Outlander Season 3, Episode 4 recap: Jamie faces more heartbreak

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
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Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room

Jamie’s parole at Helwater

Meanwhile, Jamie has to go through the years of his parole at Helwater. He starts off as a groom, under the alias of Alexander MacKenzie. While Lord Dunsany knows about who Jamie really is, he doesn’t want his wife to find out. They lost their son at Culloden, which Jamie admits is something he can relate to since he’s lost two children now.

Throughout the episode, we see how Geneva Dunsany locks eyes on Jamie. When she’s forced to marry someone older enough to be her grandfather, she decides that Jamie will be the one to take her virginity and make it special. She blackmails him into spending the night with her, knowing that he’s really Red Jamie.

Deciding he doesn’t have a choice, Jamie does spend the night and makes sure Geneva feels comfortable and loved. This night leads to Geneva conceiving their child–and it’s definitely theirs because when she marries Lord Ellesmere they don’t consummate their relationship. Ellesmere knows the child isn’t his.

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room

The night young Willie is born, Geneva dies in childbirth and Ellesmere threatens to throw the baby out of the window. Jamie is able to kill Ellsmere and save the child at the same time. The Dunsany family covers for him since he saved their grandson. None of them know Jamie is Willie’s father.

While Jamie remains at the Dunsany residence for a while, it’s soon clear who Willie’s real father is and Jamie can’t risk that getting out. Fortunately, as a reward for saving the child (and because she knew who Jamie was after all), Lady Dunsany offers Jamie his freedom if he wishes. He’d remain for the child but now needs to leave for the child.

There’s one person he needs a favor from right now: Lord John Grey. John is marrying Geneva’s sister Isabel, and Jamie requests that John raises Willie. Jamie is even willing to offer John his body in payment. Of course, John doesn’t accept Jamie’s offer but he does promise to look after the child. It’s just what Jamie needed to hear–this was clearly a test.

After giving Willie a present, Jamie leaves Helwater for Lallybroch again.

Next: Outlander Season 3, Episode 3 recap: All Debts Paid

What did you think about “Of Lost Things?” Is this one of your favorite episodes of Outlander Season 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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