GVN Review: Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 7, Episode 2: “The Happiest Place On Earth” – “I’m Not Crying, YOU’RE Crying…”

Last Time

When we last left Outlander, Claire had been reunited with Jamie due to the confession of Tom Christie and his claim to have killed Malva. Neither Claire nor Jamie was convinced Tom was telling the truth. Although Jamie could understand the lengths that love could push a man to. But there was more to the story than Tom was saying.

Elsewhere, Roger and Bree had traveled away from the Ridge so that Roger could study to be a minister. On their first stop, they had run into fellow traveler Wendigo Donner who had been captured by the British soldiers. Donner had been one of Lionel Brown’s followers. The men who had assaulted Claire. While Roger wanted to free him, Bree convinced him to restrain his attempts just to prayer. The consequences of trying to free Wendigo were too high to attempt it. Will there be consequences for that decision? Maybe we will find out in “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

Returning to the Ridge

Sometime has passed since Jamie and Claire had returned to the Ridge from Wilmington. Claire could not help but think about the sacrifice that Tom Christie had made. She assumed that Tom had faced the consequences of his decision by now, even though she didn’t believe he had done anything to Malva. Although, due to the lack of jurisprudence available, there’s no guarantee that he has even faced a trial. Especially if we go by what was said last episode about the lack of available judges.

The Confession of Allan Christie

Speaking of Malva, Claire looks toward the burial plot for the Ridge and sees Allan Christie sitting by Malva and the baby’s grave. She approaches warily, wanting to respect his privacy. As he acknowledges her presence, he begins to talk about his relationship with Malva. Even early on, he loved her. He explains how he and Malva were made to attend their mother’s execution by their aunt while Tom had been in prison at Ardsmuir. Through it all, there was Allan and Malva.

Claire listened as Allan spoke, telling of how he had loved Malva. She was his and no others. He had beaten her when he had found out she had lain with Ian and with Henderson. But she explained that she was with child due to Allan. She needed to find a husband quickly to explain her pregnancy. It was then that Allan convinced her to blame Jamie. That way she wouldn’t have to marry anyone. Allan thought Jamie would just offer her money and then she and Allan would leave. As a family. But Malva had second thoughts.

Malva Changes her Mind

She decided she couldn’t do it. Not to Claire. She owed her too much. She loved Claire. So, she told Allan she was going to tell Claire everything. Allan tried to stop her, telling her that he loved her. But she told him that she didn’t love him. It was then that he cut her throat. Leaving her to be found by Claire. Upon the telling, Allan then grabbed for the pistol he had lying next to him, intending to take his own life. But Claire intervened. He would not get away that easily by suicide. However, the sound of an arrow impacting broke the silence. Ian had heard the whole thing. He had though up to that time that the baby might have been his. But he now knew the truth. Regardless of anything, the baby had deserved to live and Allan deserved what he received.

Deserving of His Fate

While Claire might have wanted for the courts to decide this, she couldn’t fault Ian for his decision. However, she felt like she failed Malva somehow. So, she and Ian took Allan to be buried in the woods. As they dug the hole, Mrs. Bug walked by and saw what they were doing. She said that she recognized the devil at work in Allan when he had arrived at the Ridge. Lying and stealing were some of the crimes she knew he had been guilty of. But since it was Claire and Ian, she had no doubt Allan deserved the fate he had been given. Thus, she helped them bury the body, saying they needed to hurry before someone ELSE walked by.

Welcome Amanda Claire Hope McKenzie

Later, Bree gives birth to her and Roger’s second child. Claire performs the duties of midwife and Bree delivers a daughter into the McKenzie family. They name her Amanda Claire Hope McKenzie. Needless to say, the whole family is thrilled. Granny and Grandda Frasure love holding their new granddaughter. Jamie shows her the stables and says he will teach her to ride, and she will gallop across the Ridge. Granny Claire shows her the surgery and promises to teach her all about medicine and surgery. One day, she may be a surgeon just like her Granny.

A Serious Heart Condition

But as Claire holds her, she notices some bluing around the baby’s fingernails. She then listens to the baby’s heart, not liking what she hears. She realizes that Amanda has a medical issue. One of the small blood vessels that transports blood to the heart, which is supposed to be temporary, did not close off as it should have. Because of that, excess blood is collecting, causing the lungs to swell and become congested. Her blood is not getting enough oxygen and it will eventually kill her if not fixed. But Claire cannot fix it there in the past. She knows of people who can, but they are back in the future. The McKenzie’s must find enough gemstones to travel through the stones to the future to save their daughter. But even though Claire and Jamie will lose their family by doing so, it is not even a question.

Lord Grey and William

So, the Frasure/McKenzie clan travels back to Wilmington to purchase some more gemstones. While they are there, Bree spies Lord Grey talking to his son William, who is wearing a British soldier’s uniform. As everyone familiar with William knows, Jamie is his actual father. Due to a brief tryst with a high society woman who “demanded” that Jamie impregnate her rather than the old man her father intended to wed her to.

After an incident that killed her husband, Jamie asked Lord John Grey to marry the woman and claim the boy as his own. He did it as much for the love of Jamie as any other reason. Even after the boy’s mother also passed. Very few people know of William’s true parentage. One being Bree . This was the first time she had the opportunity to meet her “brother.” He had grown to be a charming young man who wanted very much to fight for crown and country.

“The Heart has Plenty of Room”

After parting ways with William, Bree asked Lord Grey if he intended to tell William about Jamie. He said absolutely not. With the exception of very few people, no one knew of Willam’s circumstances, and he intended to keep it that way. Jamie had also agreed to this. But Bree told him her own story.

She had been raised by Frank Randall and for all that time, she had thought he was her biological father. She loved him fiercely. But when he passed away and she found out the truth, she went back to find her mother and her “real” Father Jamie. She didn’t know how she would feel about Jamie. But in time, she has grown to love him just as fiercely. She hasn’t forgotten Frank or her love for him. But the heart has plenty of room to go around. She thinks the same would be for William.

Taught a Lesson

Later, Jamie goes to see John. He tells him that he had seen them and Bree together. He tells Jamie that Bree had told him that he should tell William about Jamie. In that, they had disagreed. Jamie understood why he didn’t want William to know. He had come to terms with that decision long ago. Then, he asked Jamie if he had perhaps changed his mind in opposing the crown in the upcoming conflict. If for no other reason so, he could fight alongside his son. Jamie told him he had not changed his mind.

John tells him that the papers have said that “America” is like a rebellious son who need to be taught a lesson. Jamie countered that sometimes, a son needs to separate themselves from their father. Just like William is doing to Lord Grey by joining the conflict. But John fears that the upcoming battle will be a long and bloody one. He IS not wrong.

A Parting Gift

After a pause, he asked Jamie what he and his family had come to Wilmington for. Jamie told him about the gemstones, but he didn’t explain the reason. John considered and then reached under his jacket to pull out a large blue sapphire that Jamie had given him a long time ago. He had asked John to hold onto it, in case Jamie might have need of it someday. It appears that “someday” had arrived. He gave it to Jamie, and they said their goodbyes. With Jamie telling him that they would be best to sever their ties with each other, at least during the present conflict. But Jamie would always consider him a friend, even in silence. John teared up after Jamie left, while Jamie also felt their parting.

Ready to Go Back

By nightfall, they gathered together to see what gemstones they were able to obtain. They had found three from various sources so all they needed was one more. Jamie produced the sapphire that Lord Grey gave him, telling Bree that John wanted her to have it. So, they were ready to go, deciding to make the trip to Ocracoke the next day. It was the closest place to have the magic traveling stones. Before then, Jamie asked Bree to take a walk with him.

The Happiest Place on Earth

They walked into the woods, the fireflies lighting up the trees all around. Jamie gently captured one, seeing its light leak between his fingers before letting it go to fly away. The lights all made the forest look magical. Bree told Jamie that it reminded her of going to Disneyland when she was little girl. Jamie asked her about what that was. She explained that it was a place that for a time, made all of your troubles go away. The trees were all lit up, like it was there. It was designed for kids, but it also brought out the kids in the adults as well. She tells him it was known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” She also explained about Mickey Mouse…or at least she tried. For Jamie, a GIANT mouse was a rat. Not something that kids should be going around hugging. But regardless, all Jamie knew was he was going to miss Bree, Roger and his grandchildren. He hugged her tight as they sat among the lightning bugs.

Nothing is Gone

The next day, they loaded up the wagon and headed to Ocracoke. Once they had arrived came the hard part. Saying goodbye for real. Even though they knew this was for the best for Mandy, it was still hard. Bree and Claire hugged each other tight, expressing their love and how much they would miss each other. Jamie told Roger how much he respected him, as a father, a soldier, and as a man of God. He was proud to have called him son. Jamie then hugged Jemmy and he told Grandda he didn’t want to leave him. (I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying.)

Now it was Jamie and Bree’s turn. He did not have the words to tell her how much she meant to him. But Bree told him that while they wouldn’t be together. They were not alone. They would both have each other. Nothing is gone, just changed. (Sniff, sniff…Darn Allergies). Soon, it was time as the family linked hands and headed to the stones. In just an instant, they were gone. They arrived, still at the stones, picking themselves off the ground. Had they made the journey? Jemmy had picked up his toy airplane and soon, an actual jet flew across the sky. They were home.

Just Away

Two-hundred years in the past, back at the Ridge, Claire was still feeling the loss of her family. Jamie knew how she felt. Between the two of them, they had lost a lot of their loved ones. Sometimes, all you can do is cry and grieve. Which is what Jamie let Claire do. He would just be there to support her and help her pick up the pieces. They would have to take solace that Bree, Roger and the children were not dead. Just away. Hopefully in a safer place.

Meanwhile, life went on. Elizabeth gave birth to her child and Jamie consented for both brothers to stay on the Ridge to help Elizabeth to care for their baby. Whosever it is. Not a small step for Jamie. Now if only the Ridge is as understanding.

Wendigo Donner Returns

A few days later, Claire had returned home from an errand. As she approached, she saw the door was left open. It gave her pause but she entered into the house. Waiting inside was Wendigo Donner. He had escaped from the British soldiers, no thanks to Roger, he was quick to add. In fact, he had tried to return home through the stones but did not go through. Perhaps it was because he was drunk when he attempted it. Regardless, he didn’t make it and the gemstones disintegrate upon their use. Wendigo needed another before he could attempt it, again. And he wanted Claire to give him one.

An Explosive Episode Ending

But Wendigo had brought help along for his visit. These men brought Jamie down from the upstairs. Wendigo made a deal with them. He would get the stones and the men would get whatever valuables they found and could carry. But above all else, he needed the gemstones. He told the men to search Claire’s surgery. They did so, breaking medicine bottles and whatever else that was in their way. That included the Ether bottle that Claire kept in a locked cabinet. They let the contents spill over the dark room floor. It was then that Wendigo decide to light one of Bree’s matches she had created. The fumes from the Ether ignited with a huge explosion.

Thoughts

This episode was an opportunity to resolve the conclusion to the Malva story in keeping with the book. I had mentioned in the premier episode’s review that Tom’s confession didn’t preclude the use of the book’s resolution for Malva. This proved to be true as like in the book, Allan confessed to the crime and Ian put him down for it. All that’s left of the Christies depends on what has happened with Tom. I somehow think we have not seen the last of him, one way or another.

Jamie’s Son William

We also got our first glimpse of the grown-up William. There will come a time where Jamie and William will face the possibility of opposing each other on the battlefield. If nothing changes. Knowing Jamie, he will do anything he can to avoid such a confrontation. But when it comes to Outlander, expect to see it come to a head. It would be too much of an opportunity for drama not to.

Emotional Trainwreck

The scenes of the Fraser and McKenzie clan’s goodbyes were an emotional train wreck. If there’s one thing that Outlander can do as well as anyone is pulling the heartstrings. This episode was a great example of that. I pretty much dare anyone who has watched Outlander from the beginning not to feel it when Jemmy says goodbye to his Grandda and Jamie does the same to Bree. The chemistry between the actors of this show comes through in every episode. But when it is required to put it all out there, emotion wise, forget about it. They are some of the best. Darn them!

Dumbass!

So, after all that, maybe someone SHOULD have killed Wendigo Donner. For someone who was quick to claim his innocence about Clair’s predicament and talked about how he WANTED to help, he had no problem threatening her in this episode. Although, you would think that being from the future like Wendigo was, he would have been smarter about the possibility of combustible chemicals. Maybe he was STILL intoxicated. Dumbass! If he was killed, served him right. for a LOT of reasons. I guess we’ll find out in the next episode: “Death Be Not Proud.”

Starz Outlander can be found with new episodes dropping on their app on Thursday Nights at Midnite or on Friday’s at 8:00pm EST on Starz Television.