This episode left us feeling somber didn’t it? Wow…
Even the start was solemn. Jamie and Claire are on a boat, headed toward River Run, discussing the events of the previous night where they were attacked by Stephen Bonnet and a group of men. Jamie is once again beating himself up for something that he could not do anything about. He tries so hard to protect the ones he loves and when he fails, he takes all of that weight upon his shoulders. He tells Claire that he feels like a fool for trusting Bonnet and for not being able to keep anyone safe, especially her. Obviously, Claire tells him that it’s not his fault and continues with, “You were outnumbered. They were armed to the teeth.” Of course, Jamie being the humble man that he is, still takes responsibility.
It is moving to watch Jamie and Aunt Jocasta as they are reunited at River Run. Aunt Jocasta remarks about how much Jamie has grown and how she remembers him having a full head of red hair. Then when Ian tries to hand her favorite kind of flowers to her, and she does not realize it, Aunt Jocasta makes it known that she is blind. When Ian apologizes to her, she smirks and says, “Fear not, lad. It’s been a blessing,” then goes on to say how she can make it out “truth from lies” in words of any gossip. Wouldn’t that be a gift to have?
Jamie and Claire make it clear to Aunt Jocasta that they do not intend to stay at River Run long but she refuses this. She likes the idea of having a man around the house, referring to Jamie, and someone who knows how to run a business. They do not dispute the matter and soon Jamie and Claire are escorted to their room. It is noticeable to Jamie that Claire has been unusually quiet, and being that we know by now how opinionated she is, it is strange for Claire not to speak. As she gazes out the bedroom window at all of the slaves working in the field, Jamie sees how upset she is over the matter, and tells her, ” Claire…As you say… One day it’ll be different.” It must have been such a surreal moment for Claire as she has never lived a life where slavery existed. We also know that she values human life, being a doctor, and to her this way of life is beyond unsettling.
As the episode carries on, Claire begins to open up more and more about her views on slavery. She is never afraid to say what it is she feels and how she sees a situation. (I admire that.) Aunt Jocasta is not impressed by Claire’s difference in opinion, though, and there is definitely some tension between the two ladies. One of my favorite moments is when Aunt Jocasta, Claire and Jamie are on the front porch and Aunt Jocasta is speaking of how she saved her slaves from a life less-than then going on with, “Some of them are so dear to me, I consider them friends.” Claire, in a respectful but forward tone, says, “Do you think they feel the same way?” Aunt Jocasta’s face turns to Claire as she replies, “I’m not sure I catch the meaning you wish to convey, Dear.” Claire responds, “Perhaps they see things a little differently…since they don’t exactly have any choice.” It is clear here that no matter what positive spin Aunt Jocasta tries to give to slavery, Claire refuses to see it the same way.
One of the more humorous parts of the episode is when Claire is being fitted for her evening dress and Phaedre, one of the slaves, remarks on the fact that Lieutenant Wolfe has romantic feelings for Aunt Jocasta. Aunt Jocasta’s response? “In the amorous intentions Wolfe has towards me…I find it only hearsay and gossip and we will not indulge it.” Then she changes the topic of conversation to ask Claire how she likes River Run. (I suspect here it’s to gauge her interest in wishing to remain on the plantation…) Claire finally flat out says that she disagrees with the idea of owning people as property to which Aunt Jocasta asks, “Are you a Quaker?” Claire looks confused and tells her she is Catholic. Aunt Jocasta responds with, “Well, how is it you share their views?”
This is where it gets interesting as Claire has to lie and come up with a story. She can’t come out tell them she’s from the future…(But wouldn’t that be so fun to watch her try and do?) Then Aunt Jocasta says that Jenny, Jamie’s sister, wrote to her about Claire and told her how “peculiar” she was. Claire, of course, stands her ground. Aunt Jocasta smiles at this and says, “It’s no wonder my nephew is drawn to ya…got the fire of the Mackenzie in ya.”
As the rest of the story is played out, Jamie is announced unexpectedly as the owner of River Run to a party of people. This makes Jamie upset as he was not ready for this. Then after discussing the matter over with Claire he decides that he will make use of his power and try to help the slaves. It isn’t as easy as he thinks it will be after discussing the matter with Mr. Campbell. The cost to free just one slave is 100 pounds sterling silver and it would be more than 15,000 pounds to free them all.
Jamie, not willing to give up, says he will find a way to increase River Run’s revenue but Mr. Campbell disagrees highly saying, “Were you among Quakers, you would find men of like mind perhaps but you’re newly coming to North Carolina and you didn’t comprehend the difficulties you will not only face but also bring about outlandish notions. You’ll put lives at risk.” This proves to be true as the episode goes on…
Jamie and Claire risk everything as they help a slave by the name of Rufus. It was made clear that Jamie should help Overseer Burns as he was attacked by Rufus but seeing the inhumane treatment of Rufus, they aid him instead. This causes trouble for Jamie and Claire as well as for River Run. Though Claire successfully mends Rufus, the plantation owners from nearby hear of the injustice done and want to see Rufus hung. It was an incredibly heartbreaking moment to watch Jamie tell Claire that it would be better she take Rufus’s life than to have him die by the hands of those evil men.
Claire, though extremely broken, tells Rufus she will make him some tea and as she does, she puts poison in it. After she has him drink it, she asks, tears streaming down her cheeks, to tell her about his sister who has passed on. It doesn’t take long for the poison to do it’s work and with one final eerie breath, Rufus dies there with Jamie and Claire at his beside. The most beautiful moment here is when Jamie begins to say a prayer and his words wash over the horrific scene of the townspeople dragging Rufus’s lifeless body… Everyone watches, Claire clutching Jamie’s arm, as Rufus is hung, though it does not matter since he was not even alive anyway…
To be Claire in this episode would be traumatizing. For her to experience all of this, after only reading about it in text books all her life, would be excruciating. I’m sure it has lit a fire inside of her heart…and we’ll see more of her fighting nature take place as she battles against history…to win the war over slavery.
Mindy Campbell
Latest posts by Mindy Campbell (see all)
- Outlander: Season 4-“Savages” - January 14, 2019
- Outlander: Season 4-“Common Ground” - December 26, 2018
- Outlander: Season 4- “The False Bride” - December 16, 2018