Jamie has to end correspondence with Lord John Grey in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 76
We all knew that it would eventually have to happen. Jamie would have to pull away from Lord John Grey to protect him, and that’s what happens in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 76.
The chapter itself is relatively short. There isn’t much in the way of drama that happens, but it is important for plot development.
We start and end with letters. The starting letter is one from John to Jamie. The ending letter is from Jamie to John, and this letter makes it clear that there’s trouble for the friendship. Jamie’s name continues to be connected to the “traitors,” and there’s nothing that Jamie is going to do to prevent that. He knows which side he needs to be on in the war. He can be on the winning side this time.
The chapter doesn’t foreshadow too much. It’s more about plot development. We need this to see Jamie throw his hat in the ring for the Patriots.
The chapter hasn’t been used in the series. Not exactly. However, there was a moment between John and Jamie as John realizes that Jamie is on what he views as the wrong side.
Let’s dive into A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 76.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with a letter from Lord John Grey. John has found Jamie’s name on a number of lists of traitors and seditionists. This is something John warned Jamie about, and he’s running out of ways to help save Jamie from trouble from the Crown.
Jamie isn’t going to stop, though. He needs to go through with this. After all, he knows which side he needs to be on. While he wouldn’t have fought on this side had it not been for Claire, Bree, and Roger knowing what will happen, he has to throw his all into this side. He keeps track of the delegates and everything that’s happening with the Patriots.
He is also writing, although it’s under a penname for now. His name is Scotus Americanus. It is a terrible penname, but it’s good enough for now. It doesn’t connect to him in any clear way. After all, the name “America” isn’t even known just yet.
As Claire and Jamie discuss things, Jamie knows there is only one thing that he can do. He ends the chapter writing to John. There is nothing that Jamie is going to change, and that means he needs to keep John out of trouble. After all, John is in the Army, and he needs to remain on the Crown’s side for the time being. This could be the end of this friendship.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
The chapter doesn’t foreshadow much. This is more about setting up the plot for what’s to come next. Jamie will need to fight on the Patriot’s side.
However, I guess there is a little bit of foreshadowing in the sense that Jamie and John will always look out for each other. This isn’t an end to their friendship. Jamie is writing to end the letters to protect John. There is something else that will end the friendship.
Adapting A Breath of Snow and Ashes chapter
This chapter wasn’t used in the series. That’s not surprising considering the way the show managed to write John into the story instead of just having a series of letters between the men. We get to see John find out that Jamie is choosing the side of the Patriots.
Understandably, John isn’t happy. He thinks that the Crown will win. He thinks that the people who want “freedom” are fighting a ridiculous fight. However, it’s clear that Jamie isn’t going to change his mind.
In the show, this could be a friendship-ender. It probably isn’t, though. It just means the two probably won’t share any positive screentime together for a while.
I like that the show wrote John into the storyline instead of using a load of letters. I do prefer to be shown something rather than told, and that is important in the world of TV.
What did you spot while reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 76? Let us know in the comments below.
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