The shock of the marriage
The cold reunion doesn’t last long in Outlander Season 3, Episode 8. Just as it looks like Jamie and Claire are attempting to move forward, a little red-headed girl runs into the room and shouts “Daddy!” It’s understandably a shock and Claire wonders whether this girl, Joanie, is Jamie’s daughter.
She doesn’t have time to think too much, as Laoghaire storms into the room, drops the C-bomb, and is then pulled out. Jamie has a lot of explaining to do and Claire isn’t too certain she should be there. Claire can’t understand how Jamie would marry Laoghaire knowing what Laoghaire did in Outlander Season 1.
Jamie is shot
Laoghaire doesn’t stick around to argue for long. She decides to grab a pistol and goes to shoot Claire. However, Jamie gets in the way and is shot in the arm. With Jamie injured, Claire sticks around and uses her medical knowledge to save him. This includes the penicillin that she brought back with her to get rid of the infection.
Jamie finally gets the chance to explain. He married Laoghaire for her daughters. Joanie and Marsali brought happiness back into his life. While some may not have accepted this storyline after everything Laoghaire did, the idea of him being with someone for the sake of her daughters makes sense. He’s always been honorable and he’s always wanted a family of his own. Clearly, these two children have looked up to him–Marsali still looks up to him as a now-married woman by the end of Outlander Season 3.
The marriage wasn’t a happy one and Jamie has been apart from Laoghaire for a long time. Ned Gowan also has news that the marriage isn’t valid, since Claire is still alive.
Laoghaire wants compensation, although Ned suggests that Jamie turns her into the authorities for having the pistol. Jamie won’t do that to the girls–again, his honorable side coming out even though it’s not practical–but he does say he can get the money she needs. There are gems and other valuables on Silkies’ Island. Of course, he can’t swim out there, so Young Ian offers to go instead.