Why wouldn’t Beardsley want absolution before his death on Outlander?

Jamie offered Beardsley the chance to pray for absolution before his death, but he refused. Why would he do that on Outlander Season 5, Episode 3?

During “The Fiery Cross,” we didn’t get to see everything that happened before Jamie killed Mr. Beardsley out of mercy. The story was told from Claire’s POV and she was outside for some of it. Outlander Season 5, Episode 3 had to fill in the blanks.

In the episode, the writers added that Jamie offered Beardsley a chance to pray for absolution. While Beardsley couldn’t say words, but could communicate through blinking. He chose not to pray, but why would he do that? Wouldn’t anyone who did the things he was accused of doing want to pray for absolution?

There are a few reasons why he may have said no—and they’re not to save time in the actual episode! Here are my thoughts on the decision.

He didn’t feel worthy of forgiveness

One reason would be that he didn’t feel he was worthy of forgiveness. In a way, that’s understandable considering the pain he would have been in. Had he realized the error of his ways and believed that his soul belonged in Hell?

I don’t fully believe this. Even if he knew what he had done in the past was wrong, he wouldn’t want to go to Hell.

He didn’t think he did anything wrong

Outlander Season 5, Episode 3 did make me wonder whether Beardsley even believed that he had done anything wrong. His actions against his wives were somewhat common for the time. A man’s right was to lie with his wife, whether she wanted to or not. Women were there to give a man children.

As for the twins, they were indentured. Those who were in indentured servitude weren’t exactly treated fairly. Lizzie has been extremely looking finding a mistress like Brianna.

So, it does make me wonder if he didn’t feel like he had anything to pray for. Maybe he felt like all his actions were justified, whether anyone else believed that or not.

He didn’t believe in God

Of course, the third option is that he just didn’t believe in God. Who would he pray for absolution for?

Okay, most people of this time would believe in God. Whether they were Catholics or had hairy ticks, they believed in God. Those of other religions believed in a version of a higher power or God. Not many people would have been atheists back in the 18th century.

However, there’s a chance that he believed God had left him behind long ago. It’s possible that considering his own circumstances, he stopped believing in the Almighty and didn’t believe there was anyone to ask for absolution to.

Why do you think Beardsley didn’t want to pray for absolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander airs Sundays at 8/7c on STARZ.