GVN Review: Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Episode 6 -“Where The Waters Meet”

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.

Last Time on Outlander

When we last left Outlander, there were similar situations happening on both timelines. In the 1700’s, Claire was facing her medical skills being looked down upon by the resident Fort physician due to being a woman. Jamie’s opinions were being ignored by the Fort’s second in command due to the fact that he a member of the Militia and not a Colonial Officer. While in 1980, Bree’s position as Plant Inspector was undermined by her workers who also looked down upon her because she was a woman.

In Jamie and Claire’s place, the failure of Jamie’s commanding officer to heed his warning led to the British taking control of Sugar Loaf Hill and the Colonial Army to give up Fort Ticonderoga. Jamie had led the civilians away on the river before the British took the fort. Bree had taken control of her situation and appeared to gain her worker’s respect. For the moment. Meanwhile, Roger had two issues to deal with. The treatment of Jemmy at school because he dared to speak Gaelic and the story of the Nucklevee who both Jemmy and Mandy had reported seeing. So, let’s see what transpired next in “Where the Waters Meet.”

William Arrives at Fort Ticonderoga

At the newly commandeered Fort Ticonderoga, William Ransom had arrived, after meeting with General Burgoyne at Fort Crown Point. He had been ordered to proceed to Fort Ticonderoga and report to General Simon Fraser. After talking to the General, he waited for Captain Richardson to arrive, he who had given William his mission to deliver the missives he once carried. But although William was disappointed that he hadn’t the opportunity to assist in the taking of the Fort, Fraser promised him he would get his chance soon enough.

Trying to Avoid Capture

Meanwhile, Jamie, Claire and the civilians who had escaped the fort had arrived on the other side of the river. Jamie knew they could not remain stationary. Even now they could hear the cannon fire and the distinct possibility of pursuit. They had to keep moving. This concerned Claire as many of the civilians were sick and weak due to lack of food. She didn’t think any of them could sustain a pronounced pace. Especially Mrs. Raven who still feared that Indians would arrive at any time to kill her. The presence of Ian in his Mohawk attire didn’t help things, despite Rachel Hunter’s assurances that he was harmless.

As they traveled, the situation got worse as what sounded like Indians could be heard. This naturally put Mrs. Raven in a tizzy, once again fearing the worse. Jamie had the people get off the road and hide while Ian went out to survey what was going on. He returned to tell Jamie it was a British unit, pretending to be Indians to try to scare Jamie and his charges into revealing themselves. Jamie told Claire and the Hunters to go deeper into the woods and stay hidden. He would leave his soldiers with them to protect them while he and Ian led the British away. But, as Claire was organizing her people, she noticed that Mrs. Raven was missing. She told the rest of them to continue while she tried to find the spooked woman.

Roger Goes to School

Back in the future, Roger was visiting the school to get an explanation of what happened to Jemmy. The principal explained that while he may not agree with it, he had to present the appearance of supporting his teachers. Roger was unconvinced, wonder why it was alright for Jemmy’s teacher Mrs. Glendenning to almost tear his ear off for speaking in Gaelic. The principal asked Roger if Jemmy had told him what he had said to her. He confessed that he didn’t give him the details. The principal told Roger that Jemmy called her a “haggard, old goat-breathed daughter of a witch.” Well, alrighty then.

Roger explained that Jemmy had NOT gotten that from him. Believing that it might have been something he heard from his Grandda. But he had to imagine that Mrs. Glendenning wasn’t too impressed by that particular pronouncement. The principal said that he had talked to the teacher, but he feared that it was just a symptom of a greater problem. It seems that in today’s society, people are distancing themselves from their history. They want children who speak proper English so they can get good jobs away from the Highlands.

An Opportunity

Roger was disappointed in that. Gaelic has been a part of Scottish culture since the uprising. He didn’t want to see it discarded and forgotten. For the principal, that was a welcome reaction. He too wanted for the culture of the Scottish people to be retained and embraced. With that in mind, he asked Roger if he might consider teaching a class on the Gaelic. He had heard that Roger was once a teacher. Considering he had been feeling adrift lately, Roger told him he would consider it.

Claire is Taken…AGAIN

Back in the woods, Jamie was slowly taking care of the British patrol. After putting a knife into a soldier, Ian came to him and told him that was the last of them. The rest had scurried off. Having completed their mission, Jamie and Ian headed back toward where their people were camped. Meanwhile, Claire was still searching for Mrs. Raven. She found her sitting next to a fallen tree. But before Claire could approach, she pulled a pistol and shot herself in the head. Claire was shocked and horrified that the poor woman had gotten to that point where she felt that was her only solution. As Claire came closer, a British patrol came up from behind her and grabbed her.

Jamie and Ian on the Hunt

Jamie and Ian were making their way back when they heard a noise and were getting ready to respond when they saw that it was Denzell. He explained that they were all camped, but he had heard that Claire had went after a patient who had wondered off. Because she hadn’t returned, he had gone out to look for her. Jamie and Ian also went out to look, finding Mrs. Raven’s body. A quick examination pretty much told Jamie what had happened to her, and Ian saw the footprints in the area and the evidence of a struggle. The Redcoats had taken Claire and appeared to be heading back to Ticonderoga.

Claire Takes Charge

At the Fort, Claire was led into their high security prison: a low height fence with a swinging gate. Claire, being Claire, surveyed the situation and the sick and injured people there and asked for some water for the prisoners. At first, the soldier was unmoved by Claire’s request, but she is a hard woman to ignore and soon he went to fetch her some water. She then looked about and found Walter sitting up against a pole. Walter had been the man whose leg had been amputated by Dr. Hunter and her. She had unfortunately been forced to leave him behind when they evacuated the Fort. Claire examined his leg and it appeared to be healing nicely. However, he was having trouble breathing.

Reuniting with Walter

She asked him when this had started and listened to his chest. She was afraid that he was suffering from an embolism. Blood starts clotting in your lungs. It is a common complication after a surgery. Like his leg amputation. From the look on Claire’s face, Walter knew that wasn’t a good thing. But both Claire and Walter tried to make light of the situation. Even though they both knew it was no laughing matter.

Meeting with Captain Richardson

Also at the Fort, Captain Richardson had arrived, and William soon came to him to make his report on the mission Richardson had given him. He was reluctant to admit that he had been unable to deliver the message to the men they were meant for. When his horse had bolted in the Great Dismal Swamp, those messages had gone with the animal. Richardson asked William if he had read the letters. Perhaps memorized their content? He assured him that he had not. He had been ordered NOT to read them and he followed those orders. However, he HAD learned that the three men whom the letters were intended were members of the rebellion. Perhaps believing that the captain didn’t know.

However, Richardson had known of the allegiances. At least of their APPARENT allegiances. He assured William that they were working for King and Country as spies. Supplying the British with inside intel. The messages that William had carried was information that the three men needed. However, in spite of his seeming failure. The war could be a long one. No doubt an opportunity to redeem himself would come about. William assured him that when that time came, he would be ready. In the meantime, the captain told William to put on his proper British uniform.

Claire Accosts William

Claire was still making her rounds, looking after the sick and a mother who was having troubles nursing her baby. Once again, the lack of food and water was being problematic. Walter was getting worse, now coughing up blood. This inspired Claire to make another attempt to wrangle some supplies. She walked right through the gate to accost the first British soldier she encountered. This happened to be William. Although she did not recognize him at first. He DID recognize her. Although his initial stunned silence made her think he was deaf as she asked for assistance.

He introduced himself and told her that he had met her as a boy on Fraser’s Ridge. She had saved his father’s life from illness. As he paused, he then realized that Claire was in fact a rebel and a prisoner. She didn’t deny either of these facts. She told William that Jamie was a Colonel with the militia, and they had been separated and her captured. None of which changed the fact that she needed bandages, food and medicines for the sick and wounded prisoners. He told her that he would get her the bandages, but food would be an issue. Their own food supplies were late, and the rebels had destroyed some of their surplus. But he would see what could be done.

Dams and Ley Lines

Back at Lollybroch, Bree was giving Roger a rundown of the energy field she felt and saw at the dam. She thought that it might be another portal, similar to the stones. It lied among the same Ley lines that the stones ran from. He wrote it all down, excited by the possibilities. As they discussed what that could mean, Bree reminded Roger he was supposed to teach a Gaelic class at school that afternoon. If he didn’t hurry, he would be late. Roger grabbed up his lessons for the class but in his hurry, included the book he was writing about the stones. His Time Travelers Guide to the Galaxy. Although he didn’t notice it at the time.

Making Plans for a Fence Break

Outside the Fort, Jamie was preparing to attempt to break in and rescue Claire. Ian had another idea. The Mohawk had made an alliance with the British. Ian thought he should be able to walk into the Fort without interference. If so, he would find Claire and get her out. While Jamie didn’t like the idea of anyone but him regaining Claire, he realized that Ian’s plan had merit. But Jamie wanted to help. At the proper time, he would make a large enough distraction that Ian would be able to escape with Claire. But he needed Ian’s bow to accomplish it.

…Orders like a Sergeant-Major

While Claire was waiting for the supplies she needed, the work still needed to be done. She gathered some women as they left through the gate to gather wood for a fire. They would boil water to sterilize the bandages they would be using. As she directed them, a British officer approached her along with some other soldiers. They brought her the bandages she requested as well as some herbs and medicines, all courtesy of Lord Ellesmere (William). She told the young man to extend her thanks to William.

But since she was on a roll as far as requests went, she asked once again for some food. But she was told the same thing. Until such time as their supplies arrived, all of their food was needed for the troops. However, he did have one other thing to give her. A small liquor flask. Again, courtesy of William. As the officer turned to leave, she asked him how he knew who she was. He replied that William told him that she would be the “curly wig, giving orders like a Sergeant Major.” He was not wrong.

Roger’s First Gaelic Class

Back at Jemmy’s School, Roger was giving his first class on the Gaelic. The class contained school age children as well as adults. Lionel the principal also attended. Roger gave them a sample of a Gaelic curse as well as line singing. The students seemed to enjoy it and so did Roger. Apparently, he and the principal were not the only people interested in preserving their language culture.

After the class, many of the parents and adults told Roger how much they enjoyed the class. Including one of the men who had harassed Bree on her first day. Roger recognized his name, but the man told him that Bree was the best Inspector they ever had. He also gave Roger back his book in progress. It was then that Roger realized he must have grabbed it by mistake. The man, Rob Cameron said he looked it over and would love to read it when it was complete, thinking it was science fiction. Somehow, that turned into an invitation for dinner. Yay!!

Walter’s Farewell

Returning to the Fort, Walter was getting worse. He was laying down now and his coughs were expelling more blood. Claire brought him a concoction of ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. It was reported to be a blood thinner. But Claire feared it was too late for Walter. All she could do was to make him comfortable and keep him company. She did that, right to the end. She closed his eyes and wished him Godspeed.

A Life Debt X2

Later, Ian had made his way into the Fort like he suspected he would. He thought that his plan to escape with Claire would work except he hadn’t planned on William being there. William of course recognized him and thanked him for his assistance in the swamp and for the money he had left him. But as the conversation continued, William put two and two together and realized that Ian and Claire were related. However, to honor his debt to Ian, he would let him go. But not with Claire. Ian told him he would not leave without his aunt.

At that moment, Jamie used Ian’s bow to the distraction he promised. Loosing flaming arrow after arrow into a cart of hay. William watched the mayhem it caused but he turned once again toward Ian and Claire. He COULD not let Claire go. She was a prisoner of the King. Ian reminded him of his life debt. He chose for it to be Claire.

As William contemplated Claire told him while HE may be honorable, there was no guarantee that the men who she was left with after him would be. All he had to do was turn his back for a moment and they would be gone. He considered and told Claire that for saving his father’s life, he would let her go. But as far as he was concerned, this made them even. If their paths should cross again, he may not have a choice. Ian accepted this as they left.

Return to the Continental Army

Outside the Fort, Jamie waited for Ian to bring Claire. He was not disappointed as they appeared at their selected rendezvous point. Jamie was happy to see Claire, as he usually is. But they couldn’t remain long as they headed south. Soon they were reunited with the Continental army. In time, Jamie’s term of duty would be over, and they would resume their plans for Scotland. Ian found Rachel Hunter who had been minding Rollo in his absence. They seem to be getting along just fine. As long as Archibald Bug doesn’t rear his head.

Colonel Daniel Morgan

Elsewhere, Jamie is returning from a Turkey hunt for the troops. He passes a man who notices that Jamie shot the bird through his eye. Jamie tells him that he always shoots the bird through the eye. So, the shot doesn’t spoil the meat. The man introduces himself as Colonel Daniel Morgan, commander of Morgan’s Rifles. He asks Jamie to come with him and to bring his rifle. If he does so, he will make sure Jamie and Claire have a place to stay.

Later, Jamie explains what happened and told Claire that he had agreed to join Morgan’s rifle company. The reputation of the company is known far and wide. Although he knows that would be extending his military service. Claire is not surprised. But she is encouraged that as a rifleman, a sniper if you will, Jamie should be far removed from the actual fighting. As they lay down, discussing war and women’s place in it, Jamie asks about William and what he is like. Claire tells him about his son.

A Mysterious Guest

In Lollybroch, Roger is making dinner. Listening to some Scottish music as he dances around the kitchen. He then catches out of the corner of his eye, someone staring at him through the window. Roger hesitates for a moment but then sprints out the door after him, catching up to the man. He turns him around and stares for a moment in recognition before slugging the man.

Thoughts

What’s up with Claire and being taken? Jamie needs to keep a tracker on her ankle to keep up when she wanders off. For some reason, people love to snatch her up. Although I love that her “prison” was just in name only. She came and went from their “cell” whenever she wished and took the other women with her. I loved how William described her to his fellow officer: “the curly wig giving orders like a Sergeant-Major.” That’s Claire!

William’s Conflict

Poor William. He’s finding out that having high moral principles and honor conflict with a war. I admire that he saw his way clear to let Ian and Claire go but it WILL be interesting should their paths meet again. At least that gave Claire plenty of nice things to tell Jamie about his son. You can tell that Jamie couldn’t be prouder of the man he has become.

Back in the War

Claire took Jamie’s agreement to join Morgan’s Rifles better than most wives would. They were just about getting ready to get out of the conflict and begin their journey to Scotland. Now their right back in the thick of things. Apparently, Claire KNEW Jamie would not be able to leave the fighting to someone else. You wonder how much of his decisions are based on his foreknowledge of what the outcome will be. Would he be so quick to volunteer if he had no idea how it would turn out?

Who is the Nucklevee?

Roger has found out who the mysterious Nucklevee might be. But who is the man he has captured? If we go by Diana Gabaldon’s book, Echoe in the Bone, we know who the man is. A “ghost” relative from Roger’s past. But I’m sure that will be revealed in the last two episodes of Part One of Season 7. As it is, we have gotten past Claire’s second rescue of the season so maybe it will be Jamie’s turn to be captured. They like to take turns, as all good couples do. Another satisfying episode with two in the hopper waiting to be released. Next: ““A Practical Guide for Time Travelers.” Maybe Roger has renamed his book.

Starz Outlander Season 7, Episode 6 “Where the Waters Meet” 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.