Outlander review, Episode 703: “Death Be Not Proud”

Outlander is certainly not missing a single beat when it comes to its seventh season. The creators and cast have been up front about how wild this season would be. However, I didn’t think it would be like this.

Last week, we left off with Brianna (Sophie Skelton), Roger (Richard Rankin), and their kiddos heading back to the future after their newborn was born with a heart condition. It was the only way to save the baby, but it meant leaving Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) behind. It was an emotional goodbye, and it left things uncertain for everyone. That, coupled with Fraser’s Ridge blowing up into smithereens with Claire and Jamie inside, left fans with many questions about what comes next.

But dinna fash, Outlander fans, this week’s episode brings us clarity (and even more questions)! Find out what went down below, and remember…MAJOR SPOILERS ahead!

A box of letters

The episode kicks off with Brianna and Roger visiting Scotland in their present. It looks like some time has passed since they traveled through the stones. I must admit, it’s pretty jarring to see them in modern clothes driving around in a car. It has been a minute since Outlander has traveled back to the future!

Upon their arrival, Brianna and Roger are handed a chest with all the names of the Fraser family on it. Apparently, it’s been in a vault for 200 years.

Within the box are many letters handwritten by Claire and Jamie for Brianna, chronicling what occurred in the days, months, and years after the MacKenzie family traveled through the stones. In the first letter, Jamie reveals that he and Claire did indeed survive the big fire (remember that the fire was the reason Brianna traveled back in time in the first place).

As it turns out, Wendigo Donner (Brennan Martin) used the matches Brianna created to start the fire, which, coupled with the ether, takes down Fraser’s Ridge. While Wendigo and his men died in the fire, Jamie and Claire did not, even though their obituary said they did. Seriously!?

Back to Scotland they go

After Fraser’s Ridge is decimated, Jamie decides it is time to find a new location to rebuild their home. He shows Claire where he is thinking for a good spot.

However, the American Revolutionary War is looming over their heads. And before they can build a new home, Jamie has one promise left to fulfill: take Young Ian (John Hunter Bell) back to Lallybroch in Scotland as he once promised his sister.

This means Outlander is looking to return to Scotland! This makes me wonder, will something happen that will prevent them from making the trip? Doesn’t the show want them to engage with the Revolutionary War after teasing it forever? They can’t be skipping out right before the chaos ensues…right?

I’m so curious about what will happen because, by the end of the episode, Jamie, Claire, and Ian are setting off on their horses to board a ship back to Scotland. We don’t see them board the ship, but that’s their plan.

Old Jacobite gold

Amidst the destruction of Fraser’s Ridge, the Frasers learn that their long-time employees Murdina (Sarah Collier) and Arch (Hugh Ross) had smuggled gold in from Scotland. This gold is revealed during the scuffle between Wendigo, his men, and the Frasers.

It’s a massive reveal because, as legend has it, it is old Jacobite gold tied to Bonnie Prince Charles. Arch, along with Dougal MacKenzie and others, split up the gold at some point, and Arch brought it along with him to America.

Arch does not intend to reveal anything about this gold to Jamie and Young Ian. Unbeknownst to them, he had it hidden under Fraser’s Ridge this entire time. This is discovered after Jamie and Young Ian follow Arch to the burial site. Unfortunately, the endeavor results in Young Ian shooting an arrow into who he thinks is Arch but turns out to be Murdina.

It is a sad and confusing moment for everyone. Was the gold worth the death? It doesn’t appear Ian thinks so, because he is shattered to learn he accidentally killed Murdina. And I worry for him because later on in the episode, Arch leaves him with a warning that when Young Ian has something worth losing, he will see Arch once again. Uh oh.

Ending of Outlander Season 7, Episode 3 explained

As the Frasers prepare to head to Scotland, Brianna and Roger read the letters Claire and Jamie left behind. Jamie mentions a property held in a trust by the Camerons. He cryptically mentions that if Brianna and Roger ever need this property, the Spaniard guards it. Earlier in the episode, Jamie takes Claire to a cave where a human skeleton is lying. He was a Spanish man; this is where Jamie kept some of the gold he took.

They don’t think they need the money; that is until Brianna takes Roger to visit Lallybroch. She wants him to visit Jamie’s old home. As they leave the site, a woman pulls up in a car, and as they think they are in trouble. She asks them, “Are you interested?” The wind had knocked down the “For Sale” sign. The house is being sold by the Camerons.

They have the money, so, uh, yes, they are most definitely thinking about buying Lallybroch!

I had goosebumps through this entire episode, ya’ll. It was neat to see the back and forth between past and present and how everyone is faring. A lot is happening in Outlander, and I think we will be thrown for a loop as it progresses. I can’t wait to see where the Frasers end up, what happens to them, and how the MacKenzies build a life for themselves in the present.

My biggest question, however, is will they ever return to the past? It doesn’t appear to be the case, does it?

Episode Grade: A

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