This week in Outlander history: Claire met the second wife

In this week in Outlander history, Claire finally learned she wasn’t Jamie’s only wife. It was the airing of “First Wife” the first time.

In Outlander history this week, Season 3, Episode 8 aired for the first time. Nov. 5, 2017 saw “First Wife” and all the drama and humor that came with it. Whether you agree with the show changing some of the elements to the book or not, there was plenty of action as Claire learned that she wasn’t Jamie’s only wife.

Well, at least she can say she was his only legal wife. Because Claire was still alive, Jamie’s marriage to Laoghaire was invalid. Of course, the MacKenzie-turned-McKimmie wasn’t happy to learn that she wasn’t legally married to Jamie. This was the man she’d wanted from the age of 16.

More from Outlander Fandom

Love her or hate her, it’s easy to understand why Laoghaire would be upset with the knowledge. They may not have had a good marriage and may have lived apart, but I get the feeling that her previous husbands’ actions caused her to flinch at Jamie’s touch. She couldn’t understand that Jamie was a different man compared to her other husbands.

Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels! /

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

At the same time, Laoghaire would have worried about her daughters. Her marriage to Jamie being invalid meant that he could turn his back on Marsali and Joanie. There would have been plenty of questions running through her head, which means she wouldn’t have been thinking straight when she shot Jamie (aiming for Claire!).

In the end, the episode gave us plenty of drama. Not only was Jamie shot and needed Claire’s penicillin after the wound got infected, but Young Ian was kidnapped and taken to Jamaica. This was the start of the journey to the Caribbean, leading the Frasers to the world they are in now in Outlander Season 4.

What did you think of “First Wife?” Are you watching the episode again to connect to this week in Outlander history? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow Claire and Jamie on Facebook for more Outlander history throwbacks each week.

Home/Outlander Fandom