Outlander Recap: “The Devil’s Mark”

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

In the Scottish Highlands of 1743, it was dangerous to be considered as a witch; for being a witch assured a quick death sentence.

Such is the case for Geillis Duncan and Claire Fraser, who were arrested by the wardens of the small village of Cranesmuir, which is located on the lands overseen by the Clan MacKenzie. For years Geillis had been the woman in the village providing tonics, herbs and an ill wish (or two) to those who sought them, being thought of as a witch by most of the villagers. And with the arrival of Claire to Castle Leoch, her peculiar ways, her healing talents have deemed her as a witch in the eyes of the villagers as well.

And, thanks to a vengeful Laoghaire, that damn Father Bain not to mention Jeanie, the housemaid of the Duncan’s and the mother of the “changeling” baby from last week’s episode, Geillis and Claire were at the end of a losing battle in the court of popular opinion. Even with a very welcome assist from attorney Ned Gowan, who used his cunning ability to calm almost any harried situation, the women ended up being found guilty of witchcraft.

In the last moments of the trial, as Claire was being whipped before the angry mob of spectators for her angry outbursts, right before the eyes of Geillis and an all-too happy Laoghaire, the latter of whom stated to Claire “I shall dance upon your ashes” [Can someone really bitch slap this little wench already?!], Jamie thankfully arrived to protect his wife. Give the man credit, he knows how to make an entrance; and how to put people in their place. It doesn’t hurt to have a sword and a dagger, one in each hand, to fend them off either.

Kudos also need to be given to Geillis who offered herself up after seeing what Claire suffered and how Jamie was there to protect her. She admitted to being a witch, to having the devil’s mark on her arm [which is actually a small box vaccination scar, just like the one Claire has on her arm, which explained why Geillis said “1968” to Claire], stating that she was pregnant with the devil’s child and that Claire was an unwilling participant in her witchcraft.

Her distraction of the mob allowed Jamie and Claire to get out of Cranesmuir not only unseen but also safely; and as Jamie tended to the wounds on his beloved wife’s back, he asked her simply if she really was a witch.

The answer(s) Jamie received were assuredly much more than he could have anticipated, but she told him everything: what the devil’s mark really was, how she knew about Black Jack Randall, including when he was born and when he would die, what will happen to the clans at Culloden Moor and her entire tale of time-travelling from 1946 to 1743. Jamie listened to it all, albeit not necessarily understanding it all. In fact, this conversation states it best:

Jamie: “No one will harm you. I’m here.”
Claire: “Do you really believe me?”
Jamie: “Aye. I believe you, Sassenach. Though it woulda been a good deal easier if you’d only been a witch”.

As they put as many miles between them and Castle Leoch as possible, they were riding toward his home of Lallybroch – at least that is what Claire thought until the morning after Jamie worked wanders on Claire’s body with one hand (how hot was that scene, by the way?!), he led her to the one place she had been focused on since her arrival: Craigh Na Dun.

Despite how much Jamie loves Claire he was willing to give her up, allowing her to go back to her time, to the place where she belonged and to Frank. Their bittersweet “goodbyes” could have made even the most cold-hearted person weep, but after seeing Claire walk ever closer to the stone that transported her back, viewers had to wonder “what next?” only to see Jamie lying by the fire, fitfully attempting to sleep only to hear “on your feet soldier”. To his amazement Claire was standing before him – choosing to stay in 1743 with him – and asking him to “take me home to Lallybroch” and falling into his arms for a memorable kiss.

All together now: Sigh!!! Swoon!!

What did you think of last night’s episode? Another great episode of Outlander, right? And, a hearty shout-out to Toni Graphia for writing such a terrifically intense, sexy and touching episode that encapsulated SO much of the story into one hour.

The next episode of Outlander will air on Starz on Saturday, April 25 at 9/8c. Do NOT miss it!!