Oh, wow, this week’s episode of Outlander reminded me how severe the twists and turns on this show can be. Up until now, the time line has been pretty smooth, thanks to help from Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Brianna (Sophie Skelton). They know what’s coming, and they’ve been trying to prep Jamie (Sam Heughan) as much as they can. However, “Give Me Liberty” takes a turn I didn’t see coming, and I’m excited (and nervous) to talk about it.
Of course, by now you’ve all seen and heard about Lord John Grey’s (David Berry) return to the series. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him, and just a couple of years ago, Berry had all but declared he was done with the show (there were also rumors he’d get his own spinoff). It was very exciting to see him back with the Frasers once again.
Speaking of reunions, Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy) also makes an appearance as Jamie and Claire head to Wilmington for a special event. It was quite an eventful episode!
SPOILERS ahead!
Flora MacDonald makes her Outlander debut
As we know, Outlander likes to incorporate actual historical figures into its storylines. We saw George Washington make an appearance back in season 4, and in this week’s episode, we got Miss Flora MacDonald.
In real-life history, MacDonald was a Scottish folk hero who helped Prince Charles Stuart (dressed as a maid) escape following the Battle of Culloden. This is exactly how this week’s episode begins, as we see Lord John Grey (yippee!) listening to a British officer read Jamie’s Indian Agent resignation letter.
Jamie’s resignation stirs up trouble as the British begin to question his loyalties. Lord John Grey is asked to visit his dear friend and assess things.
Meanwhile, Jamie is invited to meet a man named Cornelius Harnett, part of a Revolutionary group called the Sons of Liberty. He was a revolutionary who opposed British rule and ultimately came to be known as one of the Founding Fathers of America.
Jamie’s meeting with Cornelius is tricky, because he is still an agent of the King of England but he’s starting to dip his toes into the rebellion. Of course, he’s privy to information no one else is due to his time-traveling family, which makes it rather tough to pick sides.
But before his meeting with Cornelius, Jamie and Claire prepare for Flora MacDonald’s event. Jamie seems rather fond of her due to the fact that they grew up together, and I love that Claire says that she thinks he has a crush on Flora. Since “crush” isn’t a common word used at this time, she then uses the word “tendresse” to explain it to him.
For the Loyalist cause
In this episode, Flora MacDonald speaks with loyal British subjects as well as Highlanders such as Aunt Jocasta. Being that she was a former Jacobite, it’s an interesting twist to see her pledge her loyalty to the Crown.
Jamie’s meeting with Cornelius goes well, but Jamie is walking into some dangerous territory here. After the Battle of Alamance, Jamie’s views drastically changed. In this episode we see him he agree to attend a meeting of the Sons of Liberty.
Someone has a “crush” on Roger
It’s nice to see Roger (Richard Rankin) back to being his normal self, isn’t it? Not long ago he was struggling to find the will to live, and now he’s helping folks at Fraser’s Ridge. In fact, in this episode, we hear him sing again!
However, it looks like one of the residents he’s been helping, Amy McCallum (Joanne Thomson), has developed what Claire would call a “tendresse” on Roger. He doesn’t really seem to notice and is just trying to help out. And some innocent flirting never hurt anyone…right?
Well, Brianna (Sophie Skelton) seems to grow uncomfortable about this new friendship after she, Marsali (Lauren Lyle), Malva (Jessica Reynolds) and Lizzy (Caitlin O’ Ryan) find remnants of a “falling in love” ritual. Following that, Brianna thinks Amy might have other intentions.
Ultimately, Roger asks someone else to take over for him at Amy’s house. Smart man. Very smart.
Outlander heads to Wilmington
The event in Wilmington is quite the spectacle. The Frasers reunite with Lord John Grey, who shares his concerns about Jamie switching sides, and we get to see Aunt Jocasta again! Oh, and Jamie asks Lord John Grey about his son William, who is apparently taller than him now. I wonder if we’ll see him again soon?
Flora makes her grand entrance. Jamie most definitely had a “tendresse” on her, and Flora, for her part, seems dazzled by Claire’s medical knowledge. The fact that Claire instantly knows what to get Aunt Jocasta when she starts having a dizzy spell surprises Flora. If this was a few seasons ago, I’d be worried Flora was thinking that Claire is a witch.
Flora’s speech in support of the British is a resounding success. It’s awkward for Jamie and Claire, but they put on their best smiles faces while Lord John Grey watches with suspicion from a distance. He knows Jamie is up to something. He even tells Jamie that the Crown has eyes and ears everywhere and they’ll find out what they need to know soon enough.
Their conversation is interrupted by news of riots in the city. Patriots attacked a newspaper owner for printing Loyalist material. It’s a tense time in the Colonies. I feel for Jamie who is lying to his closest friend while trying to figure out how to walk down this complicated path.
By the end of the episode, Lord John Grey reveals he knows the location of the meeting, and Jamie shares his plans to attend it; not infiltrate, but attend. It sparks a heated argument between the two friends who are going to be on opposing sides of history. Sadly for Lord John Grey, he doesn’t know how history is going to play out.
Elsewhere in Outlander
Remember when I told you Malva would not be good news? Well, Roger catches her hooking up with someone from the Ridge inside the church. He warns her that her father and brother are right outside, so she decides it would be the opportune time to threaten Roger. Basically, she tells him that if he doesn’t try to help her out of this situation then she will tell everyone he’s having an affair with Amy. Ugh, this woman is definitely bad news!
As it turns out, she was the one that did the love charm ritual out in the woods. We find out when she’s cutting off the fingers of a dead man for the spell (the ladies discovered that the charm involved the bones of human fingers). I’m not sure who she’s trying to get to fall in love with her, but if it’s Roger, I will riot! Especially because he and Brianna are expecting a baby. She better not mess up their beautiful family!
Jamie’s speech at the Sons of Liberty meeting resounds in the ears of people still reeling from the attack on the printing press. He makes them see sense that they are fighting for freedom and independence, and that includes allowing a man to print what he wants, even if it’s not to their liking.
Luckily, Jamie was warned by Lord John Grey that the British soldiers would be trying to stop the meeting, and just as he warns the other Sons, he sees a troop marching towards them. The men quickly scatter and Jamie handles the situation, but he’s walking a thin line here.
The Outlander plot twist we didn’t see coming…
I told you there was a huge twist at the end of this episode, and it comes as Claire and Jamie get ready to leave Wilmington. Claire is certain she hears someone whistling the “Colonel Bogey March” but brushes it off as something in the wind.
The scene transitions to a prisoner being locked up while whistling the tune Claire heard. In his hand is an emerald stone, the very same stone that Flora MacDonald mentioned was stolen from her necklace earlier in the episode. She also mentions that a man broke into her room.
But why does he matter? What is so special about this man?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, you may remember a certain horrendous, horrible, miserable man who did his own share of stealing. The very same man who raped Brianna.
Yes, I am talking about Stephen Bonnet. And I’m going to assume your heart fell when you realized it might be him.
We don’t get a solid view of the guy because just as he turns around the screen cuts to black. But given that Brianna mentions being pregnant in this week’s episode and seems to finally be finding some solid ground, I wouldn’t be shocked if it is indeed Bonnet. Oh, and there’s also the fact that Jamie noticed a jar that had the words “Stephen Bonnet’s bollocks” written on it. It can’t be a coincidence, right?
Stephen Bonnet is back, isn’t he? Sigh. This is a twist I am not ready for.
However, we did see him die in season 5, and I might be completely wrong, but I have a bad feeling he somehow survived. There’s just no other explanation (unless there is something in the books that I have not finished reading). But it sure feels like it’s him…
I’m still floored by the possibility that Stephen Bonnet may be back. If this isn’t the case, then I will feel really silly. His death felt pretty final, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next episode. It’s going to be a very long wait!
We have three episodes left in this season of Outlander, and it feels like things are just getting started. There is so much story left to tell and I have no idea how they are going to conclude things. All I know is that I’m anxiously awaiting what’s in store.
See you guys next week!
Grade: A
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