Episode 209 – “Je Suis Prest” – was enjoyable to watch. It includes many aspects of character development, beautiful music and a faithful portrayal of Highland warfare. The episode includes scenes in which Claire suffers from PTSD, and the differences between Jamie and Dougal regarding war are portrayed and juxtaposed. The training scenes depict the manner in which the Scottish Highlanders used to fight. Overall, the episode is characterized by superb acting and writing, and memorable music. “Je Suis Prest” for next episode.
Claire’s Flashbacks
The adaptation introduces the fact the Claire is affected by flashbacks. Readers of the series are aware that Claire often experiences them in later books. However, their early introduction is consistent with the internal thoughts that Claire is having in book 2 in preparation for the inevitable war (and also during the war). Claire relates when treating the injured after the Battle of Prestonpans:
I blocked my mind to the thought of the men with treatable injuries who would die from infection. I could give the men of Lallybroch, and a few more, the benefit of clean hands and bandages; I couldn’t worry about the rest. One dictum I had learned on the battlefields of France in a far distant war: You cannot save the world, but you might save the man in front of you, if you work fast enough (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 36).
When it comes to saving people, one has to make choices. Claire cannot heal everybody but the ones that she is assigned to treat or are within her reach. Her experiences during World War II do play a role on how she proceeds in healing soldiers during a battle, and they do affect her psyche.
The first significant flashback takes place when Claire sees Jamie’s men eating their meals. It reminds her of her first meeting with two American World War II soldiers, Private Lucas and Corporal Grant, and their conversation about their meal, black pudding. Although the memory is pleasant, the viewer notices that Claire feels uneasy. The second flashback takes place when Angus displays an infected foot that might develop gangrene and that might require amputation eventually. By looking at Angus’s condition, she remembers a young World War II soldier who was scrutinizing her while she was giving instructions of how to take care of their feet. Claire questions this soldier. However, the flashback ends, and she is back in the eighteenth century not only asking the same questions to Angus but also insulting him. Claire is passionate about her job, but she is aggressive in this particular instance. Throughout the episode, the viewer witnesses Claire being quiet and anxious. There is also the scene in which Claire forbids Fergus, whom she has grown to see as a son, to play shinti with older men. In fact, this scene reminds her of Corporate Grant playing baseball. She also opts not to watch the event in which two of Jamie’s men are lashed for not guarding the camp properly. Of course, not only memories but also modern sensibilities play a role in her choices.
The third flashback reveals the event that left Claire traumatized. While traveling with Private Lucas and Corporal Grant in a vehicle, they are attacked. As she gains consciousness, she realizes that she is temporarily safe with Corporal Grant, who has moved her to a secluded place. However, Private Lucas is exposed and hurt at the vehicle location; he can be heard asking for help. Unfortunately, the enemy arrives, and Corporal Grant dies while trying to rescue Private Lucas. Claire wanted to help them but was unable to do it. She followed Corporal Grant’s instructions of remaining hidden. After the flashback, Claire collapses, and that is when Jamie finds her. He tells her that she could not do much back then. She needed to stay behind to keep herself alive. He thinks about sending her back to Lallybroch with Fergus. However, Claire prefers to stay with him. Going back to Lallybroch is like staying back in the ditch feeling helpless and unable to move like a dragonfly in amber. She cannot stay back while the people she loves are dying on the battlefield. She does not want to be alone again when that happens. Overall, this scene foreshadows Claire’s reluctance to leave Jamie behind in the eighteenth century, her desire to die with him at Culloden. It also reflects the affection she feels for the Highlanders, not just the people she has met, but their culture, their way of life. Furthermore, the introduction of the flashbacks/PTSD in this episode also foreshadows Jamie having memory lapses regarding his experience at Culloden. He will only remember certain events through flashbacks.
The Introduction of Lord John Grey
Lord John Grey makes an appearance by trying to slit Jamie’s throat. Of course, he fails. Jamie breaks his arm in the process and figures out that he is dealing with a British officer. Lord John reveals to Jamie that he is known as Red Jamie, a notorious traitor to the British crown. When Jamie asks for information about the British camp, his superior and their plans, Lord John is willing to remain silent and lose his life. Of course, Jamie prepares to torture him even though he does not feel like doing something like that. However, as a laird and commander of troops, he has to keep appearances. Claire notices what he is about to do and acts like she is an English captive claiming that she is willing to give herself to Jamie if the boy does not get hurt. Of course, Jamie takes this opportunity to pretend that he is about to rape Claire. As a result, Lord John gives away all the information about the nearby English camp. He is also set free. He reveals to Jamie that he owes him his life and that he should discharge this debt eventually. Once it is discharged, he will kill him. Of note is the line that Lord John states: “The Greys do not forget their obligations.” This event accidentally marks the beginning of respect and friendship between Jamie and Lord John.
There are differences between the book version and adaptation in regards to this scene. In the books, it is Jamie who ingeniously plans to portray Claire as an English prisoner. Claire is taken by surprise. The adaptation once again opts to give Claire a more active role in which she immediately plans what to do. Even though Claire is saving the day one more time, a trend in the last few episodes, it works marvelously because of the flashbacks and trauma that she is experiencing throughout this episode. As Jamie subsequently notes, their success in attacking the British camp and acquiring the spoils of war is attributed to Claire’s selflessness and empathy. Overall, this deviation is consistent with Claire’s character.
Jamie’s Selflessness Vs. Dougal’s Narcissism
If Claire is selfless, Jamie does not fall behind. He feels responsible for the lives he is bringing into the Stuart cause based on the knowledge that Claire has given him about Culloden. He spends time training his subordinates, who have never fought or been in battles before. They are mostly farmers and peasants. They require an army discipline. Jamie relates: “If we have the discipline to stand together, march together, then we will win together.” It is one of the reasons why Jamie is upset when Dougal and company take his men by surprise by screaming and coming out suddenly during the training session. Obviously, Jamie is not a supporter of guerilla fighting, which seems to be the norm among the Highland clans. This event leads to Jamie making it clear that his men answer only to him and no one else. He asks his uncle, who has a tendency to impose his training techniques without Jamie’s approval, to respect his commands and decisions. This scene shows the rivalry between them. There is also the scene in which Dougal brings ten men to join the fight. Dougal is more concerned about increasing the number of soldiers instead of creating fighters confident in their battle skills. When it comes to enrolling troops in the Stuart army, he uses people. He does not take into consideration the beliefs and interests of others. Jamie releases them since he thinks that men should fight for a cause they believe in. Otherwise, they would be deserting the army. He does not want his men to be demoralized. He takes action when mistakes are made to ensure that they are not repeated. He assigns Murtagh to lash two guards who were bypassed by Dougal and company. Jamie even takes responsibility for the incident involving Lord John and asks Murtagh to whip him. Claire plainly states in an argument with Dougal that he is working to restore the Stuarts for his own self-gratification. He is selfish. This notion is supported by the fact that Dougal is delighted when Jamie assigns him to notify Charles Stuart of their presence when they arrive at Prestonpans.
Other Highlights
The scene in which Jamie gives Claire the “Je Suis Prest” badge is golden. He apologizes for bringing her there. He emphasizes that he will ensure her safety if everything goes wrong. In fact, this pin reminds her of the “Airborne” badge worn by Private Lucas and Corporate Grant.
Willie from Clan MacKenzie married an Irish lass. He sailed to America. We might see him in subsequent seasons.