Honestly…this episode was a struggle for me. In part, 712 was so amazing that it’s hard to top. It’s also one of the times I wish I wasn’t a book reader. Most of the time I can enjoy and appreciate the book and show separately for what they are. And I know how much they had to pare down from the books at this point. I’m grateful we got Jerry instead of not at all. But damn, the books are so much better. And I don’t envy the writers and producers that had to shave down the story and edit. I truly wonder how much was left in the editing floor. There are many wonderful essences of the book in there. I just want the fluff. It’s like someone gave me the most wonderful cup of hot chocolate and put one mini-marshmallow in it. I know there’s got to be more marshmallows somewhere. And I really wanted them all in my cup. And a mini candy cane to get the right amount of peppermint in there too. But there’s no candy cane, no whipped cream, and only one measly mini marshmallow, and it’s just not the same. 

Last week was all the kilts, honey, tea, whiskey, shortbread, you name it. This left me a little “whelmed.” (Que the movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, a great take on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew). This episode is still really good. I loved everything with Bree & Roger. The show’s take on a semi-Quaker wedding was hilarious. All of the shots of Rollo made me really nervous we were going to lose him. Thankfully we didn’t lose Rollo yet, and Ian & Rachel’s wedding night ended up being very sweet.  I also loved the wedding night “advice” Jamie gave Ian. I wish we could have seen Claire do the same for Rachel, like we did in the book. I also missed the Coda in 3/2 time with Dottie & Denzel. And the wedding is supposed to be after the Battle of Monmouth, which in part is what makes Rachel realize how much Ian needs her. Fergus and Marsali & Co. are supposed to be there, as well as Lord John and his brother Hal. Which by the way, I can’t wait to see what happens to Lord John. Although it was a very awkward moment when Denny brought up Lord John to Jamie, and Jamie just kinda breezes past it. In many ways, this episode feels like artificial sweetener. When you have a baked good or ice cream that uses artificial sweetener, it still tastes sweet but something doesn’t feel quite right. Sometimes there’s a weird aftertaste. Usually artificial sweeteners wreck my stomach so I’ve decided to stay away from them. But I can’t stay away from Outlander.

I was so hoping Jerry would reference Frank Randall. We still haven’t seen Black Jack Randall like we do in the books (#spoilers). There’s still a part of me hoping Buck and Roger run into him on the way back to Lallybroch. And there’s been no Dear Deadeye letter. I need Jemmy having pop tarts with Joe! There’s only 3 episodes left so I’m hoping somehow we can work these things in. It’s probably a fool’s hope, like hoping a different artificial sweetener will finally be healthier and taste ok.

The only thing losing more than artificial sweetener? The Inverness Police Department. They’ve been losing people and disappointing their families for ages now. I’d say since 1946 but they are by a standing stone circle so when have they not been losing people? Bree should have made them eat a cake with artificial sweetener and ruin their guts. I do have to say angry Mama Bear Bree is amazing to see. Again, Rob Cameron severely underestimated her, but his disappearance let’s us know that he’s not working alone. And that thought scares me more than artificial sweetener.

The kids in this episode were fantastic. The actors that play Jemmy, Mandy, and the shepherd boy were awesome. I still could only catch half of what the shepherd boy said on the second watch, which is great because he is supposed to be near impossible to understand in the books. Watching Outlander has made me pretty good at understanding Scottish accents but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I almost needed subtitles. I love that Grandpa Jerry’s hair color somewhat matches Jem’s. I know casting kids is tricky but I’ve kinda hated how they’ve made Jem a blonde and not a redhead. Too many people thought he was Stephen Bonnet’s kid. At least now it looks like Jem got his hair color from Grandad Jerry Mac. Mandy does awesome with the hot & cold game. Although it bring to mind to mind the Katy Perry song: “Hot N Cold.”

In the end, I’m sad about all of my lost book things. I understand why but I’m standing here like a sad Jamie walking away from little William while “Hard Rain” plays in the background. (Check out Season 3 if you don’t remember.)

The best moment of this episode has to be Roger telling his dad “I love you.” I think it captures what every person who’s lost a parent would do and say, especially those who lost their parent too soon. I really hope we find out more about Jerry saving Roger. By the way, Buck still isn’t looking too good. I’m curious as to how they will wrap up his storyline.

And dang it, but is there a uniform in which Sam Heughan does not look amazing?

Why are there only 3 episodes of 7B left? Not another Droughtlander so soon! It feels like we just started.

Til next time… Slainte!

Drink: Hot Chocolate that Never Disappoints (unless you’re disappointed there’s no dram this week. I don’t think Quakers would have appreciated whiskey, but you could always add a little to your own mug.)

Comfort Food: No Gut-Ache Apple Cake (because it uses honey! Plus Jamie was giving Claire grief about apples earlier this season.)