Well, episode 806 opens with Captain Cunningham in a foul mood, and the realization that while he might get to live 5 more years, it may not be the quality of life he can mentally handle.

Meanwhile Ben Cleveland and Josiah Beardsley tell Jamie of how they routed the other Loyalist militia that was coming to the Ridge as backup for Cunningham. Ben Cleveland leaves with a warning: that Jamie is in his debt. And as Frank whispers in Jamie’s ear, we know this means we are hurtling towards King’s Mountain. While Ben Cleveland would like to kill Cunningham by stringing him up for all to see, Jamie kills Cunningham with kindness. Claire has kept Cunningham alive, but it will be a slow and agonizing 5 years for a warrior like Cunningham. Jamie reminds me of his uncle Colum, as he whispers in Cunningham’s ear, letting Cunningham’s shortsightedness and arrogance be his own downfall. Cunningham, used to being the master of his own fate, feels the reality we must all face: we’ve never been in control, as much as we’d like to believe we are.

In this episode, we see two people who haven’t had much control in their fate, Roger and Ian, come to terms with where they are and closure on missing parts of their past. Rachel and Bree do their best to support their husbands. While Bree has joy for Roger, Rachel has more apprehension. My husband lived with a girlfriend for two years. While I don’t feel threatened or jealous like Rachel, it’s still not easy sometimes when I see her or see social media posts pop up. It’s rare anymore for it to happen but when it does, it is odd to feel so at one with a person and realize there’s a part of them you never saw or had access too. Bree and Roger try to come to terms with almost losing each other. Roger also has to come to terms with the fact that he was always meant to travel through time. His flashback to his father saving him during one of the bomb raids of WWII shows his Presbyterian faith to be true, that he was predestined for all of this. Roger and Bree never meant to stay in the past, and yet they have found themselves at home here and with family. Coming close to death, they have their own “petite morte.” Roger’s knee somehow seems to be much better…

Back at the American camp, cousin Ben who isn’t dead yet, gets into quite the fight with William. We find Ben read Common Sense, and switched sides. However, we also find out it was Amaranthus’ idea that Ben fake his death and go find Uncle John. It all seems a little fishy….. William shows his concern for Amaranthus and Ben realizes what has been happening between his cousin and wife. They start brawling, and Ben pulls a Jamie and has William taken to the camp prison.

On the Ridge, Jamie decides to kick out all of the traitors and their families. Hiram Crombie takes it the hardest, as everything he built at Ambercrombie and Fitch will be taken from him. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. By the way, Jamie has fabulous penmanship. If it were to get kicked out my house, at least the notice was written looking almost like an invitation to leave.

In New York, Ian comes across an old friend and is redirected to Joseph Brandt to find answers in regards to his first wife and child. Poor Rachel looks like she is half in agony, half in hope. They are lead into a fine house, where they meet Joseph Brandt and his wife, who are just as much with a foot in both worlds as Ian is (although Brandt is doing financially better). Brandt is not thrilled that Ian joined the Continentals, and the two squabble. Rachel and Catherine Brandt try to find a way to make peace. Catherine is perceptive and calls out Ian for putting both of his wives in a tight spot. Emily and Swiftest of Lizards are alive, but Brandt won’t let him see them.

The Ridge Loyalists’ wives make their case before Jamie but he is not moved. They do their best to explain that they didn’t agree with their husbands’ choices. They just don’t want to lose their homes. It’s a reminder that spouses don’t always see eye to eye on certain things but both still end up paying the price for one’s poor choice.

Rachel and Ian admit their own mistakes and struggles with Ian’s past. If only they had talked this out before traveling hundreds of miles by wagon…

In prison, William is rescued by Denny, who makes up wonderful, awful reasons for the American guard to disappear, and how to fake William’s death. Claire would be so proud to see Denny escort William out of camp with a case of false smallpox.

Bree and Roger make it back to the print shop and see the sweet Henri-Christian making a home for a wee froggy. Fergus also has a note for Roger, letting him know that he will give him the guns due to Roger’s bravery.

Rachel also bravely seeks a private audience with Brandt, making her case before him, asking him to let Ian see Emily and Swiftest of Lizards one more time. Rachel’s vulnerability and honesty earns Brandt’s respect, just as it earns Jamie’s respect of the Ridge wives’ he has evicted. Therefore, he keeps the contracts with the wives, not the husbands, giving them the control over their homes and lands. The men aren’t happy about it but they will learn the sage saying, “happy wife, happy life,” if they know what’s good for them. Elspeth comes up at the end, begging to take her son back to England. If she has to care for her son, she wants to do it where she has people she can rely on.

Ian & Rachel are allowed to meet Emily at Brandt’s house. They greet each other and acknowledge what they once were to each other. Emily admits she prayed for help because she has a reoccurring dream that Swiftest of Lizards/Totis, will be captured by soldiers and forced to fight in war and die. She hopes that he will be safe if she goes to live with Ian. In runs Swiftest of Lizards/Totis with the most adorable baby Rollo there ever was. I don’t know if Ian is more excited for his son or the puppy. Totis wants to know what his half-brother’s name is. Emily decides to name him since Ian named Totis. Emily names the baby Hunter, which is very fitting for Rachel since it is her maiden name. Rachel promises to love Totis as her own. Rachel tells Ian she has to believe he loves her as much as she loves him and his children, as she pets Puppy Rollo 2.0 and looks on at Totis.

Elspeth takes her leave of the Ridge, along with Cunningham. They say farewell, as well as any frenemies can. (No breaking out into “For Good” here.) And while the Wicked Witch may be leaving with her charlatan Wizard of a son to cross the sea and go back to England, the damage has been done. All Claire and Jamie wanted was to go home, except home wasn’t the same, and the war had infected much around them. Ben Cleveland and Major Ferguson will come a-knockin’ with their own posse’s of flying monkeys. While it’s closure and happy endings for Ian & Rachel and Roger & Bree, the trailer next week lets us know, the worst is yet to come.

Dram: Undammed Spirit’s Thief Creek Bourbon Whiskey, fitting since Ian has a lot of memories by a river

Comfort Food: Tatertot Casserole….It’s the taste of home, which everyone is a little desperate for in this episode. Plus, we are gonna need some fortification for next week.

Song: Home, by Good Neighbours