Outlander Season 2 was full of action, emotion, heartbreak, and surprises. There are certain parts that stand out more than others. Here are the top 10 for #ThrowbackThursday.
One thing I love about #ThrowbackThursday is the chance to look at things that happened in previous seasons without strange looks. Today, I get to look back at the best moments from Outlander Season 2, without too many people reminding me that we’re going into the fourth season!
Season 2 was full of emotion and action. There were twists and surprises that I didn’t see coming (granted, I didn’t read the book first) and moments in history that I had no idea about. It was a story of love, passion, belief, and hope, despite knowing how it would all end.
I’m going to look at the best moments from the second season. This is more than just looking at those that made the biggest impact in the main storyline. It’s also more than just looking at the acting. I’ll take a look at small elements within the scenes, the impact it had on side characters’ development and the way it shaped the feeling and memories of the series.
There are some elements because of the acting or storyline decisions. You’ll definitely see some expected moments on this list, but I hope there are others that you don’t quite expect, based on the way they made me feel at the moment.
Here’s a look at my top 10 moments from Outlander Season 2, ranking in descending order.
#10. Fergus’ introduction
I had no idea that we would get to meet this delightful little boy, who would become one of my favorite parts of Outlander Season 3’s second half. Fergus’ introduction was humorous and sweet all at the same time.
The young boy was an orphan living in the brothel. An extremely skilled pickpocket, he wasted no time in stealing all types of items. I’m not sure what he saw in Sawny, but it was perfect to bring Jamie into his life.
Jamie managed to catch Fergus red-handed. The fear on young Fergus’ face was believable and understandable. He was sure that this man would end up beating him and turning him over to the authorities. Nobody would care about an orphan living in a brothel. His life would have been over.
That all changed when Jamie offered him a job. Despite stealing Sawny, Jamie saw Fergus’ talent. Of course, this young boy was going to jump at the chance to put his skills to work. Throughout the season we saw him grow into a sweet young boy, although the constant moaning about “woman’s work” started to grate on me. Without his introduction, I don’t think I’d have connected to him as much in later episodes, so I’m glad it was there.
#9. Mother Hildegarde’s no-nonsense attitude
One thing you expect from a mother superior is a strict attitude. While kind and loving to the people, she would always ensure her nuns were disciplined and honest. Mother Hildegarde’s characterization was everything I expected from a mother superior and more. She certainly put Claire to work through a no-nonsense attitude, but was willing to see past the initial view that a woman didn’t know anything about medicine.
It was because of Mother Hildegarde that Claire was able to do more in the hospital. She kept a watchful eye to see how Claire would check on patients and whether Claire really was the real deal.
Yet, there was a softness to her. When Claire needed a shoulder to lean on, Mother Hildegarde was there. This was a woman willing to risk her own life to baptize a stillborn baby. She didn’t care, as long as this baby could be buried on hallowed ground. Then after all that, she was there to support Claire and do what was necessary to bring Claire out of the pits of despair.
There wasn’t a dull moment whenever Mother Hildegarde was on the screen, which makes picking out one particular moment out extremely hard. But meeting her for the first time is definitely the one that sticks out the most. It was hard to see if she would be a likeable character and then she surprised all those who hadn’t read the books first.
#8. Seeing Geillis in 1968
Book fans knew what was coming. By this point of watching Outlander, I had no idea that we would get to see Geillis in Season 2. While I’d guessed what the “1968” meant in Season 1, I didn’t know when 1968 would happen in the series. I was pleasantly surprised to find out about Geillis’ origins.
We didn’t just get to see her in the background. Brianna and Geillis actually got to interact. It was weird seeing how it all played out, but I kept thinking: “oh, if only you both knew!”
Seeing Geillis portrayed as a strong nationalist made a lot of sense when it came to her character back in 1744. It was easy to understand why she went through the stones and what her end game truly was. This was my chance to put all those pieces of the puzzle together, appreciating the character development throughout the two seasons.
It was also fun to see the amount of research Geillis had done; how she had realized the stones really held power but believed stories of the items she would need. The idea of using a sacrifice made sense and it wasn’t that surprising to learn that Geillis was crazy enough to do something like that for her own personal gain.
The big surprise for me was finding out that she and Roger are actually related. Geillis and Dougal’s child would start Roger’s line.
#7. Bonnie Prince Charlie and “Mark Me”
I know that “Mark me” annoyed a lot of people, but I found the humor in it. It became a sort of drinking game of sorts, noting every time he was going to say those two words and trying to guess where they would fit. One thing I really liked about the Outlander Season 3 premiere was that the goodbye for this character included those words.
Diana Gabaldon certainly found a gem in the creation of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s character. So many fictional portrayals show him as a fighter and a leader, but that’s not the idea I’ve ever got of him. He was a spoiled prince who wanted his own way. He couldn’t lead and needed the right people in his army to help. Outlander Season 2 brought that to life on the screen.
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But it really was the “Mark me” that stole it and made me appreciate his character more. At first, I was a little confused, but then I realized that he was acting as if he was going to win. He said the words far more in Scotland than he did in France, where he started seeing more victories and we got more screen time with him.
The tartan certainly comes close, as it still is a representation of him from history. Seeing him try to look the part in the Highlands with a regal appeal suited his character to a tee, but nothing worked quite as well as “Mark me.
#6. Dougal’s look as he died
While I knew Dougal MacKenzie had to die in some way, I wasn’t quite prepared for the way it happened. Graham McTavish is a wonderful actor and I enjoyed every single moment when he was on the screen. However, it was Dougal’s look as he died that stole it for the character. There was that mixture of shock, disbelief, but acceptance all at the same time. He knew that either he or Jamie was going to win and his nephew had the upper hand (and Claire to help).
While I would have liked to see him get a warrior’s death on the battlefield, this one was fitting. A staunch Jacobite, it wasn’t surprising that he never really trusted Jamie and Claire. He may have wanted to, but deep down he knew there was something strange about how the two had barely mentioned it to suddenly being one of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s most trusted couple.
The fight between uncle and nephew had certainly been a long time coming. There had been threats over the years, so it wasn’t surprising to see it finally play out.
One of the only things that I was disappointed in was that Claire helped. This should have just been between the two of them. By Claire helping, it showed that Jamie wasn’t strong enough on his own. Sure, it meant both had blood on their hands, but the death was still diminished in a way. Maybe that was the reason for part of the look; Dougal knew that he couldn’t win against two.
#5. Colum MacKenzie going out on his terms
When it all came down to it, Colum decided to turn to Claire for help. He knew that he was going to die and he decided that it was going to be on his terms. There are a few elements of this storyline that are important and why it lands in the top five.
First of all, it’s the fact that he turns to Claire for this. Out of all the people in the world, he knows that not only will Claire have an option but he trusts her. He trusts Claire to find a way that will allow him to die painlessly and in peace. Of course, she points out that the way Geillis killed her husband Arthur Duncan was painful and nothing he’d want. There was a look of happiness and relief that he’d chosen the right person.
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Then there was the way he commented about suicide being a sin. Of course, many would believe he’d never go to Heaven, but Colum wasn’t interested in the fears of the afterlife. What was one more sin for a man who likely made some terrible decisions against people?
Finally, it was that moment with Dougal and Colum. This is the part that pushed this to number five on the list. Dougal finally had the chance to say so much and his brother was already gone. It was heartbreaking to see, and likely set up the final moments for Dougal. If only…there are so many if only moments in life.
#4. Frank’s anger and confusion
The flash-forward in the Outlander Season 2 premiere did ruin a lot for me, but Frank’s portrayal in this episode deserves a mention. Regardless of views on Frank in later moments, my heart went out to him throughout Outlander Season 1 and 2. This was a man who had no idea what had happened to his wife. He refused to believe that she’d left him for another man and was desperate to find her. When he finally gave up, there was still part of him connected to her.
He rushed into the hospital room in the end, eager to take her back. Of course, then she had all this information about where she’d been, who she’d been with, and what she’d brought back with her. She was carrying another man’s child and it wasn’t surprising to see Frank unsure of how take the next steps. There was the wonder of whether he’d opt to turn his back on her at one point.
The most memorable and heartbreaking moment was in the shed. He wanted to lash out at someone or something and chose the wooden boxes. It was that moment we saw him lose control of his emotions, but it wasn’t just about the anger. There was realization and sadness. All that hope in finding his wife again was gone with the confirmation that she had been with another man and had chosen that man.
#3. Seeing the Battle of Prestonpans
There weren’t many battles shown or even mentioned in Outlander Season 2, but Prestonpans was included in detail. This was one of the greatest moments in the whole series, as we watched how a plan could come together; how the Jacobites could come together.
This wasn’t just about the victory. We saw how Claire’s knowledge and the actual events worked hand-in-hand. We got that first look of what the Jacobites would do after the win, along with foreshadowing of the British’s actions at the end of the Battle of Culloden.
Of course, Prestonpans also gave us one of the most heartbreaking moments in Outlander Season 2: the death of Angus Mohr. You just knew something bad was going to happen. They couldn’t all make it out of this alive, but in the leadup to the battle, I thought it was going to be Rupert. When he was stabbed but not outright killed, that was when my thoughts moved onto Angus.
The fear in Angus’ eyes, as Claire could do nothing for him, was harrowing. All he wanted was to be saved in some way and Claire couldn’t even help ease him as he choked on his own blood.
#2. Jamie breaking his promise
Claire asking for a year was understandable for me. However, Jamie’s reaction to that request was also understandable. He didn’t know Frank. Nothing mattered to Jamie except getting his revenge. Claire was the one with the connection. That’s why breaking the promise wasn’t too much of a stretch.
However, it was the reason for breaking the promise that makes it the second best moment in Outlander Season 2 (and I think you’ll be able to guess the first without looking). While breaking promises wasn’t totally in Jamie’s wheelhouse, protecting those he cared about was. When be broke this promise it was for something greater; for someone who had a direct connection to him.
Claire later learned that it was for Fergus; for everything Black Jack Randall had done to this sweet boy. Even she eventually understood why Jamie’s rage took over him. Seeing all the pieces fit together was essential for this whole story to play out.
It was towards the end of the fight that also helped push this to the number two position. After stabbing Black Jack in the crotch and being arrested, Jamie hears Claire and sees her fall to the ground. he shock, fear, worry, and sadness rolled into one in his eyes and it was a testament to Sam Heughan’s acting. You can feel every one of Jamie’s emotions in these seconds.
Honorable mentions:
Before I move onto the last moment, there are a couple of honorable mentions that I want to include. One of those was when Fergus attempted to make it sound like Murtagh looking after him was the worst experience in the world. It showed the type of upbringing he had and everything that he expected life to be like with parents. I would have been fun to see more of Fergus and Murtagh together.
Another was when Murtagh finally learned the truth. He believed right away, showing that maybe he sensed something was off about Claire from the very beginning–and not just that she may have been a spy. The second he realized what it was, he ran through all the dates that she had lived through, astonished.
#1. Claire’s reactions to losing Faith
I knew you’d guess number one. It’s the best Claire moment in the season and stole the show for her. Caitriona Balfe showed the shock, heartbreak, and devastation felt when she learned her daughter was stillborn.
There was the dread in my stomach the moment Claire opened her eyes. I knew exactly what was coming but watching it play out was absolutely heartbreaking. After all, we watch Claire as she initially feared her baby had been taken to the point that she realized her daughter was gone. And it wasn’t just simple acceptance or sadness.
At first, we saw the denial and a new mom cling onto the baby that she had imagined during pregnancy. We watched as she sang “Oh, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside” to her stillborn daughter. Then there was the anger as Louise took her away and the pure, raw grief as everything fell into place and she knew that her daughter was gone.
Later, Claire and Jamie would share in that grief and I would have loved to see those moments completely play out, but just seeing Claire’s was devastating enough.
Next: Ranking Outlander Season 2 episodes from worst to best
Do you agree with this number one moment? What were your top 10 moments in Outlander Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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