Outlander - Lallybroch - Review
Last week on Outlander, Claire and Geillis stood trial accused of witchcraft with Ned Gowan representing them. Geillis revealed she was from 1968 and Claire made the hard choice to stay with Jamie rather than to go home.
"There's a devil in that man that no one can influence" Jamie
Jamie made his return to Lallybroch with Claire this episode - a place where he grew up and where he and his family belonged. The episode focused a lot on the reasoning behind Jamie leaving his family, and why he hadn't returned since. Flashbacks played a key part in Jamie's backstory showing us what happened at Lallybroch that made him have to leave and also endure hundreds of lashes from Randall in that pivotal scene right at the beginning of the series. This was a much needed episode.
Randall also inflicted pain on Jamie's sister Jenny in an earlier flashback. Whilst Randall was planning to sexually abuse her, the pain she received was from him hitting her after she was mocking him after he didn't appear interested in what he saw. This marked the first time the show used frontal nudity with Black Jack Randall; it was a much needed moment to explain part of his sexuality to us without him actually admitting anything - you've got to give the writers credit for including it. Randall may be fierce and intimidating, but everyone is vulnerable to something and that got shown this episode.
Speaking of Jenny, she wasn't entirely welcoming of Jamie or Claire. She blamed him for their father's untimely death; there was a lot of tension and unsaid things between them. Once she saw his scars and how much he suffered for the sake of his family she took back the thought she had of him being responsible for their father's death. There is nothing stronger than a brother and sister bond, and that gone represented nicely in the graveyard after Jamie went to pay respects to his father. They both blamed themselves for what happened to their father so they needed to hear each others apology to be able to move on from it. Laura Donnelly as Jenny, in particular, was outstanding in this scene. Seeing Jenny admit she was wrong in her heartfelt apology was powerful, and made me really feel for the character. Laura did the character justice by performing exceptionally well. Jenny needed her brother, and Laura portrayed that excellently.
"I did not marry the Laird of Lallybroch, I married Jamie" Claire
Jamie wasn't acting himself during his first few days at Lallybroch; he was acting like a different man. Claire saw this and knew if she had any chance of living a happy life she wanted Jamie back, her Jamie. Jamie was trying to be someone who he is not - someone who is tough - but Jamie is too kind-hearted to be that kind of person. Jamie is compassionate and shows compassion when compassion is needed and he did so this episode with a tenant who was unable to pay his full rent. This is what makes Jamie such a beloved character, he acts with his heart and not his head - some people would say that's a bad thing, but it's not.
Lallybroch didn't come without its drama though. When the tenants came to pay the rent Claire caught a man hitting his child. As Claire is someone who is too caring and kind not to do something she had to interrupt. Claire can never stand by and watch someone get hurt, which is why she'll be a fantastic mother. She nurtures people. She always does what she believes is right, and mainly when she does things others benefit from it.
I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Jenny when she first graced our screens this episode. The way she kept cutting Claire out the conversation or being extremely rude toward her. I can see why she dislikes the English after what Randall did to her and her family, but that wasn't a reason to take it out on Claire. Jenny's stubborn and spirited and I did warm to the character as the episode progressed. I can see a friendship forming between Claire and Jenny in the upcoming episodes. A bond between them was shown briefly when they were attending to the abused boys bruises and also when they were in the fields. Claire needs a friend now more than ever and Jenny certainly would fit that role nicely.
Jamie's return to Lallybroch was cut short when men arrived at his door in the closing minutes - presumably after the price he had on his head. Jamie now will get taken to Black Jack Randall, I imagine, which I suppose would be fitting seeing as he haunted this episode with his presence in flashbacks.
Summary
Coming of the heels of a beautifully written and emotional episode, it was nice to take a step back for a minute, to breathe, and that's what this episode offered. It was by no means a dull episode - lots of things happened on Jamie's return to Lallybroch that made it an enjoyable hour of television, but it wasn't as intense as "The Devil's Mark." It did also include some scenes that did feel unnecessary, and did happen to make the episode less powerful, but I still did enjoy every scene regardless. Overall, this was an enjoyable episode that sets the next episode up nicely.
As always, thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments what you thought of "Lallybroch"
