I guess the title of my post summarizes my feelings in regards to Outlander’s Episode 202, “Not in Scotland Anymore.” There are changes from the books, but the essence and the plotline remain the same. I can tell that the production and writing team are making a superb adaptation by just analyzing my husband’s reaction to the episode. He is a non-book reader, and he is pleased with the second season so far. Here are the highlights and my speculations.
Haunted by a Ghost
After the opening scene in which Louise de la Tour is getting dressed, Jamie has a pleasant dream in which he is making love to Claire. Suddenly, Claire becomes Black Jack. Jamie does not hesitate in stabbing him to death. This dream shows the anger and the strong feelings of revenge present in Jamie’s psyche. This scene is reminiscent of the last episode of the first season, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul,” in which Jamie has vivid hallucinations in which he sees Black Jack instead of Claire, and attacks her. The dream is upsetting to the point that Jamie prefers to remain awake for the rest of the night. This scene at the beginning foreshadows the revelation at the end of the episode that Jonathan Randall is alive and Claire’s concern about Jamie’s reaction to this news. Similarly, the “honeypot” scene portrays a hallucination in which Claire becomes Black Jack, a juxtaposition of hilarity with perturbation.
Master Raymond and Claire
Claire visits Raymond’s apothecary to purchase a “relaxant” or sleep aid for Jamie. Immediately, they connect. They both share an interest in herbs. He recommends the use of Valeriana officinalis and Humulus lupulus, herbs with sedative properties that help with insomnia. Raymond greets Claire by calling her “Madonna,” a hint that he can see the blue aura in her, and, therefore, recognizes her as one of his descendants. He knows her name due to the incident with St. Germain’s ship. He reveals to her that he and St. Germain are rivals, and how trusting and foolish the nobility is.
Murtagh’s Homesickness and Desire for Revenge
There is the scene in which both Murtagh and Jamie are practicing with the swords. The Parisians are shocked to see them fighting in an open space. Of course, Murtagh is not nice to them. He insults them. This scene brings to mind the perception of Scottish Highlanders as being savages and unrefined. Murtagh is homesick. He misses the more natural and uncontaminated environment of the Scottish Highlands. In his conversation with Jamie, Murtagh proposes to kill Charles Stuart to stop any Jacobite rising taking place. In the books, Claire is the one expressing this sentiment. The notion of poisoning the Bonnie Prince surfaces in her thoughts once in a while. Jamie thinks that murdering Charles Stuart might provoke the exiled King James to invade Scotland. Of note is the scene in which Murtagh is about to kill Sandringham for treachery. He calls him Judas.
The Delusional Prince
In the books, Charles Stuart does not reveal his objectives openly as on screen. Jamie accompanies him often to brothels. They have a social life. He also has an illegitimate child with Louise de la Tour. However, not much about his plans for invading Scotland are revealed. The reader knows about his movements and plans from other characters, such as Master Raymond, a reliable source.
The TV show portrays him as petulant, arrogant, condescending and even delusional. He is not charismatic at all. He likes women too. He wants to know whether Scotland is ready to rise for him. Jamie indirectly tells him that Scotland is not ready for him. He states it is a challenge to unite the clans. It is hard to get them to agree on something. There are also rivalries between the clans. Of note is Murtagh’s question to the prince: “Have you ever been to Scotland?” The Bonnie Prince does not much about the people he plans to govern. Murtagh’s comments about Scottish Highlanders not being fond of foreigners is brilliant. However, nothing persuades Charles Stuart to back down on his plans. He puts divine right as a justification for his fatal ambitions. He wants Jamie to infiltrate the French court as an advocate and establish a relationship between him and Monsieur Duverney, Louis XV’s Minister of Finance since he is in need of money. Claire thinks that the best way to deal with Charles Stuart is to prevent him from acquiring funds.
The Waxing
The interaction between Mary Hawkins and Louise de la Tour is hilarious. It is a comic relief to the conversation between Jamie, Murtagh, and Charles. They are total opposites. The portrayal of Mary as pure and innocent is faithful to the books. She feels naked wearing undergarments. Louise has an easygoing, relaxed attitude towards life. She is experienced when it comes to men, and she disrobes fully to get her privates waxed. Of note is the fact that a man is doing the waxing, and she is not hesitant about it. Claire is also comfortable with it. I am happy to see that the monkey was not left out and cannot wait to see the animal bite Charles Stuart. Shocking is the fact that Mary is to be married to an old French noble with warts. She is not looking forward to it.
The Honeypot and the Sexy Dress
Jamie is shocked when Claire reveals her waxed legs and “honeypot.” Of course, the level of shock is not comparable to the one in the books. However, I am glad that this scene made it to the adaptation. Overall, Jamie prefers natural beauty, and I guess it is related to the virginal nature of the Scottish Highlands. The comic relief in this scene is not long-lasting. He has a vision of Claire becoming Black Jack while making love to her. This scene is another example of streamlining the story. It shows a hilarious scene from the books and the trauma of being raped.
Claire’s red dress with a long slit at the chest is a masterpiece. Jamie likes it, but he is not entirely pleased. It is revealing and out of the norm. Claire was behind the design. The dress shows her twentieth-century mindset. Therefore, she is “out of place.” Of course, the dress gets attention not only from Murtagh but also from Monsieur Duverney. In their first encounter, the Minister of Finance tries to seduce Claire by kissing her feet. The TV character has been merged with the book’s Vicomte de Rambeau. Duverney is not fond of his wife. She has a temper. I guess Duverney’s wife, as opposed to the Vicomtesse de Rambeau, will play a role in the bitter cascara incident, even though I tend to suspect St. Germain to be involved.
Louis XV
The French King suffers from constipation. He holds an audience while seating on a toilette. Similar to the introduction of Louise de la Tour, this scene shows the combination of refinement with vulgarity, typical of the French. While they are on their way to meet the king, viewers overhear a discussion about heretical practices and ignorance of the Church’s doctrine, a possible reference to Les Disciples du Mal. Jamie advises the king to eat porridge to ease his constipation. However, Louis replies that he does not eat peasant food, an insult associated with the belief of the Scottish Highlander not being civilized. It could also mean that the French see themselves superior to anybody else. Later the king is seen with his mistress, who wears a topless dress revealing her pierced nipples. Murtagh is fascinated with her. Of note is the look of interest that Louis gives to Claire when he sees her for the first time.
The Duke and his Employee
The Duke of Sandringham is the perfect hypocrite. One cannot forget his delighted face when he sees the shock on Claire’s face after the revelation that Black Jack is alive. He does not treat his employees properly, and condescendingly reproaches Alexander Randall for coughing on him. For readers, Alexander’s cough is a hint to what he suffers from, tuberculosis. Of interest is how comfortable Mary feels talking to him at Versailles.
Worth mentioning
I am not sure what to make of Annalise de Marillac. She looks flirty and seems attracted to Jamie.
Of note is the scene of Claire wearing the eighteenth-century version of the Bar Suit. People on the streets stare at her. She looks different and “out-of-place” to them. Overall, all dresses and costumes are colorful with intricate patterns. The same applies to the scenery, a contrast to last season’s earthy tones.