The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 15 does not let us forget about how bad Jamie’s seasickness is. It also brings Tobias Quinn back into the story.
Jamie, John, and Tom are on their way to Ireland. Of course, the only way to get there is by boat, and we all know that Jamie gets terrible seasickness. John and Tom didn’t know at first, but they quickly work it out.
However, things take a turn when Tobias Quinn appears on the ship. He is clearly following Jamie Fraser.
Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 15
The chapter picks up with Jamie, John, and Tom getting on the ship to Ireland. It doesn’t take long for Jamie to suffer from seasickness, with Tom suggesting his grandmother’s recipe of pickle juice and dill weed.
Jamie is more disturbed by Quinn getting on the boat. Quinn offers whiskey and opium. Of course, Jamie does not want to take opium. He has flashbacks of Black Jack Randall, but in the end, he needs to take it. He’s able to sleep the rest of the journey, and he wakes when they get to Ireland.
The discomfort doesn’t come to an end, though. Quinn and John have talked a fair bit, it seems. Quinn shares that he knows where Siverly lives, but that’s about it. Of course, considering what we know via other chapters, Quinn is sure to know more.
Jamie wants to get Quinn away from John and Tom, but he can’t. Quinn makes it clear that he will join John and Jamie on horseback to get to where they need to be. Tom will need to follow with the luggage in a carriage.
John does get a chance to think about Siverly. He feels a little guilt for this mission because Siverly saved him at the Battle of Quebec. However, this is necessary, and if Siverly is guilty of what he’s been accused of, he needs to be court martialed. John thinks that he may need to use the Justiciar of Athlone Castle, the highest authority to arrest Siverly, if he needs to. Then he notes that Plan C is to have Jamie act as a physical deterrent.
What’s clear is that John has no idea who Quinn is. He also doesn’t see Quinn as a threat, so that means Jamie is hiding things well.
Could this chapter be used in a TV adaptation?
We do need this chapter if The Scottish Prisoner was used for an adaptation. It adds more layers to the plot with Quinn getting on the ship.
This wouldn’t need to take up a lot of time, though. It would be good to have the reminder of Jamie’s seasickness and then the arrival of Quinn. There’s a sense of darkness with Quinn in Ireland with Jamie and John, and we need to sense that in the TV series.
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