Outlander Season 3, Episode 13: Revisit and reassess

We’re at the end. Over the last few weeks, I’ve recapped and reassessed my thoughts on Outlander Season 3. This is a look at the finale, Eye of the Storm.

Over the last 12 weeks, I’ve looked back over Outlander Season 3, recapping episodes that weren’t on Claire and Jamie yet and reassessing my thoughts on them. The last couple of weeks have been more of a reassessment, looking at the opinions that have changed, those that remain the same, and whether I still view the episode as I did.

Now we’re onto the finale, titled “Eye of the Storm.” For those who need a refresher or haven’t checked it yet, you can read my recap of Outlander Season 3, Episode 13. Otherwise, we’re jumping straight in.

Overall, my opinions on the episode haven’t changed. The bits I like I still love. The bits I didn’t like, well, they’ve sort of grown on me but there are still elements that I just roll my eyes at. I’ve gotten used to do that with any TV show now.

Here’s a look at what I still love and what I’ve changed my mind on, with my reasons. Sometimes watching something a second time or revisiting after hearing what the writers and showrunners have to say is a helpful way to understand the reasoning a little bitter.

Lord John Grey is still my favorite part

While many fans still love the dressing down Leonard received from Lord John Grey, I think I liked it for different reasons to everyone else. It was a battle between the Army and the Navy for me–and I am ex-Army. I understand that rivalry and that shone in this moment. The fact that it was Lord John Grey who had the chance to dress down the acting captain was just perfect.

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• Outlander Season 7, Episode 5 recap: Bree is trapped in a tunnel
• Outlander Season 7, Episode 4 recap: William and Young Ian meet (again)

I certainly rolled my eyes at Jamie being arrested yet again at the end of the previous episode. It was cliche and a part of the show that has been used far too much now. This was a change from the books. However, it was all more than worth it for this one single moment in the Outlander Season 3 finale.

Seeing this–and then the followup conversation between Lord John Grey and Jamie–makes me want to see more of David Berry on my screen. I want to see John Grey show up again and I can’t wait for Outlander Season 4 and beyond for that.

Mr. Willoughby and Margaret Campbell finding their way to each other is perfect

My second favorite part is another change to the books. Mr. Willoughby isn’t the same person he is in the books. He’s fleshed out more and I do believe that this is to do with the benefit of TV. The novels, even when written in the third person, are from a single point of view. We get Jamie and Claire’s view of Mr. Willoughby and his story, which certainly puts a two-dimensional view of the character. He’s also a stereotype of Chinamen in the day.

The series has had the chance to flesh out the character. By doing that and offering him and Margaret the chance to meet, we get to see more from them. There’s a chance to see them happy and their storylines a little more wrapped before moving on to the fourth season. Plus, we get a chance to see them return if the showrunners decide to make a change there.

Super Claire is getting tiresome

One thing I dislike the more I watch Outlander is how Claire has become Wonder Woman. She rushes off into danger without even thinking anything through. Case in point in the finale. Super Claire leaves a note for Fergus but rushes off to Geillis’ plantation alone. She knows that Young Ian could be there and it could be the most dangerous place for her, but she still goes alone and leaves Fergus and Marsali to deal with getting Jamie out of prison.

Surely, she would have been better waiting for someone to help. She could have turned to Fergus and Mr. Willoughby for their help, knowing they were there to get Young Ian back. Hell, she could have even turned to Lord John Grey had she not been so ridiculously jealous of him–I don’t get that part of the story, either.

It’s time for Super Claire to go away. Sure, she’s a passionate and stubborn woman but can she start thinking things through first?

I still believe Claire should have been dead

In the storm, Claire is thrown overboard. My opinion on those final moments of the Outlander Season 3 finale hasn’t changed. Claire should have died. There is no way they made it to shore in a few minutes for Claire to cough up the water. She would have been dead for too long!

This was clearly added in for drama but it looks like everyone forgot about the realities of drowning. Jamie didn’t know CPR to be able to use it. Even if he did, it’s extremely hard to do CPR in the water. I learned as a lifeguard, but it was still minimal CPR until someone rushed over to help get the drowning victim out of the water. Going from ocean to land? Nope!

And the eye of the storm? That was a laughable, eye-rolling part of the episode. I know that the eye of the storm is the calmest, but there would have still been a little movement. And it wouldn’t have been calm the whole time. Something was clearly overlooked for the sake of cinematography.

It’s a shame because the Outlander Season 3 finale is certainly one of my favorite episodes of the whole season. However, the ending disappoints.

That’s it for my revisit of the third season. Next Thursday, I’ll take a look back at the original ranking I did and see if it still stands now. From there, we’ll I’m sure I can fill in some gaps to get you through the rest of Droughtlander.

Have you revisited the Outlander Season 3 finale? What do you think now? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Season 4 premieres in November. Like Claire and Jamie on Facebook for more updates on the date.