It’s the day after Thanksgiving! And I am giving thanks for Outlander. My online Black Friday shopping is done. It’s time to enjoy a dram after a new episode. I don’t know who thought it would be a good idea to have 7b premiering around the holiday season, although I am glad to have the day off from school. Currently I have my turkey breast carcass making bone broth in my slow cooker. Seeing Rachel lose all her vegetables at the market reminded me that I need to use my Thanksgiving leftovers responsibly.

This episode was amazing for seeing the key scenes of the book come to life. Opening with a Young Jamie and Wee-Young-Old Ian (with both legs) learning to fight and how to guard each others weak sides, and finally getting “on your right.” It may be “on your left” in the books but it still brought a tear to my eye. I also love Ian for teasing Jamie about marrying an older woman. 

This episode was bookended by grief. We see Jenny lose Ian, and then later Claire loses Jamie. It’s a reminder that life is short and we never quite know when things might change. Claire says something similar to Jame in Voyager when she returns. One of Jamie’s unofficial smuggling colleagues sees them getting soup after they’ve reunited. “I suppose he’s like everyone else,” I said cynically. “Most people think they’re going to live forever.”

But more on that later. It’s beautiful to see Young Ian and Claire’s rapport from their conversation in the carriage. And in turn, it’s beautiful to see Lord John’s faith in Claire coming. How far they have come since their measles-social distancing-bonding-moment in season 4/book 4. My book club friends and I joke that Lord John is the ultimate gift giver and call him Sir-Gifts-a-Lot. He’s procured all the ether in town. Only the best for Claire and his nephew. It’s also sweet to catch up with Rachel and Denny Hunter. It’s fun to see Claire and Denny Hunter geeking out over medical stuff and having their own Grey’s Anatomy moment 1770s-style. Claire hasn’t had a colleague since she left Joe Abernathy in the 1960s. Sweet William is crushing hard on Rachel. She’s quick to drop him and her flower basket for the chance Ian has returned. I thought William said earlier in the season that he was no errand boy but he’s definitely willing to be “your servant, ma’am” for Rachel. We finally see Young Ian & Rachel declaring their love, although I would have liked to see them kiss. I mean it’s Thanksgiving. It’s like forgetting to eat pie afterwards or eating your pie but forgetting to add the whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to go with. Or forgetting to have a rich cup of coffee help wash down the pie (unless you really want that after Thanksgiving nap). 

“I suppose he’s like everyone else,” I said cynically. “Most people think they’re going to live forever.”

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

One of the great parts of this episode though was the adventures of Roger and Buck, especially with all of their Back-to-the-Future moments. Although, I did feel a little dirty the way Dougal said “wares” to Gellis. And then Roger and Buck lingered for a second in the house while the however many greats-grandparents get it on in the room next door. Get out of there man! You don’t want to hear that. I guess this means Roger is also responsible for them meeting. I think I’ve lost track of how many times has Roger saved his own life at this point. By the way, Roger has the worst family reunions. Technically Jamie is a cousin (however many generations removed). Meeting Jamie got him beat up and sold to the Mohawk. Buck got him hanged.  Then he realizes he basically introduced the great-grandparents and almost hears them grind some corn. Although maybe it allows us viewers to feel like we aren’t the only ones to have awkward family encounters around the holidays. 

Side note here: Maybe Gellis is why Laoghaire thought Claire being a healer made her a whore. It seems all of Cranesmuir knew exactly what kinds of potions Gellis was really selling except for her husband. 

But the best part of this episode goes to David Berry and Caitriona Balfe showing their heart-wrenching grief. They were tearing my guts out, especially with the montage that ends with the quote from Jamie “When the day shall come that we do part, if my last words are not ‘I love you’-ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time.”  I knew what was coming and still found myself in tears. Oh and of course Lord John can cry pretty! He never looks amiss!

Also, the colors for this second half of the seasons seem so vivid and rich. Maybe it’s because we are getting so many shots of Scotland, although Claire looks fabulous walking around Philly. I want that brown coat of hers. It fits her like a glove.

Not many things were bad for this episode, but I did leave the episode feeling a little “meh.” Now hear me out. It’s not bad but it’s not great. Kinda like Claire saving Henry’s life but pulling his sausages, aka intestines, out for Denny to see. Glad Denny can learn and ya’ll can geek out but poor Lord John is about to hurl in a corner, and Mercy Woodcock is not sure ya’ll are sane.

So here it is…

I’m still not sure about the pacing. I know how much they are having to pare down and adapt. It all seems to be moving quite fast. I’d like more time with the characters, but maybe I’m just being greedy because I know this will all come to an end next season. However, with all the storylines and three different timelines, it kinda reminds me of season 3 when we had different timelines, and Cait said it felt like vignettes that were linked together. In a way, it’s another callback and that helps a little. I’m just not sure if I’m as sold on the writers/editors wares like Dougal is with Gellis. 

Til next time…Slainte

Today’s comfort food: not anything with sausages! Rachel’s Simple Whipped Cream

Today’s Dram: Highland Park 12. It’s one of the first whisky’s I ever had, and it still hits the spot. It’s perfect for Roger and Buck’s ramblings around the Highlands looking for Jem. It’s also good to have something comforting after hearing hard news like Claire & John.