David Berry has been part of Outlander since the third season and he’s had plenty of standout moments. To celebrate Berry’s birthday today, it’s time to look at the top 5 Lord John Grey moments so far.
Outlander wouldn’t be what it is without some of its side characters. While it may be Claire’s story about Jamie, the side characters have helped them develop as people. One of those characters is certainly Lord John Grey, played by the handsome, charismatic David Berry.
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To celebrate Berry’s birthday today, Jan. 18, it’s time to look back at his performance. Becoming an integral part of the story from his first appearance in Outlander Season 3, Episode 3, he has continued to shine with each episode.
At first, his interactions were with Jamie. Now he’s had a chance to share screen time with Claire and Brianna, becoming important in their storylines and vice versa. Here are Lord John Grey’s five top moments in Outlander so far.
5. Dressing down the Naval acting captain
In the Outlander Season 3 finale, we got a moment that isn’t in the books. As Jamie was arrested in the previous episode, Lord John Grey came to his aid. Their friendship is important and it shows at this moment.
We get to see Lord John Grey as the authoritative voice that he is. He calls out the Naval acting captain for arresting Jamie when not on the sea. On land, it’s up to Grey as the highest-ranking Army official in Jamaica.
Up to this point, we’d seen him as a confidant and a governor of a prisoner. We’d seen him in love with a man he couldn’t have, with those feelings still after a decade or so. Yet, at this moment, we saw him as a governor and an Army officer and it was perfect.
4. Opening up to Jamie
While at Ardsmuir Prison, it’s clear that Lord John Grey has done something to earn him the position of governor. Jamie knows that, considering he knows what the title means. This isn’t a place for those who have done well in the army.
There’s never a need for David Berry’s Lord John Grey to open up. He doesn’t have to share anything with Jamie, but he does and it’s all because of the connection he felt when they first met when John was a young boy.
John plays the honesty so beautifully. It’s raw.
But it’s not all one-sided. Jamie opens up to John a little. This is a bond that’s forming and you can see it in both of their eyes. This is also the moment of confirmation that Lord John Grey is in love with Jamie, but knows he can’t have him.
3. Agreeing to marry Brianna
Some of Grey’s best moments in Outlander come from the most recent episodes. Season 4, Episode 11 delivered the moment Grey and Brianna finally met. It brought their storylines together, further cementing John into the life of the Fraser family.
Despite being blackmailed, Lord John Grey listened to Brianna. He became the person she could tell her secrets to. It’s clear that the connection is more than just because Brianna is Jamie’s daughter. John is a kind and caring man.
He gave her hope when she was just about losing it. After hearing that Roger was miles away, he forgot all about her attempting poorly to blackmail him, likely knowing that she would never go through with it. After all, she is her father’s daughter, as much as she wouldn’t like to admit it.
The timing of the engagement announcement cut things fine, but it was perfect. Just before Brianna even had to give Mr. Forbes an answer, Lord John Grey came to her rescue, likening their bond to that of John and Jamie’s.
2. Admitting his jealousy to Claire
Another one from Outlander Season 4 is when Claire is treating Lord John Grey for the measles. It’s an awkward situation that both handle with dignity for the most part. It’s hard to judge the rambles and admissions of a man with a high fever believing he may be close to death.
These scenes deliver one of the best Lord John Grey moments of all time: John being open and honest with Claire. He starts off a little gloating, saying that he could have had Jamie that one time, but it goes into an understanding reason for his jealousy.
He’s not exactly jealous of Claire being with Jamie. Lord John Grey knows that Jamie isn’t gay and doesn’t feel the same way for him as he does for Jamie. The jealous is because of the satisfaction Claire offers Jamie. Claire and Jamie have a strong bond that nobody can break, try as they might.
John has never had that and he never will with a woman. He doesn’t feel the same way for women as he does men, although he can be a good husband. This is something that Claire can personally understand and it builds a connection between these two unlikely friends.
1. Turning Jamie down
Back to Outlander Season 3 and Episode 4 has to take the top spot. Jamie knows that he needs to leave Helwater. Being around Willie is hard, especially when nobody else can know that he is Willie’s biological father.
Considering the unique bond Jamie and John have, it’s not surprising that Jamie turns to John for help. He wants John to raise Willie.
At first, it looks like John will argue not to. However, he then stops as Jamie offers his body in return. At first there’s anger and shock, as Jamie seems to believe that John will want some sort of payment for looking after Willie. However, it ends up being a test.
John immediately turns Jamie down. Yes, he could have had the man he wants more than anything, but he won’t do it under those conditions. He’s honorable and a gentleman. There is no way that he would allow sex to be used as a payment for something like this.
This is just what Jamie wanted to hear.
What were your favorite Lord John Grey moments so far on Outlander? Which moments stand out the most for you? Share in the comments below.
Happy birthday, David Berry! Here’s to much more Lord John Grey on our screens.