Last Time
So, we have reached the 8th and final episode of Season 7, part 1. When we last left the multi-verse that is Outlander this season, Jemmy had been taken through the stones by Rob Cameron. Just before Roger and Buck McKenzie could stop him. Back in the past, the first battle of Saratoga had been waged with casualties heavy on both sides. Including, at first glance, Jamie. It’s time to see how they will end this first chapter of Season 7 with Turning Points.
Picking through the Dead
The field is littered with the dead. A woman and her son are searching through the bodies, looking to take whatever they find of value. Mainly from the Continental soldiers as she has apparently declared her loyalty to the crown. They come across Jamie and start searching through his possessions. Taking his knife and going through his pouch. As they do so, Jamie stirs. She tells her son to slit his throat to finish their job. But Claire intervenes. First by grabbing the son and holding a knife to his throat. He breaks free but she grabs up a sword and tells the woman she will kill her if she doesn’t leave. The woman considers but decides it is not worth the risk, so they leave.
Jamie’s Stupid Courage
This gives Claire an opportunity to look Jamie over and to brow beat him for being foolish enough to get involved in the actual fight. He was supposed to stay at a safe distance as a rifleman. But she knew his pride and stupid courage would not keep him out of harm’s way. He paid the price with a deep slice into his hand. Trying to stop the sword of a Dragoon. Jamie commented that had he a Scottish Targe (Shield) that wouldn’t have happened. He also got kicked in the head by the man’s horse. Once Claire let Jamie know her mind, she was able to acknowledge how afraid she was that she lost him.
Tending Jamie’s Wound
Back at camp, Claire is tending to his hand. It is a bad slice that almost cleaved his hand in two. But she would do what she could to heal it. As he writhed in the pain of the wound, he asked her who won the battle. She told them that the British claim they did, because they still held the ground. Although the casualties on the British side highly outnumbered the losses of the Continental Army.
Upon hearing that, Jamie was concerned if William had been involved in the fighting. Claire was not sure. But she reminded him that just because William was in Ticonderoga, it didn’t mean he had traveled to Saratoga with the army. This allowed Jamie some piece of mind. With that, he let Claire get to her other patients while he tried to sleep. There were many in need of medical care, far worse off than Jamie.
The Cost of War
Fortunately for Claire, this was not the first time she had dealt with the wounded in war. She was a WWII nurse when this whole saga began, after all. Denzell, however, was not used to the carnage of war. He lamented that he had lost more patients on his table that day than he had since he started as a doctor. Tenfold. He wondered how Claire seemed to cope so well. She told him that you need to focus on those whose lives you saved. That too was more than tenfold from before. Imagine how many people would die without him?
Denzell found comfort in this but wondered as a Quaker, if he was meant for such work. So much violence. He also wonders if it will be worth it, in the end. All this death. Claire tells him that while it might not seem so at that moment, but when all is said and done, it will be. She believes this to be true. (The fact that she has foreknowledge of the events doesn’t hurt).
Sacrifice for the Men
Claire went back to their tent to tend more to Jamie. A man was leaving their tent as she approached. Jamie stirred at her entrance but immediately felt the pain from his wound. He told her if she needed to cut off pieces, he would not fight her. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that. She gave him a cup with the last of her laudanum, telling him to sip it until its gone. He resists as it tends to make him sick as well as give him bad dreams. She told him that as long as it didn’t make him twitchy when she was working on his hand, they would be fine. Jamie drank the dose in one gulp, frowning as he did so. Claire DID tell him to sip it, so he would get no sympathy from her.
As she waited for laudanum to take effect, she asked who his visitor had been. Colonel Micah Johnson was his name. He had come to thank Jamie and the Morgan company for their efforts in the battle. Thanks to the company, a British charge was halted which had probably saved Johnson’s men from being killed. His Company was right behind the Morgan Riflemen. When the point is made about a company containing 50 men, it brings to Jamie’s mind, a Bible story.
Abraham Negotiates with God
When Abraham is negotiating with God what it would take to save a city. Abraham asks if 50 good men were found, would God spare it. God says he would, but Abraham knew he would be hard pressed to find that many. So, he negotiates down. From 50, to 40, to 30, to 20, to 10. He recites this as the laudanum begins to take effect. 10 good men he surmises, would be worth losing a finger…or 5 good men…or even one as he drifts off.
Claire curses Jamie for making her cry. She knew he eventually would. But now she could tend to his hand, applying stitches to meld the wound together. If things go well, he will not lose anything. But he will have still saved those men. She laid down next to him wishing him sweet dreams.
Plans to Follow Cameron
Back at Lollybroch, Roger and Buck return with the bad news for Bree. Cameron had indeed taken Jemmy through the stones. But Roger was struggling to figure out why. Bree told him it must about the Jacobite gold. When Roger had told her that Rob had gone through the letters, she looked. The letter about the gold was missing. And Jemmy knew where in North Carolina it was hidden. Roger raged at the situation but knew he would have to go back through the stones to find Jemmy. Buck told them he would go with Roger. It was his time after all, and he knew that Roger and Bree wanted to send him back anyway. Bree assured him that would have been only if he had WANTED to go. Regardless, he would go now. He wanted to help. They were kin.
A Turning Point
Returning to the Continental Camp, Claire, Jamie and Ian were at a table. She was examining Jamie’s hand after two weeks of healing. After looking it over, she had to admit it looked very good, if she did say so herself. She asked Jamie if he had any residual pain, and he told her no. Although he wouldn’t be engaging in fistfights anytime soon. He excused himself and left Ian with Claire. Watching her expression, Ian wondered if Claire was not satisfied by Jamie’s progress. Quite the contrary. She was afraid that he would get back into the fight because of it. She knew there would be another battle. There would have to be. One that would draw the French into the war. A “turning point” if you will. And no doubt, Jamie would put himself right in the middle of it.
As they chatted, Rollo decided to help himself to Claire’s Goose Grease. She had planned to give that to Denzell for a patient with an “anal condition.” Ian told her that he would get some more for her. Claire then asked Ian if he could deliver it to Denzell…or perhaps to Rachel? That peaked Ian’s interest and he told Claire he would be happy to do so. But Claire appeared to know what was going on there.
Ian and Rachel
Later, Ian indeed went to Rachel and Denzell’s tent to deliver the Goose Grease. Rachel was sewing but was happy to see Ian…and Rollo. As Ian attempted to hand it to her, it slipped from his grasp. It WAS grease after all. They both reached down to retrieve it, their hands touching. Ian then decided this would be an appropriate time to kiss her. She didn’t pull away but when they stood up and broke the kiss, she slapped him. As all good Quaker girls should. Ian apologized in both Gaelic and Mohawk. Rachel was still a bit shaken. More by her own feelings than by any anger she might have felt. Ian and Rachel clasped their hands. Moving closer to each other. Rachel fighting against her urges and what is morally right for her. It was a tough battle.
But Ian agreed with Rachel that they shouldn’t go any further. Not because he was concerned that Rachel didn’t love him, but for the danger that Arch Bug still represented. Rachel was unaware of the threat but was somewhat amused that Ian just assumed that she loved him. Although, the way she was responding to him made that a hard argument to make. Still, Ian told her that she shouldn’t touch him. Because if she did, he would likely take her right there in the tent. And then it would be too late for the both of them. With that, he stepped out. Leaving Rachel to ponder how she felt and what she should do about it.
A Medical Transaction
Later on, Claire is mixing some medicine in a mortar, when an officer approaches, calling out to her. He is carrying a large box. She acknowledges his greeting, and he tells her he was hoping to make a business transaction. It was his understanding that Claire was in possession of some Cinchona Bark. An ingredient used to treat Malaria. Claire asked him if HE suffered from Malaria, but he told her that a member of his company did. A serious case. He had hoped to trade one of his medicines for it. He opened the case to let her peruse the contents.
A Conversation about Limits
After examining the contents, she found a bottle of laudanum. Considering she had used her last bit on Jamie, that WOULD come in handy. Claire told the man that sometimes easing a patient’s pain is the most they can do. He found that statement to be extraordinary coming from a medical person. It was in his experience that most medical practitioners promised to cure everything. Claire answered that she might not tell her patients about her limitations. The gentleman countered that if you set limits on what can be done, would you not stop yourself from discovering what IS achievable. Claire pondered this as Jamie entered.
A Poem from the Future
Jamie nodded in greeting and the man asked what Jamie thought about prescribing limits to oneself. He answered with a line from a poem. “A man’s reach must exceed his grasp. Or what’s a heaven for?” (Although the poem he quoted had not been written yet. Oops.) The visitor however found the line to be perfectly stated for the question asked. He inquired where Jamie had heard the line from. Jamie admitted that it was from a poem, but he didn’t remember from where it came. Claire looked at him in amusement.
Benedict Arnold
With their transaction complete, Claire attempted to thank him but realized he had never given her his name. He apologized for the slight and introduced himself as Major General Benedict Arnold. Claire did her best to hide her astonishment as that. But Jamie could tell that something had gotten her attention. He just didn’t know what.
A Discussion of Faith and Ian
Elsewhere, Rachel was talking to Denzell. She asked him to pray for her, for she felt in great danger. He asked her if it had anything to do with Ian Murray. Denzell had seen him leave their tent earlier, although Ian pretended that he had not seen Denzell. He asked Rachel what Ian had told her. She hesitated but then said that Ian believed she was in love with him. Rachel tried to deny it, but Denzell replied that if Rachel didn’t have feelings for Ian, she would not need to be prayed for.
However, he worried for her. Due to his support of the Revolution, he had been put out of Meeting from the Quakers. She had not. But if she were to marry a man like Ian, no Meeting would have her. It was a matter of her feeling’s vs her religion. She understood, but she appeared to be conflicted. She had much to think and pray about.
The History of Benedict Arnold
Meanwhile in Jamie and Claire’s tent, she was telling him what she knew about Benedict Arnold and his part in the American Revolution. At this point, he didn’t seem like the man that the history looks upon so unfavorably. Jamie said that Arnold’s men would follow him anywhere. Although he knew that General Gates and Arnold didn’t see eye to eye. There was a grudge between them, but Jamie didn’t know from whence it sprang. All Claire knew was what would come to pass. She just didn’t know when. Jamie ponders what would happen if they somehow intervened in Arnold’s eventual plans. Claire didn’t know. All she knew was he did what he did, and America wins.
Good News from Sugar Loaf Hill
That night, the men of Daniel Morgan Company are sitting around a fire as he stands before them with a letter, promising them some good news. It was from Major General Gates. He reported that Colonel John Brown had retaken Sugar Loaf Mountain. (The Hill that Jamie had warned the Continental Army was a weakness for Fort Ticonderoga.) While he had not retaken Fort Ticonderoga, he did capture over a dozen British Officers and 140 British Infantrymen. While at the same time, freeing over 119 of their own from captivity.
Kindred Spirits
After a pause, he asks his men why they hate the British so much. Morgan then removes his shirt and reveals that crosshatch of scars across his back. Scars left from a severe lashing at the hands of the British. All because he fought back when attacked. If anyone can relate to this, it is Jamie. His back also bears the scars of not one but two floggings by the British. In fact, Jamie’s back was put on display by his Uncle Dougal McKenzie to inspire hatred for the British and donations for the Jacobite’s. But that was a long time ago. Still, it comes as no surprise that Morgan and he were kindred spirits. In goal and now in flesh.
The Second Battle of Saratoga
The second battle at Saratoga was much like the first. Bloody with soldiers falling left and right. Once again, the Continental Army is at least smart enough to be behind the cover of a fence. The British Army stands together in a line asking to be shot. This time, Major General Benedict Arnold is on the front line with the troops. He sees British Brigadier General Simon Fraser riding along the backside of the line, shouting encouragement at his men. Arnold, realizing the effect of having one of their leaders go down, orders Fraser shot. Because Simon Fraser is Jamie’s cousin, he is reluctant to follow that order.
When it is his opportunity to take the shot, he hesitates and then shoots in a different direction, hitting the hat off a British officer. The officer turns to reveal it was Jamie’s son William he almost killed. As unsettling as that was, Jamie didn’t have time to contemplate it as another soldier shot General Fraser. William realizing that his commanding officer was wounded, helped him leave the field. Soon the British troops were retreating, and the Continental Army was in pursuit with Benedict Arnold leading the way. As the army reached the redoubt, Jamie and their other men scaled the wall and confronted those inside. The hessians were throwing bombs but slowly Jamie, the Continentals along with Ian and his Indian allies overwhelmed those that were left. Arnold, however, was wounded in the attempt. Once again having his leg shattered. Nonetheless, victory was theirs.
Justified
At the Continental Camp, Claire is treating Benedict Arnold, having set his broken leg. He is in great pain as his injury is on the same leg that he had wounded earlier in his military career. However, he refuses pain medication. Saying that he wished he had been killed in the battle. That way he would be remembered for his deeds. He is concerned that General Gates will once again refuse to acknowledge his contributions to the victory. Gates had done so in the past according to Arnold. He believes that Gates is the reason he has not been promoted or received the recognition he deserves. Arnold acknowledges that he doesn’t know Claire that well, but he asks her if he is wrong to feel slighted by Gates. Judging just from what Arnold has told her, she agrees that he is not wrong for feeling that way.
A Possible Mistake?
Later, Claire tells Jamie about the conversation. Jamie agrees with what Claire told him. Arnold was a brave man in battle and a great leader. Claire fears she might have made a mistake. One that put the wheels in motion for Arnold’s later decision to betray the Continental Army. Waiting for a response, Claire sees Jamie lost in thought. He tells her he saw William in the battle. He almost killed him. At least he was alive when Jamie last spied him. Still, with the British preparing to surrender in this campaign, he would not take the chance he might not miss the next time. He would wait in their tent until the surrender is finalized.
Paying Last Respects
However, circumstance would prevent that. A British officer asks for entry into their tent. Jamie’s cousin Genral Simon Fraser had learned of Jamie’s presence and asked to see him. Before he succumbed to his wound. Jamie agreed and told the officer that he and Claire would accompany him. They went to the British encampment and the tent where Simon lay. Just by looking at him, Claire knew it wouldn’t be long. Jamie greeted him in Gaelic. Telling him he regretted their reunion was in such a circumstance. He knew Simon would have preferred to die with his kin…in Scotland. Simon told him that with Jamie there, he WAS with kin. He would die with kin and his comrades. He was satisfied by that.
Talking with William
Claire had left the tent and ran into William. He told her he was pleased to see her well. She returned the sentiment and gave her condolences for his loss. William wasn’t sure if she meant the General or the battle. Claire then reminded him there were no winners in a war. He agreed that he had begun to see that now. As they spoke, an officer stepped from the tent telling William that General Fraser had passed. Jamie stepped out moments later, pinning the tents door open and bowing his head outside the entrance in respect. Claire walked over and told Jamie that William was there.
A Rebel Whoreson
The officer asked William what had become of his hat. He told the officer that a “rebel whoreson” had shot it off his head. The officer told William how lucky he was that he hadn’t been killed. As they spoke, Jamie approached and respectfully offered William his hat. Telling him that he believed he owed it to him, before bowing and walking away. The officer and William watched Jamie leave and he told William that he believed THAT was “whoreson” who had shot off your hat. “Very decent of him” to replace it. He then asked “Captain” Ellesmere to put on the hat. William paused for a moment, “Captain?” He told William that General Fraser had put in for his promotion after the first battle. It just took until now to finalize it. But Fraser knew it had been done before he died.
After putting on the hat, Captain Ellesmere went to the tent to close it. His fellow officer stopped him, saying that Jamie had said to leave it open. “Some Highland fancy about leaving the soul an exit.” The officer looked in Jamie’s direction and told William that Jamie was an impressive gentleman. William couldn’t help but agree.
A Final Request
The surrender terms for Burgoyne’s men had been agreed upon. It was a generous arrangement. All Burgoyne had to agree to was to leave their weapons and return to Britain, promising to never return to rejoin the battle. However, there was one more stipulation that Burgoyne requested. General Gates came to Jamie to make that request. Burgoyne asked that Jamie take General Fraser’s body back to Scotland. It had been Simon’s last request and as popular as the General had been with his men, Burgoyne wanted it known that his last wishes had been honored. Seeing as how Jamie, Claire and Ian had WANTED to return to Scotland, this was easily agreed to. In fact, a British Naval Ship would ferry them to Scotland.
A Favor
Before the journey, Ian visited Rachel one more time to tell her of their upcoming voyage. She knew it would be a long, hard journey but agreed that Ian should fulfill the promise he made to his mother. Ian asked Rachel if she would look after Rollo while he was gone. She immediately agreed. Not only because she adored Rollo, but because she KNEW then that Ian would return to her…I mean Rollo.
The Journey Back
Back at the Stones, Roger, Bree, Mandy and Buck had arrived. Roger and Buck were dressed in their old clothes armed with the jeweled pins that Bree had given them. She had purchased them some time ago. Just in case they had needed them, she had said. They could hear the buzz of the stones as they approached. Roger said his goodbyes to Bree and Mandy, promising her he would bring Jemmy back. Bree’s eyes filled with tears as Buck and Roger linked arms, approached the stones and vanished.
The Return of Arch Bug
Later, after their ship had sailed, Rachel was walking down a path with Rollo leading. They came across a man on the path. Rollo acted like he knew the stranger. Rachel greeted him and he told her about what a fine dog she had. She quickly explained that Rollo belonged to someone else, and she was just talking care of him while he was gone. The man countered that the owner must love her very much to trust her with Rollo. As Rachel resumed her journey, Arch Bug looked after her, no doubt with dark thoughts on his mind.
Home
On the British ship, Jamie was ready to walk on dry land. He had been seasick for most of the journey. Ian missed Rollo…and no doubt Rachel. But soon, the ship’s bell chimed to relay the news. Land Ho! They had arrived at Scotland. The journey off the ship, however, wouldn’t happen until 2024. That’s a long time on a birthed sailing vessel. The “Droughtlander” has once again resumed.
Thoughts
So, we have reached the end of the first part of Season 7. I’m almost surprised there wasn’t even more drama to be deciphered going into the mid-season hiatus. We do have the expected return of Arch Bug and his promise to take away someone that Ian loves. One wonders if Ian had taken Rollo with him, would Arch had been able to pinpoint Rachel. Although perhaps Arch had been scouting out the area previously. Regardless, Rachel is in harm’s way. Might be time for the OTHER man in her orbit, William to come to the rescue. Meanwhile Rachel has HER feelings to sort through, and how they reconcile with her Quaker religious beliefs.
The Search for Jemmy
Roger and Buck are off to the rescue of Jemmy. The problem with the whole time-jumping thing is well…the timing. How far off will they be to Cameron and Jemmy when they arrive? If North Carolina is indeed Cameron’s destination, has he left for America already? So many places to be, and just the two of them to find the answers. It makes you wish that the stones were more like a travel agent. No matter which stones you go through, if you want to go to America, you think America. If you want to go to Scotland, you think Scotland. But nooo. If you travel through the stones in Scotland, you go to Scotland. If you jump through the stones in America, that’s where you are going. Pretty, bloody inconvenient.
On the plus side, if Roger and Buck arrive in Scotland, so did Jamie, Claire and Ian. You could find yourself an army of help. Besides, Jamie knows the site of the Jacobite gold better than even Jemmy. There are possibilities there. Not to mention the opportunities to reunite with some long-lost characters. That sounds like fun.
[A Side Note]
Since I wrote this segment about Jemmy, my wife (who has been reading Diana Galbadon’s books) told me about something I hadn’t considered. Depending on how much they stick to the books, there could be a problem of time involved due to the fact that Buck was from the past, returning to the past. Up till now, all the time traveling has been people from the present, going to the past and back. Adding Buck into the equation might cause an issue as far as Roger’s arrival timestamp (like he has a temporal passport). What that is we will see when part 2 starts up. (As Tony Stark in Avenger’s End Game said, “You mess with time and it tends to mess back.”)
We Were Warned
Overall, the first 8 episodes were entertaining and fitting in the grand scheme of the action, romance and history that we expect from Outlander. Although for long time fans of the show, it must be weird that the only two people getting busy in this first half were Roger and Bree. Usually, you can count on Jamie and Claire for at least a little horizontal calisthenics. Oh, well. They are getting up there in age and there ARE 8 more episodes. Speaking of which, it seems a little cruel to make fans wait so long between seasons to then make them wait for the continuation of this one. However, it’s not like we weren’t warned. Time to buckle in for the long fall and winter until Season 7-part two kicks in.
Outlander Season 7, Episode 8: “Turning Points,” along with the rest of Season 7 Part One, can be found on Starz television. If you have the Starz App, you can not only watch Season 7 but all the previous seasons. You certainly will have the time until Part 2 makes its debut. When that happens, rest assured that Geek Vibes Nation will be there to follow it.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.