Why would Marsali stand by Fergus in Outlander Season 4?

Back in Outlander Season 3, Fergus refused to commit mutiny on the ship to save Jamie because of Marsali. Fast forward to Season 4, Marsali joined Fergus in getting Murtagh out of jail. What changed?

Fergus has always been loyal to Milord. Yet, when Jamie was locked away (for his own safety and that of the crew, mind), Fergus refused to lead a mutiny against the captain. He couldn’t put Marsali’s life in danger. Yet, skip to Outlander Season 4 and Marsali is by his side to rescue Murtagh from jail.

What changed? What made Marsali help Fergus? Why would Fergus even consider putting his family at risk like that?

The years have gone by

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I couldn’t see it at first, but then a few things hit me during the conversation between Marsali and Fergus. The first is that Marsali has spent a lot of time around Claire and Jamie now. She’s seen the type of people they are and they really are rubbing off on her. Marsali was always a kind soul, but Claire and Jamie helped bring out the best in her.

It’s easy for us to think that Outlander Season 3 was a little more than a year ago. But in the time period on the show, years have gone by. Those years have helped change the personalities slightly.

Risk to Murtagh’s life

Added the fact that Murtagh was at risk of being hanged, there’s no way that Marsali and Fergus wouldn’t work together to save him. Murtagh wouldn’t have had a fair trial and everyone knew that. As the leader of the Regulators in Tryon’s eyes, he was damned.

When Jamie was prisoned below decks, it was more for his own safety and that of the crew. The captain didn’t want to deal with his need to go after Claire when they were all going to the same place anyway. Jamie’s life wasn’t in direct danger while being imprisoned but leading a mutiny would have put everyone on death row.

With Murtagh, there was even a way to get away from Wilmington. Marsali had packed up the house, as she and Fergus agreed to head to Fraser’s Ridge. For Jamie, there wasn’t a place to escape once a failed mutiny took place.

Fergus felt at fault

When Fergus explained what had happened, you could see there was some guilt. He felt partially responsible for Murtagh being arrested. After all, Murtagh had helped Fergus get away.

Marsali realized that. She wasn’t about to let her husband feel any worse than he already did. Fergus has already struggled mentally because of his hand and being unable to get work. Murtagh helped to get him out of that slump and now he was back in it. Marsali needed to help him and this was how.

Everything had changed for Fergus and Marsali. There was every reason for the two to work together to save Murtagh unlike on the ship. With the added benefit of the Regulators on side, there was less chance that they’d be caught in the jailbreak attempt.

Did you wonder why Marsali stood by Fergus? Did you find it odd considering everything that happened in Outlander Season 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Season 4 ends on Jan. 27 at 8/7c on STARZ