There is an evolving rift between Jamie and Claire in Episode 203, “Useful Occupations and Deceptions.” Jamie is feeling the weight of trying to stop the Jacobite Rising from happening. Claire does not like the conventional lifestyle that she has acquired after arriving in Paris. Furthermore, Black Jack’s actions have indirectly strained their relationship leading Claire to conceal information about his survival from her husband.
The Deceit and the Accomplices
This episode is developing a strong relationship between Murtagh and Claire. I like the fact that the show is making Murtagh’s role more active. Once Fergus is hired, the viewer witnesses a scene in which Murtagh receives a stolen letter. If the adaptation follows the book’s plot line, Murtagh’s active role might be another reason why Sandringham’s thugs may attack him. One cannot forget Murtagh’s attempt on Sandringham’s life in episode 201. The viewer also sees Murtagh taking Claire to the charity hospital, and he states what the possible outcome might be in regards to her decision to work: “Jamie will not be happy.” Murtagh also helps Jamie in deciphering the encoded letters detailing the movements of the Jacobites. Murtagh is also depicted as having a sexual life. In the books, he is portrayed as more chaste (not fully) due probably to his lifestyle and appearance. He is having a relationship with Claire’s maid, Suzette. In regards to this change of Murtagh’s character, I did not like it at the beginning. However, as he started acquiring a more active role, I became more accepting of the changes.
Claire confesses to Murtagh that Black Jack is not dead based on the information given to her by Alexander Randall (episode 201). Noticing her distress, he tells her that she is keeping a secret from Jamie to keep him safe. He does not see anything wrong with Claire hiding information from her husband. Jamie’s condition is delicate. In the TV adaptation, Jamie is not healed yet. Of course, he will never be, but due to some cuts made in the first season, Jamie’s healing process is not a the same level as in book 2. Therefore, it is understandable that Murtagh and Claire will try to hide sensitive information from him. At this stage, they are accomplices, and they will have to face the consequences once Jamie learns the truth.
The Unusual Lady
Claire goes to Raymond’s apothecary to buy an abortifacient for Suzette. She is startled to find St. Germain having a conversation with Raymond. Their topic is confidential. Claire’s face demonstrates discomfort at seeing them together and starts leaving. However, Raymond does not hesitate in calling her back. He uses the term “Madonna” again (which I love to hear it from him). St. Germain’s gaze on Claire as he leaves is threatening. Raymond calms Claire by telling her that sometimes enemies need to work together because of mutual interests. Claire discovers that Raymond sells poison. However, he confesses that he prefers his clients to believe they are acquiring poison by selling them bitter cascara. The victim experiences a discomfort but does not die of it. When Claire reveal that she is looking an abortifacient for a servant, Raymond is puzzled. It is usually a maid who buys those substances or herbs for a lady who does not want an unwanted pregnancy. As a result, Claire describes herself as an “unusual lady,” a hint that she will be known as “La Dame Blanche,” establishing a connection with what the white color represents. She confesses that she does not like the conventional lifestyle she has acquired in France. She wants to feel useful; she wants to work instead of being at home and visiting “friends” to gossip. Raymond suggests to put her knowledge and experience at the charity hospital, L’ Hôpital des Anges.
Once at the hospital, Claire feels at home. She is happy to volunteer her services. I like the fact that the introduction of the personnel by Sister Angelique is faithful to the books. The “experts” donating their time are not health professionals, but people who hold a particular trade, unrelated to a hospital work, but who have an interest or knowledge of the conditions they treat. I like the fact that the case of Diabetes Mellitus made it to the screen adaptation. The viewer also has the chance to enjoy the skills of Bouton, Mother Hildegarde’s familiar. He smells a hidden pocket of infection in a patient with an injured leg, a condition that Claire could not tell by external examination.
Jamie’s Frustration and the Unconvincing Lie
Prince Charles has requested Jamie to introduce him to the French Minister of Finance, Monsieur Duverney, who confirms to Jamie that France does not have enough funds to finance foreign adventures. Subsequently, Jamie arranges an unofficial meeting between Duverney and Charles, in which the French Minister reveals that King Louis has no intention of funding a Jacobite Rebellion. The lack of funding is associated with an increase in taxes that resulted in merchants leaving France. However, the unexpected happens. Prince Charles reveals that he has the economic backing of some members of the British aristocracy, information that leaves Jamie in a state of shock. This scene demonstrates Charles’s power to persuade people to his cause and their subsequent doom. Furthermore, the Bonnie Prince offers an alliance between Britain and France, which means all their combined territories and colonies, once he gets the throne. Duverney finds this offer tempting and attractive and decides to speak to Louis about it, especially if English nobles are supporting the Jacobite cause. This scene is another instance in which it is probably better for Jamie not to become involved with politics and the Bonnie Prince at all.
The frustration that fills Jamie inside is associated with the futility of his efforts to stop the second Jacobite Rebellion. He is endangering himself and his family, and it seems that everything is worsening. Furthermore, Jamie is not comfortable in spying and betraying everybody who sees him as an ally. As a result, he is upset when Claire tells him how happy she is at working at the charity hospital. His discomfort at what he is doing is reflected in the following comments to Claire: “When do I get to feel good? When do I get to find meaning in my day?” He does not have a sense of accomplishment. However, his outlook changes when he meets Fergus, a pickpocket at the brothel, who is adept at taking not just money but different artifacts, including SAWNY. Jamie hires him to steal letters with sensitive information about Prince Charles’s movements. He is planning to obtain information that he cannot gather from the Bonnie Prince personally. As a result, he gets letters which he deciphers together with Murtagh. The adaptation puts an emphasis on these letters being read by different parties (signets removed like three times). One of the letters looks suspicious since its provenance is from England but written in German. Attached to it, is a variation of one of Bach’s compositions. With the help of Mother Hildegarde, this particular letter is deciphered. Jamie and Claire deduce that the Duke of Sandringham is the author. Jamie has the idea of inviting the Duke for dinner to persuade not to cooperate in the Stuart restoration. There are two complications at this stage:
- Claire is not sure whether Sandringham is working for or against the Stuart restoration.
- Jamie will eventually figure out that Black Jack is alive, especially if he talks to Alexander Randall
Murtagh tells Claire to tell her husband the truth while they are toasting and celebrating Jamie’s achievements. She refuses probably thinking that it is not the right moment to do it. Because she is “La Dame Blanche,” Jamie notices that there is something wrong and asks her about it. Her reply is a lie: “I just love seeing you so happy. . .” The episode closes with this scene. However, there is an inconsistency. This scene makes Jamie believe in Claire. In the books, he can see when Claire is not telling the truth because her face reveals everything. No wonder he is the one behind his wife being called “La Dame Blanche,” who people turn for advice for telling the truth. I would have preferred this scene to portray Jamie telling Claire that she is hiding something from him (a cliffhanger?). Based on this final scene, there is a growing rift between Jamie and Claire. It seems that the adaptation will exploit the fragile trust between them more than in the books.
Worthy of Mention
Duverney mentions to Jamie that he can go to meet Prince Charles as long as his wife in a brothel is unaware of it. Duverney does not want his wife to learn certain things about him. I guess she will be involved with the bitter cascara incident.
Mary Hawkin’s ideas of sex show her innocence and naivety. The revelation that she comes from Sussex enables Claire to remember that she is an ancestor to Frank and that she will eventually marry Black Jack.
I love Frances de la Tour’s portrayal of Mother Hildegarde. I enjoyed hearing her French accent.
The locations and costumes are still colorful and fascinating.
All images are from Outlander-Online.com