It’s the first Sunday with no new episode of Outlander season 3.
Droughtlander officially started last week, but it likely wouldn’t have hit until today. Maybe last night, but today is the big one. It’s the first Sunday with no new episode of Outlander season 3. One way many people are getting through it is by watching an old episode of the show once a week, starting with the pilot episode from 2014.
Another way to get through it is by looking back at the season. This often means looking back over the episodes for those special moments; the moments that stand out throughout. Sometimes episodes don’t seem great at first glance, but then have special moments that leave us warm and fuzzy by the end.
It’s time to rank the episodes in order of worst to best from the season. This really wasn’t easy towards the end!
Episode 7: Crème de Menthe
There were high hopes for this episode and a lot of anticipation. It was the first episode after the big reunion. Considering some of the changes “A. Malcolm” made, this should have started the journey of the two back together. Instead, it drove them apart. The two spent more time separate on screen than they did together.
Many fans also complained at Claire doing everything she could to save the man who attacked her. This was somewhat in character for a doctor who didn’t mean to actually kill a man; especially a doctor form the 20th century who would have had the right tools there to save him. However, it was too far from the books.
Personally, the episode just felt a little forced. It felt more like a set-up episode for the rest of the season with elements that really weren’t necessary overall. There also wasn’t enough of Claire and Jamie together, even of the two finding themselves after 20 years apart.
Episode 9: The Doldrums
It was time for the voyage to Jamaica. The sneak peek looked awesome, as Claire and Marsali would be forced to share a cabin together. However, it ended up with a relatively weak episode for the season. While the development of Yi Tien Cho’s character was important, especially for a big change coming to his character, the overall storyline was rushed and weak.
Plus, Claire just didn’t seem to grasp anything the crew was telling her. He was trying to make a point that the crew believed in the superstitions and he couldn’t change that. This was the most annoying episode with Claire for me.
The saving graces were Yi Tien Cho and Jamie. They made me smile with their actions, statements, and attempts at bringing peace. This was also the moment Yi Tien Cho’s character started to really change, setting up the brilliant ending for him.
Episode 8: First Wife
This was another highly anticipated episode that just fell a little flat. Claire finally learned that Jamie had married again and to Laoghaire of all people. It was a storyline straight from the books, but just didn’t work too well with some of the previous changes. Like if Jamie had already been honest about Willie, why wasn’t he honest about his second wife?
His reasoning for not turning Laoghaire in for shooting him also didn’t sit right. If he really cared about his stepdaughters, he could have offered to take them in after setting the Redcoats on Laoghaire. But why else would Young Ian have been at Silkies’ Island?
My favorite part of the episode was Jenny’s honesty to Claire. She’s always told people how she really felt and the anger and hurt towards Claire made sense. Let’s just hope they can find their way back because Claire and Jenny were great together.
Episode 2: Surrender
The ending to this episode certainly helped save it from a lower ranking. Overall the episode pieced well with the rest of the season, but on its own it is one of the weakest. Showing Jamie and Claire’s 20 year journeys were important moments but had elements that were rushed. This was especially the case for Claire. Had the elements not been rushed, this could have been much higher on the list.
While there was some excellent acting, there were times I just wanted more. I needed to know more about Claire’s reaction to the sexism in America; how she would call people out in the 18th century but felt forced to accept the world in the 20th century.
Jamie’s storyline certainly saved this episode. He had a beautiful moment with young Fergus at the end (confirming his promise) and there was heartbreak from Jenny as she made it clear she wasn’t going to forgive him for all this.
Episode 3: All Debts Paid
While the introduction of Lord John was excellent, there was something about this episode that slightly missed the mark. Maybe it was the feeling of Claire’s storyline being rushed. Jamie’s 20 years had small important moments, whereas Claire’s was a long journey with tiny, less important moments.
I wanted to see more of Claire at med school. Her relationship with Joe Abernathy was important and deserved (and needed) more focus. Unfortunately, time and money got in the way of that.
As for Jamie’s storyline, it was sweet and an important moment for the future. Seeing where Murtagh had ended up was excellent, but it ended with the fear of the future. Will we see Murtagh again?
It’s also the episode we said goodbye to Frank. Love him or hate him, this was Tobias Menzies’ last episode and something to mourn. While the ending was beautiful, being Menzies’ last episode instantly makes it one of my least favorite since it means no more with him.
Episode 11: Uncharted
I really wanted to put this episode higher. The ending with the wedding was one of my most favorite parts of the whole season. However, it was everything else that pushed this so low down on the list.
For 15 minutes we had Claire just trudge through the jungle. Sure it was supposed to show us her ability to survive and the lengths she’d go to save her husband, but there were moments that were just boring. Considering how rushed other parts of the season felt, focusing so much on this just felt a little wasted.
Father Fogden was funny, but I didn’t find him hilarious. His focus on a certain part of Fergus just felt forced and odd; like I’d missed something in the episode. It was the buildup to the wedding and that special moment between Jamie and Fergus that saved the episode.
Episode 13: Eye of the Storm
The last episode of the season just wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped for. For the most part it held my attention. Then suddenly Geillis was stopped, Ian was saved, and it felt like it should have been the end of the episode. Yet there was still 10-15 minutes left. It was this lull and the storm on the ship just didn’t pick it up enough.
One of the things this episode showed was why the book couldn’t be taken scene by scene for the TV show. A book gets away with some dips and then more exciting moments. The pacing just doesn’t translate on screen as well. And the final moments were taken from the book.
It’s a shame, because the first part of the season was enjoyable. It tied up loose ends just right and the final scene set the storyline for the next season. It was just that lull after stopping Geillis that just didn’t feel right.
Episode 5: Freedom and Whiskey
Claire had accepted her life in the 20th century. She, Brianna and Roger had come to a dead end in their search for Jamie. At least, that’s what Claire believed. As Brianna struggled with her life after the reveal that her father was an 18th century highlander and not the 20th century professor she was raised to believe was, Roger turned up with news that Jamie was, in fact, alive.
The episode had beautiful moments. Claire and Brianna were able to understand each other more. Brianna and Roger grew closer. Claire got the blessing she needed to go to the past and find her soul mate.
The Batman music was distracting for some, but I enjoyed it. It fit with the theme of the episode, especially with Roger’s love of superheroes.
The big downside for me was the lack of Jamie. He appeared at the very end of the episode, as this was purely about Claire’s journey back to the past.
Episode 12: The Bakra
Episode 12 finally gave fans the big bad of the season. It took until the last two episodes to have a big villain, whereas the two previous seasons had Black Jack Randall throughout. This is why it just wasn’t as strong of an episode as it could have been. The villain hadn’t been developed as much as she could.
However, “The Bakra” did give fans plenty of fun, memories, and seriousness. We had Jamie and Lord John reunite beautifully, Yi Tien Cho and Margaret’s ending began, and Fergus and Marsali reminded us of the younger Claire and Jamie.
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More importantly was Claire’s reaction to the slave market and buying a slave. She learned that her 20th century views weren’t always enough and sometimes she had to work within the century to help save just one young man. However, Jamie also showed that he wasn’t one of those who supported slavery and his true personality started to really shine through.
Episode 10: Heaven & Earth
There is no denying that the end of this episode was heartbreaking. In fact, it was Claire’s moments with Elias Pound that has put this episode so high up on the list for Outlander season 3.
Jamie’s scenes made sense to me, but I know they didn’t to everyone. They showed Jamie’s desperation and the feeling of being unable to do anything. He just wanted one thing and he couldn’t see any way out of his current predicament. Before captivity didn’t bother him since he believed Claire was gone, but she was back and now she was back he didn’t want to lose her again.
In the end, it was Claire’s moments that made me smile (and cry). We got to see her in her element, which is always when she’s at her most confident. The research into real British Navy history also helped to make this episode stand out.
Episode 6: A. Malcolm
“A. Malcolm” was the moment people had waited for. In fact, for some Outlander fans, this moment couldn’t come sooner. They hated the build up to the two being reunited.
For some this episode was disappointing and for others it was one of the best moments. Jamie’s reaction to Claire returning was on point. Their talk of all their children was beautiful. The night in the brothel was perfect for their reunion after 20 years apart. And I loved Claire’s moment in the brothel with the girls the next morning.
Why isn’t it at the top of the list of episodes? Well, Jamie’s decision not to leave the brothel just didn’t make sense. He knew Claire was in a dangerous place, but wanted to continue living there. The last two episodes on the list were stronger.
Seeing the build up from Jamie’s point of view was excellent and necessary, after the previous episode ignoring his storyline completely. Maybe adding more about his time in Edinburgh would have helped pull the episode up higher on the list.
Episode 4: Of Lost Things
After the closure of Ardsmuir Prison, the prisoners are shipped off to the Colonies. Lord John arranges for Jamie to serve out the rest of his sentence as a servant of the Dunsanys at Helwater. This episode was all about his time there.
Sure, this episode includes Geneva’s extremely questionable actions to lose her virginity to Jamie, but it’s also an extremely important issue of the times for woman and servants. This episode also gave us plenty of Jamie and Lord John, along with those crucial Jamie and Willie moments.
We got the most heartbreaking scene of Outlander season 3, as Jamie said goodbye to Willie. He made a choice to separate from his illegitimate son, knowing it was the safest thing for both. After feeling like he’d found somewhere safe and good for him, it all ended.
There was also the focus on Claire’s search for Jamie. The Fraser pearls were brought back up and Brianna was able to share her fears of losing her mother with Roger.
Episode 1: The Battle Joined
The Outlander season 3 premiere really was the best episode of the whole season. It was that episode everyone looked forward to, bringing an end to that excruciatingly long Droughtlander. And it certainly didn’t disappoint.
There were beautiful moments of goodbye to characters, especially Bonnie Prince Charlie and Rupert. Sam Heughan proved his acting abilities by showing all his emotions without many words. Jamie’s whole storyline was focused on the day after Culloden; losing his men and being sent back home to Lallybroch to repay a debt.
As for Claire’s storyline, we had the attempt for Claire and Frank to move on. We saw that disconnect and attempts to get used to 20th century way of life after three years in the 18th century. There was Frank’s attempts to get his wife back and finally that moment at the very end with Brianna’s birth. Overall it was a powerful and emotional episode that showed us what we could expect as the season continued.
Next: 7 burning questions we have about Outlander season 4
Do you agree with this list? What were your favorite episodes of season 3? Share in the comments below.
Outlander season 4 premieres in 2018. Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter to get you through the Droughtlander.