My Top Ten Moments from Outlander Episode 404
That time when a flower arrangement totally stole the scene
It seems like every time Jamie and Governor Tryon are together they are a) talking about land grants and lost taxes and blah blah blah, and b) totally overshadowed by the set and/or props. In episode 401 I didn’t hear a word they said because I was drooling over the magnificent home library they were sitting in, complete with that gorgeous fireplace. In this episode their dialogue was again lost on me because WHAT was going on with that floral behemoth??? Don’t get me wrong, it’s an absolute work of art, but for the love of God, WHY IS IT SO BIG??? I have this mental image of the set decoration people tossing countless wadded up designs on the floor as Ron Moore yells “BIGGER, MAKE IT BIGGGGGGEEEERRRR!!!” while shaking his fists. It is truly the star of this scene. Get that bouquet an agent! Or at least a Twitter account.
Claire and Marsali have a moment
This scene was so heartwarming it could have reheated Thanksgiving leftovers to the recommended 165 degrees. Think about how far these two have come. From humble beginnings (“Daddy may think ye’re a wise woman, but I still think ye’re a whore”) to Marsali tearfully and gratefully admitting that there’s no other whore healer she’d rather have by her side. It’s so sweet to see Claire taking on the role as mother to Marsali and Ian, who might like to think they’re all grown up but still need nurturing, reassurance and advice at times. Fingers crossed for more awwwwdorable scenes like this in the future.
Also, Marsali’s comments on morning sickness are so spot on. She can’t even talk about food without wanting to hurl. When I was pregnant just the thought of certain foods could make me dry heave, and forget about even opening the fridge or seeing raw meat and vegetables. But the real truth, that had me raising my fist in solidarity, was “There’s delivering a bairn, and then there’s raising one.” Girl, AMEN. That kid is going to push your buttons like he’s being paid to do it.
Fergus is looking for former Ardsmuir prisoners, you say?
So Jamie sends Fergus to recruit settlers for the Ridge, particularly amongst former Ardsmuir prisoners. I mean…this HAS to be where Murtagh comes back, aye? And isn’t it weird that Jamie hasn’t made some kind of effort to find Murtagh already? When we last saw him in Season 3, he was being shipped off to the colonies with the rest of the Ardsmuir prisoners. Honestly, I’ve missed his grumpy, taciturn lovableness. I want to see his face when he sees that Claire is back. And seeing Jamie again. And hiding his emoshuns behind scowls and bluster and that ferocious beard. Will he take Young Ian under his wing? Will he awkwardly woo Jocasta? What does he think of America? I haven’t agreed with many of the adaptions made in this show, but keeping him alive is the best decision that Ronald D. Moore ever made.
The Cherokee are not impressed with Jamie’s boundary posts
It’s so hard to comment on this show and not constantly refer back to the book. Everyone says to keep them separate, let the show just be the show and not constantly compare the two. But when you already know the bones of the story it’s almost impossible to avoid. You see, much of my enjoyment comes from seeing when the show actually improves upon the source material. This was one of those times. In the book there’s not much conflict with the initial Natives that they encounter. In this episode, they push back. It reminds us that as happy as we are for Jamie and Claire, they were not there first. The Cherokee don’t have to respect the authority of the boundary post. You can earn their respect and live peaceably beside them, but that’s to their credit, not ours.
Ian’s face when he learns Claire can’t knit
It’s not very often that Young Ian gets to one-up his elders. His complete disbelief (and ensuing heady feeling of superiority) when he learns that Claire can’t knit is so on brand and loyal to the scene in the book. Claire can gut a fish, operate on a spinal cord, and sew a mean batsuit, but all those stylish woolen garments she’s wearing? She had to buy that shizz. Poor lass.
Myers ups his hat game 1000%
JQM debuts his winter hat couture line with this furry little number, and she’s a beaut’. I mean that brown hat from last week was great, but no one has ever pulled off a raccoon skin hat like John Q. Myers. Terri has really outdone herself with his entire costume; it’s starting to feel like a character unto itself. I loved seeing more details of it this episode. Myers is such a damn good character all around, excellently portrayed by Kyle Rees. It was cool seeing him in his little bachelor camp, all self assured, gracious, and wise, making jerky like a boss. And while I’m not sad they left out the testicle hernia surgery bit from the book, it was nice seeing Claire get to operate on him regardless.
Roger and Bree’s painfully awkward phone call
Is it weird that this has been my favorite #RogerandBree scene so far? It’s because I find them most believable when they’re not flirting. That huge fight last week was the most honest and raw they’ve ever been, and it was magnificent. And then here they’re so blundering and unsure in their mutual feelings of guilt. You can almost smell the angst and repressed feelings (and it smells like Teen Spirit). Their recent memories of each other are tinged in hurt and regret, but Roger is so sweetly eager to assure Bree that her parents found each other. It’s a uniting moment for them, to share in the joy of that discovery. And then it goes back to awwwwkwaaaard and I love it.
Fiona is blasé AF about time travel
Fiona, you sly little Scottish minx. Granny Graham didn’t raise no dumb-arse! Also, I sure don’t hate that minimalist 70’s thing she’s done with the place.
Little Cabin on the Ridge
THE FRASERS ARE HOME!!!! (CRY EMOJI CRY EMOJI CRY EMOJI). They’ve been married 24 years and finally, finally, will have a home of their own. I couldn’t help but hearken back to the very first episode of Outlander. Claire is window shopping in Inverness and realizes that she’s never owned a vase. She’s never lived anywhere long enough to need one, and it hits her that she really, really wants to own a damn vase. And yeah I’m sure she had vases in her Boston home with Frank, but it’s a symbol, people. Jamie and Claire have never had a home that was truly theirs. UNTIL NOW, AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL. Jamie is so proud of the vision he has for their home, the home he gets to build with his own hands. He gets to provide and care for his family, and all the future families that will settle on Fraser’s Ridge. He’s a Laird now. A Laird with bangs, but we’ll pretend we don’t see them.
Brianna goes to Scotland, and we all know what that means
THE CHILLS, Y’ALL. Such a great ending, even when you knew this bombshell was coming. And such brilliant acting by Rik Rankin. You see his mind race as he realizes that Brianna has probably gone through the stones. That she’s gone, that she left without saying goodbye, that the last time he saw her he gave her a big ass ultimatum-it’s all there in his face. Looks like Roger has some very big decisions to make.
Now hit me with your favorite moments from Common Ground! Least favorite moments are also welcome because this is a safe place. What did you think of the portrayal of the Native Americans? Did you catch Carrot’s cameo? Did you know who the hell Carrot even was? Because I sure didn’t.
Catch up on all our Outlander coverage and don’t forget to join us for Hangoutlander Monday nights at 9PM EST! It’s where things get real. Snarky, but real.
Feature Image courtesy of Starz
