Outlander Season 2, Episode 3 recap: Claire finds solace in healing again

With Jamie navigating the political field to prevent the Battle of Culloden, Claire finds something to keep her occupied while in Paris.

Outlander Season 2, Episode 3 continued with the Frasers finding their way after the ordeal at Wentworth Prison. Jamie immersed himself into politics to prevent the Battle of Culloden, while Claire searched for something to do to bide her time.  The question would remain whether they would find their way back to each other.

Claire confides in Murtagh

The episode opens with Mary Hawkins fretting about the idea of marrying a Frenchman. She’s heard about the bedroom activities and can’t even consider doing it. Claire is about to talk to Mary, but then finally realizes how she knows her. This is Frank’s ancestor and she needs to be with Black Jack Randall. Of course, that means Black Jack has to be alive for the next year.

More from Recaps

• Outlander Season 7, Episode 8 recap: Is Rachel in love with Young Ian?
• Outlander Season 7, Episode 7 recap: The First Battle of Saratoga
• Outlander Season 7, Episode 6 recap: Roger finds something to do
• Outlander Season 7, Episode 5 recap: Bree is trapped in a tunnel
• Outlander Season 7, Episode 4 recap: William and Young Ian meet (again)

This causes problems for Claire’s conscience. Does she tell Jamie the truth about Black Jack or hide it from him? She decides to talk to Murtagh, who is currently having some relations with the servant Suzette. When Murtagh finishes and Claire apologizes for her rude interruption, Murtagh learns the truth about Black Jack. Obviously he’s shocked, but also agrees that Jamie can’t be told about the news.

So, Claire focuses on helping to prevent pregnancy for Suzette and that means a trip to Master Raymond’s apothecary, who had already proven helpful in the previous episode of Outlander. While there, Claire sees that the Comte is there and she’s not happy that Master Raymond is helping their joint enemy.

Finally, Claire gets what she needs for Suzette and then discusses how lost she feels while in Paris. In Scotland she had a job treating the sick and now she’s a mindless debutant. Master Raymond suggests she takes a trip to a local charity hospital that needs help.

Jamie attempts to prevent Culloden

While all this happens, Jamie attempts to stop Culloden, by preventing Charles getting the funds needed to build and army. The Finance Minister, Duverney, clearly believes everyone wants the rising to happen, so agrees to talk to King Louis on Charles’ behalf to secure French support for the cause.

Jamie returns home to talk to Claire, only to realize she’s not there. Claire made it to L’Hopital des Anges, where Claire proves her worth by diagnosing diabetes with a taste of urine and manages to convince Mother Hildegarde that she’s a true healer. Jamie isn’t happy when he finds out where Claire has been, making it clear that he needed her for advice. Not happy with the way the conversation is going, Jamie storms out and returns to the brothel.

Jamie finds Fergus

While at the brothel, Jamie sees a young pickpocket stealing from individuals in the brothel. He decides to catch up with the young boy, where he finds the wooden snake Sawney in the boy’s possession. Rather than turning the boy over to the authorities, Jamie offers him a job. He wants Charles’ correspondence and this young boy—who is now called Fergus, because Claudel isn’t a good Scottish name—is perfect for the job.

Fergus certainly delivers letters, but they are all coded. At least, they must be. Jamie manages to crack some of the code, but it’s no good. There’s just one piece of paper that he doesn’t quite understand: a sheet of music.

Claire remembers that Mother Hildegarde is a musical prodigy, so may be able to help decide if the code is in the music. Sure enough, Mother Hildegarde recognizes the music of an old friend, called Bach. But there are some key changes that don’t make sense. It’s clear that the key changes are the key to unlock the code. It doesn’t take long to learn that Charles has three partners who have a good amount of money for the rising, but not enough for a war just yet. The letter is signed “S,” and it doesn’t take long for them to figure out the Duke of Sandringham is playing both sides.

Jamie wants to talk to the duke, but Claire stops him. Meeting the duke would likely mean running into Alex Randall. When it looks like Claire will tell the truth, she decides to avoid it and the episode ends with the fate of the Scottish highlands up in the air.

Next: Outlander Season 2, Episode 2 recap

Did you love Claire getting back into her healing ways? How did you like Fergus’ introduction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Like Claire and Jamie on Facebook for more flashes to Outlander’s past straight to your feed.