While it’s fresh in your mind, it’s time to break down this week’s hour of drama: The False Bride. I know you’ve been guessing since the episode titles were released what bride that title was referring to. Did you get it right? Did you think it was Laoghaire back to haunt us some more? Some new character made up for the show to send book-readers into a tizzy? Or did you know it was that red-haired devil herself, Brianna Fraser? I was hoping it was. It was one of my favorite moments. Here are all of them:
My Top Ten Moments from Outlander Episode 403
Independent Women
Turns out Claire isn’t the only woman with a mouth on her anymore. Jocasta proves that 18th-century women can hold their own. While she’s not necessarily wrong about Claire holding Jamie back, she’s unaware that Claire has a much greater perspective on the situation than she has. Props to Jocasta for speaking her mind in a time where women weren’t necessarily encouraged to do so, but step back, Claire’s got this one.
Clarence
CLARENCE! As I live and breathe. He’s the most troublesome mule you ever did meet. He’s pretty much the Claire of mules – always wreaking havoc. Let’s hope he’s a mainstay of Outlander seasons to come.
Clarence is just a plot device in this episode, but it’s great to see him none the less.
Wilderness Man Fashion
I’ll admit, I don’t remember much about John Quincy Myers in the book, but I am digging the show version of him. Specifically, his clothing. Outlander does a great job with costuming in general, but I love this whole new frontier look. It’s battered, seemingly thrown together, derelict couture. I want it. I want my boyfriend to dress like him. I may take to wearing a brown hat. Where can I get that tasseled scarf? Has Terry Dresbach thought of making an accessory line for fans in her newfound free time? Imagine the knitwear we could have!
I Could Go For Some Dairy Queen
What can I say, I’m a sucker for a retro montage. While I thought Sophie Skelton could’ve been a little more convincing in her portrayal of a besotted Brianna, I loved this scene. We get our first iteration of The Minister’s Cat, some very lucky swerving considering that curvy highway, and more Roger time which is always A-OK in my book.
Plus we got to hear the word malt in a Scottish accent. That’s a first for me.
Concerned Parents Jamie & Claire
We’ve seen leader Jamie, medical Claire, seditionist Jamie, lost on an island Claire, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen concerned parents Jamie and Claire. And we saw them not only once but twice in one episode. I liked their whole trying-to-play-it-cool parenting with Young Ian when he wants to go off with JQM. Not subtle at all, Claire, JQM is onto you. As always, your face gave it away.
They made an appearance again later on when Jamie and Claire discuss Brianna, and what she could be up to. I love the moments of curiosity that Jamie has about Brianna. She’s this entire entity that he knows almost nothing about, and that has to be hard on a father’s heart. If only he know how similar they are.
I’ve Been to That Scottish Festival
I swear I’ve been to that Scottish Festival here in dinky Connecticut. No idea why they drove all the way from Boston to North Carolina for it. That being said, I thought it was the perfect backdrop for Roger and Brianna to get to know each other again. I could’ve used a few more Tulach Ards being thrown about, but I would pay at least $10 to go to that festival.
Roger, He of the Dulcet Tones
There’s nothing like a man in a turtleneck and a kilt singing in a Scottish accent. The song Roger sings is called I Loved a Lass, also known as The False Bride…foreshadowing, anyone…?
Mainly, I just love Roger. He makes corny jokes, his 70s fashion makes me giggle, and he’s such a tragic soul. I love him.
Je t’aime un peu, beaucoup, passionnément, pas du tout
There are a fair amount of romantic jewelry offerings in the Outlander series. There’s the one ring to rule them all (not that one), the pearls, gems upon gems, but my favorite is this bracelet from Roger. When it appeared on screen I did a squee reminiscent of season 1. The chapter of the book where Roger gifts Brianna this is probably my favorite of the entire series, and no, I don’t need your judgment on that. I love you a little, a lot, passionately, not at all. Ugh, isn’t that love in a nutshell? Your favorite person can also be a pain in your butt sometimes, but it doesn’t matter because they’re the one. At least, that’s what I get from that saying. Full disclosure: I’m sure it’s meant to be something much more poetic than that.
Too bad Brianna is not having it.
The ANGST of this moment is always what got me. Poor Roger is putting his heart on the line, somewhat foolishly, and Brianna just crushes it. She tries to pull back her reaction – “So you don’t love me?” “That’s not what I said!”…still not the right answer. Their back and forth is tragic because they’re both in the right. Roger is allowed to want it all, and Brianna is allowed to be offended by his misogyny here. And in all fairness, he did spring this on her completely out of the blue. The way I read it, his intentions were good, but they didn’t come across all that well. As usual, poor Roger.
I’m bummed this scene wasn’t where it was supposed to be – at Christmastime, walking through Inverness after midnight mass, but I’ll take it however it comes.
In Which We Meet a Traveler
It pains me to say this, but I can’t remember a lot from this book (shoulda have participated in In the Waterweeds!). Sure, there are parts that stand out, like Roger’s proposal, but I get lost at the details. So for the majority of Claire’s time alone in the woods, I had no idea what was going to happen. Would she be set upon by Native Americans? Would wolves attack her? As the scene went along, I started to remember a bit, and it’s safe to say this is a pretty pivotal moment in this series. There must be a portal in America. More travelers walk among us. So now our total is up to 3 – Claire, Geillis, and our new semi-scalp-less friend.
You can bet your bum this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing about this.
Hello, the House!
We’ve fully lamented the use of green screens so far this season, but I’m not going to let that get me down right now, because we’ve made it to Fraser’s Ridge! Every moment of this season so far has been bringing us to this point. The Frasers have finally found a home, four seasons in. Now, we can get full Little House on the Prairie with it. I can’t wait for their American life to begin. Settlers will come, Claire will set up shop in her medical room, Jamie will be wearing wire-rimmed glasses in his office, settling debts and meting out justice to his little Ridge-lings. It’s the Outlander we all love. Yes, the drama is fun, but I think most of us are invested in this show for the small moments. The conversations before bed, the family togetherness, and of course, the sex when danger isn’t just a step around the corner. The Frasers finally have a measure of safety, after all the trials that have been thrown their way. So grab your strawberries and settle in for a good building montage next week.
So … what were your Top Ten Moments from The False Bride? Did I not mention Roger’s turtleneck enough? Is Sophie Skelton your favorite actress? Did you also yell CLARENCE while good-naturedly shaking your head at your TV screen? Tell me your faves in the comments. And if you’re new here, or you’re old here and you just want to reminisce, check out all our Outlander coverage over the seasons. We have A LOT of it.
AND join us TOMORROW NIGHT at 9pm EST for Hangoutlander. It will be a bonny good time.
