Jamie gets to France, and Ian Murray can immediately tell that something is very wrong in Virgins section 1. It’s time to start our new short story in the Outlander Book Club.
The section opens with Jamie already in France. We know that he has headed there on Murtagh’s suggestion, and that this takes place shortly after he gets out of Fort William, which certainly sets the tone for Jamie’s mental health.
Breaking down Virgins section 1
The section opens near Bordeaux in France, as Jamie makes it to join the group of mercenaries that Ian Murray is part of. Ian can tell immediately that something is wrong with Jamie, and that’s just by the look on his face. We quickly get that sense that Ian knows Jamie well, even if he hasn’t seen the man for a few years.
Ian can tell that Jamie looks like he’s about to collapse as he sees him, so he rushes over to him and hugs him. That’s when he feels the bandages under Jamie’s shirt, but he doesn’t question anything right away. They are surrounded by other soldiers, and while most of them don’t speak English, there’s always a way of telling that something serious is being discussed.
Ian manages to get Jamie away from the group that night to speak in private, but all Jamie can tell Ian is that his dad has died. Ian can tell that Jamie has been flogged, but that’s not the topic of conversation. It’s all about what happened to Brian, as Ian knows that if Brian died of natural causes, Jamie would be at Lallybroch to take over as the laird.
So, what happened? Ian immediately asks who killed Brian.
Could this section be used in a TV series adaptation?
I would love to see an Outlander prequel miniseries spinoff that focuses on a younger Jamie and Ian. It would give us a chance to see their brotherly relationship that is evident in the main series. If Virgins was used in an adaptation, we would definitely need to see this section play out. It sets the whole stage for the remaining short story, and it shows us how well Ian and Jamie know each other.
Ian has always been an empathetic soul, and he looks out for his best friend. We know that comes from everything his dad taught him, but it’s still clear that he would be that way regardless. They are brothers, and that’s what we see in this section.
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