Want to relive Outlander Season 4 Episode 9? We do a minute-by-minute reaction to “The Birds & The Bees.”
[8:00 p.m.] I’ve forgotten many things in the past week – for example, the color of fresh vegetables and the health benefits of eating them – but the sequence of events in the last episode is not one of those things. No need for the replay this week. It’s still pretty vivid.
[8:02 p.m.] Sunshine. Birds and the bees. Music reminiscent of the Country Bears Jamboree. Did we fall through the stones and onto Main Street in the Magic Kingdom?
[8:03 p.m.] That banjo plucking carefree little ditty did not transition well into this scene. While this wasn’t a true cold open (jumping directly into the show before the opening credit sequence appears), it sure as hell felt like dumping a bucket of ice water over a nervous system still in overdrive from last week.
[8:04 p.m.] SOMEONE CALL CAPT. OLIVIA BENSON ASAP. This is far too Law & Order SVU for me. Bree’s body was treasured and worshiped before it was torn apart and casually dismissed – all in the span of a few hours.
[8:05 p.m.] “Did he hurt you?” I can’t tell if Lizzie’s question is rhetorical or if she’s really that naive and oblivious? I think the former. We’ve all been the person that asks “are you okay?” in the aftermath of someone’s loss or trauma. We know they’re not… we just don’t know what to say, but we offer anything we can in solace.
[8:06 p.m.] Gee, Roger. Mildly lovely to see you. Would’ve been lovelier had you shown up last night or, I don’t know, NEVER LEFT AT ALL. There’s a reason the phrase “never go to bed angry” caught on like it did.
[8:07 p.m.] I thought I’d logged meticulous inventory of the creepiest things we’d seen Steven Bonnet do. As it turns out, I left off eating. Sorry, eating with multiple man rings on his fingers at that. His ring-fingered fidget eating while talking about his ways with women just made my toes subconsciously curl.
[8:08 p.m.] Bree might be taking Frank’s “soldier on” mantra a bit far here, but I can’t fault her. In some way, I’m sure we’re all often our own worst enemy when it comes to taking the time needed to rest and care for ourselves, but always the first to instruct others to do so while we tend to them in their time of need.
[8:09 p.m.] I’ve just pieced together that Bree’s rape took place in the very inn where she and Lizzie were bunked. In the throes of that violent final scene last week, I didn’t put that together. Can you imagine having to stay the night and attempt sleep just feet above where your innocence was violated and life forever changed?
[8:10 p.m.] I love you a little, a lot, passionately, not at all. Ouch. Boy that takes on new meaning now. Also, Bree’s staring at that bracelet pondering whether it might fit jussssst around Roger’s neck. Or maybe that’s just me.
[8:11 p.m.] Running isn’t lady-like? Dear god, I would never survive in this era.
[8:12 p.m.] I often wonder whether I’ll ever reach an age where the relief of knowing my mom and dad are within reach – physically or emotionally, in crisis or calm – won’t elicit a comforting exhale. Doubtful.
[8:13 p.m.] Speaking of relief…
[8:14 p.m.] He’s lovingly held photos of Bree a few times at this point, so it’s hard to fathom he doesn’t recognize her even a tiny bit. Then again, it’s not everyday you run into your daughter who lives in the year nineteen hundred and seventy-one while you’re taking a leak on the side of an 18th century wall. You get a pass, Fraser.
[8:15 p.m.] It’s you, it’s me, hell it’s ALL OF US. We’re all ugly girl crying. And it’s a welcome look.
[8:16 p.m.] asflhaaaaaaaaasudfhaw;oieadsfahkladsfh Forgive me. Keyboard malfunction. Apparently the modern electronic does not pair well with the timeless deluge of tears.
[8:17 p.m.] Hiiiiiii, Ian! Yes – hug, hug, exhale, exhale in relief at Bree’s presence, but let’s extend it to Ian as well. That kid disappears every 37 seconds and I’m never quite sure whether we’ll see him again. But he’s back… and boy is he chipper!
[8:18 p.m.] Lizzie and Ian? Let’s just table that, please. Rollo’s the only breed of puppy love we need right now. I’m having a hard enough time keeping up with the main couples at this point.
[8:19 p.m.] “Over one argument?” EXACTLY, CLAIRE. LISTEN TO MAMA, BREE. Hearing you recap time travel, profession of love, handfasting and consummation in a Pep Boys, one argument, a breakup and yet more time travel is more ludicrous than when I watched it go down last week.
[8:20 p.m.] It’s hard to miss the look on Bree’s face when she realizes that a wedding ring is just a physical symbol of love, and oftimes, like here, replaceable. But the price she bore for the original cannot be repaid easily.
[8:21 p.m.] I seriously hope these Fraser-Randall-Murray kinfolk get group or bulk package rates for counseling given the number of them who’ve been sexually assaulted at this point.
[8:22 p.m.] Splendid! There’s no better way to memorialize a family reunion than with an Olan Mills portrait with landscape backdrop. Sayyyy cheese!
[8:23 p.m.] In all seriousness, if this is surreal for me to see them together, imagine what they’re feeling. Jamie was fictitious for Bree, brought to life for her only through her mother’s stories. Likewise for Jamie with Bree, save for a few old photos from Claire. Now he’s real for her, and vice versa. They just keep staring at each other in disbelief, and I’m right there with them.
[8:24 p.m.] Murtagh has got to be the best house and farm pet sitter ever. In fact, let’s all give him strong Yelp reviews in hopes of encouraging him to move this career forward and abandon that whole regulators one.
[8:25 p.m.] “What took ye so long, lass?” Every time. This man gets me every time.
[8:26 p.m.] I just capped off a week of holiday gatherings with my own clan yet find myself unnaturally (and possibly more) excited to sit in on this beloved family dinner as they meat and potatoes their way into a cozy banter together.
[8:27 p.m.] “Ah, it’s good to have family around the table again.” This scene is everything I loved about our time at both Castle Leoch and Lallybroch but never got enough of to satiate my appetite. Super size these, please.
[8:28 p.m.] I have questions. You all have to pick up on something being off, right? Because it’s not that subtle, and she’s throwing off a forlorn aroma stronger than your run-of-the-mill lovesick. Also, where and what is the shelter? Did Jamie finally build guest bunks for the many planned and unplanned visitors continually stopping by the Ridge? If so, can I reserve a night or two on AirBnB?
[8:29 p.m.] “He knew you came back to Jamie.” To be fair, did she ever truly leave Jamie?
[8:30 p.m.] I’m beginning to wonder whether Ed Speleers studied Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker from The Dark Knight. The jerky and maniacal mannerisms ring eerily similar.
[8:31 p.m.] I understand that Comcast currently offers an Outlander yuletide log option. That’s nice, but I’ll pass in favor of one where the Frasers do family farm chores and eat meals together set to this music on a running loop.
[8:32 p.m.] Holy fur-aser, Batman. Jamie possibly took that story of Daniel Boone a littttttle too seriously.
[8:33 p.m.] “Does everyone always call you Young Ian?” Nope, not everyone. Not me. I refuse. It’s about as senseless as the people who ask new parents how baby so-and-so is doing. How’s baby Travis? Um… still a baby, and fine? But no one ever asks how adult Ashley is doing. Ponder that.
[8:34 p.m.] Wait, earlier in the season I learned a stramash was a disturbance. Now it’s also a bree? Someone please send me a Scottish word of the day calendar for 2019 so I can keep up. K? Thanks.
[8:35 p.m.] First Willie and now Bree. Hunting/fishing/camping trips with illegitimate and legitimate but estranged children seem to be Jamie’s default bonding tactic.
[8:36 p.m.] She smiles in her sleep, just like daddy. Sigh.
[8:37 p.m.] Is Bree wearing zip-off cargo pants from REI? Those things are great for hiking and traveling… you know, LIKE WHAT YOU JUST DID IN SCOTLAND IN FAR LESS PRACTICAL CLOTHING.
[8:38 p.m.] The random thoughts rolling through my head in the past minute: One, I miss my dad and I just left him yesterday. Two, there apparently is sunshine in Western North Carolina. You’d never know it from the past six episodes. Three, I dislike Granny Smith apples. Blegh. And finally, like her mom, Bree’s hair has found its natural curl in the 18th century (or she left her flat iron in Boston). What? I warned you they were random.
[8:39 p.m.] This scene is putting my highly anaphylactic self in overdrive. Be right back – going to grab my Epipen. Just for good measure.
[8:42 p.m.] We’ve seen plenty of Caitriona Balfe and Sophie Skelton onscreen together. But until this wonderful moment, I didn’t realize how badly I needed to see Sam Heughan in scenes with Sophie to finally feel connected to Bree as a character, and Sophie as the actress playing her. It’s like… well, it’s like fresh honey that required a trek to find it and a few stings to collect it, but oh so worth it in the end.
[8:43 p.m.] Past few weeks?!? She’s been there that long already!?! I guess I shouldn’t question the passage of time in a place that sees the wood-planing of a few logs one day, and a complete Ethan Allen-filled cabin home the next.
[8:44 p.m.] “She’s a gift… from me to you… and you to me.” Damn you, James Fraser. You’re intent on destroying my newfangled keyboard for good, aren’t you?
[8:45 p.m.] Those birds? Actual footage of me visiting my parents this past week eating them out of house and home. My body is 90% cheese and dough at this point, and that’s a college A to wear proudly.
[8:46 p.m.] Alternate titles considered for this episode included “Lizzie, I’m fine,” “Lizzie, please,” “Lizzie let it be” and “Lizzie, please just shut the hell up already.”
[8:47 p.m.] Yes, Bree, mothers can always do that. It’s just innate.
[8:49 p.m.] For your consideration: Caitriona Balfe for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama at the 2019 Emmys. This is the clip to submit. The face alone. No offense, Sophie… but as both a mother and a daughter, I have to give this one to Cait.
[8:50 p.m.] For the record, anytime I find a deliciously bespeckled Jamie Fraser reading while lounged in a fireside wingback chair, talking is not the first activity that comes to mind. But this is serious, so I’ll support Claire in the talking. This time.
[8:51 p.m.] That’s the three-second look of a protective father conjuring up no less than 27 ways to dismember the man who harmed his child.
[8:52 p.m.] Ah hell. The moment we should all start shaking our heads and face palming at what’s about to go down.
[8:53 p.m.] THAT DAMN RING WON’T QUIT. Seriously, Frodo. Enough.
[8:54 p.m.] LIZZIE, STOP TALKING. For a gal who who had no words in our first encounters with her, she’s certainly found them all. She means well here, but she’s reminding me of my six-year old excitedly telling a story, vein bulging out his neck, taking no breaths: “and then… and and and… and then this other thing…”
[8:55 p.m.] If last week’s episode was brought to you by immaturity and trauma, this week’s is compliments of mistaken identity, promised secrets and my hands tented over my mouth shaking my head in disbelief that we’re doing this. We’re doing this? Yep, this is happening.
[8:56 p.m.] Well good day to you too, Sir! If this is the Fraser blend of welcoming hospitality, I’ve changed my mind. I shall not be booking my stay at the Fraser’s Ridge B&B.
[8:57 p.m.] Annnnnd there goes Ian, again. But this time, he’s got a bloodied buddy for the road. Oy.
Closing Thoughts:
Murtagh, it’s a good thing you like company… because this episode just nestled itself solidly right next to your reappearance in “Savages” as my favorite of this season. The list of things to love about this family reunion episode Outlander gifted us runneth over (let’s banter happily together about it in the comments), so I’ll focus my thoughts exclusively on the thing it gave me that I didn’t realize until now how badly I needed – an opportunity to fully and finally believe in Sam Heughan’s ability to play an aged Jamie Fraser.
Before you skewer me, never to return to these rambling recaps ever again, let me explain. Until now, he’s felt to me a bit like an actor who donned some nifty glasses and a few weathered lines via a talented makeup team to play a man aged 20+ years before our eyes. And for the most part, it’s worked. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a card-carrying member of the Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser fan club just like you. Also like you, I’ve seen every episode enough times to know he’s lived more life than four men combined, especially in the years he endured without Claire, in the time since we first laid eyes on the handsome young warrior disguised as a stable hand. But where Caitriona Balfe has pulled off an aged Claire and all her story has entailed in spades, something’s been lacking for me with Sam Heughan’s portrayal of a 50-something Jamie.
However, as quickly as “the why” finally made itself apparent to me this episode, it just as quickly disappeared. Like watching The Usual Suspects or The Sixth Sense and kicking yourself, realizing that the clues/answers had been right in front of you the whole time. Seeing Sam Heughan with Sophie Skelton, playing a father to her daughter. That’s what was missing. Maybe it’s because I just spent a week with my own dad and my heart is full. Maybe it’s because we’d benefited from seeing Caitriona Balfe as Claire the mother to Sophie Skelton’s Bree. I can’t put my finger exactly on why and possibly (highly probably) cannot properly explain, but this episode’s provision of Jamie Fraser the family man brought more dimension and vibrancy to Sam Heughan’s aged characterization than I’ve seen in the dozen-plus episodes before it.
If there ever was a face to love, it’s Jamie’s (well, duh)… but, specifically, Jamie’s here, finally discovering his daughter for himself. And Sam Heughan gave us reunion face in a way that was different than all the ones he’s given us before. It was, well, fatherly. The tears! The quizzical looks! The subdued, then not-so-subdued pride! It was all there and then some, including the disbelief, anger, fear, rage, tunnel-visioned retaliation and everything else that instinctively comes with learning someone has hurt your baby. The man gave us some dynamic range this episode (yes, of course Cait did too) and it was as welcome a sight as a silver-haired Murtagh sucking back moonshine on a sunny Western Carolina day.
Sam Heughan, whatever delightful concoction you served up in this episode, we’ll all have another. Heck, make it a few more what with it being New Year’s and all. Until next week, friends…
If you’ve missed any of our Season 4 episode recaps, you can catch up with them here:
Episode 4.01: “God Bless America”
Episode 4.02: “Do No Harm”
Episode 4.03: “The False Bride”
Episode 4.04: “Common Ground”
Episode 4.05: “Savages”
Episode 4.06: “Blood of My Blood”
Episode 4.07: “Down the Rabbit Hole”
Episode 4.08: “Wilmington”
A complete library of recaps from Seasons 2-3 is also available here.
Consummation in a Pep Boys?
Just had to tell you that I could not read on as I am still (several minutes later) crying tears of laughter!!!!!!!
Thank you!
I’d love to claim it, but it was my dad’s astute observation from last week. You know, that time I watched a minutes-long sex scene with my parents and my husband all shoved together on two couches. Neat stuff!
Great recap like always Ashley, I loveeeed this episode, it gave me all the feels, the good, the bad, the terrifying, the omg, omg, omg not this, staph! Like you, the last episode is still pretty vivid in my mind, so I just want to say congrats to the outlander writers and crew for doing a great job. The thing I loved the most about this episode is Bree’s interaction with her parents, it was good for her to be surrounded by family after the terrifying trauma she just experienced. A girl needs her momma, cuz momma knows best. (I know my mothers is always right, although I don’t always agree with her advice, at the end it turns out she was always right). Poor Roger, got his ass, I mean face kicked by Jamie, so I am excited to see how that sorts out next week.
Happy New Year y’all!!!
Happy New Year to you! And thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I love rolling through the Outlander season in good company with all of you.
Ashley,
I’m sooooo impressed. You had me in stitches again this week!
Loved, loved, LOVED this episode, mainly because of the acting between Sam, Cait and Sophie. Glad to see young Ian again and of course, Murtagh. I agree with you about Sam’s portrayal of Jamie. I truly believed he was a father who had never met his grown daughter and then didn’t want her to go away. And the scene where the three of them were eating honey just made my heart glow. Finally, they are a family!
Keep up the good job! I look forward to reading your recaps in the future (sorry, I was late to the party and this is only my second week). Think I’m going to go back and read all the rest of them …. binge reading here I come. Happy New Year!
Linda, you won’t be sorry! 😀
Linda, if you’re going to go back through and read all the past ramblings, I feel I owe you a good bottle of something – in celebration for me but possibly in consolation for your hardship. 🙂
All of this is how I felt as well, but you probably put it in better words than I ever could. Thank you for that!
Najala, I appreciate you finding clarity in my mess of words – and shared thoughts. That’s all the validation I need!
I love your recaps, Ashley! Always full of insights and laughs. One thing you didn’t mention was Jamie wiping the tear from Brianna’s face after he just took a piss and DIDN’T WASH HIS HANDS! Yikes, that gave me the heebie-jeebies! Get out the hand sanitizer! Okay, maybe I’m a bit OCD!
I had the exact same thought!!!
Oh yeah, me as well!
LOLOLOLOL! And now that’s all I can picture! Then again, I don’t ever assume Jamie’s got clean hands… at any moment. Have you seen what the man does? In fairness, Claire always has herself inside someone’s innards and then just wipes them with a cloth of some sort. So I guess they’re even. Bree comes from a nice lineage of dirty hands…
As a librarian, I feel a bit of shame admitting I never read the books. I was worried I would get too into the books and not be able to fully enjoy the show (I could never watch the Harry Potter movies after reading the books). For this reason, I think, I have had trouble believing Bree is Claire and Jamie’s daughter (not just a spoiled brat) and that she and Roger are truly in love (their juvenile bickering does not help). This episode solidified in my mind that Bree is indeed Claire and Jamie’s daughter. The verdict is still out on Roger and Bree. I admit that I have done some reading ahead on the wiki and I have begun to read the books now that I have seen the first three (and a half) seasons. Your reviews crack me up and I look forward to them every week!
No book shaming here! I love that you’re a librarian and a show-only watcher. You’ll read them when you’re ready… or you won’t. But you love Outlander all the same. And I love that you read, commented and shared. Thank you!
Hi Ashley!
Loved, loved, love the recap!
Boy, I have to say Blake called every bit of this episode, almost verbatim.
I have to say the episode gave me all of the feels, and I think that Sophie Skelton, Cat, and Sam carried it.
Sophie for her part was very authentic in her portrayal of a woman with PTSD–very frail and yet trying to find strength. She went through the motions on autopilot, yet she persisted in her mission trying to find Jamie and Claire.
Bravo!
The Fraizer reunion was filled with so much emotion, and Sam has so much chemistry with Sophie (well, he’s got chemistry with the potted plant in the hallway, but anyway…)
I had a lump in my throat during their first meeting, when Jamie was telling Bree how he always thought of her as a baby, but here she was his grown daughter… Awww!
That “call me Da” was so sweet! Jamie knew that Frank would always be “Daddy” in Bree’s eyes, but calling Jamie “Da” was both a sweet informal term of affection, something Scottish, and something Bree would never associate with Frank, only Jamie.
It was very smart and sweet of him to suggest Bree call him that.
The “My Darling” comment made me swoon too.
And wow, the resemblance between Bree and Jamie is remarkable. I just loved seeing them together.
Ian! It was awesome seeing him again! And Murtagh and Ian quickly embraced Bree as one of their own.
It was so very telling about Bree’s character that she did not tell or show Claire the ring, even when she told her about the rape: Bree realized that both of her parents would blame themselves for what Bonnet did.
Many people consider Bree a brat, but I do not. To me, she’s a young woman who has endured quite a lot, even though she does not always say the right things: I quite like her.
Claire was so wonderfully sturdy and supportive of Bree. So wonderful.
Oh Roger, Jesus! Talk about someone doing all the wrong things. Yes, Jamie (and Lizzie) jumped to the wrong conclusions about Roger.
Of course Jamie would have beaten the hell out of Roger when he thought he had raped Bree. Being a protective father coupled with his own history, I’m shocked Jamie didn’t kill Roger.
Maybe Roger did deserve at least one punch though for being such a jerk in the last episode
Great stuff.
That Blake… every time, that one. He manages to do it every time. I loved your line about Claire being so wonderfully sturdy and supportive. Perfection. Happy New Year!
Put me down too for a yuck, when Jamie didn’t even wash his hands before touching Bree’s face after peeing! Disgusting.
Thanks for your great recap. I always enjoy them. I felt the same way about the scene with Jamie and Bree. I so seldom cry but this scene brought up the incredibly emotional reason why Jamie had to leave a pregnant Claire at the stones. That scene is so emotional for me that I’ve only watched it once (“I’m a dead man already….I can save them and I will.” It’s such a credit to Sam Heughan’s performance that I felt the weight of that desperate long-ago parting, his joy and disbelief that the daughter he’s dreamed about, that he never thought he’d see, is standing in front of him. And, you’re right, she looks like him. I loved her droll, “can’t you tell?” It was just so beautifully done by Heughan and Skelton.
I love Claire and Jamie, and I would love them if all they did was show Jamie showing Claire how to knit while later Claire finding him in that wingback chair where they proceed to do everything but talk.
I like Bree, but Bree and Roger, no. I was glad Roger was gone for most of this episode. Jamie and Claire are the heart and soul of the story–theirs is a rare, soulmate love. Physical and spiritual. Not something that comes along very often. They always need to front and center in this narrative, or not very far away.
Lauren – amen to your comment about keeping Jamie and Claire the heart and soul of this story, front and center at all times. Their intimacy this season if off the charts and I’ve enjoyed our time in watching them get settled and be. Not always running around chasing something, someone, some shenanigan. They’ve stopped long enough for me to nestle back into the reason I fell in love with them in season 1. Thank you for reading and commenting!
This is the review Ive been searching for all day. There were many excellent reviews but I love your witty, minute-by-minute recaps the most. I need to bookmark you though because I just can’t seem to remember what your reviews are named. Many have similar sounding names. Any ideas?
This was a perfect episode. I loved every second…well minus those that had Steven Bonnet. He plays his part so well he’s tough to watch. He’s almost too good at playing evil.
Anyways, so glad I finally found you and your review. You were worth the search! ?
I love when people try and track me down all day… at least in recap form. What a compliment! Bookmark Outlandercast.com and come here weekly. If you don’t, I’ll come find you. I’m kidding. Mostly. Hehehehe
Loved your recap. Your sense of humour is superb. I did like the episode but I did not feel as moved by it as I did with episode 405 when we saw Jamie and Murtagh reunited. I totally lost it when those two recognized each other . It was a more solemn moment for me than the Jamie-Bree reunion. It is probably because I have loved Murtagh since the beginning and I find Duncan Lacroix to be a tremendous actor. He always rings so true in both facial expression and delivery ( and he is hot).
Duncan is my favorite! Well next to Caitriona… but he’s my favorite male. Shhh, don’t tell Sam Heughan. I doubt he’s listening, but you get the point. His facial expression, mannerisms, delivery, etc. are phenomenal to watch. I never grow tired of it. And yes, he is hot. XOXO That was for you, and for him.
Hi Ashley. Looked for your recap yesterday on the website but couldn’t find it. Thanks to Janet for posting the link on fb.
Loved your closing comments re Sam. I wondered pre season how he would pull this off, but it seems my apprehension was for nought. The way his face changed before our eyes when he realized who it was. Well, nothing short of brilliant. In fact the whole cast is hitting it out of the park this season. Time we started to trust the casting department. They haven’t been wrong yet.
You mentioned the shelter in your recap. It was the same one they lived in while building the cabin. I assumed that Ian and Murtagh were using it.
Linda, good to know about the shelter – I missed that! I just could never figure out why Jamie & Claire had to camp outside in the elements with LJG showed up… but Ian and Murtagh kept inside then shelter then? Claire’s a hearty lass, don’t get me wrong. But give the woman a cot inside the shelter, guys. Geez. Thank you for enjoying my drivel enough to come searching for it. Not to sound like Wayne Newton, but I’ll be here all week… or at least on Sundays. 🙂
Happy after-the-holidays, Ashley! Am so challenged, and had no idea that recaps are produced with live or not options. Thought maybe I was doing something differently or wrong in my viewing. I appreciate yours whenever they appear. Honestly, I’m still amazed every time I go into my little Kindle Fire and it knows it’s me! I’m, uh, ollllder…
OUTLANDER as I love it! All of the things I was hoping for in an episode, and it only took until #9… To me, this episode harkened back to S’s 1&2. And while those who aren’t book readers would guess, a ton of pages were condensed and rearranged (in a way to make tv-sense), moments from earlier books were used, and all wrapped up in a nice, neat episodic gift for us! This was a masterclass in Outlander script-writing FOR the fans (and I know how difficult it is for them to so condense the books into scripts). Felt very satisfying!
• Brianna, battered and bruised, but already up, dressed (not in THOSE clothes) and downstairs from not only where she was lodged, but what is of course, also the scene of the crime. Looking, dodging; are any of these people left from being there last night and didn’t rush to her cries for help? Talk about soldiering on, to the nth degree. I am still mortified.
• Running isn’t lady-like? From a woman from the 20th century?
• I read quite a while ago that Sam and Sophie decided not to rehearse their Jamie/Brianna meeting ahead of filming in order to give it even more feeling of two who knew OF each other, but were just now physically meeting as these two for the first time. Oh sweet mission accomplished! It stirred me, and I was moved to tears when Jamie was (his spot-on expressions during the dialogue). And her tearing up, and falling into an embrace from him felt to me like it was not only because he was saying those words, but in those words, because of all she had been through the day/night before, it gave her a safe place to land for the moment. Also, that meant she was one step closer to seeing her mother who she reeeeally needed! “As my babe.” I am melting… And they were freezing! The condensation as they exhaled! No wonder they were weeping… 😉
• This new S4 music, and re-working of old, is gorgeous!! Means everything to so many of these moments, and I am grateful for Bear McCreary every bloody season!
• My thoughts are that this was the best acting I’ve seen by Ms. Skelton, thus far. Happy for her, delighted for us!
• Lizzie; “Hungry Eyes”, by Eric Carmen…
• “So uh, the news she brought.” Uh, YEAH!? And then Claire replies, “It certainly is disconcerting.” Disconcerting ?! Disconcerting?! Know you’ve already been through a lot Claire, but wouldn’t the thought of dying in a cabin fire warrant a little more, oh I don’t know, angst?
• Now Claire and Bree can give Jamie “future lessons” in stereo!
• With a mere whistle I am brought to yet one more happy-place! It’s Murtagh. “Still breathin’ ” for many reasons, not the least of which is your super-fans’ clamor (including we book readers)! That look of acknowledging who Bree is, and “What took you so long lass?” Then all that ensues, all that ensues, all that ensues… “Ah, it’s good to have family around the table again.” He took the words right out of my mouth! Again, shades of S’s 1&2. The make up of these Fraser’s Ridge scenes are the seeds of Outlander’s fandom, and please, please TPTB take heed for future seasons. The reason we love these characters so much is because they were allowed development. **Ashley, the shelter is where they lived before the cabin was finished, where the stayed when LJG and William were staying in their cabin…
• Bonnet has Dano, and Roger, Eros. I have Bacchus. I highly recommend Bacchus, boys!
• Speaking of Bonnet, I can barely speak of Bonnet. He is a pig. Ed Speleers has brought a smarmy, wickedness to this character that, to me, out-BJR’s Black Jack Randall. Chilling!
• Memories of Claire telling both Bree and Jamie, at different times, that the other slept with a smile on their face, LIKE the other. What Sam Heughan can do with an expression, with his eyes! Wish I could figure out a way to get him to ask ME to come up a mountain, out for coffee, gut a deer, oh wait no, not the last one. But you catch my drift, eh? It’s been decades since I’ve had a TV boyfriend, and well, he just might be the best of all. Just sayin’…
• No home flat-irons in 1971! Trust me, if there had been, my late teens/early twenties would have been waaaay different!. We DID use OJ concentrate cans as rollers though, to set and smooth our hair out. That affect never lasted long though, on my very curly hair…
• I ask you, IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN A LOVING SCENE BETWEEN JAMIE AND CLAIRE?! I think not. The years of acting together has proven to develop these two into one of the top on-screen couples of all time, bar none. The level of comfort and trust is palpable and honest. This relationship feels so real, and has aged appropriately. And we are so lucky to witness it! “She called me ‘Da’ ” Melting. Again.
• All I’m gonna say is I hope they stick with the books when it comes to Brianna and the baby.
• Remember when Jamie was telling Claire about the layout of the not-yet-built cabin a few episodes back? He was describing where the chairs would be so they could read by firelight. Oh, baby! Sam Heughan by firelight! Yes!
• That pummeling Roger took at Jamie’s hand… My God… You were right earlier, Lizzie, what HAVE you done? “Young” Ian has the look of a man. The subtle, haunting, impending, portending sound of a McCreary soundtrack over the closing credits. The “Next Episode” scenes, among which is, “Jamie, what have you done?” Oh Claire, its just another opportunity for you to utter, “Jamie, you got some ‘splainin’ to do…”
• If I’m correct, I believe Jamie is actually only supposed to be 40-something at this point in the show (and books), Ashley. And now, I must wax on some more: Sam Heughan is just such a great and underrated actor, but then I’ve thought so all along. This season has allowed him to shine, believable at this age, and although the season isn’t over, I believe he has been the key. He IS this young woman’s father. As I’ve said before, if this season doesn’t garner him scads of nominations next year then voters can’t get past his looks or the show’s genre, or both, and that is just a shame. Caitriona also has good looks and the genre, yet is justly rewarded, with nominations at the least. Frustrating! I rest my case, Your Honor!
As always, thank you for the space, Ashley. My one and only Outlander “conversation”, in any form. Much appreciated! Happy New Year!
Kimber, live or in replay, I love your comments! I look forward to them weekly so thanks for always coming back.
Wonderful recap as always, Ashley!
I agree with all the other comments, but I wonder if I’m the only one who found Jamie beating up Roger harder to watch then it was to read in the books?
(I felt that way about the BJR and Jamie scenes as well!)
Cathy, yes yes and more yes. If there’s one thing I have never been able to stomach watching onscreen (okay, there’s a few), it’s someone getting beat up. I can’t handle the sound, watching the damage, etc. It’s all too much for me. This one I had to mute. Seeing his battered face after proved too much for me too. They can hide it all they want… but you know Jamie’s knuckles are a complete mess after that. Hard to claim it’s from hunting bees or feeding goats.
Speaking of details…I don’t know why they don’t use that tablecloth to upolster the wingback chair. Just say’in…
Lynda, you get right on in there and Joanna Gaines them up right.
I’m also glad that Murtagh said to Jamie that Bree looks just like Jamie’s mother. One of the moments I missed most from Lallybroch was Jenny showing Bree Jamie’s mother’s, Ellen’s, self-portrait.
Agree! Someone needed to make that connection if it wasn’t going to be Aunt Jenny.