Outlander: Send for the Devil

(Apologies for the late post. I plan to have my review of this week's episode up shortly.)

"I think it will be an evil night."

Well, it was a dark and stormy night, at the very least. They don't usually go for such obvious symbolism, but this time they really went for it. There were also many references to prayer, good and evil, God and the Devil. Everyone thinks God is on their side in a battle, don't they?

The Siege of Savannah

Let's start with the Continentals attacking the British-held Savannah, with Bree inside of town and Roger on the outside. This particular battle appears to have been the last straw for Roger, who had every intention of fighting but couldn't help ministering to the wounded instead. Roger has finally accepted his calling. It suits him.

In fact, I thought this was Roger's best episode so far, with the possible exception of "The Ballad of Roger Mac" back in season five. Similar circumstances, too. Roger showed genuine bravery, especially considering what happened the last time he was on a battlefield.

When Roger was carrying the wounded drummer boy behind the lines and yelling for a doctor, the first thing I thought was, too bad Claire wasn't there. But surprise! the second best doctor in the colonies was to hand. I hadn't realized that Roger and Denzell hadn't met, but how could they have?

And then there was Benjamin Grey, William's cousin and Amaranthus' husband as well as the Duke-to-be. He is now a rebel general named Bleeker. (William does seem to have a lot of rebel friends, doesn't he?) I assume we'll find out in the next episode if Amaranthus is just a free spirit with genuine feelings for William, or if she has ulterior motives of some sort. Let's just hope her sexy romp in the garden with William won't bear fruit.

I am very much liking Bree's developing relationship with William. Plus it might be just what William needs to find his way toward some sort of relationship with Jamie, something I think they both need.

The Battle of the Lodge

So much for Charles Cunningham as a possible ally. He was planning to have Jamie hung as a show of power before taking over Fraser's Ridge. Starting with an ambush at the Lodge meeting.

Cunningham broke the no-politics rules at the meeting to talk about loyalty to one's king. Jamie effectively countered with the Declaration of Arbroath and outwitted Cunningham with the effective placement of a basket of flowers, possibly this week's Most Obvious Symbolism. (Although there was plenty of competition for that.)

I watched this episode with my daughter and we both shrieked when Cunningham's knife went into Jamie's shoulder. We're not at all invested in these characters, are we?

Cousin Buck to the rescue, shooting Cunningham to save the day. Buck also said that, like Ian, he would fight with Jamie at Kings Mountain. Except I hadn't even thought of the fact that Jamie and Claire killed Buck's father Dougal, and Claire killed Buck's mother Geillis. Does that mean that it's inevitable that Buck will find out the truth? I don't want that. It's not like Jamie and Claire are evil; there were reasons. But I'm fond of Buck now and things have changed.

Plus we still don't know what happened with Rob Cameron. And why isn't Buck looking for his own kids?

Claire, who was ready for casualties, prayed for the best outcome with her new frenemy Elspeth Cunningham. Although Elspeth turned out to be a bit less kind than I expected, expressing a bloodthirsty wish for Jamie to be hung for betraying his king. Both Cunningham and his mum honestly believed in the prophecy that Cunningham couldn't die for another five years. They didn't bet on paralysis, though.

I'm losing my fondness for Espeth, and gaining it for Mister Obnoxious what's-his-face Cleveland, who was the "devil" referred to in the episode title. Maybe the third time was the charm. After all, there are so many clichés. The enemy of my enemy. The devil you know. Strange bedfellows. Et cetera.

Bits:

— The post-credits vignette was Christophe the drummer boy beating his drum.

— Aaron Whitaker came to warn Jamie after overhearing Cunningham's plotting. That was a good deed rewarded.

— Lizzie left the gun-laden basket of flowers outside the Lodge for Jamie.

— After many mentions, we still haven't met Loyalist militia guy Ferguson. Quite a build-up.

— Fanny is turning into a good physician's assistant.

— Lord John gave Bree an American flag for the window if the Continentals take Savannah. That must have been the one gifted by George Washington back in Philadelphia.

Quotes:

Roger: "Oh Lord, help me do what you want me to do, whatever that is. But in the name of Christ your son, let me live through it. Because if you don't, you'll have my wife to answer to."

Jamie: "How do I look?"
Claire: "Like you'd scare the devil himself."
Jamie: "I don't want to scare him, Claire. Tonight I need the devil on my side."

Jamie: "Dinna fash. We have a plan."
Claire: "Plans fail. That's why they call them plans. There's even a saying written by a Scot, no less."
Jamie: "The best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley."
Claire: "There was a play about it in my time. and things go very agley."

Jamie: "Friends and neighbors all."
Ardsmuir man: "Peace and harmony they quoted just now while lying in wait, forbye."

Jamie: "Not much to talk about save you leaving my land. On foot or in a box is up to you."
Cunningham: "You forget, Mr. Fraser. I have a box waiting for me. But not for five more years."

Half of the final season is over already. What did you all think of this one? Maybe three prayers out of four?

Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

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