, no thank you.
Was I the only one who wished Claire had sad (in a very lady-like way, of course) that “I offered him a divorce that night after you ruined my med school graduation and HE SAID NO.
Sorry. rant over. Loved everything else about this episode.
Yes!!! Sandy said Claire wouldn’t let him go, but it was his choice to stay.
YES, Janet! That would have been awesome. Just as you put it, then swig her drink and walk off. MIC DROP.
Just a minor note: Bree is 20 in this episode (born Nov 48, now Dec 68), not 18. However I would have preferred the book scenario where Claire tells Joe the truth and has him be the guardian for a year until Bree turns 21. Joe has been shortchanged in screen time and importance which is unfortunate for future seasons.
Thank you, Bruce! I updated it and gave you full credit. I agree completely with you on how Joe’s time has been short-changed… which is why giving an extra scene to Sandy-Candy is a nauseating choice for me.
I’ve expressed my appreciation for Claire’s beauty more than once in this blog and I’m compelled to do so once again. The last scene, in the Print Shop, after Claire says “It isn’t Jordy, it’s me, Claire”. Jamie slowly turns around and looks up at Claire and the emotions on Claire’s face are so lovely I can’t find the words to properly express my feelings. It looks like her emotions have welled up and her joy is smiling and she’s trying to catch her breath and she’s nervous and more all rolled up together. Beautiful, Just beautiful. I stated here before the thing I find most attractive in a woman is here smile and the smile Claire had in that scene is what I meant.
Yes! My husband said she looked like an angel. <3
Glenn! I posted a reply to you that apparently never posted. Tech don’t fail me now…
It’s so good to see you on here commenting! Your guest post for the blog still ranks as one of my favorite we’ve ever published because it’s so refreshing to hear a man’s perspective on this show, these characters, etc. We females gab ad nausem about it, so I’m glad you’ll jump in here to weigh in! And everything you said, you said beautifully. I’ve re-watched that scene a few times already, if only to see how her face emits light and emotion in her changing expressions in those few seconds. Breathtaking! Clearly… the man passed out.
OMGGGG I enjoyed this so much! You note fave lines in the show. My fave line of the recap so far “[8:54 p.m.] Fondle the sign, but then keep moving. There are much better options inside for fondling.” I was thinking the exact same thing!!!!
Hahaha, thanks Matilde! I’m glad my mind wasn’t the only one thinking in better places. I can’t thank you enough for reading… please come back for future episodes!
Hi ladies!
Ashley, I just loved your posts. I so agree, and I am so grateful that everyone is so supportive of my Outlander obsession.
It is so cruel of STARZ to make us wait two whole weeks! Oh I’m dying. I’ll just have to watch The Wedding again, I think.
Oh I really liked last night’s episode. I felt so sorry for Bree going through pictures of Frank, and then HATED seeing Sandy/Candy the Homewrecker.
I so agree with the rest of you, Claire should have definitely said something to the woman that Frank refused to leave.
Loved Dr. Joe and loved, loved, loved seeing Roger again!
Was it me or did anyone else think it was awful of Bree to leave the second Roger walked in the door? After all, he made the trip all the way to Boston. His feelings for her had to have factored in it.
Loved the fact that he was lonely and wanted to spend Christmas with the Randall’s. It was sweet how he wanted to share it with them. I had a kick of him wanting Lobster Rolls, I just love them!
Roger’s characterization is so adorable: he is funny and quirky and intelligent, and he is willing to get involved in the bedlam that is Bree and Claire. Oh boy, what a keeper!
Thanks so much for sharing, Ashley.
Dawn,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback and for taking the time to comment! Forget me… I loved reading what YOU wrote! No, it wasn’t just you… I had the same reaction as you… “thanks for flying across the Atlantic, BYE.” Especially since, to your point, he needed some Christmas warm fuzzies from the Randall women. That was adorable and put me completely in the holiday spirit. While Roger/Rik has warmed himself to me instantly, it’s a slow burn to find my love for Bree/Sophie. I love seeing Sophie interviewed, but jury is out for me in the show. It might not be her fault; Book Bree isn’t my favorite either. 🙂
Please keep reading and commenting – much appreciated!
Cheers,
Ashley
Love reading these! Which time zone do you do the live blow by blow of the episode? You were right, did not need the scene with Sandy. Would have preferred more Joe time.
Again love your reviews Ashley,loved all eps so far,but only liked this,as I like Jamie & Claire together more,KARI I so agree with you on Claire being selfish at lots of times.This is the only blog I ever comment as this just all OL,of course the ending was brilliant!
Suzanne, I agree the ending was brilliant. Those tricksters had us going with the music in crescendo as Clair was opening the print shop door … didn’t we all think Episode-5 would end there. I’m glad they didn’t stop there, especially with a 2-week hiatus, they let us see Claire and Jaime seeing each other for the first time in 20 years. It almost seems like 20 years to us fans since we last saw J&C together. But finally … and can I get an amen to that!
Just a small detail but it is driving me crazy…does anyone know why Dr. Joe calls Claire Lady Jane? at least I think he is saying Jane. Just his “pet name” for her?
In the book they initially meet in the room where med students and doctors relax in between work etc. There are a bunch of romance novels there. Claire picks one up and starts laughing, but Joe admits he’s read them too…..and so a friendship is born and he calls her Lady Jane after that to reference the romance novel beginnings of their friendship.
Thanks for asking that Susan, I was wondering too.
Thanks so much for the reply Janet! I thought it was so lovely that Dr. Joe calls Claire Lady Jane.
My first thought was Jane Eyre and then a movie Lady Jane about Lady Jane Grey who was queen of England for only 9 days.
I actually really liked that movie.
In either case I love the fact that Dr. Joe realizes that Claire is a romantic underneath her rational exterior.
I can see that in her choice of books, it was a subconscious choice for Claire to access her romantic side–a side she is suppressing in her 20th century life.
By the way, thanks so much for your sweet compliments on my earlier post, Ashley!
As always love your minute by minute blog. Always mskes me chuckle.