Outlander review, Episode 603: “Temperance”

This week’s episode of Outlander had a somber, bittersweet flair to it. It focuses primarily on Fergus (César Domboy) as he tried to come to terms with the birth of his son. During last week’s episode, Marsali (Lauren Lyle) gave birth to their child, but to everyone’s surprise, he was born a dwarf.

In this time period, babies that weren’t born “normal” were viewed as a punishment from God or as a result of witchcraft or demonic interference. But Fergus blames himself for Henri-Christian being born a dwarf. More on exactly why later!

Elsewhere in Outlander, Claire (Caitriona Balfe) continues to struggle with her inner demons. However, she’s busy tending to Thomas Christie (Mark Lewis Jones), who is in need of hand surgery. There’s an interesting dynamic developing between Thomas and Claire, and I suspect it’s somehow turning him into a nicer person. I haven’t read the books so I am unclear on where his journey takes him, but there are some changes happening, and I’m here for it.

And on that note, let’s get into the major moments from this week’s episode of Outlander, “Temperance.” SPOILERS follow below!

Henri-Christian faces a dark future in Outlander

At the start of the episode, we see a group of kids (including Fergus and Marsali’s son Germain) watching a baby in a basket float down a river. It’s unclear what’s going on until Roger (Richard Rankin) notices the baby in the basket and realizes it is Henri-Christian.

It turns out that the kids convinced Germain to put his “demonic” baby brother into a basket to get rid of him. Their parents have been calling Henri-Christian a disgrace of God. It’s a mortifying moment, but luckily Roger is there to save the baby before he floats into the rapids and waterfall.

Back at Fergus and Marsali’s home, Jamie (Sam Heughan), Claire, Marsali, Roger, and Fergus gather to confront Germain over what happened. He admits that he just wanted the children to stop bothering him so he caved and took Henri-Christian in his basket while Marsali wasn’t looking.

Everyone is understandably upset over what’s happened, but it’s Fergus who takes it hardest. Claire follows him out and learns that Fergus blames himself for his son being born a dwarf. He thinks that because Marsali was beaten up while she was pregnant it resulted in him being born a dwarf. Admittedly, my heart got heavy hearing Fergus say this. I don’t blame him because of how little was known at the time.

But there’s more bothering Fergus. Back in France when he worked at the brothel, he met many dwarves. He reveals that some customers had an “eclectic” taste and preferred to bed dwarves. Along the way, Fergus befriended one of the dwarves. Unfortunately, someone brutally murdered the dwarf in an alleyway, which is why Fergus has been beside himself with Henri-Christian. He worries about his son’s future and if he will even survive in this brutal, harsh world.

The stress and worry overcomes Fergus, who attempts to take his own life at the end of the episode. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching to witness, especially after how far Fergus has come. I am so glad that Jamie happens to be nearby and finds Fergus in time to stop him from going any further.

This moment is a wakeup call for Fergus, who finally returns home to be with Marsali and his family. I think, come what may, Fergus will turn a new leaf and be there for Henri-Christian. At least I hope so!

Tom Christie gets his surgery

Tom finally gets his hand surgery, courtesy of Claire. At the start of the episode, Thomas shows up for the operation saying he’s ready to be healed. However, he refuses to take any ether as anesthetic. Claire isn’t really sure what his reasoning is but she understands that it stems from his religious beliefs.

I don’t know how he didn’t pass out from the pain, but he does have Jamie standing right next to him reading the Bible. The surgery is a success, but Claire decides to keep him overnight under observation.

I was intrigued by the moments Claire and Thomas shared in this episode. I felt like the tide was changing. Thomas still has this very condescending attitude about him, but he does seem to be warming up to her.

One moment in particular stood out. Since the start of this season, we’ve seen that Claire is not okay after her assault. She pretends to have it all together but really she’s haunted by visions of Lionel Brown. It’s gotten so bad that she has to rely on inhaling ether so she can pass out.

She goes down to do just that but finds Thomas there awake. They end up having a strange conversation, but they seems to be developing a bond. Perhaps I’m seeing it wrong. However, Thomas does come to the Frasers’ defense later when a group of Protestants starts verbally attacking Fergus about Henri-Christian.

Oh, and he also tells Claire that he doesn’t think she’s a witch, so that’s something! However, Claire will not be happy once she realizes that Tom’s surgery only enabled him to continue flogging Malva. That will be a point of contention and I think will likely damage their fledgling friendship.

Elsewhere on Outlander

Malva and Ian (John Bell) start getting closer during this week’s episode of Outlander. There definitely seems to be an attraction there! Honestly, it’s nice to see Ian making friends with someone who isn’t an adult. He’s had to grow up so fast since leaving Lallybroch, so it’s nice to see him bonding with someone else young.

I don’t know where their story is headed, but they both have skeletons in their closet. Ian is/was married to one of the Mohawk women and also has a child. Malva is punished by her father daily, and it’s taken a toll on her. Not to mention there is some dark family secret that her father is keeping from her. Claire is already beginning to suspect something after learning more about Thomas from Jamie. Based on Malva’s age, she would have been conceived during Thomas’ time in Ardsmuir.

So is she actually Thomas’ daughter? Or did something else happen here? We’ll have to wait to find out!

At the very end of the episode, the British army shows up with cases of guns. Jamie’s request for arms for the Cherokee tribe was approved, but it all feels really uneasy to me. And why wouldn’t it? Claire looks at the newspaper one of the soldiers is holding and realizes that the Boston Tea Party has just happened.

This means that the war is here. Like actually here. Uh. Oh.

Wow, Outlander is something else, isn’t it? I have nothing but good words to say about this show because it just does everything so well. I love that time travel is naturally a part of this story, and there’s always a fear that something is going to go very wrong.

But somehow, these characters (past and present) have made a home for themselves together. I’m so excited for what the rest of the season has in store for us, especially now that the war has officially begun.

Until next week, fellow fans!

Grade: A

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