Outlander Recap: “The Search”

In the wake of Jamie being taken by the Redcoats after the failed raid with the members of The Watch, his wife Claire is very intent on finding her mate no matter the cost. Despite not knowing the area that well but with a clear purpose, Claire is prepared to set out on her own to track down Jamie. Thankfully, Jamie’s sister Jenny wouldn’t let Claire head out by herself, accompanying her using a map crudely devised by a recovering Ian, who despite his intentions couldn’t join them in the hunt.

Using her well-honed tracking skills, taught to her by Ian and Jamie when they were younger, the brave women set out to the secluded location where the men were set upon by the Redcoats, finding the bodies of the other members of The Watch, but finding no sign of MacQuarrie or Jamie.

Jenny quickly found signs of the Redcoats and tracks of a wagon that seemed to be carrying a heavy weight. “Let’s hope that it’s a heavy red-headed Scot weighing it down”, shared Claire. That wasn’t the case, though, as the women quickly discovered a small band of Redcoats and only MacQuarrie in the wagon.

Their luck changed, however, when a courier set out with a message for which they swiftly intercepted after Jenny tortured the courier, of course. But the problem with taking their own captive is what to do with him afterwards. That worry was greatly lessened when the Redcoats died at the hands of Murtagh, who appeared virtually out of nowhere. As it turned out, Jenny’s husband Ian sent for Murtagh, asking him to follow the women. He did just that, arriving just in time to eliminate the Redcoat so neither Jenny nor Claire had to do the deed.

Knowing that Claire is not only in good hands with Murtagh, but also proving that she will do anything to get Jamie back, Jenny headed back to Lallybroch to tend to her newborn baby while Claire and Murtagh set out on the search for a Jamie who, according to the missive from the courier, escaped the Redcoats.

The bulk of the episode was then focused on Murtagh and Claire travelling all over the countryside, freely and openly hoping to draw Jamie out of hiding place. At first the duo visited every village they came upon, putting Claire’s healing skills to use; and then they contrived an unusual stage show where Murtagh would perform a Scottish jig and Claire would sing a song set to the tune of “Bugle Boy of Company B” that was actually a coded message for Jamie (to be more specific the song was one that Dougal would sing when he was drunk, according to Murtagh).

Despite countless efforts to track Jamie down, and even a run-in with a band of gypsies, Murtagh and Claire got no closer to finding the lad until the gypsy leader found them at a tavern, letting them know that a message was left for them. That message led them to, not Jamie, but Dougal and his hidden cache of weapons for the Jacobite rebellion.

Dougal shared with Murtagh and Claire that Jamie was caught in one of the villages where the duo had performed and was taken to Wentworth Prison, receiving an execution order from the Redcoats. Given that truth and going on the belief that Jamie was either already dead or soon would be, and forsaking his supposed love for the recently deceased Geillis, Dougal made Claire an offer that she did not want to hear: marry him and he would provide her protection.

Claire only agreed to his unappealing proposal if Dougal permitted her to make one last chance to rescue Jamie with help from some of the MacKenzie men who she was, thanks to young Willie, able to convince to help.

The episode came to a close as Claire, Murtagh, Rupert, Angus and Willie sit astride their horses looking at Wentworth Prison.

What did you think of the latest episode of Outlander? Please share your thoughts below. And remember the next episode of Outlander will air on Starz on Saturday, May 16 at 9/8c.