Outlander Recap: “Heaven and Earth”

We are edging closer to the end of the third season of Outlander with last night’s new episode focusing on the separation of Jamie and Claire with the former being stuck on the Artemis while the latter basically being kidnapped and held on the Porpoise.

The official description for the episode, entitled “Heaven and Earth” follows:

“Claire races to discover the source of an epidemic aboard a disease-stricken ship before hundreds of sailors die; Jamie clashes with Capt. Raines; Fergus is torn between loyalty and love.”

Being Taken

As we saw in last week’s episode, Claire arrived on the British ship The Porpoise due to an infectious plague that had overtaken many of the men on the ship. Because of the oath she took as a doctor, Claire agreed to provide medical assistance to the men onboard only to end up being basically kidnapped by the new – very young – Captain Leonard.

Jamie In Trouble Again

Watching from the nearby ship The Artemis, Jamie can only stand by as The Porpoise sails away with Claire trapped on board. Granted, he attempted to get the men to follow, but Captain Raines commanded them to disregard Jamie’s demands; and Jamie ended up in trouble once again, being forcible led off to the brig in the bows of the ship.

Working To Stop the Plague

Making the best of a horribly bad situation, Claire persevered with her ministrations of the sick on The Porpoise, putting the unaffected men to work cleaning up the ship, boiling water, using the grog as a disinfectant and, once again, battling men who cannot comprehend her knowledge of medicine. Except for young Elias Pound, the 14-year-old boy assigned by Captain Leonard to work alongside Claire in helping tend to the men.

Thankfully, Claire – with Captain Leonard’s help – figured out where the disease started and tracked down the man carrying the disease. This discovery – as well as her arranging for two of the men onboard to create a still – did not sit well with all the men onboard – especially not that vile cook: Cosworth

Get Me Those Keys

Jamie, being trapped inside yet another cell, demanded that Fergus get him those keys so he could escape, take over the ship and get his wife back. But, Fergus didn’t follow through with Jamie’s wishes – even with the promise of being allowed to formally marry Marsali – in order to not only protect his adoptive father from death but also to protect the woman he loves.

His refusal to help, naturally, didn’t sit well with Jamie, but Fergus was right in not following that directive. As it turned out, it was a good think Fergus refused, as he – and Marsali – were able to get Jamie out of the “brig.” Captain Raines needed all able-bodied men to help get their ship to the shore so Jamie was released without any needless bloodshed.

A New Ally

Claire made a new ally on The Porpoise – Annekje Johansen – the wife of a corporal, who drank himself nearly to death. This alliance proved to be very fruitful for Claire [see further below].

Finding Clues

Not only did Claire find a Portuguese flag below decks on The Porpoise – that sadly didn’t lead to the ship that took young Ian – but she did find something even more startling! A short report by a Harry Thompkins who told Captain Leonard that Malcolm Alexander, a wanted man, was on board The Artemis, using the name Jamie Fraser.

Once Claire encountered Harry Thompkins – the man with one blind eye from Edinburgh – she discovered that Jamie was wanted for murder and sedition; and that he would be arrested and hung once he reached Jamaica. That damn body of the tax man was found in that barrel of Crème de Menthe, putting a target on Jamie’s back.

Another Loss

Despite the fact that Claire’s ministrations to the sick was finally bearing good results, her young assistant Elias Pound succumbed to the plague – and Claire was upset that she hadn’t seen the signs.

Two Daring Escapes

Claire first attempted to escape from the British on Grand Turk Island with the help of Annekje [and her goats], but she inadvertently ran directly into Captain Leonard and two armed Marines, who were out making rounds, making sure none of the men attempted to visit the local brothel.

That attempt was quickly thwarted, but that didn’t stop Annekje from devising another escape attempt. This one much more daring for Claire, who ended up jumping overboard, with only her clothes and some money from her new friend wrapped in a shawl along with a makeshift “raft” that would hopefully help her reach Coburn. As Claire uttered her legendary quote “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ” she leaped in the watery depths.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Please share them in our comments section below.

The next new episode of Outlander will air next week on Starz on Sunday, November 26 at 8/7c.