Outlander recap: What happens when Lord John and Brianna see Bonnet?

Outlander Season 4, Episode 12 delivered a powerful and emotional storyline. As we saw Roger make a difficult decision, Brianna faced her rapist.

Out of all the episodes in Outlander Season 4, the penultimate has delivered the most powerful and emotional one. Focused on Roger, Brianna, and Fergus’ storyline, this was one of those where you’re left feeling nothing but sympathy and shock.

After Murtagh’s arrest, we all wondered how he’d be rescued and whether this would be the end of Stephen Bonnet’s storyline. Meanwhile, we needed to know if Claire and Jamie would reach Roger.

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This episode didn’t involve Claire and Jamie, except for a whole 20 seconds of them trekking through the forest. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t even realize that until watching the trailer for next Sunday’s episode. I was so engrossed in Roger’s and Brianna’s storylines that I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything from the trek. But that’s for another article.

I’ll split this into two parts, Brianna’s and Fergus’ storyline together and then Roger’s difficult decision.

Brianna visits her rapist

After hearing that Bonnet has been arrested, she asks for Lord John Grey to take her to him. She won’t attempt to kill Bonnet because Jamie, in the letter, asks her not to lose her soul. However, she does want to talk to Bonnet. She needs the chance to see him before he dies.

And with Lord John Grey, they head off to Wilmington. It doesn’t take long for her to see Bonnet and tell him that she is pregnant with his child. There’s no doubt in her face that this is Bonnet’s rather than Roger’s, suggesting that she’s sure it’s her rapists’.

Bonnet initially doesn’t believe her but agrees she has no reason to lie. He’s glad he’s not going to be forgotten but you see the despair when Brianna makes it clear that his child won’t even know his name. As a dying wish, Bonnet gives Brianna a gem and they part ways.

Marsali stands by her man

As for Fergus, he turns to the Regulators for help. He can’t let Murtagh die and they all know that Murtagh won’t get a fair trial. However, there’s the problem of Marsali.

Somewhat surprisingly (considering the stance the two took on the ship in Outlander Season 3 when Jamie wanted Fergus to commit mutiny), Marsali stands by Fergus. It’s also time that the family moves out of Wilmington and to Fraser’s Ridge.

So, with that, the Regulators with Fergus and Marsali set up a plan to save Murtagh from prison. It just so happens that the plan goes ahead while John and Brianna are there. Lord John initially wants to stop them, but Brianna steps in. Murtagh wants to get Brianna away, but Lord John Grey continues to look out for her.

With all the Regulators (plus Fergus, Murtagh, and Marsali) out of the prison and Lord John and Brianna back out, the prison is blown up. John and Brianna cover for their friends when asked by officials, making it clear where their loyalties lie.