OUTLANDER – Historical romantic drama based on the series of novels by Diana Gabaldon; rated TV-MA; airs Saturdays on Starz; 60 minutes. Episode 1.9: “The Reckoning” (Aired April 4, 2015). Directed by Richard Clark; written by Matthew D. Roberts (7 out of 10)
“Outlander” returned to Starz this past weekend, and the mid-season premiere didn’t disappoint. There was plenty of drama, romance, conflict, action, and even controversy.
The episode begins a bit prior to where the mid-season finale ended. We last saw Jamie (Sam Heughan) as he burst through Black Jack Randall’s door, gun aimed, telling him to take his hands off of his wife.
In a shift of narrative perspectives, we learn through Jamie’s eyes how he discovered Claire’s absence and arrived with the goal of rescuing her. And as strong of a character Claire is, it didn’t look like she would be able to get away from Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) on her own. The time-traveling lass needed a dramatic entrance at that moment.
But the situation looked even more desperate when Jamie handed over his gun after Randall threatened Claire. Seemingly powerless, Jamie seethed in fury as Randall gained the upper hand. Until . . . Randall fired and realized the weapon was useless. I wanted to cheer. And the expression on Randall’s face. Priceless. Jamie seized the opportunity to knock him on his face, and the dashing hero and brave heroine rode off into the sunset.
Or . . . not.
In a scene sizzling with sexual tension, Jamie and Claire faced off as he blamed her for getting herself in that predicament, and she screamed at him for not listening to her. They’ve already been through so much in their newly married life, and it’s taking its toll. And it’s not over yet. Jamie, adhering to his customs and the time period in which this story is set, realizes that he must put Claire in her place and tells her he must punish her.
Claire, a modern woman even by 1940’s standards, begins hurling things at him, but he overpowers her and doles out the punishment. The spanking/beating scene has stirred up plenty of controversy online since the episode aired, dividing fans. And it divides Jamie and Claire, for a time. But she ends up on top rather literally, and she holds a knife to Jamie’s throat and tells him never to raise a hand to her again: “I’ll cut your heart out and eat it for breakfast.” Um, yum? I would have cut his heart out, perhaps, but then had French Toast for breakfast. But that’s just me.
We also see tensions mounting in Clan MacKenzie, and Laoghaire (Nell Hudson), can’t accept that Jamie is married and now off limits to her. Is she the one leaving curses in their bed? Jamie and Claire’s enemies are growing in number, and no doubt Randall will seek his revenge at being thwarted once again.
The rest of the season should be very exciting.
“Outlander” airs on Starz Saturdays at 9PM ET/PT.