Outlander Recap: “Not in Scotland Anymore”

There was so much going on in Saturday’s new episode of Outlander that it’s almost surprising they fit all of the stories that they fit into it.

Let’s examine the various plot points:

1. Jamie is suffering from some pretty intense post-traumatic stress after his heinous ordeal with Black Jack Randall not only in the horrible nightmares for which he has been suffering but also in ‘real life’ while attempting to have a romantic interlude with his wife.

In an effort to help Jamie with his sufferings, Claire sought out the help of local apothecary Master Raymond, who gave Claire current medications (for that time period) that should help him sleep soundly through the night. Oddly enough, Master Raymond was already aware of Claire thanks to Le Comte St. Germain’s account of what Claire did at the port of Le Havre. But, luckily for Claire, St. Germain and Master Raymond are actually enemies so that makes him and Claire new best friends. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?!

2. Cousin Jared made good on his promise to help Jamie meet the right people within the Jacobites, putting him in touch with the one and only Bonnie Prince Charlie. It doesn’t get much higher than that.

Jamie and Murtagh met the exiled Prince in, of all places, a Paris brothel; but it seems that despite a slightly rocky start, the Prince “took a shine” to Jamie, asking him to be his proxy at the French Court. Specifically, the Prince needs to fill his war chest if he has any hope of reclaiming his throne; and the way to do that is by getting close to the French Minister of Finance, Monsieur Joseph Duverney.

There will be more on Duverney shortly.

3. Claire has made friends with Louise de la Tour, the Marquis de Rohan, a very influential woman in Paris at that time. Louise not only fully showcased the joy and pain of body waxing to Claire (as well as the docile, virginal Mary Hawkins) but also managed to get Claire and Jamie into the same room with Duverney.

Claire’s initial introduction to Duverney was quite awkward, as he thought Claire was only interested in having a tryst and that encounter was only made worse by Jamie finding them together. The end result was Duverney ending up in the drink (literally) – Jamie pushed him and he fell into the river below (the most laughable moment out of the entire episode). Remarkably, though, the French Minister was supremely apologetic and offered up not only his friendship but anything else the Frasers would want. For now, they accepted his friendship, but I’m sure they will call in that “IOU” very soon.

4. The French King has major intestinal problems (something I could have personally done without knowing let alone seeing, quite frankly) and his mistress Madame Nesle de la Tourelle isn’t afraid to wear the most avant-garde of outfits. That nipple-baring, swan-piercing gown was gorgeous except for nipple-baring, swan piercing part, of course).

5. The Duke of Sandringham was a guest at the same lavish “party” as Jamie, Claire and Murtagh; and, to be honest, he was lucky that Murtagh didn’t take vengeance into his own hands. During the conversation that Claire had with the Duke (once she convinced Jamie and Murtagh to have drinks with their new friend the French Minister), she learned the horrible truth that Black Jack Randall wasn’t killed during that daring rescue at Wentworth Prison. That truth came from the Duke’s new secretary Alex Randall, the younger brother of Black Jack.

How Jamie will react to this news – if Claire even tells him or he inadvertently learns the truth before she actually tells him – is not going to be good to say the least. I just hope that Claire comes clean with that revelation because if she doesn’t that will put an even deeper stress on their relationship.

The next new episode of ‘Outlander’ will air on Starz on Saturday, April 23 at 9/8c.