OUTLANDER – Historical romantic drama based on the series of novels by Diana Gabaldon; rated TV-MA; airs Saturdays on Starz; 60 minutes. Episode 1.10: “By the Pricking of My Thumbs” (Aired April 11, 2015). Directed by Richard Clark; written by Ira Steven Behr (8 out of 10)
A lot happened in the latest episode of “Outlander. Historical Scotland is never dull; there was sword on kilt action, Jamie on Claire action, witchcraft, and murder.
On the previous episode, Claire and Jamie discovered an “ill wish” left under their bed. Jamie suspects Laoghaire after failed at seducing him. Feisty Claire confronts her, but Laoghaire isn’t intimidated and calls Claire a cold English bitch. That sort of insult won’t go over well, no matter what time period you’re in. So then Claire does exactly what I would have done and slaps her. Cat fight! Her terse apology immediately after indicates she is anything but genuinely sorry, and the exchange only worsens things between the women.
Later that night, Claire seeks Geillis (Lotte Verbeek) in the forest and discovers her dancing and writhing half naked, her round pregnant belly visible. She explains she is pregnant with Dougal’s child, though she and Dougal are married to others. She explains this is the reason for her naked forest dancing; she hopes that they will soon be free to wed and raise their child together.
Claire and Jamie also decide to approach the Duke of Sandringham with a petition of complaint against Captain Randall. Because, you know, the Captain is a Bad Man. And very creepy. The fussy Duke realizes Claire is someone to be reckoned with, and he acknowledges he is fond of Jamie, so he decides to consider it. Jamie, however, must agree to be his second at a duel to restore honor between him and another clan.
Once wrongs are righted and everyone has their honor back, the Duke and Jamie turn to leave, but enmity between the clans soon erupts into hurling insults at each other. A brawl ensues, with swords raised and metal clashing. Jamie is injured, and the Duke stands over him and begs him to tell Claire this wasn’t his fault. In their brief exchange, he learned Claire was someone whose wrath he wanted to avoid. And while the Duke manages to dodge her anger, Jamie cannot avoid it. But she is uncharacteristically quiet as she tends to his wound. “Quiet anger can be very effective,” he says.
Neither she nor Jamie are capable of staying out of trouble. If it’s not rival clans or Captain Randall, it’s rivals in love or accusations of witchcraft. Jamie told Claire to stay away from Geillis, and as has become a habit she didn’t listen. Is our heroine a bit too headstrong? Perhaps a wee bit. But her association with Geillis puts her in a bind, and they’re both taken away on charges of witchcraft after Dougal’s wife and Geillis’ husband both coincidentally (magically?) die.
Meanwhile, Laoghaire hides in the shadows rubbing her hands together and thinking “maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh!” Maybe Claire should have stayed away from her bad side.