Jamie writes a letter to Lord John Grey in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 17
We get caught up with events that have happened in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 17. Jamie writes to Lord John Grey.
Usually, I’m not the biggest fan of the letters as chapters. They tell us everything that we already know, especially when it’s Jamie writing to Lord John Grey and not the other way around. This time it’s a little differently.
We get a chance for Jamie to share his thoughts about becoming Indian Agent. There’s a chance for him to explain why he did it, and it certainly foreshadows a few things to come in A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I’ll look into them when it comes to the foreshadowing chapter.
We also get a little bit of news about the new tenants. It’s hard not to chuckle at some of the moments in the letter. As I listen a lot while walking the dog, I did have to try not to laugh out loud at one moment with this letter.
This chapter wasn’t used for the TV series, and I doubt that it will. I’ll get to that when it comes to the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 17.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter is just a letter to Lord John Grey, starting with Jamie explaining why he chose to become Indian Agent. It has a lot to do with the Browns of Brownsville. It’s clear Jamie views them as a bit of a threat.
We also get a note that Roger says morality decreases as power increases. The Browns are gaining power, and that’s affecting their morality. Jamie agrees with this, and he knows that John will have the same opinion based on things they have seen in the past.
The focus then moves onto the new tenants, starting with Christie. He has good things to say about Tom Christie, which is good considering the looks that the new tenants have been giving Claire. They view her as dangerous and possibly a witch due to her surgery. That’s understandable considering the time period, but it is fun seeing John and Jamie discuss things about it in their letters.
We also get a quick mention of how some of those involved in the Regulation have been released. There is also a thanks from Brianna for the phosphorus, although Jamie doesn’t share the same sentiment. This was the moment I had to avoid laughing out loud. Of course Jamie eyes it warily.
It all ends with a statement that someone matching Stephen Bonnet’s description has been spotted. He’s disappeared again, though. This man is tricky to catch.
The chapter itself doesn’t give us too much new content. However, it’s clearly setting up a few storylines to come.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
We have this foreshadowing that Richard Brown is going to be a problem. There has already been this sense, but as he gains more power, it’s clear that Jamie is concerned. We know that Lionel Brown is the biggest problem first, but both Brown brothers are a cause for concern.
I think there’s also some foreshadowing of things to come for Claire with Christie and the opinions of people around her. We know that Claire is arrested for murder and it’s Christie who helps to clear her name. However, there is always this constant threat of Claire being arrested for witchcraft. She knows it, which concerns her. She doesn’t want to go through the witch trials again.
This is going to come up, and it’s telling that Jamie is telling John about it. Out of everyone, John can help if something does happen to Jamie—and he does.
Adapting A Breath of Snow and Ashes chapter
The chapter hasn’t been used in the Outlander TV series just yet. I don’t think it will be used in Outlander Season 6. That doesn’t mean none of the storylines will, but that the letter itself won’t be used.
TV shows have to develop the story a little differently to books. Rather than a letter, I have a feeling that we’ll see Lord John Grey show up and a conversation take place between the two men instead. We know that David Berry is returning for some of the season, so it is possible.
Out of everything that will be used, I’m sure we’ll see mentions of Tom Christie. Jamie and John both know him from the past. I do wonder if we’ll also get something about the new tenants. We may not get to meet them, but there will likely be a mention of how the Ridge is growing. That will be enough for me as it isn’t a major part of the story.
What did you spot while reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 17? Let us know in the comments below.
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