GVN Recap and Review: Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Episode 3 – “Death Be Not Proud”

Last Time

In the last episode of Outlander, we had some closure, some emotional upheaval and we had an explosive climax. We learned the truth behind the death of Malva and a watched a form of justice for her killer. We said a tearful goodbye to Roger, Bree, Jemmy and the newborn Amanda Claire Rose McKenzie as they were forced to return to the present to fix “Mandy’s” heart issues. And finally, fellow “traveler” Wendigo Donner returned only to try to rob Jamie and Claire and then foolishly, blow up part of the house. An example that being from the future doesn’t make you smart. So, let’s see what came of all that in Episode 3, “Death Be Not Proud.”

Delivery from the Past

The episode starts in the present with an old box being delivered to Scotland and addressed to Jeremiah Alexander Ian McKenzie. This, of course is Brianna and Roger’s son Jemmy. The box, which had been sitting in a bank vault is two-hundred years old. Upon being opened by Roger, they find that there are stacks of letters inside. Letters to Brianna from Claire and Jamie. Bridging the 200-year gap between the family. Along with a musket ball.

A Letter from Jamie

Each letter is closed with a wax seal. Upon opening the first, Brianna sees that it is from Jamie. He opens the letter assuring her that her mother and he are both still alive, which flashes back to last episode when Wendigo was foolish enough to light one of Brie’s matches after dropping the ether on the ground. Realizing the danger, Jamie and Claire tell the Bugs to leave the house as Jamie grabs Claire to also escape. They just barely make outside when the explosion tears through that part of the house.

Newspapers Can’t Get ANYTHING Right

Although the Ridge residents and the Frasers try valiantly to put out the flames, the house was too far gone to stop. So, Jamie thanked them for their efforts but knew it was futile, watching their home burn. On the plus side, their obituary had said they died in their house fire in January. It was April when the fire took place, and they were very much alive. Which didn’t stop Claire from lamenting that “bloody newspapers didn’t seem to get anything right.” I think she’s worrying about the wrong thing here.

History Changed

In the present, Roger and Brianna were talking about how her matches had burnt the house down. She scoffed at that idea. It was actually her mother’s ether that had accelerated the flames. Roger quipped that between she and her mother, it was a wonder that the 18th century had even survived. Regardless, the fact remained that perhaps through their intervention, history had been changed and Claire and Jamie were still alive. That was something to celebrate. They read on…

Scavenging through the Debris

Meanwhile back in the past, Claire, Jamie, Ian and the other members of the Ridge were searching through the house remnants, looking for anything to salvage. Claire found her medical journal. The book she kept notes and drawings of her discoveries. It was singed and smoke damaged, but it had pretty much survived and was still legible. She also found her scales. That was something. In addition, Jamie found chests that were under the house that had pretty much survived. Including the one that held his kilt and Scottish tartan.

The Gold Bars

As he looked closer, he also found a bar of gold. This was part of the gold that Wendigo’s men had found while searching Mrs. Bug’s room. Jamie had asked about it at the time, but Arch told Jamie it was not of his concern. Jamie didn’t agree but they had more pressing matters at the time with Wendigo. Now that the danger was past, it would be time to confront Archibald Bug again about the source of the gold.

What Ian Knew

But before that could happen, Ian approached Jamie with a picture of young William. He thought Jamie would want it back. He then told Jamie that he knew that William was his son. Although he had only met him when he was young, he saw the pride Jamie had in him. Plus, he saw the pride the young man carried himself with…and the stubbornness. He was a Fraser through and through. That being said, Ian assured Jamie that no one would hear of it from him.

Transitioning to Roger and Brianna’s Old Cabin

Meanwhile, Lizzy and Josiah brought Claire some blankets from the fisher folk and Lizzy brought Claire a change of clothes. She also offered to wash the clothes that Claire was currently wearing which were no doubt full of soot. Josiah then offered for Kezzie and himself to bring anything that they had salvaged from the house to Roger and Brianna’s old cabin. Which was no doubt where she and Jamie would be staying until a new home could be built. However, there was one more bit of news they had to tell Claire. They had looked all over for the Fraser’s cat Adso but they hadn’t found it. They were concerned that it might have been caught in the fire. Claire told them not to worry. He had no doubt it would turn up at some point.

Mr. and Mrs. Bug and the Gold

It was then that Jamie confronted Mr. Bug about the gold and why it was in the possession of Mrs. Bug. It was marked with a fleur-de-lis. Meaning it was the Jacobite gold intended for Bonnie Prince Charles. Mr. Bug didn’t deny it. Jamie proclaimed that thieves had burnt down his house. He would not have any more thieves on the Ridge. Mr. Bug made it clear that neither he nor Mrs. Bug stole from anyone. If Jamie wanted to point fingers, it should be at his Aunt Jocasta and her husband Hector Cameron. Jamie asked for an explanation.

When the gold came over from France, Dougal McKenzie took one third, Hector Cameron took another and Mr. Bug, who was standing in for Malcolm Grant took the last third for him. The Jacobite gold was meant to go to Prince Charles, but it arrived too late to help with the cause. So, Grant used his share for the good of the Clan. Arch had no knowledge of what Dougal did with his. But Hector took his share and ran off with it. He AND Jocasta as far as Arch was concerned. But he knew upon his first look at River Run (Hector and Jocasta’s plantation) where the gold had been spent. But not all of it.

Retrieving the Gold for Scotland

Jamie then asked how he knew what had become of the rest. Arch had figured that a man like Hector would want to keep his gold close, even in death. So, he realized that the rest of the gold had been buried with Hector. With that in mind, every time Arch made a trip to River Run, he took a bar or two back with him to the Ridge. Until he had all that Hector had taken. Taken from Scotland. Jamie proclaimed that a man who steals from a thief is a thief himself.

Many Oaths

Arch told Jamie that he had made many oaths over those years. An oath to his Chief, which he kept until he died. An oath to the King across the water, which he also kept. He also swore loyalty to George of England which he made when he came to the Americas. He had sworn many oaths. So, he asked Jamie, where should his duty lie now?

Released from his Oath

Jamie reminded him that he had also made an oath to him. As to that, Arch said that he had decided that the most important oath he had made was to his wife. When it came to where the rest of the gold was hidden, he refused to say. All he volunteered was that it was in a place that Jamie would never find. Upon hearing that, Jamie came forward and gave Arch the bar he had found. He told him that he was free of his oath to him, and he will take his wife and leave the Ridge. Never to come back.

Arch went to his wife Murdina and told her what had happened. He told her that he would not beg Jamie to stay. She told him that she did not expect him to. She reminded him there was no shame in what they had done. For years they had worked for the Frasers. Did all the manual labor and turned a blind eye on things they have seen. To her way of thinking, they had earned that gold. It was “their time.”

A Tragic Mistake

Later that night, Jamie and Ian were watching the home, or what was left of it. Jamie had a hunch that Arch had hid the rest of the gold somewhere on the property. They would no doubt retrieve it before they left. Sure enough, they spied what appeared to be Archie digging in the middle of the burned house. Jamie had Ian go around the other side in case Arch attempted to flee when Jamie approached him.

But as Jamie came forward, telling Mr. Bug to step out, the person in question raised a gun and fired at him. Ian reacted immediately, shooting the person with an arrow. Only for them to find out it was not Archie but Murdina they had been approaching. She was wearing Arch’s coat and hat, so the confusion was understandable in the dark. The result was the same. The remaining gold was found, but Murdina Bug was dead.

Living with Guilt

For his part, Ian was devastated. Mrs. Bug had always been so kind to him. She was almost like a surrogate Mother. If he had known it was her, he would not have fired so readily. How was he to get over the guilt he would no doubt carry?

The next morning, Ian was still trying to come to terms with the death of Mrs. Bug. Claire approached and he once again said how kind Murdina had been to him. She had taken care of him. Of all of them. She had even been silent about the death of Allan Christie. But now…? Claire reminded him that he was protecting Jamie. And while he realized that, he could not help but wonder why he did it. Murdina’s shot only grazed Jamie. He did not have to kill her. Now all he wants to do is to take it back. But he knows he can’t.

Just Keep Breathing

Claire wished she had some magical thing to tell Ian. But she didn’t. All she could tell him for now was to keep breathing. It was the advice she would tell herself. Put on a brave face, be strong and keep breathing. It was kind of like the mantra of Dora from Finding Nemo. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. Just keep swimming. For that’s all they can do at the moment.

The Guardian

Soon, it was time to lay Mrs. Bug to rest. They had her coffin loaded in a wagon as they approached the Fraser burial ground. The discussion soon went to the topic of the guardian. It was said that the last person buried in a cemetery assumed the task of guardian over the dead. Their job would be to frighten off evil spirits or those who would desecrate those entombed there. At the moment, that meant that Marva Christie was serving as guardian. After the service, Mrs. Bug would assume that role. It was fitting as she had been a “guardian” for all who lived on the Ridge.

Death Be Not Proud

Mr. Bug soon arrived during the procession, assuming that he would not be turned away from his wife’s funeral. Jamie assured him he would not. Arch then asked for all the proper observances for his wife and asked Claire if she would sing. Somewhat taken aback by the request, Claire agreed and sang Ave Maria as they headed toward the grave site. Upon reaching the place Mrs. Bug would be buried; they lifted the lid to give Arch one last opportunity to say goodbye. He was, of course, grief stricken. Jamie then recited the poem Sonnet X (A.K.A. Death be not proud) by John Donne.

A Promise

Afterwards, as Archibald Bug stood by his wife’s grave, Ian approached him. He confessed that it was by his hand that Murdina died. It was not done in malice nor by purpose. He offered Mr. Bug his life in exchange…a life for a life. But Arch said that was too easy. Would Ian allow Mr. Bug to kill his dog? Ian, surprised by the request, refused. He told him that his dog had done nothing wrong to deserve that fate. Mr. Bug reminded him that a dog was nothing but a flea-ridden beast. Not a wife. But there would come a time when Ian WOULD have something of great value. At that time, he would be seeing Mr. Bug again. That, he promised him.

Death and Lollybroch

Time passed and they never saw Archibald Bug. Soon Claire and Jamie were making plans to rebuild their home in a new location on the Ridge. With the recent deaths on the Ridge, they also discussed where Jamie might like to be buried when that time came. There on the Ridge or back in Scotland. He figured it wouldn’t matter. He always thought he would die at sea or on some battleground. By that time, if there is a body…just leave it for the crows.  As for Claire, he didn’t want to even think about burying her. He could not even contemplate her death.

But before they could begin building their new home, Jamie wanted to bring Ian back to Scotland and his sister. Back to Lollybroch. He had promised Jenny when he had left that he would send her son back to her. It was high time he kept that promise. Although she might not recognize the man from the boy she sent along with Jamie. But if they are to make that trip, it must be soon. Especially with the war approaching. Plus, there would be one other advantage. He had promised himself he would not face his son William in battle. By making this trip, he would be able to keep that promise as well.

The Lost Jacobite Gold

But before they could leave, they needed to get their affairs in order. That included the disposition of the gold that the Bug’s had hidden. Jamie melted some of it down and recast them into musket balls. Very valuable musket balls. The rest, they took to a cave that Jamie and Jemmy had discovered. They placed the chest with the remaining gold in a crevice of the cave, near the remains of a Spanish Conquistador. It was important that no one knew of the gold. If even a rumor were to surface of the lost Jacobite gold, the entire Ridge would be in danger.

Tying Up Loose Ends

As their journey approached, Jamie entrusted his men from Ardsmuir to look after the residents of the Ridge while he was gone. The Beardsley family would look after their new home site during their absence. While Claire taught Lizzy how to do some basic healing with herbs and medicines while she was gone. All of this was written about in the letters that Jamie and Claire had written Brianna and Roger that they were now reading. Jamie also left them some cryptic clues about the valuables they had hidden in a location that Jemmy knew about. If they ever had need of them, Jemmy would know where.

Deducing the Secret

Roger and Brianna discussed what the letter meant. They soon concluded that Jamie was talking about the lost Jacobite gold. Deducing this through Jamie’s clues of valuables left in trust of the Cameron’s for a certain Italian gentleman. Apparently, Jamie had come across this and had hidden it in a place that he had shown Jeremiah at some point. They were also told that if they DID have need of it, have it blessed by a priest because there was blood on it.

But would they ask Jemmy? They decided they would not. Jamie had said to use it if they had need. At this point, they did not. Better to leave it where it lies. In the meantime, Brianna decided to stop reading anymore letters. If she were to read them all, it would be like her parents were really gone. They would ration out the letters, bringing them back to Boston. But before that, Brianna wanted to visit Lollybroch.

Lollybroch

They traveled to the rundown castle, Brianna remembering her time there when it was a vibrant and active residence. She loved the old place. But her reminiscing was broken when a car drove up. Roger and Brie apologized and told the woman they were leaving. She asked them if they were interested in the property, pulling up a realtor’s sign that had fallen down. Lollybroch was for sale.

Thoughts

This was a clever way to keep the narrative going between the future Brianna and Roger and the past Jamie and Claire. The letters provided a creative framework to continue to tell Claire and Jamie’s story while intertwining the two time periods. Beautifully done and executed. On a sidenote: Jamie and Claire have exquisite penmanship. A slowly dying skill these days. Even cursive seems to be going the way of the dodo. Well done.

Poor Ian

Poor Ian. The young man can’t seem to catch a break, although his intentions are always honorable. He seems to be always attempting to make up for his mistakes. Sell Roger to the Mohawk? Volunteer to take his place. Fall in love and marry with an Indian maid, only to have her lose multiple children in childbirth and then lose the woman in the process. Not because she dies, but because he was cast out of the tribe and his “wife” hooked up with his best friend. Bummer.

Now he accidentally kills Mrs. Bug, defending Jamie from what he thought was Mr. Bug. It was an understandable mistake. Even Jamie thought it was Mr. Bug they were dealing with. If Murdina hadn’t shot at Jamie, she would still be alive. Why was she wearing Mr. Bugs coat and hat anyway? Nevertheless, it was a tragic accident. But it appears that Arch is not going to let it go (not that you would think he would). Perhaps it is best that Ian goes back to Scotland. But I’m sure there’s more to come from this.

For Sale

What luck. Lollybroch is for sale and Roger and Brianna happen to know where a chest of gold is available. The question is, will they pull the trigger on that or let it stay in hiding. I’m sure Jamie would love to learn that his ancestral home is back in the Fraser clan. Although I’m not sure how they would ever know what Roger and Brianna are up to. It’s still an interesting development.

So, Jamie, Claire and Ian are headed back to Scotland. No doubt there will be adventure waiting for them there. Will they eventually find themselves back on the Ridge? What changes will have transpired when they do? The war won’t stop just because Jamie and Claire decided to take a holiday. But those are probably questions for later on. In the meantime, the journey continues.

Starz Outlander Season 7, Episode 3: ‘Death Be Not Proud‘ is available on Starz television with new episodes available on Fridays at 8:00pm EST. Episodes are dropped on the online APP on Thursday nights at midnight.