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After a busy weekend and with no cable/internet connection, I was able to watch Episode 205 on Sunday night. “Untimely Resurrection” follows a plot line similar to the ones in the books, one of the main reasons why I enjoyed watching this episode. Furthermore, the last twenty minutes, the primary focus of this post, were intense (Yes, I will be writing about ANNALISE).
The episode opens with Jamie being released from La Bastille thanks to his friend Duverney. However, Alex is still unjustly jailed for the attack on Mary Hawkins. Her uncle, Silas, testified against him. Furthermore, Alex is no longer employed by Sandringham (who wants to keep a good appearance in front of everybody). Claire and Jamie start talking about the attackers. She describes them as aristocratic because of their elegant attire. She mentions that they identify her as “La Dame Blanche.” Jamie confesses that he has referred to her as such at Maison Elise to avoid prostitutes. Furthermore, every noble who frequents this particular brothel would be aware that he is married to a sorceress or witch. They wonder whether St. Germain is involved in the attack.
The assault has also affected Murtagh. He feels guilty that he has failed Jamie in protecting Claire and Mary and apologizes. Jamie assigns him to find the connection between the possible perpetrators of the crime, “Les Disciples,” and St. Germain. I am not a book purist, but this particular scene in the books is meaningful. Murtagh draws his dirk and asks Jamie to kill him because he cannot live with the shame of failing. He kneels in front in Jamie and reveals that he is sworn to him (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 18). Murtagh has always considered Jamie his son, a fact that I would have loved to see included in the TV adaptation (crossing my fingers that it would be included later though because of what will happen). Furthermore, he tells Claire that he will lay vengeance at her feet (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 18). In fact, he will eventually place Sandringham’s head at Claire’s feet.
Claire goes to visit Mary, who has a letter for the authorities explaining the attack and Alex’s innocence. Mary seems to be recovering, but she feels shame: “I will never be the same.” Claire explains to her that what happened to her was not her fault. On the bright side, Mary will not be marrying the “warty” Vicomte, and she is free to marry Alex. Of course, Claire is not happy about it since she wants to ensure Frank’s existence. She even thinks about burning Mary’s letter for Alex to be locked indefinitely a the Bastille. Of course, she does not do it, but it does not stop her to do the unexpected: trying to separate Mary and Alex. She tells Alex to leave Mary since he has nothing to offer her. Claire regrets having that conversation with Alex. However, what goes around comes around (and we know what will happen to Jamie and Claire). Furthermore, if I were Claire, I would forget about Frank and would not even try to have a sweet child married to Black Jack.
On Episode 203, Prince Charles left the dinner scene with St. Germain. As a result, they are now business partners. The Bonnie Prince reveals that he has lost some financial backers. However, he has secured a bank loan to buy a shipment of Portuguese wine, which St. Germain will obtain with his ships. The profit from this business enterprise will be used to purchase weapons, secure ships and acquire men to fight. The success of this business will be enough evidence for King Louis to support the Jacobite cause financially. Jamie tries to persuade Prince Charles by telling him about St. Germain’s dark reputation. The Prince disregards those comments as rumors. He also has the same opinion about the remarks about Claire being “La Dame Blanche.” Because St. Germain is not a supporter of the Prince’s cause, Charles wants Jamie to be in charge of the sale of the wine. In fact, he has arranged a meeting between Jamie and St. Germain at Maison Elise. Of note is Charles’s setting everything up for Jamie (something that he might be doing later on the adaptation such as signing Jamie’s name on a particular document).
Jamie and St. Germain subsequently meet at the brothel. They agree that St. Germain is in charge of securing the shipment and Jamie is responsible for acquiring the buyers. However, threats are exchanged between them. St. Germain has not forgotten about Claire’s attempt to ruin him. Jamie tells him about looking for the man in charge of poisoning and attacking his wife and raping Mary, and that he will die a slow and painful death. I like Jamie’s line in this conversation: “My memory is as long as yours.” Afterward, Jamie and Claire discuss the use of herbs to simulate smallpox.
The Last Twenty Minutes
At the Royal stables, Jamie is trying to help the Duke of Sandringham in choosing a horse to purchase. Of course, Sandringham seems to be concentrated on Jamie instead of the horses, and also trying to get information about Jamie’s short incarceration at La Bastille. The Duke also reveals what Jamie wanted to achieve at the dinner party – he has a negative impression of Prince Charles. Based on their conversation, Sandringham is not a supporter of the Jacobite cause.
Meanwhile, Claire is enjoying a stroll with Annalise de Marillac. They both look stunning with the beautiful dresses they are wearing. I love the pink/purple colors that Annalise is wearing. However, Claire’s floral dress is my favorite. Annalise’s topic of conversation is intriguing. She emphasizes how Jamie has changed. The Jamie she knew was “direct, honest, and simple.” Nowadays, he is “a man of business and politics.” He is no longer a boy but a man. Annalise misses the old Jamie. There is an element of truth in Annalise’s comments. Since their arrival at Paris, Jamie has become involved in politics as suggested by Claire. Based on Annalise’s serious demeanor, Jamie’s involvement in politics is dangerous. Being a French noble herself, she might have heard something dangerous planned against Jamie and Claire. Is she trying to discourage the Frasers from what they are doing? It is also possible that somebody sent her as a warning. Is Annalise’s role in this scene to pull Claire away from Jamie, and bring her knowingly or unknowingly to Black Jack? I tend to find these last two suggestions less likely to be the case, though. Her role is similar to that of Monsieur Forez in the books. Hopefully, we will learn more about Annalise this season.
Their conversation is interrupted by Black Jack. Claire enters a state of shock. I wonder whether she sees Frank in Black Jack because of him addressing her by her name. Of course, Black Jack prefers to use the names of both Jamie and Claire instead of their respective titles. Immediately, he asks for Jamie and tells Claire how unbelievable it is to meet them again. These comments and his “happiness” are indicative of his “creepy” obsession for Jamie. If it were not for King Louis, he would not have let Claire go. In fact, Louis notices a particular tension between Randall and Claire. As a result, he is polite with Claire but offends Randall, criticizing his accent and uniform. Randall’s comment of preferring war over politics since it is easier to know the enemy implies the use of facades by everybody playing a political game. Of note is Randall’s grasping his sword when Jamie steps in to get Claire. Jamie continues in making Randall uncomfortable by reminding him of his escape from Wentworth. Randall is further humiliated when he reveals that he is there for his brother to regain his employment with the Duke. The King suggests Black Jack to beg Sandringham. However, the captain does not grasp the meaning and begs by kneeling to Louis. Randall is diminished and mocked. Jamie’s look of satisfaction is memorable. The scene ends with Jamie challenging Randall to a duel once the King leaves.
The episode closes with an argument between Jamie and Claire. Jamie is no longer able to carry out his plans since Claire formally reports to the authorities that Randall is responsible for the attack against her and Mary. Regarding Claire’s reason, I like the fact that she uses dueling as an illicit practice. He could die or spend the rest of his life behind bars, which is not a good option when he has a wife and a child. Claire implores Jamie to wait a year to kill Randall to ensure the existence of an innocent, Frank. I love watching how the adaptation uses lines from the book in this scene, especially when Claire tells Jamie that he owes her a life (which of course, it is not the case and probably the worst reason she has ever used). Jamie is upset and leaves refusing Claire’s touch after reminded her that Randall still haunts his dreams and raped him, and now he is unable to avenge these atrocities and get his honor back. Because of her belief that the future can be changed, and her efforts to save Frank, Claire’s relationship with Jamie is deteriorating. Can somebody tell her that Frank is her past? Does she realize that Jamie is her life?
Other Details
I love seeing the Christening gift for their child, and Claire’s concern about being a good mother. She becomes nostalgic thinking about how she lost her mother at a young age and had nobody to guide her. I like the fact that this episode did air during Mother’s Day weekend.
The expression that Prince Charles consistently uses is starting to give me headaches (“Mark me”).