Outlander Book Club: The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 43 breakdown

It was only a matter of time before Lord John Grey would work out the truth about Willie. That happens in The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 43.

The chapter involves the death of a king. It is King George II’s funeral, and Lord John Grey is attending, along with many others. While John should be focused on the funeral, his thoughts wander to Jamie. This is important, though, as it gives John the answers he needs.

He knew there was something between Jamie and Geneva when he caught Jamie in the chapel before Geneva’s funeral. Now he finally has the answers.

Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 43

The chapter starts at the funeral of King George II. John starts to think about how Jamie wouldn’t be able to hear the music of the anthem being played, and then his thoughts move onto Jamie and onto Percy Wainwright. He needs to keep himself focused, but he can’t.

One thing that he does finally put together is Jamie and Geneva’s connection. He always felt something was there since he saw Jamie in the chapel before Geneva’s funeral. He has finally worked it all out. At least, he presumes he has. We know that he probably doesn’t have all the details, but there’s enough for him to work out that Willie is Jamie’s son.

Hal faints at the funeral, leading to everyone swiftly getting back home. As John walks in, he is greeted by a badger-hound curled up. There is a letter from Stephan von Namtzen who would like John to visit again in the future with the hound so that they can hunt together. It’s a beautiful token of friendship as long as John is happy to look after the hound, which he clearly is.

At the end of the chapter, we go back to Jamie at Helwater, who has been dreaming of Lallybroch. There’s a beautiful moment where Jamie gets to spend some time with Willie, calling him a “bonnie lad” and hearing Willie say “Wenceslas” correctly. There is a clear bond forming between the two, and it won’t be long before others start to see it. For now, Jamie will just focus on caring for Willie the best he can.

He ends the chapter thinking about what his parents would think of Jamie. There’s a peace in the air as they close in on Christmas and the festivities to come. Jamie says a silent prayer for Claire and his children—marking the turn as he acknowledges both in his heart.

Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?

This makes a great ending to the story, so I do think we’d need to see it if The Scottish Prisoner was adapted. I would love to see John figure out who Willie is, although I’m not sure how we’d see that on the TV as it’s all internalized. John would likely need to utter something out loud.

Seeing Jamie and Willie would be the perfect ending. We see that moment of him truly accepting who Willie is to him, and that sets up so much for the future.

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