This week in Outlander history: Both Sides Now and All Debts Paid

Outlander history this week sees one of my favorite Outlander Season 3 episodes. It also sees the Outlander Season 1 midseason finale. Here’s a look at the two episodes.

Outlander Season 1 (Sept. 27, 2014) and 3 (Sept. 24, 2017) both had episodes air in this week in Outlander history. I’ve already looked at one of those, the midseason finale titled “Both Sides Now.” This is a chance to look at the third season episode, titled “All Debts Paid.”

Just to briefly touch on “Both Sides Now,” the Outlander Season 1 midseason finale certainly did a good job of leaving us wonder, “WTH.” It left us with this need for the next episode, which is exactly what a midseason finale is meant to do. Fans were left with this first-ever Droughtlander, with those who hadn’t read the books wondering what was going to happen with Jamie in that window.

I’ve already looked over “Both Sides Now,” so I want to focus mostly on Outlander Season 3, Episode 3, “All Debts Paid.” The title is important for both Claire’s and Jamie’s storylines.

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Claire’s debts paid

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For Claire, the title refers to her marriage to Frank. With Brianna turning 18, Frank decides that he finally wants a divorce and he wants to move to England with his daughter and mistress. Whether it was to hurt Claire or not, he did love his daughter and it was an understandable wish.

Of course, Claire wasn’t having that. While they agreed to raise Brianna together up to this point (although had some issues along the way), Claire never wanted to give up her daughter–to only see her at what would have been Christmas and school holidays (if even that). She wasn’t going to lose her only connection to Jamie.

How does the title refer to Claire’s storyline? It’s in Frank putting the option to leave and take Brianna with him. There was an agreement, both were in each others’ debts at some point. Now all debts were paid and it was time to move on.

Then it connects to Frank’s death. We knew it was coming in Outlander Season 3, but it didn’t make it easy knowing we’d have no more Tobias Menzies on our screens (well, it didn’t for me). However, his death cemented the idea that all debts were officially paid.

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

Jamie’s debts paid

Then we look at Jamie’s storyline. it’s easier to see where the title connects in this episode. This is the one that sees Lord John Grey show up, realizing that the man who had spared his life during the Jacobite rising. John, the honorable man that he is, still had a debt to repay. While his brother may have honored the family debt, he felt he had a personal debt.

There were the odd moments throughout the episode that you could assume the debt was paid. One of the biggest is when Jamie escapes to Silkies’ Island believing Claire may have been there. Then there’s the time John helped treat Murtagh.

However, the debt was officially repaid when Jamie wasn’t sent to the Colonies with the other prisoners. He was, instead, sent to Helwater. It wasn’t an easy position, but it was a much better lifestyle than he would have had as an indentured servant. In a way, it spared Jamie’s life and the debt was now totally paid.

Next. Outlander history: The Wedding and Surrender. dark

What did you think of Outlander Season 1, Episode 8 and Outlander Season 3, Episode 3? Which is your favorite episode from this week in Outlander history? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander history continues next week to help you get thorugh Droughtlander.

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