Brianna showed off her shooting skills and tried to warn her mother from dangerous plans in Outlander Season 5, Episode 2. Here are my favorite moments.
At first glance, it can seem like Brianna didn’t get that much to do in Outlander Season 5, Episode 2. Sure enough, her storylines mostly focused on events surrounding Roger and Claire. However, there were moments that stood out for her as a character.
Some of Brianna’s best moments were subtle ones or they were quick mentions of previous events. They brought up thoughts that we all had while also realizing that she can’t talk the people she loves out of things they want to do.
Here are my three favorite Brianna moments from the episode.
3. The look when Claire mentions mercury
One of the subtle moments happened towards the beginning. Claire tried to save a man’s life, only to learn that there was nothing she could do. Not only was she fighting an infection, but she had to fight against a cure. And that part was impossible.
The minute Claire mentioned mercury, the camera panned to Brianna. We saw the look that told us there was nothing Claire would be able to do. Even if you didn’t know mercury was poisonous, you would have done just based on Brianna’s look. She hated the fact that the cure was the thing that would actually kill the man.
In fact, it’s that knowledge that does leave to Bree leaving her mother to her autopsy in peace. Bree knows that Claire is fighting against so much in the 18th century. She shares her warnings but in the end, Bree knows that she can’t change Claire’s mind and accepts that.
2. Teaching Roger how to shoot
Brianna spends some time with Roger, helping him learn to shoot. It’s something Roger has never needed to know how to do. Raised by a minister, he wouldn’t have wanted to shoot anything. He was raised to try to preserve life and is almost a pacifist.
However, Brianna knows that he needs to learn to shoot. And so, she takes him to quiet places in the woods. There’s no judgment and she doesn’t laugh at his inabilities. She just gives him tips on being better at it.
This also opens her up to the discussion about Roger wanting to go back. Brianna is in a tough place, wanting to be with her parents but also wanting Roger to be happy. We see the dilemma she’s facing.
1. Mentions of Otter Tooth
When Claire is writing out the “Dr. Rawlings Recommends” leaflets, Brianna brings up Otter Tooth. He was mentioned at the end of the fourth season, and we learn that he was the skull that Claire had found. Brianna is scared that something similar is going to happen.
She understands Claire’s needs to get the good medical advice out. At the same time, Bree just wants to keep her own growing family safe. She wants to make sure people aren’t going to come after them for their futuristic (and suspicious) ways.
I love that Otter Tooth is mentioned. It reminds us of that brief story and the weight that the story holds for those from the future. They need to walk between the two fires of safety and progressiveness.
What were your favorite Brianna moments in Outlander Season 5, Episode 2? Share yours in the comments below.
Outlander airs Sundays on STARZ.