Last time on The Outlander
When we last left our story, Claire had been taken by the Browns and the Committee of Safety. The reason for this was not clear. Did it have to do with Lionel’s discovery that Claire was the elusive Dr. Rawlings? The pseudo Doctor Claire created to get her medical tips listened to. The one who dispensed advice for women to avoid pregnancy? Or was it in response to Jamie’s refusal to join said Committee? Either way, the Brown’s had a angry Scot on their hands now and he had called his banner-men into action. The lighting of the cross was the signal for war, and that apparently was Jamie’s intent. To go to war with the Brown’s (although he does not know that at this time) and to rescue Claire. In addition, Roger, Brianne, and Bree had passed through the stones…but where had they ended up?
Yes, The Outlander has reached its season finale and what a ride Season 5 has been. From vengeance, to battles, to deaths, to hangings, to snake bites, and kidnappings, this season has had it all. Although we know that there is another season already secured, there is still THIS Season to wrap up. So, while it pains us to say goodbye for a time until the next season premiers, let’s explore the season 5 finale, Never My Love.
No Opening Song …
For the first time, I believe, the show starts without the now iconic theme song. It jumps right into the show. The episode starts in the future, at least inside Claire’s mind. Claire is listening to The Associations “Never My Love” while at the same time remembering her assault. Lionel Brown had found out she was Dr. Rawlings. He knew it was her advice that prevented his wife from sleeping with him. Of course, he was an angry man who looked down upon women in general. So he didn’t need much of an excuse to treat women badly.
Because of this, to escape the trauma in her mind, she went to what appeared to be the 60’s. She picked a house that she had seen in an architectural magazine she had perused from the episode “Perpetual Adoration.” Inside, she had her family with her. Jamie, Ian, Marsali, Fergus, Murtaugh, and Aunt Jacosta. They were dressed to fit the period, except for Jamie who appeared to be attired in his colonial garb. Whether this was because it was how she remembered him best is unknown. Regardless, the only ones missing were Roger, Bree, and Jemma.
Remembrances of her assault
Back in her remembrances of events, one of Lincoln’s men , an Indian, asks Claire where she came from. This query seemed to imply something. What we are not sure yet. Tebbe, another of Brown’s men, is a superstitious man, and fears Claire. He believes she is a “conjure woman.” He goes out of his way to make sure Claire knows he was good to her. Mainly because he feared her curse. Claire tried to take advantage of that. She tried to get Tebbe to lead her across the stream on their journey and let her go. But someone else tried to take her across. She cursed at them saying “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.” The Indian stared at her but did not interfere when Brown gagged her to keep her quiet. He continued to beat her and tied her to a tree.
Ringo Starr
Later that night, the Indian approaches her again. He asks her if the name Ringo Starr means anything to her. She tells him he was a drummer. He tells her he knew it. The advice he read from Dr. Rawlings could not have come from the present time. Claire begs him to untie her. He tells her he can’t. Come to find out he also is a man from the future. His name is Windigo Donner. He is from 1968 and came with a group of American Indians.
One of those who came with him was Otter Tooth, also known as Robert Springer. (Claire learned this from Otter Tooth’s journal that Ian had shown her). Donner asks her if Bob is still alive. She tells him no. When he asks what happened to Bob, she tells him the Mohawk killed him. This was surprising to him as they had came back in time to SAVE the Mohawk. (These time travelers keep trying to change things but keep failing in the attempt.) She asks again for his help but he is afraid of Lincoln. She then asks how he knew she was from the future. He mentions her “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ and the fact that she does not appear to be afraid of men. Most women of the time are. She should feign being more afraid. Lionel asks Donner what he is doing. He tells him he is making sure Claire is secure and he leaves her.
Trying to find a Safe Haven
Lionel then approaches with his nephew. He lets the boy rape her, and then he follows suit. After he is done, he asks who else wants to be with the “hedge whore.” The stinking Bastards. Once again, She keeps going back to her 60’s home. But even there, Lionel Brown invades her safe haven. At her dinner table, and as the police officer who comes to tell her of Roger, Bree and Jemma’s death in a car accident. This is probably a way Claire rationalized their absence in her happy home.
A Return to Home
Meanwhile, back at the stones, we return to Roger, Bree and Jemma. They pick themselves off the ground and see Young Ian. Apparently, they had left only to be returned. They both thought of home…so home they returned. Later they came back in the wagon that Ian has brought them in. At first, they thought to stop for the night but they saw the cross pyre burning. They knew there was trouble. So they pressed on. Jamie, Fergus and the men were preparing to pursue the Browns. He was surprised to see Bree and Roger. They asked him what happened and he explained that Claire was gone, and he was going to get her back. Bree wanted to go with them but Jamie told her no, it was too dangerous. Josiah asked to go as he was a good shot. He would do it for Mistress Frasure. Roger also said he would go along. He pledged himself to Jamie in Episode One of Season 5, “The Fiery Cross.” Jamie accepted his help.
The Rescue
Later that evening, as Claire faded in and out of consciousness, she thought she saw a fight happening. And although she could not focus, she also thought she heard Jamie calling her name. She was not wrong. Jamie and his men had caught up to the Browns and were dispensing quick and cruel justice. Ian fought particularly fierce. He battled like an Indian Warrior using his Tomahawk and war club. Claire could hear the sounds of gunfire and men’s cries of fear and pain as they were overwhelmed. Jamie located Claire and cut her loose. He reassured her, she was alive, she was whole. It was the same thing he told Roger when Claire saved him after he was hung.
Ian and Mr. Myers come over and tell Jamie a few men remained alive. Myers extends his knife and asks Claire if she would like to avenge herself upon them. Jamie tells him she has made an oath not to cause harm to others. He tells him that he kills for her. Ian responds that he also will kill for her, as does Fergus. Jamie asks her is she knows who raped her or how many? She could not answer so Jamie told them to kill all the remaining men. This was done.
The Lone Survivor
Jamie gathered Claire up into his arms and carried her over to where the remaining men bodies were lain. He wanted her to see that they would no longer be a threat. But they found one man still alive, Lionel Brown. The men were going to finish him but Roger stopped them, saying that he could answer some questions before he died. They decided to take him with them back to Frasure’s Ridge. But only after Jamie left with Claire. She asked about Marsali. Jamie assures her she was fine as was her baby. However, the man whose shoulder she had reset had been killed. She asked if there was an Indian among the dead. Jamie told her there was not. She told him about the man from the future. Jamie asked if he hurt her. She said no, but he did not help her either. She then said she had imagined seeing Roger. Jamie told her she was not imagining it. Roger, Bree and Jemma had come home.
The Reunion with Bree
Bree was there to meet Claire. She was happy to see Bree despite everything she had went through. Bree helped Claire inside and drew a bath for her. As one might expect, she wasn’t in a talking mood after the trauma she had been through. Bree let her know she there to talk or just listen when she needed her. “You have my hand, and my ear, if you need it.” Claire for her part was trying to be strong and it broke Jamie’s heart to see her suffering so. However, she refused to let this defeat her. She had survived World War II, she had been beaten, and betrayed, she had lost a child, she would NOT let THIS define her. Meanwhile, Roger had returned as well. He had been forced to kill a man for the first time and he needed to talk about it with Bree. Worry filled his soul if God would think he had done right. He had her blow out the candle before beginning.
Giving Lionel Brown his just Medicine
Lionel Brown was in her surgery, restrained to the table. Clair went to see him. She was a Doctor, sworn to save lives, not take them. But it was not easy in this case. She tried to be professional, but she found herself clutching her scalpel. Before long, she finally had to get away. She left instructions to Marsali for his care and broke down once she went upstairs. Marsali appeared to be following Claire’s instructions. She was preparing a medicine to be given by injection. Brown told her they should treat him well. If they did not, his brother William would come and slaughter everyone, or burn them and their cabin while they slept. This brings up two thoughts. Was it in fact, the Browns who were burning cabins and killing people to justify their “Committee of Safety?” And the obituary found by Bree and Roger said that Jamie and Claire died in a home fire. Would this prove to be the cause?
Marsali defends her Family
Marsali was not deterred by his threats. She prepared the syringe telling him that they should do all they could to make him “hale and well.“ But, unlike Claire, she had made no such oath to do no harm. He had attacked her family, violated her Ma, she would see him burn in hell before she let him harm another soul in this house. She injected the syringe into his neck, filled with hemlock. Lionel Brown would do harm to no other people after today. Of course, right after she did it, she began to worry about her eternal soul. Would SHE be condemned to hell for her actions? Would he haunt her? This was the state Jamie found her in when he entered the Surgery. He consoled her that she would not. What’s done is done, and she should not lose any sleep over it.
Returning Lionel Home
Jamie took the body back to Brownsville. He gave it back to his brother and told him what Lionel and his men had done. He had brought his brother back to be buried. Brown thanked him for that. He lamented that Lionel reaped what he sowed, and Jamie did what he must. But he warned, he would do what he must as well, when the time comes. In the meanwhile, Jamie returns home and things are quiet for the time being. But a storm is coming, both literally and figuratively. The American Revolution is approaching. As usual they will face it, together. The episode ends with Claire and Jamie naked on their bed. He marvels at her courage and asks her how she feels. She tells him, “Safe.” As the thunder rolls (apologies to Garth Brooks) the screen fades. Only now does the Outlander theme play over the closing credits.
Thoughts
This was a emotion filled episode that dealt with an ugly act. They warned you as such from the beginning. And they were not wrong. It explored the topic of sexual assault and how people cope with it. Both the victims and their family. How much comfort can you provide or how much SHOULD you provide without smothering the person? As the previous seasons have shown, people cope with trauma differently. Both Jamie and Brianna have experienced similar situations and they both were initially reluctant to be touched. This seems like a common reaction.
However, Claire seems to deal with this trauma better than most. While she is no doubt devastated by the incident, she REFUSED to let herself be defined by it. Which is not to say there will not be scars from the episode. They may have just not revealed themselves as of yet. As for the acting, Caitriona Balfe gave an unbelievable performance in this episode. It could not have been easy, and according to the show runners, she did not shy away from emotions it elicited. Of course, she has proven time and time again she is a master of her craft. This episode just proves that once again.
Lauren Lyle shows her acting Chops
The same can be said for Lauren Lyle who portrays Marsali. She took on the challenge of portraying the soul searching decision of taking another persons life when it goes against their personal or religious beliefs. In the end, her maternal instincts and the need to protect her family prevailed. But it was not without a cost. How much of one will be likely revealed at a later date. It is similar to the same concerns Roger is having over his first experience at killing a man. There is probably a character exploration to be had there. As it is, it was another strong episode in a season of such. Never My Love was a 9 of 10.
Whats Next?
So Season 5 is in the books. What is next for the Outlander? They didn’t end with a cliffhanger to hang their hat on. While this is true, there ARE questions remaining to be answered. Such as: What actually happened to Young Ian and the Mohawk. We know that it has something to do with a woman and possibly his wife? We also that whoever she is, she is still alive. Ian told Roger as much. But he still seems disturbed by something. Hopefully it will be explained next season.
The Brown Threat
Another thing to be resolved is the threat that William Brown made when Jamie brought his brother home. He made it pretty clear that retribution may eventually be at hand for what happened to Lionel Brown. When added to Lionel’s suggestion that their homes might be burnt down while they are sleeping, it should give the Frasure’s some pause.
You say you want a Revolution
And of course there is the impending American Revolution still on the horizon. This is not something that may or may not happen. This is a certainty. How will it effect the Frasures is another log to be put on the Outlander fire. When added to the mysterious Windigo Donner, and where he has taken off to, there are plenty of unknowns waiting to be answered. Now all that is needed is for the 6th Season to begin to answer some of these conundrums. And….the wait begins.
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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.