In Outlander Season 3, the show called back to the best Season 1 episode of all, The Wedding. Here are 10 connections between The Wedding and A. Malcolm.
Outlander Season 3 had the beautiful reunion between Claire and Jamie. “A. Malcolm” brought some absolutely beautiful moments, exceeding many expectations. Sure, there are some who felt a little let down, but for the most part, it brought everything we needed to feel within the moment.
There were some elements that threw us back to the best Outlander Season 1 episode, “The Wedding.” These moments were important, connecting the first time they were together in the bedroom to this reunion after 20 years of separation.
With it being the anniversary of the iconic wedding episode, here are the 10 connections between the two episodes. Are you ready for all the feels?
10. The uncertainty between each other
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The biggest connection is uncertainty. There were many who disliked how the two felt like different people, but this is something that was a win for me. After 20 years apart, Claire and Jamie were almost like strangers to one another. They had to find a way to reconnect again.
What better way than through their passion for lovemaking? What better way than through touches and glances? Both “A. Malcolm” and “The Wedding” had these elements for different reasons.
In Outlander Season 1, they were just getting to know each other and Claire had been forced into this marriage. By Season 3, they’d been through hell and back and we now rediscovering each other after 20 years.
9. Mentions of Brian Fraser
This is an easy one to overlook, but extremely important. Both episodes had a mention of Brian Fraser. In the first season, Claire was using a stalling technique. She wasn’t ready to consummate the marriage, so she asked Jamie about his family.
When it comes to the third season, there’s a different reason for the mention. This is more about honor, of explanation, and of love. Claire mentions that Brianna was named for Jamie’s father, just like she’d promised.
8. The view of the scars
Both scenes involve Jamie taking his shirt off. Yes, we love it but there’s something more than just stripping down. There’s a vulnerability in this episode.
Nakedness itself brings a vulnerability, but the view we get of Jamie removing his shirt in both episodes is of the scars. We’re reminded of Black Jack Randall in this moment; of everything that Jamie has been through.
7. Claire’s vulnerability
Of course, with Jamie’s shirt removal comes Claire undressing. This brings another layer of vulnerability. Again, being naked brings a vulnerability of its own, but this episode isn’t just about that.
Claire is self-conscious of her body, which is entirely normal. She’s had a baby, she’s aged 20 years, and she’s traveled through time to be with Jamie. A lot has happened and Jamie even comments later that Claire has some extra meat on her bones.
In “The Wedding,” Claire is just vulnerable altogether. She feels like she’s cheated on Frank and that she’s given up on getting back in a way, while also feeling conscious of being naked in front of someone who is pretty much still a stranger. In “A. Malcolm,” there’s the self-consciousness of aging. She fears what Jamie will think, connecting back to her dying her hair and questioning Joe about her attractiveness.
6. A brown-haired lass
In both episodes of Outlander, Jamie says “a brown-haired lass.” It’s a comment of affection between them and in both episodes, Claire blushes. The reason she blushes in each is different.
“The Wedding” is more of a self-conscious blush. It’s a comment of affection that she’s not entirely used to. This is something she’ll hear a lot and it’s clear that she’s not sure if she’s ready for that.
“A. Malcolm” brings the self-consciousness of dying her hair. Claire reaches up to touch it, reminding herself that she doesn’t have flawless brown hair anymore. She even admits to Jamie that she’s dyed her hair. This comes up later on the ship, when the grey starts showing through.
5. Undressing Claire
Jamie helps Claire undress in both episodes. This is a moment of affection, love, and sexual tension between the two. And in both episodes, we get that focus on the corset.
The difference is the way the corset unfastens. Claire, ready for her trip the second time, decides to make corsets easier. Instead of all the strings, she opts for a zipper. Jamie doesn’t spend too long on it, but it does connect to the quip about corsets taking too long to unfasten from “The Wedding.”
4. Food downstairs
Claire leaves the room in both episodes. In both cases, she’s on the hunt for food. What she finds on the outside is some sense of similarity but also some major differences.
“The Wedding” sees Claire venture downstairs to find men leering at her. She is only still dressed in her shift with a blanket around her, and she’s in some unfamiliar and dangerous territory. The unfamiliarity remains in Outlander‘s “A. Malcolm,” but there’s a sense of safety. Instead of going downstairs to be greeted by men, she’s surrounded by women who offer her some tips of the trade.
At first, she’s uneasy in the Season 3 episode. However, with maturity and being surrounded by women, she settles in and finds some friendly faces. It’s the brothel madam who’s the unfriendly one.
3. Leaving Claire alone
The reason Claire heads downstairs for breakfast in Outlander Season 3 is because Jamie heads out of the building. He has work to do and he wants Claire to sleep. This is a throwback to “The Wedding.”
After their first night together as a married couple, Jamie needs to head out. Of course, we’d love for them to get more time together, but there are things to be done. In this episode, Claire remains in the room and almost loses her wedding ring from Frank. She doesn’t find solace in talking to the women.
2. A shared meal
Before the two get into their passionate lovemaking, there’s a meal. The second is far more lavish than the first, but both serve the same purpose. Food and alcohol tend to help people settle their nerves and that’s what both had in both of these episodes.
The setup of the meals is different, but they serve the same purpose. Over the first meal, they start to get to know each other while stealing some appreciative glances. In the second episode, they reconnect and learn a little about the last 20 years, while also finding out what’s going on now.
1. The passionate lovemaking
This was the obvious one, right? However, there’s actually a connection in the pattern. In both episodes, their first time together is quick. It’s that sort of moment to quickly get it out of the way. The deed is done and it’s easier to feel more relaxed afterward.
They certainly do feel more relaxed. The second time, they’re more passionate and together. There’s a focus on each other’s pleasure and that ability to connect through their souls.
Did you notice all the connections between “The Wedding” and “A. Malcolm?” Which of the two Outlander episodes do you love the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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