GVN Review: Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 7, Episode 5: “Singapore”

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

So Far In Outlander, Season 7

Starz’s Outlander is at the half-way point of its initial eight episode arc that makes up part one of Season 7. At this point, Jamie and Claire have traveled to Fort Ticonderoga to join the Militia in the colonist’s goal of independence. Jamie to serve as a Colonel in the Militia and Claire as a doctor…or whatever medical avenue OTHERS will allow.

Elsewhere, Ian is also on the way to Fort Ticonderoga, but has set off to talk to some of the Indians along the way to see if he can recruit any to fight with the Colonies. Along his journey he ran into Jamie’s secret son WIlliam Ransom. William was injured while attempting to deliver some classified messages. Ian took William to see Dr. Denzell Hunter and his sister Rachel, who nursed William back to health. Now he and the Hunters are on their way north. The Hunters to Fort Ticonderoga and William to complete his message delivery.

In the future, Brianna and Roger have purchased Lollybroch, the Fraser ancestral home, and are making repairs. Bree has a new job as plant inspector for a dam while Roger takes care of Mandy. Meanwhile, he works on house repairs and writing a history of the time travel magic of the stones. At least in their experience with them. Bree and Roger have also been having some issues with Jemmy who seems to be telling stories about a mythical creature: The Nucklevee.

There, that kind of catches us up. At least for this season. Let’s see what happened in Episode 5, “Singapore.”

The Cemetery

We start with Bree, who is looking for her kids. She finds them playing in the Fraser Cemetery. She tells Jemmy and Mandy to leave as she had told them not to play there. Jemmy told her they were playing hide and seek, not to mention he goes there to talk to Grandda (Jamie). She asks him if he had found their headstones, but he told her he had not. However, he had built a stone cairn so he could talk to him. He asked Bree if she wanted to see it, but she declined.

A New Letter

Later, Bree had the box of letters that Claire and Jamie had left for her and Roger. She had been crying and told Roger about the incident at the Cemetery. It just made her miss her parents. Because of this, she wanted to read the next letter, even though they had said they would wait. Seeing how much it meant to Bree, he told her it was time to read one. The letter was from Claire and she told about their arrival at Fort Ticonderoga.

Jamie was leading some men he had met on the ship they traveled on, who referred to themselves as Fraser’s Irregulars, much to the delight of Jamie. They were building fortifications to the Fort in preparation of British attack. Meanwhile, Claire was working with the sick and injured under the command of Lieutenant Stactoe. A man who believes he is a surgeon but isn’t. What he does have is plenty of arrogance and belief that Claire’s medical opinions are worthless, mainly because she is a woman. How typical, then and now.

A Possible Weakness

Ian also arrived at the Fort after talking to some of the Indian tribes, most who have already taken sides with the British. He was given the assignment of Scout and Indian liaison. The Fort, under the command of Major General St. Clair, is confident that they are ready for the British assault. At least that is what his attaché General Fermoy believes. Jamie has his doubts.

While he and his men were building fortifications, he noticed Sugar Loaf Hill, across the water. From its elevated position, Jamie believes that the British could bring cannon fire that would reach the fort. He suggests that Fermoy position some of their troops there to circumvent such an event. Fermoy dismisses the idea, believing that it would be impossible for the British to reach the hill due to the difficult terrain. Jamie assures him that a squad of men, especially one led by a Highlander, could do it. Once again, he dismisses the idea and then Jamie. Pride and arrogance…seem to be a common trait in both timelines.

Hospitality

Meanwhile, William and the Hunters are traveling North toward Fort Ticonderoga. On their journey, they are debating how a man who values peace and non-violence has no issue with cutting into a dead man…for science. The debate is good natured, and they pretty much agree to disagree. Soon they come across a man sawing on a downed tree. He asks where they are going, and they tell him their destination. He assures them they are on the wrong road. But he offers them a place to stay for the night and a meal. They accept his offer, grateful for the hospitality.

Upon their arrival, they sit down for supper and a lovely rat stew. William, not wanting to offend their hosts, tries the stew but Rachel excuses herself for some air. William also excuses himself to check on her. She admits that she had to distance herself from their meal, while acknowledging that the couple are no doubt doing the best they can. Regardless, William assures her that if they offer breakfast, they will all respectfully decline.

First Day at Work

Back at Lollybroch, Brianna is preparing for her first day on the job. She is both nervous and excited. Roger assures her she will be great, and he will handle things at home. He also playfully suggests that she bring her hard hat home with her to wear to bed. Sounds like Roger had some work of his own he was wanting to try. Working toward kid number three there, Roger?

Brianna arrives at the dam and is taken to where the men are working to install a new turbine. She is introduced and she asks to be shown where the work was being done. The men seem friendly enough, offering to show her around. Even revealing which key amongst the giant key ring, she now has custody of unlocks the door they will be going through. One of the men even offers her a flashlight. She steps in only to have the men lock her in and take off in the Landrover that transported them there. Bastards.

Making Her Way through the Shaft

To make matters worse, even the flashlight Bree was given didn’t work. Fortunately, she had some matches. Were they the ones she created back on the Ridge? Who knows. But it did give her enough light to find the electrical boxes and engage the internal lights. Luckily, Bree had studied the blueprints of the construction and was able to find her way around. However, there was one section she traversed that was unusual. It radiated a weird, waving energy along with a loud sound. She ran through it, apparently unscathed but it was still a mystery. Perhaps to be solved later after she found the exit. Which she did. The question was, how would she handle the men responsible?

Ian’s Mission

At Fort Ticonderoga, Ian is ordered to visit the base command and Major General St. Clair’s Aide-De-Camp. He informs Ian that the Major General had heard of Ian’s relationship with the Mohawk and his familiarity with their language. Ian confirmed this. He was also asked if he was familiar with Joseph Brant, known as Thayendanegea. Again, Ian confirms his familiarity with the man.

The Aide-De-Camp tells Ian that they are aware that the British offered the Mohawk land for their assistance. Naturally, the Continental Army would rather the Mohawk side with them. They have learned that Brant is staying with the Mohawk in their village at Shadow Lake. They require Ian to bring a letter to him.

Ian is reluctant to accept this mission as it brings him back to the village he lived and the wife he once had. He asked the Aide-De-Camp if he could send someone else. He assured Ian that no one else was as qualified as him to do this mission. Not to mention, that it was an order. He should prepare to leave immediately. Welcome to the Army, Ian.

The Wisdom of Clair

Before Ian leaves for his assignment, he is troubled by his return to Shadow Lake. It means stirring up the memories of his dead daughter and coming face to face with she who was his wife. The woman who had taken up with his best friend and had a child by him. He needed some clarity. His auntie Clair is always good for that.

He asked about babies and his belief that it was somehow his fault their little girl didn’t survive. His one-time grandmother had told Ian that for a child to survive, the father’s spirit must overcome the mother’s. He had apparently failed at this. Her new husband had not, and they now have a son. Claire assured him that his daughter was not lost due to Ian’s lack of spirit. It was purely a medical matter, a matter of science. She had no doubt that when Ian met another woman, they would be able to conceive. That’s all he needed to hear.

Another Source for Stew

William and the Hunters were asleep in their benefactor’s cabin. But William woke up with a stomachache. No doubt due to that wholesome Rat’s Stew he ate. Just in time for him as the man and his wife came downstairs and attacked them. The man had a knife and he meant to kill William with it while his wife attacked Denzell and Rachel. William fought him off enough to grab a fireplace poker. He used it to fend the man off and then stabbed him with it. He then went to assist the Hunters, punching the wife to stop her.

Dealing with the Aftermath

Later that morning, William was sitting outside the house, visibly bothered by what had transpired that night. Rachel came to check on him, telling him that the wife confessed that she and her husband had did similar things to other visitors. She claimed that her husband MADE her do it, but she revealed a chest full of jewelry they had obtained through previous offers of hospitality. She offered it to Denzell and Rachel if they just let her be. Rachel said they refused the offer.

She then asked William what was troubling him. He told her that it was the first time he had killed a man. He knew that it was possible during the war, and he was prepared for that. But this was different. Rachel told him that it was not. He would likely face the same soul searching in that circumstance as well. But she knew William was a good man. She did not think any less of him. He had saved their lives. As for the wife, she had lost her husband. It was in God’s hands now.

Seeing is Believing

Back at Fort Ticonderoga, Jamie seeked out Clair. His men had captured a British regular. Through questioning him, they found out that a man named Simon Fraser was one of the British General’s Brigadiers. He was a 2nd cousin to Jamie and a good fighter. He also learned that the British were running short of food and horses. Because of this, they would no doubt try to take the fort by force as opposed to waiting them out. Simon’s presence convinced Jamie that the likelihood of the British taking advantage of Sugar Loaf Hill had increased. But he could not seem to convince General Fermoy of this possibility. And he couldn’t go around Fermoy and take his request to St. Clair. He had to somehow SHOW Fermoy what was possible.

Claire then told Jamie of a situation during WWII: The Battle of Singapore. A British Battalion was stationed in Singapore. The commander, General Percival had all his weapons aimed at the sea, since he didn’t believe that any attack come from land because of the dense jungle. But he hadn’t counted on the Japanese cutting their way through the foliage and attacking them at their weakest point…by land. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. Seeing is Believing. This gave Jamie an idea. If he couldn’t convince Fermoy with words, he would do it by action.

Keeping Watch

On the northern road, William and the Hunter’s had reached their separation point. The Hunters would follow the road on to Fort Ticonderoga while he went another way to complete his mission. He thanked them for their company, and they thanked him for saving them back at the cabin. Before they went their separate ways, he gave Rachel the money that Ian had left him. She tried to refuse it, but William insisted. He did keep the crucifix that Ian had given him.

As William rode on, Rachel watched him go. Denzell reminded her that William was a British soldier and most likely a deserter. Violence follows such a man. She scoffed at this idea. Wasn’t he taking them into the middle of a war? He acknowledged this but told her he would be willing to have her stay in safety. This was God’s calling for him, not her. But Rachel answered back that God’s calling for her was to keep watch over her “fat-headed brother” and keep him from dying. She would do so.

Return to Shadow Lake

Meanwhile in Shadow Lake, Ian walked through the village and soon saw his former wife, Wahionhaweh who was working on a hide. She greeted him in Mohawk using his Mohawk name: Wolf’s Brother (because of his connection to Rollo). She told Ian that she was happy to see him, and he returned the sentiment. Wahionhaweh then asked him why he had come. He told her he was there at the bequest of his General to speak to Thayendanegea. She confirmed his presence in their village.

After a brief pause, Ian then asked if she could walk with him. She told him she couldn’t go far. Because of her son and her newborn daughter. Ian expressed joy that her family was growing. He also expressed regret that he wasn’t able to give her children. Finally, he asked her if she was happy. She hesitated a moment but declared that she was. When she didn’t ask him about his happiness, she told him that she had eyes and could see that he was not. Ian couldn’t argue.

Swiftest of Lizards

Since she had mentioned her son, Ian asked if he could meet him. She seemed to hesitate for a brief moment but then called the boy over. His appearance was somewhat interesting as he looked more like Ian than his father. Her discomfort also seemed to mean something, but what? She excused herself to see to her daughter. Ian bent down and asked the boy what his name was. He replied, Swiftest of Lizards. As Ian repeated the name, the boy asked Ian if he was Wolf’s Brother? Ian confirmed this, asking him if his mother taught him English. Which she had.

Swiftest of Lizards then told Ian that his grandmother talks about him. She told him that he was the child of Wolf’s Brother’s spirit. But that he should never say so to his father. At that moment, Wahionhaweh returns with a slight smile on her face. She then asks Ian to give the boy a name of his people, when he should walk among them. Ian thanks her for that honor. He bends down again and tells Swiftest of Lizards that his name is Ian James. The boy tells Ian that he likes it, with a smile on his face. Probably not as much as Ian does.

Trouble at School

Returning to Lollybroch, Jemmy is dropped off from school. But instead of going inside the house, he steps into a outer building with a sign that says, “keep out.” Roger watches him and then goes in after him, asking him to come outside. Roger waves to the stump he is sitting on and asks Jemmy to join him. He sits silently for a few moments with a stoic look on his face. Finally, Roger asks Jemmy what was wrong. Jemmy says that he got in trouble at school. A boy at school told him that his mother and his sister were going to burn in hell as papists. Apparently, Roger had given Jemmy a response to such a statement: “I’ll see ye there.”

Jemmy had used the response, but he said it in the Gaelic. His teacher, Miss Glendenning didn’t like that because they only speak English in HER classroom. Pulling and twisting Jemmy’s ear to make the point. He didn’t like that, so he cursed at her using one of Grandda’s curses. For that, he was taken to the headmaster, and he was given three hits with the belt.  Jemmy was afraid that Roger would be mad at him. Roger assured him that he was not. At least not at Jemmy. However, Jemmy was confused why it was bad to speak in the Gaelic. Again, Roger assured him that it wasn’t. He would get it all sorted out at school. As for now, he told Jemmy to come to the house, but not before he picked up his rubbish he had been leaving there. Jemmy told him it wasn’t HIS rubbish. Darn that Nucklevee.

Medical Conference

Back in the hospital at Ticonderoga, the newly arrived Dr. Hunter and the opinionated Lieutenant Stactoe are arguing over an amputation. Harold, a young man of Claire’s acquaintance has an ugly wound on his foot. Stactoe wants to amputate the leg below the knee joint. Dr. Hunter wants to cut higher, above the knee. When Claire enters the conversation, Stactoe is quick to dismiss her as not knowing what they are talking about.

At first glance, Claire is ready to agree with Stactoe’s opinion. Until Dr. Hunter explained why he had come to his conclusion. After a closer examination, she agreed with Denzell. Claire then offers to bring some hot water to sterilize the instruments. Stactoe refuses as he believes it would dull his equipment. Claire assures him that it would not. It would just kill the possible germs and prevent post operative infection. She then made the mistake of telling him she would not “LET” him operate with dirty equipment. Let HIM???

I’m Going HOME!

Dr. Hunter then told Stactoe that perhaps he should do the surgery, as a surgeon with a medical degree. The arrogant doctor tells Hunter he can do the surgery, but not with HIS equipment. He is going to take his ball and go home! No great loss. Besides Denzell has his own surgical equipment. He then asks Claire if she will assist him…and bring the boiling water.

Seeing is NOT Believing

At the same time, General Fermoy has been called to the fence line by Jamie. Jamie wanted the General to observe something. He gives Fermoy his spyglass and he sees some soldiers at the top of Sugar Loaf Hill with a cannon. But instead of being amazed that the thing he thought not possible was accomplished. He railed that Jamie had taken men and a cannon outside the fort when they were needed inside. It got worse when Jamie had the men fire to prove that the Fort WAS in range of cannon fire from that position. Once again, Fermoy was outraged that Jamie humiliated him by pulling this stunt. If he had HIS way, he would have Jamie arrested. But he needed every man available. He ordered Jamie to bring the men and the cannon back inside the Fort. Apparently, seeing is NOT believing for some.

Rachel and Ian

Ian had returned to the Fort after delivering the letter to Thayendanegea. He was surprised to see Rachel there. She told him that her brother had come to be of service to the army. William had escorted them, and she appreciated his protection. Ian told her that since she was now at the Fort, he offered HIS protection. She told Ian she welcomed it, but hoped she didn’t need it. She also noticed that Ian had gathered some medicinal herbs along his travels. He told her he always forages for his Auntie Claire when he scouts. Rachel told him that her brother and her had been working with Claire. For Ian, he hoped that meant he would be seeing more of her. Rachel seemed agreeable to that.

Handling her Men

Back at Lollybroch, Bree is telling the Reader’s Digest version of her adventure in the Dam. The children were impressed by her bravery. But when she told them she was able to navigate because she studied the schematics, Roger used that as a lesson for Jemmy about doing his homework. Upon her escape, Bree told the kids that her co-workers all applauded her. She then left the table.

Roger followed her, realizing that was not the whole story. She told him her day was horrible. Worse, she was convinced that the men didn’t do it like a hazing at school, they did it because she was a woman. She wasn’t sure how she should handle that. Because if she didn’t, they might feel like they could do it anytime they wished. It looks like Roger’s idea about Bree and her hard hat would have to wait. Bree had a place to go.

Respect

She went to the pub the men had said they would be going to that night. She initially made light of the incident, wanting to make sure they knew they didn’t get the best of her. But she also quietly made it clear that while she was willing to overlook this incident…this time, if they EVER attempted anything like that in the future, she would have them ALL fired. This seemed to earn her some respect. Fair enough, the ringleader said, as they all shared a pint.

The Proof is ON Sugar Loaf Hill

Later that night at Fort Ticonderoga, Fermoy was patrolling the perimeter when he saw light coming from Sugar Loaf Hill. Upon closer inspection, an entire troop of British soldiers were encamped on the hill, along with some cannons. If only someone had warned them of that possibility. When it was reported to Major General St. Claire, he asked his officers how this possibility hadn’t been anticipated. Surprising enough, Jamie didn’t say I told you so…especially to the arrogant Fermoy who told St. Claire that no one could have foreseen it. Right! Gutless!!

Evacuation

St. Claire, realizing they were in a grave position, orders the evacuation of the Fort. Fermoy resists the idea of leaving the Fort without a fight. But St. Claire reminds him they are severely outmanned. They would not stand a chance. Jamie stepped forward and told the General that he and his men had already set to commandeering some boats to evacuate the civilians. They should be able to escape on water faster than the British could advance. St. Claire agreed, telling Jamie to get as many out as he could. As for the rest, they were to gather everything they could and destroy what they could not. Fermoy looked at Jamie scathingly as he obeyed St. Clair’s orders.

Conversations

Back at Lollybroch, Bree is back at the Cemetery. She has found the cairn the Jemmy made for Grandda. Bree adds a stone and then starts talking to Jamie, telling him about Lollybroch and her new job. It is good to talk to him again.

Thoughts

This episode has a common theme: Respect or lack thereof. In two of the situations, the issues are a common one. The sexist belief that a woman cannot possibly be able to handle a position that a man inhabits. What a wonderful thing that in over a two-hundred-year span, the situation hasn’t improved. Claire is dismissed by Lieutenant Stactoe because as a woman, she can’t possibly know as much about medicine as a man.  Even one who didn’t go to medical school, apparently.

Two-hundred years later, Bree is confronting the same issues, this time in the Engineering field. Even the man who interviewed her last issue thought she would be unable to cope with the job. She proved them wrong by not only navigating her way out of the place they locked her in, but standing her ground and proving she would not be pushed around.

Childish Responses

It IS interesting that in both cases, the man’s or men’s response was to do something childish. You don’t want to operate the way I want you to? Well, I’m taking my instruments and leaving! All he was missing was to stick out his tongue as he left. In Bree’s case, the men behaved like Jemmy, locking his sister in the prayer hole. Grow-up Kids. What would they have done if something had happened to Brianna?

The third incident revolves around one man’s belief in his own superiority. Jamie called it pride. I call it stupid. You would have thought that once Jamie and his men PROVED that what he feared was possible, General Fermoy would have agreed that it WOULD be a good idea to station some men on the Hill. But instead of doing that, he feigned ignorance when the British did exactly what Jamie had told would happen. “No one could have foreseen it, General.” Bullshit! You just didn’t want to be proven wrong. Jamie showed real restraint in not putting the man in his place. But judging by the look on Fermoy’s face, it might not be over. Although, I would say that if Fermoy wants to defend the Fort by himself, let him. Makes you wonder how the British were defeated with men like Fermoy in charge. I guess we’ll see.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Meanwhile, an interesting development with Ian and Swiftest of Lizards. What happened here? Did Ian impregnate her before the Mohawk decided his spirit wasn’t up to the challenge and dismissed him? It makes one wonder, especially with that remark from Grandma. Wonder how Kaheroton feels about it all? He did ask Ian to look after his child and wife if anything happened to him in Season 6, Episode 4: “Hour of the Wolf.” At least we know the daughter is Kaheroton’s. Hmmm…But I digress, as usual. Another great episode. Three more before the hiatus starts.

Starz Outlander Season 7, Episode 5 “Singapore” can be found on Starz Television and streaming on the Starz app. New episodes come out on Starz Television on Fridays at 8:00pm EST and on the Starz App after Midnight on Thursdays.