Jamie learned that Claire and John married in Outlander season 7, episode 12. That wasn’t all, though! He learned everything, and it’s clear that he’s angrier with John than he is with Claire. Why is that?
Jamie Fraser is a violent man. This is something he’s said himself. Every now and then, we see that violent nature come out. Jamie is also a jealous man, especially when it comes to Claire. She is his, and he is hers. That’s the way it’s been for the longest time.
However, Jamie also understands the nature of life. Claire and John believed Jamie to be dead, and Claire needed protection that only marriage could offer. It’s not actually the marriage that bothers Jamie. It’s what happened during the time they believed Jamie was dead.
Jamie is angry at Lord John Grey’s words in Outlander
Sure, Jamie is angry with Claire at first. He’s jealous that Lord John Grey knows her carnally. It’s a huge deal for him, but it doesn’t stop him loving her. In this situation, he does somewhat understand what she had to do. Claire is also able to explain it to him in a way that makes a bit more sense. She is considerate of his feelings.
Lord John Grey goaded Jamie into beating him. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he even admitted that to Denny later.
You see, it’s not that John knows Claire carnally that actually bothers Jamie to the core. It’s the way John told Jamie that they were both thinking of Jamie at the time. For Claire, that’s not a problem. Jamie wants Claire to think of him. For John to be thinking of Jamie sends a shiver down Jamie’s spine.
Jamie is still dealing with the memories of Wentworth Prison
We have to remember what Jamie has been through. Being raped is not something you just get over. While Jamie is able to push the thoughts to the back of his mind most of the time, there are times that memories of Wentworth Prison come up. This would have been one of those times.
Jamie and John have had a friendship despite Jamie knowing John is attracted to him. Part of that friendship comes from the way Jamie offered his body in return for John raising William only for John to turn Jamie down. It made it clear to Jamie that John was an honorable and good man. Jamie doesn’t like gay men. He’s a Catholic man in the 18th century, so yes, he has some negative thoughts about homosexuality. However, he accepts John for who he is and is willing to look past that for the sake of their friendship because of the way John agreed to raise William without the “payment” Jamie was offering.
Having John telling Jamie that both he and Claire were thinking of Jamie that night sets Jamie back. John was mentally with Jamie, and in Jamie’s mind, it was mentally rape. It brings back too many memories. You can see his whole demeanor change as John comes out with the truth.
So, that’s why he can forgive Claire and not John. It’s not the marriage and it wasn’t even the physical act. It was how John and Claire were both thinking of Jamie. John thinking of Jamie doesn’t sit right with him.
Outlander airs on Fridays on STARZ.
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