Outlander Season 2, Episode 8 recap: Claire and Jamie attempt to win the Battle of Culloden
When Jamie’s signature is forged onto a document to support the Jacobite uprising, Claire and Jamie have one choice. They must help turn the tables and see the Battle of Culloden become a success in Outlander.
It looked like things might slow down for the Frasers when they returned to Lallybroch, but of course that could never be the case for Outlander. There always has to be something that Claire and Jamie face together. In this case, it’s an attempt to gather enough men to defeat the British at the Battle of Culloden.
We all knew by this point how it was all going to end. Claire knew that the Battle of Culloden should be the biggest failure in the Jacobite rebellion, but she had hope. They needed to have hope, but “The Fox’s Lair” made it look like all would be lost.
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Jamie’s signature forged
Claire and Jamie (with Fergus in tow) no sooner get back to Lallybroch and they’re on their way again. Bonne Prince Charlie has landed in Scotland with an army, and Jamie’s name is on a document that petitions for the Stuart king. Jamie didn’t sign this document, but that doesn’t matter. He’s now part of the Jacobite uprising and that means danger for him and his kin.
Claire fears the worst and suggests they make a run for it. They could head to Ireland or even the Colonies, but Jamie isn’t having it. He’ll join the troops and they can fight. But he wants to do one thing first: see his grandfather, Lord Lovat.
Based on the very real Old Fox, Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, we all know how it has to turn out. Lord Lovat, a suspicious and superstitious man, is willing to make a deal but he wants one thing out of it: Lallybroch. If he gets that then he’ll make the deal with Jamie and not the unexpected, but familiar Colum.
You see, Colum wants to get Lord Lovat to agree not to help with the Jacobite rising. Colum is sure that it’s doomed to failure.
Laoghaire attempts to make amends
While Jamie attempts to work with his grandfather, Claire has another surprising face turn up: Laoghaire. Of course, this is a change to the books to help make the Season 3 storyline make some sense. It didn’t quite do the job in full, but enough to leave us believing that Laoghaire may have changed.
Laoghaire apologizes to Claire for her hand in the witch trials. When Claire realizes that Laoghaire likes the young Simon Lovat, Claire realizes that she may have a plan to convince Lord Lovat to offer some of his men. Claire can get Laoghaire to convince Simon to convince Lord Lovat. And all this may be possible because young Simon wants to support the Jacobite cause.
Meanwhile, Jamie tries to deal with it all directly. When Lord Lovat threatens to take Claire’s virtue should Jamie not give up Lallybroch, Jamie allows him with a threat. Bringing up La Dame Blanche (knowing his grandfather is suspicious), Jamie threatens that he’ll be sweeping up Lovat’s bones once Claire is finished with him.
Claire becomes La Dame Blanche
While Laoghaire and Simon talk, Claire spends time in the chapel, where Lovat’s seer sits. Lovat wasn’t happy about the seer’s latest vision (seeing his head chopped off, which links to his very real death), since the seer couldn’t tell him which side would lead to his execution. Claire decides to use that to her advantage.
She cites the vision and repeats that there are white roses in it. This is a sign of the Jacobites, which Lovat believes is more of a threat. Lovat lunges at Claire, but Simon stops him and declares his loyalty to the Stuart cause.
In the end, it’s all in vain. Lovat decides to side with Colum and the Frasers leave empty handed.
Well, at least that’s what it seems. The next day, as they leave (and Jamie thanks Laoghaire for her attempt to help), a group of men await them at the castle gates. They are some of Lovat’s men and Lovat is playing both sides. If the Jacobites lose, Lovat will disown his son and have nothing to do with the fight. Should they succeed, he’ll declare his support.
The men aren’t quite everything Claire and Jamie need to win, but they are all they’ve got. They need to make this work.
Next: Outlander Season 2, EPisode 7 recap: Faith
Did you accept Laoghaire’s storyline to allow for the marriage in Outlander Season 3? Were you shocked at Claire taking on the role of La Dame Blanche to trick the Old Fox? Did you wish Lovat would have given all his fighting men to Jamie? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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