GVN Recap And Review: Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 7, Episode 4: “A Most Uncomfortable Woman”

Last Episode

When last we left the world of Outlander, Jamie was preparing to take Claire and Ian back to Scotland. This was to fulfill a promise to his sister Jenny as well as possibly, avoiding the upcoming war for Independence. Meanwhile, Ian was still dealing with his guilt over the death of Mrs. Bug and the threat left by Mr. Bug. Who promised Ian that when he had someone dear to him, worth taking from him, Archie Bug would come calling. Nothing ominous there.

Back in the future, Roger and Brianne had received a box of letters from Jamie and Claire regaling them with what has transpired in their lives since Roger and Bree went back. They were also clued into the whereabouts of the legendary missing Jacobite gold. So far, they have chosen not to pursue it nor ask Jemma, who probably knows of its location, according to Jamie. In the meantime, they have purchased Lollybroch, the ancestral home of the Frasers. Thus, we move on with “A Most Uncomfortable Woman.”

A Fixer Upper

It is 1980, and Roger and Brianne are working diligently to bring the recently purchased Lollybroch up to date, while still maintaining some of the original features. It is an expensive and at times tedious endeavor. Especially when the repair estimates keep going up. It also doesn’t help that Jemmy and Mandy are behaving as most kids do, picking at each other and into mischief. But while the couple have pretty much used up their savings on their new residence, they still resist the temptation of going after the Jacobite gold. Even if they know it is there for the taking.

Arch Bug’s Threat Lingers

Meanwhile, Jamie, Claire and Ian are working their way to Wilmington, the shipyards and a trip to Scotland. They have camped along the way, but Ian is still stressed by the threats of Archie Bug. Every noise he hears he fears is Arch coming to fulfill his promise. Jamie assures him that it is just his imagination and that together, they would thwart any attempt by Bug to attack them.

A Cruel Incident

At the same time in Wilmington, William is celebrating the appointment of his cousin Henry to his new post in New York. As they come from an alley, they see a British Soldier accosting a female prostitute. He claims that she has the Pox, kicking her into the street. The rest of the surrounding soldiers are cheering him on. In his anger he kicks her into the fire brazier, knocking it down next to her. Following that up with pouring some of his liquor on top of her and then throwing the bottle into the flames. Her clothes immediately ignite. She screams in pain while the soldiers all laugh at her plight. Except for William who smothers out the flames with his uniform jacket. But it is too late to save her. William then curses at the men for being so cruel and calling them “vile bastards” for not intervening.

A Shot of Gold

Back in Lollybroch, Roger is trying to document what they have learned about the Stones and traveling through time. As he sits back, he thinks it might take him 200 years to record all they have learned in their travels. While he was pondering, he had been kneading the musket ball that had been in the box with the letters. He realized that the ball was made of gold.

Darn Those Pixies

Meanwhile, when raising the kids for school, Bree found her clock radio in pieces in the kid’s room. When she asked Jemmy what had happened to it, he claimed that pixies came and took it apart. That earned him no allowance for the week for not telling the truth. What? They travel through time and have seen witches. Are pixies THAT hard to believe? Roger is surprised that Jemmy would lie about it. It was not his norm. Regardless, Brianna was getting ready for a job interview. An opportunity to bring some needed cash into the household.

A Delivery Assignment

In Wilmington, William was requested to meet with his senior officer, Captain Richardson. William was commended for attempting to intervene in the incident from the night before. William lamented that he had not done so sooner. But the Captain acknowledged the bravery of standing up to his fellow soldiers. Because of this, he had an assignment for William. He needed him to deliver some messages to three allies who reside in Dismal Town. He will deliver these to Samuel Cartwright, Henry Carver and Joshua Harrington. Once discretely delivered, he will travel North to join General Burgoyne’s forces in New York. Captain Richardson will also be there upon his arrival.

Controlling the Interview

Brianna is sitting down for her interview. The gentleman asks her to bring them some coffee. She does so but wonders why he is assuming she is some kind of waitress. In fact, he believed she was interviewing for a secretary position. She quickly told him that she was, in fact, putting in for the Plant Inspector Position. His reaction was to remind her that she was a woman. Good thing too. She might have forgotten on the drive over. Although for Brianna, she wondered if having a penis was a prerequisite for the job.

Bree’s forthrightness was off-putting to the interviewer. He informed her that the job she was applying for was rough. In both conditions and the men, she would be working with. She then inquired if the men they hired were capable of assaulting a woman. He assured her they were not. Well perhaps the conditions of the plant were too hazardous. If that was so, then they NEEDED an inspector. Brianna then proceeded to tell him what she noticed in just the little bit of time she had been there. Never had a man looked so dumbfounded…and impressed.

Snakes…Why Did it Have to be Snakes?

Meanwhile, WIlliam is riding toward the Dismal Swamp with his messages. The area is just as he remembered. Humid, overgrown and full of wildlife that leaned to the hazardous. This was proven when his horse came upon a snake. It startled his horse and he was thrown off, rolling down a hill and into some brush, impaling his arm. While William attempted to recover his equilibrium, his horse ran off. Along with all his possessions. Except for the messages that William had in his coat pocket. He proceeded to pull the remains of the branch out of his arm, wrapping it as best as he could.

Conscripted

Back in Wilmington, Jamie had arrived in town only to meet Mr. Cornelious Harnett. Harnett had been one of the members of the Sons of Liberty that Jamie had met in a previous season. In fact, Jamie had warned the men (Harnett included) of an impending raid by British soldiers. Just in time to keep them from being arrested. But now, Harnett was recruiting men to fight for the Militia. Well not necessarily recruiting as much as conscripting. He asked Jamie to sign up voluntarily, but Jamie told him he had a journey to make first. Harnett insisted that Jamie sign up, saying that Jamie was a natural leader. Unless he had a man willing to fight in his stead. Jamie did not.

A Course Set

Later, Jamie met with Claire and Ian and told them of what happened with Harnett. He told Claire that he wanted to join the fight, mainly because he would never ask another to fight in his stead. He will be a Colonel in the Militia. As for Claire, she told Jamie she would accompany him. The Militia would no doubt need doctors. As for Ian, Jamie wanted him to continue on to Scotland to fulfill his promise to Ian’s mother. But Ian refused. He loved this country, and he would fight for it. Besides, the Indians were no doubt choosing sides as well. Many of them agreeing to fight alongside the British. The Shawnee was undecided the last Ian had heard. He would volunteer to ride and talk to them. If Mr. Harnett approved.

Brianna McKenzie: Plant Inspector

Back to Lollybroch, Roger is painting the walls and listening to the children when he hears a door close…and then silence. Silence amongst children usually means trouble. He put down his roller and asked Jemmy where his sister was. Jemmy shrugged his shoulders and Roger looked to find Mandy locked inside the priest hole. Although she didn’t seem too phased by the incident, Roger was concerned about his discipline of his children, especially Jemmy lately.

At that time, Brianna returns from her interview. She was awarded the job as Plant Inspector. Roger doesn’t seem as pleased as Brianna thought he would be. They excuse the children so they can discuss it. It is then that Roger admits to having the old-fashioned notion that he wanted to be the bread winner for their family. He knew that was ridiculous, but he couldn’t help feeling that he was failing them. Bree assured him he was not. But Roger knew one thing for sure. Those men at the Spillway had no idea of who they were dealing with in Brianna McKenzie.

William and Ian

William is plodding his way through the Dismal Swamp, with his arm not getting any better. The lack of food and water is not helping things. He travels on until he hears a noise and sees Ian standing behind him. At first, he thinks Ian is an Indian and inquires if he speaks English. Ian assures him he does and while some might say his English isn’t perfect, he should be understood easy enough. He explains the time he spent with the Mohawk and asks William for his name. Ian recognizes his name, and they make camp so Ian can tend to William’s wound.

Ian explains that he knows William’s father through his Uncle Jamie. William tells Ian that his father holds Jamie in great regard. Ian assures him that the respect is mutual. He then unwraps his arm, removing the excess wood fragments, and pouring water on the wound. He then wraps it in clean bandages. While they sat, William asked about the Mohawk and if what he hears about them is true. Ian confirmed much and talked about how a dying brave would sing a song about their life, their accomplishments, etc. Their death song. Because William said that he hadn’t done much so far, Ian recommended he not die just yet.

A Reunion

With their plans made for their journey to Ticonderoga made, Claire steps out from her room in Wilmington when she runs into Tom Christie. They are both surprised to see each other but Tom greets her with a kiss. Tom thought that Claire and Jamie had died in their house fire. Claire had thought Tom had been hanged for his confession of killing Malva. Neither were right. Naturally, Tom asked if Jamie also had survived. Claire told him that he did. Tom expressed relief at that…but I doubt he meant it. Just missed a chance at Claire by THAT much.

They sat down to discuss what had transpired to each of them. Tom had been taken from his cell by Governor Martin when he required a secretary, and he learned that Tom could read and write. By the time an official secretary had arrived, there was no one to turn Tom back over to. Tom also inquired if Jamie knew about his feelings for Claire. She assured him that he did. In fact, he expressed sympathy toward Tom. Knowing what it is to love her.  He then explained why he hadn’t returned to the Ridge. Since his son Alan had reportedly left, never to return, Tom didn’t return as well. (Of course, we know where Alan went. See Episode 2)

A Most Uncomfortable Woman

Tom then told Claire that he had an obituary written for them when he had heard of the fire. He didn’t want their passing to go by without some record. Plus, he knew he couldn’t leave flowers at her grave. However, God does answer prayers, he assured Claire. When she asked him what he had prayed for, he told her she was “a most uncomfortable woman.” She replied that he wasn’t the first or the last to think so.

After contemplating, he told her that he had just asked God, why. That was all. But now that she was here, and alive. He would tell her. He had loved only two women in his life. One was a witch and a whore. And while some may think Claire a witch, it doesn’t matter. He thought he had found peace when she was supposedly dead. But he now knows he shall find no peace while Claire lives. But he assures her he doesn’t regret that.

Discussing Tom

Later Claire told Jamie what had transpired. He asked Claire if he should go kill Tom for touching her without permission. It was said in jest, but Jamie understood Tom’s plight. Tom wants her badly but can’t have her. Jamie also knew that Tom had sacrificed himself for Claire once. He had no doubt he would do so again. But he admitted that he had grieved for Tom when he thought him dead. He is pleased that he has survived. Just keep his lips off of Claire.

Denzell and Rachel Hunter

Meanwhile, Ian had found a house that was reported to have a doctor. He took William there to find two young Quakers, twins Denzell and Rachel Hunter. Denzell was the doctor while his sister served as his nurse. They took William in and looked at his arm. The infection was such that Denzell prepared to amputate his arm. Ian was surprised that it had come to that. But he trusted what the doctor told him.

William protested, saying that he would rather die than have his arm taken. Rachel told him that if he didn’t want to submit, he could take himself off their table and leave (feisty young woman). Ian told him that he couldn’t die anyway because he didn’t have a proper death song yet. He handed him his crucifix to give him comfort. But when Denzell started to draw the saw across, the wound discharged a large amount of puss. He said that because the bile was centralized in the abscess, they could drain it to clear it. An amputation would not be necessary. Good news all around.

Taking His leave

Later outside the Hunter cabin, Ian waited outside and talked to Rachel. She brought him some tea but now that William was recovering, he needed to continue his journey. Rachel tried to return Ian’s crucifix, but he told her to return it to William. He also gave her some coin so that William could purchase a horse. She promised Ian that she would give it to him upon his recovery. He then told Rachel that it was a pleasure meeting her…and her brother. As he rode away.

Pixies and Nuckelavees

Back to Lollybroch as Bree is looking for the biscuits, crisps and lemonade she had just bought. Roger in jest wondered if those darn pixies had struck again. They went to the children and asked Jemmy if he knew where they had gone. He initially said he didn’t know, but when pressed, he covered Mandy’s ears and told them that it was a Nuckelavee . Bree was again wondering why Jemmy would make something like that up. But Roger was somewhat surprised. He was familiar with the Nuckelavee. It was a mythical creature, a folktale from the northern isles. A kind of demon, horse like creature. But he was surprised the Jemmy knew anything about it.

He asked Jemmy where he had learned about the Nuckelavee, asking him if Jamie had told him. He said no, he had met one when he and Mandy were outside playing. The Nuckelavee told Jemma he would take Mandy if he didn’t bring him food. By now, Bree was exasperated but Jemmy then confessed he had lied about the pixies, and he had been the one to take apart the radio, but he was not lying about this. Which left Roger and Bree in a conundrum. Perhaps Jemmy believes what he is saying. He has seen magic. And the last thing they want is for him to question his own story, where he comes from. Roger tells Bree he will talk to Jemmy about it.

Traveling Partners

Meanwhile, William has recovered from his wound and the infection and Rachel is shaving him on the porch of their home. I guess noblemen don’t shave themselves. She tells William that she and her brother will be leaving soon. They were recently ostracized from their religious order for Denzell’s support of independence. Thus, he is going to join the Continental Army at Ticonderoga as a surgeon. He was told by Samuel Cartwright that men were needed there. William recognized the name as one of the recipients of his missives. He then asked Rachel if he could accompany them on their journey. She welcomed his company and told him she would inform her brother.

Also, on the way to Ticonderoga is Jamie and Claire and those who either volunteered or were conscripted to join. Along the way, Claire narrates how each person feels differently about what is to come. Some are excited for the opportunity to fight, while others are fearful for what is to come and the loved ones they leave behind. Ans no doubt some are irritated that they were forced to join. Regardless, they soon arrive at Ticonderoga and the next stage of history.

Thoughts

One of the things that has remained true with Outlander is that things never go as planned. It is part of its charm and what keeps us glued to the tube, or LED, or whatever term we use now.  Here Jamie and Claire thought they would go to Scotland and perhaps avoid the fighting to come. But NOOO! Jamie had to stop and talk to Harnett and get conscripted. Ok, he volunteered but not out of want to. At least at that very moment. Would he still have had to join the fray either way? It is unknown but don’t expedite the chance. I know Jamie and Claire are sure of the overall outcome of the war, but they should consider that history has been changed before. Plus, although the Rebellion is destined to be a success, that doesn’t mean they survive it. Not to mention that again puts him in line to face William on the battlefield.

Eliminating Ammo for Archie Bug

It was probably good that Ian left Rachel when he did. That kind of relationship is just what Arch Bug is waiting for. A chance to make Ian feel what he felt when losing the love of his life. Perhaps, to be fair, Arch should wait until Ian and his lady love are old like he and Mrs. Bug were before he enacts his revenge. Nahhh…Arch is old. He can’t wait around for that. In the meantime, William is on the way to deliver at least one of his missives. Maybe he will learn a bit more about the “rebellion” and what they are fighting for. Seems like a good man. Let’s hope so.

Brianna Aces Interview

Brianna handled her interview and the sexist ideas of her interviewer perfectly. Roger is right when he says that the men at that company have no idea who their messing with. However, the question still remains what is going on with Jemmy and what he is actually seeing. It is intriguing because Jemmy has shown some insights other people do not have. Just one more nut to crack.

Poor Tom

Poor Tom. Every time he thinks he may be outside of Claire’s influence; she appears once again to mess with his mind. He needs to find a good woman to settle down with. Preferably someone who ISN’T a witch or married to someone else. I somehow think we will cross paths with Tom again. Four more episodes to go before the extended hiatus.

Starz Outlander Season 7, Episode 4: “A Most Uncomfortable Woman” is streaming now on the Starz App and on Starz Television. New Episodes drop on television on Friday’s at 8:00pm EST and on the App on Thursday Nights after 12:00 midnight.